The manga adaptation of Harunadon’s light novel series, Kōkyū Shakki-den: Imōto no Migawari o Shiteitara, Itsunomanika Kōtei ya shōgun ni Chōai Sareteimasu (The Legend of the Shakuhime of the Harem ~I Took the Place of My Sister, and I Suddenly Became the Emperor and General’s Favorite), is slated to end with its third volume. This announcement marks the approaching finale of Sakumine’s manga interpretation of Harunadon’s popular light novel.
Manga to End in May
Amazon has listed the third compiled book volume of Sakumine’s Kōkyū Shakki-den manga as its final volume, with a release date of May 7, 2025. This brings the manga adaptation to a conclusion after a relatively short run.
A Harem Story Begins
The Kōkyū Shakki-den story centers around Ii-Ii, a spirited and boyish village girl living with her adoptive parents. The narrative takes a turn when she discovers she has a twin sister.
Journey to the Inner Palace
Ii-Ii embarks on a journey to the inner palace, where her sister is believed to be, with the intention of becoming a candidate for the emperor’s wife.
Unexpected Career Change
Upon entering the inner palace, Ii-Ii’s path diverges unexpectedly. Instead of becoming a court lady, she finds herself becoming a military officer, essentially acting as a substitute for her sister.
Attention from Above
Before long, Ii-Ii captures the attention of both the military general and the emperor, setting the stage for a harem-style romantic entanglement.
Production Timeline
Harunadon originally launched the story on the Kakuyomu website in 2021, concluding the first part in January 2022. Square Enix began publishing the novels with illustrations by Taku Haruno in June 2022.
Manga Launch and Publication
Sakumine launched the manga adaptation on Square Enix’s Manga UP! service in August 2023. Square Enix published the manga’s first compiled book volume in October 2023 and the second volume in August 2024.
Harunadon’s Other Works
Harunadon’s Even a Replica Can Fall in Love (Replica Datte, Koi o Suru or Even a Replica Falls in Love) novel series is also gaining attention, with a television anime adaptation in the works. This story won the grand prize in the 29th Dengeki Novel Prize in 2022. Kadokawa’s Dengeki Bunko imprint began publishing the novel series in February 2023, and it shipped the fourth volume in July 2024. Yen Press publishes the novel series in English. Momose Hanada launched a manga adaptation in Kadokawa’s Dengeki Maoh magazine in April 2023. Kadokawa’s BookWalker service releases the manga in English.
Light Novel Adaptations: A Growing Trend
The adaptation of light novels into manga is a common practice in the Japanese entertainment industry. Light novels, with their accessible writing style and engaging plots, provide fertile ground for manga artists to create visually appealing and commercially successful adaptations.
Bakemonogatari: A Successful Example
NisiOisiN’s Monogatari series is a prime example of a light novel that has achieved significant success through manga adaptation. The manga version of Bakemonogatari, illustrated by Oh! Great, has been praised for its faithful adaptation of the original story and its stunning visuals.
Considerations for Manga Adaptations
When adapting a light novel into a manga, creators often take liberties with the plot and character designs. Some adaptations remain faithful to the source material, while others introduce new elements or alter existing ones.
