Welcome back, manga fans! Usually I use this space to gripe about the list making process. It’s a nice release valve for the often tedious and difficult journey to making the column. Today though, I wanted to shout out the good folks at Glacier Bay Books because they put out wonderful, weird titles that aren’t in Diamond. “Give Her Back to Me” looks particularly spooky.
OK. On with the list!
10. From Arakko to Zalem
I very nearly populated a bonus section of this list with 5 titles that all gave me the same reaction of: I cannot BELIEVE this series is still ongoing. In the case of “Battle Angel Alita,” it was more: I cannot believe how long it takes for volumes of “Mars Chronicles” to come out. It feels like it’s forever between releases.
For context, the original series, which this is the third (and final) act of, came out in the 1990. The answers being doled out here are decades in the making. For those patient enough to have stayed with the series, a new volume is something to celebrate. For those waiting for the whole thing to be over to read it, I’ll see you in another ten years.
Maybe by then “One Piece” will also be done.
Battle Angel Alita: Mars Chronicle, Vol. 9
Written and Illustrated by Yukito Kishiro
Published by Kodansha Comics
The cyber-martial arts saga that has spanned a solar system and over two decades in print returns, with creator Yukito Kishiro’s new sequel that reveals the true story of Alita’s childhood on Mars, and the mind-bending adventures that still await her. Freed from the Fardarrig military, the Dejah Thoris can only enjoy a momentary peace before another dangerous foe descends upon Keun and the residents. The enemy’s name is Gyapollo, and he’s taken Yoko hostage and spirited her away! On top of that, he seems to have an enduring grudge against Keun, but why…?
9. Laundering Love
You’ve seen this set-up a million times in different settings. Boy goes to the country, meets hot stranger/old childhood friend/classmate, flusters about only to find out hot strange/friend/classmate also finds him attractive. Hilarity and/or tears ensure. It’s a tried and true formula and damn if it’s not effective. I like the laundromat as a setting and I think the idea that the new guy is a disruptive force Akira’s life. Not unwelcomed but not what was expected either. And that’s what I get the feeling “Minato’s Laundromat” will be like.
Although, if Everything, Everywhere All At Once taught me anything, it’s that the most dramatic life events happen at laundromats.
Minato’s Laundromat, Vol. 1
Written and Illustrated by Tsubaki Yuzu
Published by Yen Press
Akira Minato inherits an old, rundown laundromat from his grandfather, and takes the opportunity to quit his corporate job. Instead of the laidback life he was expecting, his days are spent in a flustered panic when high school hottie, Shintaro Katsuki, ambles into his life…
8. Arakawa Can Do No Wrong
Literally the only reason this isn’t higher is because I’ve yet to read volume one.
Daemons of the Shadow Realm, Vol. 2
Written and Illustrated by Hiromu Arakawa
Published by Square Enix Manga
In a world where certain humans command mighty supernatural duos called Daemons, it is the birthright of “the children who sunder day and night”-twins Yuru and Asa-to rule over these powerful entities. Separated from a young age and unaware of the truth of their birth, brother and sister must fight to make their way back to each other, claim their birthright, and save the world. Yuru’s quiet life comes to a sudden, bewildering end when his mountain home is attacked…by none other than his twin sister Asa! Forced to assume the role of Daemon Wielder, Yuru manages to escape with the help of his new allies. But while they seek to keep him hidden, Yuru seeks answers, a search that puts him on a collision course with Asa and her mysterious co-conspirators, the Kagemori clan.
7. This One’s NOT Plagiarized
Throw back to one of CLAMP’s most popular and enduring (and actually completed) works with a nice new fancy edition. I’ve wanted to read this one for a while so I’m glad it’s coming back to print. Shame about that anime though.
Continued belowClamp Premium Collection: Tokyo Babylon, Vol. 1
Written and Illustrated by CLAMP
Published by Yen Press
Subaru Sumeragi is the thirteenth head of his clan and a powerful onmyouji. With the help of his twin sister Hokuto and the veterinarian Seishiro, he solves supernatural troubles in Tokyo and helps whomever he can. However, not all onmyouji are so kind-there are some who use their power to kill, and unbeknownst to Subaru, he has a history with one such assassin…
6. Fish People Never Looked So Leathery
Gou Tanabe has basically made a career at this point of turning out deeply troubling, faithful adaptations of Lovecraft’s stories. Absolutely soaking in ink and detail with a digital painter look, these works are a must read for horror fans, even if they can get inscrutable thanks to the heavy use of shadows and are, you know, based on the works of noted racist and anti-semite H.P. Lovecraft. But he’s dead and buried and sees no money from this so support Tanabe’s weird fish-people drawings.
Best part is, you may be able to read it day and date digitally if your library has Hoopla. The service just added the entirety (or at least a very sizable chunk) of Dark Horse, Denpa, and Tokyopop’s manga collection. Free! With your library card! What could be better than that?
H.P. Lovecraft’s The Shadow Over Innsmouth
Written and Illustrated by Gou Tanabe
Published by Dark Horse
A new manga adaptation of the only H.P. Lovecraft story published as a book during his lifetime, by modern horror master Gou Tanabe! In the winter of 1927-28, the isolated coastal settlement of Innsmouth, Massachusetts was assaulted by U.S. government agents, its waterfront burned and dynamited, its people taken away to internment camps. Yet that was neither the beginning nor the end of the horror uncovered by a young antiquarian who traveled to Innsmouth in search of rumors from the town’s dead past, only to find them still very much alive… and find truths lying under water deeper and colder than any earthly grave! This book includes a tip-in title page in silver ink and 12 pages in full color!
5. See yourself and Be Seen
Social anxiety is a real beast, whatever degree of it you have. It’s always there, always looming, waiting to smack you upside the head and send you into a yarn dimension. What’s great about “Bocchi” though is not that she has awful social anxiety but that, were it not for this, she would be a deeply insufferable ego-maniac. Or perhaps both are functions of her overactive imagination. Regardless, that tension is hilarious! Especially when it’s tempered by the more positive aspects of Bocchi’s personality and the wacky, zany, and caring crew that crops up around her.
Bocchi the Rock!, Vol. 1
Written and Illustrated by Aki Hamazi
Published by Yen Pres
Bocchi finally takes the stage in English, and she’s brought her best friend-crippling anxiety! Hitori Goto just wants to make friends, but the thought of approaching a stranger on her own makes her so nervous that she’s spent the entirety of middle school teaching herself how to shred on the guitar-to moderately successful (albeit anonymous) YouTube fame-in the hopes of seeming cool enough for someone else to reach out to her instead. After bringing her guitar to school provokes zero interest, Hitori’s just about ready to shrivel up and die…which is when Nijika Ijichi comes across her moping in a playground and begs her to fill in for her band’s flakey guitarist for their first-ever live performance! It’s like her wish came true-but does this most antisocial of introverts have what it takes to perform in front of real people?!
4. Dial D-R-A-C for Dracula
This is getting a hardcover initial release apparently. That’s fucking wild, folks! Viz must really believe in this book. I would too if I could pump out Yoshitakai Amano-esque drawings on a 24-page a month basis. And what better place to apply that fine-lined approach than in an adaptation of a gothic novel with sexy, sexy vampires.
Continued below#DRCL: Midnight Children, Vol. 1
Written and Illustrated by Shin’ichi Sakamoto
Published by Viz Media, LLC
The work of the devil dashes Russian cargo ship the Demeter upon the cliffs of Whitby Harbor, unleashing a demonic plague onto the unsuspecting students of Whitby School. Meanwhile, Mina struggles to find her place as the only girl at the male-dominated academy. She will have to prove herself when this unspeakable evil lays claim to her beloved companion Lucy Westerna.
3. When Have I Not
At the top of the year, I wasn’t sure as to what would be in volume 14 or if it would even happen. I’m happy to say it’s a collection of the final set of materials drawn by Miura himself as well as the official guidebook, which will look so good in this oversized format. I’m excited to not only read this but also the continuation by Studio Gaga once those volumes start coming out.
Anyone think we’ll get the novel in one of these in the future?
Berserk Deluxe Edition, Vol. 14
Written and Illustrated by Kentaro Miura
Published by Dark Horse
The death of Berserk creator Kentaro Miura saddened the worlds of manga and anime, but his greatest creation lives on. Berserk Deluxe Edition Volume 14 collects the master’s final chapters of Berserk plus the Berserk Official Guidebook, the ultimate resource to Miura’s manga masterpiece. Deep within the nightmare realm of Casca’s dreams, Schierke and Farnese battle endless horrors to reach the dark secret that has imprisoned Casca’s mind since the shattering events of the Invocation of Doom. But if they are successful and Casca reclaims her sanity, will she be able to face Guts the Black Swordsman and the harrowing memories of her gruesome ideal he is sure to trigger? Collects Berserk Volumes 40, 41, and Berserk Official Guidebook.
2. The Walls Are Closing In
I’ve said so much about this series already. It’s one of my current favorites. I sing its praises every chance I get. Go read it. And then, if you’re like me, go read “Mangasplaining’s” interview with Jun Mayuzuki and learn about her process. Then subscribe to “Mangasplaining” because they’re pros and rad.
Kowloon Generic Romance, Vol. 5
Written and Illustrated by Jun Mayuzuki
Published by Yen Press
What happened to Kujirai B after Kudou fell for her? Miyuki and Gwen continue their investigation, while Kudou delivers some ominous words. Is the reality unfolding before Kujirai A’s eyes really true?
1. How Could I Not?
Second verse, same as the first six times.
A Man and His Cat, Vol. 9
Written and Illustrated by Umi Sakurai
Published by Square Enix Manga
Told through the eyes of both the man and his cat, this sweet and hilarious story is a balm for the soul! The fur flies when Mr. Kanda’s surly son, Hoshinari, turns up, only to add to the ever-growing crowd at the house! More laps to sit on and more hands to be pet with ought to have Fukumaru jumping for joy. But the kittens have everyone smitten, and no one seems to have time for the resident kitty! Will Fukumaru manage to claw back his place in his daddy’s heart and home before despair sets in and another dreaded trip to the vet arrives?
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Anything I missed? What are YOU looking forward to? Let me know in the comments!
