Manga that began in 2000 inspired anime, 2 live-action films

This year's 24th issue of Shueisha's Young Jump magazine, which ships this Thursday, is announcing that Hiroya Oku's manga series Gantz will end in two more chapters. The announcement follows up on Oku's previous note in Shueisha's Miracle Jump magazine last month that the series would be ending soon.

The manga follows a young Tokyo man who is reanimated after a deadly subway accident. Kei and other resurrected people go on violent, seemingly endless missions at the behest of an unseen host.

Oku launched the manga in Young Jump in 2000, and Shueisha published the 36th compiled book volume in Japan in March. The "Final Phase" of the manga began in 2009. Oku had previously written that he had wanted to finish the manga in 2012.

The manga inspired a television anime series animated by Gonzo (and released by ADV Films in North America) and two live-action films (released by New People Entertainment). Dark Horse Comics released the 27th English volume of the manga in North America last month.

Thanks to Manga News for the news tip.