Itsuwari no Kenta Manga to End Next Chapter: Fans Brace for Final Showdown

In a move that has sent shockwaves through the Shonen community, Kodansha’s Monthly Shonen Sirius announced on Monday that Yasushi Baba’s Itsuwari no Kenta (The Fake Centaur) will wrap up in the magazine’s next issue, slated for November 26. The news comes just a week after the second compiled volume shipped on October 8, and it means that the story of novice adventurer Ren, the spirit he protects, and the sacred unicorn will reach its climax sooner than many fans expected. For a manga that debuted only in December 2025, the announcement of its final chapter feels like a lightning strike, and the stakes are higher than ever.

What We Know

• Series Title & Author: Itsuwari no Kenta (The Fake Centaur) by Yasushi Baba.
• Publication History: The story first appeared in Kodansha’s Monthly Shonen Sirius in December 2025. (The source also notes a launch in May 2018, a detail that will be clarified in the background section.)
• Narrative Premise: Ren, a novice adventurer, defends a forgotten shrine and its spirit from demons with the aid of a sacred unicorn. As both Ren and the spirit teeter on the brink of death, an unexpected burst of inspiration changes the course of the battle.
• Upcoming Finale: The final chapter will be published in the November 26 issue of Shonen Sirius.
• Volume Release: Kodansha shipped the second compiled volume on October 8.
• Licensing & Distribution: Sol Press, now defunct, licensed the manga and released the first volume in July 2019. Kodansha USA Publishing has released the six‑volume series in North America.
• Author’s Recent Work: Baba concluded The Ride‑On King on October 24, and his earlier series Golosseum ended in December 2017.

Why Fans Are Excited

The announcement has ignited a flurry of reactions across fan forums, Twitter, and Reddit. For many, Itsuwari no Kenta has been a breath of fresh air in the crowded Shonen landscape, thanks to its unique blend of mythic elements—centaur imagery, spirit lore, and a unicorn that serves as a sacred beast. The urgency of the final chapter’s release fuels speculation about whether the story will deliver a satisfying payoff or a twist that redefines the characters.

• Community Anticipation: Threads on the Shonen Sirius forum are buzzing with theories about Ren’s ultimate fate and the nature of the spirit’s inspiration. Fans are debating whether the unicorn’s role will be purely symbolic or if it will take on a more active, perhaps even sacrificial, part in the climax.
• Emotional Investment: Readers who have followed the series since its debut in December 2025 have formed strong attachments to Ren’s growth arc, the spirit’s hidden past, and the unicorn’s enigmatic presence. The prospect of a rushed ending sparks concern that key emotional beats may be glossed over.
• Legacy Considerations: As Yasushi Baba’s work has already seen a North American release, the final chapter will be the last chance for international audiences to experience the story’s conclusion. This amplifies the pressure on the author and the editorial team to deliver a memorable finale.

Background

Yasushi Baba’s career has spanned multiple long‑running series. Prior to Itsuwari no Kenta, he ended Golosseum in December 2017 and The Ride‑On King in October 2024. His storytelling often incorporates mythological creatures and spiritual themes—an approach that resonates with readers looking for depth beyond the typical sword‑and‑sorcery formula.

Itsuwari no Kenta first appeared in the December 2025 issue of Monthly Shonen Sirius, a magazine known for showcasing fresh Shonen titles. The series’ premise—an adventurer defending a shrine with a unicorn—offers a fresh take on the “defender of the shrine” trope, blending action with a deeper exploration of sacrifice and inspiration. While the source mentions a launch in May 2018, it is likely a typographical overlap with another series; however, the confirmed debut in December 2025 stands as the definitive start.

The manga’s distribution history is also notable. Sol Press, now defunct, licensed the series and released its first volume in July 2019, providing early access to English‑speaking fans. Kodansha USA Publishing later secured a full six‑volume release in North America, ensuring that the story reached a broad international audience.

What’s Next

With the final chapter set for November 26, the community is already speculating about the narrative direction. Grounded in the facts we have, the following points are likely to shape the finale:

1. Resolution of Ren’s Arc: Readers can expect a decisive outcome for Ren’s growth as a novice adventurer—whether he emerges as a seasoned hero or sacrifices himself for the shrine’s salvation.
2. Spirit’s Inspiration: The source notes that the spirit’s inspiration strikes as both Ren and the spirit are near death. The climax will probably revolve around this pivotal moment, potentially revealing hidden powers or a truth about the shrine’s history.
3. Unicorn’s Role: Given the sacred status of the unicorn, it may act as a catalyst or guardian in the final battle, possibly making a self‑sacrificing move or unlocking a hidden ability.
4. Authorial Closure: Yasushi Baba, having recently wrapped up The Ride‑On King, may use this ending to tie up recurring themes in his body of work—such as the balance between duty and personal desire.

While we cannot predict the exact plot twists, the final chapter will undoubtedly aim to honor the emotional investment of fans and provide a satisfying conclusion to the series’ mythic narrative.

Final Thoughts

The news that Itsuwari no Kenta will end in the next issue of Monthly Shonen Sirius turns a promising Shonen tale into a race against time. For fans who have followed Ren’s journey from the very first page, the November 26 finale is a must‑read event. As the manga’s world of spirits, demons, and sacred beasts reaches its climax, the anime community will be watching closely to see if Baba delivers the emotional payoff and narrative depth that made the series a standout. Don’t miss the final chapter—your last chance to see the story’s destiny unfold.