Ten years are easy to say, but staying current
in the ruthless market of idol girls for more than a decade is
a feat reserved for very few works. The acclaimed manga Dropout Idol
Fruit Tart (Ochikobore Fruit Tart), written and illustrated
by Sou Hamayumiba, officially published its latest chapter in the
September issue of the magazine, putting a definitive end to a trajectory that
began back in 2015.
The premise of this funny story introduces us
to Ino Sakura, a first-year high school student who travels to Tokyo pursuing
the great dream of succeeding in the entertainment industry. By moving into the
Mouse House residence, she ends up joining forces with other rejected or
declining girls in show business: former child actress Roko, musician Hayu and
model Nina. Together they form the peculiar group "Fruit Tart", a
group of outcasts who must make every effort in their musical activities to prevent
the bedroom where they live from being demolished.
The girls' farewell was already announced three
chapters in advance, so the community had time to prepare for
the imminent closure. Along with the final chapter, the publisher revealed the
cover illustration of the ninth and final compilation volume, which will be
available in bookstores in Japan on August 27. Although the story on paper came
to an end, the franchise left a pleasant memory among fans
thanks to its animated adaptation released in 2020, which
perfectly captured the light comedy and charm that characterized Hamajumiba's
work since its debut.
Considering that the author Sou Hamayumiba also
gave us beloved works such as Hanayamata
