The beloved manga series Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, written by Kanehito Yamada and illustrated by Tsukasa Abe, will enter an indefinite hiatus following the release of Chapter 140 in the combined 4/5 issue of Shogakukan’s Weekly Shonen Sunday magazine for 2025. This announcement was made on Wednesday, December 25, 2024.
Since its debut in April 2020, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End has captivated readers with its poignant storytelling and unique exploration of life, death, and legacy through the perspective of an elven mage who outlives her companions. The manga has been compiled into 13 tankōbon volumes, with the most recent volume released on April 17, 2024. Over the years, the series has gained significant popularity, boasting over 17 million copies in circulation—an increase of 7 million since the debut of its anime adaptation.
This isn’t the first time the series has faced a pause in serialization. In late November 2024, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End took a brief two-week break before resuming in the combined 2/3 issue of Weekly Shonen Sunday on December 11. Earlier in the year, the manga went on a longer hiatus beginning May 15, 2024, and returned on August 7, 2024.
Additionally, the manga faced a break in early 2023, going on hiatus in January and resuming serialization in March of the same year. Despite being serialized in a weekly magazine, the series has often followed a bi-weekly release schedule, likely to ensure the creators have sufficient time to maintain the high quality of the story and artwork.
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End has been lauded for its melancholic yet heartwarming approach to the fantasy genre. Its exploration of the quiet aftermath of heroic adventures, centered on the emotional journey of an immortal protagonist, has resonated deeply with readers around the globe.
While fans have become accustomed to occasional breaks in the series, the announcement of an indefinite hiatus has sparked concern and speculation about the reasons behind the pause. Whether it stems from creative rest, health concerns, or other undisclosed factors, readers remain hopeful for the manga’s eventual return.
As of now, no timeline has been provided for the manga’s return, leaving fans eagerly awaiting further updates. The series has become a cornerstone of modern fantasy manga, and its absence will undoubtedly leave a void in the community.
Source: Weekly Shonen Sunday magazine’s 2025 combined issue ⅘
