Yasuo Ohtagaki’s critically acclaimed Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt manga officially concluded its 13-year serialization run in Shogakukan’s Big Comic Superior magazine on Friday, September 26, 2025. The final chapter appeared in the magazine’s 20th issue, drawing an end to the popular Universal Century-era narrative. Alongside the finale, the magazine also revealed that Ohtagaki plans to launch a completely new manga series in Big Comic Superior next summer.
Gundam Thunderbolt Reaches its Climactic End
Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt debuted in Big Comic Superior in March 2012, quickly gaining a dedicated following for its intense, realistic portrayal of the One Year War within the Gundam universe. The final chapter, titled “Deployment! Thunderbolt Gundam,” spanned 24 full-color pages in the “Completion Memorial Issue” of the magazine, which prominently featured the series on its cover.
Over its extensive run, the manga has accumulated over 5.5 million copies in circulation and inspired two original net anime (ONA) series, which were later re-edited into compilation films. The series is known for its alternate “world line” diverging from the main Universal Century canon, focusing on the brutal conflict between the Earth Federation’s Moore Brotherhood and the Principality of Zeon’s Living Dead Division in the perilous “Thunderbolt Sector”. The final 27th compiled book volume of Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt is scheduled for release on December 19, 2025. To commemorate the manga’s conclusion and the final volume, a screening of the animated film Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt: December Sky will be held at Shinjuku Piccadilly, with Ohtagaki himself expected to attend.
Ohtagaki’s Next Chapter: A New Manga Awaits
Fans eager for Ohtagaki’s next work won’t have to wait long, as he is set to launch an entirely new manga in Big Comic Superior in the summer of 2026. While specific details about the new project remain under wraps, the announcement has already generated significant anticipation.
Ohtagaki, also known for his work on Moonlight Mile, had previously faced health challenges, including tenosynovitis (inflammation surrounding the tendons), which led to hiatuses for Gundam Thunderbolt. Upon resuming the manga in December 2018, he announced a permanent change to his drawing style to accommodate his condition, acknowledging potential impacts on the series’ visual quality. Despite these challenges, he successfully brought Gundam Thunderbolt to its intended conclusion.
Legacy of Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt
Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt leaves behind a significant legacy within the broader Gundam franchise. It offered a grittier, more adult-oriented perspective on the One Year War, characterized by mechanical realism, complex characters like Io Fleming and Daryl Lorenz, and a distinctive jazz motif that influenced its rhythm and atmosphere. The manga’s popularity extended beyond print, with its anime adaptations further solidifying its place as a beloved entry in the Universal Century timeline. With a new project on the horizon, Ohtagaki continues his creative journey, promising fresh narratives for his dedicated readership.
