Mangaversity: December 2024
Welcome one, welcome all, to Mangaversity! This is my attempt to continue my contribution to the Soliciting Multiversity column while messing with the format to make it my own. Special thanks to Zack Davisson for pointing out this should’ve been my choice for the title from the get go.
December is here and while it was a bit of a lighter month in terms of potential picks, it wasn’t so light I couldn’t overstuff the column. Let’s get down to it and close out 2024 with a bang.
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.)
My #1 with a bullet in Shonen Jump right now.
Akane-Banashi, Vol. 9
Written by Yuki Suenaga
Illustrated by Takamasa Moue
Published by Viz
Akane takes on the world of rakugo to avenge her father!
Shinta Arakawa wants nothing more than to pass his shin’uchi exam—the test that would make him a top-rank headliner and master storyteller in the traditional Japanese art of rakugo. Akane Osaki, his daughter and biggest fan, spies on him while he practices and learns his routines for herself. When rakugo master Issho Arakawa expels everyone after the exam with no explanation, a fire is lit inside Akane. From that day forth, she has had one goal—to avenge her father and prove his art was worthy of the title of shin’uchi.
Akane is finally able to show off her father’s rakugo to the world, but in doing so, she discovers there was something lacking…which means there’s a chance for his style and for herself to grow. After the four-person selection event, Kaisei has some harsh words for Akane, but they don’t deter her from continuing on her path alongside Shiguma’s other apprentices toward greater heights. Then, Akane is presented with the chance of a lifetime when a certain master who can help get her promoted to the rank of futatsume comes into the picture.
I know some people are writing this series off but it’s simply magical how consistently funny Asakura and Obata have been.
Show-ha Shoten!, Vol. 6
Written by Akinari Asakura
Illustrated by Takeshi Obata
Published by Viz
A pair of dreamers strive to rise to the top of the comedy world in this story by Akinari Asakura with art by Takeshi Obata (Death Note)!
Shy Azemichi Shijima has secretly been studying the art of comedy. His outgoing classmate Taiyo Higashikata has big dreams of being funny but no follow-through. When the two team up, they just might take the comedy world by storm!
Defeated by Rising at the High School Comedy Battle and faced with their lack of experience compared to Broken Glass Slipper at the Hiyama Cup, Azemichi and Taiyo must grapple with yet another loss. But now it’s time to travel to Osaka, where the ten best comedy duos in the nation have gathered! This is the start of the competition that will crown the best high school comedians in the country, the Wara-1 Koshien!!
Does this even need commentary at this point?
Dandadan, Vol. 10
Written and Illustrated by Yukinobu Tatsu
Published by Viz
A nerd must fight powerful spirits and aliens all vying for the secret power of his “family jewel,” so who better to fight alongside him than his high school crush and a spirit granny?!
Momo Ayase and Okarun are on opposite sides of the paranormal spectrum regarding what they’ll believe in and what they won’t. Their quest to prove each other wrong leads them down a path of secret crushes and paranormal battles they’ll have to participate in to believe!
To avoid being late for school on Vamola’s first day, Momo takes the mysterious kaiju girl on a shortcut through some off-limits ruins. But the protection spell they perform doesn’t work, and she runs into the slit-mouthed woman who resides there! The two narrowly escape, and it’s only later that Momo realizes the real danger they were in. So why is it that for Momo’s own safety, Seiko is now forbidding her from leaving her room after 10 p.m. for the next week?!
This is a classic for a reason and I cannot wait to read the new translations (and better lettering.)
Initial D, Omnibus 4
Written and Illustrated by Shuichi Shigeno
Published by Kodansha Comics
Remember me? Relive Takumi Fujiwara's journey from tofu delivery boy to street-racing legend in an all-new, large-sized, 2-in-1 print edition of the series that made Japanese street racing into a worldwide phenomenon.
Contains a new translation of Initial D Vol. 7-8.
Keisuke Takahashi's technique is improving. As the Akagi Red Suns resume their travel challenging street racing teams, Keisuke goes up against Takeshi Nakazato of the Night Kids on his home turf of Mount Myogi. But when roads turn slippery in a downpour, will they slide out of control or manage to reach the top?
This edition is still running in the '90s but features a refreshed translation and lettering for the 2020s, as well as a special large size.
Deluxe Den:
Every so often, there’s a new deluxe edition of a beloved manga that I think is worth shouting out but not at the expense of another item on the list. Usually this is the case for interstitial volumes, like the ones this month.
I actually forgot this is getting a near monthly release until it’s out in full. These middle volumes are a lot of fun, if I remember correctly.
Trigun Maximum, Deluxe Vol. 3
Written and Illustrated by Yasuhiro Nightow
Translated by Justin Burns
Published by Dark Horse Comics
Yasuhiro Nightow’s Trigun is an international hit, and this edition collects Trigun Maximum volumes 7, 8, and 9 in a deluxe hardcover format featuring over 600 pages of Nightow’s signature creation at the original serialized size!
Vash the Stampede is the deadliest gunslinger in the galaxy, but his brother, Knives, is the deadliest creature in existence! Knives is out to turn planet Gunsmoke into just that, and he may soon grow too powerful to be stopped—though Vash may die trying!
I’ll be frank. I cannot attest to the quality of this dark fantasy - or how edgy it gets - but it does have the name recognition that got me to stop and select it. Also it’s getting an anime in January. Synergy! Just…maybe look up some trigger warnings for this one, in particular.
Übel Blatt Deluxe Edition, Vol. 1
Written and Illustrated by Etorouji Shiono
Published by Yen Press
Rumors stir throughout the land: when the wielder of the black sword draws his dark blade, all who stand in its path are torn asunder...! Köinzell, the mysterious young boy who carries the black sword, undeniably wields it with exceptional skill, but can he truly be responsible for the bloody rumors? Pursued by the Traitorous Lances, four powerful warriors who were thought to have been defeated by the Seven Heroes, the strength of the young swordsman will be tested to its limit. At battle's end, only the shocking truth of Köinzell's quest will stand above the corpses of his enemies... An epic fantasy on the grandest of scales!
Caught My Eye:
A very scattershot list this time around, as they usually are. I’m trying out having short, capsule comments on most of the volumes. Let me know if you like them.
- Tank Chair, Vol. 2
- Another series with a wacked out premise that I can’t quite squeeze onto my main list.
- The Strange House, Vol. 2
- I cannot get over the title of this one. “Yeah. The house is a little eccentric. It likes to creak at 3:33 every morning.”
- Orb: On the Movements of the Earth, Omnibus 4
- Neighborhood Story, Vol. 4
- Peak 2000s shojo. Those legs! So long!
- Innocent, Omnibus 3
- This is the final volume. Shin’ichi Sakamoto’s art alone is worth the price of admission.
- JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Shining Diamond's Demonic Heartbreak, Vol. 1
- Sometimes, you just gotta highlight a spin-off.
- Hikari-Man, Vol. 1-2
- I.L., Vol. 1
- Another day, another Tezuka.
- Fool Night, Vol. 3
- Corpse Blade, Vol. 1
- The hot pink cover got me, OK?
- Don’t Call it Mystery, Omnibus 6
- DOCTOR DEATH?!
WTF is this:
A corollary to the Caught My Eye subset are the comics I don’t actually think are potentially worth a read - or at least don’t strike me list worthy - but have a certain je ne sais quoi that are absolutely worth pointing out and gawking at.
Wet Dream Aquarium
What a title. What a premise. What a cover. What a blurb! I hope those snakes will be okay.
I, Yuri Hiroto, have apparently turned into a pervert. I've been having dirty dreams lately—about getting groped by sea creatures! And even worse, these dreams include someone staring at me during my filthy fish time: the marine biology nerd from my class, Ogasawara-kun!
Mr. Mega Man
Mega Man dealing with adulthood feels like one of those comics that’s custom built for a specific kind of kid who wants sad takes on childhood favorites…of which I used to be one of those. Still, it’s such an absurd idea that it just might work.
Modern Dungeon Capture Starting With Broken Skills, Vol. 3
Of all the bargain-basement fantasy series I’ve skimmed descriptions for, this wouldn’t have stood out too much. But that cover. Ohhhhhh that cover. Someone save me from this cover. I think the “broken skills” in question are 3D modelling and the physics engine. I guess that’s one way to stand out in a crowded field.
Apologies in advance.
The List:
I should note at the top. I’m trying to include translators and letterers when I can. Not everyone has a translator or letterer listed because some companies just…don’t (looking at you, Viz) and working ahead means I don’t get to see tables of contents.
11. Seinfeld, but for Foodies
Food manga is a subgenre I’ve always kind of skirted around, despite my love of cooking shows. They’re often kind of slow, kind of deliberate, and rarely get published here in the states unless it’s, like, “Food Wars: Shokugeki no Soma.” Plus, most of the time, they’re just not that interesting. “The Solitary Gourmet” is all of those things, except the not interesting bit. It has spawned an immensely popular TV show that is still ongoing in Japan and comes from one of the best “nothing happens yet you’re enraptured” artists: Jiro Taniguchi. I’m shocked at how short it is, considering its impact.
The Solitary Gourmet
Written by Masayuki Kusumi
Illustrated by Jiro Taniguchi
Published by Ponent Mon
THOUGHT FOR FOOD. This is the book in which nothing happens but everything is consumed! Like 'The Walking Man' at lunch!! What do we learn about Mister Inogashira? He’s a sole, independent trader importing household and fashion goods from France. He is always busy but never rushed as he travels around Japan selling his wares. He’s a private person who, whilst he enjoys the company of women, prefers to remain a bachelor. He smokes cigarettes but never touches alcohol. But above all, he enjoys his food! He is The Solitary Gourmet! Each of the thirty-two chapters explores another dish in another restaurant in another part of town – from Tokyo to Tottori, from Osaka to hospital (yes!) and even ventures to an Algerian restaurant in Paris, eating and observing.This volume collects all 32 chapters serialized over two decades (originally in Fusosha's monthly 'Panja' magazine) and includes the special hospital chapter.Like an exquisite meal, this book should be savored over and over again.
10. Only in Dreams, a Fantasy
Swinging from domestic realism to melancholic fantasy, I think my theme for this month is loneliness. How else to explain two back-to-back picks like these? It’s just the winter mood, I guess, and sometimes I want a regular-ass fantasy that isn’t about an epic adventure. I think “Frieren” has kicked off a new wave of “fantasy that makes you cry” manga and I’m here for it.
Luciole Has a Dream, Vol. 1
Written and Illustrated by Yuu Morikawa
Translated by Taylor Engel
Lettered by Chiho Christie
Published by Yen Press
Awakened by a radiant light, Luciole realized he’d been asleep for a long, long time. Stretching to the horizon before him lay an abandoned world. Whatever life had once taken root here was long gone, leaving Luciole all alone—except for Claude. Now, with a self-proclaimed 500-year-old archmage for his only companion, Luciole will set off on a journey to discover how alone the two truly are.
9. A Natural Combination
I really love the “1001 Arabian Nights” approach this is taking. It’s a great way to set-up an anthology and gives it a frame that naturally builds tension with each new story. I’m also a big fan of retooled urban legends (see “Dandadan,”) even if I am a little tiny baby when it comes to horror.
A heads up: this series has a dark premise, or at least the underpinnings of the inciting incident is dark. Considering the series is all about ghost stories, many of which are macabre and gruesome, that’s to be expected. Still, fair warning going in.
100 Ghost Stories That Will Lead to My Own Death, Vol. 1
Written and Illustrated by Anji Matono
Translated by John Neal
Published by Seven Seas Entertainment
A horror manga featuring new twists on urban legends and campfire stories!
A boy sits in a room.
Alone.
Telling tales of horror.
One by one. Night by night.
The shadows breed terror.
Shall we begin?
One day, an elementary school child named Yuuma tries to jump to his death out of his classroom window. His classmate Hina stops him and, in a bid to stall for time, asks him, "Do you know the round of a hundred ghost stories?" Hina tells Yuuma about a ritual where, if you tell a hundred ghost stories, you’ll see ghosts afterward. Learning this gives Yuuma a new lease on life. Chapter by chapter, he shares ghost stories with the reader, slowly but surely inching his way toward one hundred...
8. Round and Round and Round in the Triangle Game
Having just read an adaptation of “The Count of Monte Cristo,” I’m extra jazzed about reading a series that’s all about revisiting the “what if” of a relationship ended under mysterious circumstances. That it’s a one-volume work makes it a much easier sell since I don’t have to worry about it being dragged out all that much.
Hereditary Triangle
Written and Illustrated by Fumiya Hayashi
Translated by Alethea and Athena Nibley
Lettered by Phil Christie
Published by Yen Press
Childhood friends Koutarou Fujiki, Kajiwara, and Fuyuko thought they would always be together. They spent their youth in a strange love triangle, the two boys fighting over who would date Fuyuko. But suddenly one day, that life ends. Kajiwara goes missing, and Koutarou takes his sweetheart’s hand in marriage. Now middle-aged, Koutarou is left to wonder—would his wife have chosen differently if Kajiwara was still around? On a visit to his hometown, the memories come rushing back...
7. You Can’t Handle the Truth!
Yesssss, snowy thrillers set in claustrophobic conditions! Sign me up.
Confession
Written by Noboyuki Fukumoto
Illustrated by Kaiji Kawaguchi
Published by Vertical Inc.
Confession is a deeply psychological thriller manga that examines how quickly unexpected vulnerability and the threat of an uncertain future can make men descend into madness.
Some secrets should never be told…
Stranded in a blizzard atop a treacherous ridge, badly injured, and quickly bleeding out, Ishikura knows he is about to die. But before he does, he decides to unburden his soul by telling his companion Asai a dark secret that has been weighing on him for years. No sooner do the words cross Ishikura’s lips, however, than Asai stumbles upon the shelter they’d been searching for—only to realize his friend’s confession has changed everything—and the brutal elements may no longer be the deadliest threat around.
6. Vampire Calling Card
I’m continuously amazed at “Call of the Night’s” versatility. I just recently caught up and been having a blast. It’s a far cry from the somewhat aimless series it started as, with deeper lore and a great cast of weirdos. It’s great, never mind blowing, but well worth reading, and damn, volume 17 has one hell of an ending chapter.
Call of the Night, Vol. 18
Written and Illustrated by Kotoyama
Published by Viz
Antisocial, dorky boy seeks fun-loving, sexy vampire for blood-sucking and transforming into her minion.
One sleepless night, Ko slips out to walk the streets. Life after dark is a revelation! Especially when he meets flirtatious Nazuna. Except that she’s a vampire. That’s okay. He wants to become a creature of the night too. But transformation doesn’t come that easily...
Now that half-vampire Ko has destroyed her entire building, Nazuna must find a new home fit for a vampire. Meanwhile, Ko begins attending school in the daytime again, forcing him to deal with…well, people! Then, will Nazuna’s developing feelings threaten the object of her affection?
5. One Must Love All the Beautiful Things
My biggest fear is that “Beautiful Things” won’t explore its character’s relationship to gender beyond the surface level. I love bittersweet romance stories as they’re usually more thought through, so I’m putting some faith in “Beautiful Things.” Don’t let me down!
Beautiful Things: The Complete Manga Collection
Written by Naruse Konohara
Illustrated by Nao Inui
Published by Seven Seas Entertainment
From Narise Konohara, the author behind The Vampire and His Pleasant Companions, comes a touching manga about bittersweet romance.
After a tough breakup, Matsuoka finds solace in a surprising place—his ex-girlfriend's wardrobe. Donning her outfits, he embarks on nightly escapades that garner a whirlwind of attention, not all of which is welcome. One perilous evening, Matsuoka is rescued from an assault by his unsuspecting co-worker, Hirosue.
Hirosue, an endearing klutz, is completely taken by Matsuoka's disguised persona and falls head over heels. As Matsuoka thrives in the glow of Hirosue's adoration, the weight of his secret looms large. How long can he keep his true identity hidden? And what will unfold when Hirosue discovers the truth?
4. Black Lagoon is Back!
The early 2000s will never end if “Black Lagoon” has its say and considering it only releases one volume every two years, I suspect it truly will never end. Rejoice fans of the good ol’ hyperviolence!
Black Lagoon, Vol. 13
Written and Illustrated by Rei Hiroe
Published by Viz
Four hardcore heroes. One high-speed torpedo boat. Ten thousand bullets!
Lock n' load with the baddest group of mercenaries ever to hit the high seas of Southeast Asia! Aboard their World War II torpedo boat, the Black Lagoon, Dutch the Boss, Benny the Mechanic, Revy Two Hand, and Rock, the salaryman from Japan, deliver anything, anywhere. In the dangerous underworld of the Russian Mafia, Chinese triads, Colombian drug cartels, crazed assassins, and ruthless mercenaries, it's hard to know who to trust. But if you've got a delivery to make, and you don't mind a little property damage along the way, you can count on the crew of the Black Lagoon!
The members of the Five Fingers hit squad have shaken things up in Roanapur, and the major players in the city have had enough. After being captured by the crew of the Black Lagoon, Le Majeur decides she wants out and agrees to lead the Five Fingers into an ambush. With Dutch as the bait, and Hotel Moscow as the trap, the bullets fly. If Le Majeur survives, she’ll be just another lost soul on the streets of Roanapur—unless certain arrangements can be made. Once things settle down into what passes for calm in the city, Rock and Chang make a fateful wager…
3. A Long Time Coming
“Noragami” is another series that’s been plagued with large and small delays the last few years as the creators deal with health problems. It sucks to hear and it sucks even more that it’s pretty normal in the industry. Still, kudos to Adachitoka for bringing this plane in for a landing and doing so without it feeling too rushed. I eagerly await my chance to finish a story I started reading nearly a decade ago.
Hopefully Yato will be alright.
Noragami: Stray God, Vol. 27
Written and Illustrated by Adachitoka
Published by Kodansha Comics
The hilarious, thrilling, sometimes tragic supernatural hit manga that inspired two seasons of beautiful anime from Studio Bones!
Ages 16 and up.
Yato is a homeless god. He doesn't even have a shrine, not to mention worshippers! So to achieve his ambitious goals, he's set up a service to help those in need (for a small fee), hoping he'll eventually raise enough money to build himself the lavish temple of his dreams. Of course, he can't afford to be picky, so Yato accepts all kinds of jobs, from finding lost kittens to helping a student overcome bullies at school.
2. How Can I Help You?
This book is at number 2 solely on the strength of its cover. Look how cute those animals are! Even if this two-volume series is absolute drek, I am happy to put it near the top. Sometimes you just need a little silliness in your life.
The Concierge at Hokkyoku Department Store, Vol. 2
Written and Illustrated by Tsuchika Nishimura
Published by Seven Seas Entertainment
THE CONCLUSION TO THE STORY OF THE UNIQUE DEPARTMENT STORE WHERE ALL THE CUSTOMERS ARE ANIMALS!
Akino, the new concierge, continues to work to meet the challenging whims of her animal customers, including a Barbary lion on the hunt for the perfect perfume to give to the girl he has his eye on, a dodo who is in the throes of despair after losing his confectionery shop, and a young quagga who runs out of a restaurant out of sheer boredom... Join the heroine as she uses her quick thinking and zeal for the job to solve her adorable customers’ problems and deal with her interesting management and coworkers!
The final volume!
1. YO JOE!
Folks, you don’t know how pumped I am for this book. It’s a beautiful 3-in-1 hardcover of an all-time classic that has never been published in the US before. Even if you don’t know “Ashita no Joe,” you know “Ashita no Joe.” It’s that iconic. Now all we need is someone (looking at you, Discotek or AnimEigo) to license the original anime.
Ashita no Joe: Fighting for Tomorrow, Vol. 1
Written by Asao Takamori
Illustrated by Tetsuya Chiba
Published by Vertical Inc
A massive cultural phenomenon, made even bigger by the hit anime based on it. To this day, "Ashita no Joe" remains one of the most important manga of all time, and now it will finally see the light of day in English for the first time!
A young drifter named Joe Yabuki wanders through the slums of Tokyo, but when the local ruffians try to give him a hard time he teaches them a rough lesson with his fists. The spectacle sparks a gleam in the eye of an old drunk who happens to be watching - Danpei Tange, a failed boxer and former coach who sees something special in the boy. He pleads with Joe to train with him off, but the cocky young fighter brushes him. Later, though, when Joe is arrested and put in a juvenile detention facility, he realizes that he's going to need to hone his raw fighting skills if he wants to survive. Thus is born a partnership that might just take Joe all the way to the top...
Elias Rosner
Elias Rosner
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