The Undead Unluck manga series has reached its conclusion after a successful five-year run in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump. The final chapter, chapter 239, was released in January 2025, marking the end of Yoshifumi Tozuka’s thrilling supernatural adventure. However, fans of Fuuko and Andy can rejoice, as the 27th and final volume, scheduled for release in April 2025, will include five newly drawn epilogue chapters, offering additional content beyond the main storyline.
A Look Back at Undead Unluck‘s Journey
Undead Unluck, written and illustrated by Yoshifumi Tozuka, debuted as a one-shot manga in January 2019 before being serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump on January 20, 2020. The series follows Fuuko Izumo, a young woman with the ability to bring immense “Unluck” to anyone she touches, and Andy, an immortal man who yearns to die. Together, they navigate a world filled with supernatural entities known as UMAs (Unknown Mysterious Animals) and a secret organization called the Union, all while trying to find a way for Andy to finally meet his end.
The manga quickly gained popularity for its unique premise, engaging characters, and action-packed plot. It was praised for its creative use of the “Negator” abilities, which grant individuals the power to negate certain aspects of reality, leading to exciting and unpredictable battles. Undead Unluck also resonated with readers due to its themes of friendship, love, and the search for meaning in a world filled with chaos.
Serialization and Release
- Weekly Shonen Jump: Undead Unluck was serialized in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump magazine, a leading source for popular manga series.
- Start Date: January 20, 2020
- End Date: January 27, 2025
- Total Chapters: 239
- Tankōbon Volumes: The series has been compiled into individual tankōbon volumes, with 25 volumes released as of February 4, 2025. The 26th and 27th (final) volumes are scheduled for release in April 2025.
- Digital Release: Viz Media has digitally serialized the manga on its Shonen Jump website.
- English Release: Viz Media has licensed the manga for English release in North America, making it accessible to a wide international audience.
Awards and Recognition
Undead Unluck has received critical acclaim and has been recognized with several awards:
- Ranked #14 on the Kono Manga ga Sugoi! 2021 list of manga for male readers.
- Won the sixth “Tsugi ni Kuru Manga Taishō” (up-and-coming manga awards) in August 2020.
These accolades highlight the manga’s quality and its impact on the manga community.
Anime Adaptation
The popularity of Undead Unluck led to an anime adaptation by David Production, which premiered in October 2023. The anime series, directed by Yuki Yase, captured the essence of the manga, bringing the characters and their abilities to life with vibrant animation and engaging storytelling. The first season ran for 24 episodes, concluding in March 2024.
Anime Highlights
- Studio: David Production (animation), TMS Entertainment (production and planning)
- Director: Yuki Yase
- Original Run: October 7, 2023 – March 23, 2024
- Episodes: 24
- Streaming: The anime streamed on Hulu.
Future of the Anime
While the first season of the anime adapted a significant portion of the manga, fans can look forward to more Undead Unluck content in the future. A new one-hour anime special, featuring a completely original story written by Yoshifumi Tozuka, is set to debut in winter 2025. This special will also introduce a new UMA creature designed by Tozuka, promising fresh and exciting content for anime viewers.
The Final Volume and Epilogue Chapters
The conclusion of Undead Unluck in Weekly Shonen Jump marked the end of an era for many fans. However, the release of the 27th and final volume in April 2025 will provide closure with five brand-new epilogue chapters. These chapters will offer a glimpse into the aftermath of the main story, potentially exploring the future of Fuuko and Andy, as well as other beloved characters.
What to Expect in the Epilogue
While the exact content of the epilogue chapters remains a secret, fans can speculate about what they might entail:
- Character Development: The epilogue could delve deeper into the character development of Fuuko and Andy, showcasing how they have grown and changed since the beginning of their journey.
- Relationships: The chapters might explore the relationships between the main characters and the supporting cast, providing insights into their bonds and connections.
- World-Building: The epilogue could expand on the world of Undead Unluck, introducing new locations, characters, or concepts that were not explored in the main story.
- Loose Ends: The chapters might tie up any loose ends from the main storyline, answering lingering questions and providing closure to unresolved plot points.
- Future Adventures: The epilogue could hint at future adventures for Fuuko and Andy, leaving the door open for potential sequels or spin-offs.
Parallels with Other Manga
The inclusion of epilogue chapters in the final volume of Undead Unluck is a trend that has been seen in other popular manga series, such as My Hero Academia and Jujutsu Kaisen. These epilogues often serve as a way to provide fans with additional content and to offer a more satisfying conclusion to the story.
- My Hero Academia: The final volume of My Hero Academia included dozens of new pages, with a final “epilogue” chapter that added to the story.
- Attack on Titan: This manga saw new chapters added by the author, seemingly in reaction to fan reception.
Other Undead Unluck Content
In addition to the manga and anime, Undead Unluck has also spawned a series of light novels, offering fans even more opportunities to immerse themselves in the world of the series.
Light Novels
- Undead Unluck: Fuzoroi na Union no Nichijō: This novel, written by Sawako Hirabayashi and illustrated by Yoshifumi Tozuka, was published on February 3, 2023. It features previously untold stories about the everyday lives of those in the Union organization, including the stories “Gina’s Recollection” and “Shen’s Academy Infiltration.”
- Undead Unluck: Romantic na Hiteisha no Kyūjitsu: A second novel by the same writer, released on October 4, 2023.
- Undead Unluck: Hiteishatachi no Aoharu na Kōkō Seikatsu: A third novel is set to be released on April 4, 2025.
These light novels provide deeper insights into the characters and the world of Undead Unluck, offering fans a more comprehensive experience.
Reception and Impact
Undead Unluck has had a significant impact on the manga and anime community. Its unique premise, engaging characters, and action-packed plot have resonated with readers and viewers alike. The series has been praised for its creativity, its themes of friendship and love, and its ability to blend humor and heart.
Shonen Jump’s Evolving Landscape
The conclusion of Undead Unluck, along with other recent endings in Weekly Shonen Jump, has sparked discussions about the magazine’s evolving landscape. Some fans have expressed concern that Shonen Jump is moving away from long-running manga series in favor of shorter, more diverse titles. However, others have argued that this shift is a positive development, allowing for a greater variety of stories and creators to be showcased.
A Lasting Legacy
Regardless of the future direction of Weekly Shonen Jump, Undead Unluck has left a lasting legacy as a beloved and influential manga series. Its unique blend of action, comedy, and heart has captivated fans around the world, and its characters will continue to inspire and entertain for years to come. The upcoming release of the final volume with its new epilogue chapters, along with the new anime special, ensures that the world of Undead Unluck will continue to thrive and evolve, keeping the series alive in the hearts of its fans.
The end of the serialization of Undead Unluck in Weekly Shonen Jump marks the end of an era, but the story is far from over. With the release of the final volume and its five new epilogue chapters in April 2025, fans will have one last chance to dive into the world of Fuuko and Andy and experience the thrilling conclusion of their supernatural adventure. The upcoming anime special and the existing light novels further enrich the Undead Unluck universe, offering a wealth of content for fans to enjoy.
