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Soliciting Multiversity: Top 10 Manga for June 2021

By | April 1st, 2021
Posted in Columns | % Comments

Welcome back, manga fans! Thanks to the strangeness of calendars, our March (June) look at Diamond’s manga catalog falls in April. In fact, we landed on April Fools Day! Could I have made an entire joke column, much to the chagrin of my editor? Yes. Yes I could’ve. Will I?

…After much consideration, no, but I was this close to having every entry be this month’s volume of “We Never Learn.” You’re welcome.

10.5. New Century, Who Dis?

In the same way I couldn’t justify including the final volume of “20th Century Boys” as a full-fledged entry, the same is true of the full collection of “21st Century Boys,” the sequel series-stroke-epilogue for the series. I’m waiting for this to do my full-reread and so the hype is real. Naoki Urasawa’s “20th Century Boys” is a treasure and I hope the conclusion of this means that Viz is gonna re-release “Pluto” in the same way.

21st Century Boys Perfect Edition
Written and illustrated by Naoki Urasawa
Published by Viz LLC

The war is over. The Friend is dead. Finally free from the threat of extinction, peace has come to the people of Tokyo once again. But the mystery surrounding the Friend still remains. Nobody knows who the Friend was or where they came from, and the only clue is hidden deep in the Kenji’s memories. The time has come to open Pandora’s box and see what lies inside.
For older teen audiences.

10. Ladies, Is It Gay to Gaze Longingly Into Your Girlfriends’ Eyes in the Mirror?

I don’t actually have any information on what’s in this collection. I had to do a quick search to even find out that it is a collection of short stories, which is never a great sign, but the cover is well-composed and the title is intriguing and more Yuri collections are always welcome. Couple that with Yen Press’ previews description being literally a praise reel for the creator and you’ve got a book that’s got my attention.

Farewell to My Alter
Written and illustrated by Nakatani Nio
Published by Yen Press

Fans of yuri manga stand out as some of the most passionate and dedicated. As such, yuri manga has become one of the most consistently solid categories of manga in our territory. Nio Nakatani has gained even more popularity with the yuri fanbase in recent years due to her inclusion in the Éclair manga anthologies published by Yen Press. Nio Nakatani stands out as one of the most beloved yuri creators and has gained a mainstream following due to her work Bloom Into You being adapted into an anime.

9. Venice from Another World

I recently read a review which compared this series to “Aria,” which Nick has previously praised better than I could in this column, but with more catboys and a greater sense of existential horror/mystery. If that description doesn’t sell you on this series, there isn’t much else that will.

Rozi in the Labyrinth, Vol. 2
Written and illustrated by Shiya Totsuki
Published by Seven Seas Entertainment LLC

In a labyrinthine world made of endless alleys, transformed humans fill the quaint stone streets and magical shops. Rozi is a young girl in this surreal and beautiful place, guided by kind supernatural men who strive to protect her from the dangers that lurk in her dazzling surroundings. An adventure full of wonder and mystery is about to begin!

8. Under Where?

There are very few publishers where I want to give every book they release a chance. Denpa is one of those publishers. They pick eclectic, strange, but ultimately thought provoking titles to bring over here. Like, they brought over the hyper-chill Fate title “Today’s Cooking with the Emiya Family,” a book whose audience is composed of “Great British Bake Off Fans” who are also waist deep in the Fate series. I still read it, despite having never touched a Type/Moon Fate property before. Was it for me? Not in the slightest but I enjoyed the recipes anyway and, I mean, who else would have picked up this book for publication?

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It’s got none of “Food Wars’,” ahem, assets or the uncomplicated coziness of “Restaurant in Another World.” It’s heavily reliant on knowledge of the characters, with the humor coming from references to other games/movies/shows featuring them and the juxtaposition between how they act there and the super laid back nature of the book. Sure it’s got enough to keep a newbie like me entertained but there’s no plot with the barest of frames to justify having characters cook a dish. Yet Denpa picked it and I’m glad they did! This is a book for someone, even if that person isn’t me.

All that’s a long preamble to say that while I have no idea what this series will be like or if I’ll even like it, it’s worth a nose at the very least. I mean, I’m pretty sure I’ll love it from the conceit of a Ninja army in the modern day, the reverse of the Yagyu from “Lone Wolf & Cub” but even if I didn’t, I’d give it a go.

Under Ninja, Vol. 1
Written and illustrated by Kengo Hanazawa
Published by Denpa Books

After World War II, Allied Command in Japan developed a new agency to help manage terrorism and violence within the Pacific region. The agency was staffed with ninja and they were initially tasked to handle domestic affairs. Eventually that program grew to its current form, managing 20,000 ninja across a range of domestic and international affairs. One of those ninja happens to be Kudo. The seventeen-year-old high school loser is now poised to be the next line of defense against a potential surge in foreign assassins invading Tokyo.

7. Postwar Blues

Every day I walk past Tsuge’s “The Swamp” and “The Man Without Talent” at the library and I say to myself: “I need to read these.” Soon I’ll have a third book to say that about. Tsuge’s work, for decades, was unavailable here in the States despite his work being foundational to the medium in the same was as Shiegru Mizuki or Osamu Tezuka’s.

Perhaps this was because, much like Junji Ito, his works were primarily short stories, which was not marketable here until recently. Whatever the case, Drawn & Quarterly are bringing them over in a seven volume set and this is the second volume and that’s worth a spot on the list.

Red Flowers
Written and illustrated by Yoshiharu Tsuge
Published by Drawn & Quarterly

Yoshiharu Tsuge leaves early genre trappings behind, taking a light, humorous approach in these stories based on his own travels. Red Flowers ranges from deep character studies to personal reflections to ensemble comedies set in the hotels and bathhouses of rural Japan. These vital comics inspired a wealth of fictionalized memoir from Tsuge’s peers and a desire within the postwar generation to document and understand the diversity of Japan’s cultures.

6. How Do You Do, Fellow Cool Guys?

I get secondhand embarrassment and so I don’t know if I’ll be able to survive reading this series but the idea of a bunch of dorks pretending to be cool sounds too good to pass up reading about. It’s my favorite trope and now it’s the entire manga? That’s dope.

Play it Cool Guys, Vol. 2
Written and illustrated by Kokone Nata
Published by Yen Press

Warm-up’s over. Easy mode’s off now, but nothing is impossible when they’re all in this together. Get ready for this crew of dorks overflowing with pizzazz to turn it up! Ladies and gents, return to your seats…it’s time for Act II.

5. A Well Deserved Anthology

Anime/manga series getting anthologies set in their world are becoming more common. These often feature stories by a wealth of different creators and I think it’s super cool getting to see all these different perspectives on a work. That’s why Sarazanmai is a perfect candidate for this. Kunihiko Ikuhara is credited as the sole artist/writer but I think that’s because it’s easier for Previews. I’m excited to revisit the madness that is Ikuhara’s brain filtered through others, granting new perspectives and clarifying others.

Sarazanmai Official Manga Anthology, Vol. 1
Written and illustrated by Kunihiko Ikuhara
Published by Seven Seas Entertainment LLC

A collection of over a dozen short stories for the hit anime by Kunihiko Ikuhara! After accidentally breaking a statue of a mythical kappa, junior high students Kazuki, Toi, and Enta are transformed into kappa themselves as punishment by Keppi, prince of the Kappa Kingdom. Keppi has a task for the boys if they want their bodies back: work for him to hunt down zombie kappa born of twisted human desires. Even scarier though? They’re going to have to expose their own deepest fears and desires to each other to do so!

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4. Chonky Kitteh Adventures 2.0

Another series omnibus from a classic, long out-of-print title. I promise I’m not doing this on purpose. I’m just a big fan of classic manga. Good news, this is the second of two volumes so if you’re hankering for some utter bonkers cat antics, this is an easy series to jump into and finish. Just look at those cats and tell me you don’t want to know why they’re going to school.

What’s Michael? Fatcat Collection, Vol. 2
Written and illustrated by Makoto Kobayashi
Published by Dark Horse Comics

What’s Michael? FatCat Collection volume 2 gathers out-of-print original What’s Michael? volumes 7 to 11 for readers young and old! This huge tome features the out-of-print What’s Michael? volumes Fat Cat in the City, Show Time, The Ideal Cat, Sleepless Nights, and the shocking Planet of the Cats. Introduction by historian and manga stalwart Zack Davisson (Kaibyo: The Supernatural Cats of Japan)!

3. Vampire Abandon

I was initially taken in by the cover of this, actually. Not the biggest fan of the posing but the image of someone falling through the sky over the city, her face full of wild abandon is striking and I’m partial to the font & color of the title. Did I know it was about vampires & being an assassin (I think?) Nope but that makes me want to give it a chance.

Call of the Night, Vol. 2
Written and illustrated by Kotoyama
Published by Viz LLC

What’s the difference between desire and love? Does Nazuna know any better than Ko? What about Ko’s childhood friend Akira? Unable to answer these romantic questions, Ko and Nazuna go swimming. Turns out bathing beauties at pools are just as hot at night as in the blazing sunshine at the beach… Then, Ko gets jealous when he learns about Nazuna’s night job. But after she drafts him into temping for her, the two of them join forces to save a client from her boss-and herself.
For older teen audiences.

2. Adorable Bottomless Eldritch Pit

These Kirby comics would make the perfect gift for a young child, nostalgic fan, or anyone who has eyes to love the wonderful pink ball that is Kirby. Again, I promise I’m not picking it because it’s a reissued omnibus of classic manga but instead because it’s KORBY. You cannot deny the Korb. Don’t try or you’ll end up like all that cake he inhales.

Kirby Manga Mania, Vol. 1
Written and illustrated by Hirokazu Hikawa
Published by Viz LLC

Jump into Dream Land with Kirby and gobble up some fun! Everyone’s favorite pink puff teams up with his friends to keep arch-frenemy King Dedede in line. Fans of all ages can enjoy this collection of classic Kirby comics-just take a deep breath and hop on in!
For all ages.

1. AHTATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATTATATATA

That’s right. The classic “Mad Max” but Shonen series is back in print and in hardcover. Get ready for ultra-violence and marvel at how this series was allowed to be published in “Weekly Shonen Jump” alongside “Kimagure Orange Road” and “Dragon Ball.” That’s all that’s needed to be said. I mean, You Are Already Reading, right?

Fist of the North Star Hardcover, Vol. 1
Written by Buronson
Illustrated by Tetsuo Hara
Published by Viz LLC

In a postapocalyptic world, humanity has risen from the ashes of nuclear war, but only to a nightmare of endless suffering. It is a time of chaos. Gangs of savage marauders and warlords rule the broken ruins of civilization, terrorizing and enslaving the survivors. Life has become a brutal struggle for existence and death the only release.

Anything I missed? What are YOU looking forward to? Let me know in the comments!


//TAGS | Soliciting Multiversity

Elias Rosner

Elias is a lover of stories who, when he isn't writing reviews for Mulitversity, is hiding in the stacks of his library. Co-host of Make Mine Multiversity, a Marvel podcast, after winning the no-prize from the former hosts, co-editor of The Webcomics Weekly, and writer of the Worthy column, he can be found on Twitter (for mostly comics stuff) here and has finally updated his profile photo again.

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