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Ash Brown

Manga the Week of 10/22/25

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SEAN: Boo! No, wait, still not yet. Stand down.

ASH: That scared me.

SEAN: No print for Airship next week, but they do have early digital for The Condemned Villainess Goes Back in Time and Aims to Become the Ultimate Villain 6 and Loner Life in Another World 13.

Dark Horse debuts Innocent Rouge, the sequel to Innocent, which was gorgeous but dark. This promises to be more gorgeous and even darker. It ran in Grand Jump.

ASH: Gorgeous and dark is an incredibly apt description.

SEAN: Ize Press have a big hardcover. 7FATES: CHAKHO imagines the K-Pop band BTS in a fantasy, and this book apparently comes with photos of the band.

ASH: Well, that’s fun!

SEAN: Also from Ize Press: Lady Devil 3, Lover Boy 3, and The World After the Fall 11.

It’s a tiny week for J-Novel Club. No debuts. For light novels, we see The Bladesmith’s Enchanted Weapons 2 and Knight’s & Magic 8. And for manga, they have The Engagement of Marielle Clarac 9.

One debut for Kodansha Manga: You Can’t Bluff the Sharp-Eyed Sister (Seijo ni Uso wa Tsuujinai) is based on an as-yet-unlicensed light novel, and runs in Monthly Shonen Magazine. An intelligent but greedy nun is asked to pretend to be a candidate for sainthood to solve a mystery.

ASH: I am intrigued.

MICHELLE: Yeah, from the title I was thinking it was a romcom or something. Mystery-solving intelligent nuns is a more intriguing concept!

ANNA: Ok, this does sound fun.

SEAN: Also in print: Ajin: Demi-Human Complete 5, The Blue Wolves of Mibu 7, Gachiakuta 8, The Moon on a Rainy Night 7, nichijou 12, Rent-A-Girlfriend 33, Shangri-La Frontier 19, and To Your Eternity 23.

ASH: I really need to catch up with To Your Eternity; what I’ve read so far has been great.

SEAN: One Peace Books debuts My New Devil Wife (Negai o Kanaete Moraou to Akuma o Shoukan Shita Kedo, Kawaikatta node Kekkon Shimashita – Akuma no Niidzuma), based on an as-yet-unlicensed light novel. It runs in Comic Earth Star. A struggling adventurer tries to make a deal with the devil. But the devil is so gorgeous that he proposes!

ASH: Whoops!

ANNA: These things happen.

SEAN: Three debuts for Seven Seas, though we’ve seen one before. Monster Musume: Deluxe Edition is a hardcover omnibus of the popular fantasy series, apparently with new extras, so you’ll have to buy it again.

Ripples in the River (Kawa ni Sazanami) is a BL series that runs in Hug Pixiv. Two young men have been together for a decade now, but still are head over heels for each other! From the creator of 5 Seconds Before a Witch Falls in Love.

ASH: Awww, this sounds really sweet.

MICHELLE: It does.

SEAN: SMELL is the latest BL title from Nagabe. If you liked Beastars but wished it was sweeter and gayer, this is for you. It ran in Ciel.

ASH: The range of Nagabe’s work is really interesting.

MICHELLE: Oooh.

ANNA: Interesting.

SEAN: Also from Seven Seas: Blood Night Market 3 (the final volume), Fairy Cat 2, The Feisty Omega and His Twin Mates 2, Glasses with a Chance of Delinquent 4, IDOL x IDOL STORY! 3, I’m in Love with the Villainess 9, Kemono Jihen 18, Machimaho: I Messed Up and Made the Wrong Person Into a Magical Girl! 13, My New Life as a Cat 11, and Now That We Draw 3.

And for danmei we have the 5th and final volume of Peerless.

Square Enix Manga has My Dress-Up Darling 14 and The Otaku Love Connection 3.

From Steamship we see Shindou-kun’s Tight Squeeze 2 and The Villainess and the Demon Knight 4 (the light novel).

Tokyopop has four debuts. Boyfriend, Sometimes Girlfriend (Kareshi Tokidoki Kanojo) ran in Bessatsu Shonen Magazine, and is from the creator of Love & Lies. A guy is so happy, he’s dating his dream girl, and she likes him too! But she has a secret…

ASH: Cautiously curious.

SEAN: My Fluffy Moody Crush (Hoeru Inu to Kubittake) is a from RED BL title. A half human half vampire tries to resist the delicious blood of his childhood friend.

The Love We Share (Ai wa Futari no Ai da kara) also ran in from RED. After a tragedy, a young man is raising his daughter on his own. But then a childhood friend shows up! This is also BL, as the magazine likely told you.

ASH: Bonus dad!

SEAN: Star and Hedgehog (Hoshi to Harinezumi)is so BL and also from RED. It’s an extrovert/introvert romance title. It’s also from the author of My Fluffy Moody Crush, see above.

MICHELLE: BL with characters that can be described as “a prickly hedgehog” is always my kind of BL.

SEAN: Tokyopop also has Confessions of a Shy Baker 5 (the final volume) and The Margrave’s Daughter & the Enemy Prince 5.

Viz Media has Nana 25th Anniversary Edition, which is exactly what it sounds like. 2-volume omnibuses. If you haven’t read Nana, go read Nana in all its problematic glory.

ASH: I am so happy for this re-release. Nana is such a great series.

SEAN: Also from Viz: The Climber 3, Girl Crush 3, Insomniacs After School 11, Mission: Yozakura Family 19, My Hero Academia 42 (the final volume), Record of Ragnarok 16, Red River 3-in-1 5, Tokyo Fears Rhapsody 2, Twin Star Exorcists 35 (the final volume), and Vagabond Definitive Edition 4.

ASH: A good week for Viz!

MICHELLE: Welp. I guess it’s time for a My Hero Academia marathon!

ANNA: Still happy about Red River reprints.

SEAN: No debuts for Yen On, but they have some long-awaited titles for folks instead. We see Before the Tutorial Starts 3 (last April 2025), The BS Situation of Tougetsu Umidori 3 (April 2025), Chitose Is in the Ramune Bottle 7 (September 2024), Demon Lord 2099 4 (October 2024), Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? On the Side: Sword Oratoria 14 (December 2024), The Kept Man of the Princess Knight 5 (April 2025), The Saga of Tanya the Evil 14 (December 2024), and Sasaki and Peeps 9 (January 2025).

As for Yen Press, they bounced everything a week, so all we get is The Do-Over Damsel Conquers the Dragon Emperor 6.

Have you bought candy to give out yet? What manga are you getting to not give out?

Bookshelf Briefs 10/14/25

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The B-Rank Adventurer with a Scary Face Becomes a Father for the Hero and His Friends, Vol. 1 | By Cogeme and Enji – Is the trope of being transported into a video game world critical to The B-Rank Adventurer with a Scary Face Becomes a Father for the Hero and His Friends? Arguably, no. However, the flashes of his former life do explain why Gray has chosen to lead his current one as he has. Family is obviously important to him. It’s not clear at this point what exactly happened to his previous family, other than something tragic. But whatever that tragedy was, it has encouraged him to now live in such a way that he doesn’t regret what he has or, perhaps more importantly, hasn’t done. And so when he sees the opportunity to help a group of orphaned kids, he does. It’s an act later to be revealed as only the latest in a string of admirable exploits. This first volume is a lot of fun, balancing domestic bliss, humor, and adventuring. – Ash Brown

Colette Decides to Die, Vol. 4 | By Alto Yukimura| Viz Media – This series continues to do a careful balancing act between the romance between Colette and Hades, the supernatural pantheon stuff going on, and Colette’s apothecary duties and how they impact others. Here she visits her old stomping grounds, and while she finds you can go home again, that does not mean that things are going to be just as remembered. New assistants may struggle and carry bitterness in their hearts, and even your coworkers may forget to tell you they’re getting married. In the second part of the omnibus, we meet a small otter who was once Poseidon’s assistant, but being small, clumsy and meek meant he got fired. Getting him trained and up to speed proves difficult—he really *is* small and clumsy. Meanwhile, Hades is cool and sexy, and Colette is cute and spunky. This is perfect shoujo. – Sean Gaffney

Even If There’s No Rainbow Tomorrow | By Noriko Kihara | KUMA – Chitose and Shinogu meet at random on a talk app that pairs you with a stranger. Shinogu listens patiently when Chitose complains about work, and after they get a little closer, suddenly turns up at Chitose’s workplace, at which point he discovers Chitose is both gay and a drag queen. This first impression doesn’t go well, but when faced with returning to his “boring and joyless” life, Shinogu returns to apologize. Most of the volume goes like this, really. Shinogu is nominally straight, so wary Chitose has convinced himself nothing is going to happen, but each time Shinogu upsets Chitose, he is desperate to apologize, and at some point realizes he wants more. Does he have a realization about his sexuality? Nope. But this is still one of those stories where you can clearly see why the guys are good for each other, and I enjoyed it quite a bit. – Michelle Smith

My Dress-Up Darling, Vol. 14 | By Shinichi Fukuda| Square Enix Manga – It has been forever since I checked into this series, but I knew fifteen was the last one, and the second anime season was fantastic. The third will be the last, be it a TV series or movie. I hear from fans this was torture to read weekly, with the poor communication between Marin and Gojo just absolutely crippling everything going on in the series. But that makes the big climax, when Gojo confesses to her, all the sweeter, and leads to a series of heartwarming and also hilarious chapters, as Marin’s now absolutely overflowing with love (as you’d expect from this series, it’s a very horny love that still does not really go above PG-13 rated). Now that she knows what he’s thinking, she never wants to be apart from him—ever. Can’t wait for the finale. – Sean Gaffney

Rainbows After Storms, Vol. 5 | By Luka Kobachi | Viz Media – Good news, we have finally moved beyond the “we’re both dating but we’re keeping it a secret” tagline that began every chapter. That said, we also introduce the dreaded rival, and this one is a kohai rather than a sempai. Nanoha seems to be somewhat oblivious to her feelings, but given that Chidori can and will angst and overthink things at the drop of a hat, that may not be a good thing. They’re both also dealing with that kiss, which has left them feeling awkward around each other—the main reason to read this book is the war between “I want to keep this a secret as I worry about the reaction” and “I want this to be in the open because otherwise I will never feel confident I am yours.” All this plus Chidori in a sexy “ghost nurse” costume. What more could one want in a yuri manga? – Sean Gaffney

Rock Is a Lady’s Modesty, Vol. 1 | By Hiroshi Fukuda | Yen Press – I suspect the bulk of the readers for this volume will have seen the anime first. This first volume gets through the first three episodes, and while there’s no major differences, it’s a different experience in black-and-white art than it is animated. The anime already overemphasized the fact that Lilisa and Otoha sweat a lot when they play, but the manga makes it clear that this was, if anything, toned down—the sweating in this manga is clearly the author’s fetish (along with the yuri BDSM subtext), and you will need to be prepared for everyone absolutely dripping with sweat after a song. This first volume is mostly concerned with Lilisa and her quest to be a good rich girl warring with the rawk! that is in her soul. Otoha’s backstory is left a mystery—and it will be for a while. Great fun. – Sean Gaffney

Ruridragon, Vol. 2 | By Masaoki Shindo | Viz Media – The core of this volume is that Ruri’s biggest problem may not be her dragon powers (she works hard over the course of the book to get her lightning under control), but her introverted nature, which makes her not want to seek out others or interact with them unless she has to. This puts her up against the blunt and aggressive Maeda… who is somewhat annoyed that Ruri seems completely unable to pick up any social cues unless they are literally laid out in front of her. (Yes, I know there’s a word for this, but unless there’s a diagnosis in-manga, I feel uncomfortable using it.) Fortunately, after getting it laid out in front of her, Ruri proves to be surprisingly adept at things like organizing a sports festival. Grades, though, may be a far bigger issue. This is wonderful. – Sean Gaffney

Spy x Family, Vol. 14 | By Tatsuya Endo | Viz Media – Another volume that seems to be overbalanced towards the back half, though I do appreciate the look at Anya’s ability to excel when she puts her mind to it in something she’s interested in (or perhaps comes from her mysterious past). The dance in the middle of the book, though, shows us more about the fact that not only did Henry and Martha know each other, they have a past together. This leads us to another prolonged flashback, and you know what happens in those prolonged flashbacks—war is hell. There’s also an extra dose of tragic love that cannot be, as the war and the pair’s crossed wires mean that Henry ends up marrying someone else. Spy x Family is known for its comedy and action, and with good reason, but when it decides to get sad and serious it’s just as fantastic. A strong volume that doesn’t hold back. – Sean Gaffney

A review copy for My Dress-Up Darling was provided by the publisher.

Pick of the Week: Metal and Food

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SEAN: It’s always hard to get anything new out of the isekai premise, so I will give Isekai Metaller a lot of credit and make it my pick this week. (Also, Judas Priest > Iron Maiden.)

MICHELLE: I’m not super excited by anything, really, but Sensei’s Mail-Order Food looks potentially cute, so I will go with that, this week.

ASH: I’m vaguely curious about Isekai Metaller, but I’m actually really looking forward to reading Sensei’s Mail-Order Food. I simply can’t pass up the combination of Asumiko Nakamura, BL, and food manga!

KATE: The end times must be coming because Sean and I are once again choosing the same title. Heavy metal isekai for me, please!

Manga the Week of 10/15/25

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SEAN: Slowly Halloween creeps closer. Can you feel its hand on your shoulder?

ASH: Not yet! Please, we can’t possibly be that far into October yet!

SEAN: Viz Media debuts Phantom Busters, a Jump Square title about an honor student and skeptic who meets a boy who eats ghosts! Given everything else the author has written, this is shonen for BL fans but with no actual BL, I’m gonna guess.

ANNA: That is a genre!

ASH: It is! And I often read it.

SEAN: Also from Viz: Beyblade X 4, Case Closed 96, Destroy All Humans 5, Disney Twisted-Wonderland: The Manga – Book of Savanaclaw 2, Firefly Wedding 4, Hayate the Combat Butler 46, Kill Blue 3, Pokémon: Scarlet & Violet 3, Rainbows After Storms 6, and Yaiba: Samurai Legend 2.

ANNA: Need to get caught up on Firefly Wedding!

SEAN: Tokyopop has the 5th volume of The Prince Is in the Villainess’ Way!.

Titan Manga debut Isekai Metaller, a Comiplex series based on a webmanga about a heavy metal fan who dies and finds himself reincarnated in a world based around the sort of subjects heavy metal gets into – werewolves, dragons, etc. He’s so excited!

ANNA: Is this wholesome? It sounds cute.

ASH: I have no idea, but I’m loving the character designs.

SEAN: SuBLime debuts Sleeping on Paper Boats (Kami no Fune de Nemuru), a BL series from Canna by the author of The Yakuza’s Bias. A writer finds that everyone who inspires his writing ends up dead, and resolves to never write again. But then he meets the perfect muse…

ASH: Uh, oh!

They also have Ask and You Will Receive 3.

Square Enix Manga gives us My Isekai Life 21, Tokyo Aliens 9, and Wash It All Away 4.

Seven Seas debuts I Can’t Stand Being Your Childhood Friend (Osananajimi ja Gaman Dekinai) about two lifelong friends who are now roommates and things might be getting steamier? It ran in Daria.

Sensei’s Mail-Order Food: The Complete BL Manga Collection (Sensei no Otoriyose) is a 2-in-1 omnibus BL title from Kurofune Zero. A writer and artist find they’re total opposites in every way. How can they work together? Well, they both love food!

ANNA: it is good to have shared interests!

MICHELLE: The cover on this is cute!

ASH: I am really looking forward to this one.

SEAN: Also from Seven Seas: Classmates 7, Hate Me, but Let Me Stay 5, The Lady Knight and the Beast-Eared Child 4, Malevolent Spirits: Mononogatari 12, My Dear Detective: Mitsuko’s Case Files 4, Only I Know the World Is Ending and Getting Killed by Rampaging Beasts Only Makes Me Stronger 3, Reborn as a Barrier Master 8, Reborn Rich 4, and She Professed Herself Pupil of the Wise Man 13.

MICHELLE: Ooh, more Classmates!

ASH: Always good to see.

SEAN: And in non-Airship novels, we get Legend of Exorcism: Tianbao Fuyao Lu 3, Run Wild: Sa Ye 3, and The Twelve Kingdoms 1 Part 2.

ASH: I am still so incredibly excited that we’re getting The Twelve Kingdoms again.

SEAN: One Peace Books gives us the 25th manga volume of The Rising of the Shield Hero.

No debuts for Kodansha. In print we see Blue Lock: Episode Nagi 5, I Want to Love You Till Your Dying Day 5, Medaka Kuroiwa is Impervious to My Charms 13, Shimazaki in the Land of Peace 6, and Tying the Knot with an Amagami Sister 12.

And digitally we see Because I, the True Saint, was Banished, that Country is Done For! 9, Gang King 34, Giant Killing 51, and Quality Assurance in Another World 15.

MICHELLE: I am literally dozens of volumes behind in Giant Killing now.

ASH: As am I, but I still frequently think fondly of the anime adaptation, which was great.

SEAN: J-Novel Club has a bunch of print titles. The 4th volume of the Ascendance of a Bookworm Part 3 manga, The Brilliant Healer’s New Life in the Shadows 2, Campfire Cooking in Another World with My Absurd Skill 3, Gushing Over Magical Girls 4, In Another World With My Smartphone 30, and the 2nd Isekai Tensei: Recruited to Another World manga.

Digitally, J-Novel Club has another contest winner from their Original Novel contest. The Adorable Dungeon Master stars a young woman who plays a cute mobile game filled with adorable things… then she’s hit by a stray bullet during a gang war and dies. No truck? Good news: she’s now inside her favorite game. Bad news: it’s some weird grimdark version of her favorite game. Well, she can fix that. She’s making things cute again!

ASH: Wishing her better luck!

SEAN: J-NC also has Long Story Short, I’m Living in the Mountains 3 and The Water Magician Arc 1 5.

And for manga they have Fushi no Kami 8 and Hell Mode 8.

Inkpop debuts My Life as an Internet Novel, a manhwa based off a webnovel about a girl reincarnated into an obvious romance novel where she’s the plain-looking best friend of the heroine. OR IS SHE?

ANNA: DRAMATIC SOUND EFFECT!

ASH: Dun-dun-duuuuuun!

SEAN: Two debuts for Ghost Ship. Makina-san’s a Love Bot?! (Kakushite! Makina-san!!) is a Monthly Action title about a high schooler who finds his classmate is actually a sexbot. He’s desperate to cover up who she really is. She just wants to show what she can do. Especially since she knows he’s a robot otaku.

ASH: Oh, myyyyyy.

SEAN: Virgin Knight: I Became the Frontier Lord in a World Ruled by Women (Teisou Gyakuten Sekai no Doutei Henkyou Ryoushu Kishi) is the manga version of the light novel Seven Seas also puts out. It runs in Comic Gardo.

Airship, in print, gives us Reincarnated As a Sword 17.

Digitally, there’s a debut from the creator of Who Killed the Hero?. The Wicked Princess and Her Twelve Eyes: The Legendary Villainess and Her Elite Assassins (Aku no Reijou to Juuni no Hitomi: Saikyou Juusha-tachi to Densetsu no Akujo, Jinsei Nidome no Kareinaru Musouroku) seems to be a one-shot. This is a “rewind to do it over” villainess book, so you know how it starts. That said, this villainess genuinely seems to be evil, and she realizes what she did wrong was not having evil minions. Time to fix that.

ASH: That’s an interesting twist! We could probably all use some minions.

SEAN: Also digital: Reincarnated as a Dragon Hatchling 12.

A medium-sized week, but be ready for landslides soon. What interests you?

Pick of the Week: Everyone Has Choices

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MICHELLE: I’ve been looking forward to Our Dining Table: Seconds, Please! since I learned it had been licensed, so that is absolutely my pick this week!

SEAN: The author and I have had mixed success to say the least, but I will give them another shot, and make my pick this week The Lying Bride and the Same-Sex Marriage Debate.

ASH: I’m definitely interested in both of those titles, but the release I’m most excited about this week is Kamudo. Ever since meeting Akira Himekawa at TCAF ages ago, I’ve wanted to read some of their original work. I’m so glad to finally have the chance!

ANNA: I’m going to go for the latest volume of Otaku Vampire’s Love Bite as a reminder for me to get caught up!

KATE: I second Ash’s pick; Kamudo has a knock-out cover! I’ll also mention Moan: Junji Ito Story Collection for anyone who wants a head start on Halloween.

Manga the Week of 10/8/25

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SEAN: It’s now fully October, which means you should expect pictures of skeletons in place of manga.

ASH: There was a streak of skeleton manga there for a bit.

SEAN: Airship starts us off, with print volumes of Adachi and Shimamura 12, Classroom of the Elite: Year 2 12, and A Tale of the Secret Saint ZERO 3.

And digitally they have Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear 21.

Dark Horse Comics have a 15th volume of Mob Psycho 100.

Ghost Ship gives us the third volume of Betrayed by the Hero, I Formed a MILF Party With His Mom!.

Two digital light novel debuts for J-Novel Club. Guild Handyman? More like Mastermind! Using My Hidden Skills in the Shadows (Guild no Zatsuyou-gakari ga Shin no Kuromaku deshita: Kakureta Sainou de Anyaku Musou) stars a mild-mannered paper pusher who is secretly out to destroy all the bullshit rules that make this world terrible to live in.

ASH: You know, I can get behind that.

ANNA: I could too!

SEAN: Old Knight, New Post: From Retiree to Her Majesty’s Blade (Inkyogurashi no Ossan, Joouheika no Ken to Naru: Intai Kishi wa Musume no Tame ni Oukoku Hittou Kishi ni Kaerizaku) is what happens if you take From Old Country Bumpkin to Master Swordsman and My Daughter Left the Nest and Returned an S-Rank Adventurer and mash them together.

Other light novels out next week: Backstabbed in a Backwater Dungeon 11, BLADE & BASTARD 5, Cooking with Wild Game 30, Dagashi-ya Yahagi 4, Dimension Wave 5, From Old Country Bumpkin to Master Swordsman 8, From Villainess to Healer 5, An Introvert’s Hookup Hiccups 11, Let This Grieving Soul Retire 8, The Poison King 6, and The Tanaka Family Reincarnates 4.

And for manga they have Reborn to Master the Blade 6 and Safe & Sound in the Arms of an Elite Knight 5.

Kodansha’s debut is a one-shot, Before You Go Extinct (Kimi no Zetsumetsu suru Mae ni), a Comic Days title about two souls who learn, as various animals, how to go on in the face of utter annihilation.

ASH: I just recently learned about this one and am rather curious about it.

SEAN: Also in print: Blue Lock Season 1 Part 2 Manga Box Set, The Dashing Zaddy and His Icy Protégé 3, The Fable Omnibus 10, The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity 9, Issak Omnibus 3, Mobile Suit Gundam: THE ORIGIN Deluxe 2, Versus 4, WIND BREAKER 15, and Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun 16.

ASH: Yet another reminder to myself that I need to give Issak a try.

MICHELLE: Yet another reminder how far behind on Iruma-kun I am!

SEAN: For digital we see The Café Terrace and Its Goddesses 18, Nina the Starry Bride 16, and Otherworldly Munchkin: Let’s Speedrun the Dungeon with Only 1 HP! 11.

One Peace Books have Nukozuke! 5.

Three debuts for Seven Seas. I’m the Heroic Knight of an Intergalactic Empire! (Atashi wa Seikan Kokka no Eiyuu Kishi) is the manga version of the light novel Seven Seas already puts out. It runs in Comic Gardo.

The Lying Bride and the Same-Sex Marriage Debate (Usotsuki Hanayome to Dousei Kekkon-ron) is a Comic Yuri Hime title and the latest from Kodama Naoko. A young woman who once loved a co-worker who got married now finds life difficult when her co-worker asks if she can move in after a fight with her husband!

ASH: Uh, oh!

ANNA: What’s going to happen?????

SEAN: Our Dining Table: Seconds, Please! (Bokura no Shokutaku: Okawari) is a sequel to the BL title also licensed by Seven Seas. It runs in Rutile.

ASH: I really enjoyed the original, so I should probably read this one, too.

MICHELLE: I’m looking forward to this! Our Dining Table was charming.

SEAN: Also coming out: 365 Days to the Wedding 9, BL Game Rebirth: My New Life as the Hero’s Younger Brother 2, Chillin’ in Another World with Level 2 Super Cheat Powers 11, Crossplay Love: Otaku x Punk 13, The Great Snake’s Bride 6, I Quit My Apprenticeship as a Royal Court Wizard to Become a Magic Item Craftswoman 4, The Missing “O” 3, Otonari Complex 5 (the final volume), Stay By My Side After the Rain 4, This Is Screwed Up, but I Was Reincarnated as a GIRL in Another World! 17, and Tokyo Revengers: A Letter from Keisuke Baji 5.

A bunch of stuff from Square Enix. We see The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten 4, the 14th Apothecary Diaries manga, The God-Slaying Demon King 3, and Love in the Palm of His Hand 2.

Steamship gives us The Trapped Former Villainess Wants to Escape from the Sadistic Prince 3.

Tokyopop have a 5th volume of Boys Gilding the Lily Shall Die!?.

Viz Media debut Kamudo, the new series from the creators of all those Zelda manga titles. It’s a shonen title from Sunday Web Every. In a society of half human, half beast people, will a fully human child be the start of something special? Oh wait, he has a dragon hand. But MOSTLY human.

ASH: I’m actually really excited about this one! I’ve been wanting to read some the team’s original work for ages.

SEAN: There’s also Moan: Junji Ito Story Collection. You know what this is. The stories all ran in Monthly Halloween.

ASH: So much Junji Ito!

ANNA: Tis the season!

SEAN: Viz also has Astro Royale 2, Boruto: Two-Blue Vortex 3, The Bugle Call: Song of War 3, Chainsaw Man 19, Dandadan 15, Marriage Toxin 9, Not Your Idol 3, Otaku Vampire’s Love Bite 5, Pink Candy Kiss 3, Tamon’s B-Side 9, and Vampire Knight Memories 10.

ANNA: I did like the first couple volumes of Otaku Vampire!

MICHELLE: Been a long time since a Not Your Idol volume!

SEAN: Lastly, Yen Press has the third and final volume of After We Gazed at the Starry Sky.

No skeletons, but we did see Junji Ito. What are you buying?

Pick of the Week: Baki and Takahashi

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ASH: The last few years have been somewhat astonishing with the number of seemingly unlicensable manga being licensed. Baki the Grappler is one of the most recent… although I guess it’s technically a license rescue? Either way, I’m eager to give this series of absolute martial arts mayhem a try.

SEAN: I don’t know where I’ll find the room for another big artbook, but The Art of Rumiko Takahashi: Colors 1978–2024 is hard to resist.

ANNA: I’m always happy to see a license rescue, Baki the Grappler for me!

KATE: I second Sean’s pick; Takahashi was my introduction to manga, so I feel a moral obligation to buy this book!

Manga the Week of 10/1/25

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SEAN: Is it September? Or October? Who can say?

ASH: There’s what I believe to be true and what I know to be true. Unfortunately, they’re not always in agreement.

SEAN: Yen Press has a 12th volume of Final Fantasy: Lost Stranger and the 2nd volume of Kindergarten Wars.

Viz Media gives us The Art of Rumiko Takahashi: Colors 1978–2024, a 400-page hardcover artbook devoted to her entire career, from UY and MI through R1/2 and IY, and other series not so easily abbreviated!

ASH: Oh, dang! I didn’t know this was coming out until now. That should be a fantastic volume.

ANNA: Oh cool!!!!

SEAN: Titan Manga debut Gran Familia, a Weekly Shonen Champion series that combines vampires and gangsters.

ASH: I feel like I’ve seen that combination before, but can’t quite place where.

ANNA: Potentially a good combo!

SEAN: Steamship has a third volume of I’ll Never Be Your Crown Princess! – Betrothed.

Somehow we’ve hit a week with no debuts for Seven Seas. We do see The Dangerous Convenience Store 6 (the final volume), Dinosaur Sanctuary 7, Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation: Mo Dao Zu Shi (manhua version) 11, HIKARI-MAN 5-6, Himegasaki Sakurako Is a Hot Mess 2, I’ll Forget You Starting Today, Senpai! 2 (the final volume), Karate Survivor in Another World 8, The Kingdoms of Ruin 11, Night of the Living Cat 6, Precarious Woman Executive Miss Black General 12, Reincarnated as a Dragon Hatchling 8, The Saint’s Magic Power is Omnipotent 10, Succubus and Hitman 9, The Weakest Tamer Began a Journey to Pick Up Trash 7, and Young Ladies Don’t Play Fighting Games 8.

And danmei gives us Case File Compendium: Bing An Ben 6.

Retailers say KUMA is releasing Director Akasaka’s Princely Training Course (Akasaka Buchou no Prince Boy Ikusei Keikaku), a one-shot from Qpa. A successful handsome guy can’t find a good partner, so decides to build one from among his workforce. They’d better be ready…

ASH: Uh, oh.

SEAN: Kodama debut (what IS it with Raijin titles returning from the dead lately?) Baki the Grappler (Grappler Baki), coming out from the beginning, the 1991 Weekly Shonen Champion series, in 2-volume omnibuses. He will be the strongest fighter. That’s the plot. Fighting and fighting. It’s pretty great if you love that, mind you.

MICHELLE: Hm. I normally like sports manga but I don’t know if I like fighting and fighting. :)

ASH: Oh, did Raijin have this one, too? Yet another reason I should probably pick this one up. Martial arts manga is an interest of mine and the artwork in Baki is also striking. (See what I did there?)

ANNA: Glad to see more classic titles coming out!

SEAN: No debuts for Kodansha either, but we see The Ayakashi Hunter’s Tainted Bride 4, A Condition Called Love 15, EDENS ZERO 33 (the final volume), GAEA-TIMA the Gigantis 3, Honeko Akabane’s Bodyguards 5, Snow & Ink 4, The Spellbook Library 3, and Tsugumi Project 7.

J-Novel Club has one light novel debut, the latest title from the author of Reincarnated As a Sword and A Late Start Tamer’s Laid Back Life. The Accursed Chef and His Pair of Furry Foodies (Noroware Ryourinin wa Meikyuu de Mofumimi Shoujo-tachi wo Sodatemasu) has a lot of popular tropes. Guy who dies saving a child gets reincarnated with cool powers – in this case, he can cook monsters. Sadly, his new life is awful. On the bright side, he seems to like beast people like most other isekai’d folks do.

ASH: I’ll admit, I was not expecting “eating monsters” to become its own subgenre.

SEAN: Other light novels: Demon Lord, Retry! 10, Pens Down, Swords Up 3, and To Another World… with Land Mines! 11.

And for manga: Death’s Daughter and the Ebony Blade 6, The Oblivious Saint Can’t Contain Her Power 5, and Record of Wortenia War 11.

Hanashi Media has Tsukimichi: Moonlit Fantasy 8.5.

Ghost Ship gives us Ero Ninja Scrolls 9.

Dark Horse Comics has an omnibus of all 3 volumes of Gantz G, the spinoff from Gantz.

ASH: I don’t think I got that far reading Gantz.

SEAN: Cross Infinite World has a new one-shot, Ayakashi Moving Service (Kochira, Ayakashi Ijuu Tenshoku Service desu: Fukuoka Tenjin 400-nen Okitsune Shachou to Watashi no Koi), which is another Makino Maebaru title. A woman who just wants to be normal is searching for a job… but the job she finds is anything but!

ASH: This could be fun.

ANNA: I’m intrigued.

SEAN: Also from CIW: The Do-Over Damsel Conquers the Dragon Emperor: Operation Records (a short story volume) and Expedition Cooking with the Enoch Royal Knights 7 (the final volume).

Airship has print for Reborn as a Space Mercenary 13.

Airship has an early digital debut. The Misdeeds of an Extremely Arrogant Villain Aristocrat (Kiwamete Gouman Taru Akuyaku Kizoku no Shogyou) is a male version of the villainess plot, as our hero tries to change his fate by being the most handsome, charismatic and strongest person around. I suspect fate will try to off him anyway, it’s that kind of series.

Also for early digital: The Devil Princess 2 and The Strange Adventure of a Broke Mercenary 13.

And finally, ABLAZE has the 5th volume of Gannibal.

What a tiny week! Anything appealing?

Pick of the Week: Mi Casa Es Tsukasa

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MICHELLE: I struggle to decide between the two Tsukasa Hojo debuts, but a trio of sisters in unitards (with scarves for unnecessary belts) is really serving up ’80s nostalgia for me, so Cat’s Eye it is!

SEAN: I am very familiar with the City Hunter manga, as I got the original Japanese volumes years ago so I could look at the art and wonder what they were saying. As such, I too will pick Cat’s Eye, which I am far less familiar with. Sexy girls, I hear!

ANNA: I can’t decide! I’m picking both Cat’s Eye AND City Hunter.

KATE: I might just have to come out of semi-retirement; it’s rare that we get TWO eighties classics in a single week! I second Anna’s picks.

ASH: Who am I to go against the trend? I am absolutely here for City Hunter and will definitely be reading Cat’s Eye, too. It’s an exciting week!

Manga the Week of 9/24/25

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SEAN: Come on over, baby, whole lotta manga goin’ on.

ASH: My word!

SEAN: Airship has print volumes of The Most Heretical Last Boss Queen 9 and She Professed Herself Pupil of the Wise Man 14.

And for early digital we see Heroine? Saint? No, I’m an All-Works Maid (And Proud of It)! 4 and the 5th and final volume of The Mimosa Confessions.

Dark Horse Comics debut Dur-an-ki, a title “supervised” by Berserk’s Kentaro Miura and written and drawn by his staff. Unfortunately, it got cancelled when he died, so this is the only volume. It ran in Young Animal ZERO. The story of a savior who is neither male nor female born of the gods, this volume also comes with notes about where the series was supposed to go.

ASH: I’m very curious about this one and will definitely be picking up a copy.

SEAN: Retailers say that Denpa has Baby Bear’s Bakery 4 out next month.

Ghost Ship has a 4th and final volume of Monster Marriage Shop.

Inklore have a 2nd volume of Wet Sand.

Ize Press debut Marriage of Convenience. An arrogant woman who ignored her husband and spent money like water dies cold and hungry. Now she’s back in time, and 19 again. Time to try to fix things!

ASH: If only it was that easy!

ANNA: I would like to die rich and not hungry.

SEAN: Also from Ize Press: Finding Camellia 5, I Tamed My Ex-Husband’s Mad Dog 4, Men of the Harem 4, My Secretly Hot Husband 4, Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint 8, Radio Storm 2, and Tomb Raider King 12.

J-Novel Club have one print title next week, My Instant Death Ability Is So Overpowered, No One in This Other World Stands a Chance Against Me! 9.

Four new JNC digital titles next week. Even Exiled, She’s Still the Beloved Saint! St. Evelyn’s Weird and Wonderful Friends (Tsuihousareta Seijo desu ga, Jitsu wa Kunijuu kara Aisare Sugitete Kowain desu kedo!?) is a manga based on an as-yet-unlicensed light novel. It runs in Comic Earth Star Online. You can guess everything that happens in this from the title.

ASH: Are the weird friends the same friends as the wonderful ones?

SEAN: The first light novel debut is The Goddess Says, “Kill the Tsundere Witch!” (Tsundere Majo wo Korose, to Megami wa Itta). A man dies and is reincarnated as a magic staff discovered by Stella, a tsundere. He adores tsunderes! Unfortunately, if he wants to become human again, he’ll have to kill her, as the Goddess of this world says she’s evil.

This Gyaru’s Got a Thing for…Vampire Hunters?! (Vampire Hunter ni Yasashii Gal) stars a girl who used to be a vampire hunter, but is trying to be a normal college student. She befriends a gyaru, so she’s on her way, but her old life is slowly creeping back towards her.

Zero Damage Sword Saint: I Enrolled in a Magic School and Wound Up in a Contract with the Demon Queen (Kougekiryoku Zero kara Hajimeru Kenseitan: Osananajimi no Oujo ni Suterare Mahou Gakuen ni Nyuugakushitara, Maou to Keiyakusuru Koto ni Natta) is for those who read I Want to Be a Saint, But I Can Only Use Attack Magic! and wished it was the opposite and starred a guy. It’s also apparently in the same universe as Full Clearing Another World under a Goddess with Zero Believers.

Light novels coming from JNC: The Boy Who Ruled the Monsters 4, Dahlia in Bloom 10, I Shall Survive Using Potions 11, I’ll Never Set Foot in That House Again! 7, Mercedes and the Waning Moon 3, Take These Talents Elsewhere 2, and The Trials and Tribulations of My Next Life as a Noblewoman 3-1.

Manga coming from JNC: The Brilliant Healer’s New Life in the Shadows 4, Campfire Cooking in Another World with My Absurd Skill: Sui’s Great Adventure 8, Der Werwolf: The Annals of Veight -Origins- 11, I’m a Noble on the Brink of Ruin, So I Might as Well Try Mastering Magic 4, My Fiancé Cheated, But a New Love Rings! 2, and The Reincarnation of the Strongest Exorcist in Another World 7.

Kana have two huge debuts, from the 1980s. The first is Cat’s Eye, the first big hit from Tsukasa Hojo! This Weekly Shonen Jump title stars three sisters who run a cafe… but at night they’re art thieves! This is a 3-in-1 omnibus, so should be 6 volumes total.

MICHELLE: This sounds fun!

The other debut is even more exciting: City Hunter, Hojo’s 2nd and even bigger hit. A killer/bodyguard who can’t stop going after women ends up with his dead partner’s sister, and together the two of them take on any assignment… when Kaori isn’t hitting Ryo with a giant mallet, that is. Also from Weekly Shonen Jump, this came out years ago but was never completed due to reasons that are still discussed today. It’s also a 3-in-1, expect about 12.

MICHELLE: And so does this!

ASH: I’m looking forward to both of these releases, but especially City Hunter. (I actually had a few volumes of the original translation.)

ANNA: Yeah, glad to see some old school manga releases!

SEAN: Kodansha Books has a 9th volume of My Unique Skill Makes Me OP Even at Level 1.

Kodansha Manga debut Sheeta’s Little Big World (Kobito no Shiita to Karigurashi no Mori), one of those “this runs on how adorable the main character is” titles. Our hero may only be 2 inches high, but he’s ready to go on an adventure to find his friend. This is a Comic Days title.

Also in print: AKIRA Hardcover Collection 2, The Darwin Incident 8, Last Samurai Standing 2, and That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime 27.

Digital only has Anyway, I’m Falling in Love with You 10, Chihiro-kun Only Has Eyes for Me 12 (the final volume), A Couple of Cuckoos 25, Even Given the Worthless “Appraiser” Class, I’m Actually the Strongest 14, Fungus and Iron 7, Manchuria Opium Squad 8, and My Wife is a Little Intimidating 12.

One Peace Books debut The Ossan Newbie Adventurer, Trained to Death by the Most Powerful Party, Became Invincible (Shinmai Ossan Boukensha, Saikyou Party ni Shinu Hodo Kitaerarete Muteki ni Naru), a Comic Fire title based on an as-yet-unlicensed light novel. The title is the plot, provided you know what Ossan means.

ASH: I do!

SEAN: Four debuts from Seven Seas, though technically it’s three. Go For It, Nakamura-kun!! (Ganbare! Nakamura-kun!!) is getting a re-release before the anime coming soon with a new cover – which, um, you guys do realize the old cover was one of the biggest memes around, right? That it’s iconic? You know, the one you’re NOT using here? I sense the hand of Japanese licensors telling people what to do behind this.

MICHELLE: Aw, that’s kinda sad!

ASH: I love this title so I’m glad to seeing it getting more attention, but those original covers were the best.

SEAN: Kaiju Kamui is a seinen title from Young Magazine. Giant monsters are destroying the world. The only thing that might work… is using giant monsters to fight them! With a pilot, in case you wondered about the dude on the cover.

Painter of the Night is a BL webtoon about a painter who used to create wonderful gay erotica, but now refuses to. Can a nobleman persuade him? Somehow?

ASH: There must be a way!

ANNA: I don’t know, this sounds like an impossible task.

SEAN: Wakaba Won’t Give Up! (Wakaba-chan wa Wakarasetai) is a seinen romcom from Monthly Action. Our heroine is a tomboy who is in love with her childhood friend. Will a feminine makeover help? Can she even change herself really?

ANNA: I don’t think she should have to!

SEAN: Also from Seven Seas: Free Life Fantasy Online: Immortal Princess 11, I Abandoned My Engagement Because My Sister is a Tragic Heroine, but Somehow I Became Entangled with a Righteous Prince 4, I Think I Turned My Childhood Friend Into a Girl 9, Killer Shark in Another World 5, Magical Buffs: The Support Caster is Stronger Than He Realized! 4, The Masterful Cat Is Depressed Again Today 10, Monster Guild: The Dark Lord’s (No-Good) Comeback! 9, My Girlfriend’s Not Here Today 5, The Valiant Must Fall 5, and What It Means to Be You 2.

Two new titles from Square Enix. Dragon Quest: The Mark of Erdrick (Dragon Quest Retsuden – Roto no Monshou) is the original manga adaptation of Dragon Quest, which ran in Shonen Gangan back in 1991! It’s coming out in 2-volume omnibuses. Do I need to explain Dragon Quest?

ASH: Probably not? (Does 1991 count as classic manga at this point?)

SEAN: Mechanical Buddy Universe is a one-shot (though there’s a sequel/reboot) about the interaction between machines and humans. It was serialized on Twitter.

ASH: Sounds like something I would read.

SEAN: Steamship has a 2nd volume of Sweet Heat Before Falling in Love: The CEO and His Fated Omega.

Titan Manga has Atom: The Beginning 12.

Viz Manga has Fist of the North Star 18 (the final volume), How Do We Relationship? 13, and JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Part 7–Steel Ball Run 3.

ASH: Oh, this is an excellent Viz week for me (but not my wallet). I’m still beyond thrilled that we’ll finally see the entirety of Fist of the North Star in print.

SEAN: Yen On has the 11th and final volume of I’m the Villainess, So I’m Taming the Final Boss.

Yen Press have quite a bit. I Don’t Know How to Love (Koi no Shikata ga Wakaranai) is a one-shot from B’s-Lovey (and is BL, in case that did not clue you in). Everyone loves dating the hot guy… till they realize he’s kind of a jerk. But what happens when the hot guy gets jealous?

My Beloved Supper (Yoru-san no Itoshi no Bansan) is a one-shot from Aokishi. A vampire loves human food… but unless he drinks blood first, he can’t stomach it. He thus goes after bad guys, and then goes out for a meal right after.

ASH: That’s taste for you.

ANNA: I guess fine dining requires sacrifice.

SEAN: Rock Is a Lady’s Modesty (Rock wa Lady no Tashinami Deshite) is a seinen title from Young Animal, and had a recent anime. Lilisa used to love rocking out as a kid, but then her mother remarried into money, and she has to give it all up. Now pretending to be a high-class student, what happens when she runs into an even MORE high-class student who secretly rocks out on the drums? Can’t wait for this.

ASH: Oh, that does sound promising!

ANNA: The rocking out part sounds fun.

SEAN: What Do You Call This Trash? (Kono Gomi o Nanto Yobu) is a seinen one-shot omnibus from Comic Beam. A young man is in love with a girl… who’s dating his big brother. Then big bro dumps her, so he’s free to pick her up. Unfortunately for him, she’s obsessed with his brother and will do anything… including dating the little brother… to get back with him.

ASH: Oh, my.

SEAN: Also from Yen Press: Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian 2, Banished from the Hero’s Party, I Decided to Live a Quiet Life in the Countryside 11, Bocchi the Rock! Side Story: Kikuri Hiroi’s Heavy-Drinking Diary 2, Bungo Stray Dogs: Dazai, Chuuya, Age Fifteen 4 (the final volume), The Dark History of the Reincarnated Villainess 13, Daughter of the Emperor 12, Days with My Stepsister 4, The Eminence in Shadow 13, Gahi-chan! 4 (the final volume), Hell Is Dark with No Flowers 3, Honey Lemon Soda 10, If the Villainess and Villain Met and Fell in Love 4, Imitation 7, Lycoris Recoil Official Comic Anthology: Repeat, Mieruko-chan 11, Monthly in the Garden with My Landlord 5 (the final volume), My Oh My, Atami-kun 3, Nights with a Cat 6, No Longer Heroine 10 (the final volume), The Reformation of the World as Overseen by a Realist Demon King 7, A Returner’s Magic Should Be Special 5, Spy Classroom 2nd Period: Daughter Dearest 2 (the final volume), Stomp, Kick, Love 3, The Teen Exorcist 3, The Tiger Won’t Eat the Dragon Yet 4, To Sir, Without Love: I’m Divorcing You 2, and Touge Oni: Primal Gods in Ancient Times 7.

ASH: The list just keeps going!

SEAN: Fist of the North Star is ending the same week City Hunter starts? Raijin Comics must be spinning in its grave! What are you reading?

Pick of the Week: Miss Ruki

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SEAN: I didn’t even know it existed till two weeks ago, but Miss Ruki is absolutely my pick this week. It’s wonderful to see titles like this come out over here.

ANNA: I agree, I was similarly unaware, but have preordered this and am looking forward to reading it!

MICHELLE: I agree 100%.

KATE: Add me to the Miss Ruki fan club—I just ordered myself a copy!

ASH: I actually did know about Miss Ruki—mostly because New York Review Comics releases some really interesting things, so I make a point to keep an eye out for them—but there’s no way I’m going to miss out on 1980s josei regardless of the publisher.

Manga the Week of 9/17/25

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SEAN: It’s Earth Wind & Fire Week, sort of. Let’s see what manga we have coming.

Yen On has three light novels: The Demon Sword Master of Excalibur Academy 12, Hollow Regalia 6, and Spy Classroom Short Story Collection 4.

While Yen Press just has Excellent Property, Rejects for Residents 4.

No debuts for Viz, but we do get Disney Twisted-Wonderland: The Manga – Book of Heartslabyul Complete Box Set, which is just what it says, and comes with a mini-poster.

Also from Viz: #DRCL midnight children 5, After God 6, Dogsred 3, Fool Night 6, Haikyu! 3-in-1 6, Heart Gear 6, Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt 24, Trillion Game 7, and Undead Unluck 21.

ASH: I really need to get around to reading #DRCL midnight children before I get too far behind. I can confirm that Dogsred has been a lot of fun, though!

ANNA: I enjoyed the first volume of Dogsred!

SEAN: Tokyopop has two titles. I Was Reincarnated as the Heroine on the Verge of a Bad Ending, and I’m Determined to Fall in Love! 5, and The Unwanted Bride Loves the Crown Prince With All Her Heart 2.

Titan Manga debut Saint Seiya: Dark Wing (Saint Seiya: Meiou Iden – Dark Wing), a Champion RED title that’s a sequel to the classic manga.

Steamship has a fourth volume of A Suitable Fetish.

Square Enix has Always a Catch!: How I Punched My Way into Marrying a Prince 4 and On and Off: Work-Life Imbalance 2.

Two debuts for Seven Seas. The Handsome Catboy Wants to be His Pet (Ikemen Oneko wa Haruta ni Kawaretai) is a one-shot shoujo title from Zero-Zum Online. A sad sack with bad luck ends up attracting a cat… who is also a handsome man! This is apparently “non-BL with two male leads”.

ASH: And also somehow a cat manga?

ANNA: I’m confused by both the genre and the plot summary!

SEAN: Roses and Champagne is a BL webtoon based on a Korean novel. A lawyer, who is half-Korean and half-Russian, runs afoul of the Russian mob! Can the handsome stranger he’s been avoiding help? Or is the stranger the problem?

ASH: Objection! One does not necessarily preclude the other.

SEAN: Also from Seven Seas: Home Sweet Home 3 (the final volume), I Get the Feeling That Nobukuni-san Likes Me 7 (the final volume), Last Game 10, My Kitten is a Picky Eater 5, Reincarnated as a Sword 15, Servamp 22, and vs. LOVE 2 (the final volume).

And for danmei, we get Joyful Reunion 2.

One Peace Books has a release that is not manga, but is of interest: Retrograde is a collection of three short stories by Osamu Dazai, featuring the title story, Das Gemeine, and Blossom-Leaves and the Spirit Whistle. Expect tortured but gorgeous writing.

ASH: Oh, very nice! I’ve enjoyed One Peace Books’ other Japanese literature offerings and Osamu Dazai’s work always catches my attention.

SEAN: New York Review Comics have Miss Ruki, a 1980s josei one-shot title that ran in a weekly women’s magazine called Hanako. A young woman decides to spurn the fast-paced, consumer-centric life of 80s Japan for a stress-free laid-back life! Fortunately she has a pragmatic friend for balance. Read about this landmark title here.

ASH: I am very much looking forward to this release.

ANNA: I was utterly unaware of this but now I too am very much looking forward to it!

SEAN: Nakama Press has Infini-T Force 4.

Kodansha has one debut, In Love’s Key, Reprised (Kurikaeshi Ai no Oto), a BL one-shot from ihr HertZ. A grumpy conductor known for being cold and remote meets a cheerful grocer.

ASH: Vaguely music-related BL? I’m in.

ANNA: Sounds cute!

SEAN: Also in print: Am I Actually the Strongest? 11, Blue Lock 22, The Ghost in the Shell: The Human Algorithm 6, Kei X Yaku: Bound By Law 8, Ninja Vs. Gokudo 9, Tower Dungeon 2, and Whisper Me a Love Song 9.

And digitally we see My Home Hero 22 and You’re My Cutie! 10.

J-Novel Club has three debuts, all light novels. Blade Skill Online: Crushing the Competition with My Abysmal Stats, Useless Class, and Garbage Weapon! (Blade Skill Online: Gomi Shokugyou de Saijaku Buki de Kuso Status no Ore, Itsunomanika “Last Boss” ni Nariagarimasu!) features a guy who’s ready to play the hot new game… only he’s tricked into picking the worst classes, and his avatar is a girl! Ah well, time to show everyone who’s boss anyway, as this is a light novel.

Flung into a New World? Time to Lift the 200-Year Curse! (Isekai ni Otosareta… Jouka wa Kihon!) is the light novel that JNC’s already licensed manga is based on. Normal dude gets truck-kun’d, ends up in a fantasy forest where he befriends vicious wolves and tries to lift a curse of “black mist of evil”.

Worthless at Home, Whiz to the World (Ie de Munou to Iwaretsuzuketa Ore desu ga, Sekai Teki ni wa Chou Yuunou Datta You desu) stars a young boy who sets out to prove to his family he’s not worthless after all! Then we discover his family are the strongest people in the world… and he’s right up there with them, even though they think he’s a newbie.

Also out from JNC in light novels: From Two-Bit Baddie to Total Heartthrob 4, The Frontier Lord Begins with Zero Subjects 10, In Another World with Household Spells 2, Lady Bumpkin and Her Lord Villain 5, Management of a Novice Alchemist 6, and The Mythical Hero’s Otherworld Chronicles 12.

And for manga we get Ascendance of a Bookworm Arc Four 5, The Banished Former Hero Lives As He Pleases 8, Demon Lord Retry R 8, Flung into a New World 3, and A Late-Start Tamer’s Laid-Back Life 7.

Ghost Ship debuts Rebel Hero: I Will Use My Skills to Control the Scheming Princess’s Heart and Body (Hangyaku no Yuusha – Skill wo Tsukatte Haraguro Oujo no Kokoro to Karada wo Shouakuseyo) runs in Comic Ride Advance. Based on an unlikely to ever be licensed light novel, it stars a summoned hero who discovers that the princess hides evil cunning and uses heroes like pawns! How will he manage to best her? (It’s a Ghost Ship title, we know how.)

ASH: Yeah, it probably won’t be too surprising, that.

SEAN: Their other debut is a digital-first light novel, so maybe I was wrong about unlikely licenses. This is a different title, though. Virgin Knight: I Became the Frontier Lord in a World Ruled by Women (Teisou Gyakuten Sekai no Doutei Henkyou Ryoushu Kishi) features a world where sexual norms between men and women are reversed, and women are dominant! Into this comes our reincarnated hero, and he’s not standing for that! I deeply hope this is less misogynist than it sounds.

Also from Ghost Ship: Creature Girls 13 and The Cursed Sword Master’s Harem Life 4.

Aloha Comics has an artbook for us. The Art of Heaven Official’s Blessing is what it sounds like. 450-page hardcover.

ASH: It looks so pretty!

SEAN: Airship has, in print, Reincarnated Into a Game as the Hero’s Friend 5.

And for early digital we see Sword of the Demon Hunter: Kijin Gentōshō 11 and The Villainess and the Demon Knight 4.

And to think, this is a slow week! What are you getting?

Bookshelf Briefs 9/11/25

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The Fed-Up Office Lady Wants to Serve the Villainess, Vol. 1 | By Nekotarou | Seven Seas – I’ll be honest, these days when a yuri series is licensed I expect it to be a lot less subtle than this one. You might even think it was just pure shoujo. After getting laid off from her job, our protagonist is briefly depressed, before she is suddenly transported to the world of her favorite otome game. The villainess, Lapis, has summoned someone, and it turns out to be her. Now she has to pretend to be a familiar who can make predictions by using her game knowledge. Lapis apparently despises commoners, but I have a feeling there’s more behind that. This was fun, and made me imagine My Next Life As a Villainess if the main character had been reincarnated as Anne rather than Katarina. As for the yuri, right now I think the heroine is more into girls than the villainess. For genre fans, whatever that genre is. – Sean Gaffney

I Don’t Know Which Is Love, Vol. 3 | By Tamamushi Oku | Yen Press – I was not prepared for there to be a year-and-a-half wait between volumes, so as you’d expect I’ve forgotten who everyone is. Though Mei is the important one. She’s still bouncing from girl to girl, and in this book she ends up making out with each of them, including French kissing, which (as her love interests note) she’s pretty good at. She also may be good at acting, as she has to identify with the rejected love from her past to get into the head of a character. That said, the series’ most notable trait is just how absolutely horny everyone in the cast is. This is not an old-school yuri where things end by holding hands. The girls all desperately want to screw Mei, and when staring at her teacher’s revealing outfit Mei thinks “Holy tits!” For connoisseurs. – Sean Gaffney

Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun, Vol. 16 | By Sorata Akiduki | Yen Press – I’m going to be honest, the most exciting part of the volume may be the final chapter, where we see a Nozaki who is half-asleep talk about the fact that speaking (over the phone) to Sakura is exciting. This is a series that tends to live and die on its facial reactions, and hers is something else. Another highlight was the “you can act in a play” event, which showed us Sakura’s devotion to Nozaki at peak levels, to the point where, when Hori imitates Nozaki (badly) performing, she can spot exactly what he’s doing. Best of all is Sakura’s iguana pose, which defies description, so I won’t even try. There’s no forward plot development in a series like this, but Sakura is definitely the winner when it comes to laughs this time around. – Sean Gaffney

The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, REALLY Love You, Vol. 15 | By Rikito Nakamura and Yukiko Nozawa | Ghost Ship – There’s another new girlfriend, whose gimmick “obsessed with numbers” is merely OK when she’s bouncing off Rentaro himself, who has to work harder to gain her affection as she’s literally uninterested in any thing that is not a number. (For all that diagnosing characters as autistic is overdone, if you’re going to pick one of this cast to diagnose, new girl is the one.) But it gets better when she meets the rest of the girls, and I enjoyed her bonding with Ahko, whose relaxed but sincere attitude helps draw her in. There’s still plenty of horny here, but I also really love the series when it focuses on how everyone tries their best to think of their partner and what their wants and needs are. Great stuff. – Sean Gaffney

Reincarnated in a Mafia Dating Sim: A Yakuza Heiress Becomes the Top-Ranked Villain’s Romantic Target!, Volume 1 | By Sora Goto and Touko Amekawa | LoveLove – Based only on the first volume, I’m not yet convinced that the conceit of being reborn in a video game contributes much to Reincarnated in a Mafia Dating Sim beyond added amusement, but the manga adaptation is nevertheless a fun and enjoyable read. This is in large part due to how incredibly likeable and competent the lead heroine is—a young woman who wants nothing more than to lead a “normal” life, something that proves to be difficult when your family is yakuza. After dying, she is reincarnated as Francesca Calvino, the protagonist of a dating sim that was popular at her school. She’s familiar with the plot of the game so theoretically knows all of the actions she needs to take to finally leave the underworld behind, but the personal characteristics that allow her to do this also make the role of mafia daughter a perfect fit for her. – Ash Brown

Skip and Loafer, Vol. 11 | By Misaki Takamatsu | Seven Seas – Most of this book is devoted to the class trip. The most touching scene in the volume doesn’t involve Shima, but Yuzuki, who admits to the others that she’s thinking of going to college in Hokkaido, and reminds them (and the reader, who is likely seeing their YuzuMako hopes die a bit) that high school cannot last forever. Also great is the ongoing interaction between the bright and shiny Mitsumi and the deeply cynical (but smart) Yasaka, who simply cannot get over Mitsumi’s overthinking going out with Shima, or the fact that because she rejected him, that’s it forever. Yasaka is not likeable, but she’s a great foil, and I love it when she shows up And then there’s poor Shima, who may idolize Mitsumi more than want to date her. Terrific. – Sean Gaffney

Suzuki-kun’s Mindful Life, Vol. 1 | By Yuhki Fujimoto | Yen Press – There’s a mini-genre of “I’m not a bad person, I just have resting bitch face” in Japan, and it applies equally to guys and girls. Suzuki-kun looks like he’s glaring and ready to kill you, but that’s just how he looks—in reality he loves to bake and is devoted to being a great big brother. His middle school life was terrible, and high school appears to be going the same way, till he meets Haruna, a pretty boy who is very outgoing and positive, and their friendship means Suzuki is dragged slowly towards everyone getting “oh, that’s not what he’s like after all.” I am less impressed with Suzuki’s crush on his sister’s teacher, though at least the series is not playing it up too much, and she also fits the theme of “I am not what I look like” as well. For fans of manga with sweet guys. – Sean Gaffney

Tamon’s B-Side, Vol. 8 | By Yuki Shiwasu | Viz Media – I’m still enjoying this series, but I get the sense that its popularity, and the upcoming anime, has meant that plots that were going to be resolved relatively quickly are now not all that resolved. Basically, if you’re expecting any romance between Tamon and Utage, keep waiting. The bulk of this book continues to deal with Rintaro’s home life, and the real reason for his quitting the band. We’re also introduced to his younger sister, who is acting up in the best younger sister tradition. Utage, for all her fangirl insanity, is one of the few people in this title with a sensible head on her shoulders, and as with Tamon, most of what she does in it amounts to emotional counseling. Recommended for readers who enjoy being a parent rather than a love interest. – Sean Gaffney

365 Days to the Wedding, Vol. 8 | By Tamiki Wakaki | Seven Seas – As it turns out, Takuya is not ready to bring up what his dad asks about to Rika, and the fallout from that leads both of them into a spiral of “I’m doing something wrong.” This leads Rika, after they get back, to immediately go back to see Takuya’s parents—by herself, she asks he not contact her. There she learns a bit more about what life in the country is like. As for Takuya, he gets waylaid by Rika’s mother, who is ludicrously over-controlling but makes it sound like good advice. I am not a fan of Takuya’s new look at all, and I blame her for this. Still, I don’t think she was prepared for her self-help advice to work too well, as she doesn’t get a chance to reject him as a partner for her daughter before she gets caught up in his going to find Rika. This was chaotic, but still good. – Sean Gaffney

Pick of the Week: Tragic Twins, Death Gods, and Shogi

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ASH: While there are multiple ongoing and debut manga being released this week that I’m interested in, there’s only one that I have on my “must read as soon as I get my hands on it” list and that’s Land. I only learned about it recently and I actually don’t know much about the plot, but the artwork that I’ve seen is beautifully evocative.

SEAN: I think I’ll go with Bride of the Death God, which looks tragic, or sweet, or both.

MICHELLE: The fourth volume of March Comes in Like a Lion for me!

ANNA: I’m also stoked for March Comes in Like a Lion!, happy to see a new volume!

Manga the Week of 9/10/25

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SEAN: We’re really getting into the thick of September now. Stay close, it might be dangerous.

ASH: It’s just now barely September, don’t scare me like that!

SEAN: No print light novels for Airship next week, but we do see Adachi and Shimamura 12 and A Tale of the Secret Saint ZERO 3 in early digital.

Denpa Books has the 4th volume of March Comes in Like a Lion, according to retailers.

ASH: It will be good to see!

MICHELLE: Woot!

ANNA: Nice!!

SEAN: Ghost Ship has a 3rd and final volume of Isekai Affair as well as Parallel Paradise 23.

J-Novel Club has three print debuts. Campfire Cooking in Another World With My Absurd Skill (Tondemo Skill de Isekai Hourou Meshi) is a manga from Comic Gardo based on the light novel also published by JNC.

ASH: I’ve forgotten what the absurd skill is this time.

SEAN: Isekai Tensei: Recruited to Another World (Isekai Tensei no Boukensha) is coming out in 2-volume omnibus format, so this is the first two books. The plot is every single reincarnated in another world cliche you can possibly imagine. It sells pretty well.

Making Magic: The Sweet Life of a Witch Who Knows an Infinite MP Loophole (Maryoku na Majo ni Narimashita: Souzou Mahou de Kimama na Isekai Seikatsu)is light novel that is not coming out as an omnibus. This is sort of the distaff “riddled with cliches” series, as it’s a young woman who has the overpowered stuff.

Also in print: An Archdemon’s Dilemma 18, Ascendance of a Bookworm 33 (the final volume of the main series, though more side stories and spinoffs are coming), The Brilliant Healer’s New Life in the Shadows 2 (manga version), Gushing Over Magical Girls 3, The Magic in this Other World is Too Far Behind! 10, and Seirei Gensouki: Spirit Chronicles 10 (manga version).

ASH: Hooray, Bookworm! (Though, surprising no one at this point, I have some catching up to do.)

SEAN: J-Novel Club has four digital debuts. The Crown of Rutile Quartz (Rutile Quartz no Taikan – Slaine to Ou to Eiyuutan) is a manga version of a light novel already released by JNC. It runs in Drecomics.

Looks like a Job for a Maid! The Tales of a Dismissed Supermaid (Maid nara Touzen desu. ~Nureginu wo Kiserareta Bannou Maid-san wa Tabi ni Deru Koto ni shimashita.~)is manga version of a light novel just announced by JNC. The manga runs in Comic Earth Star Online. Nina may be a maid, but that does not stop her falling into a “noble lady accused and thrown out” plotline.

ASH: I’m not sure anyone should be dismissing a supermaid.

SEAN: We’re starting a new imprint, J-Novel Knight, devoted to BL light novels. The first of these is Romance Revived: An NPC Was the Final Boss’s Love (Shi ni Modotta Mob wa Last Boss no Saiai deshita), which seems to be a one-shot. A man is reincarnated into his own fantasy story… but doesn’t remember till he’s framed, killed, and sent back in time. Now that he knows what’s going to happen, he has to protect the king! The really hot king!

ASH: As one does! (I’m happy to see this imprint emerge.)

ANNA: This does sound like a (hot) problem!

SEAN: Scooped Up by an S-Rank Adventurer! This White Mage Is One Heck of a Healer (Yuusha Party wo Tsuihousareta Hakuma Doushi, S Rank Boukensha ni Hirowareru – Kono Hakuma Doushi ga Kikakugai sugiru) is a manga version of a light novel as yet unlicensed, but an anime is currently running. If you’ve read a “thrown out of the hero’s party” book, you know what you’re getting here.

Also coming digitally for light novels: The Apothecary Diaries 15, The Brilliant Healer’s New Life in the Shadows 7, Earl and Fairy 11, The Hero and the Sage, Reincarnated and Engaged 5, and Infinite Dendrogram SP 1 (a side story).

And digital manga includes A Cave King’s Road to Paradise 7, The Eternal Fool’s Words of Wisdom 6, Full Clearing Another World under a Goddess with Zero Believers 9, Goodbye Overtime 3, The Invincible Little Lady 10, The Invincible Summoner Who Crawled Up from Level 1 4, Isekai Tensei 11, A Livid Lady’s Guide to Getting Even 5, Only I Know That This World Is a Game 9, and A Wild Last Boss Appeared! 7.

No debuts for Kodansha, but we get print for A Kingdom of Quartz 3, Magic Knight Rayearth 2 2, Medalist 10, Re:Anima 2, Tank Chair 5, Thunder 3 6, WIND BREAKER 14, and With a Dog AND a Cat, Every Day is Fun 8.

ASH: I’m behind on them all, but there’s some good stuff here.

SEAN: For digital we get Blue Lock 33, A Condition Called Love 17, Gang King 33, I Have a Crush at Work 11, and That Beauty is a Tramp 6.

Living the Line debut My Gorilla Family (Gorilla to no Kekkon), a horror short story manga from the early 1970s. It’s the 5th in the Smudge series that is collecting gekiga oddities.

ASH: I love gekiga oddities, so I’ve been thoroughly enjoying what Smudge has been releasing.

ANNA: Not likely to pick this up but I’m glad it is out there!!!

SEAN: One Peace have a debut, The B-Rank Adventurer with a Scary Face Becomes a Father for the Hero and His Friends (Akuninzura shita B-kyuu Boukensha – Shujinkou to Sono Osananajimi-tachi no Papa ni naru). Based on an as yet unlicensed light novel, this Dengeki Comic Regulus title stars a trash mob guy who one day finds a kid at the side of the road and decides to raise them. The trouble is this kid is the future hero!

ASH: That does have the potential to be troublesome.

SEAN: Seven Seas has some “novel/danmei/etc” debuts this week. Copper Coins: Tong Qian Kan Shi is a historical fantasy about an amnesiac monk, a dragon and a ghost going on a road trip. There’s also a special edition with a double-sided bookmark, a paper folding screen, a set of three postcards, and a sticker sheet.

ASH: That absolutely sounds like something I would read.

MICHELLE: Definitely sounds like the setup for some hijinks.

SEAN: Breathless Time Traveler (Anata wa Koko de, Iki ga dekiru no?) is a one-shot from the author of Toradora!. A college girl is killed in a traffic accident, but now finds herself time looping up to the moment of her death! Can she fix things?

ASH: Interested in this one, too!

The manga debut is Magic Maker: How to Create Magic in Another World (Magic Maker – Isekai Mahou no Tsukurikata), a MAGCOMI manga based on a light novel Seven Seas will release next year. A reincarnated boy is sad to find he’s in a world without any magic. But… can he make some?

ASH: Signs point to “yes.”

ANNA: What if he couldn’t, just as an interesting twist??

SEAN: Also from Seven Seas: CALL TO ADVENTURE! Defeating Dungeons with a Skill Board 10, Dance in the Vampire Bund: Age of Scarlet Order 15, Diary of a Female Lead: Shujinkou Nikki 4, The Dragon Knight’s Beloved 9, Dungeon Friends Forever 5, The Eccentric Doctor of the Moon Flower Kingdom 11, The Legend of Dororo and Hyakkimaru 10, Rozen Maiden Collector’s Edition 3, and Someone’s Girlfriend 4.

ASH: The Legend of Dororo and Hyakkimaru is another series I’ve been meaning to read more of.

MICHELLE: I still need to check out Diary of a Female Lead.

SEAN: Square Enix Manga debuts Bride of the Death God (Shinigami no Hanayome – Yomei 7-nichi kara no Koufuku), a supernatural shoujo from Gangan Pixiv. A grim reaper tells a girl she’ll die in one week. He is puzzled at how grateful she is – as she’s known she has a terminal illness. Love ensues.

ASH: Awww.

MICHELLE: Hm.

ANNA: Curious about this one.

SEAN: They also have The Emperor’s Caretaker 4.

Steamship debut His Sensual Whisper: The Voice That Sets Me On Fire (Tonari no Joushi wa Zetsurin Ikebo), a josei series from LoveParfait. A woman has a fetish for deep sexy voices, but is the guy she just met actually the one for her?

ANNA: It takes all kinds!

SEAN: SuBLime brings us Engage 3 and Megumi and Tsugumi 6.

Titan Manga debut Sanda, a shonen title from Weekly Shonen Champion. From the creator of BEASTARS, it stars a boy who is attacked by a girl as she thinks that he is cursed, and this led to her friend disappearing. They then go on a trip to find this friend.

ASH: Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus in this manga.

SEAN: Titan Manga also have a 2nd volume of Yan.

Tokyopop has You Can’t Live All on Your Own! 2.

MICHELLE: Still need to read the first one!

SEAN: From Viz Media we get Animal Crossing: New Horizons 9, Deadpool: Samurai 3, Komi Can’t Communicate 35, Minecraft: The Manga 3, Seraph of the End 33, Splatoon 3: Splatlands 5, Tsumiki Ogami’s Not-So-Ordinary Life 2, and Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon 7.

Yen Press debut Land, a seinen title from Weekly Morning. This is coming out as a 3-in-1 hardcover. A young girl lives happily with her father. Unfortunately, her older twin is very unhappy, and goes to the mountains swearing vengeance. What’s the story behind these twins?

ASH: I am immensely curious about this one.

SEAN: Also from Yen Press: Chained Soldier 12, It’s All Your Fault 2, Murciélago 25,and Triage X 28.

ASH: I’d somehow missed (or had forgotten) that Murciélago was still ongoing!

SEAN: Did you survive the manga trek? What did you end up with?