Pick of the Week

SEAN: A lot of Viz, as usual for the first week of the month, and my eye is drawn to the My Hero Academia: Ultra Analysis book, because I am a nerd. But I think I will go with No Matter What You Say, Furi-san Is Scary!, which is a genre (misunderstood girl everyone thinks is scary but isn’t) I really like.

MICHELLE: There’s not really one particular title screaming out to me this week. Moreso, it’s the prospect of catching up on some Shojo Beat series I’ve fallen woefully behind on. For the sake of choosing something, I’ll go with volume four of The King’s Beast. I really enjoyed Dawn of the Arcana and The Water Dragon’s Bride by this mangaka, and I have no doubt that trend will continue.

KATE: Not much caught my eye this week, so I’m going off-list to remind everyone that there’s a new installment of Evan Dorkin and Jill Thompson’s awesome Beasts of Burden series arriving in stores this week. If you ever thought that Stranger Things would be more entertaining if its protagonists were house pets, this is the series for you! It’s funny, unnerving, and proof that talking animals aren’t just for kids.

ASH: This week I’m going to join Sean in picking No Matter What You Say, Furi-san Is Scary! since it’s the debut that I’m most interested in. But as for ongoing manga, the new edition of Blade of the Immortal is probably the best way to experience the series.

ANNA: I’m with Michelle this week, I think The King’s Beast is the most intriguing thing coming out this week.

MJ: I’m not enormously drawn to anything this week, but if I must make a choice, I’ll go along with Sean and Ash. I think No Matter What You Say, Furi-san Is Scary! sounds potentially fun, and sometimes that’s enough!

MICHELLE: Despite not one but two volumes of kitty manga coming out next week, I am most intrigued by Boy Meets Maria. LGBT, “powerful,” “dark,” and done in one volume? Yes, please!

ANNA: There’s not a ton coming out that really appeals to me this week, but I’m most interested in Never Open It: The Taboo Trilogy, just because we don’t get a ton of short story collections of manga.

KATE: Against my better judgment, I’m going to pick The Walking Cat, partly on the strength of the cover art, and partly for it cats vs. zombies premise. Who knows? Maybe this done-in-one omnibus will have something new and interesting to contribute to the undead genre.

SEAN: It’s been a bit stressful lately, and I could use a good laugh, so I will go with a known comedy favorite, Gabriel Dropout.

ASH: I’m interested in everything that’s been mentioned thus far, but find myself echoing Anna for my pick this week: I pre-ordered Never Open It as soon as I discovered that Ken Niimura was going to have a new book out—one of his previous works, Henshin, is a particular favorite of mine.

SEAN: This may be the first time I’ve ever picked as Pick of the Week a book I not only plan to not read but plan to actively avoid. But man, Attack on Titan is ending, and it’s just been so influential on the past few years of manga. It blew up here in North America, for good and ill, and it had some great set pieces. But I fear its attempts to tell an anti-fascist story got muddled along the way. Still, I will toast it here.

MICHELLE: I suppose I’ll go with Doing His Best to Confess, since it looks cute. That’s my whole justification this time: it looks cute.

ASH: That’s a justification that I can get behind, and a manga that I’m interested in, too! Sean also makes an excellent case for Attack on Titan as a pick. Novel-wise, however, I’m going to go with The Haunted Bookstore.

ANNA: I’ll also go with Doing His Best to Confess, it sounds like the most appealing option for me this week.

MICHELLE: There’s so much good stuff coming out this week, though most of it new installments in series in which I’m woefully behind. My heart, however, most goes “squee!” at the prospect of getting caught up with Knight of the Ice, so that’s what I’ll go with this week.

SEAN: A lot of good stuff, yes. New Komi Can’t Communicate, new Rose King. That said, I will stay on brand and pick a light novel, I’m the Villainess, So I’m Taming the Final Boss, because I just can’t get enough of this type of story.

ANNA: I’m with Michelle, Knight of the Ice is consistently enjoyable, looking forward to the new volume.

KATE: I gotta admit that I’m not really feeling this week’s list; I’m so behind on Knight of the Ice that I don’t know if I can still recommend it. But if pressed to the wall, I’d throw my weight behind Wave, Listen to Me!, if only because I’m one of those dinosaurs who still listens to the radio.

ASH: I’ll be waiting for the print edition, but Wave, Listen to Me! is such a good choice. As for my pick, I’ll be going with Requiem of the Rose King as I still cannot resist its sensuous drama. (Not that I’m trying to resist it…)

MJ: Hello, there is a new Requiem of the Rose King and that’s the end of the selection process for me. Yep.

SEAN: Lotsa stuff this week, including 80 gabillion Yen On light novels, as well as a new Shojo Beat title. But I’m gonna go with the new volume of Sunshine Sketch, because, like Yotsuba&!, it’s been three years since the last volume. I miss my vaguely yuri art college kids.

MICHELLE: This week has Wotakoi, Chihayafuru, Spy x Family, Yona of the Dawn, and Yowamushi Pedal. In a regular week, I could happily endorse any one of those. But it’s the new Shojo Beat title, My Love Mix-Up!, that interests me most. I loved the artist’s work on My Love Story!! and am intrigued to see how it pairs with a different writer’s story.

KATE: I heartily second Michelle’s pick since I also adored My Love Story!!. But I’m also stoked for another volume of Boys Run the Riot, a series I’ve been enjoying and vowing to review when I find the time.

ANNA: There’s a lot of great series coming out this week, and I’m totally going to read My Love Mix-Up!. But on a week when Yona of the Dawn is also coming out, that’s always going to be my pick.

ASH: I’m looking forward to every series mentioned so far, but the debut of My Love Mix-Up! is the one that I’m most curious about, essentially echoing Michelle here.

MJ: Well, My Love Mix-Up! seems to have my name written all over it, so I’m gonna have to go with that, no question!

ASH: There are some great manga being released this week and, while I can’t bring myself to choose only one as my official pick, I did somehow manage to narrow it down to two. Debut-wise, I’m particularly curious about The Masterful Cat Is Depressed Again Today, which looks like it should be delightful. But I also want to highlight the final volume of BL Metamorphosis, which has been a truly wonderful and special series.

SEAN: Those are both fantastic choices, and I’m also very interested in J-Novel Club’s new shoujo light novels. But I have to pick Yotsuba&! 15, because it’s been so long, and it’s so heartwarming.

MICHELLE: There is so much good stuff coming out this week! I am really looking forward to The Masterful Cat Is Depressed Again Today, but since we can extoll the virtues of volume two in November, I’ll join Sean in choosing Yotsuba&! this week, since I might not get another chance until 2024.

KATE: I’m always down for a new installment of Yotsuba&!, but I won’t lie: I need a Masterful Cat in my life right now, since I’m just getting the hang of commuting and working with other people in person again.

ANNA: There are quite a few intriguing titles coming out this week, but the one that is going to rocket to the top of my to-read list is Witch Hat Atelier.

MJ: There’s a lot for me to choose from this week, for once! And I truly am torn, even though many of the series I’m most interested in are those I haven’t yet (but plan to!) begin. So I guess, like Michelle, I’ll take this opportunity to appreciate a long-awaited new volume of Yotsuba&!.

SEAN: This week I am torn between debuts and final volumes. I really should be picking When Will Ayumu Make His Move?, as I love the author’s other stuff, and it looks cute and fun. But I’m sorry, it’s the final volume of Ran the Peerless Beauty, Kodansha’s answer to Kimi ni Todoke, and that has to be my pick, because it’s been regularly terrific.

KATE: I’m on Team VIZ; anytime there are new volumes of Maison Ikkoku and The Way of the Househusband is a good week in my book.

MICHELLE: I am sincerely looking forward to the finale of Ran the Peerless Beauty, but I just can’t pass up the chance to pick something that looks as sweet as Would You Like to be a Family?. I’m still wary of TOKYOPOP, but I must admit they’ve really been putting out some great BL oneshots lately!

ANNA: I could really use a comedic pick-me-up, and The Way of the Househusband always delivers.

ASH: I feel like I’m behind the times because, well, I am, but the release that I’m most interested in checking out this week is Tearmoon Empire. I’ve heard really good things about this series; now that it’ll be available in print, I’ll be able to see for myself!

MJ: Okay, nothing is strongly calling out to me this week, though I am always ready to cheer on Maison Ikkoku. But perhaps I’ll through a hesitant vote towards When Will Ayumu Make His Move? which sounds fun and revolves around a strategy game, so worst case scenario, I can pretend I’m reading Hikaru no Go.

ASH: While I haven’t read everything by Rumiko Takahashi available in English, I have enjoyed everything that I have, so this week I’m particularly looking forward to giving the debut of Mao. The manga also has the advantage of at least partly taking place in Taishō period Japan, a setting which seems particularly well-suited for supernatural horror. (At least it worked for Nightmare Inspector!)

SEAN: Despite the fact that Rumiko Takahashi has tended to do a lot of the same sort of thing lately, I’ll pick Mao as well. Sometimes you want McDonald’s.

MICHELLE: I’m definitely going to check out Mao, but I am really looking forward to another heartwarming installment of A Man and His Cat. I think I’ve gotta make that my pick this week.

KATE: At the risk of being predictable, I’m throwing my weight behind Mao, too, and crossing my fingers that it’s a worthy successor to Mermaid Saga and InuYasha.

ANNA: I’ll pick Mao as well!

MJ: I’m a bit hit or miss with Takahashi, but Mao really does sound like it could be a hit with me. So I’ll jump on this bandwagon as well!

SEAN: There’s a few debuts that interest me, but I admit by eyes keep getting drawn back to My Hero Academia, in the middle of its most brutal arc to date. What’s this heartwarming shonen title about? High school kids suffering! Can’t wait for more.

MICHELLE: Hm, yeah this is a tough week to pick. I’m intrigued by Springtime by the Window, but I think I’ll actually pick one of the other shoujo series I’m really far behind on, like Snow White with the Red Hair.

KATE: Against my better judgment, I’ll pick Springtime by the Window, if only to see what kind of manga Tokyopop is licensing these days.

ASH: I think I’ll be spending some time catching up on my shoujo series, too! But as for my pick, I tend to favor debuts, and the one by which I am most intrigued is A Tale of the Secret Saint. So, there you have it!

MJ: I’m sorry to say nothing is really grabbing my interest this week. So, thanks to Twitter, I’m thinking of rereading NANA instead. Of all things. So if you’re looking for me, check 2009.

ANNA: I’m going to pick Yakuza Lover just for the sheer insanity of it.

KATE: Maybe it’s because my house is a mess right now, but Mr. Bride sounds kinda hot…

ANNA: I agree, the idea of someone cleaning my house sounds like an amazing fantasy. Mr. Bride for me too!

SEAN: Love Otherside Picnic and can’t wait to read the manga version, but we so rarely get josei titles from the Big Three (Kiss, You, and Feel Young) these days that I too have to pick Mr. Bride.

MICHELLE: Yep, that was my inclination as well! Honorable mention to A Sign of Affection, which I really need to start reading.

ASH: Even if everyone hadn’t already picked it, the debut of Mr. Bride is where my attention is focused. Granted, I’m glad to see a new volume of What Did You Eat Yesterday?, too!

MJ: If for Kate’s comment only, I’m picking Mr. Bride! Though I can never pass up a chance to shout out to What Did You Eat Yesterday? as well!

KATE: Oh man… I don’t even know where to start. I’m morbidly curious about Kaori Yuki’s latest series Beauty and the Beast of Paradise Lost, even though I know that it’s probably a fever dream of non-consensual relationships, lurid plot twists, and wackadoo costumes. I keep putting it in my Amazon cart and removing it because deep down, I know it’s probably bad. Two titles I did pre-order, though, are the latest installment of Asadora!, a twisty, suspenseful story with a plucky female lead, and the second volume of What’s Michael?, a wonderfully weird and funny collection of cat comics.

SEAN: It’s a VERY nostalgic week all around, so I will pick What’s Michael? this week, because it’s so strange, and because buying it might mean Club 9 if we wish hard enough.

ANNA: I am also not sure if I’m actually going to read Beauty and the Beast of Paradise Lost but I will make it my pick just as a nod to Kaori Yuki’s chaotic energy.

MICHELLE: Although I’m also planning to read Asadora! and What’s Michael? at some point, and have at least some interest in Kaori Yuki, this week I’ll buck the trend and pick the manga adaptation of The Decagon House Murders. I’m a big mystery buff and the novel’s been on my to-read list for years, so I’m really looking forward to this one.

ASH: In addition to the latest Junji Ito manga, I’m interested in everything that everyone else has mentioned so far, but what I’m most curious about this week is Megumi Hayashibara’s The Characters Taught Me Everything now that it’ll be available in print.

MJ: I’m going to admit that chaotic energy is basically my kryptonite, which means there’s no way I can resist Beauty and the Beast of Paradise Lost. If I can’t have anything new from my favorite agent of chaos, Yun Kouga, at least give me Kaori Yuki.

SEAN: My eyes this week are on Skip and Loafer, a Seven Seas title about a “country bumpkin” moving to the city that has me just with its cover – the combination of body and face on the lead is wonderful. I’ve heard many other good things about it as well.

KATE: I second Sean’s recommendation: Skip and Loafer looks like a delightful bit of escapism.

MICHELLE: This is definitely a case where the cover has utterly sold me. Count me down for Skip and Loafer, too!

ANNA: I’m all in for escapism, Skip and Loafer is my pick as well.

ASH: Who am I to break the consensus? Skip and Loafer was already going to be my pick this week, but seeing so many other people choose it makes me even more interested.

MJ: Okay, it’s been a heck of a week and I haven’t even had time to really look at this, but if all these people, with their impeccable taste, are enthusiastic about Skip and Loafer, I have no doubt I’ll be into it too! My pick this week is blind trust in my amazing colleagues!

MICHELLE: It’s the once-a-year release of Kaze Hikaru and there’s also the debut of the fun-looking Happy Kanoko’s Killer Life, but if it’s my last chance ever, I simply must pick Haikyu!!. I didn’t think anything could supplant Hikaru no Go as my favorite sports manga, but Haikyu!! has done it. I’m going to miss this series so much.

SEAN: It’s hard to ignore Viz this week, but ignore I must, because Happy Kanako’s Killer Life is hilarious. Well, if you find murder repugnant, I would not read it. But honestly, most of the people Kanako kills are terrible, and she’s just such an airhead that the whole thing becomes hysterical. The author posted the first 4 chapters – in Japanese and English – on their Twitter, I can’t wait to read more of it.

ANNA: Every summer Kaze Hikaru comes out and every summer I must pick the latest volume!

ASH: While I am intrigued by Happy Kanako’s Killer Life, my heart belongs to Viz this week. Both Haikyu!! and Kaze Hikaru are highlights for me, but the debut of Golden Wind gets my official pick!

SEAN: Despite the temptation of picking Ghost Ship’s Booty Royale… OK, it’s not that much of a temptation… I’m making Captivated, by You my pick this week. I actually don’t know much about it, but it’s a one-shot hardcover and the title ran in Comic Beam, so I’m in.

MICHELLE: I am really looking forward to checking out Captivated, by You, but this week also sees a new installment of one of my favorite manga, The Night Beyond the Tricornered Window, and I can’t pass up the chance to pick it once again. This series is getting an anime in October, which I hope inspires more people to check out the manga. It’s great.

ASH: I so want The Night Beyond the Tricornered Window to be released in print! Until then, Captivated, by You is the debut I’m most curious about this week, so it earns my official pick. Though, I’m interested in reading Seaside Stranger, too, having heard good things about it…

ANNA: I’ll go for Seaside Stranger this week!