Hideaki Sorachi, the creator of Gintama, has indicated that his current Weekly Shonen Jump series, Class 2-B: Hero Destroyerz, could be his final major manga project. Sorachi made the revelation in a message included with the first collected volume of his new series, which was released in Japan on September 4, 2026.
The statement has sparked concern among fans because the mangaka specifically pointed to his physical condition and the difficulty of maintaining a weekly schedule.
Sorachi Says His Physical Condition Could End His Shonen Jump Career
Class 2-B: Hero Destroyerz marks Sorachi’s return to Weekly Shonen Jump several years after Gintama concluded in 2019. The new manga began serialization in April 2026 and follows a new cast while retaining the creator’s recognizable blend of comedy, action, and unconventional storytelling.
In his Volume 1 message, Sorachi jokingly described being pulled back into serialization by Shueisha before acknowledging the physical demands of producing a weekly manga. He wrote that he still had not adjusted to the weekly rhythm and was
“missing deadlines every week.”
Sorachi then explained that his health could prevent him from having another opportunity to run through Weekly Shonen Jump at this level.
“I think this will be the last time I’ll be able to rampage through Weekly Shonen Jump due to my physical condition,”
Sorachi wrote in the message included with Class 2-B: Hero Destroyerz Volume 1. He added that he viewed the project as his “last chance” and asked readers for their support.
The comment does not mean that Class 2-B: Hero Destroyerz is ending soon. Sorachi’s new series remains ongoing, and neither he nor Shueisha has announced an immediate conclusion or a fixed end date. Instead, the statement suggests that the manga could be his final large-scale weekly serialization.
Gintama’s Creator Returns With a New Weekly Shonen Jump Series
Sorachi’s potential retirement carries considerable weight because of the enormous legacy he built with Gintama. The manga began serialization in 2003 and eventually ran for 77 collected volumes before concluding in 2019. According to a September 2026 announcement from WAKA Inc., Gintama has surpassed 73 million copies in worldwide circulation, including digital editions.
The series became known for combining absurd comedy with serious action arcs and emotional character-driven storytelling. Its popularity also produced a long-running anime adaptation, theatrical films and live-action movies, making Sorachi one of the most recognizable creators associated with modern Shonen Jump.
Class 2-B: Hero Destroyerz now represents the next major stage of that career. The series debuted in Weekly Shonen Jump Double Issue #21-22 on April 20, 2026, and its first volume arrived in September. Early sales tracking showed the debut volume appearing prominently in Japanese rankings, demonstrating that Sorachi’s name continues to generate interest among manga readers.
For now, fans can continue following Class 2-B: Hero Destroyerz without assuming that Sorachi is immediately leaving manga behind. His comments simply make the current series more significant, as it could become the final major Weekly Shonen Jump project from the creator of Gintama.
