Before I get to this week’s news and reviews, I’m making my quarterly appeal for help. Do you follow a podcast or YouTube channel that’s producing great manga-related content? Did you just launch a manga-centric Substack or blog? Have you recently joined the reviewing team for an established site like ANN or The Fandom Post? If so, let me know! Your suggestions have helped me cast a wider net for my weekly round-ups, so leave a link in the comment section or contact me through Twitter; my handle is @manga_critic.
NEWS
Earlier this week, Kodansha announced that it is suspending simulpub updates on Crunchyroll and Azuki, and will pull a number of series from these platforms on January 31st. Krystallina offers a thoughtful, in-depth analysis of the company’s decision, outlining several possible scenarios for what Kodansha might do next. [The OASG]
Yen Press just announced 10 new licenses for summer 2023. [ANN]
It’s that time of the month again: the Seven Seas’ January 2023 Reader Poll is now open. [Seven Seas]
For the curious: here’s a highlight reel of scenes and songs from the Attack on Titan musical, which is currently playing at the Nihon Seinenkan Hall in Tokyo. [Otaku USA]
…AND VIEWS
Translator Jocelyne Allen delves into the world of explainer manga. “These are born from the artist getting really, really into something,” she observes. “Rather than bursting at the seams with this new knowledge, they barf it all up into a manga. Which is not a bad thing. They do the work of studying and we get to learn something new in a fun and accessible way.” [Brain vs. Book]
The all-star line-up of Masha Zhdanova, Carrie McClain, Paulina Pzystupa, Alenka Figa, and Kathryn Hemmann discuss the manga and graphic novels they’re reading right now, from Oshi No Ko to Darlin’. [WWAC]
Kristin breaks down the cost of buying the full run of Bleach and Naruto in all their various formats, from individual volumes to box sets. [Anime Collective]
Over at Honey’s Anime, Brett Michael Orr names his five most anticipated yuri and yaoi manga of 2023, as well as five manga that will “help you stick to your new year’s resolutions.” [Honey’s Anime]
The Manga Machinations crew hold a round table discussion about three current series: Chainsaw Man, Kowloon Generic Romance, and Drowning Love. [Manga Machinations]
David and Jordan share their first impressions of Shounen Shoujo. [Shonen Flop]
The latest episode of Screentone Club focuses on Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou and My Wonderful World. [Screentone Club]
Once again, Jon Holt and Teppei Fukuda team up to translate an essay by manga critic Natsume Fusanosuke–this time, focusing on Jiro Taniguchi’s fruitful partnership with Natsuo Sekikawa (The Times of Botchan, Trouble Is My Business). [The Comics Journal]
REVIEWS
Tony Yao posts a thoughtful–and thought-provoking–review of Sensei’s Pious Lie, while Good Comics for Kids’ Renee Scott explains why My Sister, The Cat, is “by far one of the cutest found-family stories I’ve ever read.” Over at Anime News Network, Rebecca Silverman reads You Like Me, Not My Daughter?! so that you don’t have to, while Sean Gaffney, Michelle Smith and I warn readers off Love at Fourteen, The Music of Marie, and Rainbow Days.
New and Noteworthy
- Captain Corinth, Vol. 1 (Rebecca Silverman, ANN)
- Choujin X, Vol. 1 (Harry, Honey’s Anime)
- Embrace Your Size (Sara Smith, The Graphic Library)
- Gang King, Vol. 1 (Adam Symchuk, Asian Movie Pulse)
- Guyabano Holiday (Justin, The OASG)
- Honey Lemon Soda, Vol. 1 (Rebecca Silverman, ANN)
- Kamen Rider Kuugu, Vol. 1 (Sara Smith, The Graphic Library)
- Oshi No Ko, Vol. 1 (Adam Symchuk, Asian Movie Pulse)
- Pandora Seven, Vol. 1 (Adam Symchuk, Asian Movie Pulse)
- Show-Ha Shoten!, Vol. 1 (Sara Smith, The Graphic Library)
- Towa!, Vol. 1 (Krystallina, Daiymanga)
- The Trouble With My Boss, Vol. 1 (Krystallina, Daiyamanga)
- Villains Are Destined to Die, Vol. 1 (Noemi10, Anime UK News)
- The Youkai Caretaker, Vol. 1 (Justin, The OASG)
- Your Forma, Vol. 1 (Sara Smith, The Graphic Library)
Complete and Ongoing Series
- ATOM: The Beginning, Vol. 2 (Grant Jones, ANN)
- Beast, Vol. 6 (Justin, The OASG)
- Blue Period, Vol. 10 (Sarah, Anime UK News)
- Bungo Stray Dogs: Another Story, Vol. 2 (Demelza, Anime UK News)
- Citrus+, Vol. 4 (Jaime, Yuri Stargirl)
- Fist of the North Star, Vol. 7 (Grant Jones, ANN)
- Fly Me to the Moon, Vols. 14-15 (King Baby Duck, Boston Bastard Brigade)
- The Geek Ex-Hitman, Vol. 2 (A Library Girl’s Familiar Diversions)
- Hi Score Girl, Vol. 10 (Justin, The OASG)
- Ima Koi: Now I’m In Love, Vol. 4 (Sheena McNeil, Sequential Tart)
- Kubo Won’t Let Me Be Invisible, Vol. 5 (Josh Piedra, The Outerhaven)
- Mashle: Magic and Muscles, Vol. 9 (Sheena McNeil, Sequential Tart)
- Mashle: Magic and Muscles, Vols. 9-10 (King Baby Duck, Boston Bastard Brigade)
- Mission: Yozakura Family, Vol. 2 (Sheena McNeil, Sequential Tart)
- MURCIÉLAGO, Vol. 20 (Erica Friedman, Okazu)
- My Happy Marriage, Vol. 2 (Darkstorm, Anime UK News)
- Natsume’s Book of Friends, Vol. 27 (Karen Maeda, Sequential Tart)
- Prince Freiya, Vol. 6 (Sara Smith, The Graphic Library)
- Queen’s Quality, Vol. 16 (Josh Piedra, The Outerhaven)
- Record of Ragnarok, Vols. 4-5 (King Baby Duck, The Boston Bastard Brigade)
- Skip-Beat!, Vol. 47 (Patti Martinson, Sequential Tart)
- Sleepy Princess in the Demon Castle, Vol. 19 (Sheena McNeil, Sequential Tart)
- The Two of Them Are Pretty Much Like This, Vol. 2 (Erica Friedman, Okazu)