The popular psychological horror manga “Pumpkin Night” has experienced hiatuses, leaving fans eager for updates. Let’s delve into the details of these interruptions and the series’ overall journey.
What is Pumpkin Night?
“Pumpkin Night” is a Japanese manga series written by Masaya Hokazono and illustrated by Seima Taniguchi. Launched in October 2016, the series initially appeared on Web Comic Gamma before moving to LINE Manga.
Storyline
The manga follows Naoko Kirino, a girl who endures severe bullying during her junior high years, leading to her confinement in a mental asylum. After escaping, she dons a disfigured pumpkin head and seeks revenge on those who wronged her. The story begins with Akemi Nakatani, who receives threatening messages from “Pumpkin Night” on social media and is subsequently murdered. Her friend, Kazuya Makino, becomes Naoko’s next target.
Themes and Style
“Pumpkin Night” is heavily inspired by Western slasher horror, featuring gore and macabre illustrations by Seima Taniguchi. The manga explores themes of insanity, bullying, revenge, and despair, creating a terrifying and suspenseful narrative.
Hiatus Details
The “Pumpkin Night” manga has gone on hiatus at least once due to health concerns of the illustrator.
May 2021 Hiatus
In May 2021, it was announced that “Pumpkin Night” would go on hiatus until July of the same year. The reason cited was that Seima Taniguchi needed more time to work on the illustrations and catch up with Masaya Hokazono’s storyline. The production pace of releasing a new chapter every two weeks was proving difficult to maintain.
Impact of the Hiatus
The hiatus allowed Taniguchi to catch up with the story and ensure the quality of the artwork remained high. Fans appreciate Taniguchi’s detailed and clean art style, which is integral to the manga’s appeal.
Series Overview
Despite the hiatus, “Pumpkin Night” has continued to captivate readers with its intense storyline and gruesome visuals.
Publication
The manga has been serialized on LINE Manga since 2019, with LINE Digital Frontier publishing several compiled volumes. As of late 2023, seven volumes had been released, with the eighth volume expected in the fall.
Availability
Currently, “Pumpkin Night” is available on LINE Manga, but only accessible in Japan and without an official English translation. Fans who do not understand Japanese rely on fan translations to read the series.
Prequel
In June 2020, Masaya Hokazono and Nao Kurebayashi launched a prequel manga titled “Naoko ~ Pumpkin Night Gaiden~” on LINE Manga.
Third Part
The second part of the “Pumpkin Night” manga concluded with chapter 122 in December 2023, and the third part began serialization on January 17, 2024.
Where to Read
- LINE Manga: The primary platform for reading “Pumpkin Night,” though it is only available in Japan.
- Fan Translations: Unofficial translations are available for fans outside Japan who cannot access the Japanese version.
What to Expect
Readers of “Pumpkin Night” can expect a psychological thriller filled with horror, gore, and a relentless pursuit of revenge. The manga delves into the minds of its characters, exploring themes of trauma and the consequences of bullying.
Reception
“Pumpkin Night” has garnered attention for its intense and disturbing content. The detailed art and gruesome scenes have been praised by fans of the horror genre.
Online Reviews
Many reviewers describe “Pumpkin Night” as a brutal and gory manga that does not shy away from depicting violence. The unique character design of Naoko, with her pumpkin mask and signature weapon, has also been well-received.
About the Creators
- Masaya Hokazono: The writer of “Pumpkin Night,” known for crafting a psychological horror story filled with suspense.
- Seima Taniguchi: The illustrator, whose detailed and gruesome artwork brings the macabre aspects of the manga to life.
Other Works by Masaya Hokazono
Masaya Hokazono has also worked on other manga series, including:
- Inugami: Serialized in Kodansha’s Afternoon magazine from 1996 to 2002.
- Inugami Kai: A modified version of “Inugami.”
- Doctor Mordrid: Another manga series by Hokazono.
Conclusion
“Pumpkin Night” remains a popular manga series despite hiatuses. Its unique blend of psychological horror, intense gore, and compelling characters continues to draw readers into its dark and twisted world. As fans eagerly await future updates, the legacy of “Pumpkin Night” endures as a standout title in the horror manga genre.
