Bride of the Death God, Vol. 1 | By Hako Ichiiro | Square Enix Manga – This one took me by surprise. I knew nothing about it, and the start of the story made it seem like this was going to be the story of a too-kind-for-his-own-good death god and the sweet, fragile girl whose life he can’t bear to end. Which is true! Except for the sweet, fragile girl part. Trying not to spoil too much, but Aibi is fascinating, and the best reason to read this. And, as it turns out, the fact that this extends beyond a one-shot (it clearly was originally written as one) means we get to see the two of them interact with others, such as the guy who’s used to dealing with supernatural shit but has no real clue how to deal with whatever their (handwave) whatever is. If you read Teasing Master Takagi-san and wondered what if it had scythes, check this out. – Sean Gaffney
The Lying Bride and the Same-Sex Marriage Debate, Vol. 1 | By Kodama Naoko | Seven Seas – How much you enjoy this depends how much you enjoy the plot advancing by two people not talking to each other. Rei is gay but without a partner, and is somewhat sick of being buried in projects at work as everyone’s getting married or having kids. Then one day Saya, an old co-worker Rei liked who left to get married, asks if she can stay at her place. This could be solved if Saya could explain why things are going so badly with her husband, or if Rei could simply explain that she’s gay. But that’s not how this author does things, and it’s not why people read them. They read them for two tortured souls wanting to make out but not doing so for very good reasons. This ends next volume, and I’m sure things will work out. Eventually. – Sean Gaffney
Mechanical Marie, Vol. 1 | By Aki Akimoto | Yen Press – I actually read this before getting spoiled by the anime that is currently running. I didn’t really read up on the series, and assumed that it starred an actual robot girl. But no, our male lead, after years of being attacked by everyone he knows and being unable to trust, wants a robot to protect him, never mind that the technology is not there yet. So Marie, who is not a robot but is emotionless (well, mostly) and also a martial artist who is ludicrously strong, is brought in and told “pretend to be a robot, or else.” The premise is frankly ridiculous, but the heartwarming moments between the two leads as they grow to trust each other and as we learn Marie is not as stoic as she’d like to be makes it kind of sweet. I’d like to read another one of these. – Sean Gaffney
My Hero Academia, Vol. 42 | By Kohei Horikoshi | Viz Media – After all is said and done, and the villains are finally vanquished, and the city is somewhat restored, it’s time for our heroes to go back to school. Alas, the series is over, so sad news for those who wanted Izuku’s junior and senior year. He’s already got his hands full dealing with the author’s decision to make him quirkless again, as well as the decision to make him, eight years later, a teacher, a plot point that went over a lot better in Japan than it did here. And then there’s that extra chapter added just for the volume, presumably written after bodyguards were posted around Horikoshi, resolving the last remaining plot point in the series: who ends up together? It’s pretty clear, but then I do ship it. I’ll miss these lovable teen heroes. – Sean Gaffney
Tsumiki Ogami’s Not-So-Ordinary Life, Vol. 2 | By Miyu Morishita | Viz Media – This remains one of the sweeter manga I’ve read. If you like demi-human manga as well as cute slow-burn “I kinda like you” romance, it’s absolutely the title for you. We see Tsumiki struggle to make cookies (it’s the claws…), help the class’s resident medusa locate her glasses (which keep her turning everyone to stone), visit a sick Yutaka (and get far too close to him), and, in the back half of the volume, help coordinate the school’s culture/athletic festival. I will warn folks that there’s not much depth here—everyone is far too nice for that. But if you’re sad Komi Can’t Communicate is ending soon, and want a replacement, this one could easily fit the bill. Though the cliffhanger promises someone less nice? – Sean Gaffney