Welcome back, manga fans! Can you believe we’re looking at books for the end of the year already? Big thanks to Rowan for filling in for me last month. Sometimes you just need a vacation from sifting through the 10,000 light novel adaptations about getting reincarnated in another world as either protag-kun or villainess-chan.
11. Sigh.
“Seven Deadly Sins” is the mid-est shonen manga I have ever read. It is 50 pretty good chapters, then 50 pretty OK chapters, and then nearly 200 chapters of absolutely nothing. Apparently the anime’s even worse.
Yet people love it and I read 250 of those chapters. Between this and formerly keeping up monthly with “Attack on Titan,” it seems I am a literary masochist. So here’s to 13 omnibus volumes straight from the giant pig house’s mouth in honor(?) of the new anime film and the sequel series.
…Wait? SEQUEL SERIES?!!!
The Seven Deadly Sins Omnibus, Vol. 13
Written and Illustrated by Nakaba Suzuki
Published by Kodansha Comics
The Grizzly Sin, King, is alive! Unfortunately, King not only refuses to help Meliodas, he declares Ban as his mortal enemy for having attained eternal life at the cost of the life of his sister Elaine. During a gripping confrontation between King and Ban, the fearsomely skilled Holy Knight Gila comes bearing startling disaster and devastation! This book includes Volumes 37-39 in a special, large size.
10. Soulmate at the Beer Pong Table
As with so many shojo series, it’s hard to get a grasp on whether or not it’ll be good from description alone. But I trust “Waiting for Spring” creator Anashin and I love how effortlessly cool Iori seems on the cover. At least I assume that’s Iori. Maybe it’s Yuuki? Whatever. I wanna see where this series leads. Will these two be the soulmates in question?
How I Met My Soulmate, Vol. 1
Written and Illustrated by Anashin
Published by Kodansha Comics
From the creator of “Waiting for Spring” comes a new college romance that meditates on just what destiny means, and whether “the one” is really out there. Yuuki is a 20-year-old college sophomore who has wished for one thing since moving to Tokyo: to find her soulmate. Growing a bit desperate after a long drought, she goes along with a friend to a club for the first time. Her friend thrives, but it’s chaotic and loud… just not Yuuki’s scene. Just when Yuuki begins to despair that she’ll ever find a real, adult relationship, she meets Iori, a man with bleached hair and a slightly scary demeanor… but first impressions don’t always tell the whole story. Could destiny still have more cards to play?
9. Three’s Company
Hell. Yeah. Poly rep that’s NOT just a reskinned harem manga. It seems like it’s a semi-slice-of-life series complete with cooking AND steamy, steamy intimacy? The platonic ideal of a series about adults in a relationship.
We Started a Threesome, Vol. 1
Written and Illustrated by Katsu Aki
Published by Seven Seas Entertainment
A sweet and sexy tale about the polyamorous marriage of a woman and two men by the creator of Futari H (Manga Sutra)! Ria, Suisei, and Emito are childhood friends who fell in love with each other. Now they share a home as a married throuple! In the morning Ria and Suisei commute to work, and at night Emito cooks delicious meals he hopes they’ll enjoy. Follow their daily lives as they face challenges, celebrate victories, and indulge in the more intimate side of marriage together.
8. The Secret is Nutmeg
I always try to highlight at least one single volume series since they have more trouble selling and it’s the only opportunity I’ll get. “Yona of the Dawn” will come back but “The Secret of Friendship” may not. And that’d be a shame because romantic dramas are wonderful. You don’t see many where the central conflict is around the close friendship of these two girls and how it frays because of this strength.
Continued belowThe Secret of Friendship
Written by Kazune Kawahara
Illustrated by Aiji Yamakawa
Published by Seven Seas Entertainment
A self-contained shojo drama of romance and friendship written by the author of the hit manga series High School Debut. Eiko and her best friend Moe couldn’t be more different. While Eiko is a shy, average-looking girl, Moe is beautiful and constantly gets attention from guys. Though their personalities are total opposites, the bond between them is incredibly strong. Moe might have an endless supply of suitors, but when it comes to actually dating them, she has a condition: her boyfriend must value Eiko more than he does Moe. No one has yet been able to meet her condition-not until a boy named Tsuchida appears, at least. What will Eiko do when her relationship with her best friend begins to change?
7. I Just Like the Lipstick, OK?
Honestly, that’s the main reason I picked “In the Clear Moonlit Dusk.” I’ve yet to read it, and it’s won a few awards, and got a glowing rec from Carrie over at WWAC, but the cover is enough. I think I have a type…
Wreck me with your relationship drama Yamamori! I’m ready.
In the Clear Moonlit Dusk, Vol. 6
Written and Illustrated by Mika Yamamori
Published by Kodansha Comics
Though the trial period is over, Yoi and Ichimura-sempai realize that navigating their new relationship will be no easy task. Their friend trip to Kobe reveals they still have a lot of work to do when it comes to being able to voice their own desires while being understanding of their partner’s. Meanwhile, Yoi’s fellow part-timer Ohji has something on his mind that he may not be able to hold in much longer.
6. ROCK ON
What a wacky series this one is. I love it. Psychic gangsters folks! I’ve sung “Hinamatsuri’s” praises before and this is the last time I’ll do so. Goodbye “Hinamatsuri.” We’ll miss ya.
Hinamatsuri, Vol. 19
Written and Illustrated by Masao Ohtake
Published by One Peace Books
At last, the long-awaited conclusion to the yakuza-meets-psychokinetic-girl urban life comedy is here! The stage is set. All that’s left is to let Rockllusion loose and change the future. Teenage CEO Hitomi Mishima is ready to wow the planet with her carefully orchestrated music festival, where Hina, Anzu, and Mao will pour their souls into what’s certain to be a once-in-a-lifetime performance. Enjoy the last laughs with all your favorite characters, along with a bevy of special treats-including additional art, character bios, a special epilogue, and exclusive author commentary-all right here in Volume 19 of Hinamatsuri.
5. Dreamin!
I cannot fucking believe we live in a world where there is a good live action “One Piece” show (covered for us by the illustrious Robbie.) Let’s celebrate this once in a lifetime fluke by highlighting the 33rd budget collection of the manga. Seriously, it’s like $15. That’s an amazing deal for the lead up to volume 100.
One Piece 3-in-1, Vol. 33
Written and Illustrated by Eiichiro Oda
Published by Viz LLC
Luffy and crew regroup on the Sunny, their trusty vessel, to continue the battle against fearsome Emperor Kaido. But when their backup doesn’t show, they have to go it alone against the pirate known as “the strongest creature alive.” Things look up when they’re joined by some unexpected allies in the land of Wano, but it turns out the enemy also has some surprising (and terrifying) friends!
4. I Have Already Made This Joke. NANI?!
There is a horse. On the cover of the latest “Fist of the North Star” hardcover. Please bask in its glory.
Fist of the Northstar, Vol. 11
Written by Buronson
Illustrated by Tetsuo Hara
Published by Viz LLC
Years after the fall of Raoh, Kenshiro has disappeared, and Rin and Bat have grown to young adulthood. Attempting to honor Ken’s legacy, they wander the wasteland defending the defenseless. Kenshiro himself now seeks only peace, hiding himself away in an isolated settlement. Tormented by the memories of those he has lost, he tries to give up the way of the fist. But the forces of chaos are always on the horizon, and Kenshiro will have to once again embrace his fate as the successor of Hokuto Shinken…
3. Go Watch Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju and then Undead Murder Farce too
I think I can drop highlighting this to every other release now. You all know you should be reading this. You all know how great it is. We’re in a non-battle battle manga renaissance right now and “Akane-Banshi” is leading the charge.
Continued belowAkane-banshi, Vol. 3
Written by Yuki Suenaga
Illustrated by Takamase Moue
Published by Viz LLC
The student rakugo competition known as the Karaku Cup is about to begin. Akane immediately draws the attention of the crowd with her connection to the Arakawa school’s rising star Kaisei Arakawa, Issho Arakawa’s apprentice, and her own amazing rakugo skills. With her ani-san Koguma’s advice in her back pocket, she figures out the key to winning the competition with “Jugemu,” a rakugo story famous for its long, repetitive tongue twister. But she’ll have to deal with impressive rivals with unique styles of their own… Will she be able to overcome this battle of wills, wits, and dreams?
2. The Gang’s Real Bad At Keeping Secrets
I know some people don’t like how Denji isn’t the main protagonist anymore. Those people are wrong. Fight me.
This would have been #1 normally but the cover to our actual #1 was too good not to have as the featured image. Also, as you’ll see, it’s exactly up my alley.
Chainsaw Man, Vol. 13
Written and Illustrated by Tatsuki Fujimoto
Published by Viz LLC
Denji is desperate to tell the world that he’s Chainsaw Man, but is he competent enough to pull off a proper reveal? Meanwhile, Asa has made a friend! But this new friendship may be hiding a dark secret.
1. Arakawa’s Done It Again
God I love Arakawa’s character designs. Instantly recognizable, full of life, and descriptive without a single word. I would read a phone book illustrated by her, which is sometimes what “Arslan” felt like. Read on you funky phantoms.
Daemons of the Shadow Realm, Vol. 3
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… Ancient Daemons awaken to fight a new battle in an age-old war! To get some answers, Yuru warily accepts an invitation from the Kagemoris, the very people who assaulted his village. This soon turns into an uneasy alliance when an ambush threatens everyone’s safety.
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Anything I missed? What are YOU looking forward to? Let me know in the comments!
