Will Oblivion Battery be canceled or axed in the future? Some readers are concerned about the series due to several ongoing issues.
In this article, we break down the main factors that could affect Oblivion Battery’s future.
目次
- 1 Was Oblivion Battery Canceled or Axed? Reasons Explained
- 1.1 The author’s experience with a previous work being canceled and voices of concern
- 1.2 The Curse of Short-Lived Series in Jump-Affiliated Baseball Manga
- 1.3 Misconceptions About the Biweekly Serialization Schedule and the Intervals Between Volume Releases
- 1.4 His unique sense of humor and artistic style tend to divide opinion.
- 1.5 Misperception That the Series Ended Because the First Season of the Anime Concluded on a Natural Breakpoint
- 2 Why “Oblivion Battery” Hasn't Been Canceled! Its Critical Reception and Appeal!
- 3 How far does the anime finale of *Oblivion Battery* go? Where does the original manga pick up?
- 4 Final Thoughts on Oblivion Battery
Was Oblivion Battery Canceled or Axed? Reasons Explained
Oblivion Battery is still a popular ongoing series and has not been canceled.
“Oblivion Battery” has been serialized in “Shonen Jump+” since April 2018.
It has also been adapted into an anime; the first season aired from April to July 2024, and the second season is scheduled to air in 2027.
⇒Watch the anime “Oblivion Battery” on Amazon Prime Video
One reason why “Oblivion Battery” is rumored to be canceled is that its author, Eiko Mikawa, previously ended her previous work, “Butai Zemi,” after a short run.
Her previous work, “Butai Zemi,” was serialized in a Kodansha magazine, but the author herself has publicly stated that it was canceled at an early stage, after only two volumes had been published.
These rumors were sparked by readers’ excessive anxiety—fearing that the author’s new work, coming after she had already experienced a cancellation, might “follow the same path” this time around.
Although the publication and circumstances are completely different this time, that bitter past experience has taken root as negative speculation among some fans.
Paradoxically, it could be said that the very fact that the work is so entertaining—and the strong desire among readers not to see it end prematurely—has actually fueled fears and suspicions of a cancellation.
However, the current serialization is going very smoothly, and there is absolutely no truth to the idea that the failure of the previous work is directly affecting the continuation of this one.
The Curse of Short-Lived Series in Jump-Affiliated Baseball Manga
The reason why “Oblivion Battery” is suspected of being canceled lies in the historical context that baseball manga rarely achieve long-running serialization in Jump-affiliated magazines.
- Smoky B.B.
- Buddy Strike
- Kowloon's Ball Parade
- OVER TIME
- Mound no Inazuma
In the past, there have been numerous instances where baseball manga series were launched only to be “canceled”—that is, to end their serialization prematurely—due to factors such as reader survey results.
Although baseball is a classic genre in sports manga, it is also considered a genre where it is difficult to maintain consistent success, which led readers to assume that the series would be “short-lived.”
Especially on Shonen Jump+, where popularity rankings and view counts are publicly displayed, some readers seem to have become overly sensitive, interpreting temporary fluctuations in rankings as “signs that the end is near.”
The harsh fates of these past works and the industry’s superstitions ended up fueling unnecessary wariness toward this series.
However, this series has proven so popular that it has defied those superstitions, and it has now become a baseball manga that continues to be loved over the long term.
Misconceptions About the Biweekly Serialization Schedule and the Intervals Between Volume Releases
Since “Oblivion Battery” is serialized every other week, it receives less frequent exposure compared to works that are updated weekly, which led to the misconception that the series had been canceled.
For readers who do not check for updates on the app or website every week, the absence of new content in certain weeks can easily lead them to mistakenly believe that “the serialization has stopped” or “it has been canceled.”
Furthermore, the release schedule for the collected volumes is relatively slow to match the serialization frequency, and the fact that there are sometimes intervals of nearly half a year between releases has heightened fans’ concerns.
When the collected volumes are absent from bookstore shelves for an extended period, readers who are unaware of the situation end up searching for the series using the keyword “canceled” in search engines.
As a result of this accumulated search behavior, the word “canceled” began to appear automatically in search suggestions, creating a vicious cycle that led to further misunderstandings.
While this serialization pace was planned strictly to maintain production quality, it can be said that the way information spreads—unique to web media—contributed to the spread of rumors.
His unique sense of humor and artistic style tend to divide opinion.
The unique and surreal comedic elements—such as “pai-ge”—which are a major feature of *Oblivion Battery*, gave some readers the impression that the series might not appeal to everyone.
忘却バッテリー、パイ毛は本当につまらないので笑いはしないんだけどいずれ君はパイ毛芸で泣くようになる
? ヨグ (@yogu495) June 26, 2024
忘却バッテリー 最終91.7点
要圭、最初はただつまらないギャグやってるように見えるけどその存在が部の空気を変えていく存在になるから見てるうちにどんどん好きになっていく。
藤堂とか千早とかのサブキャラの掘り下げもすごく丁寧で面白い。
アニメーション部分も最高だし大満足。2期希望。? アミⅢ (@AMINOSANCHI) July 2, 2024
The sharp humor interspersed throughout this serious baseball drama is one of the series’ charms, but it can sometimes be confusing for first-time readers.
When readers who had expected a straightforward, classic baseball manga voiced negative opinions such as “I don’t get what’s so funny,” this was mistakenly interpreted as a decline in the series’ overall reputation.
There was a tendency for readers’ unfounded fears—such as “With such a distinctive style, won’t it fail to gain widespread support and get canceled?”—to spread as rumors.
In reality, as the story progresses, readers come to understand that these gags serve as crucial devices that lead to deeper character development and moving scenes.
The initial confusion and the fact that some critical voices stood out online led to these concerns becoming entrenched as uncertain rumors that cast doubt on the series’ future.
Misperception That the Series Ended Because the First Season of the Anime Concluded on a Natural Breakpoint
The fact that the first season of the TV anime adaptation of “Oblivion Battery” ended on a very satisfying note—with the match against a powerhouse school finally decided—was one reason why viewers mistakenly believed the story had come to a conclusion.
For viewers who watched only the anime, the final episode was so perfectly executed that a significant number of them came to believe, “This is the end of the story.”
In reality, the original manga series is still ongoing, and production of the second season of the anime has been confirmed; however, during the hiatus following the broadcast, rumors of the series being “canceled” began to circulate.
The fact that the broadcast run consisted of only 12 episodes—a single “cour”—left viewers who had come to look forward to it every week feeling unsatisfied, which led to negative rumors.
The anime didn’t end because it was unpopular; it was simply the conclusion of one segment of a split season, but this fact wasn’t fully communicated to the public.
The sense of loss following the anime’s conclusion was misinterpreted as a “cancellation,” and this misunderstanding spread through social media—that is the true nature of this speculation.
Why “Oblivion Battery” Hasn't Been Canceled! Its Critical Reception and Appeal!
A baseball manga that’s easy to read even for casual fans
“Oblivion Battery” is a baseball manga, but it’s well-received because it carefully explains the rules of baseball while weaving in comedy, making it easy to follow even for those who aren’t familiar with the sport.
Since the protagonist, Kei Kaname, has lost all his knowledge of baseball due to amnesia, readers can learn about the sport alongside him through the comic’s humorous scenes.
Furthermore, unlike other pure baseball manga, it cuts out unnecessary parts and maintains a good pace, making it easy to read.
You can also get a behind-the-scenes look at high school baseball
One of the appeals of “Oblivion Battery” is that it not only offers the fun of comedy and baseball, but also provides a realistic glimpse into the behind-the-scenes struggles—such as the hard work required to compete in high school baseball games and earn a spot in the starting lineup, as well as the pain of losing a game.
In addition, the manga has been well-received for its portrayal of the personal struggles each character—from the protagonist to the rest of the team—faces in high school baseball, which makes for a story that’s both poignant and entertaining.
The unique characters are also a highlight
“Forgetful Battery” has gained popularity not only for its protagonist but also for its team members, who are all compelling characters in their own right.
【Haruka Kiyomine】
A pitcher once hailed as flawless
Extremely competitive and interested in nothing but baseball
In charge of the surreal humor
【Kei Kaname】
A genius catcher who suffers from amnesia
While suffering from amnesia, he acts like a joker and is in charge of the corny jokes
【Taro Yamada】
Narrator and baseball commentator
Plays the straight man
Highly respected by his teammates
【Shunpei Chihaya】
The other narrator and baseball commentator
Has a cool personality
The team’s strategist
Plays the straight man
【Aoi Todo】
Serious at heart
Often teased by Chihaya
Plays the straight man
His older sister is beautiful
These charming characters, each grappling with their own struggles in high school baseball, have made this manga a popular, engaging, and entertaining read.
The mix of comedy and serious moments is addictive
“Oblivion Battery” is a manga that becomes increasingly addictive the more you read it, thanks to the tension and relief created by the interweaving of “the fun and seriousness of high school baseball” with “silly gags.”
At first, the silly gags—like “Pie Hair”—might seem a bit off for a baseball manga, but as the story progresses, it delights readers with the fun of high school baseball and the seriousness behind the scenes, all balanced by the tension and relief provided by the gags.
In particular, this series is popular because it suddenly shifts from the seriousness of a game to a gag, making the plot hard to predict and leaving readers eager to find out what happens next.
How far does the anime finale of *Oblivion Battery* go? Where does the original manga pick up?
The “Oblivion Battery” anime adapted the story up to Volume 5, Chapter 30.
Therefore, if you want to follow the story beyond that point in the anime, you can start by buying Volume 5.
By the way, the “anime” is progressing as shown in the table below.
| Manga | Anime |
|---|---|
| Volume 1 | Episodes 1–3 |
| Volume 2 | Episodes 3–5 |
| Volume 3 | Episodes 6–9 |
| Volume 4 | Episodes 9–11 |
| Volume 5 | Episodes 11–12 |
⇒Watch the anime “Oblivion Battery” on Amazon Prime Video
Final Thoughts on Oblivion Battery
In conclusion, Oblivion Battery has not been canceled, and there are currently no strong signs of it ending early.
Overall, the series appears to be continuing without major issues.
The unique comedy may feel unusual at first, but the balance between humor and serious moments makes the story more enjoyable as you keep reading.
If you like high school baseball manga, this series is easy to follow, well-paced, and definitely worth reading.
It may still be worth checking out for yourself.
⇒Watch the anime “Oblivion Battery” on Amazon Prime Video
