The manga spin-off series, “Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun: IruMafia Edition,” is set to transfer its serialization to Akita Shoten’s Weekly Shōnen Champion magazine, with its first chapter in the new publication scheduled for December 11. This move marks a significant change for the spin-off, which initially debuted in Bessatsu Shōnen Champion.
A New Home for the Demonic Mafia Story
“Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun: IruMafia Edition,” known in Japan as Mairimashita! Iruma-kun if Episode of Mafia, will transition from Bessatsu Shōnen Champion to its sister publication, Weekly Shōnen Champion, starting December 11. Both magazines are published by Akita Shoten, ensuring the spin-off remains under the same publishing umbrella.
The Genesis of “IruMafia Edition”
The “IruMafia Edition” spin-off first began its serialization in Bessatsu Shōnen Champion on September 12, 2023. This unique take on the beloved “Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun” universe reimagines protagonist Iruma Suzuki as a kind but dirt-poor young boy living in a ruthless city slum. His life takes a drastic turn when he encounters an injured old man, Don Sullivan, the leader of the Babel Mafia. Sullivan, charmed by Iruma’s kindness, adopts him, thrusting Iruma into the chaotic world of demonic mafiosos. The spin-off is written and illustrated by hiromono, with Osamu Nishi, the original creator of “Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun,” credited as the original creator.
Understanding the “Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun” Franchise
The parent series, “Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun” (Japanese: Mairimashita! Iruma-kun), is a popular Japanese manga series created by Osamu Nishi. It tells the story of Iruma Suzuki, a 14-year-old human boy whose negligent parents sell him to a demon named Sullivan. Sullivan adopts Iruma as his grandson and enrolls him in the Babyls School for Demons, where Sullivan himself is the headmaster. Iruma must keep his human identity a secret to avoid being eaten, navigating the demon world with his unique survival skills and the support of his new demon friends. The main series has been serialized in Weekly Shōnen Champion since March 2017 and has amassed 45 tankōbon volumes as of October 2025. Its ongoing success has also led to an anime adaptation and other spin-off projects.
The Role of Weekly Shonen Champion
Weekly Shōnen Champion is one of Japan’s oldest weekly shonen manga anthologies, first launched in 1969. Published by Akita Shoten, the magazine has been home to numerous iconic series throughout its history, including Osamu Tezuka’s “Black Jack,” Keisuke Itagaki’s “Baki the Grappler,” and Shinji Mizushima’s “Dokaben.” It also currently serializes the main “Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun” series. The magazine is published every Thursday. While its circulation is a distant third compared to Weekly Shonen Jump and Weekly Shonen Magazine, it maintains a dedicated readership and has serialized many major manga series.
The move of “IruMafia Edition” to Weekly Shōnen Champion will place both the original series and its spin-off within the same weekly magazine, potentially offering more direct exposure to fans of the main story and consolidating the franchise’s presence within Akita Shoten’s flagship shonen publication. This could streamline accessibility for readers and further integrate the spin-off into the broader “Iruma-kun” universe for its established audience.
