Welcome back, manga fans! 2024 is the year of taking it easy. No stressing about what books to read. No worrying about meeting exactly 10 picks. No fretting about exact release dates of books. Just manga, manga, manga. Let’s see what’s good for May, shall we?
11. Rule of Cool?
Supposedly this is a new manga. The cover makes it look like a bad scanlation of a comic from late 70s Shonen Jump. The description feels like it was translated into three different languages before it made its way to English and THEN was handed to a late 90s copywriter to punch up. The plot sounds like nonsense and the biggest twist is that instead of pirates or samurai, it’s the yakuza vs ninjas.
Y’all. I could’ve dropped this. I should have dropped this. But I can’t shake the feeling I’m being punked. There’s no way in hell that this series is serious. There’s no way. This has to be a parody, or at least self-aware enough about its book ancestors’ ludicrous and stupid yet earnest tones and why we love them for that. For that alone, I will be giving this a shot, but it’s got a tough hill to climb to earn it.
Ninja Vs. Gokudo, Vol. 1
Written and Illustrated by Shinsuke Kondo
Published by Kodansha Comics
An outrageous new action series, like Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure meets Fist of the North Star! Shinoha is a frickin’ ninja. He can’t even smile because of a dark trauma in his past that you’ll find out about later. But for now, what you need to know is, he kicks ass and can kill so many guys. Kiwami, on the other hand, looks like a regular business guy, but actually he’s a flipping yakuza. Everyone knows ninjas and yakuzas have been at war for three hundred years, so when Kiwami and Shinoha meet, it’s like, fwoosh, slice, kabloop, stab stab stab… My point is, this manga has Real Ultimate Power and, if you read it? Maybe you can too.
10. A Vision Far, Far Away
This is a project that I’m sure will be more exciting to the Star Wars fans in my life than me. Visions is a bright spot in the Disney+ era of reheated, refried extended canon. This anthology feels like a logical extension of the series’ ethos but for comics. Bring in a bunch of fun creatives and have them go wild for a short project. If that doesn’t sell you, then Kamome Shirahama’s name on the list should be enough to at least make this worth a thumb through at your library.
Star Wars: Visions: The Manga Anthology
Written and Illustrated by Kamome Shirahama, Keisuke Sato, Yusuke Osawa, & Haruichi
Published by Viz Media LLC
The first volume of Star Wars: Visions on Disney+ invited visionary Japanese anime studios to explore the Star Wars galaxy through their unique cultural lens. Now, top creators such as Kamome Shirahama and Yusuke Osawa bring those visions to life in manga form! Featuring adaptations of: “The Elder,” “Lop and Och?,” “The Ninth Jedi,” and “The Twins.”
9. I Have a Type, OK?
There aren’t nearly enough detective stories that are set in magical worlds. We need more. Undead Murder Farce re-lit this flame in me and “Mysterious Disappearances” is feeding it. Plus, this series has Elias written all over it. Burnt out novelists, urban legends, fetch quests and irresponsible misadventures presented with characters that seem to be inspired by Horikoshi’s “My Hero Academia?” I’m down to clown for sure.
Continued belowMysterious Disappearances, Vol. 1
Written and Illustrated by Nujima
Published by Seven Seas Entertainment
A novelist teams up with a demonic colleague to solve supernatural urban mysteries! Mysteries aren’t just secrets, they’re objects! There is the Elixir of the Moon, which restores one’s youth! The Songs of Another World, which must never be uttered aloud. The Curious Report of the Enchanted Land, which contains the testimonies of those who have been spirited away! And now, in Tokyo, these mysteries and more are reappearing in the form of urban legends. Burnt-out novelist Ogawa Sumireko and demon boy Adashino Ren are out to collect as many as possible, but Sumireko has a knack for not just finding but triggering the magical effects of the mysteries! Will she survive her brush with the supernatural? Does the demonic Ren have other plans for her?
8. Ghostly Visions
In a fun twist of fate, I put volume 1 of “Ako & Bambi” at the exact same position my January list for pretty much the same reasons and with the same amount of knowledge about the book. It’s not the only one too! Sometimes you just have to let the heart of the cards take you where it leads.
Ako & Bambi, Vol. 2
Written and Illustrated by HERO
Published by Yen Press
After moving into a potentially ghost-infested apartment, Bambi met a girl who may or may not actually be a ghost. Through random conversations in the dark of night, much about Ako remains a mystery, but maybe going to a festival at the school she might have attended will shed some light on her past…
7. Mer-May I Be Excused Now?
I am very intrigued by what this series could be like. The cover has a more detailed, fine-lined appearance to it than a lot of the other titles out there right now. It’s got an ominous air to it, like we’re trespassing in this world just by looking at the cover. What secrets will we learn and what transgressions will we cause in learning them?
A Sinner of the Deep Sea, Vol. 1
Written and Illustrated by Akihito Tomi
Published by Yen Press
The ocean covers about 70% of the earth’s surface-A whole world, yet unknown to humanity… And in its depths a nation, thousands of meters beneath the waves. There, the mermaid Jo has been whiling away her days in peace. But that tranquility is shattered when her friend Ryuu is locked away for breaking the gravest of undersea laws: That humans must never know of the world below. But why would Ryuu let the secret slip? And who did she tell? The curtain rises on Jo’s adventure to save her friend-and on her love..!??
6. Speaking of Transgressions…
Oh boy. Do you like “Flowers of Evil?” No? Well, you may want to skip this one then. It’s basically the yuri version of that only with maybe(?) less exhibition/underwear kink stuff. I think. It’s definitely concerned with adolescent sexuality and desire and the ways it goes sideways when it crashes into society’s expectations of sex, sexuality, and the lack of a nuanced understanding of how messy that shit gets when the hormones levels are busted like a particularly active nut.
…“Flowers of Evil” is an uncomfortable but excellent fucking series y’all. “My Girlfriend’s Not Here Today” may be as well. You’ve been warned.
My Girlfriend’s Not Here Today, Vol. 1
Written and Illustrated by Kiyoko Iwami
Published by Seven Seas Entertainment
In this salacious yuri/Girls’ Love tale by the creator of Transparent Light Blue, one young woman becomes trapped in a cycle of blackmail and infidelity. Pent up and tired of her apathetic girlfriend, Asahina Yuni turns to an anonymous online account to let it all out. It’s just another day of doomscrolling after class when Asahina gets swept away in conversation with the beautiful, outgoing Taki. When Taki turns out to be following Asahina’s private account, it’s cute… right? Taki would never blackmail Asahina… right? With every new lie, the web of secrets and erotic desire grows ever-tighter!
5. Re-evaluating
One up from its place in the February 2024 solicits, I have come to the decision that this must be a comedy series with a dark undertone because it’s by one of my absolute favorite mangaka, the author of “Arakawa Under the Bridge” and “Saint Young Men.” How did I miss this last time?! It explains so much! Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m gonna bother my local librarian to get this.
Continued belowBlack Night Parade, Vol. 3
Written and Illustrated by Hikaru Nakamura
Published by Seven Seas Entertainment
Former convenience store employee Hino Miharu is getting used to living at the North Pole and working at his new job as a bad Santa. Excited about the prospect of potentially becoming a Reindeer, a position that is compensated beyond his wildest dreams, Miharu is blindsided by learning that his deceased father may have been the last red Santa Claus. To add to the confusion, Miharu ends up witnessing his hot mess of an ex-coworker, Kaiser-kun, pull off the utterly impossible!
4. Soff. Prettie. Memento Mori.
Is the description below an absolute word salad? Yes. Did I pick the series on it? Nope. Tokyopop finally makes an appearance on the list because I’m very curious about this off-the-beaten-path series. No supernatural happenings. No romances. No absurdism or genre elements at all. Just a contemplative series about a woman in her 40s and all the existential angst that comes with it/a near death experience.
Since I Could Die Tomorrow, Vol. 1
Written and Illustrated by Sumako Kari
Published by Tokyopop
Sawako Honna, 42, is single. She works hard at a film promotion company. One night, all of a sudden, her heart palpitates, and her body goes cold… Could it be that she’s going through menopause!? Not as hard-working as in your 20s. Not as flippant as in your 30s. The mental and physical changes, and the obstacles you face in your 40s. Sudden illness, menopause, fatigue you can’t get rid of, changes in working patterns, money worries, life plans for the future…
3. VINDICATION
It may have taken two years but we did it folks! “Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service” lives again. Break out the buddhist robes and wacky faces, it’s time to investigate some corpses and the very strange people around them.
The Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service, Omnibus 6
Written by Eiji Otsuka
Illustrated by Housui Yamazaki
Published by Dark Horse
Five students at a Buddhist college in Japan find there’s little call for their job skills… among the living, that is! But their unique talents allow them to work with the dead… carrying out the last wishes of those whose spirits are still trapped in their corpses, and can’t move on to the next life! Book Six brings Kurosagi back to work…on some of their oddest jobs yet! When Numata’s fujoshi acupuncturist becomes the target of a manga-banning politician, it’s up to the Kurosagi gang to stick the needle into his power-hungry scheme. Next, a contest prize vacation to Shanghai turns into a side gig on the set of a Chinese zombie movie… but are all those corpses method acting? Then, we know the tragic story of Yata’s sister, but will things turn out happier for his partner Kereellis? For Kereellis’s sister, that is. His puppet sister.
2. A Feast For the Eyes
Everyone who’s been bitching about “Chainsaw Man” since it came back is wrong. The series is better than ever and Asa is a fucking excellent protag. Anyway, Volume 15 has her saving Denji’s ass a bunch of times and gravity keeps getting reversed. I think Fujimoto saw “The Chef” before writing this arc too.
Just a hunch.
Chainsaw Man, Vol. 15
Written and Illustrated by Tatsuki Fujimoto
Published by Viz Media, LLC
As a primal fear devil makes its appearance, the world may soon be turned upside down. This devil has the power to drive a wedge between Asa and Yoru-can the two of them manage to work together to avoid becoming a meal for the residents of hell?
1. Did You Expect Anything Else?
The one regret I have in picking this is that there was no great way to make it the featured image classily. Otherwise, this is another reminder to read one of the best manga, slow-burn and otherwise, currently publishing.
Kowloon Generic Romance, Vol. 7
Written and Illustrated by Jun Mayuzuki
Published by Yen Press
In Kowloon nothing is for certain, but Kujirai wonders if, to Kudou-san, the only certain truth is that Kujirai is a lie. She’s different, yet also the same. And what about when pessimistic Kudou pulls her in and emphatically says, “Don’t go anywhere. Always be by my side.” Kujirai’s thoughts grow both clearer and more confusing.
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Anything I missed? What are YOU looking forward to? Let me know in the comments!
