Yasuda Suzuhito’s dark fantasy manga, Bootsleg, is set to resume publication after a year-long hiatus. The return of the series was announced in Kodansha’s Monthly Shonen Sirius magazine, with a new chapter slated for release on October 24.
Return to Publication: Bootsleg‘s Comeback
The November issue of Kodansha’s Monthly Shonen Sirius magazine confirmed on Friday, September 26, 2025, that Suzuhito Yasuda’s Bootsleg manga will return to serialization. Fans can anticipate the next installment of the dark fantasy series with its comeback on October 24, marking an end to its roughly one-year pause.
The World of Bootsleg
Bootsleg is a dark fantasy series that delves into a world plagued by mysterious entities known as “Shake Hand.” The story centers on Zen, whose life was irrevocably altered at the age of seven when his parents, sister, and his own left leg were consumed by one of these gloved beings. Years later, these “gloved hand” incidents have become more frequent, leaving many others to suffer similar losses.
Zen’s Journey and the Bootsleg Syndicate
Powerless for years, Zen’s path changes dramatically when he once again encounters the murderous Shake Hand. This fateful meeting introduces him to the “Bootsleg” artisan syndicate, a group sworn to combat these mysterious entities. The syndicate utilizes special shoes, or prosthetics, to grant its members powers to fight against the “Hand-Red” — a term referring to the gloved enemies. The manga explores themes of revenge, determination, and the fight against overwhelming odds, characteristic of the shonen genre.
Creator Suzuhito Yasuda’s Noteworthy Works
Suzuhito Yasuda is a celebrated Japanese manga artist and illustrator known for his distinctive character designs and engaging narratives. He is the creator of the ongoing Yozakura Quartet manga, which has inspired multiple anime adaptations, including television series and original video anime.
Beyond his manga work, Yasuda has significantly contributed to various popular media as a character designer and illustrator. His notable design credits include the light novel series Durarara!! and Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? (also known as DanMachi), both of which have received anime adaptations. He also designed characters for the Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor video game series and Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth. His extensive portfolio showcases his versatile talent across manga, light novels, and video games.
Publication History and Previous Hiatus
Bootsleg first launched in Kodansha’s Monthly Shonen Sirius magazine on March 26, 2019. The series has garnered attention for its action-packed narrative and dark fantasy elements. The manga went on hiatus approximately one year ago before the recent announcement of its return. To date, Kodansha USA has released five volumes of Bootsleg in English, with Volume 5 having been released digitally on December 24, 2024.
