Splatoon’s vibrant, ink-soaked world has leapt off the Nintendo Switch and into the pages of manga with irresistible energy. Sankichi Hinodeya’s long-running Splatoon manga — now continuing under the title Splatoon Bankara! and expanding with the Splatoon 3: Splatlands volumes — blends action, quirky characters, and the game’s trademark style into a must-read for fans. This post explores the manga’s history, key developments, and what makes the Splatlands era a fresh, fun extension of the Splatoon universe.
Splatoon Manga Overview: Goggles, Bankara, and the Splatlands
Sankichi Hinodeya’s Splatoon manga first appeared as a one-shot in Shogakukan’s CoroCoro magazine before expanding into a serialized series. At the heart of the story is the energetic protagonist Goggles, and his adventures through the colorful, competitive world of inklings. The series has evolved alongside the games, with recent chapters shifting focus to Splatoon 3’s Splatlands and introducing new characters and story arcs — including Goggles’ meeting with an inkling named Braid in the Splatlands storyline.
From One-Shot to Ongoing Series
The manga’s origin story is classic: Hinodeya published a one-shot in May 2015 that captured readers’ imaginations and led to serialization. The series began serialization in Bessatsu Coro Coro Comic Special in February 2016, later also running in Coro Coro Comics. This trajectory allowed Hinodeya to grow the cast, worldbuilding, and tone to match Splatoon’s expanding in-game universe.
Key Releases and Formats
Over the years, the manga has been presented in several formats to reach different audiences: standard black-and-white tankōbon volumes, a voiced motion comic adaptation, and even a full-color edition to better evoke the game’s vivid palette. Shogakukan has compiled the story into multiple volumes — including the Splatoon 3: Splatlands volumes — while Viz Media handles English releases for Western readers.
English Release and Availability
Viz Media releases the manga in English for North American audiences, helping the series find fans beyond Japan. Viz’s editions make the manga accessible to readers who want the Splatoon story in English, and their physical and digital distributions ensure new volumes are relatively easy to find through mainstream retailers and libraries. For readers interested in Viz’s releases, see Viz Media’s official page for updates and availability. Viz Media
Storyline Developments: Pause and Return
The Splatoon manga experienced a temporary pause in November 2021, during which the author and publishers hinted that the series would soon tie into Splatoon 3. After that hiatus, the manga resumed in September 2022 under the current title Splatoon Bankara!, aligning closely with the tones, themes, and characters introduced by Splatoon 3. This deliberate pivot helped the series remain relevant and fresh for readers who also follow the games.
New Characters and Expanded Setting
Splatoon Bankara! and the Splatlands arc introduce new faces like Braid and expand the geography of the Splatoon world. These additions deepen the manga’s storytelling possibilities while remaining faithful to the game’s playful yet competitive spirit. Fans of character-driven comedy and team dynamics will find plenty to enjoy, especially in scenes that mirror in-game modes and culture.
The Manga-Game Relationship: How the Franchise Interacts
Hinodeya’s manga has always drawn inspiration from the games, and vice versa. The Splatoon franchise’s multimedia expansion — from games to manga to motion comics — creates a cross-pollination that enriches each medium. As Splatoon 3 launched and matured, the manga adapted its storyline and visuals to match in-game lore, weapons, and locales, offering an extended narrative experience for fans eager for deeper context and character moments.
Merchandise and Motion Comic Adaptation
Beyond print, the manga inspired a voiced motion comic and a full-color release that better captures Splatoon’s neon-soaked aesthetic. These adaptations provide multiple entry points for fans: readers can enjoy the classic manga volumes, watch the motion comic for a more animated experience, or seek the color edition for a closer match to the game’s look.
Notable Publication Milestones
- May 2015: Hinodeya’s Splatoon one-shot published in Coro Coro Comics.
- February 2016: Serialization began in Bessatsu Coro Coro Comic Special.
- May 2017: Series also launched in Coro Coro Comics.
- September 2022: Manga resumed following a temporary pause and adopted the title Splatoon Bankara! to align with Splatoon 3 content.
- January 2023 – March [Year]: Shogakukan published compiled volumes for Splatoon 3: Splatlands, with multiple volumes collected as the arc progressed.
How Splatoon 3 Influenced the Manga
When Splatoon 3 arrived on the scene, its new locations and systems naturally fed into the manga’s creative direction. Authors and illustrators incorporated new weapons, fashion, and in-universe trends — reflecting how in-game updates often inspire manga authors to explore fresh plotlines and visual motifs. The result is a manga that feels like a companion piece to the game, offering additional character beats and lighter narrative moments that a game’s multiplayer focus may not emphasize.
Where to Read and What to Expect Next
Readers can find the manga in Japanese through Shogakukan’s channels and in English through Viz Media’s print and digital offerings. The story continues to evolve alongside Splatoon’s franchise developments, and the Splatlands arc promises more worldbuilding, new allies, and the signature humor readers expect.
For collectors wanting the full-color edition, motion comic, or the latest tankōbon volumes, official publisher pages and major retailers are the best places to monitor. The manga’s adaptability — from one-shot to serialized print to motion comic — suggests that more formats or special editions could appear as the franchise grows.
Final thoughts
Sankichi Hinodeya’s Splatoon manga remains one of the franchise’s most enjoyable spin-offs: playful, fast-paced, and faithful to the games’ spirit. Whether you’re a longtime reader who followed Goggles from the beginning or a newcomer drawn in by Splatoon 3’s Splatlands, the manga offers humor, action, and colorful worldbuilding that deepen the franchise’s appeal. Keep an eye on Viz Media and Shogakukan for new releases, and enjoy the ride through ink, fashion, and frenetic turf wars.
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