11 Years Ago, Takehiko Inoue’s Best Manga Began Its Infamous Hiatus

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Over a decade has passed since the Vagabond manga went on hiatus. As of yesterday, May 21, 2026, it has officially been 11 years since the series last published a new chapter. After running for over 16 years, this seinen megahit went on a break on May 21, 2015, leaving Musashi’s epic tale unfinished.

Not only is Vagabond considered one of the best-written Seinen manga ever, but it is also claimed to be author Takehiko Inoue’s best work, who is also famous for Slam Dunk & Real. But what exactly happened that led to this unprecedented stop? And why has it not resumed yet? Here’s everything we know.

TITLEVagabondCREATORTakehiko InoueRELEASE DATESeptember 3, 1998MAL SCORE (as of May 22, 2026)9.27/10WHERE TO READVIZ Media Store

Why the Vagabond Manga Went on Hiatus

Credits: Kodansha

Since the release of Vagabond’s 327th chapter, “The Man Named Tadaoki,” on May 21, 2015, the manga has been on an indefinite hiatus. The reason for that might have been rooted back in 2010 all along. In an interview with Inoue-san (via Mangabrog), he suggested that mental exhaustion and burnout were holding him back from progressing with the storyline.

The problem is that I started thinking too much about the ending… The exhaustion from the exhibit was part of it too…

Assumably, this issue grew bigger by 2015. Even back in 2010, Inoue courageously admitted that he did not really want to continue with the story anymore. He was only working on it, assuming he would be in trouble if he did not.

Well, speaking in terms of what I want to do: As I said before, I really don’t at all have the urge to work on it right now, but I do know that if I don’t work on it, I’ll be in trouble down the road, and that’s basically what was keeping me going up until I went on hiatus.

However, Inoue didn’t really discard the idea of completely abandoning the story. He claimed that he had always had plans to return to it someday.

My hope is to stay away from Vagabond until all those unnecessary worries and emotions are gone and I’m ready to draw it because I want to draw it.

Although the interview is from 2010, many of the reasons likely remained the same and may have contributed to this 11-year-long hiatus since 2015. Knowing that, what can Vagabond manga readers still hope for? Should they keep waiting for a potential continuation of the series?

What Does the Future Hold For Vagabond Fans?

Musashi Miyamoto from Vagabond | Credits: Kodansha

If you have been an avid Vagabond reader, it would be ideal to stop expecting the manga’s return. Inoue’s age is also catching up, and reportedly, he might have been working on other projects as of now. Therefore, after knowing his parting words before going on hiatus, the chances seem slim.

The series might just remain an unfinished tale of self-discovery and maturity. The life lessons learned along Musashi’s journey, and the characters we have been introduced to, will stay in our memories.

Is Vagabond Receiving an Anime Adaptation?

Musashi Miyamoto from Vagabond | Credits: Kodansha

Although there has been a recent claim that Vagabond might receive an adaptation, nothing is set in stone. The French animation studio, Fortiche (the studio behind the iconic animated series Arcane based on League of Legends), only showcased a strong desire to adapt the source material.

However, after the initial gossip about their interest, the studio has not made any further announcements about officially working on Vagabond. Therefore, similar to the manga, it is better to keep our expectations low for the anime as well. What are your thoughts on it? Let us know in the comments.

The Vagabond manga is currently available to read online on the VIZ Media Store via Kindle and various eBook platforms.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire