The Manga Review: Eisner Fever

On Wednesday, the 2023 Eisner Award nominees were formally announced. This year’s manga selections include Tatsuki Fujimoto’s Look Back, Junji Ito’s Black Paradox, Hayao Miyazaki’s Shuna’s Journey, Yamada Murasaki’s Talk to My Back, and Masaaki Nakayama’s PTSD Radio, all of which were nominated for Best US Edition of International Material—Asia. And while I love all of these titles, I’m secretly rooting for PTSD Radio to win, as it’s scary, weird, and genuinely original. Don’t just take my word for it, though; check out Bradathon Nu’s excellent essay on what makes PTSD Radio so unnerving.

AROUND THE WEB

Looking for a round-up of all the latest manga news? Colton and Lum have you covered, with a look at all of April’s major licensing announcements, movie trailers, and new series. [Manga Mavericks]

On the latest Manga Machinations podcast, the gang compares the K Manga and VIZ Manga apps before pivoting into a discussion of Satoshi Kon’s Dream Fossil. [Manga Machinations]

Robert Adams takes the new VIZ Manga app for a test drive. [Dad Needs to Talk]

Samantha Ferreira recaps one her of favorite panels at Anime Boston 2023: “A Brief History of Yokai,” hosted by translator Zack Davisson. [Anime Herald]

ICYMI: Brett Michael Orr lists his five favorite manga moms. [Honey’s Anime]

David and Jordan throw a shower for Tokyo Demon Bride Story. [Shonen Flop]

Paging Glacier Bay Books! Jocelyne Allen has the cat manga for you: Chakkun, “the perfect tribute to a beloved friend.” [Brain vs. Book]

Beautiful dreamer, wake unto me: Marion, Sakaki, and VLord explain why you should be reading Insomniacs After School. [Saturday Night Shoggy]

Ashley McDonnell and Anne LaRose continue their in-depth conversation about Sailor Moon, with a look at the Infinity, Dream, and Stars arcs. [Shojo & Tell]

The Mangasplainers tackle one of the most impenetrable gag manga ever licensed in English: Pop Team Epic, a series about “random internet humor, shitposting, and deep, deep self-loathing and self-recognition.” Creator Bkub Okawa even includes a helpful strip that “flat out tells you that you’re unlikely to get most of the jokes.” You’ve been warned! [Mangasplaining]

REVIEWS

If you’re not following That Manga Hunter, you should; I just recently discovered their site, and was delighted to find reviews of Kowloon Generic Romance, I Don’t Know How to Give Birth!, and Came the Mirror and Other Tales, as well as a wealth of useful articles about collecting manga. Elsewhere on the web, Charles and Claire discuss the latest installment of Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Another Story… The Reverse Thieves pronounce Cardcaptor Sakura their Manga of the Month… Arpad Okay appreciates the messiness of Choujin X…. and my Manga Bookshelf colleague Sean Gaffney offers his two cents on Insomniacs After School, Kageki Shojo!!, and Love, That’s an Understatement.

New and Noteworthy

• Bite Maker: The King’s Omega, Vols. 1-6 (That Manga Hunter)
• Centaurs, Vol. 1 (Danica Davidson, Otaku USA)
• Dark Gathering, Vol. 1  (MrAJCosplay, ANN)
• Elden Ring: The Road to Eldtree, Vol. 1 (Adam Symchuk, Asian Movie Pulse)
• Golden Japanesque: A Splendid Yokohama Romance, Vol. 1 (Megan D., The Manga Test Drive)
• Long Lost Pals Living Their Breast Life, Vols. 1-2 (Bill Curtis, Yatta-Tachi)*
• Lovely Muco!, Vol. 1 (Adam Symchuk, Asian Movie Pulse)
• Lovely Muco!, Vol. 1 (Katherine Dacey, The Manga Critic)
• Me and My Beast Boss, Vol. 1 (Adam symchuk, Asian Movie Pulse)
• My Beloved North Star (Eve Healy)
• My Dear, Curse-Casting Vampiress, Vol. 1 (Adam Symchuk, Asian Movie Pulse)
• My New Life as a Cat, Vol. 1 (Renee Scott, Good Comics for Kids)
• Papa and Daddy’s Home Cooking, Vols. 1-3 (Rebecca Silverman, ANN)
• The Saint’s Magic Power is Omnipotent: The Other Saint, Vol. 1 (Helen, The OASG)
• The Savior’s Book Store Café Story in Another World, Vol. 1 (Megan D., The Manga Test Drive)
• Twilight Out of Focus, Vol. 1 (Sarah, Anime UK News)
• What This World Is Made Of, Vol. 1 (Adam Symchuk, Asian Movie Pulse)
• Wolf Girl and Black Prince, Vol. 1 (Adam Symchuk, Asian Movie Pulse)
• Wolf Girl and Black Prince, Vol. 1 (Kate Sánchez, But Why Tho?)

Complete, OOP, and Ongoing Series

• ARIA The Masterpiece, Vol. 7 (HWR, Anime UK News)
• The Boxer, Vol. 2 (Azario Lopez, Noisy Pixel)
• Doughnuts Under a Crescent Moon, Vol. 4 (Erica Friedman, Okazu)
• Hi Score Girl, Vols. 5-8 (Grant Jones, ANN)
• HIRAETH – The End of the Journey, Vols. 2-3 (Tony Yao, Drop-In to Manga)
• I’m Quitting Heroing, Vol. 2 (Antonio Miereles, The Fandom Post)
• I Think Our Son Is Gay, Vol. 4 (Rebecca Silverman, ANN)
• The King’s Beast, Vol. 10 (Josh Piedra, The Outerhaven)
• Kubo Won’t Let Me Be Invisible, Vol. 7 (Josh Piedra, The Outerhaven)
• Love After World Domination, Vol. 6 (Justin, The OASG)
• Magu-chan: God of Destruction, Vol. 7 (King Baby Duck, Boston Bastard Brigade)
• My Happy Marriage, Vol. 3 (darkstorm, Anime UK News)
• Oshi no Ko, Vol. 2 (Azario Lopez, Noisy Pixel)
• Otomen, Vol. 1 (Megan D., The Manga Test Drive)
• A Returner’s Magic Should Be Special, Vol. 2 (Antonio Miereles, The Fandom Post)
• Shadows House, Vols. 2-3 (Rebecca Silverman, ANN)
• Spy x Family, Vol. 9 (Rebecca Silverman, ANN)
• Spy x Family, Vol. 9 (King Baby Duck, Boston Bastard Brigade)
• Tales of the Kingdom, Vol. 3 (Kate O’Neil, The Fandom Post)
• The Wolf Never Sleeps, Vol. 2 (Kevin T. Rodriguez, The Fandom Post)

* This title is 100% less sleazy than it sounds!