‘The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess’ Manga Creator Akira Himekawa Finally Submitted Drafts for the Last Chapters of Link and Midna’s Adventure

While Nintendo and fans do not consider The Legend of Zelda mangas canon, they remain popular. One of the biggest manga projects for The Legend of Zelda series comes from the Twilight Princess adaptation by Akira Himekawa. Some fans might not realize that The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess manga has been releasing volumes for years. However, it finally nears its last stages as Himekawa tweeted that they submitted the drafts for the final chapters.

When did ‘The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess’ manga series start?

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess released for Gamecube and Nintendo Wii on November 19, 2006. The game gave Link, Princess Zelda, and Ganondorf a much darker tone, partially in response to the fan backlash at the more cartoony Wind Waker style.

However, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess manga would not start until almost a decade later. The first volume released on Shogakukan’s MangaONE app in February 2016, localized by Viz Media. It introduced Midna, the titular Twilight Princess, telling the events of the Interloper War.

Then came the betrayal of Zant. The new usurper king defeated Midna and took over the Twilight Realm. The Twilight Princess manga then changes over to Hyrule, the world of light.

Meanwhile, Link received more backstory than in the game, detailing how he ended up in Ordon Village. It ends when King Bulblin kidnaps the children of Ordon Village. Link transforms into a beast in the Twilight Realm as the imp Midna finds him.

Akira Himekawa tweeted about the final chapters to the adapted Nintendo game

Akira Himekawa, the “combined name for the two artists behind this series,” posted to Twitter on December 16, 2021. The tweet reads that they submitted drafts of the final chapters, with only the final manuscripts remaining.

In a follow-up, they said they feel a lot of emotion over the series finally ending.

Nintendo Life reported that the Twilight Princess manga “entered its ‘final arc’ in December 2020 — with the manga reaching the climax in the tenth volume, released on September 28 of 2021. The western run localized the ninth volume this year on September 14.”

The series follows the game story closely, from pursuing The Legend of Zelda boss, King Bulbin, to meeting the Zora and Goron.

However, it expands on characters and events. The manga gives glimpses at characters unseen in the game, such as Midna’s late father, the former king of the Twilight Realm.

When does the final volume of ‘The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess’ manga release?

While hearing about the finale to The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess manga is good, knowing when it releases is better.

In Japan, the tenth and final volume released on September 28, 2021. Unfortunately, English readers need to wait a bit longer.

As of January 2022, Nintendo has not revealed a release date for The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess manga volume 10.

Based on the previous pattern of translations taking from eight months to a year, fans can likely expect the English version to release sometime between Summer and Fall 2022.