Welcome back, manga fans! So. . .confession time. I gotta offer a mea culpa from last month. You know how I said this?
Also, for those wondering, no, I did not only pick volumes ones on purpose; I did it because there wasn’t a single non-new series in previews.
Turns out, when Previews World says “New Series Only” they mean volume 1’s only, and not all new books. Look, the site is hot garbage and I would like to not have to wade through a sea of reprints to find out which books are actually new, and not just the first volumes, but if I must suffer for my art, then so be it. Sorry about last month folks, I promise to have a more balanced catalog this time. Only nine vol. 1’s.
10. Lech in SPAAAACCCCEEEEE
Honestly, were I not deeply intrigued by everything about this single volume manga, I would have dropped it in favor of my #11 pick (culling those last 5 were difficult y’all.) I dunno if I want to read another story with the line “the human race won’t repopulate itself, after all” and the promise of our main character “sleeping with as many alien girls as possible” but sci-fi is my jam, strange sci-fi even more my jam and the art style looks fun and different. Plus it’s only one volume and the description reads tongue and cheek enough that while Bub may set out to do that, I have a feeling he won’t be having many children by story’s end.
Let’s hope not at least.
How Many Light Years to Babylon?
Written and Illustrated by Douman Seiman
Published by Seven Seas Entertainment LLC
The self-contained manga by fan-favorite creator Douman Seiman (The Voynich Hotel)! Follow the tale of an Earthling determined to find out why his home planet was destroyed… while sleeping with as many alien girls as possible. “Bub” is the last human in the whole galaxy, and he doesn’t even know how it happened. After being found in a space capsule, he discovers that Earth was destroyed and that everyone he ever knew is dead. Now, as he travels around the galaxy with his scavenger friends, he’s trying to figure out his past, what happened to Earth, and how to best pick up alien chicks (the human race won’t repopulate itself, after all).
9. Wholesome Cultural Exchange
When I read manga, 90% of the non-native Japanese characters featured are either half-Japanese or White European/Americans. I felt it important to highlight this comic because 1) it looks wholesome and fun and 2) this comic features a Muslim Saudi Arabian woman, bringing in a religion that often has had a fraught relationship with regards to its portrayal and usage of cultural elements in Japanese (and American and European) media. All media should strive to portray the world in all its complexity, from serious dramas to light but no less impactful stories like this one. It’s time to learn and have fun with Satoko and Nada.
Plus, I can’t say no to that cover. Can you?
Satoko & Nada Vol. 4
Written by Yupechika & Marie Nishimori
Illustrated by Yupechika
Published by Seven Seas Entertainment LLC
Satoko, who is Japanese, has a new roommate in America: a Saudi Arabian woman named Nada, who practices Islam and wears a hijab. While under the same roof, Satoko and Nada learn how to live together with very different customs and still have all the fun young women crave! Through mutual respect – and the hilarious adventures of their daily life – Satoko and Nada prove that friendship knows no borders.
8. I’M NOT CRYING YOU’RE CRYING
Familial drama is a potent source of story potential. “I Wish I Could Say ‘Thank You’” looks like it’s going to mine that potential for all it’s worth. I’m ready to cry and be frustrated and angry and then to laugh through sobbing tears along with Yukari. It’s a hard subject, dealing with an ailing parent you weren’t particularly close with, especially if it all ends in tragedy. Does the regret remain? Can she finally say “thank you?”
Continued belowI Wish I Could Say “Thank You”
Written and illustrated by Yukari Takinami
Published by Fanfare Presents Ponent Mon
Yukari had long struggled in a chaotic love-hate relationship with her mother Chieko, so when her mother is diagnosed with advanced stage pancreatic cancer with just months to live, she is faced with a difficult situation. Takinami honestly recounts the turmoil created by this announcement from her sister Nao without ever descending into pathos. At first she thinks of the practical – where should her mother be, who’s going to look after her, how can I with my work and my child? Then slowly she starts to face the fact of losing this energetic woman. After years marked by difficult communication, will they now manage to overcome their conflicts and say what’s truly in their hearts before it’s too late?
7. Rock On
I have yet to read or watch “Given” but that cover is striking enough to draw me in. Love me a good band story and even more so when the bandmates have to deal with love drama between each other. I can’t attest to how gay the series is, or how well it is handled, (BL having a reputation for being for straight female enjoyment rather than gay male enjoyment,) but it is put out by premier BL publisher SuBLime, so I believe it approaches the characters’ sexuality with a modicum of nuance and realism.
Given Vol. 4
Written and illustrated by Natsuki Kizu
Published by Sublime
Sometimes a song can save your life.
Love of music unites the four members of the band Given: hotheaded guitarist Uenoyama, playboy drummer Akihiko, gentle bassist Haruki, and Mafuyu, a singer gifted with great talent and burdened by past tragedy. Their struggles and conflicts may drive them apart, but their bond to the music-and to each other-always brings them back together again.
As the band focuses on preparing for music festival tryouts and creating new songs, Haruki grows more and more intimidated by the talents of younger members Mafuyu and Uenoyama. Worried that he’s holding them back, he accepts his ex-girlfriend’s request to play in her band. Meanwhile, Akihiko realizes that Haruki has fallen in love with him, setting the stage for a major blowup between them. For readers ages 16 and up.
6. Five Fruits and a Pastry
Anthologies are a wonderful way to let artists experiment and can be a place to find talent you’ve never heard of. They can also be a giant mess of too short or too bloated stories that are rushed out. I have a feeling this is the former, considering it’s on its fifth installment and has some big names in the Yuri world. It being 18 and up makes me think things get spicy so be warned there but it could also have that rating because of the (wrong) idea that anything that isn’t straight romance is automatically sexual so. . .
Eclair: Orange – Girls Love Yuri Anthology
Written and Illustrated by ASCII Media Works
Published by Yen Press
Return again to the stories of girls’ hearts with this fifth installment in the éclair series. Continue reading tales from authors like Canno (A Kiss and White Lily for My Dearest Girl) and Nio Nakatani (Bloom into You). For readers ages 18 and up.
5. Devour the Flesh and Be Reborn
“Mermaid Saga” is Takahashi’s weirdest manga, and that’s saying something. Certainly not as well known as “Inuyasha” or “Ranma 1/2,” it has had a couple English releases before but has long been out of print. Now it’s back! I’ve only seen the disastrous OVA so it’ll be cool to see the original source material. Fans of Takahashi’s works should give this a look and even if you’re not, it’s different enough to be worth it. Even her worst stuff is better than half the Isekai out right now *BWAH BWAH BWAAAHHHHHHH*
Continued belowMermaid Saga Collector’s Edition Vol. 1
Written and illustrated by Rumiko Takahashi
Published by Viz Media LLC
Manga legend Rumiko Takahashi’s classic horror series about mermaid flesh and immortality!
They say that if one consumes mermaid flesh, one can attain immortality. Unfortunately, the more likely result includes becoming horribly deformed or turning into a vicious monster! Even if one were to gain eternal life, however, is such an anomaly a lucky blessing or a terrible curse?
Yuta became immortal when he unwittingly ate mermaid’s flesh, and now he seeks a way to become human again. Hundreds of years later, he encounters a volatile and determined young lady named Mana while searching for a mermaid. Could this mysterious woman hold the key to saving Yuta’s humanity?
For readers ages 16 and up.
4. Cover Me Impressed
Spooky inn? Check. Mysterious person with a supernatural lantern? Check. Flat, striking colors that say “you’re in for a world of spoop?” Check.
Alright, I’m sold from the cover alone. Now I just gotta find the last 5 volumes.
Phantom Tales of the Night Vol 6
Written and illustrated by Matsuri
Published by Yen Press
The troubled masses, human or otherwise, are always welcome at Murakumo Inn. Payment is accepted in only one form-your darkest secrets. On this rainy night, Butterfly poaches Spider’s ward, Kyouko…Over the course of this evening’s tale, will Butterfly finally gaze upon Spider’s secret?
For readers ages 16 and up.
3. Adolescence Revealed
I have yet to make it past one volume of any Oshimi work. “Flowers of Evil” so repulsed me I couldn’t do it. But that’s what makes his work so fucking powerful. He gets the tiny ways people make life uncomfortable and dials it up to eleven without ever spilling over into absurdity. Because he gets what makes coming of age so scary, I also think he can handle making it poignant without the purposeful uncomfortability of his other horror works. This seems like everyday fears and I need to know if he pulls it off.
Shino Can’t Say Her Name
Written and illustrated by Shuzo Oshimi
Published by Denpa Books
Coming of age story. A transfer student in high school hopes to change her life in a new setting, trying to overcome the mistakes of her first impression with the new school and students.
2. Cast Your Sword Aside
Speaking of masters of their craft, “Vinland Saga” only comes around once a year, they’re two-in-one volumes in hardcovers, so I will take any opportunity to talk about it (sorry “Kaiji.”) This series is so good, and also so violent. If you do not like bloody, detailed, visceral fighting, this is not the comic for you. The emotional core of the series is strong, if not stronger, than the fight scenes. The world of the vikings was a difficult and harsh one and Yukimura does not shy away from that, but neither does he glorify it. Complex books like these don’t often get wide appeal, especially on a once a year release, so it feels right to highlight it high up here.
Vinland Saga, Vol. 12
Written and illustrated by Makoto Yukimura
Published by Kodansha Comics
One of the greatest European historical epic comics ever written continues.
The Mighty Laid Low
Thanks to his claim by lineage, the attackers surrounding Jomsborg want Thorfinn to be their leader, but it is a mantle he intensely rejects. When the battle for leadership over the powerful Jomsvikings reaches a stalemate, Thorfinn must make a critical decision. With Gudrid held captive within the fortressed city, walking away will not be an option. He must infiltrate Jomsborg to break her out, and the ensuing battle will leave the greatest mercenary force in the North Sea changed forever…
1. Snow Has Never Looked So Good
Look, I promise I didn’t mean to make my top two choices super Eurocentric but “Vinland Saga” is close to my heart and Aki Irie doing what is essentially a Scandinavian crime story has my attention so peaked, the audio needs to be thrown out lest it break your speakers. Did I mix a metaphor? Yes but I am just that excited to see more Aki Irie art that I don’t care. Also, you saw my #1 pick last month. You know what my jam is.
Go With the Clouds North by Northwest
Written and Illustrated by Aki Irie
Published by Vertical Comics
From Aki Irie the creator of Ran and the Gray World.
Kei Miyama lives in Iceland and has 3 secrets. He can talk to cars, his weakness is beautiful girls and his occupation is a detective. .
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Anything I missed? What are YOU looking forward to? Let me know in the comments! It was a tough month so I wanna know which books you think should have made the cut and why. Did I say something stupid about BL books? (Answer: yes, I probably did.) Let me know as well!
