Is Kengan Ashura getting a new series? Explored

Modified Jan 04, 2025 14:30 GMT

Kengan Ashura creator confirms new series in the works (Image via Larx Entertainmnet, Netflix) — Is Kengan Ashura getting a new series? Explored (Image via Larx Entertainmnet, Netflix)

Wednesday, January 1, 2025, saw the Kengan Ashura creator Yabako Sandrovich tease the production of a new series in a video uploaded to an official Shogakukan YouTube channel. The video doesn’t provide significantly detailed information; however, it shows Sandrovich confirming that he does have a new manga in the works.

It’s worth mentioning that this manga is unlikely to be a new entry in the larger Kengan Ashura franchise, with the original series’ direct sequel Kengan Omega still in active serialization. Likewise, there’s no news on Omega’s current arc being its last, further supporting the idea that this new series will be one outside of the Kengan franchise.

Kengan Ashura and Omega creator likely to branch out into new universe, genre, and more with new series

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As mentioned above, this news on the Kengan Ashura creator, specifically the writer Yabako Sandrovich, comes from an official Shogakukan YouTube channel’s latest video. The video sees Sandrovich and his original manga series’ editor Sho Kobayashi judging entries for the Manga ONE publication’s “Battle Comic Award.” Just over four minutes into the video, onscreen text appears as a focus is given to Sandrovich and Kobayashi.

The text reads “Before judging the Newcomer Award, there is a meeting about a new series, the fifth one with an original story [by Sandrovich].” The two then seemingly discuss and test an apparent mixed martial arts (MMA) move. The video also notes that each is properly qualified to do so; Sandrovich has experience in karate, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and MMA, while editor Kobayashi placed third in a national full-contact karate competition during high school.

Shortly after this, the Kengan Ashura creator and editor moved to a new location to begin judging the manga entrants for the award. Here, a camera operator asks Sandrovich about a new manga, which he confirms as accurate. While no additional details are discussed, the fact that a section of the video is dedicated to Sandrovich and Kobayashi seemingly discussing material for it suggests that it’s already in the works.

Understandably, the question on many fans' minds in the wake of this news is whether or not this new series will be another Kengan Ashura franchise entry. As mentioned above, all currently available evidence suggests that this will not be the case. One of the biggest reasons is that the Kengan Omega series is still ongoing with no signs of showing down. Sandrovich would presumably end Omega before starting another mainline entry in the Kengan franchise.

It also seems unlikely that Sandrovich and Kobayashi would be as involved in the process for the new series as they seem to be if it were just a spinoff. Further supporting this is the fact that most mangaka allow others to handle the production of spinoffs, making themselves available for consulting rather than actively producing it. With all of this in mind, it seems likely that the upcoming new series from Sandrovich will not be a part of the larger Kengan franchise.

In summation

Kengan Omega's ongoing nature suggests the new series from Sandrovich isn't the next Kengan franchise chapter (Image via Shogakukan)

More likely than not, Sandrovich's new series will not be a part of the mainline Kengan franchise. The ongoing nature of Kengan Omega suggests that this new series is not a mainline entry into the franchise. Likewise, Sandrovich and Kobayashi's apparent involvement in the series is seemingly too high for a spinoff. As a result, it seems likely that the mangaka's new series will be fully removed from the larger franchise.