Mangaversity: April 2026

Spring is a season for new growths...and tempestuous weather.

Welcome one, welcome all, to Mangaversity! Join me as I trawl through the month’s manga releases and pick out what’s hot and what’s not. A perennial special thanks to Zack Davisson for pointing out that my initial name was bad and I should feel bad and that Mangaversity is superior.

April showers bring May flowers but what happens when March decided to pretend to be summer and downpour, freeze, melt, and then downpour again? Is that why March is a lion?

I’ve been feeling somewhat melancholy this last month. It probably has a lot to do with the weather. It certainly has a lot to do with watching my country descend ever faster into madness and chaos, led by people with rocks for brains and thorns for hearts, hungry for death and thirsty for blood. The most salient bit of news, for this column at least, is that Seven Seas has been acquired by Media Do. I believe their promise not to use AI about as much as I do the titular scorpion from the fable.

I would wonder if management let their union know about the acquisition but I have a sneaking suspicion they couldn’t give any less of a shit and feel empowered to not give those shits. Anyone seeing the moves Sony’s been making lately? Or the care they’ve been giving to their acquisitions?

Of course, I’m no insider. I doubt I’ll know what happens when with Seven Seas. These things take time to rot. However, when it does, it will be a devastating blow to the manga world in the US. Seven Seas has a wildly eclectic range of titles, from Ghost Ship to Airship, and, in my estimation, helped prove to the other players that hardcovers and omnibuses of older classics was a feasible business model (yeah, yeah, Kodansha was doing it with Vinland Saga and Dark Horse certainly kicked off the deluxe craze with its Berserk re-release.) It’ll be a sad day when the hollowing out begins in earnest.

Here’s to hoping it never comes.

Perennial Favorites:

My love for these titles are very well documented and you will not go wrong reading them, though some titles that get featured here come with more caveats than others (“Berserk,” for instance, gets my full endorsement, but is certainly not for everyone.) Because these articles are already so long, I’m streamlining everything that’s not on the main list.

Why aren’t these on the main list even though I love them? There’s only so much I can say about some of these, especially the shonen titles publishing six times a year. I’d rather highlight some new, interesting, weird, and important titles there.

All that said, if you see a title here, assume it’s worth reading and that you should find a copy now. Right now! Go! I see you dawdling.

Ashita No Joe: Fighting for Tomorrow, Vol. 5
Baki the Grappler Vol. 13 & 14
Daemons of the Shadow Realm, Vol. 10
Dandadan, Vol. 18
A Man and His Cat, Vol. 15
Show-Ha Shoten!, Vol. 10

Deluxe Den:

With the manga explosion that’s occurred in the last few years, there’s been a corresponding increase in deluxe editions of beloved or classic or obscure manga. These books are ones I think are worth a gander but not necessarily a volume that needs a place on the main list. Some of these are personal favorites of mine, others are notable for one reason or another. All are getting the ~deluxe~ treatment.

The Climber, Vol. 5
Gunsmith Cats: Burst Omnibus, Vol. 2
Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin Deluxe 5
Mushishi Collector's Edition, Vol. 2
Oldboy Deluxe Edition: Book Two

Cat Corner:

I see a lot of cat manga when I do this column. It takes every ounce of willpower to not include at least two of these on the list each month. As I put together November’s list, I realized: I can just make a new section and put the titles and covers here. Cat lovers unite!

Cat + Crazy, Volume 3
Cat Companions Maruru and Hachi, Vol. 6
Chi's Sweet France
My New Life as a Cat, Vol. 13

Caught My Eye:

These are the manga that didn’t make the cut for one reason or another that I still wanted to bring to your attention. Usually so I can make some kind of snarky remark or to help me remember to actually read the dang things so I can have an informed opinion.

Astro Royale, Vol. 5
- Not a huge Ken Wakui fan but that cover is very eye-catching.
Bride of Ignat, Volume 1
- The art looks like it’s gonna be gorgeous but I have read so many dull-as-dirt “bride of dragons” stories. Not confident enough this one will be any different.
Gene Bride Vol. 4
- A great sci-fi series that’s definitely got some pacing issues. Maybe I’ll re-evaluate it when I finish volume 3.
Girl Crush, Vol. 6
- I keep promising myself I’ll read this. And then I put other books in front.
Kingdom, Vol. 6
- Same here. I’m just not quite ready for
Marriage Toxin, Vol. 12
- Got an anime on the way! That’s all there is to it.
My Darling Devilish Daughter Vol. 1
- I want to like this set-up, and “from the creator behind Himouto! Umaruchan” gives

Judging by the Cover:

After a good run, I think it’s time to retire my WTF section. It’s basically the same three books (or types of books) each month. So, instead, I’m going to start selecting volumes with excellent and/or baffling covers and putting them here. Will there be snark? Time will tell.

Centaurs Vol. 4
- There’s just something fun about the big, pointy-toothed grin on this centaur.
Dai Dark Vol. 9
- Jack Skelington’s no-good, very bad, horrible day.

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The List:

11. Red, Red Wine

Let the world rejoice, “Red River” is getting an anime adaptation! I am curious to see what changes they’ll make around the steamier aspects as well as the, uh, abundance of dubious consent. They’ll certainly not reach this time Yuri gets kidnapped in Egypt…That happens a lot in this manga. Jeez Ramses.

Red River (3-In-1 Edition), Vol. 7
Written and Illustrated by Chie Shinohara
Published by Viz Media

Yuri and Rusafa are captured by Ramses and the Egyptian forces. While prisoners, they discover that someone in Kail's trusted circle is actually leaking information to the Egyptians. Rusafa attempts to escape and inform Kail, but any warning could be arriving too late.

10. Stay Close to Me

The series that took the anime world by storm last year. A properly spooky, queer, folk horror story that only gets better with each volume. The mystery is deepening as we learn more about “Hikaru” and where he came from as well as how all this is affecting Yoshiki. He’s not doing so hot, my dudes.

The Summer Hikaru Died, Vol. 7
Written and Illustrated by Mokumokuren
Translated by Ajani Oloye
Lettered by Abigail Blackman
Published by Yen Press

Yoshiki and “Hikaru” learn from Tanaka that the only way to stop impurities from flooding the villages is to close the “holes” letting them through. The catch? Holes can only be closed from the other side—and once a living human crosses over, there’s no way back. With that in mind, “Hikaru” makes a daring proposition: seeing as he isn’t human, he can patch the hole and return using his connection with Yoshiki. Meanwhile, Asako and Tanaka try an entirely different tactic—convincing an impurity to do the job for them!

9. Go to My Head

Literally making life hacks a thing! I cannot believe no one else has done this and, frankly, I bet they have and it won’t be as fun as when ONE is writing it. Plus, it’s got a major sci-fi bent ala “steins;gate” and you know that’s my jam all the way.

Bug Ego, Vol. 1
Written by ONE
Illustrated by Kiyoto Shitara
Published by Viz Media

Hitsujiya's life is forever changed when his high school friend Kokudo reveals the secret of "hacks." By following specific instructions found in a mysterious notebook, he can alter reality itself!

Kokudo and Hitsujiya experiment with the hacks and learn more about their strange nature. It's all fun and games at first. But when Kokudo uses a hack to go back in time, things take a dark turn. Hitsujiya attempts to do the same thing, but if a hack's directions aren't followed precisely, the results can be devastating!

8. It’s Up to You

What a killer (no pun intended) premise. Immortality as a curse is one of those subplots I love in fiction so centering a story on it is an easy way to get my attention. Whoever did the blurb gets a shoutout too. Short. Sweet. To the point.

Killing Me / Killing You, Vol. 1
Written and Illustrated by Imomushi Narita
Published by Seven Seas

When a meteorite struck the Earth, it shattered more than just the land--it broke reality. A wave of madness swept the globe, twisting people into monsters and leaving a cursed few unable to die.

Now, in a world of chaos and grotesque wonders, two immortals wander in search of the only thing they still desire: an end.

7. Don't Let Me Be Alone

Zombies are back folks! Alex Garland, Danny Boyle, and Nia DaCosta brought us to the Bone Temple and we have seen the light. That light being JiJi & Pinch’s “Sailor Zombie,” which sounds like a bop, then you look at some pages and it’s a somber exploration of the cruelty of humans in desperate situations? Oh, and the use of white space in those opening pages to deepen the shadows? Good stuff all around.

Sailor Zombie: Complete Omnibus
Written and Illustrated by JiJi & Pinch
Original Story by Isshin Inudo
Translated by Minna Lin
Lettered by Katie Blakeslee
Published by Yen Press

Two months prior, hordes of zombies took over the world and ended it all in the blink of an eye. In the face of such despair, high schooler Maiko Inui and her peers are determined to survive. Armed only with scavenged supplies and the clothes on their back, they wage war against the zombies who have taken everything from them. But an even greater danger stands before them--not the zombies, but the cruel humans shaped by this new world! Will Maiko and her friends ever reclaim their happy adolescent lives?

6. I'd Have Sworn That with Time

One more volume after this and Yoshitoki Oima’s centuries spanning epic will be over. I have mixed and complicated feelings about the series, having followed it live since chapter 1 (thank you OG Crunchyroll manga and Kodansha’s digital first.) I’m excited to get some answers for the doll though! What is up with her?!

To Your Eternity, Vol. 24
Written and Illustrated by Yoshitoki Oima
Published by Kodansha Comics

The doll's identity has been revealed, along with its ultimate goal: to take down Kaibara for Adey. But was it worth this ultimate sacrifice? While Fushi and the doll search the lab for clues, the Immortals come under attack. To save his friends and break free of the epochal struggle against the Nokkers, Fushi seeks the power to remake the world that he once rejected. The final destiny of humanity is at hand. This is a story about seeking someone outside yourself.

5. All I Can Do, I've Done

I love Minare and her dirtbag attitude. It’s been over two years since I got to check in on her misadventures in radio land. Two years of torture! How will she and Mizuho escape their frosty doom? Will they have to fight a bear again?! Bet you didn’t expect any of that from a show about late night radio.

Wave, Listen to Me!, Vol. 11
Written and Illustrated by Hiroaki Samura
Published by Kodansha Comics

Despite her best attempts at a daring rescue, Minare ends up trapped alongside Mizuho with no sign of rescue in sight. With both an assistant director and a host missing, Mato scrambles to get something together for their late-night slot. In doing so, he gets in touch with a shadowy figure of the past--the very person Minare reminded him of when he discovered her...

4. Mem'ries Won't Go

I know it’s cheezy and I know it’s often littered with problems but this kind of wish-fulfilment time-travel story gets me. I can’t tell you why it gets me. “Orange.” “Re-Life.” I love ‘em. This has that plus the guilt of plagiarism from a dead friend. That’s a juicy hook.

Drawing from Your Memory, Vol. 1
Written and Illustrated by Shiki Kawabata
Published by Kodansha Comics

Mahoro Haruta is a manga artist whose first series became a huge bestseller. Her publisher expects her sophomore effort to be even better. There's just one problem: Mahoro has no idea what to draw next, because she plagiarized the story that skyrocketed her to stardom from a high school classmate named Yukishima, who shared a few precious months with Mahoro in the school's manga club before passing away and leaving her his notebook.

When, after a strange encounter, Mahoro wakes up ten years in the past--around the time of her first meeting with Yukishima--she realizes this could be her chance to redeem herself, erase her regrets, and maybe even save Yukishima's life..

3. My Blue, Blue Heart

“Land” is best when you only know what the blurbs and covers tell you about it. What can I do to hype it up? Folk horror! Abandoned kids in the woods! Weird masks! Funny children? Eagles to Mordor! The creepiest statue of the grim reaper you’ll see this side of the “Night on Bald Mountain” segment of Fantasia! Plus, this thing is like 600 pages per hardcover.

Land, Vol. 2
Written and Illustrated by Kazumi Yamashita
Translated by Kevin Gifford
Lettered by Madeline Jose
Published by Yen Press

In a village where all residents die upon reaching fifty lives a girl named An, whose older twin sister was sacrificed to the "other world" that lay beyond the mountains. This village, called "our world" and governed by people wearing animal skins, is watched over by deities. When An seeks the truth about the mysterious inhabitants of the mountains, hope and despair await her.

2. Thoughts of You Would Leave My Head

And so the manga ends. Together at last! A happy ending, I presume. Yeah…I haven’t kept up. Sorry folks. I can’t really weigh in on how the manga is holding up but I can say it’s been one of the most circulated manga not in our teen collection. I guess that’s my cue to read it all. Or wait until they adapt the rest into the anime?

My Dress-Up Darling, Vol 15
Written and Illustrated by Shinichi Fukuda
Published by Square Enix Manga

After multiple twists and turns, trials and tribulations, it's official: Marin and Wakana are dating! While neither their families nor their friends are surprised by the announcement, the happy couple are eager to celebrate their mutual feelings with a heap of outdoor activities! Eventually, the two find themselves back on the beach where they made a fateful promise one year ago. What new vows will they exchange under the shining sun in this final volume?

1. Just One Thing Makes Me Forget

Manga Mavericks is a newcomer to this space so I wanted to spotlight one of their titles. That it looks so different from the rest and has stories like “puppets with minds of their own” and “bizarre dragons with human faces” solidifies its placement here at the top. More anthologies of weird stuff please!

Princess Da Huang & Other Tales
Written and Illustrated by Ohtori
Published by Manga Mavericks Books

This anthology spins several fairy tale-like stories where ordinary people and the supernatural intersect. From puppets with minds of their own to bizarre dragons with human faces, each page of this beautifully illustrated anthology will surprise and delight readers.