Welcome back, manga fans! Since Previews has a section of the catalog dedicated to manga, we’ll be highlighting that section’s most notable upcoming releases every month. Read on to see what stuck out to us!
10. Why this format for this book?
Tokyopop has been doing some fascinating things with their Disney licenses. This is the start of a single-issue release of an American-made manga sequel to a popular Japanese manga in which an original Japanese character, Kilala, entered the worlds of various Disney princesses. If you’re confused, don’t worry, because I was too. I really have to question how well this series will sell. I’m sure there’s an audience for them somewhere, and the cover alone will probably sell the book to middle grade female readers, but even then, a sequel to an old out-of-print series? Why is this sequel made by a completely different American team? Why release it in single issues instead of as a full manga volume?
Disney Manga: Kilala Princess: Mulan #1
Written by Mallory Reaves
Illustrated by Saa
Published by Tokyopop
Kilala was an ordinary girl living an ordinary life, until a magical tiara and a miraculous portal led her on an incredible journey through the worlds of her favorite Disney princesses, and gave her the strength she needed to save a kingdom and become a true princess. But being a princess isn’t easy, and Kilala’s tiara sends her on a new quest… this time to ancient China’s greatest warrior, Mulan! Bandits are storming the countryside, and Mulan and Shang are on an imperial mission to help the villagers relocate to safer grounds. Kilala and her friends stop to help, but when they’re overpowered by a team of bandits they must all work together to free themselves.
9. Star Wars always sells.
This one makes more sense: a Japanese manga adaptation of a Star Wars novel, newly translated into English. Star Wars always sells; comic adaptations of prose have been popular recently; collections are easier sells to the casual comics reader. All that gives this book as close to a built-in audience as possible.
Star Wars: Lost Stars, volume 2
Written by Claudia Gray
Illustrated by Yusaku Komiyama
Published by Yen Press
The conclusion of the thrilling manga adaptation of Claudia Gray’s Star Wars Lost Stars novel! What does destiny have in store for Thane and Ciena?
8. Liked the remake? Good, here’s an adaptation.
Again in the world of remakes of existing properties, this manga is a direct adaptation of the recently dubbed anime, which itself was based on a 70s anime. I really don’t have much to say except that old adage: if you thought America could milk a property for all it’s worth, you should take a look at Japan.
Star Blazers, volume 1: Space Battleship Yamato 2199
Written and Illustrated by Michio Murakawa
Published by Dark Horse
2199 will be Earth’s final year-unless the voyage of space battleship Yamato can succeed! The alien Gamilas have devastated the biosphere, determined to reshape our planet into their own new home. But a third force has intervened, as an emissary from the distant Iscandar has given humanity the plans for a faster-than-light drive. If the Yamato can battle its way through the Gamilas fleet to reach Iscandar, their technology can heal the Earth-but the odds against us are literally astronomical…
7. A straightforward addition to the property.
I’m really toploading this month’s column with adaptations and remakes. There’s a ton of them, and each one is fascinating in its own way. This seems the most straightforward, as it’s an original story set in the “My Little Pony” world. It’s not a new translation, or an adaptation of an existing story, or an unexpected format. Just a simple story any fan of the property could pick up and enjoy. It is interesting that it’s American creators doing this in manga format, but that’s more of a curiosity than a barrier for entry. If anything, that probably makes it an easier sell than a standard comic volume or issue for this audience.
Continued belowMy Little Pony Manga, volume 1: A Day in the Life of Equestria
Written by David Lumsdon
Illustrated by Shiei
Published by Seven Seas Entertainment
The land of Equestria comes alive in this distinctive My Little Pony manga series that spotlights each of the Mane 6 and a host of other characters from the exciting world around them! When Pinkie Pie lends a hoof to help Twilight Sparkle and Spike clean up the Golden Oak Library, she discovers a mysterious mirror with the power to gaze into alternate realities. Upon entering the mirror and traveling to alternate realities, Pinkie Pie sets off a chain of events that will bring doom to Equestria! Follow this adventure, and many more, in this hilarious new My Little Pony manga series.
6. Throw the tropes in a blender and see what you pour out.
Why does the solicit repeats the exact same information in two different ways? The world may never know. What we do know is that this mixture of fantasy, comedy, and reincarnation tropes is sure to please.
I’m Standing on a Million Lives, volume 1
Written by Naoki Yamakawa
Illustrated by Akinari Nao
Published by Kodansha Comics
A teenage loner boy gets transported into a fantasy world with his two scary female classmates. The girls find themselves as a wizard and a warrior, but he’s woken up as… a farmer?! How will be become a hero now? Ninth grader Yusuke Yotsuya is a loner and he likes it that way. But one day, he and two female classmates are suddenly sent to another world, where they must work together to battle for their lives. But he’s been reincarnated as a farmer! How is someone who’s only ever wanted to be left alone supposed to be a hero? A one-of-a-kind original manga that will challenge everything you thought you knew about fantasy!
5. Boy’s love in America.
Every month or two there’s a new (non-pornographic) “boy’s love” series. Shout-out to the American companies for translating these LGBT stories. I don’t have much to say about this specific one other than that it seems well-liked on the internet for its high emotionality, so I might check it out.
Classmates, volume 1
Written and Illustrated by Asumiko Nakamura
Published by Seven Seas Entertainment
The touching Boys’ Love story that inspired a hit animated film, in an all-new translation for digital and print! Hikaru always thought his classmate Rihito was kind of a snob, until he stumbles across Rihito secretly practicing a song in an empty classroom. Hikaru agrees to become Rihito’s music tutor, and with each lesson the two boys grow closer. But when Hikaru realizes that he’s fallen for Rihito, will they stay classmates or become something more?
4. Questionable…?
I’m of two minds on this series. On one, it’s about a high school girl who falls in love with a young child. (Ick.) On the other, it’s a psychological thriller, which means the icky parts could be somewhat redeemed if they have a greater meaning in the long run. However this turns out, it’s at least piqued my interest.
Happy Sugar Life, volume 1
Written and Illustrated by Tomiyaki Kagisora
Published by Yen Press
Satou Matsuzaka doesn’t seem to care about much, moving through boys and casting them aside like so used candy wrappers. All that changes, though, when she meets Shio. The little girl changes everything. Is this love…? If it is, then it’s love through a very warped prism as the high schooler demonstrates there’s no atrocity beyond her when it comes to protecting the object of her deranged affection.
3. Herbalist.
High fantasy usually does nothing for me, but for some reason the word “herbalist” has me intrigued. Regardless, new teen fantasy manga is always a plus for the overall market.
Snow White with the Red Hair, volume 1
Written and Illustrated by Sorata Akiduki
Published by Viz Media
Shirayuki is an herbalist famous for her naturally bright-red hair, and the prince of Tanbarun wants her all to himself! Unwilling to become the prince’s possession, she seeks shelter in the woods of the neighboring kingdom, where she gains an unlikely ally-the prince of that kingdom! He rescues her from her plight, and thus begins the love story between a lovestruck prince and an unusual herbalist.
2. Dance, dance.
I’m currently reading the first volume of this ballroom dancing manga and it’s a joy. A wonderful mix of sports/competition manga, homoeroticism, and upbeat drama, that first volume has already grabbed me enough that I’m willing to recommend this third volume. Let’s hope it keeps up this quality!
Continued below10 Dance, volume 3
Written and Illustrated by Inouesatoh
Published by Kodansha Comics
Shinya Sugiki, the dashing lord of Standard Ballroom, and Shinya Suzuki, passionate king of Latin Dance: The two share more than just a first name and a love of the sport. They each want to become champion of the 10-Dance Competition, which means they’ll need to learn the other’s specialty dances, and who better to learn from than the best? But old rivalries die hard, and things get complicated even further when they realize there might be more between them than an uneasy partnership!
1. Diamond is Unbreakable? Jojo is Unbreakable.
Viz has been doing very well by “Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure” with their English releases. The line of deluxe hardcovers now continues into the fourth evolution of the story, “Diamond is Unbreakable,” often considered one of the greatest stories in both Jojo and manga history. Perfectly timed for release just as the anime is gaining steam in the US, this book looks to kick off the definitive version of this seminal story.
Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure, part 4: Diamond is Unbreakable, volume 1
Written and Illustrated by Hirohiko Araki
Published by Viz Media
The legendary Shonen Jump series is now available in deluxe hardcover editions featuring color pages! JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is a groundbreaking manga famous for its outlandish characters, wild humor and frenetic battles.
While JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Part 4-Diamond Is Unbreakable is familiar to Western audiences due to its popular anime adaptation, which streamed online and aired on Cartoon Network, this is the first time the manga has been translated into English. This stylish and unique shonen manga will be released in a deluxe hardcover edition.
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Anything you’re looking forward to that I overlooked? Let me know in the comments!
