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. That’s one way to draw food.
The title enticed me (food comics!). This teaser image (NSFW?), which focuses a little too much on the latter part of the phrase “food porn,” kind of repulsed me. This series was recently made into an anime, so I understand why it’s being translated now. That said, I also understand why it hasn’t been translated until now. Let’s see how this goes.
Ms. Koizumi Loves Ramen Noodles, volume 1
Written and Illustrated by Naru Narumi
Published by Dark Horse Comics
Ramen and manga are two Japanese things that people love everywhere around the world. But no one’s ever brought them together before-until now! Let cool, mysterious high school student Ms. Koizumi and her girlfriends show you around the authentic ramen culture of everyday Japan in this fun food manga. The noodles, the toppings, the broth-the street stalls, restaurants, and home cooking . . . and yes, cup ramen too! You’ll slurp down a whole new knowledge of Japan’s greatest fast food that even many Japanese don’t know . . . but Ms. Koizumi does!
9. Looks familiar…
This cover immediately draws comparisons to the cover of the hit “My Lesbian Experience with Loneliness,” which is funny, because the concept is the opposite. These sorts of tell-all diary comics (and I’m thinking this was a webcomic at first, too) have been popular lately, so it’s cool to see more of them making it stateside.
Secretly I’ve Been Suffering About Being Sexless
Written and Illustrated by Togame
Published by Yen Press
Deep struggles and concerns about sex are stripped bare in this shocking confession!
Married life isn’t all lovey-dovey, or ooh-la-la steamy–not when you and your partner have opposing sex drives. When a married woman with a raging libido can’t find the satisfaction she needs from her tame, lackluster husband, she’s left with no choice but to get her fix elsewhere…
8. Woof woof.
I read once that Japanese light novel titles tend to be long because they need to get across the entire book’s concept in the way a blurb on an American book would. Now look at the title of this manga, an adaptation of a light novel. I love how we’re not even trying to act like it’s a sensible title, so we go with a direct literal translation. Anyways, I won’t be reading this. I just wanted to talk about the title.
Woof Woof Story: I Told You To Turn Me Into A Pampered Pooch, Not Fenrir! volume 1
Written by Inumajin
Illustrated by Kiki Koikuchi
Published by Yen Press
As corporate slave Routa Okami keels over in the middle of his busy office, he imagines about how nice it would have been to live as the pet of some of rich family instead of literally working himself to death. When a goddess actually grants that wish and brings him back as a pampered pooch, Routa is over the moon! …But wait, why is he howling at it…?
7. “Kind library mage.”
“Lushly-detailed,” “kind library mage,” and “the (literal) magic of reading” are pretty nice buzzwords to get me to check out a book. This seems like a fantasy story I can get behind.
Continued belowMagus of the Library, volume 1
Written and Illustrated by Mitsu Izumi
Published by Kodansha
A story about a poor boy swept away by a kind library mage and the (literal) magic of reading, Magus of the Library is a beautifully-drawn, spirited fantasy adventure. In a lushly-detailed fantasy world reminiscent of Arabian Nights, the Great Library is the center of learning in the world, and its librarians are capable of magnificent feats of magic! In a small village far from the Library, a poor little elf boy struggles against bullies who call him “knife-ears.” His only solace: the books he sneaks out of the village’s tiny branch library, which he’s not allowed in. When a librarian from the Great Library arrives, he’s dazzled by her knowledge and glamour. Their meeting will change his life and begin the adventure he’s always dreamed of having!
6. Italian manga.
We can debate on whether manga-style books by non-Japanese authors can be considered manga, but in the end that’s irrelevant. Italian cartoonist Rosella Sergi is part of the current and upcoming generation that grew up during the manga boom and became deeply influenced by it. Her work looks just like the type of shojo title she was no doubt inspired by. While I didn’t expect an Italian book to show up in the manga section, I’m glad Tokyopop is branching out to bring this stateside!
Deep Scar
Written and Illustrated by Rosella Sergi
Published by Tokyopop
Sofia is a quiet young woman who longs for more independence. When she moves to Turin for school, it’s her first time away from her family and her boyfriend Luca. But her new roommate, Veronica, leads a life very different from hers: she prefers evenings in the company of beautiful boys! Luca dreads the influence of Veronica and her entourage on Sofia, and especially the presence of the enigmatic Lorenzo, who seems to be a little too interested in his girlfriend…
5. Cosplay!
Comics have always been a great medium for how-to guides, given that, like manuals, they are all about the marriage of words and pictures. This one is sure to appeal to a specific manga-loving, cosplaying audience.
Cosplay Basics: A Beginner’s Guide to Costume Play
Written and Illustrated by Rumine and Yuki Takasou
Published by One Peace Books
Learn all the basics of cosplay, straight from experts in the heart of Tokyo. In this easy-to-follow how-to book on the making of and engaging in the art of cosplay you learn how to make your own original designs and patterns, buy costumes, or make your own. Wigs and make-up! Attend events! Photography tips! And more!
4. Back on the list!
A few months ago, I wrote about how I was excited to try out this slice-of-life fantasy series. After having read the first volume last week, I can say it’s everything I hoped it would be. Calm, thoughtful, warm, and subtly funny in all the right places, it’s a perfect breather after bingeing a bunch of high-octane superhero books. Volume 2 was supposed to come out this week but got delayed over a month, so this volume might not come out on the date it’s solicited. Regardless, I highly recommend checking this series out!
Aria: The Masterpiece, volume 4
Written and Illustrated by Kozue Amano
Published by Tokyopop
It’s already been over a year since Akari Mizunashi made her new home on the water planet Aqua, a world once known as Mars. As an Undine in training in the beautiful city of Neo-Venezia, Akari continues to pursue her dream of becoming one of Aqua’s signature gondoliers in the service of the prestigious Aria Company. Her job of leading high-end tours around the city also gives her the perfect opportunity to meet many new friends, from first-time guests visiting Neo-Venezia to the assortment of quirky and warm-hearted locals who have been helping her settle into her new home.
3. Woof Woof, part 2.
The furry cover? Mildly intriguing. The concept of tensions between herbivore and carnivore classmates? I can dig it. A wolf named “Legosi?” Hell yeah. I’m usually a fan of the Viz Signature books, the more complex and adult-aimed manga from Shonen Jump publisher Viz, so I’ll definitely check out the first volume of this.
Beastars, volume 1
Written and Illustrated by Paru Itagaki
Published by Viz Media
Last night at Cherryton Academy, an herbivore student was killed and eaten. Among the members of the drama club, the herbivores’ suspicions naturally turn to their carnivore classmates… The prime suspect? Legosi, a large wolf. But he wouldn’t hurt a fly-or would he? And will dwarf rabbit Haru bring out the beast in him? Or are his feelings for her…something else?
2. Asano, never stop creating.
With the earlier volumes a slow burn, “Dead Dead Demon” has been getting deeper into the invasion plot while never forgetting the strangeness of humanity at its core. Asano is a modern master, and this book is one of the sharpest examinations of rough sociopolitical climates I’ve ever seen. Bring on the next volume.
Continued belowDead Dead Demon’s Dededede Destruction, volume 6
Written and Illustrated by Inio Asano
Published by Viz Media
The collaboration between the S.E.S. and the Self-Defense Forces is going beautifully as Hujin Type 9s patrol the streets of Tokyo and the slaughter of the Invaders reaches an all-time high. It’s almost enough to distract the populace from the ominous smoke coming from the mother ship! Meanwhile, Kadode is getting used to having an Invader living in her apartment. His delicious cooking almost makes up for the constant threat of watching him get slaughtered in front of her eyes by vigilante exterminators!
1. Wacky bookstore times!
It’s a slice-of-life comedy about a bookstore, and all of the characters are drawn with objects for heads! This book is pandering directly to me. I couldn’t give it any slot lower than the top slot of the month.
Skull-Face Bookseller Honda-san, volume 1
Written and Illustrated by Honda
Published by Yen Press
Honda might be a skeleton, but that’s nowhere near as crazy as working in a Japanese bookstore! Whether it’s running the store, dealing with out-of-print books, or handling eccentric customers, the bookstore life is filled with laughter and tears.
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Anything I missed? What are YOU looking forward to? Let me know in the comments!
