Welcome back, manga fans! I was looking over the previews this month and was shocked to see a lot of familiar faces amongst the crowd. I wonder if the previews is finally catching up with the actual release days or if the books have simply been resolicited without the usual “resolicit” marker. Perhaps they were all so popular they’ve gotten new printings already. Anything is possible with the way Diamond’s incomprehensible system works!
Needless to say, I stayed clear of those and picked only the top ten-iest of the top tens, or at least ten I wanted to talk about some more.
10. Where We Completely Lose the Plot
This isn’t the first time I’ve highlighted “Hellsing” here but it may be the final time. Dark Horse has been re-releasing the series in a slightly larger trim than originally. It’s not quite as good a deal as the solicits makes it seem – it’s neither deluxe in length nor in size – but not everyone wants 3 huge faux-leather bound hardcovers on their shelves, even if it is basically the same price.
Plot wise, Volume 10 is where the series completely loses itself, though, really, volume 8 is where all sense of plot goes out the window and you’re just here for some of the good-old-ultraviolence and batshit vampires vs werewolves vs nazi robots vs the Catholic Church.
Also canons. Bitches love canons.
Hellsing, Vol. 10
Written and Illustrated by Kohta Hirano
Published by Dark Horse Comics
The final chapter in Kohta Hitano’s epic Hellsing saga pushes the boundaries of horror/action manga into new territories of thrills, shocks, and more than a few bloody laughs! The curtain raises on the final act of the apocalyptic war between vampires, Nazis, Catholics, werewolves, Protestants, and mercenaries, and the outcome is still in doubt. Amidst the blood-drenched wreckage of London, the champions of light and darkness face off in a final showdown that will determine the future of humanity-or see humanity’s fall!
9. Tokyo Wizard
The series had me at “Tokyo is ruled by a wizard.” What does that even mean?! And this isn’t a fantasy story? It’s, maybe, a sci-fi, BL love story about a maintenance worker? That’s a hell of an intriguing hook. I bet it’s far less ludicrous than it sounds as a blurb. Still, “Tokyo is ruled by a wizard.”
World’s End Blue Bird, Vol. 1
Written and Illustrated by Anji Seina
Published by Tokyopop – Love x Love
In the near-future, Tokyo is ruled by a wizard. Rei is an odd-job maintenance worker who lives in Twilight Town, one of Tokyo’s impoverished slums. One day, he meets Guan, an incredibly attractive man. Guan is covered in tattoos, and carries himself with the arrogance of a highborn. Their meeting leads to a night together… and becomes pivotal for the future of Tokyo. A fantastic, magical love story about overcoming fate told through the experiences of an obstinate handyman and a charismatic leader.
8. Poison Ivy, Shonen Edition
As we get farther and farther into the third decade of the new millennium, we see how the dystopias of the past morph into the near futures of our present. So too is it with “Fool Night,” an updated take on our fears of technology and untethered corporate capitalism merged with eco-fears that haunt our collective psyche as we see the coming climate change storm and are unable to do much to push the levers of power to address it.
Also, you know, this feels “Chainsaw Man” (or really “Fire Punch”) inspired and I’m all for that.
Fool Night, Vol. 1
Written and Illustrated by Kasumi Yasuda
Published by Viz Media, LLC
Kamiya is at the end of his rope. His mother is ill, and his job barely pays for her medication, much less food. With few options left, he considers the life-changing process of floromorphosis. Ready to give his body up for a payday, Kamiya is about to explore the limits of society’s waning humanity.
7. Sometimes, You Just Need A Soothing Cup of Tea
I don’t usually put cozy series on this list, though I do enjoy quite a few of them. Maybe because it’s hard to recommend “and then they spend three volumes going OOOOOH while eating cakes.” But that’s what “Aria of the Beech Forest” seems to be! A sweet, cozy series about a witch doing everything except magic. I can dig that.
Continued belowAria of Beech Forest, Vol. 1
Written and Illustrated by Yugiri Aika
Published by Yen Press
The witch Aria is a little shy. She’s good at cooking and knitting. And she’s a real whiz at growing herbs. As for what she’s bad at? Why, that’s magic! One fateful day, the sheltered girl encounters a talking wolf, who becomes her very first friend. Watch witch and wolf snuggle up in this comfy story with a touch of mystery set in the forests of Ireland!
6. Two Red-Hair Protags For the Price of One
This is another semi-cozy fantasy series featuring a protagonist with red-hair. This time, though, it’s one of my favorite shojo series! I’d been behind on it for quite a while and finally caught up in the last couple weeks. “Snow White” does the formula perfectly. You’ve got your interesting extended cast, a story that revolves around both the romance as well as the main character’s central preoccupation – medicine – and additional intrigue from outside the main cast.
If you’re looking for a long-running fantasy that’s cozier than something like “Yona of the Dawn” but still serious and propulsive (and hasn’t been infected by stat-screens,) this is the series for you.
Snow White with the Red Hair, Vol. 26
Written and Illustrated by Sorata Akiduki
Published by Viz Media, LLC
Shirayuki and company have at last received permission from Lord Eisetsu to spread the light-bringing phostyrias plant. Back in Lilias, as the team prepares for the next phase of the plant propagation plan, Ryu makes a major decision of his own! And it seems that a job offer has been posted in the City of Academics-one seeking an herbalist with very particular qualifications!
5. Vampires Represent
I seem to be on a vampire kick this time around. Weird. If you’re not reading “Call of the Night” because the first couple volumes didn’t quite do it for you, I urge you to give it another shot. It only gets better as Kotoyama develops the world and shifts from the, admittedly fun, vibes-based start to a darker series about love, loss, and fear. It also gets more and more queer. With a second season on the way, there’s no better time to jump on.
If you’re still not convinced, just listen to the theme from season 1 (this version is my fave & starts around 1:05.)
Call of the Night, Vol. 16
Written and Illustrated by Kotoyama
Published by Viz Media, LLC
While Ko does his best to repair his friendship with Mahiru, Mahiru comes to a momentous decision regarding his romantic relationship with vampire Kiku. But first he opens his heart to Nazuna about his troubled family. And then Ko and Kyoko confront Kiku…
4. How I Met a New Shojo Manga
I’ll be totally honest. I picked this because I thought it was gayer than it actually seems to be. The blurb is, uh, confusingly written pronoun-wise for those unfamiliar with the manga itself. My bad. “Waiting for Spring” is another manga I’ve seen and heard about but not read. It’s got good buzz so of course Anashin’s next work would as well.
I know it’s weird to be equivocating about something this high on the list but I’m leaving it at #4 because it strikes me as well-composed, dynamic, and exactly the kind of thing I’d love once I pick it up. The cover is also gorgeously composed.
How I Met My Soulmate, Vol. 3
Written and Illustrated by Anashin
Published by Kodansha Comics
From the creator of Waiting for Spring comes a new college romance that meditates on just what destiny means, and whether “the one” is really out there. “I wouldn’t come over if the thought of something happening between us bothered me.” These words keep repeating in Yuuki’s mind. She can’t believe that she revealed that to Iori that night. But what is bothering her even more is the alluring Airi, the girlfriend of Iori’s brother, Ibuki… and why does his brother think that Airi is cheating with Iori?
3. Oh, How the Mighty Have Fallen
Continued below
“A Man and His Cat” can do no wrong and is (almost) always #1 in my heart. It sits at #3 purely because the other two have better reasons to be higher. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to read about Fukumaru being cute again.
A Man and His Cat, Vol. 11
Written and Illustrated by Umi Sakurai
Published by Square Enix Manga
In an attempt to heal after the loss of his wife, Mr. Kanda decides to visit his father-in-law-a fellow cat fancier-for the first time in a long while. Though both men adored the late Suzune, will Mr. Kanda find a warm welcome awaiting him despite the ever-present grief both men feel? Throw five kitties into the mix, and warmth and mischief surely lurk around every corner!
2. Awkward in Title
For a series as excellent as this, it really has a terrible English title. The literal “Dungeon Meal” isn’t much better though. At least that makes it memorable.
This is the final volume of “Delicious in Dungeon,” one of the strongest and most original fantasy manga of the last ten years. I know people quibble about the tonal/genre clash at the start – the plot vs the episodic, cozy dungeon food approach – but they’re all cowards. It’s the perfect blend of odd ingredients, complimenting each other with each bite, a different flavor taking precedence and never overpowering the other fully.
I am excited to see how Kui wraps up this series, though I’m unsure if I’ll end up reading it before seeing it animated. Either way, I’m sure it will be…delicious.
Delicious in Dungeon, Vol. 14
Written and Illustrated by Ryoko Kui
Published by Yen Press
To eat is to live. With the demon poised to sate his appetite on all the peoples of the surface, Laios is the only one who can stop the beast. What will become of the world, the dungeon, and of Falin? Find out in this final volume!
1. Gogogo-go Go-gogo
The delinquent manga is back on the rise but it’s not “Tokyo Revenger’s” throwback style that’s setting the tone: it’s the dirtbag antics of “Chainsaw Man” that are leading the pack for Gen Z. Gone are the pompadors (rip) but the disheveled uniforms remain. “Gogogo-Go! Go! Ghost!” is the next step forward in delinquent manga, at least if the vibes of the cover are to be believed.
Look at these dirtbags! Don’t you want to read all about them? There’s ghosts! And it’s not about some random 14-year old boy for once! “YuYu Hakusho” by way of “Kaiji” and “Chainsaw Man.” Let’s fucking do it.
Gogogo-Go! Go! Ghost!, Vol. 1
Written and Illustrated by Miyako Hiruzuka
Published by Yen Press
After an illicit affair at work falls through, office worker Ushiro Akechi is wallowing in quiet desperation and stumbling towards ending it all. What she really needs is an older sister to talk her back from the edge… Luckily, she about to meet one-from the other side! Self-proclaimed Guardian Spiritual Older Sister Masako is ready and waiting to take Ushiro under her ghostly wing! Can they together turn a brush with the end into the start of a gloriously funny new partnership!?
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Anything I missed? What are YOU looking forward to? Let me know in the comments!
