Back in March, Titan Comics announced that it would launching its own manga imprint, Titan Manga, with the publication of a new “director’s cut” of Takashi Okazaki’s Afro-Samurai. This week, Titan announced two more acquisitions: Kamen Rider Kuuga and Atom: The Beginning, both of which will debut in October. This deal is part of a new partnership with StoneBot Comics. In other licensing news, Seven Seas just unveiled several new titles including Malevolent Spirits: Monogatari, Let’s Buy the Land and Cultivate It in a Different World, Anti-Romance, and Night of the Living Cat, a horror-comedy in which “a virus transforms humans into cats.” The mode of transmission? Snuggling with an infected kitty! (Seriously, did my cats write this?!!) All four series are scheduled for a late 2022/early 2023 release.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Young Jump just published the final chapter in Satoru Noda’s bloody revenge saga Golden Kamuy. Not to worry: Noda’s ice-hockey drama Supinamarada! will take its place. [Anime News Network]
CLAMP fans rejoice: the collective will resume work on xxxHolic-rei, though they haven’t announced a date for its official return. [Anime News Network]
Also in the news is Moto Hagio, who is one of this year’s Eisner Hall of Fame nominees. [Comic-Con International]
Kodansha just announced its May digital manga releases. The most promising? When a Cat Faces West, a new series from the creator of Mushishi. [Crunchyroll]
Are you a parent, teacher, or librarian looking for kid-friendly manga recommendations? Brigid Alverson has got you covered with a helpful list of titles that are suitable for pre-teen and young teen readers. [ICv2]
The librarians at No Flying No Tights compile a list of their favorite cute comics, from Umi Sakurai’s A Man and His Cat to Claire Belton’s I Am Pusheen the Cat. (Warning to dog lovers: this list heavily favors kitties.) [No Flying No Tights]
Bill Kartalopoulos files a lengthy report on the 49th Angoulême International Comics Festival. Among the highlights: a special exhibit honoring the legacy of Kitaro creator Shigeru Mizuki. [The Comics Journal]
Kelli Ewing offers a sneak peak at Hen Kai Pan, the latest series from Eldo Yoshimizu (Ryuko). [Panel Patter]
Wondering what to read next? Masha Zhdanova takes a look at this month’s new VIZ Media titles. [Women Write About Comics]
REVIEWS
Over at Anime News Network, Rebecca Silverman declares Sakamoto Days a “fun” series with a “well executed premise,” while Lynzee Loveridge argues that Sensei’s Pious Lie “does a lot of interesting, if uncomfortable, things that make it worth a read.” AiPT’s Eric Alex Cline gives high marks to Island in a Puddle, a new thriller from Kei Sanbe (Erased), while Megan D., host of The Manga Test Drive, takes Kaoru Mori’s Shirley for a spin.
- Bungo Stray Dogs Wan!, Vol. 1 (Demelza, Anime UK News)
- Chainsaw Man, Vol. 10 (Josh Piedra, The Outerhaven)
- Cheeky Brat, Vol. 2 (Justin and Krystallina, The OASG)
- Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Being a Virgin Can Make You a Wizard?!, Vol. 4 (Sarah, Anime UK News)
- Cross-Dressing Villainess Cecilia Sylvie, Vol. 1 (Renee Scott, Good Comics for Kids)
- Crueler Than Dead, Vol. 2 (Nick Smith, ICv2)
- Death Note Short Stories (Nick Smith, ICv2)
- Even Though We’re Adults, Vol. 4 (Jaime, Yuri Stargirl)
- Getting Closer to You, Vol. 1 (Erix Alex Cline, AiPT!)
- Goodbye, Eri (Elvie Mae Parian, Women Write About Comics)
- Hiraeth: The End of the Journey, Vol. 1 (Danica Davidson, Otaku USA)
- Ima Koi: Now I’m in Love, Vol. 1 (Danica Davidson, Otaku USA)
- Ima Koi: Now I’m in Love, Vol. 1 (Carrie McClain, Women Write About Comics)
- Karakuri Odette, Vol. 2 (Thomas Zoth, The Fandom Post)
- Lady Murasaki’s Tale of Genji: The Manga (Nick Smith, ICv2)
- The Lion and the Bride, Vols. 1-3 (Krystallina, Daiyamanga)
- Love After World Domination, Vol. 2 (Justin, The OASG)
- Miss Me? (SKJAM, SKJAM! Reviews)
- The Music of Marie (Josh Piedra, The Outerhaven)
- Orochi (Danica Davidson, Otaku USA)
- Ragna Crimson, Vol. 4 (Grant Jones, Anime News Network)
- Sakura’s Dedication, Vol. 1 (King Baby Duck, The Boston Bastard Brigade)
- Sasaki and Miyano, Vol. 5 (Sarah, Anime UK News)
- Sex Ed 120%, Vol. 3 (Erica Friedman, Okazu)
- Spy x Family, Vol. 7 (Josh Piedra, The Outerhaven)
- Wave, Listen to Me!, Vol. 8 (HWR, Anime UK News)
- The Way of the Househusband, Vol. 7 (King Baby Duck, The Boston Bastard Brigade)