Hiroshi Takahashi’s action-packed manga series, Jank Runk Family, is officially set to conclude with its 20th compiled book volume. The final volume is slated to ship on January 13. This announcement follows the revelation in the 22nd issue of Akita Shoten’s Young Champion magazine on October 28 that the manga would wrap up in three chapters, bringing its final arc, “Ningen VS Kurome Gundan-hen” (Human vs Kurome Army Corps arc), to a close.
The Journey of Jank Runk Family
Jank Runk Family first launched in Young Champion magazine in September 2016. The series is a crossover with Takahashi’s earlier work, OREN’S, which he co-created with artist Yanse Kazu in Akita Shoten’s Bessatsu Young Champion magazine in September 2015. OREN’S itself is set in a post-disaster world, depicting the intense struggle for survival among men.
Serialization and Arcs
The Jank Runk Family manga has had a segmented serialization, dividing its narrative into multiple distinct parts:
- First Part: Concluded in March 2018.
- Second Part: Concluded in August 2019.
- Third Part: Began in April 2020 and concluded in May 2022.
- Fourth Part: Commenced with the manga’s 12th volume in December 2022.
The final arc, “Ningen VS Kurome Gundan-hen,” began with the manga’s 14th volume in November 2023. The 19th volume of the series shipped on September 19.
Thematic Connections to Takahashi’s Other Works
Hiroshi Takahashi is widely recognized for his delinquent and action-oriented manga. His most famous works include Crows and its sequel Worst. Crows ran for 26 volumes and even inspired a two-episode anime OVA adaptation in 1994. Fans often discuss Jank Runk Family in the context of Takahashi’s broader “Crows x Worst” universe, noting its similar art style and themes of gang conflict and survival, albeit in a post-apocalyptic setting. While some readers have enjoyed the new setting, others have suggested that Takahashi’s signature aesthetic might not fully align with the post-apocalyptic world of Jank Runk Family, recommending Crows or Worst for a more typical experience of his style.
The conclusion of Jank Runk Family marks the end of another significant series from a prolific manga creator, bringing its multi-part narrative to a definitive close for fans worldwide.
