Finale of Rōgai: Square Enix Concludes Manga Chapter with Fantasy Twist

The final chapter of the manga Rōgai Level concludes an unusual story that blends elements of the fantasy genre with socio-critical aspects. The protagonist, Kato, a stressed-out office worker, finds himself in a parallel world after a tragic incident, where he fights against elderly troublemakers as Cain.

The series, created by Nazuna Miki and Ayame Inada, ends after a two-year run, as confirmed via the X account of Square Enix's Manga UP! platform.

Plot Between Reality and Fantasy

The story begins with Kato, an office worker who is pushed in front of a train by his boss and subsequently awakens in a fantasy world. Equipped as Cain with the ability to "recognize the threat level of elderly troublemakers at a glance," he pursues the goal of systematically eliminating them.

The narrative combines action elements with subtle commentary on power structures and age discrimination, sparking a debate about the symbolic depth of Shōnen manga.

Square Enix released the first collected volume on June 7, 2025, which rose into the top 20 of the manga charts within a few weeks. Critics praise the "visually dynamic battle scenes" and the "surprisingly complex character development" of the protagonist. However, the decision to conclude the series after only one volume is causing controversial discussions in fan forums, especially due to the open ending.

Developments in the Square Enix Ecosystem

Nazuna Miki, already known for works such as My Unique Skill Makes Me OP even at Level 1, is once again establishing herself as an author with narratives that transcend boundaries. The author's light novel series, launched in 2017, achieved international popularity with its anime adaptation in 2023, further raising expectations for Rōgai Level. In parallel, Miki concluded the series Died a Slave, Reborn a Noble in 2023 after twelve volumes, which was also published on Gangan Online.

Square Enix is using the cancellation of Rōgai Level to focus resources on new projects. Manga UP!, the platform behind the publication, recorded an 18% increase in sales in the first half of 2025, which is attributed to strategic investments in digital distribution channels. "We remain innovative in order to always offer our readers fresh perspectives," reads an official statement from the company.

Outlook

Despite its abrupt ending, Rōgai Level remains an example of bold storytelling that questions genre conventions. Fans are already speculating about possible spin-offs or anime adaptations, while publishing representatives emphasize that "every project offers unique opportunities for creative experimentation." Looking at Miki's previous successes, it remains to be seen how her career will develop in an increasingly competitive market.

Source: Square Enix/Manga UP! via X (formerly Twitter), Sales data from Oricon