The long-gestating science fiction project Despera is moving forward in a new format. During the Japan Weekend Madrid event, writer Chiaki J. Konaka announced that the title, which has been in development limbo for over a decade, will be adapted into a manga series slated for 2027. Konaka, known for his work on Serial Experiments Lain and Texhnolyze, confirmed that the manga will deviate from the original anime’s planned setting and era.
Originally unveiled by creator Yoshitoshi ABe at Sakura-Con in 2009, Despera was intended to be a period-piece sci-fi story set in 1922 Japan, focusing on a 14-year-old girl named Ain who constructs complex devices without formal scientific training. The project faced significant setbacks, most notably the passing of director Ryūtarō Nakamura in 2013. While ABe indicated in 2014 that the anime would continue under new leadership, production was further complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which stalled progress despite reported funding reaching 80% completion by 2021.
While the anime project remains in a state of uncertainty, this manga serves as the first major narrative expansion for the title in years. Konaka has explicitly stated that this new iteration is not connected to the Serial Experiments Lain universe, despite the shared creative team. With the manga shift, the creative duo appears to be pivoting away from the production hurdles that have kept the animated version from reaching the screen.
