Katherine Dacey

KATE: One of the things I appreciate about Seven Seas is how much they’ve diversified their catalog. Yes, they still publish things like Trapped In Another Dimension with a Ridiculously Hot Girl: Have You Seen My Three-Hit Attacks?, but they’ve also made a commitment to publishing older series, offering North American readers an opportunity to read foundational texts such as Claudine, Cutie Honey, Captain Harlock, and Devilman. I’m excited to see what they’ve done with Shotaro Ishinomori’s Kamen Rider, which, as my colleague Sean pointed out, is “the inspiration for most anything you’ve ever loved.” Sold!

SEAN: Kamen Rider would absolutely be my pick if I had any confidence I’d finish it. Since I do not, I’ll go with something more in my wheelhouse: the first volume of Cross-Dressing Villainess Cecilia Sylvie. Combining villainess novels with Hana-Kimi seems like a great idea.

MICHELLE: I think it’s very cool that Kamen Rider is coming out and I will certainly give it a try. If I’m honest, though, my heart belongs to My Love Mix-Up!.

ANNA: I’m going to go with the final volume of Love Me, Love Me Not. Shojo Beat has really been bringing some great, heartfelt series recently and I’m looking forward to seeing how this wraps up.

ASH: It’s Kamen Rider for me this week! I’m very happy to see more of Shotaro Ishinomori’s work translated, and especially such an influential series. This omnibus is huge in more ways than one!

SEAN: It’s always hard to think back twelve months and remember what’s been coming out. There are so many titles that I love and want to mention here. In particular, there have been a lot of great LGBT series such as Boys Run the Riot and I Think Our Son Is Gay. There’s brilliant one-shot Look Back. I love light novels, so I want to mention Bofuri and Tearmoon Empire (it came out in print this year, so counts as a 2021 title) and any number of Villainess books. But I think I will make my pick a plucky digital-only title about an elementary schoolgirl who wants to be a figure skater but has a huge hill to climb. Between its story and its incredibly dynamic art, Medalist is one of the most captivating sports manga I;ve seen in years. I hope it gets a print release soon.

MICHELLE: It’s been a tough year for me in terms of marshaling the mental focus required to read. As a result, there are quite a few debuts I’ve been genuinely excited about that I haven’t yet managed to check out. One series that had sufficient pull on my heartstrings to compel me to finish it was Haikyu!!. I know it wasn’t a 2021 debut, but it did have a 2021 conclusion and I loved it very very much, so I’m going to pick it anyway! The final volume made me cry several times (in a good way). Hikaru no Go reigned for many years as my favorite sports manga ever, but with the perfect execution of its finale, Haikyu!! pulled ahead to claim the title.

ANNA: There’s a lot of manga to be thankful for. Some of my favorite series that come to mind immediately are Witch Hat Atelier, Yona of the Dawn, Given and A Sign of Affection. However, if I need to pick just one series to highlight, I’m going to choose the josei series Knight of the Ice because the combination of sports, romance, and Yayoi Ogawa’s unique sense of humor make every volume entertaining.

ASH: It’s been quite the year and I’ve not gotten in all of the reading that I would have liked, but there were still plenty of releases that I was thrilled to see. As already mentioned, there have been some really excellent LGBT manga coming out of late. We saw some holy grail re-licenses this year, too, like Fist of the North Star and No. 5. I’m also grateful for Drawn & Quarterly’s continued attention to the creators Shigeru Mizuki and Yoshiharu Tsuge. The other publisher that has most consistently captured my attention this past year has been Glacier Bay Books. One of it’s most recent releases, F by Imai Arata, is particularly impactful, but I love seeing the range of works being published by the press.

KATE: My pick of the year is Naoki Urasawa’s Asadora!, which follows the adventures of a plucky teen pilot who’s hot on the trail of a… well, I won’t spoil the surprise. Although it shares some thematic elements with 20th Century Boys and Mujirushi: The Sign of Dreams, Asadora! is more nimble and entertaining than either, thanks in no small part to the compelling relationship between the series’ two lead characters. Equally important, Urasawa’s illustrations feel a little more lifelike and animated than some of his recent efforts; he does a brilliant job of depicting the popular culture and urban landscapes of postwar Japan, as the country prepares for the 1964 Olympic Games. Volume five doesn’t arrive until April 2022, so there’s plenty of time to get caught up with this engrossing series.

ANNA: I’m usually not incredibly surprised by the manga coming out week after week, but I’m delighted that we’re getting a new volume of Takehiko Inoue’s Real after a gap between print volumes, it is certainly something worth celebrating as Pick of the Week.

SEAN: Let’s be real, Real is what absolutely should be Pick of the Week. But since I’m a good 10 or so volumes behind on it, I will instead pick the new collection of Monkey Punch’s Lupin III manga. Manga Lupin is… an acquired taste, but this is where it all began, and I look forward to reading it and watching him be clever and also lecherous.

MICHELLE: I’m actually current on Real, but since volume fourteen came out in 2016, that doesn’t exactly count for much. I’m very happy to see a new volume, and definitely picking it this week, but I would be happier still if I had any confidence that it won’t be another five years of waiting for the next one.

KATE: Since everyone else has been keepin’ it Real, my pick is Lupin III: Greatest Heists, a collection of twelve stories drawn from various stages in the manga’s history. Tokyopop tried to make Lupin III happen back in 2002, but it didn’t click with American audiences. Here’s hoping fresh translations and a new publisher–Seven Seas, in this case–inspire more readers to give this famous, influential series a try.

ASH: Though I’m certainly interested in Lupin III, my pick has to be Real. I like Takehiko Inoue’s manga in general, but Real is my personal favorite. (Which actually surprises me a little bit.) While the series as a whole is terrific, the characterization in particular is phenomenal.

MELINDA: I’m also interested in Lupin III, which I adored when we got a taste of it back in the day, but we’ve been waiting for the next Real for SO long, I can’t choose anything else. Like many, I’d given up on it. So glad to be proven wrong.

SEAN: Um, it’s the three Danmei books. I believe Heaven Official’s Blessing has the most buzz? It’s certainly the longest of the three. In any case, these three novels sort of dwarf everything else on the list.

KATE: Anytime there’s a new volume of Kageki Shojo!! is a cause for celebration, so volume three is my pick o’ the week.

ANNA: Seems like a Danmei week to me!

MICHELLE: I’m ridiculously excited about the Danmei. I hope these books are a spectacular success for Seven Seas and prompt them to license even more. ‘Cos when is a geek never not grateful on one hand and greedy on the other? :)

ASH: I’d be remiss if I failed to mention Vinland Saga, which is still one of my favorite series even with the releases now being so far apart. But, I’ll also have to admit this is a Danmei sort of week for me; I’m particularly looking forward to Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation.

KATE: I’m gonna need a bigger boat for this week’s haul! I’m excited for several of Wednesday’s big debuts, including Akira Toriyama’s Manga Theater, Kaiju No. 8, and Robo Sapiens: Tales of Tomorrow. If I had to pick just one title, however, it would be Emma Dreams of Stars, which Vertical Comics promises will give readers a “rare glimpse into the inner workings of The Michelin Guide, and the grueling yet rewarding life of an undercover professional foodie!” Three stars for Emma!

MICHELLE: There are some nifty oneshots coming out this week, and a new volume of Yona of the Dawn is always something to celebrate, but I simply must pick the final volume of Takane & Hana. I have enjoyed the series immensely and will miss it when it’s over, but still look forward to these two having their happily ever after.

SEAN: Must agree. Whether you get the regular (him holding her) or special edition (her holding him), Takane & Hana Vol. 18 is a must-read for shoujo comedy fans.

ASH: There really is a bunch of interesting releases this week! While I’m particularly fond of food manga, robot stories are another weakness of mine, so my pick this week is the award-winning Robo Sapiens: Tales of Tomorrow. I’m really looking forward to giving the omnibus collection a try.

ANNA: There’s a lot of great manga coming out this week! I’m always lured by new series though, so I’m going to make reverse harem vampire manga my pick and go with Rosen Blood.

SEAN: I’m not sure I’ll be able to keep up with it, given it’s over 20 volumes in Japan, but this week the appeal of Cheeky Brat really hits home to me. Hoping for something along the lines of Power!! or Girl Got Game. Wait, those were the same manga. Anyway, cheeky brats are my pick this week.

MICHELLE: I admit there is something appealing about Cheeky Brat, but I’ve gotta go with josei cat manga I Am a Cat Barista. I’m not sure if it’ll be quite my thing, but I want to experience at least one volume.

KATE: Given how gregarious our male cat is, I can easily picture Buster pouring drinks and listening to patrons’ sob stories. Count me in for I Am a Cat Barista.

ANNA: I Am a Cat Barista sounds pretty adorable, it is my pick too.

ASH: As much as I’m looking forward to giving I Am a Cat Barista a try, my pick this week simply has to be Red Flowers. My brief doesn’t really do it justice, but both the volume and its series are excellent. Some of the stories collected leave quite an impression.

MICHELLE: There are several BL/LGBT titles out this week, which is great! Although I definitely look forward to reading I Think Our Son Is Gay, I just love the cover of Restart After Coming Back Home so much, I’ve gotta pick that one.

ASH: Both of those titles interest me, for sure, but since this will be the last time that I can pick Nicola Traveling Around the Demons’ World, I’m going to have to go with that. It’s been such a lovely and charming series; I’m looking forward to reading the final volume, but am a little sad to see it end, too.

ANNA: I’ve been stockpiling Nicola Traveling Around the Demons’ World, but haven’t read it yet. It is still my pick, I’m looking forward to it!

SEAN: Yeah, Nicola Traveling Around the Demons’ World has been a surprise hit, and four volumes is just about the right length. I’ll pick that as well.

KATE: I heartily agree with all the folks praising Nicola Traveling Around the Demons’ World: it’s an imaginative, beautifully illustrated series that never condescends to younger readers even as it imparts lessons about kindness, generosity, and courage. Equally important, the heroine’s can-do spirit and occasional setbacks prevent the story from becoming too saccharine or predictable. Highly recommended!

SEAN: Hrm, I could choose any number of interesting new and continuing new manga titles, or I could pick another Villainess light novel to add on to my teetering pile. What to do… Yup, my pick this week is Endo and Kobayashi Live! The Latest on Tsundere Villainess Lieselotte.

MICHELLE: Although technically it came out last week, I would be remiss if I didn’t choose the final volume of The Girl from the Other Side for my pick of the week. I recently realized I haven’t read this series since volume seven (two years ago) because I am legitimately that worried about the fate of these characters. I reckon it’s time to take the plunge and hope for the best.

ASH: I’ll be joining Michelle in selecting The Girl from the Other Side as my pick this week. Though I am likewise a few volumes behind in my reading, it is such a wondrous series. Hard-hitting, too, but truly special.

MELINDA: Okay, so I’m recovering from getting my COVID booster, and running a fever for a few days means I’m not really up for much that takes any concentration, so the idea of buying anything to READ is not the most compelling thought in the world. I’d love to hear what our readers are picking up this week, though! Let us know in comments!

ANNA: It is The Girl from the Other Side for me too, one of these days I’ll get back to it.

KATE: I freely admit that I gave up on The Girl from the Other Side. The artwork is gorgeous–truly, Nagabe is a major talent–but the story was just too grim for me, and I bailed at volume seven. That said, I hope that folks who are enjoying this fairy tale know it’s available this week, since this is the final volume.

KATE: I’m intrigued by the cover of Cigureta, so that’s on my must-buy list, but I’ll also be adding the second volume of Mao. The first volume was uneven, but there were some weird and intriguing ideas that made me hopeful that this series is more like InuYasha than Rin-ne.

SEAN: Despite the presence of my beloved Tearmoon Empire, I am going to give the pick this week to Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End. I’m always happy to see a new Shonen Sunday series, and this one has a lot of hype as being a sort of “after the world is saved, what next?” story.

MICHELLE: I am intimidated by the comparison to Inio Asano, but it’s definitely Ciguatera for me!

ANNA: I’m always curious about Shonen Sunday titles, so it is Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End for me.

ASH: While I am likewise intrigued by Ciguatera, I think I may be even more curious to see how Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End plays out. That being said, I finally got around to reading the first volume of I Belong to the Baddest Girl at School and I’m looking forward to reading more of that series’ ridiculousness, too.

SEAN: A lot of Viz, as usual for the first week of the month, and my eye is drawn to the My Hero Academia: Ultra Analysis book, because I am a nerd. But I think I will go with No Matter What You Say, Furi-san Is Scary!, which is a genre (misunderstood girl everyone thinks is scary but isn’t) I really like.

MICHELLE: There’s not really one particular title screaming out to me this week. Moreso, it’s the prospect of catching up on some Shojo Beat series I’ve fallen woefully behind on. For the sake of choosing something, I’ll go with volume four of The King’s Beast. I really enjoyed Dawn of the Arcana and The Water Dragon’s Bride by this mangaka, and I have no doubt that trend will continue.

KATE: Not much caught my eye this week, so I’m going off-list to remind everyone that there’s a new installment of Evan Dorkin and Jill Thompson’s awesome Beasts of Burden series arriving in stores this week. If you ever thought that Stranger Things would be more entertaining if its protagonists were house pets, this is the series for you! It’s funny, unnerving, and proof that talking animals aren’t just for kids.

ASH: This week I’m going to join Sean in picking No Matter What You Say, Furi-san Is Scary! since it’s the debut that I’m most interested in. But as for ongoing manga, the new edition of Blade of the Immortal is probably the best way to experience the series.

ANNA: I’m with Michelle this week, I think The King’s Beast is the most intriguing thing coming out this week.

MELINDA: I’m not enormously drawn to anything this week, but if I must make a choice, I’ll go along with Sean and Ash. I think No Matter What You Say, Furi-san Is Scary! sounds potentially fun, and sometimes that’s enough!

MICHELLE: Despite not one but two volumes of kitty manga coming out next week, I am most intrigued by Boy Meets Maria. LGBT, “powerful,” “dark,” and done in one volume? Yes, please!

ANNA: There’s not a ton coming out that really appeals to me this week, but I’m most interested in Never Open It: The Taboo Trilogy, just because we don’t get a ton of short story collections of manga.

KATE: Against my better judgment, I’m going to pick The Walking Cat, partly on the strength of the cover art, and partly for it cats vs. zombies premise. Who knows? Maybe this done-in-one omnibus will have something new and interesting to contribute to the undead genre.

SEAN: It’s been a bit stressful lately, and I could use a good laugh, so I will go with a known comedy favorite, Gabriel Dropout.

ASH: I’m interested in everything that’s been mentioned thus far, but find myself echoing Anna for my pick this week: I pre-ordered Never Open It as soon as I discovered that Ken Niimura was going to have a new book out—one of his previous works, Henshin, is a particular favorite of mine.

MICHELLE: There’s so much good stuff coming out this week, though most of it new installments in series in which I’m woefully behind. My heart, however, most goes “squee!” at the prospect of getting caught up with Knight of the Ice, so that’s what I’ll go with this week.

SEAN: A lot of good stuff, yes. New Komi Can’t Communicate, new Rose King. That said, I will stay on brand and pick a light novel, I’m the Villainess, So I’m Taming the Final Boss, because I just can’t get enough of this type of story.

ANNA: I’m with Michelle, Knight of the Ice is consistently enjoyable, looking forward to the new volume.

KATE: I gotta admit that I’m not really feeling this week’s list; I’m so behind on Knight of the Ice that I don’t know if I can still recommend it. But if pressed to the wall, I’d throw my weight behind Wave, Listen to Me!, if only because I’m one of those dinosaurs who still listens to the radio.

ASH: I’ll be waiting for the print edition, but Wave, Listen to Me! is such a good choice. As for my pick, I’ll be going with Requiem of the Rose King as I still cannot resist its sensuous drama. (Not that I’m trying to resist it…)

MELINDA: Hello, there is a new Requiem of the Rose King and that’s the end of the selection process for me. Yep.

SEAN: Lotsa stuff this week, including 80 gabillion Yen On light novels, as well as a new Shojo Beat title. But I’m gonna go with the new volume of Sunshine Sketch, because, like Yotsuba&!, it’s been three years since the last volume. I miss my vaguely yuri art college kids.

MICHELLE: This week has Wotakoi, Chihayafuru, Spy x Family, Yona of the Dawn, and Yowamushi Pedal. In a regular week, I could happily endorse any one of those. But it’s the new Shojo Beat title, My Love Mix-Up!, that interests me most. I loved the artist’s work on My Love Story!! and am intrigued to see how it pairs with a different writer’s story.

KATE: I heartily second Michelle’s pick since I also adored My Love Story!!. But I’m also stoked for another volume of Boys Run the Riot, a series I’ve been enjoying and vowing to review when I find the time.

ANNA: There’s a lot of great series coming out this week, and I’m totally going to read My Love Mix-Up!. But on a week when Yona of the Dawn is also coming out, that’s always going to be my pick.

ASH: I’m looking forward to every series mentioned so far, but the debut of My Love Mix-Up! is the one that I’m most curious about, essentially echoing Michelle here.

MELINDA: Well, My Love Mix-Up! seems to have my name written all over it, so I’m gonna have to go with that, no question!

ASH: There are some great manga being released this week and, while I can’t bring myself to choose only one as my official pick, I did somehow manage to narrow it down to two. Debut-wise, I’m particularly curious about The Masterful Cat Is Depressed Again Today, which looks like it should be delightful. But I also want to highlight the final volume of BL Metamorphosis, which has been a truly wonderful and special series.

SEAN: Those are both fantastic choices, and I’m also very interested in J-Novel Club’s new shoujo light novels. But I have to pick Yotsuba&! 15, because it’s been so long, and it’s so heartwarming.

MICHELLE: There is so much good stuff coming out this week! I am really looking forward to The Masterful Cat Is Depressed Again Today, but since we can extoll the virtues of volume two in November, I’ll join Sean in choosing Yotsuba&! this week, since I might not get another chance until 2024.

KATE: I’m always down for a new installment of Yotsuba&!, but I won’t lie: I need a Masterful Cat in my life right now, since I’m just getting the hang of commuting and working with other people in person again.

ANNA: There are quite a few intriguing titles coming out this week, but the one that is going to rocket to the top of my to-read list is Witch Hat Atelier.

MELINDA: There’s a lot for me to choose from this week, for once! And I truly am torn, even though many of the series I’m most interested in are those I haven’t yet (but plan to!) begin. So I guess, like Michelle, I’ll take this opportunity to appreciate a long-awaited new volume of Yotsuba&!.

SEAN: This week I am torn between debuts and final volumes. I really should be picking When Will Ayumu Make His Move?, as I love the author’s other stuff, and it looks cute and fun. But I’m sorry, it’s the final volume of Ran the Peerless Beauty, Kodansha’s answer to Kimi ni Todoke, and that has to be my pick, because it’s been regularly terrific.

KATE: I’m on Team VIZ; anytime there are new volumes of Maison Ikkoku and The Way of the Househusband is a good week in my book.

MICHELLE: I am sincerely looking forward to the finale of Ran the Peerless Beauty, but I just can’t pass up the chance to pick something that looks as sweet as Would You Like to be a Family?. I’m still wary of TOKYOPOP, but I must admit they’ve really been putting out some great BL oneshots lately!

ANNA: I could really use a comedic pick-me-up, and The Way of the Househusband always delivers.

ASH: I feel like I’m behind the times because, well, I am, but the release that I’m most interested in checking out this week is Tearmoon Empire. I’ve heard really good things about this series; now that it’ll be available in print, I’ll be able to see for myself!

MELINDA: Okay, nothing is strongly calling out to me this week, though I am always ready to cheer on Maison Ikkoku. But perhaps I’ll through a hesitant vote towards When Will Ayumu Make His Move? which sounds fun and revolves around a strategy game, so worst case scenario, I can pretend I’m reading Hikaru no Go.