Masaya Hokazono’s horror manga series, Kichikujima, is drawing to a close. After more than a decade of serialization, the chilling tale of survival on a deserted island will reach its climax in just two more chapters, concluding with chapter 335. The announcement was made by Hokazono himself on X, formerly known as Twitter, leaving fans both eager and apprehensive about the fate of the characters they’ve followed through countless trials and tribulations.
A Decade of Terror on a Deserted Island
Kichikujima, which translates to “Freak Island” or “Evil Land,” first launched in 2013 on Takeshobo’s Web Comic Manga platform. In 2019, Hokazono began serializing the manga in LINE Manga. The story plunges a group of university students into a nightmare scenario as they become stranded on a remote island. However, this is no ordinary desert island survival story. The students quickly discover that they are not alone; a brutal killer, along with his twisted family, also inhabit the island, turning their fight for survival into a desperate game of cat and mouse.
The manga is known for its intense gore, psychological horror, and exploration of dark themes, quickly cultivating a dedicated fanbase. Its unsettling atmosphere and unpredictable plot twists have kept readers on the edge of their seats for years. The series has spanned 24 compiled book volumes.
From Manga to Spinoffs: The Kichikujima Universe
The popularity of Kichikujima has led to the creation of various spinoffs, expanding the world and exploring different facets of its disturbing lore. These include:
- Zoumotsujima: A prequel manga focusing on Alice, a model who struggles to survive against the killer family.
- Kaoru no Taisetsu na Mono: A comedy spinoff anime that premiered in November 2020.
- Koi Suru Kichikujima: A romantic comedy spinoff manga by Hokazono and Ryū Horie. This series reimagines the original manga’s serial killer, Kaoru, as a high school girl who falls in love with Takahisa, the protagonist of the original series. The manga ended with its second volume in January 2022.
- Yume Kichikujima: A sequel series to Koisuru Kichikujima.
Hokazono’s Legacy in Horror Manga
Masaya Hokazono is a seasoned manga artist known for his work in the horror genre. Before Kichikujima, he gained recognition for his manga Inugami, which was serialized in Kodansha’s Afternoon magazine from 1996 to 2002. He later created a modified version of the manga titled Inugami Kai.
Manga Planet is currently publishing Hokazono’s Inugami Kai and Doctor Mordrid manga in English, bringing his earlier works to a wider audience.
The Final Chapters: What to Expect
As Kichikujima approaches its conclusion, fans are left to speculate about the fates of the remaining characters and the ultimate resolution of the story. Will any of the students escape the island? What will become of Kaoru and his family? Will the dark secrets of the island finally be revealed?
While the ending of Kichikujima may bring a sense of closure to longtime fans, it also marks the end of an era for horror manga. With its unsettling themes, graphic violence, and unpredictable narrative, Kichikujima has left a lasting impact on the genre and solidified Masaya Hokazono’s place as a master of horror storytelling.
