All great adventures come to an end, and it seems the mystery of the legendary detective will be no exception. Author nigozyu surprised the community this Friday during the launch of the fourteenth volume of the light novel The Detective Is Already Dead (Tantei wa Mo, Shindeiru.), revealing firsthand that he plans to definitively conclude the story in the next volume of the franchise.

The news came as a shock to followers who have accompanied the protagonists for years, though the move makes sense considering the plot’s progression in the printed pages. Writer nigozyu gave the notice in the author’s notes included in the latest illustrated compilation volume by Umibozu, confirming that volume 15 will mark the end point for the main narrative of Kimihiko and Siesta.

This announcement coincides with a major moment for the franchise, as it currently enjoys strong support from its followers and adaptations across various media. Besides the main story’s journey, the series expanded in May 2024 with the release of the spin-off volume Charlotte wa Tada, Jiken o Tokitai. Tantei wa Mo, Shindeiru. Code:RED, written by Hoko Hinachi and Minori Chigusa under the direct supervision of the original author. Similarly, the work received a manga adaptation illustrated by Mugiko that began in May 2020 and concluded its serialization in October 2023 with a total of six compiled volumes.

The Detective Is Already Dead is a popular mystery, romantic comedy, and action light novel series written by nigozyu and illustrated by Umibozu. The work officially began its publication under Kadokawa’s MF Bunko J label in November 2019, after winning the prestigious first place in the fifteenth new talent contest of the same publisher that same year.

The plot follows Kimihiko Kimizuka, a young man born with a magnetism to attract all sorts of problems and suspicious incidents. His life takes a radical turn when he becomes the assistant to Siesta, a brilliant detective who secretly fights against an organization of modified beings worldwide. Tragedy strikes the plot when Siesta loses her life, leaving Kimihiko trying to resume an ordinary routine that is interrupted when the ghosts of the past return to knock on his door. The animated adaptation produced by studio ENGI debuted in July 2021 with a first season of twelve episodes, while the second season began airing last October 7th.

What do you think about the light novel’s story being so close to its final conclusion?