KZB24-adIn a shocking development today, it will be annouced in this upcoming week’s Weekly Shonen Jump in Japan that in volume 24 of the Shaman King Kang Zeng Bang (reprint) will contain 2 new chapters. These chapters will take up 36 pages and be named chapters 265 and 266. All chapters after this point will be renumbered in remaining Kang Zeng Bang volumes. The two chapters will feature the Marco and Luchist fight which was not originally included in the manga. In the ad panels from the new chapters were also included. Although not stated in ad, it’s unlikely that Takei’s oneshot “Exotica” and special “Diary of Exotica” will be included in the Kang Zeng Bang reprints. These chapters will probably help fill this gap, even though those two extras contained many more pages.

Viz has not taken any of the changed artwork, titles, or extras created for the Kang Zeng Bang for their initial print of the Shaman King manga in English for the United States. As of right now, it seems unlikely that they will follow the new numbering system, but we will keep you updated if they make a comment on this.

Shaman King Kang Zeng Bang volumes 23 and 24 will be released in Japan on Feb. 4th, 2009 and contain chapters originally released in volumes 29-30. The final volume of the Kang Zeng Bang (volume 27) will be release in early April 2009 in Japan.

As more details are released, this article may be updated, or new articles will be posted. A complete Kang Zeng Bang guide will be posted on Shaman King Nation before the end of the year which will help point out the differences between the Kang Zeng Bang and the original Japanese print.