SEAN: There’s a lot of great things coming out this week – some of which I even forgot to put in my weekly post! (Sorry, Wolf Children, I’ll get to you next week.) That said, there’s only one title that’s *the* Pick of the Week, and that’s Vertical’s debut of long-awaited seinen manga What Did You Eat Yesterday?, from Fumi Yoshinaga. The story of a couple and their daily lives and meals, it’s a story with two gay men that isn’t “Boys’ Love” as we know it. Can’t wait to read this one.
MICHELLE: I think I’ve been pestering publishers to license this one for about seven years, so yes. Pick of the Week. Possibly Pick of the Decade.
ANNA: No argument from me, I’m also very much looking forward to this manga!
ASH: No arguments here, either. I’m very excited for the release of What Did You Eat Yesterday? and have been looking forward to it ever since the license was announced by Vertical. Actually, like Michelle, this is a series that I’ve been clamoring for for years. I’m thrilled that we’re finally getting it in English!
MJ: I honestly can’t think of a title I’ve wished for more than this one—and it’s obviously not just me! This title has inspired heartfelt pleas from both Manga Bookshelf columnist Travis Anderson and the Battle Robot’s much-missed left leg, David Welsh. I’ve waxed eloquent many times over Fumi Yoshinaga’s particular talents with slice-of-life dialogue, food, and gay characters, and given that this manga includes all three, my only occasional worry has been that I’ve built it up too much in my own head for even Yoshinaga to live up to. I can’t wait to find out. Thank you, Vertical, for bringing us this manga!
What looks good to you this week?
Ash Lynx says
March 24, 2014 at 1:13 pmI specifically asked Vertical how I could show the most support when buying this and they said pre-order from Barns & Nobles. So that I did! I haven’t paid full price for a manga in quite a while, but for Fumi Yoshinaga and Vertical, I shall!
Marie says
March 24, 2014 at 5:11 pmDefinitely looking forward to What Did You Eat Yesterday?. I just hope it doesn’t end up being hindered with a BL label.
I’m also hoping to receive a copy of Gunji by Gengoroh Tagame this week. I’m not sure when Bruno Gmünder was expecting on having it available at places this month but, I pre-ordered it months ago too.
Ash Brown says
March 24, 2014 at 5:20 pmI received my copy of Gunji earlier this month, so hopefully yours will arrive soon, too!
Marie says
March 25, 2014 at 12:53 pmAh, good to know thanks!
Callum says
March 24, 2014 at 7:20 pmI got my copy of What Did You Eat Yesterday? on Saturday & thought it was a good read. Was initially a bit unsure whilst reading the first chapter as the two elements (the cooking & the characters) didn’t seem to gel together but by the end I really enjoyed it and felt the balance between the different elements of the story was better. It’s good to have a manga about gay relationships that isn’t smut as the series can delve into the social issues faced by same sex couples. The only other manga about a gay relationship I’ve read is His Favorite which I really enjoy as well as it focuses on the feelings & comedy as opposed to being nothing but a build up to sex scenes.
AshLynx says
March 25, 2014 at 7:14 pmGot my copy over at B&N today! I also reserved v2 and 3 (without even reading the first because face it, it’s Yoshinaga) and just read it now, hooray! As Callum says, having a gay manga without sex really is somehow refreshing. Sure, even her yaoi with sex scenes are light on those, but sexy just because of the character interactions.
I must say, most of the food talk went right over my head. In that way, it reminded me a lot of “Not Love But Delicious Foods”. Of course, and this could be either me or because I’m American, but sardines sound nasty to me and lot of those recipes, while clearly made with love, don’t sound like something I would enjoy. In other news, I should totally make jam.
But really, I’m getting all these neat characters interacting and that special Yoshinaga brand of warmth, comfort, and humor that I get from all her manga (maybe not Ooku, which is good for other reasons, but being warm and inviting doesn’t seem to be one of them) so yes, thank you, Vertical, for being awesomesauce!