The Phantom Busters manga by Neoshoco — a lighthearted supernatural comedy serialized in Jump SQ. — is taking a short break. Fans eagerly following the adventures of exorcist eaters Mogari and his skeptical classmate Eugene will have to wait a little longer: the series will skip publication in Jump SQ.’s March and April issues and return in the May issue shipping on April 3. Below is a deeper look at what this pause means for readers, the series’ publication schedule, and where to read official English releases.
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What the Break Means for Phantom Busters Readers
Short publication breaks are fairly common in the manga industry. In Phantom Busters’ case, Jump SQ. announced the two-issue hiatus on the magazine’s official X (formerly Twitter) account. The pause covers the magazine’s March and April issues; the series is scheduled to resume in the May issue, shipping April 3. This means no new weekly or monthly chapter releases for roughly two months, but the story is set to continue afterwards without indication of a long-term hiatus or cancellation.
Quick refresher: What’s Phantom Busters about?
Phantom Busters takes a playful approach to exorcist tropes. Viz Media summarizes the premise well: straight-A student Eugene Korekishi doesn’t believe in ghosts, but his classmate Mogari Shishikuno swallows spooks whole. When Mogari finds someone with the sight, the pair form an exorcist club that upends typical high school life.
Main characters to watch
- Eugene Korekishi — the rational, skeptical student thrust into supernatural chaos.
- Mogari Shishikuno — the eccentric exorcist who solves ghost problems by consuming them.
- Kaoru Kanzaki — a new recruit helping the club grow.
- Kotaro Tamon — a socially anxious classmate who may be able to talk to ghosts.
Publication timeline and English release details
Neoshoco launched Phantom Busters in Jump SQ. in 2023. Shueisha will publish the manga’s seventh compiled tankōbon volume on February 4 in Japan. For international fans, Viz Media handles the English release: the second English volume came out on January 6, and the third is scheduled for April 7. If you want to pre-order or check availability, official retailer pages and Viz’s catalog are recommended resources. For source confirmation, the magazine announcement and the author’s posts are on X:
Why do manga take short breaks?
Manga authors and editorial teams often schedule short hiatuses for several reasons:
- Creator rest and mental/physical health — tight serialization schedules can be demanding.
- Production logistics — art-intensive chapters, coordination with color spreads or specials, or editorial planning for pacing.
- Magazine scheduling — sometimes magazines rearrange content for special issues, anniversaries, or serialized tie-ins.
Given that Phantom Busters is returning after two skipped issues rather than entering an open-ended hiatus, this break likely falls into one of the routine categories above rather than signaling trouble for the series.
How to keep up during the break
While waiting for new chapters, readers can:
- Catch up on collected volumes — with Viz releasing English volumes periodically, this is a great time to pick up or re-read volumes 1–3 in English and later volumes as they release.
- Follow the author and magazine on social media for updates — official X/Twitter posts often reveal return dates and special announcements.
- Explore other Jump SQ. titles — many readers use breaks to sample series they might have missed.
Where to buy official releases
For physical or digital volumes, official retailers and publishers are the best sources. Retail pages like the Amazon listing for Phantom Busters Vol. 1 (linked in the image caption) and Viz Media’s store are convenient options for ordering and confirming release dates.
Community reaction and expectations
Fans typically respond to short breaks with a mix of patience and excitement. Phantom Busters’ unique blend of comedy and supernatural hijinks has built a loyal following, and readers often appreciate brief pauses that let creators recharge — ultimately supporting higher-quality chapters. The return in the May issue will likely be met with renewed interest as readers check how the story and character dynamics progress, especially with Kotaro’s development and the club’s next challenges.
Tips for new readers
- Start with Volume 1 to get the full setup: the dynamic between Eugene and Mogari is central to the humor and plot.
- Read in order — character beats and small worldbuilding details pay off across chapters.
- Check official English release dates if you prefer to follow in print or on authorized digital platforms.
Final thoughts
Phantom Busters’ two-issue break is a short pause in what has been a fresh and entertaining run. While fans may be disappointed to miss new chapters for a couple of months, the scheduled return in May and ongoing English volume releases mean there’s plenty to re-read and anticipate. Short hiatuses often help creators maintain quality, so when Mogari and company come back, they’ll likely return with the same energetic charm that made the series a stand-out in Jump SQ.
