Tokyo, Japan – Fans of the sci-fi horror manga Terraformars can still anticipate its return before the end of 2025, despite the series facing additional delays. The official X (formerly Twitter) account for the manga, created by Kenichi Tachibana and Yū Sasuga, recently confirmed plans for its resumption from its current hiatus.
The popular manga has experienced a series of interruptions, leaving readers eager for new chapters. Its most recent hiatus began on April 10, 2025, having initially been slated to return in the summer, then pushed to fall, and now extended to an unspecified date before the year’s close.
The Road to Resumption: A History of Hiatuses
Terraformars has a notable history of going on hiatus, primarily due to writer Yū Sasuga’s health issues. The manga had previously returned in April 2024 after a significant four-year break, which began in December 2019. Before that, the series also experienced a pause from March 2017 to April 2018. Kenichi Tachibana had stated in August 2021 that the manga would resume once Sasuga’s health improved.
The extended breaks have often been met with understanding from the fanbase, given the circumstances surrounding the author’s well-being. However, the frequent delays underscore the challenges in maintaining a consistent release schedule for the acclaimed series.
Creator’s Other Works During Hiatus
During some of the hiatus periods for Terraformars, illustrator Kenichi Tachibana engaged in other projects. He notably launched a new sci-fi manga titled Gigantis in Shueisha’s Grand Jump magazine in August 2021, which concluded in July 2023. These alternative projects kept Tachibana active in the manga industry while Sasuga focused on recovery.
The World of Terraformars: A Brief Overview
Terraformars is a seinen manga that first began serialization in Shueisha’s Miracle Jump magazine in January 2011 before moving to Weekly Young Jump in April 2012. The story plunges humanity into a desperate struggle against mutated, giant humanoid cockroaches on Mars. This conflict arises from a terraforming project initiated centuries prior, involving mold and cockroaches to prepare the Red Planet for human colonization.
Expeditions to Mars, such as the Annex 1 mission, feature crew members who have undergone a “Bugs Procedure,” a terrifying experimental surgery injecting them with DNA from various Earth organisms to grant them superhuman abilities necessary to combat the formidable Terraformars. The narrative combines elements of action, horror, and science fiction, exploring themes of survival, evolution, and the ethical implications of genetic modification.
Published Volumes and International Release
As of July 2024, 23 tankōbon volumes of Terraformars have been collected and released by Shueisha in Japan. Viz Media handles the English-language release in North America, with the 23rd volume set to ship on November 18, 2025. The series has also inspired various adaptations, including a 13-episode television anime series in September 2014, a sequel anime Terraformars Revenge in April 2016, and a live-action film in April 2016. Two OVA series have also been released, adapting different arcs of the manga.
What to Expect Next
While a specific return date within 2025 has not been pinpointed, the renewed commitment from the creators and publisher provides a hopeful outlook for fans. The continuation of Terraformars will likely delve further into humanity’s high-stakes battle for survival against the evolved Martian threats, picking up where the narrative left off before its latest pause. Readers are advised to follow official announcements from Shueisha or the manga’s official X account for the precise resumption date.
