Fresh news from the world of Japanese manga. The unique action series
Gakuen Sensuikan-tai: Mermaid Girls (also known as
School Submarine Fleet: Mermaid Girls), written by
Makoto Fukami and illustrated by Seigo Tokiya, has
officially published its final chapter.
The manga wrapped up its serialization run in the May issue of
Square Enix‘s Big Gangan magazine, which went on sale
last Friday.
Volume 4 Closes the Story
For fans collecting the physical volumes, Square Enix has confirmed
that Volume 4 will be the final installment of the series. The concluding
volume is scheduled to release in Japan on June 25, 2026.
Gakuen Sensuikan-tai: Mermaid Girls launched in April 2024 with a
compelling premise — a school submarine fleet crewed by a team of
“Mermaid Girls.” While its run was relatively short, the collaboration
between Fukami and Tokiya consistently delivered the kind of high-energy
action that fans of the genre have come to expect from this duo.
The series stood out for its creative blend of school-life settings
and underwater military action, a combination rarely seen in manga.
Despite ending after just four volumes, it managed to build a dedicated
readership who appreciated its distinct aesthetic and fast-paced
storytelling.
The Iconic Collaboration of Makoto Fukami & Seigo Tokiya
Makoto Fukami is a well-established name in the anime and manga
industry. He is best known as the screenwriter behind major anime titles
such as Psycho-Pass, Heavenly Delusion, and
Kinnikuman: Perfect Origin Arc — works that have left a
significant mark on the medium.
Before Mermaid Girls, Fukami and Tokiya achieved considerable success
together with Magical Girl Spec-Ops Asuka
(Mahou Shoujo Tokushusen Asuka), a dark magical girl manga that
was adapted into an anime series in 2019. The two continue to
collaborate actively on their ongoing manga series,
Succubus & Hitman, which is still running to this day.
Their partnership has proven to be a reliable formula for action-heavy
narratives with memorable characters. While Gakuen Sensuikan-tai may
have been a shorter project, it adds another noteworthy title to their
shared creative portfolio.
Big Gangan: A Home for Bold Manga
Big Gangan, published by Square Enix, has long been a platform for
action and genre-bending manga titles. Known for hosting series that
push boundaries in art and story, it was a fitting home for a title like
Gakuen Sensuikan-tai. The magazine releases bi-monthly and has been
instrumental in launching numerous fan-favorite series over the years.
What’s Next for Makoto Fukami?
While one chapter closes, Makoto Fukami is already moving forward
with new creative ventures. He recently launched a new manga titled
Chōgen Market Heroes: Menko Reverser Kakeru on the
Coro Coro Comic website. Fans of his work won’t have to wait long
for fresh content from this prolific writer.
As for Seigo Tokiya, his distinctive illustration style continues
to attract attention, and it is only a matter of time before he
appears in a new project — whether alongside Fukami or with a
new creative partner.
Final Thoughts
Gakuen Sensuikan-tai: Mermaid Girls may have been a short-lived
series, but it left its mark as a creative and visually engaging
manga from one of Japan’s most talented writer-illustrator duos.
With the final volume set to release on June 25, 2026, now is
the perfect time to catch up on the full story before it wraps
up completely.
Whether you’re a longtime fan of Makoto Fukami’s work or
discovering this series for the first time, Gakuen Sensuikan-tai:
Mermaid Girls is worth adding to your reading list — a compact
but satisfying adventure beneath the waves.
