Welcome back, manga fans! No Kodansha Comics or Seven Seas titles this time around. I know! I’m as shocked as you are. Turns out when you solicit 8 months of books 5 months prior, you don’t have anything new to list when the time comes. I did do a search to see what was coming out in July and nothing new caught my eye. Sometimes it’s just like that.
11. Only for Chainsaw Man
This is a prose book/light novel/short story collection. It is “Chainsaw Man.” That is why I cheat.
Chainsaw Man Buddy Stories
Concept by Tatsuki Fujimoto
Written by Sakaku Hishikawa
Published by Viz Media LLC
Power lives out her favorite anime by becoming a genius detective-or so she wants her “audience” to believe! Denji is along for the ride as her assistant for an investigation into disappearances at a mountain hotel. Other stories center on Quanxi and Kishibe’s relationship nine years after they met, Himeno and Aki’s first assignment together, and Denji, Power, and Aki’s dream trip to Enoshima.
10. Zawa Zawa
For some reason, “Kaiji” has slipped on the publishing schedule for years, with volume 4 seeming to have a legit release date of May 23rd. Seeing as how Denpa feels confident enough to solicit volume 5, I believe that date now. If you have not read “Kaiji,” what’re you waiting for!? It’s amazing and tense and will remind you that there are no good billionaires or hedge fund managers.
Gambling Apocalypse Kaiji, Vol. 5
Written and Illustrated by Noboyuki Fukumoto
Published by Denpa Books
After surviving Tonegawa’s dastardly schemes set outside of the hotel tower, Kaiji was let inside the building for what may be one last chance to pay off his debts. But while his last two tests were partially physical and emotional, this new game is a test of wills. E-Card is a simple card game but when played against someone who says he can read minds, it may be an impossible game to win at consistently! Kaiji has gone too far now, so he’ll literally put his body on the line as payback!
9. Don’t Go Stealing My, Don’t Go Stealing My Banan
Strap on folks, the deeply unsettling Serpoians are back. Not sure who they are? OHHHHH boy are you in for a ride. I “Dandadan” back in January and it has not let up on its misanthropy and Tradd Moore-esque distortion of time & space. Live fast, die young, fist fight Turbo Granny.
Dandadan, Vol. 4
Written and Illustrated by Yukinobu Tatsu
Published by Viz Media LLC
The banana-stealing Serpoians are back! And they’ve trapped Okarun, Momo, and Aira in a void to have another go at stealing their reproductive organs. The subsequent battle causes the powers of the Acrobatic Silky dwelling within Aira to awaken, and she temporarily joins forces with Momo and Okarun. But will they be any match for their opponents after the aliens merge with their minions to form an even greater being?!
8. Are You There Kippuuson-no-Mikoto? It’s Me, Ozuno
The cover is exceptionally pretty and I’m a big fan of these kinds of historical fantasy series. I’m hopeful “Primal Gods” is setting itself up to be sort of like “Mu-Shi-Shi” with its emphasis on dialog but with the kind of tension you can find in “Noragami” between the godly realm and the earthly one. I’m hopeful it takes the anthology approach but I have a feeling it’s going for long-term, big drama.
Primal Gods in Ancient Times, Vol. 1
Written and Illustrated by Kenji Tsurubuchi
Published by Yen Press
In the ancient kingdom of Yamato, between the era of the gods and that of men, there was a time when the two coexisted. Miyo is chosen to serve as a human sacrifice to her village’s god, Kippuuson-no-Mikoto, but she’s not ready to die! Can Ozuno, a monk with the special ability to speak one-on-one with the gods, save her life?
7. If I Can’t Have Cats, I’ll Settle For A Dog
This is a book that’s been on my periphery for a while now. Nothing too stand out but I like the choice of perspective being that of a dog. With all the post-apocalyptic manga coming out right now, this is the kind of hook I need to give it a shot. Also the comedic potential is out of this world.
Continued belowDoomsday with My Dog, Vol. 3
Written and Illustrated by Yu Ishihara
Published by Yen Press
The world is more interesting from the point of view of a dog. The third installment of the leisurely life at the end of the world with Haru the shiba inu and his odd master.
6. Spooky Season Comes Early
Finally! A horror comic. I’ve missed seeing those. Or is this merely a supernatural shojo series? You know what? That’d be just as good. Give me the spooky!
Dark Gathering, Vol. 2
Written and Illustrated by Kenichi Kondo
Published by Viz Media LLC
Hunting ghosts with Yayoi might give Keitaro a chance to lift the curse afflicting both him and his childhood friend Eiko, but is he willing to dive back into the world of the supernatural to do it? Of course, that question might not even matter when a cursed video causes his chance at a peaceful university orientation to go up in flames!
5. Nyeheheheheh
Speaking of spooky, Junji Ito’s back with another anthology, this time all centered around the titular gremlin child Soichi. He looks like a riot. An absolute nightmare child. I love it.
Soichi
Written and Illustrated by Junji Ito
Published by Viz Media LLC
Soichi, the unhinged second son of the Tsujii family, chews nails and makes them clatter and clack as he spouts horrific curses to bring about the most bizarre happenings. Whether it’s summer holidays or a birthday party, Soichi can turn any occasion into a nightmare in a heartbeat. What is the terrible secret of his origin? Meanwhile, tormented by his little brother’s never-ending pranks, older brother Koichi has a soundproof room built. But why does it have a series of four doors? And then there’s the strange phenomenon surrounding the handmade casket their grandfather left behind. What on earth-or hell-has the family seen there?Ten tales that celebrate the sinister and hilarious world of Junji Ito’s favorite antihero, Soichi!
For older teen audiences.
4. Harem Comedy Done…Right?
Lesbian harem comedy! I cannot believe I’m putting a harem manga on this list, or at least what seems to be one, but here we are. “I Don’t Know Which is Love” sounds like it’s really going to lean into the romance aspect more than the wish fulfillment aspect, which is what I like out of a romantic comedy. I’m willing to see where this goes and hopefully it won’t go all “Love Hina” on us.
Plus, the cover is very clever, already gives Mei a lot of character and it’s gay. +5 manga points.
I Don’t Know Which is Love, Vol. 1
Written and Illustrated by Oku Tamamushi
Published by Yen Press
With high school graduation approaching, Mei Soraike tries to confess her love to her best friend for whom she had long harbored a secret crush…only for her hopes to be crushed. But a little heartbreak is fine-because she’ll absolutely, definitely, without a doubt get a girlfriend in college! And no sooner does Mei set her resolve than potential prospects start sidling up to her one by one…?!
3. WATCH THIS SHIT NOW
The “Oshi no Ko” anime is SO GOOD y’all. I liked the first volume of the manga but hoooooooo boy is the anime taking it all to another level. Still, the manga is no slouch and you should definitely get on this hype train as it’s leaving the station and before it does a triple-axel summersault over a ravine filled with idol lights.
Oshi No Ko, Vol. 3
Written by Aka Akasaka
Illustrated by Mengo Yokoyari
Published by Yen Press
Now attending in a high school with a program for aspiring performers, Ruby sees her classmates already nabbing roles and starts to feel the pressure: It’s time to start her idol career! Meanwhile, Aqua lands a spot in a reality show. What does it mean to be “real” in the entertainment world, where lies are like weapons?
2. Where’s Blessed Destiny and Celestial Dream though?
I’ve been banging the drum for this series Continued below
>for a while now and it seems like it’s finally getting some traction thanks to the gorgeous looking anime adaptation (on Disney+ no less!) The mysteries are only getting more mysterious and the drama more dramatic. Is that a bad description? Yes! Do I care? No! Go read this book.
Heavenly Delusion, Vol. 6
Written and Illustrated by Masakazu Ishiguro
Published by Denpa Books
Kiriko has finally found Robin. But the reunion is not all smiles. Actually it is nothing but trauma as the two realize that this is a relationship shared between three people and one of them has no current say in this reunion.
1. Getting European on Us
If I was so effusive about #2 and #3, why is “Witch of Thistle Castle” #1? The cover.
You think I’m joking but no, I seriously love this cover so much I had to put this at number one. The composition is striking, the colors are painterly and the linework is thin and detailed, like Kamome Shirahama of “Witch Hat Atelier” or Kosuke Satake’s “The Witch and the Beast.” (Detecting a pattern yet?) Add in the ostracization angle and the unwilling parent angle, and you’ve got me sold. Hopefully it has the character chops to really sell this because if that’s not present, then no amount of plot intrigue will be able to redeem it.
Witch of Thistle Castle, Vol. 1
Written and Illustrated by John Tarachine
Published by Titan Comics
A JAPANESE SPIN ON HARRY POTTER AND CHARMED!
A HEARTFELT MANGA ABOUT A WITCH AND HER APPRENTICEThe last in a long line of Witches of the Black Wood, Marie Blackwood lives a quiet life in Edinburgh – away from the scrutiny of the Church. But when the Church thrusts 13-year-old Theo into her hands for safekeeping, Marie suddenly gains the responsibility not just of taking care of a teenager – but protecting the world, and Theo himself, from the amazing power that lives inside of him.
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Anything I missed? What are YOU looking forward to? Let me know in the comments!
