Kodansha announced on Friday that Haruko Ichikawa is preparing Cosmic Mimimi, an original science fiction series scheduled for Monthly Afternoon [1]. The upcoming release arrives on November 25, as the author returns to the magazine following the conclusion of her fantasy story Houseki no Kuni (Land of the Lustrous). Monthly Afternoon will present the opening chapter in its next installment, offering readers Ichikawa’s first serialized work since completing her previous story. The December 2026 issue confirmed that this new sci-fi title begins next month without delay.
Release Date and Magazine Schedule
The December 2026 issue of Monthly Afternoon announced on Friday that manga creator Haruko Ichikawa will launch her new sci-fi project in the magazine’s next issue [1]. News of the debut spread through Comic Natalie before reaching global readers through coverage on MyAnimeList. That schedule places the arrival of the opening chapter on November 25.
Monthly Afternoon carried Ichikawa’s serialized work for twelve publishing years between October 2012 and April 2024, firmly establishing her as one of the magazine’s key creative pillars [2]. The editorial department placed the announcement in the December 2026 issue so readers had advance notice before print copies reached retail shelves across Japan. It’s a swift return for Ichikawa, whose artistic voice helped shape Monthly Afternoon for more than a decade. Similar announcements in Japanese magazines include Kana Ozawa announcing a new manga after Blue Thermal. Kodansha continues to rely on Monthly Afternoon to present original stories from its creative roster, and Haruko Ichikawa remains central to the publication’s lineup as the magazine prepares for its late November issue.
Comic Natalie confirmed that Cosmic Mimimi is a sci-fi series [1]. Editorial staff have not released plot synopses yet. Ichikawa explores speculative themes in this upcoming setting, and readers can pick up the first printed pages when Kodansha ships the next issue on November 25.
Houseki no Kuni Serialization Run
Haruko Ichikawa established her reputation in the manga industry through Houseki no Kuni, which originally debuted in the pages of Monthly Afternoon in October 2012 [1]. The story followed fragile gemstone figures defending themselves against moon dwellers across hundreds of chapters. Ichikawa serialized the fantasy epic steadily in Monthly Afternoon until the final magazine chapter arrived in April 2024. That run lasted nearly twelve years.
Notable pauses occurred during serialization [2]. The manga entered an extended hiatus on December 26, 2020, and readers waited for updates until May 24, 2022, when the monthly chapters finally resumed in Monthly Afternoon. The break gave Ichikawa time before she delivered the final chapters in 2024.
After magazine serialization ended in April 2024, Kodansha released the compiled tankobon volumes for collectors in Japan [1]. The 13th and final volume went on sale in Japanese bookstores in November 2024. That 13th volume completed the entire collected edition, answering how many volumes make up the story for readers who follow Japanese print releases and book collections. Japanese fans purchased the final book while Ichikawa took a brief hiatus from regular publication. The completion of volume 13 paved the way for Ichikawa to begin developing Cosmic Mimimi for Monthly Afternoon.
Kodansha USA English Releases
Kodansha USA licensed the manga in October 2016 for English-speaking readers [1]. The company published the series under the translated title Land of the Lustrous, introducing Western manga fans to the intricate story and minimalist line art created by Ichikawa. The translated editions followed the Japanese tankobon schedule over subsequent years. Readers praised the localization quality, which preserved the delicate tone and terminology that Ichikawa created in Monthly Afternoon.
Kodansha USA supported the translation steadily [1]. The company published the 13th volume in November 2025, exactly twelve months after the Japanese edition arrived in bookstores. That November 2025 release completed the English run of Land of the Lustrous, so that overseas readers could finally collect every chapter in official compiled form. The effort represents nine publishing years from the October 2016 licensing agreement to the final November 2025 volume, giving overseas readers the complete story in official English editions.
English volumes from Kodansha USA broadened readership for Ichikawa beyond Japan [2]. Kodansha USA’s completion of the catalogue lets new readers experience all thirteen volumes of Houseki no Kuni before Cosmic Mimimi begins on November 25. It’s a complete library that will now sit side by side with Ichikawa’s new sci-fi comic in Monthly Afternoon.
Orange Television Anime Adaptation
In Fall 2017, animation studio Orange produced a 12-episode television anime adaptation based on Ichikawa’s manga [1]. Orange utilized 3D computer graphics [2]. The studio rendered the fragile gemstone characters and their agile combat sequences with digital techniques, proving that CG animation could capture Ichikawa’s delicate line work while keeping expressive movement on screen. The broadcast raised Orange’s profile and brought visibility to Houseki no Kuni.
Hidive handled worldwide streaming for the series [1]. The platform offered the 12-episode anime with subtitles and dubs in multiple languages, introducing Ichikawa’s narrative world to non-Japanese viewers who later sought out the ongoing print serialization in Monthly Afternoon. That international distribution model helped thousands of fans discover Houseki no Kuni. The adaptation covered the early volumes.
Orange’s 2017 anime adaptation is recognized for achievement in animation [2]. Fans still ask whether Orange will produce a second season, but neither Orange nor Kodansha has announced new episodes. The twelve existing episodes continue streaming on Hidive while Ichikawa turns her attention to Cosmic Mimimi.
From Houseki no Kuni to Sci-Fi
The transition from Houseki no Kuni to Cosmic Mimimi brings a fresh creative direction for Haruko Ichikawa [1]. Her earlier manga combined fantasy with reflections on loss, but this upcoming work is sci-fi. Monthly Afternoon announced Cosmic Mimimi right after volume 13 shipped in Japan, showing that Ichikawa prepared this new venture while finishing the long story of the gems. It begins an interesting next chapter for the author in Kodansha’s magazine.
Sci-fi storytelling opens fresh territory for Ichikawa [2]. Her work on Houseki no Kuni showed creative visual design, and while Cosmic Mimimi suggests space motifs or futuristic themes, Kodansha has kept specific premise summaries and character art confidential ahead of the upcoming magazine debut. Readers expect her style to translate into Monthly Afternoon. The December 2026 issue created strong curiosity among long-time followers.
With the next issue of Monthly Afternoon set to arrive on November 25, fans will not have to wait long to discover the opening chapter of Cosmic Mimimi [1]. The debut signals Haruko Ichikawa’s return to regular serialization after wrapping up Houseki no Kuni in April 2024. Manga readers worldwide will watch to see what Ichikawa delivers in her new sci-fi project.
- ONLINE NEWS MyAnimeList. (2026). ‘Houseki no Kuni’ creator launches new manga. MyAnimeList News. [Article Link]
- ONLINE NEWS MyAnimeList. (2026). ‘Houseki no Kuni’ creator launches new manga. MyAnimeList. [Article Link]
