Will Drifters 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 Drifters’s future.
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Was Drifters Canceled or Axed? Reasons Explained
Drifters has been serialized in Young King OURs since the June 2009 issue and has not been canceled.
As of November 2016, this popular series had surpassed 3.5 million copies in cumulative sales for Volumes 1 through 5.
It has also been adapted into an anime series, which aired from October 7 to December 23, 2016. A Blu-ray containing Episodes 13 and 14 was released on December 23, 2017.
Concerns over frequent hiatuses due to slow writing
Kota Hirano, the author of *Drifters*, is known for working slowly, and because the series has been on hiatus so often, people seem to have mistaken it for being canceled.
ドリフターズ漫画まだ続いてたのか
打ち切りになったと勝手に思ってた(笑)— 臼 (@chankuro_910) November 28, 2018
様々な理由により未完の名作になってしまうという漫画の現実
打ち切りは仕方ないが休載が長いとなぁ~…………完結まで読ましてくれ…………orz
例えばHUNTER × HUNTERとかドリフターズとかって完結まで持って行ってくれんのかな………
(´-ω-)ｳ-ﾑ— レッドヘリング (@doukenokuraun) January 7, 2024
In fact, with a serialization pace of two to three chapters a year and a volume release schedule of one volume every two years, it apparently took five years just to get from Volume 6 to Volume 7.
For comparison, *Kuroko’s Basketball*, which began serialization in 2009, concluded with 30 volumes; *Magi* concluded with 37 volumes; and *I Am a Hero* concluded with 22 volumes.
In contrast, despite more than 15 years having passed since the start of its serialization, “Drifters” has only released seven volumes so far.
This slow pace has likely led to the misconception among readers that the series has been canceled.
It is also frequently compared to other long-hiatus series, and is sometimes discussed alongside titles like “HUNTER×HUNTER” and ‘Berserk’ as a “series where readers worry if it will ever be completed.”
Consequently, although the series is actually still ongoing, the frequent hiatuses seem to be one of the reasons why readers mistake it for a canceled series.
Kota Hirano, the author of *Drifters*, has been struggling with poor health, making it difficult for him to continue the serialization, and there are concerns that the series might be canceled.
Author Kota Hirano’s health has been declining for about ten years, and in 2022, he was hospitalized and underwent surgery.
３日ほど胃痛がずーッと続いて
飯を食うと１２時間ほどウンウン唸る羽目になるので
なにも食えんで白湯ばかり飲んでる
ドラゴンランスのレイストリンかよ— 平野耕太 (@hiranokohta) November 20, 2022
オペ終了。寝てる間に終わっていた。 pic.twitter.com/IxfJ6v1Bl0
— 平野耕太 (@hiranokohta) November 22, 2022
膵炎併発。昨日は激痛で一晩のたうちまわった。今日もう一回内視鏡手術。内視鏡手術のたびに膵炎再併発するかもて。気が重い。
— 平野耕太 (@hiranokohta) November 27, 2022
In particular, due to prolonged health issues, the author’s writing pace has been inconsistent, and the series has been on hiatus more frequently. As a result, fans are voicing concerns about whether the series will be able to reach its conclusion.
Furthermore, given the serialization pace so far, it remains unclear when the next volume will be released.
Therefore, while the series has not been canceled, health issues appear to be significantly impacting its progress.
Lack of recognition due to publication in a niche magazine
Since *Drifters* is published in a magazine that’s less well-known compared to other long-running series, readers other than fans might not have been aware of it, leading them to assume it had been canceled.
“Young King,” the magazine that publishes “Drifters,” is carried by few bookstores in some areas, making it a less prominent publication compared to titles like “Weekly Shonen Jump.”
Unlike “HUNTER×HUNTER,” which is published in “Weekly Shonen Jump” and enjoys widespread recognition, “Drifters” tends to fade from the general public’s memory more easily when hiatuses continue.
Furthermore, while “HUNTER×HUNTER” generates enough buzz to make headlines even during long hiatuses, “Drifters”—partly due to the nature of its publication—is rarely reported on in such a prominent manner.
Consequently, when hiatuses continue, it’s easy for people to wonder, “Has it been canceled?”
It has been several years since the second season of the anime was announced
It was announced in the February 2017 issue of *Young King Awa* that production was underway for the second season of the *Drifters* anime, but with no progress for over five years, it may have seemed as though the series had been canceled.
Although production on the second season was underway, since the first season covered material from five volumes, it may have become difficult to proceed without having at least five volumes’ worth of story material in reserve.
Furthermore, since the second season was never broadcast, the series’ visibility has declined year by year. Combined with the long hiatus, this likely led people outside the fanbase to assume, “Has it been canceled?”
Additionally, as other popular titles emerged one after another during that time, the attention focused on “Drifters” itself waned, which may also be one of the reasons it was mistakenly perceived as having been canceled.
Exploring the Popularity and Appeal of “Drifters” to Dispel Rumors of Its Cancellation
The overwhelming quality of the animation and battle scenes
The main reason “Drifters” continues to captivate so many fans lies in its unparalleled, overwhelming artistic quality and its dynamic battle scenes.
Author Kōta Hirano’s signature style—characterized by a heavy, shadow-drenched art style that pushes the limits of shading, combined with a fearless approach to gore (including extreme depictions such as dismemberment)—radiates overwhelming power and the characters’ raw emotions from every page.
The flashy battles and uniquely dramatic finishing poses depicted in the series have been further refined since his previous work, “HELLSING,” and possess a charm that instantly captivates readers.
Since the heroes who appear in the story find their very identity in the act of fighting, the intensity of each battle is immense, allowing readers to experience a player-like sense of immersion, as if they themselves were standing on the battlefield.
Online reviews are filled with comments like, “The relentless succession of intense battle scenes gave me goosebumps,” and it is precisely this artistic skill and storytelling prowess that form the foundation of the series’ enduring popularity, keeping readers loyal even during long hiatuses.
Due to the incredibly high density of the artwork, reading just a single volume provides a sense of satisfaction and pleasant exhaustion akin to finishing a movie—a major characteristic unique to this series.
Character personality and historical depth
The characters in *Drifters*, while based on real historical heroes, exude an overwhelming presence thanks to their uniquely eccentric designs and bombastic dialogue.
The contrasts between the characters are masterfully portrayed, from the protagonist Shimazu Toyohisa’s almost naive, reckless passion and simple-minded thinking as a samurai, to the cunning strategic maneuvers of Oda Nobunaga that underpin it all.
The lavish setting—essentially a “historical all-star” lineup where heroes from all eras and regions gather to clash in a free-for-all—ceaselessly stimulates readers’ inner “teenage fantasy” to the utmost.
Furthermore, the story is underpinned by meticulous historical research, with subtle references and foreshadowing scattered throughout that will make readers with knowledge of world or Japanese history smile knowingly.
While the story depicts serious and gruesome battlefields, Mr. Hirano’s signature comedic moments are inserted at just the right moments, bringing out the characters’ humanity and making it easier to grow even more attached to them.
The series is constantly trending on social media with comments like “The characters are just way too cool,” and while it satisfies the intellectual curiosity of history buffs, the character designs are also top-notch as pure entertainment.
A meticulously crafted story and dark fantasy themes
“Drifters” is not merely a battle manga featuring characters with special abilities; it is a first-rate dark fantasy that squarely confronts the cruelty of war, the loneliness of heroes, and the fierce conflict between different races.
At the core of the story lies a deeply interwoven “what-if” historical element—the question of “what would happen if that hero were to find themselves in another world?”—giving rise to realistic strategic battles that delve into tactics and logistics (supply chains).
At first glance, it may seem as though the characters are acting on impulse and rampaging haphazardly, but in reality, sophisticated psychological warfare and meticulous calculations of the battlefield situation are perfectly orchestrated behind the scenes.
Despite its wildly over-the-top, “teenage fantasy” setting, the story’s plot elements fit together beautifully, allowing readers to be drawn into its deep, immersive world without ever feeling a sense of dissonance.
The catharsis of watching heroes overcome desperate situations through their own wits and martial prowess promises a unique thrill that cannot be found in any other work.
The reason fans eagerly await new volumes—to the point of completely dispelling rumors of cancellation—is that this rich storyline and its profound themes, which pierce the essence of humanity, remain as vivid and compelling as ever.
Final Thoughts on Drifters
In conclusion, Drifters 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.
Some readers may have assumed the series was canceled because of the long gaps between chapters and the lack of a second anime season, which caused it to fade from public attention for a time.
However, Drifters continues to benefit from the strong reputation of its creator, Kouta Hirano, whose past works left a lasting impact on fans. As a result, many readers remain willing to wait for the series to reach its conclusion.
It may still be worth checking out for yourself.
⇒Watch the anime “Drifters” on Amazon Prime Video
