Ryuta Amazume’s Sefure Manga Series Reaches Conclusion in Young King Magazine Following Seven-Year Run

The 15th issue of Shonengahosha’s Young King magazine, released on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, has officially announced that the long-running manga series Sefure, created by the acclaimed artist Ryuta Amazume, will conclude in the magazine’s next installment. Scheduled for release on July 27, the final chapter will bring a close to a serialization that has spanned over seven years, marking the end of one of the magazine’s most consistent and popular contemporary titles. The series, which has navigated the complex intersection of physical intimacy and emotional development, has been a staple of the seinen manga landscape since its debut in the spring of 2019.

Sefure, a title derived from the Japanese slang for "sex friend," centers its narrative on a pair of protagonists who enter into a strictly physical arrangement. While the premise initially positions the story within the "sex and romance" genre typical of adult-oriented seinen publications, the narrative has been widely praised for its psychological depth. Over the course of its run, the manga explored the gradual shift in the protagonists’ dynamic, as their initial detachment gave way to burgeoning romantic feelings and the complications that arise when emotional vulnerability enters a previously uncomplicated physical space. This thematic evolution is a hallmark of Amazume’s storytelling, which often utilizes eroticism as a gateway to explore the intricacies of human relationships and social taboos.

The series began its serialization in Young King in March 2019. Throughout its tenure, Shonengahosha has published the chapters in compiled book volumes, with the 11th volume having shipped most recently on May 2, 2026. With the announcement of the series’ conclusion, industry analysts expect the 12th and final volume to be released in late 2026, providing a definitive end to the story of the two central characters. The conclusion of Sefure represents a significant moment for Young King, as the magazine looks to refresh its lineup following the departure of several long-term serializations.

The Prolific Output of Ryuta Amazume

The ending of Sefure comes during an exceptionally busy period for Ryuta Amazume, whose career has seen a flurry of activity and series conclusions over the last two years. Just months prior to this announcement, Amazume concluded another notable work titled Omae no Kao wo Tashikametai (translated as Let Me See That Look on Your Face). That series, which was serialized on Kodansha’s YanMaga Web platform, ended its run on April 23, 2026. Despite its relatively short duration compared to Sefure—having launched on September 11, 2025—it maintained a dedicated following, with Kodansha releasing the second and final volume on June 19, 2026.

Furthermore, Amazume’s manga series Jofu concluded its serialization in March 2025. Jofu followed a unique publication trajectory, beginning as a one-shot in Hakusensha’s Young Animal magazine in March 2021 before transitioning into a full serialization in December of that same year. The series ultimately spanned seven volumes, with the final compiled book published by Hakusensha on May 29, 2025. This rapid succession of series finales suggests a transitional phase in Amazume’s career, as he clears his current slate of projects, likely in preparation for a new major serialization.

A Legacy Built on Nana & Kaoru

To understand the impact of Amazume’s work on the manga industry, one must look back at his most influential creation, Nana & Kaoru (Nana to Kaoru). Launched in 2008 in Hakusensha’s Young Animal Arashi, the series later moved to the flagship Young Animal magazine in 2009, where it remained until its conclusion in August 2016. Nana & Kaoru is widely regarded as a seminal work in the "soft-BDSM" romance subgenre, blending erotic themes with a poignant "boy meets girl" coming-of-age story.

The success of Nana & Kaoru extended far beyond the printed page. The series inspired an original video anime (OVA) and two live-action film adaptations, cementing its status as a cultural touchstone within the seinen demographic. Its popularity also led to multiple spinoffs, including Nana to Kaoru: Black Label, which concluded in 2014, and Nana to Kaoru: Kokosei no SM Gokko (High Schoolers’ S&M Play). The latter was a key launch title for Hakusensha’s Harem magazine in November 2018 and ran until October 2021, focusing on the characters during their third year of high school.

The international reach of Amazume’s work has been facilitated by Western publishers such as FAKKU and Denpa. FAKKU, known for its focus on adult-oriented manga, licensed Nana & Kaoru for English-speaking audiences, while Denpa began distributing the series in high-quality 3-in-1 omnibus editions in October 2022. This international availability has allowed Amazume to cultivate a global fanbase, many of whom have followed his subsequent works like Sefure through digital scanlations and official imports.

Chronology of Major Works and Milestones

The following timeline outlines the major career milestones for Ryuta Amazume over the past two decades:

• 2008: Launch of Nana & Kaoru in Young Animal Arashi.
• 2009: Nana & Kaoru moves to Young Animal; serialization gains massive popularity.
• 2010–2012: Release of the Nana & Kaoru OVA and live-action film adaptations.
• 2014: Conclusion of the spinoff series Nana to Kaoru: Black Label.
• August 2016: The original Nana & Kaoru manga concludes after an eight-year run.
• November 2018: Launch of Nana to Kaoru: Kokosei no SM Gokko in Harem magazine.
• March 2019: Sefure debuts in Young King magazine.
• March 2021: Jofu one-shot published in Young Animal.
• October 2021: Nana to Kaoru: Kokosei no SM Gokko ends.
• December 2021: Full serialization of Jofu begins.
• October 2022: Denpa begins English release of Nana & Kaoru omnibus editions.
• March 2025: Jofu concludes serialization.
• September 2025: Omae no Kao wo Tashikametai launches on YanMaga Web.
• April 2026: Omae no Kao wo Tashikametai ends.
• May 2026: Sefure volume 11 is released.
• July 2026: Sefure concludes in Young King issue 16.

Market Analysis and Genre Impact

The conclusion of Sefure marks the end of an era for Shonengahosha’s Young King, a magazine that has traditionally catered to a male audience with a mix of "yankee" (delinquent) stories, crime dramas, and adult romances. Amazume’s presence in the magazine provided a specific brand of "emotional eroticism" that balanced the more action-heavy titles in the publication.

The "sex and romance" genre in manga has evolved significantly since the early 2000s. While older titles often prioritized explicit content over narrative, creators like Amazume helped pioneer a shift toward character-driven stories where intimacy serves as a tool for character development. Sefure is a prime example of this evolution. By taking the "sex friend" trope—often used for comedic or purely erotic purposes—and treating it with psychological sincerity, Amazume managed to sustain a narrative for seven years that resonated with readers looking for more than just surface-level content.

From a business perspective, the conclusion of Sefure allows Shonengahosha to look toward new talent. However, the loss of a veteran creator like Amazume from the weekly or bi-weekly rotation is always a risk for a mid-tier magazine. Industry insiders suggest that the high volume of series endings for Amazume in 2025 and 2026 may point toward a "reset" for the author, who may be moving toward a new flagship project or perhaps taking a well-deserved hiatus after nearly two decades of continuous serialization.

Future Implications for the Creator

While no official announcement has been made regarding Ryuta Amazume’s next project, the pattern of his career suggests that he rarely stays away from the drawing board for long. With the completion of Sefure, Amazume has successfully navigated transitions between several major publishers, including Hakusensha, Kodansha, and Shonengahosha. This flexibility makes him one of the more versatile creators in the seinen market.

Fans and critics alike will be watching the upcoming July 27 issue of Young King closely. Often, when a long-running series ends, the final chapter is accompanied by a message from the author or an announcement regarding future endeavors. Given that Sefure was one of the few remaining series from the late-2010s era of the magazine, its finale represents a symbolic turning point for both the author and the publication.

In the broader context of the manga industry, the end of Sefure reflects a trend where long-form "relationship studies" are reaching their natural conclusions, making room for a new wave of digital-first content and experimental genres. However, the legacy of Ryuta Amazume’s work—defined by its ability to find the heart within the heat of physical romance—ensures that his influence will continue to be felt in the seinen genre for years to come. For now, readers prepare to bid farewell to a story that, while starting with a simple physical arrangement, ended by capturing the complexities of the human heart.