Fans of Chained Soldier will have to wait a bit longer to find out how Yuuki’s story and the members of the Demon Defense Force continue. The official Shonen Jump+ account announced that the manga will delay its return until December 12, 2026, as its illustrator, Yōhei Takemura, is still recovering from a right wrist injury.

Originally, the series was scheduled to resume publication on November 14, after a break in October. However, the editorial team decided to give the artist more time to avoid worsening his physical issues. The good news is that, according to the new announcement, Takemura has resumed his drawing work, though the publisher believes it’s necessary to keep the serialization on hold for a few more weeks.

The issue began in June this year, when Takemura suffered a wrist injury affecting the fibrocartilage, a key tissue for joint movement and stability. Despite the problem, he continued drawing chapters using a wrist brace to reduce discomfort.

Unfortunately, long drawing sessions hindered his recovery. The artist previously explained that constant hand use caused pain, and the injury needed more time to heal. Thus, he temporarily stopped working on manuscripts to focus on treatment.

When the initial hiatus was announced, the Shonen Jump+ editorial team stated that Takemura’s recovery was the top priority. They also explained that any publication schedule decisions would be made with writer Takahiro and following medical advice.

With this new delay, chapter 189 is expected to arrive on Saturday, December 12. This date is still an estimate and could change if the illustrator’s recovery requires it.

For those unfamiliar with the franchise, Chained Soldier, known in Japan as Mato Seihei no Slave, is a manga written by Takahiro and illustrated by Yōhei Takemura that began publication in January 2019 via Shonen Jump+.

The story takes place in a world where mysterious portals connect Japan to a dimension inhabited by monsters called Shuuki. In this place, special peaches grow that grant supernatural powers, but only to women. Thus, humanity relies on an all-female organization to fight these creatures.

The protagonist is Yuuki Wakura, a student who meets Kyouka Uzen, captain of the seventh squad of the Demon Defense Force. After discovering he can transform into a powerful weapon under her orders, he begins an unusual life where supernatural battles come with rewards not always suitable for all audiences.

The franchise received its first anime adaptation in January 2024, followed by a second season in January 2026. Additionally, a third season has already been announced, though it has no confirmed release date yet.

For now, readers will have to wait until December to reconnect with the manga. At least, the new announcement confirms Takemura has resumed some work, while the publisher continues taking precautions to ensure his recovery isn’t compromised.

Do you prefer that Chained Soldier take all the time needed for Takemura to recover, even if it means waiting several more months for new chapters?