After the successful 15-year run of Naruto, Masashi Kishimoto is now ready to tell another story with Samurai 8: Hachimaruden. The new manga series will be quite different from the famous manga artist's original work, but the hype is now up as it is about to be released in the first Shonan Jump issue in the Reiwa era this month.
Little details about Samurai 8: Hachimaruden are now emerging, as teasers and glimpses of its first chapter have been released. A Twitter user named @Spytrue revealed, via Comic Book, the manga series' debut installment, titled "The Tale of Hachimaru," would be 72 pages long.
Samurai 8: Hachimaruden first chapter seems to be a long one for having 72 pages. The usual debut of manga series reportedly has from 40 to 70 pages to properly introduce its tale and characters to the readers. But as Kishimoto has the "weight behind his name," people are confident he can give justice to its story.
However, official details about Samurai 8: Hachimaruden official plotline has been kept under wraps, but Viz Media, which owned the new manga series' rights, already gave the first look to the new manga series' world. It evidently differs from Naruto by featuring a region full of "science-fiction elements."
The 21st issue of Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine teased Samurai 8: Hachimaruden would have a preview version in both of its 22nd and 23rd issues. Fans had a glimpse of a combination of colored and black-and-white images that spanned on four pages.
Anime News Network noted Samurai 8: Hachimaruden preview featured a crossover featuring Kishimoto's classic hero, Naruto, greeting the newcomer. Shueisha's 22nd and 23rd issues would be its final release in Japan's Heisei era.
So, Samurai 8: Hachimaruden would be the magazine's first new serialization in Weekly Shonen Jump in the Reiwa era. The series and the first issue in the new era will be out on May 13.
Samurai 8: Hachimaruden is said to be Kishimoto's major departure from the world of Naruto by featuring a science-fiction story filled with samurai weapons. Viz Media got the license to release the new series in the English language.
Samurai 8: Hachimaruden is written by Kishimoto with the illustration of his former assistant Akira Okubo. As the manga series seems to capture the renowned 44-year-old artist's illustrative style, it is an indication Okubo's work will be exquisite for the rest of the series.
