The renowned manga artist Mitsuba Takanashi announced, via her X (formerly Twitter) account, that her work Otome Tsubaki wa Warawanai (Otome Tsubaki Never Laughs) has finally entered its final arc. This long-awaited moment for fans occurs in January 2026, marking the beginning of the conclusion of a story published in the magazine Cocohana, from the publisher Shueisha, since October 2018. The significance of the announcement goes beyond the narrative conclusion, as it represents the author’s triumph, who paused the series in 2023 to treat breast cancer, resuming production at full strength by the end of that same year.
The manga, which follows the life of the sincere Tsubaki Kanno, a 25-year-old woman working in an office supply store, already has 13 physical volumes. The 13th volume is scheduled for release in Japanese bookstores later this month, on January 23. Despite being in the decisive phase, Takanashi asked for readers’ patience, stating that “the goal is still far,” suggesting the conclusion may not be immediate. Thus, Brazilian fans following the series through scanlations or awaiting a possible official license can expect some final chapters full of meaning.
Journey of Overcoming and the Author’s Legacy
The entry into the final arc carries extra emotional weight due to Mitsuba Takanashi’s health journey. The author had to put the manga on hiatus in May 2023 to undergo surgery and treatment after a breast cancer diagnosis. Fortunately, serialization resumed in November of the same year, showing her resilience. Furthermore, Takanashi is no newcomer to the shoujo world, being the author of other well-known works, such as Crimson Hero, which was one of the launch titles for the Shojo Beat magazine in the US, and Sumika Sumire, the latter even adapted into a live-action series.
With the start of the final arc, Otome Tsubaki wa Warawanai is on its way to becoming another important title in the author’s portfolio. Meanwhile, the manga fan community in Brazil follows the news with anticipation, hoping for an ending worthy of the main character and, above all, for Mitsuba Takanashi’s continued recovery. The conclusion of this series should close an important cycle not only in Cocohana magazine but also in the career of one of the most respected creators in the genre.
