Visiting my hometown and sorting out some or my childhood stuff. Came across this article from 2007 about the "approaching" ending of Vagabond
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Translation (by ChatGPT -- sorry, too lazy at the moment):
"Bulletin
Takehiko Inoue
By Fabio Satoshi Sakuda
In the men’s culture magazine Switch, Takehiko Inoue gave some hints about the ending of Vagabond. The article showed the three days Inoue spent on vacation paid for by the magazine. In return, he spoke for the first time about the ending of Vagabond, which is approaching. Anyone who has read the book, or knows the story of Japan’s most famous samurai, knows that after the battle against Sasaki Kojirō, Miyamoto Musashi abandons the sword and dedicates himself to art. In fact, his paintings are just as eccentric as his swordsmanship with katanas. In an era when everyone wielded swords with both hands, Musashi used one sword in each hand, and each sword weighed, on average, four kilos. Fighting while carrying that weight, with long and firm blades, was something realistically possible only for a few. Musashi’s paintings displayed his physical talents as much as his battles with swords.
Takehiko says he may not use Funajima, the island where the battle between Musashi and Kojirō took place. Historically, that would be a mistake, since it is one of the most important moments in Musashi’s life. But how do we know what it was really like? Takehiko explains: “The battle between Musashi and Kojirō is a decisive clash between them. Historically, it happened in a kind of public tournament and everything, but I don’t want to draw that kind of setting. The story itself is uncertain, since we only have Musashi’s own word, with no photographs or written testimony. So I don’t think I’ll use the island, or anything at all. Only their battle. And the decision of the battle will be the final moment of the manga.”
According to the author, Vagabond is the story of the samurai Miyamoto Musashi. And a samurai’s life ends there, after fighting Kojirō. There should not be even one extra page after the duel. And the fight itself should also be brief. He even admitted publicly: “I can no longer stretch the story.” Vagabond should not continue for much longer.
Still, Takehiko Inoue said that the end of Vagabond may also mark the end of his career. He is seriously considering leaving the mangaka profession and is still undecided. His reasons are basically tied to the hectic life he leads.
However, rumors are already circulating on the internet. The publisher where some former Shonen Jump colleagues work — including Tsukasa Hojo, for whom he once worked as an assistant — is reportedly interested in Inoue because of the strong sales of Bunch Comics. Possibly, this could involve a continuation of Slam Dunk, similar to what already happened with series such as Southern, Ken, and Angel Heart. Inoue said that the story of Slam Dunk truly ended there and that nothing happens afterward. But he did return to the characters on one occasion, at the request of the same Switch magazine. And he may still have ideas for another basketball manga. The bets are on a professional basketball manga, with the characters already as adults, on different teams."
Source: Neo Tokyo magazine, issue #12
A really interesting and insightful read in hindsight.