Exciting news for Splatoon fans: the July issue of CoroCoro Comics has confirmed that Splatoon Raiders — Nintendo’s upcoming single-player spinoff — will receive its own manga adaptation. The new manga will debut in the magazine’s next issue on July 15, and will be created by Sankichi Hinodeya, the artist and writer best known for the Splatoon and Splatoon 3: Splatlands manga. Below we break down everything known so far, why this matters for the franchise, and what fans should watch for when the manga arrives.
Table of Contents
What we know so far about the Splatoon Raiders manga
The CoroCoro Comics July issue revealed that Sankichi Hinodeya will write and draw the Splatoon Raiders manga, with the first chapter appearing in the magazine issue on July 15. Hinodeya is already familiar to Splatoon readers — they authored the Splatoon manga that briefly paused in November 2021 and later returned in September 2022 under the title Splatoon 3: Splatlands (Splatoon Bankara!). The Splatlands manga has been on hiatus since April 15, and the series’ eighth compiled volume was published in Japan on March 27. In English, Viz Media has been releasing translated volumes; the publisher issued the manga’s sixth English volume on April 14.
Timeline & prior Splatoon manga you should know
- Original Splatoon manga run paused in November 2021, later resumed as Splatoon 3: Splatlands in September 2022.
- Sankichi Hinodeya is the returning creator for the new Raiders manga, increasing continuity of tone and art across the Splatoon comics adaptations.
- Shogakukan published the eighth Japanese compiled volume on March 27; Viz Media released the sixth English volume on April 14.
- Hideki Gotō’s Splatoon: Squid Kids Comedy Show manga is a separate spin-off which concluded with its sixth volume in August 2022.
How Splatoon Raiders the game connects to the manga
Splatoon Raiders is a single-player spinoff of Nintendo’s Splatoon series that emphasizes adventure and treasure-hunting mechanics. A manga adaptation gives creators room to expand the game’s lore, introduce new side characters, and dramatize gameplay moments in a narrative format. Given Hinodeya’s history with the franchise, fans can reasonably expect: faithful art direction that echoes the game’s aesthetic, character-driven comedy, and action sequences adapted to manga pacing.
What the manga can add to the Raiders experience
A manga adaptation can do several things that the game can’t fully explore in real time: deeper character backstory, expanded worldbuilding for the Raiders’ treasure-hunting locales, serialized cliffhangers that build anticipation between game content updates, and playful exaggeration of gameplay mechanics for comedic effect. Hinodeya’s previous work blended humor with clear visual storytelling — a good fit for turning in-game set pieces into memorable manga chapters.
Release details and where to read
The new Splatoon Raiders manga will appear in the July issue of CoroCoro Comics, which goes on sale July 15. Japanese readers can look for the chapter in that physical magazine, while English readers should watch Viz Media’s schedule for translated volumes — Viz has been the official English publisher for Hinodeya’s Splatoon manga releases. Keep an eye on official Nintendo and publisher announcements for compiled volume dates and any special edition releases.
Context: Splatoon 3 and the series’ current status
Splatoon 3, the most recent main-series release in Nintendo’s shooter franchise, launched in September 2022 and achieved impressive initial sales — selling 3.45 million copies in Japan during its first three days. Nintendo announced in September 2024 that Splatoon 3 would no longer receive regular updates, though the company later issued an additional update in June 2025. The Raiders manga is part of the broader Splatoon multimedia ecosystem and helps sustain interest in the franchise beyond the main online multiplayer updates.
Why the manga matters now
With the main game’s major update cycle tapering off, manga and other tie-in media become important tools for keeping community interest alive. A serialized manga offers new storytelling opportunities and can spotlight single-player content that might not receive the same attention as the online competitive modes. For collectors and casual fans alike, manga releases often become the best place to see expanded character moments and original side stories.
What fans should watch for in early chapters
- New characters or NPCs tied to the Raiders treasure-hunting theme.
- Direct references or easter eggs connecting the manga to Splatoon 3: Splatlands and previous Hinodeya arcs.
- Art direction that adapts in-game visuals for dynamic panel layouts and comedic timing.
- Potential setup for future compiled volumes and merchandise tie-ins.
Where to follow official updates
For the most reliable information, follow official Nintendo announcements and Shogakukan’s CoroCoro Comics updates. The figure above links back to Nintendo’s Splatoon Raiders page for the initial trailer and developer information. Official publisher channels are the best way to confirm volume release dates, English translation schedules, and any special crossover content.
Final thoughts
The announcement that Sankichi Hinodeya will adapt Splatoon Raiders into a manga is welcome news for fans who enjoy the series’ blend of bright, kinetic action and lighthearted humor. With a July 15 magazine debut, the Raiders manga has the potential to expand on the game’s treasure-hunting premise while preserving the visual style and comedic tone that made prior Splatoon manga popular. Whether you’re a collector, a manga reader, or someone who loves the world of Splatoon, this adaptation is worth watching — it’s another way the franchise continues to grow across media and reach new audiences.
