Welcome back, manga fans! We’re back for another month of dungeon crawling through the Diamond catalog to find the gems of the manga world to highlight. Well, sometimes they’re gems. Other times they’re fools gold. And sometimes they’re just a shiny rock that I think is cool. You can’t judge me.
11. Rolling a 1 on Shonen Picks
Back when “Mitama Security: Spirit Busters,” one of my all-time favorite, sadly (though maybe not unjustly) canceled Jump manga was gracing the pages of the magazine, a little series called “Undead Unluck” dropped. I checked it out and found myself so put off by the opening chapter, I wrote the whole thing off as trash that would be canned within six months or live on through some dark pact like “We Never Learn.”
You’ll be shocked – shocked – to learn neither is the case and, apparently, this series drop-kicks the worst parts of its first volume into the sun so that it can kick all kinds of ass. Oh, and it has gotten a drop-dead gorgeous adaptation from David Productions that’s died on the Disney+/Hulu vine. I have received multiple recommendations from friends I trust about the series.
*Sigh*
So, with much trepidation, I am putting “Undead Unluck” as my bonus pick of the month. Maybe if I psyched myself up to push through those opening chapters it would be on the list proper. Learn from my mistakes folks! First chapters do not a series make. Just ask “Noragami.” The opening one-shot is HOT garbage.
Undead Unluck, Vol. 16
Written and Illustrated by Yoshifumi Tozuka
Published by Viz Media, LLC
Fuuko tackles her first task in the new loop-preventing the activation of Unknown and thus saving Akira Kuno from tragedy. Her next goal is to save Gina from falling victim to the same fate that led to her demise in the previous loop. Realizing she’ll need help and manpower to prevent everyone from their destinies, Fuuko pays a visit to Nico to enlist his aid in building a stronger, better Union. But first, she’ll have to convince him that she’s not off her rocker.
10. The End of the Journey
And with volume 7, “JK Haru” comes to an end. As I said last time I recommended a volume, I love the covers to this series, I love the approach the story takes to its genre and I love how it is not a deconstruction but rather an exploration of the horrific implications the genre’s power fantasy has for everyone, but especially women, not named Kirito. I’m sad that the 18+ nature makes it a harder sell for libraries and a wider release, but without it, I don’t think it would hit as hard.
Here’s to you JK Haru.
JK Haru is a Sex Worker in Another World, Vol. 7
Written by Ko Hiratori
Illustrated by J-Ta Hamada
Published by Ghost Ship
Haru Koyama was an ordinary student until her moron classmate got them both in a terrible accident. Now Haru has been transported to another world where only men are allowed to be adventurers. Determined to make the most of it, she takes a job in the Blue Cat Nocturne brothel to make a living the only way she knows how. No cheat abilities, no powers, just her quick wits and naughty bits!
9. Your New Obsession
On the strength of the premise, I reccomended volume 1 last year. Now I want to double down on that recommendation because “The Summer Hikaru Died” is a fantastic sci-fi supernatural blend that runs deep with dread. I mean, the stark, empty orange of the cover alone should tell you that.
Continued belowThe Summer Hikaru Died, Vol. 4
Written and Illustrated by Mokumokuren
Published by Yen Press
Two boys grew up together in a certain village-Yoshiki and Hikaru. One day, Yoshiki became sure that Hikaru was no longer himself. He resolved to accept the new “Hikaru,” whatever happened to his friend. But now he’s decided to research the history of “Nounuki-sama” and Kubitachi to understand what this creature truly is. The situation evolves unpredictably, outside the boys’ control. Who will make the next move, and what will they find?
8. Call Me, Cthonic
It’s Gou Tanabe adapting another Lovecraft story. What’s not to love?
HP Lovecraft’s Call of Cthulhu
Written and Illustrated by Gou Tanabe
Published by Dark Horse Comics
H.P. Lovecraft’s most famous horror story, rendered in chilling detail by modern manga horror master Gou Tanabe! What links together two bands of worshippers, one deep in the Arctic snows, one hidden in the bayous of Louisiana, is more than their shared practice of blood sacrifice. It is the inhuman phrase they both chant: Ph’nglui mglw’nafh Cthulhu R’lyeh wgah’nagl fhtagn-“In his house at R’lyeh dead Cthulhu waits dreaming.” Now these nightmares will disturb the sanity of Francis Thurston, a young man pursuing an investigation into the cult of Cthulhu that leads to the most forsaken spot in the vast Pacific…and to Earth’s supreme terror, the risen corpse-city of R’lyeh. The complete graphic novel in one volume, faithfully reproducing the original Japanese release, featuring a title page in silver ink, eight pages in full color, and eerie metallic copper tones and spot color on the cover.
7. The Boys Are Back On the Court
“Haikyu” is a manga sensation that doesn’t get nearly enough credit for being as much of a stalwart as it is. If you haven’t read it yet, do yourself a favor and pick up this wonderfully affordable 3-in-1 volume to see beautiful boys playing beautiful, intense sports.
Haikyu 3-in-1, Vol. 1
Written and Illustrated by Haruichi Furudate
Published by Viz Media, LLC
Ever since he saw the legendary player known as “the Little Giant” compete at the national volleyball finals, Shoyo Hinata has been aiming to be the best volleyball player ever! Who says you need to be tall to play volleyball when you can jump higher than anyone else?
6. TekonConcret
Another recommendation on the strength of its author, and it’s nature as a reprint more than a decade after originally debuting in the states nearly a decade after its original publication. Matsumoto’s work is always worth a look and this short manga is particularly lauded. It’s also exactly my kind of weird jam so…
Gogo Monster
Written and Illustrated by Taiyo Matsumoto
Published by Viz Media, LLC
Third grader Yuki Tachibana lives in two worlds. In one, he is a loner ridiculed by his classmates and reprimanded by his teachers for telling stories of supernatural beings that only he can see. In the other, those supernatural beings vie for power with malevolent spirits who bring chaos into the school, the students’ lives, and nature itself.
5. Modern Teen Drama
Y’all. Makoto Yukimura shouted this manga out. That’s high praise. I don’t need to do much more of a hard sell but I will. Beyond the wonderfully soft & delicate art style, “My Girlfriend’s Child” approached its subject matter with care and thought, presenting you with a unique drama in a genre saturated with fluff and recycled premises. These are the kinds of works one hopes to see more of and I cannot wait to read it, even if I know I will be full of dread throughout.
My Girlfriend’s Child, Vol. 5
Written and Illustrated by Mamoru Aoi
Published by Seven Seas Entertainment
Sachi knew pregnancy wasn’t going to be easy, but she never knew it would be quite this hard. Not only does she still feel physically unwell, but her frustration over her lack of freedom won’t stop eating away at her. All those anxieties finally come to a head in an explosive argument with Takara that throws the future of their relationship into jeopardy. Later, things become even more complicated when a rumor about her pregnancy starts to spread like wildfire around her school. Will Sachi be able to stay and graduate alongside all her friends? Or will all the gossip force her to give up on her dream?
4. Gender Schmender
Non-fiction is stuck with “what, or what we think, is.” One of the great strengths of fiction is its ability to reframe an author’s anxieties, questions, desires and explore societal tensions via “what ifs.” What if…we didn’t assign genders at birth? What if…we had full bodily autonomy over our gender presentation? What questions remain and what questions would be different as those kids come of age into adulthood? I’m keen to see where this series goes, even if it seems to be held back from a true exploration of gender via a “picking between two” framework.
Continued belowJust Like Mona Lisa, Vol. 1
Written and Illustrated by Tsumuji Yoshimura
Published by Square Enix Manga
In this world, people are born without a gender. Then, children’s bodies shift toward their desired gender when they reach twelve years old. Until Hinase’s eighteenth spring, they lived content without a gender. But bubbly girl Ritsu and thoughtful boy Shiori both confess their feelings on the same day! Romance was never on Hinase’s mind, so how can they respond? Hinase must explore their identity as they arrive at the cusp of adulthood. Who will they choose, and who will they become?
3. Respect the Classics
The next volume in the Tsuge Yoshiharu collection is coming out and I cannot wait to dig in. This, after “Nejishiki,” is his most well-known story, I believe both in Japan and America. Certainly one of the few to make it here before this comprehensive, chronological collection of his early works.
Oba Electroplating Factory
Written and Illustrated by Yoshiharu Tsuge
Published by Drawn & Quarterly
Oba Electroplating Factory is a startlingly bleak but nonetheless captivating portrait of mid-century Japan in its most unglamorous iteration. Glimpses of the artist reflecting upon his life, his work, and his contemporaries pepper the narrative landscape: Tsuge’s stories are studies in staging nature, working to evoke stillness and movement in such a way that renders his chosen setting a character all on its own.
2. More Arakawa! MORE!
I don’t care that this series comes out at a snail’s pace. I will continue to follow the exploits of not-Edward Elric as he fights his royal power struggle in the not-Persian Empire. Arakawa could illustrate someone watching grass grow and I would read it. In fact, I think she did a chapter like that in “Silver Spoon.”
The Heroic Legend of Arslan, Vol. 19
Written by Yoshiki Tanaka & Hiromu Arakawa
Illustrated by Hiromu Arakawa
Published by Kodansha Comics
Crown Prince Arslan has bided his time in the southern port city of Gilan long enough: with Hilmes’s betrayal leaving the Lusitanian forces in shambles, the time to retake the fallen capital is nigh. But as Arslan and his allies undertake their final preparations to free their country and their people from the invaders, Hilmes and King Andragoras each make their own moves to secure power over Pars for themselves.
1. A Fork in the Publication Schedule
I’m under no illusion this will come out on time, as Denpa has an unfortunate reputation of slippage in their solicited dates. Still, I want to highlight as many of their titles as they can since they always get such good, weird, and unique licenses. It’s a one-person anthology, full of literary, short, one-shots that seem to focus on ephemeral and fleeting moments between people. The perfect book to read after a long day, or on a nice sunny weekend.
Holiday Junction
Written and Illustrated by Keigo Shinzo
Published by Denpa Books
Holiday Junction is a collection of shorts that are timeless as most memories are. The tales are also as fleeting as a weekend or a vacation. Whether recalling a reunion with an old friend or following along with a first date, the scenes in this anthology reveal the sensitive moments people share when their time is spent together.
—
Anything I missed? What are YOU looking forward to? Let me know in the comments!