Ten years may sound easy, but staying relevant in the ruthless idol market for over a decade is an achievement for very few works. The acclaimed manga Dropout Idol Fruit Tart (Ochikobore Fruit Tart), written and illustrated by Sou Hamayumiba, officially published its final chapter in the September issue of the magazine, bringing to a definitive close a run that began back in 2015.

The premise of this fun story introduces Ino Sakura, a first-year high school student who moves to Tokyo pursuing the dream of succeeding in the entertainment industry. Upon moving into the Mouse House residence, she teams up with other rejected or declining showbiz girls: former child actress Roko, musician Hayu, and model Nina. Together they form the quirky group “Fruit Tart,” a group of outcasts who must work their hardest in their musical activities to prevent their dormitory from being demolished.

The girls’ farewell was announced three chapters in advance, giving the community time to prepare for the imminent ending. Along with the final chapter, the publisher revealed the cover illustration of the ninth and last compiled volume, which will be available in Japanese bookstores on August 27. Although the print story has ended, the franchise left a fond memory among fans thanks to its animated adaptation that premiered in 2020, which perfectly captured the light comedy and charm that defined Hamayumiba’s work since its debut.

Considering that author Sou Hamayumiba also gave us beloved works like Hanayamata, do you think the end of Dropout Idol Fruit Tart opens the door for the studio to produce a second season for its anime series, or would you prefer the creator to surprise us soon with a completely different new project?