Konami has announced that the manga adaptation for Suikoden: Star Leap, titled Gensō Suikoden: Star Leap ~Hoshiboshi no Kiseki~ (Suikoden: Star Leap ~Star Trails~), will begin its serialization on November 5, 2025. The series will be featured in Kadokawa’s Monthly Comic Flapper magazine, appearing in its December 2025 installment. This new manga will be illustrated by Aki Shimizu, known for their work on the Suikoden III manga adaptation, Suikoden III: The Successor of Fate.
Diving into the World of Suikoden: Star Leap
The Suikoden: Star Leap manga is based on the upcoming mobile and PC game of the same name, marking a significant return for the beloved Suikoden franchise with an original RPG title after over a decade. The game and its manga adaptation aim to expand the rich lore of the Suikoden universe.
The Story and Setting
The narrative of Suikoden: Star Leap is set between the events of Suikoden V and the original Suikoden game. It begins in a village situated on the shore of a lake, east of the formidable Scarlet Moon Empire. The story kicks off with the hero, the son of village chief Hou, returning successfully from his first hunt. However, this celebration is short-lived as an assault changes the village’s fate, forcing the hero to embark on a journey with companions like Hisui, Shirin, and Shapur to restore peace. The manga is specifically teased to focus on the “realities and conflicts of a certain knight whose home country has long been embroiled in war”. One early chapter is expected to delve into the past of Shapur, the main character’s teacher and butler, who was once a general.
Returning Talent: Aki Shimizu
The involvement of Aki Shimizu is a notable highlight for long-time Suikoden fans. Shimizu previously adapted Suikoden III into a manga, which was also serialized in Monthly Comic Flapper and later released in English by Tokyopop. This marks Shimizu’s return to the franchise, with Konami even obtaining a comment from the creator for the Star Leap website, expressing anticipation for meeting the new characters. This will be the fourth manga adaptation in the Suikoden series, with Yu Hijikata having handled Suikoden and Suikoden II manga adaptations.
Availability and Future Prospects
The Suikoden: Star Leap manga will launch in Japan on November 5, 2025, within the December issue of Kadokawa’s Comic Flapper magazine. As of now, there is no confirmed release date for an English localization of the manga. However, the English Star Leap website mentioning Aki Shimizu’s involvement hints at potential future Western availability.
The Suikoden: Star Leap game, which the manga adapts, is slated for release on iOS, Android, and PC via Steam. While the game will incorporate gacha elements, its main story progression and the recruitment of the 108 Stars of Destiny will be obtained through normal gameplay without relying on gacha mechanics. Additional characters and variants will be available via gacha or special events.
