BL manga magazine Opera is going digital. The editorial department of Akaneshinsha’s Opera magazine announced on X (formerly Twitter) that the print run is ending, with the 100th issue released on Friday, October 30, 2026 marking the final print edition. The first digital-only issue will launch in spring 2027.
Opera Magazine (Credits: Akaneshinsha)
The announcement closes a chapter that began in December 2005, when Opera launched as one of the flagship outlets for boys’ love manga in Japan. Over two decades, the magazine became known for high-profile BL titles and distinctive art, helping shape the commercial boys’ love scene in the mid-2000s and beyond.
Opera Magazine 100th Issue Celebrates 20 Years of BL History
The commemorative 100th and final print issue looks back on the magazine’s entire history. It includes work from 40 past contributors, each illustrating the futures of their own characters — a finale that doubles as a reunion of the creators who built the magazine’s identity.
Among the notable series Opera published over the years are Asumiko Nakamura’s Classmates and Syundei’s Go for It, Nakamura! along with its sequel Go for It Again, Nakamura! — titles that remain fan favorites well beyond Japan and helped define modern BL storytelling.
100th Issue Exhibition Hits Tokyo in December 2026
Fans will get one more way to say goodbye. A special 100th issue exhibition will be held in Tokyo from December 26 to January 24, offering a retrospective of the magazine’s art and legacy as it transitions to digital.
The move reflects the wider shift in Japanese manga publishing, where digital serialization and simultaneous global releases have become central to reaching readers. Opera’s digital relaunch in spring 2027 will keep its stories running even as the print era closes.
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Source: Anime News Network — read the full story there.
