Mangaversity: March 2026

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.

For some reason, March is an absolutely stacked month, with a ton of yearly or twice yearly releases coming out alongside the usual every-other-month releases. This dramatically ballooned my favorites section and is making me rethink the structure of this whole piece again. Because I’m writing this so close to publication, I’m not going to fiddle around this month. Do y’all like the ranked lists? Would you prefer shorter, bulleted ones? Lemme know in the comments.

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.) As this section expands, I may start reducing the details and just listing the books.

Akane-Banashi, Vol. 15
Written by Yuki Suenaga
Illustrated by Takamasa Moue
Published by Viz Media

Folks, I saw the cover and started pumping my fists. This is a killer arc.

Akane successfully performs the opening act for Master Shiguma's solo show, but whispers of the story known as "Shiguma's Art" leave her yearning to learn more. But suddenly, things take a turn for the worse when Master Shiguma collapses and the Shiguma School is forcefully disbanded by the Arakawa School. And to Akane's horror, her new master is none other than the man who crushed her father's dreams--Issho Arakawa. Finally, the story of Issho and Shiguma's past is brought to light--as is the identity of the original Shiguma!

Baki the Grappler (Perfect Edition) Vol. 11 & 12
Written and Illustrated by Keisuke Itagaki
Published by Kodama

I bundled these two since Kodama is releasing two volumes a month (a bonkers pace, if ever I’ve seen one. Not that I’m complaining.) I finally got a chance to read the first couple volumes and woah. I knew this series was brutal, I just didn’t know how brutal it was. Also, Baki might be a low-key sociopath? A far cry from your typical protag for sure.

If you’re coming from the comics-sphere, the “Luther Strode” trilogy is basically American “Baki.” I wouldn’t be surprised if Tradd Moore was influenced by Itagaki either.

Keisuke Itagaki’ s genre-defining fighting manga is finally being released in English with a new Perfect Edition! Featuring professional translations and lettering approved by the original Japanese publisher, as well as a premium slip cover and all of the full-color insert pages that were featured in the manga’s original serialization, the Baki the Grappler Perfect Edition is the definitive way to experience the martial arts saga that has sold over 100-million copies worldwide!

Statues: Junji Ito Story Collection
Written and Illustrated by Junji Ito
Published by Viz Media

More Junji Ito! More! MOooooooooore!

Art teacher Okabe creates strange, headless statues. One day, he is found murdered, his corpse headless. From that day on, art club member Shimada seems off somehow… Elsewhere, in a curious town custom, the dead are placed on a tatami mat and set out on the river. Kanako’s grandmother lives alone in a house near this river. What did she witness at one of these funerals long ago? And a mysterious disease makes girls suddenly become more beautiful. But soon they all die. The only way to survive might be worse than death itself…

Chainsaw Man, Vol. 20
Written and Illustrated by Tatsuki Fujimoto
Published by Viz Media

20 volumes! What a feat for this wild, weird, series that has to keep upping the ante because reality is doggedly determined to be weirder and scarier. And this isn’t even the stuff that came out originally in 2025!

As Chainsaw Man rampages through the city after a horrific loss, Yoru is faced with a difficult decision. What will she sacrifice to achieve her goals? Meanwhile, the Aging Devil takes a surprising move in order to get Chainsaw Man to eat him.

Dogsred, Vol. 5
Written and Illustrated by Satoru Noda
Published by Viz Media

“Dogsred” continues to defy my every ability to describe it. It’s a sports manga, sure, and it’s about hockey, sure. However, everyone is a different flavor of kooky, the plot moves glacially slow, and a training arc of ridiculous proportions sits alongside a subplot about drug dealing and a burgeoning doping scandal. It’s bonkers and I think that has turned off a lot of the regular Shonen Jump crowd, which is a shame because Satoru Noda’s off-kilter blend of comedy and twisted sense of melodrama makes for a compelling Mighty Ducks-style series.

To be fair, I’m also a big sucker for characters flexing and ripping their sleeves and/or pant legs. Makes me laugh every time.

Rou and the other Oinokami first-year students have made the cut and survived their first day on the team, but their training has only just begun. Despite the heat of summer, Oinokami forges ahead, practicing in indoor ice rinks. The former team captain, Higuchi, is back to town, but guilt over the team's loss has taken him down a dark path. Will the new team members follow him? Then it's time for the rookies to play in their first real game, against the decidedly delinquent players of Sekka High.

The Elusive Samurai, Vol. 19
Written and Illustrated by Yusei Matsui
Published by Viz Media

I learned that the series is ending soon! I’m both happy it’s getting to wrap and sad we won’t have too many volumes left. For now, let’s just savor the madness and battle.

In the midst of the battle with Moronao's forces, Tokiyuki crosses swords with Fubuki, his former retainer. Despite their old friendship, Fubuki is no longer the comrade Tokiyuki once knew, and is determined to not only destroy Tokiyuki, but to take over the Ashikaga as well! Elsewhere, Akiie launches a brilliant maneuver to outflank Moronao. But even if it succeeds, can Akiie's exhausted army take on Takauji's fresh reinforcements?

The Heroic Legend of Arslan, Vol. 22
Based on the Books by Yoshiki Tanaka
Written and Illustrated by Hiromu Arakawa
Published by Kodansha Comics

Arakawa can do no wrong and I eagerly await progression on this slow, deep series.

Crown Prince Arslan has bided his time in the southern port city of Gilan long enough: with Hilmes's betrayal leaving the Lusitanian forces in shambles, the time to retake the fallen capital is nigh. But as Arslan and his allies undertake their final preparations to free their country and their people from the invaders, Hilmes and King Andragoras each make their own moves to secure power over Pars for themselves.

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. This is the section where I pull out the 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.

• Initial D Omnibus 9
• Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Part 7--Steel Ball Run, Vol. 6
• The Legend of Kamui, Vol. 3
• Lone Wolf and Cub Deluxe Edition, Vol. 2
• Nana 25th Anniversary Edition, Vol. 3
• Oldboy Deluxe Edition: Book Two
• Shugo Chara! 20th Anniversary Edition 1
  • Got this as part of a humble bundle too so I’ll report back when I have a chance to read it. Magical girl manga from its heyday!
• The Drops of God 3

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!

• Chainsmoker Cat, Vol. 2
  • Heard this one wasn’t too good! Might drop it for future editions.
• The Masterful Cat Is Depressed Again Today, Vol. 11
• Mocha the Cat and His Forever Family, Vol. 2 

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.

• Parasyte Paperback Collection 4
  • Highlighting this for anyone who has yet to read “Parasyte” and wanted a more affordable version than the hardcovers or wanted to read the new translation and lettering in black & white.
• Super Psychic Policeman Chojo, Vol. 2
  • I want to believe this is a funny series. I want to believe.
• Dungeon People Vol. 6
  • I’m a sucker for a good isometric, multi-actioned cover.
• Deep 3, Volume 1
  • I like that more basketball manga are getting published. Not sure if this one’s good but the main character isn’t your average potato-kun so that’s a plus.
• Smile! Vol. 2
  • That smile. Jesus!
• Versus, Vol. 5
  • ONE’s at it again but more earnestly this time?

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 as list worthy - but have a certain je ne sais quoi that are absolutely worth pointing out and gawking at.

• The Demons Are Planning Something Good!, Vol. 2
  • How good? I dunno but it must be bad if it's gonna be good.
• How to Love a Loser, Vol. 1
  • The cover and description of this are so ominous but it’s apparently a regular-ass romance series?

The List:

11. Santa vs. Santa

I was split on whether to put this in favorites or here on the main list, which kind of also gets to a tension I’ve been feeling with the list as a whole. What’s the point of separating out the books I think are worth reading and I’ve actually read from the ones I’m recommending based on educated guesses from preview chapters and reputations? Which should be primary, the riskier choices or the known quantities?

This choice isn’t going to settle the question. I can now say that “Black Night Parade” isn’t quite up to the same level of quality as my usual perennial picks. The plotting is a bit of a mess and very convoluted, the comedy is hit-or-miss, and the art isn’t exactly consistent or polished. None of that matters though, because I am having an absolute blast with “Black Night Parade.”

Nakamura has had my mark since “Arakawa Under the Bridge.” There’s little that’s gonna change that. And this series is nuts, folks. It pulls from all sorts of Santa-related mythologies and folk traditions to create its gestalt-North Pole corporation where the Black Santa (aka Krampus, as opposed to the Red Santa, aka, uh, Jolly Ol’ St. Nick) leads.

Absolutely absurd, a little disturbing, and wildly inventive, volume 9 is accelerating the plottier elements and if you’re not willing to let it more or less wash over you…well, I have no idea how you made it this far.

Black Night Parade, Vol. 9
Written and Illustrated by Hikaru Nakamura
Published by Seven Seas

Miharu and Ben are thrust into a high-stakes tag team wrestling match to claim their piece of the adamantine sword. Ben takes on the role of the heel, facing off against Miharu and Mr. Hat, who unexpectedly steps in as Miharu's partner. Then, the final fighter to enter the fray is Ben's sister! Sibling rivalry escalates, Mr. Hat is dramatically de-hatted, chaos erupts as Miharu undergoes a sudden transformation when he touches the adamantine, and Kaiser and Inaho's mission begins!

10. Your Yearly Reminder of How Unforgiving the World Can Be

Last time I highlighted a “Made in Abyss” volume, I put a huge caveat above it that the manga has some aspects that I don’t really truck with and that are toned down or removed for the anime adaptation, which is my preferred medium for this story. I felt it worth putting that again here for anyone who’s thinking about making the jump to the manga as we wait for the next film in the franchise.

And what a wait it might be for a season 3, considering the snail’s pace this manga comes out on. Three chapters, one of which is a side chapter, is all this volume contains! They must be lengthy chapters indeed.

Made in Abyss, Vol. 14
Written and Illustrated by Akihito Tsukushi
Published by Seven Seas

Nanachi has been taken, carried off in the jaws of a terrifying leviathan! The cave raiders immediately head to the rescue, but the situation is looking dire. Can they save Nanachi? And even if they can, does Nanachi stand a chance of surviving the brutal wounds and blood loss?

9. Video Game Adaptation

I’m not much of an RPG-maker game player, so I had no idea that “Omori” is an adaptation of the game of the same name. Anyone who’s had the chance to play it, let me know how the two match up! As for those in my boat, this is another psychological thriller about how scary the outside world is, with the seemingly off-beat aesthetic of Mother aka Earthbound. I mean, the town’s called Faraway Town. Doesn’t get much more on the nose than that.

Omori, Vol. 1
Original Story by Omocat
Written and Illustrated by Nui Konoito
Published by Vertical Comics

Since the terrible tragedy of four years ago, SUNNY hasn't set foot outside his house. Now, in an attempt to shake him out of his torpor, his family has decided to leave Faraway Town. Three days before the move, Sunny's childhood friend KEL shows up to hang out one last time--but the world outside the young shut-in's door has changed completely, and Sunny's reunion with his old pals goes from bad to worse. Whether by chance or fate, the chain of events that begin to unfold calls up a past they all thought was buried forever...

8. Only Two Volumes

What a shame! After looking at volume 1, I was excited to dig into this for the long-haul but as is the case with so many BL titles, it seems to have had a short run. Alas.

Dysfunctional Family Theory, Vol. 2
Written and Illustrated by Mayo Tsurukame
Published by Seven Seas

After a drunk Sentaro kisses Touma, Touma faces Sentaro's past and future feelings. The question is, are those feelings mutual? Before they can reach an answer, things start to get rowdy with Touma's criminal organization, the Aida gang...and little Meguru disappears! As the two men work to get to the bottom of her disappearance, will their true feelings bloom? 

7. Three Years A-Waitin’

I first read “Welcome to the Ballroom” in 2017. Its sketchy, loosely penciled, and frenetically inked style and lanky character designs made the dancing scenes pop off the page, conveying the power and poise required of ballroom dancing, even if it could be a tad hard to follow at times. I couldn’t wait to read more, only to find out the series was one of the many plagued by lengthy hiatuses.

For those curious, the last volume to come out in English was on October 25, 2022, one month prior to the release of this volume in Japan. I wonder if Kodansha knows something we don’t and the series is either over or coming back soon. That or they just wanted the dang thing out. Regardless, I’m just glad we finally are getting it out in English.

Welcome to the Ballroom, Vol. 12
Written and Illustrated by Yomo Takeuchi
Published by Kodansha Comics

It's the final round of the Metropolitan Tournament, and after the dancers take their last steps, all that awaits is judgment. Chinatsu has bet her partnership with Tatara and maybe her entire dancing career on winning the competition. Anything less than first place could mean the end of so much, but Chinatsu and Tatara danced their hearts out and left everything on the floor. Will youthful passion prevail, or will a returning powerhouse reclaim past glory?

6. What, Me Worry?

Every opportunity I get, I hype up the newest Tezuka work to be released in English and…wait a sec…haven’t I already done this book? Let me check my notes.

…

Yep. Twice in fact! November 2024 and June 2025. Turns out, Ablaze’s publishing schedule has been all out of wack for way longer than I thought. I guess the Diamond implosion started earlier than we all knew. That or they, like Denpa, tend to be optimistic with their release dates (looking at you “Gannibal” kickstarter.)

Neo Faust
Written and Illustrated by Osamu Tezuka
Published by Ablaze

After years of failure to discover the meaning of the universe, Professor Ichinoseki decides to end his own life, but he is interrupted by the sorceress Mephisto. They strike a bargain: in exchange for Ichinoseki's soul, Mephisto will grant his wish for a fulfilled life... 

5. Literary Manga at the Most Literary

I’m so happy that D&Q and Ryan Holmberg are continuing their Yoshiharu Tsuge library series. These kinds of comprehensive looks at a creator’s oeuvre are few and far between - again, Kodansha. Bring us the rest of Katsuhiro Otomo’s manga! - especially for Gekiga creators who mostly did shorts. This one’s got his “most perplexing, transgressive, and astounding work of horror and surrealism” so I’m sure it’s gonna be a banger.

Plus, I’ll be able to read it on time for once!

He Rolled Me Up Like a Grilled Squid
Written and Illustrated by Yoshiharu Tsuge
Translated by Ryan Holmberg
Published by Drawn & Quarterly

A manga icon's most perplexing, transgressive, and astounding work of horror and surrealism.

By the mid-1970s, Tsuge Yoshiharu was a man changed by circumstance--something his work from 1975 to 1981 boldly reveals. After settling into married life with fellow artist Fujiwara Maki (author of Eisner-winning My Picture Diary), Tsuge would return to the narrative formulas that he knew best: tall tales exchanged between fellow travelers, macabre parables tinged with magical realism, and the enduring comedy of the domestic everyday in a Japan rebuilding itself in the decades following the Second World War.

And yet the confusion and mental illness simmering beneath the surface of his more surreal works come to a rolling boil, reaching an unsettling and horrific crescendo in a series of nightmarish delusions. He Rolled Me Up Like A Grilled Squid captures a midcareer author taking stock of his anxieties and suspicions while connecting the dots between his seemingly monotonous present and his complicated past. Confrontations between both periods in his life are explored through the lens of his deteriorating mental state, expressed directly through experiments with different visual styles collected in this volume.

Translated by prolific art and comics historian Ryan Holmberg, He Rolled Me Up Like A Grilled Squid is a veteran storyteller's most compelling observations about people at their most human. 

4. Twice the Holmberg, Twice the Weird

Another off-the-beaten-path pick of shorts translated by Ryan Holmberg for you. This one’s from SMUDGE, Living the Line’s horror manga imprint. These books are fucking bananas. “Mansect” was deeply unsettling and I expect the same will be true of “Hide and Seek.” This is for the real freaks out there which, I guess, includes me.

Hide and Seek
Written and Illustrated by Naono Yoshiko
Published by Living the Line

Little Hiroshi, so embarrassed about the hand-knitted wool pants his grandmother forces him to wear. Sweet Mari, so jealous about her baby sister. Cute Sachiko, so worried about the iron she forgot to turn off before leaving on a family trip. Normal human feelings, understandable mistakes--leading to horrific disaster and scarring regret. If you assume childhood is golden for everyone, you're wrong...DEAD wrong! From the back pages of otherwise bright and sunny shojo magazines comes HIDE AND SEEK, a collection of twelve tales of trauma by Naono Yoshiko from the early 1970s. With an essay by the author narrating her unique career in manga and the stories behind her emotionally indelible comics, HIDE AND SEEK is the seventh volume of SMUDGE, a line of vintage horror, occult, and dark fantasy manga curated and translated by award-winning historian Ryan Holmberg and published by Living the Line.

3. Comrades to Lovers to…Zombies?!

OK. It’s not zombies. But that’s where my brain first goes to when you talk about a supposedly dead lover reappearing on the other side of a battlefield. Well, that and all those Cold War-era spy thrillers that inspired Bucky’s return as the Winter Soldier.

A Howl of the Heart, Vol. 1

Written and Illustrated by Ayato Miyoshi

Published by Square Enix Manga

Uru and Tenyo are two elite soldiers with a bond that runs deeper than blood. Living together and fighting side by side has only heightened their affection for one another...but in a world ravaged by war, connections can be severed in an instant. When Uru loses his life, he leaves Tenyo behind with nothing but a final kiss goodbye.

After two years of mourning, Tenyo sneaks into the enemy general Kakezuki's territory with the intent of finishing him off, as promised to Uru. But when he gets there, he finds that the enemy looks exactly like his dearly departed brother-in-arms! There's no way Uru is still among the living...or is there?

2. Release the Dragon

Volume three is here! That’s all that needs to be said, yeah?

Ruridragon, Vol. 3
Written and Illustrated by Masaoki Shindo
Published by Viz Media

Though they didn't start off on the right foot, Ruri and Akari become friends and end up leading the sports festival action committee together. Now, even more eyes are on Ruri--and at the worst possible moment, as another wild new change is spilling over into her already hectic daily life!

1. Just in Time for the Anime

Every new volume of Witch Hat Atelier and its drop-dead gorgeous, finely inked and detailed fantasy world requires a celebration. That we’re heading towards the end of a major arc is just the cherry on top. Huzzah!

…I’m definitely gonna need to re-read the last couple volumes.

Witch Hat Atelier, Vol. 14
Written and Illustrated by Kamome Shirahama
Published by Kodansha Comics

At long last, Dagda and Custas are back together, reunited in the medical tower. All they should have to do now is wait for the doctors to treat them. But at that moment, Qifrey has a terrible premonition. Meanwhile, Coco has a plan to defend the town from the rampaging valance leeches. But it's a long shot that'll need all the town's witches to work together...

Mangaversity: February 2026

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