Land of the Lustrous manga ending soon - Anime Manga Addicts

Fans of the captivating action fantasy manga, Houseki no Kuni (Land of the Lustrous), will soon bid farewell to the series. According to the May issue of Afternoon magazine released on March 25th, the manga by will conclude its run in the June issue hitting shelves on April 25th. This final chapter, the 108th, marks the end of an era that began nearly 12 years ago.

Ichikawa launched in October 2012 within the pages of Afternoon. Despite facing two hiatuses, one from December 2020 to June 2022 and another from October 2023 until its recent return in February 2024, the manga has garnered a devoted following. Kodansha, the publisher, released the 12th volume in November 2022.

The captivating story of crystallized lifeforms battling moon people resonated with audiences beyond the pages of the manga. A 12-episode anime adaptation brought the world of Houseki no Kuni to life in Fall 2017. The animation studio Orange, known for its expertise in 3DCG animation, brought the series to the screen. Sentai Filmworks licensed the anime, making it available on the now-defunct Anime Strike platform before HIDIVE picked it up for North American streaming. Fans who preferred a physical copy could add the series, complete with English subtitles and dub, to their collection thanks to a home video release by HIDIVE in May 2019.

The success of Houseki no Kuni extended beyond Japan's borders. Kodansha USA secured the English language rights for the manga in October 2016, with the 12th volume hitting shelves in August 2023. The series has also been translated and published in numerous languages, including Spanish, German, French, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, and Chinese.

Critical acclaim followed the series as well. Houseki no Kuni ranked tenth in the male readers' category of the 2014 Kono Manga ga Sugoi! (This Manga is Amazing!) rankings and received a nomination for the 8th Manga Taisho Awards.

For those unfamiliar with the captivating world of Houseki no Kuni, here's a glimpse: Millennia ago, a catastrophic event left Earth transformed. Six meteors shattered the planet, creating six moons and a lone island. Those who couldn't reach the island found themselves submerged in the ocean, slowly crystallizing over time. 28 of these crystallized beings, known as the Lustrous, eventually emerged from the depths to form a society on the island. Led by the wise Kongou-sensei, they face a constant threat – the Lunarians. These inhabitants of the moons view the Lustrous as valuable materials, relentlessly hunting them to craft weapons and jewelry.

At the heart of the story lies Phosphophyllite, a young gem about to turn 300 years old. Unlike their fellow Lustrous, Phosphophyllite is clumsy, incredibly fragile, and lacks any apparent talent. This renders them incapable of meaningfully contributing to the fight against the Lunarians. However, as the battles rage on, Phosphophyllite will discover a harsh truth – the path to power is paved with unimaginable sacrifices.