Tokyo, Japan – Fans of the long-running tennis manga series, The New Prince of Tennis, will see no new chapter in the February issue of Shueisha’s Jump Square magazine. The hiatus, announced via the manga’s official X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday, is attributed to “editorial mismanagement” affecting creator Takeshi Konomi’s work on a separate illustration project. This incident consequently impacted the manga’s manuscript progress, necessitating the temporary pause.
Details of the Unexpected Hiatus
The statement from The New Prince of Tennis staff explained that Takeshi Konomi has been engaged in an illustration project since last year. However, issues arose with the project’s development, making it impossible to exhibit. The critical factor leading to the manga’s hiatus was cited as mismanagement by the editor in charge of Konomi’s illustration project. This mismanagement reportedly affected the production schedule for the manga’s current chapter, leading to its unavoidable absence from the upcoming Jump Square issue.
Impact on Publication Schedule
The February issue of Jump Square will therefore be published without a new installment of The New Prince of Tennis. However, the good news for readers is that Konomi has already commenced work on the chapter slated for the magazine’s March issue, which is scheduled for release on February 4. The editorial staff has also affirmed its commitment to working closely with Konomi to deliver an even better story as the series approaches its climax.
The New Prince of Tennis: A Legacy Approaching its Climax
Takeshi Konomi launched The New Prince of Tennis sequel manga in Shueisha’s Jump Square magazine in 2009, continuing the popular sports saga that began with the original The Prince of Tennis series. The original manga ran in Weekly Shonen Jump from 1999 to 2008, captivating readers with the journey of middle school tennis prodigy Ryōma Echizen.
The Franchise’s Extensive Reach
The Prince of Tennis franchise has grown significantly since its inception, inspiring a wide array of adaptations and spin-offs. This includes a 2001-2005 television anime series, two anime feature films, a theatrical short, various video anime projects, a live-action film, a Chinese live-action television series, and a highly popular stage musical series. More recently, the anime sequel Shin Tennis no Ōji-sama U-17 World Cup Semifinal aired from October to December 2024, with another sequel, Shin Tennis no Ōji-sama U-17 World Cup Kesshō Member Ketteisen, set to debut in Q4 2026.
Announced Conclusion
In July of last year, Konomi announced plans to conclude the serialization of The New Prince of Tennis within a year, marking 2026 as the final year for the beloved sequel after 17 years of publication. The manga’s 46th compiled book volume was released on January 5, 2026. As the series moves towards its eagerly anticipated conclusion, fans are keen to see how Ryoma Echizen’s journey will wrap up.
The temporary hiatus, while an inconvenience, is expected to be a brief pause before the series resumes its path toward a climactic finale. Both Konomi and the editorial team have expressed their dedication to delivering a strong conclusion for the long-standing tennis epic.
