The completely new FAIRY TAIL manga, titled FAIRY TAIL RE:FANTASIA, began its limited serialization in Issue 35 of Weekly Shonen Magazine, released on July 29.
Although the franchise has produced numerous spinoffs illustrated by other artists, this marks the first new FAIRY TAIL serialization drawn by original creator Hiro Mashima since the main series concluded in 2017, nine years ago.
To celebrate its launch, contributing illustrations from creators across different publishers and editorial departments have also been unveiled. Participants include Yoshihiro Togashi, creator of HUNTER×HUNTER, and Yudetamago, the duo behind Kinnikuman.
FAIRY TAIL Returns for Its 20th Anniversary
The limited serialization commemorates the 20th anniversary of FAIRY TAIL and follows a new story featuring protagonist Natsu and his companions.
FAIRY TAIL has spawned numerous related works. For FAIRY TAIL 100 YEARS QUEST, Mashima creates the storyboards while Atsuo Ueda handles the artwork. FAIRY TAIL RE:FANTASIA, however, is drawn by Mashima himself.
The new manga was originally announced for the issue scheduled for release on August 5. However, Mashima, who is renowned for his remarkably fast production speed, completed the manuscript far sooner than expected. As a result, the launch was moved forward by one week in an unusual scheduling decision.
The Weekly Shonen Magazine editorial department explained:
“Mr. Hiro Mashima progressed with the manuscript at a pace far beyond the editorial department’s expectations. We therefore decided to move up the start of the serialization so that we could deliver it to readers as soon as possible.”
Hiro Mashima Has Never Taken a Break Since His Debut
Mashima is widely known among fans and within the manga industry for his exceptional speed. In 2023, he was simultaneously working on three series: EDENS ZERO, FAIRY TAIL 100 YEARS QUEST, for which he provided the original storyboards, and DEAD ROCK.
Even more remarkably, he has never taken a break from serialization throughout the 28 years since his debut. In 2013, while FAIRY TAIL was running, he achieved the extraordinary feat of publishing three chapters at once for two consecutive weeks in a weekly manga magazine. The six chapters totaled 128 pages.
In a previous interview with ORICON NEWS, Mashima was asked whether he kept completed manuscripts in reserve in case of sudden illness.
“I do have manuscripts in reserve. I catch a cold sometimes too,” he replied.
Asked how he secured enough sleep each day, Mashima said:
“I make sure to get enough sleep. I properly sleep for about seven hours every day,” he said with a laugh. “I usually play games for two or three hours before going to bed. When I am busy, there are days when I do not play at all. But when I finish work early, I sometimes play all day, so I am enjoying a fun gaming life. I do not pay any particular attention to my diet, so I really do not do anything special.”
Commenting on Mashima’s speed, the Weekly Shonen Magazine editorial department previously said:
“We understand that Mr. Hiro Mashima is extremely busy. There have been creators working for monthly magazines who did not take a break for more than 20 years. However, in the 25 years since his debut at the time of the interview, we had never seen another creator who had handled this many simultaneous serializations and additional projects without taking a single break. There is probably no one else like Mr. Mashima at another publisher or manga magazine either.”
FAIRY TAIL Has More Than 72 Million Copies in Circulation
FAIRY TAIL is a popular manga series that ran in Weekly Shonen Magazine from 2006 to 2017.
The story follows Lucy, a girl aspiring to become a fully fledged wizard, and Natsu, a wizard who controls fire. After meeting Natsu, Lucy becomes involved with Fairy Tail, a wizards’ guild filled with distinctive members, and joins them on their adventures.
The manga has surpassed 72 million copies in circulation and has also inspired television anime adaptations and video games.
For the new limited serialization, an impressive group of creators from across different publishers and editorial departments contributed illustrations and comments. The participants are George Morikawa, Kouji Seo, Miki Yoshikawa, Atsuo Ueda, Yudetamago, and Yoshihiro Togashi.
The collected volume will be released in both a standard edition and a special edition on October 16. The special edition will include a set of 16 postcards featuring an illustration from Mashima as well as the contributed artwork from the participating creators.
FAIRY TAIL illustration © Hiro Mashima/Kodansha
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