Hiro Fujiwara is giving Maid Sama! fans a delightful surprise: a brand-new special chapter will appear in the September issue of LaLa magazine, scheduled for release on July 24. This short-but-sweet announcement has reignited interest in one of the most beloved shoujo series of the 2000s and offers a welcome reminder of why Misaki and Usui remain iconic figures in modern manga culture.
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What we know: the special chapter release details
The August issue of Hakusensha’s LaLa magazine confirmed that Hiro Fujiwara will publish a special Maid Sama! chapter in LaLa’s September issue, set to go on sale July 24. While the announcement did not detail the chapter’s length or focus, the very existence of new Maid Sama! material from Fujiwara — who originally serialized the series from 2006 to 2013 — is significant for longtime readers and newcomers alike.
A short history of Maid Sama!: manga, editions, and the anime adaptation
Maid Sama! (Kaichou wa Maid-sama!) launched in LaLa in 2006 and concluded its original run in 2013. Over the years the series has been collected into multiple tankobon volumes — Hakusensha published 18 standard volumes and later produced a new volume in August 2018. In English, Tokyopop released eight volumes during its earlier licensing window, and Viz Media later produced omnibus editions beginning in 2015; the final omnibus shipped in August 2017.
Beyond print, Maid Sama! reached a wide audience through its 26-episode television anime adaptation produced by J.C. Staff in 2010. The anime helped introduce the story’s central duo — Misaki Ayuzawa, the stern student-council president who secretly works at a maid café, and Takumi Usui, the enigmatic popular boy who discovers her secret — to international viewers. The series has since seen home video releases in North America, including a release from Sentai Filmworks, keeping the show accessible to a new generation of fans.
Why this special chapter matters
Short chapters, bonus one-shots, and anniversary pieces can serve several important purposes in a manga’s life cycle. For Maid Sama!, a special chapter by Fujiwara can:
- Reconnect fans with beloved characters and unresolved emotional beats.
- Generate renewed interest in backlist sales of the manga omnibuses and single volumes.
- Provide creative closure or light-hearted epilogues that expand the series’ canon without committing to a full sequel.
Given the series’ continued popularity and recognizable characters, even a single short chapter is likely to spark discussion across fan communities, social media, and manga outlets — especially if it sheds light on the couple’s life after the original ending or revisits a fan-favorite moment from a different perspective.
What fans can realistically expect
While announcements often leave out plot specifics, fans can reasonably expect a focused, character-driven piece rather than a long serialized return. Fujiwara’s one-shots and special chapters historically emphasize emotional beats and relationship developments, making a short, satisfying vignette the most likely format. Whether it’s a slice-of-life moment, a brief flash-forward, or an affectionate nod to the original storyline, readers can anticipate the familiar tone and humor that made Maid Sama! popular.
Where to read and buy Maid Sama! material
The special chapter itself will appear in LaLa magazine, so readers who collect Japanese magazines or follow LaLa’s releases will be able to access it when the September issue ships on July 24. For collectors and readers who prefer English editions, the Maid Sama! omnibus releases from Viz Media remain a convenient way to revisit the full story; older Tokyopop volumes are also in circulation for those seeking the earlier translation editions. Official home-video releases of the anime are available through distributors such as Sentai Filmworks, which provides another legal path for international fans to enjoy the adaptation. Sentai Filmworks and the Viz omnibus listings are useful starting points for purchasing official releases.
Hiro Fujiwara’s more recent work
Beyond Maid Sama!, Fujiwara continues to create new manga. In February 2025 she launched Neko ni Wagamama (As a Cat Wills) in Hakusensha’s LaLa DX magazine; the first compiled volume for that series shipped on October 3, 2025. This shows that Fujiwara remains active in the manga scene and is exploring fresh stories while still honoring the legacy of her breakout hit.
How to follow further updates
To stay informed about any follow-ups — such as digital releases, compilation appearances, or licensed translations of the special chapter — keep an eye on publisher announcements from Hakusensha and official publisher or distributor channels. Retailers that list Japanese magazine issues and aggregators that track manga releases will typically update listings around shipment dates, and social channels tied to the author and publishers often share preview images or brief summaries when available.
Collectors’ notes
If you plan to collect the LaLa issue with the special Maid Sama! chapter, consider ordering early from reputable sellers or checking international retailers that ship magazine issues. Limited print runs for monthly magazines can make certain issues harder to find after release day.
Final thoughts
Hiro Fujiwara’s surprise special chapter announcement is a welcome treat for Maid Sama! devotees and a gentle reminder of the series’ enduring charm. Whether you’ve followed Misaki and Usui since the manga’s original run or you’re discovering the series now through omnibus reprints and the 2010 anime, this new chapter is a perfect excuse to revisit the world that made Maid Sama! a modern shoujo classic. Mark July 24 on your calendar and keep an eye on LaLa’s September issue — even a short new installment from Fujiwara promises to rekindle the warmth and wit that fans adore.
