Another chapter was released that advances the plot only slightly, but doesn't end it, and another side story came out that took place six years later but still didn't end the then-ongoing story.
A while ago it was announced that they'd publish a final 13 chapters (from 288 to 300), and now the official website for the manga is actually going to publish the chapters online prior to their print release! Doesn't get much better than that, folks. So if you've been waiting, here's your chance. And here's hoping it goes well this time.
Sidenote: how does Takei have time for all these projects? Isn't he working on Ultimo with Stan Lee?
Darn. I thought this thread was going to give another clue about a better ending. After coming from the library to finish the last 3 volumes for the Shaman King project, I was surprised and disappointed at the ending. Like Gia said, the author is truly sorry.
I have to figure out if I have to add the Kanzenban chapters or not for the Shaman King franchise.
Now, I think the anime and manga both have suffered from its ending. The side stories, Funbari no Uta, are ambiguous about the final fight. The anime is also ambiguous.
The new final chapters are actually quite good. Lots of great character development, especially for Horo Horo (SOB). If you can find them, I recommend you read them
@AgentJ:
Thanks for the advice. Please excuse my rant about the ending. It's unprofessional for a wiki editor. Originally, I thought the Kanzenban was a reprint of the Shaman King manga, but it actually had a new ending. I should just have look it up online instead ranting like a noob.
About adding the Kanzenban chapters. It turns out that there are 27 volumes. This is not going end soon for the Shaman King project. I thought I was done with the project, original 32 volumes, when I came back from the library.
I just want to smack myself for doing this.
It's too bad the Kanzeban chapters are released in English. I just look at scans, but they may not always have table of contents. I have other means to get that info.
Speaking of the Shaman King project, I wanted thank you for adding volumes 21-23 for the original series. Please see the Shaman King Historian Blog. Oh yes, I will put the Shaman King recognition blog sometime this month. I got too much school and volunteer work to do that takes higher priority.
Still very disappointed they never released Shaman King on DVD. I was weird for actually enjoying the dub that 4kids did for that show (and that show ONLY).
As the last few volumes of Shaman King were released here in the states, I kept crossing my fingers and hoping that Viz would go above and beyond and include the added chapters. I was only somewhat surprised that they didn't. That's probably part of the reason why I put the series up for sale on Craigslist recently (along with several other manga I'm prepared to part with).
While it lasted though, I did enjoy the series and am glad that it did finally get a proper ending. Much more satisfying, if a teensy bit cliche.