Shiro Moriya’s sci-fi suspense manga, Astro Baby, is set to conclude its serialization with its upcoming 43rd chapter. The final chapter will be available on the Shonen Jump+ app on October 24, 2025, with some regions seeing it on October 25th. This announcement marks the end of a series that began in February 2024, attracting readers with its unique premise and art style.
The Journey of Astro Baby
Astro Baby launched on Shueisha’s Shonen Jump+ platform in February 2024. The manga quickly garnered attention for its engaging sci-fi suspense narrative. The story is set in the isolated town of North Hill, which has been quarantined due to a mysterious “Couper disease” that transforms its inhabitants into cannibals. The plot follows Billy, a young soldier who returns to his hometown after six years, driven by a desire to protect the woman he loves amidst the unfolding horrors. A key plot point involves another meteorite falling as a baby is born, leading to the surprising revelation that the newborn can talk and swears to protect Billy.
Critical Reception and Narrative Arc
Initially, Astro Baby received praise for its distinctive art style and the compelling potential of its story. However, some readers noted that the plot began to feel rushed as it approached its conclusion, leading to what has been described as an anticlimactic ending. Despite this, the series maintained a dedicated readership, with many expressing sadness at its conclusion.
Mangaka’s History of Abrupt Endings
This swift conclusion for Astro Baby echoes a similar trajectory for Moriya’s previous work, Soloist in a Cage. That manga, which debuted in 2018, also received significant acclaim but went on an unexpected hiatus in March 2019 due to the creator’s health issues, eventually returning for an abrupt conclusion. The challenges related to the mangaka’s health were also cited as a reason for an unexpected hiatus in Astro Baby in September, further contributing to the perceived rushed pacing of its final chapters. Both Astro Baby and Soloist in a Cage are available for readers on the Manga Plus app.
Shonen Jump+ and Manga Cancellations
The cancellation of Astro Baby comes amidst a trend of numerous series ending on the Shonen Jump+ platform. Shueisha’s digital manga platform, launched in 2014, is known for serializing original shonen titles, including globally renowned series like Dandadan, Kaiju No. 8, and Spy x Family. However, the platform also frequently concludes series that do not meet performance expectations, making way for new titles. While Astro Baby had a promising start, it ultimately joined the ranks of manga that couldn’t escape this pattern of cancellation.
The final chapter of Astro Baby will bring closure to Billy’s quest in North Hill, leaving fans to reflect on the series’ distinctive world and memorable characters.
