What's this sound? Leaves are crunching, shoes are tapping. Oh no! It's a high schooler late for class with bread in their mouth! RUN!
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 again to Zack Davisson for pointing out this should’ve been my choice for the title from the get go.
November! Leaves are falling, the sky is darkening, and the manga selections are getting ready for that end of year holiday bump. In my quest to make these a little more readable, I’ve cut down on the solicit fluff and I’m trying some image rearranging for the non-main-list choices. Let me know if it’s better, worse, or it makes no difference.
The images part. The descriptions, I’m cutting down regardless. Have you seen what some of these publishers put? Nonsense, I tells ya.
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.)
Akane-Banashi, Vol. 14
Written by Yuki Suenaga
Illustrated by Takamasa Moue
Published by Viz Media
I say it every other month and I’ll never stop: this is one one of my favorite manga coming out right now and I cannot wait until trade readers get to the end of this arc.
Akane is busy preparing for her promotion to futatsume, and the process is taking a lot longer than she expected. For Akane's final performance as a zenza, Shiguma entrusts her to be the opening act for his solo performance. Will Akane be able to prove she's grown enough to ascend to the next level? Especially with the extra pressure of knowing that Shiguma is one of the Arakawa Arch Four?
The Elusive Samurai, Vol. 17
Written and Illustrated by Yusei Matsui
Published by Viz Media
Yusei Matsui’s batshit historical drama moves into uncharted territory for me. I’m about to catch up. Don’t tell me what’s next!
The monstrously powerful Toki Yorito, who serves the Ashikaga, has brought his force to engage with Akiie's army. His human bombs devastate Akiie's troops, and even Tokiyuki's retainers have trouble stopping him. The march on Kyo continues as more of the Ashikaga troops deploy to defend the capital. Then Tokiyuki must face a former friend when Fubuki returns to send Tokiyuki on a journey to the Underworld!
Hirayasumi, Vol. 7
Written and Illustrated by Keigo Shinzo
Published by Viz Media
I get such a warm, fuzzy feeling reading “Hirayasumi,” not in a saccarine-sweet way, though. It’s that balance of melancholy and bright-eyed antics that makes it so
This year's Asagaya Tanabata Festival is right around the corner, but the upcoming festivities are the last thing on anyone's mind. While Hiroto and Hideki break into a heated argument over their new zombie film, Natsumi must deal with the fallout of a fight with Akari that may threaten their entire friendship. Will these four friends find a way to put aside their differences, or will their relationships melt away in the summer heat?
Skip-Beat!, Vol. 51
Written and Illustrated by Yoshiki Nakamura
Published by Viz Media
My bi-yearly check-in with my favorite goofballs! At least they’re dating now.
Kyoko and the rest of the Japanese team are trying to settle into the Hollywood groove, but a promising start suddenly sours as their new American friends begin to distance themselves and the team falls victim to a series of "mishaps." The hostility baffles Kyoko and the others, but for Ren it's sadly familiar. Is his tragic past about to make a guest appearance on the new project?
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.
Akira Hardcover Collection, Vol. 4
Written and Illustrated by Katsuhiro Otomo
Published by Kodansha Comics
If you’ve only ever seen the film, you’re now firmly into new territory with this volume.
Suffering the fate that beset its namesake three decades earlier, twenty-first-century Neo-Tokyo lies in ruin. Set off by the bullet of a would-be assassin, the godlike telekinetic fury of the superhuman child Akira has once again demolished in seconds that which took decades and untold billions to build. Now cut off from the rest of the world, the Great Tokyo Empire rises, with Akira its king, the psychic juggernaut Tetsuo its mad prime minister, and a growing army of fanatic acolytes ready to go to any length to please their masters. Forces on the outside still search for a way to stop Akira, and the answer may lie in the hands of the mysterious Lady Miyako, a powerful member of Akira's paranormal brotherhood. But the solution to harnessing Akira may ultimately be more dangerous than Akira himself.
Blood Blockade Battlefront Omnibus Volume 2
Written and Illustrated by Yasuhiro Nightow
Published by Dark Horse Manga
So….does this mean volume 8 is coming out soon?
An escaped Blood Breed brings Libra operative Zap Renfro's former master to Hellsalem's Lot, and Zap must once again prove his skills to avoid being dragged back to the harsh training grounds of his school. And though Zap is a formidable fighter, he'll need the assistance of the other Libra agents and his own young apprentice to imprison the Blood Breed before it wreaks untold havoc upon the world!
D.N.Angel New Edition, Vol. 1
Written and Illustrated by Yukiru Sugisaki
Translated by Athena and Althea Nibley
Lettered by Chiho Christie
Published by Dark Horse Manga
Rescued from licensing and digital DRM hell! A classic that took a decade-long hiatus before reaching its end. Don’t confuse it with the other series that’s been on a lengthy hiatus that starts with a D: “D. Grey Man.”
Today was the day. Daisuke Niwa was determined to tell the girl of his dreams how he feels about her and maybe (hopefully) become her boyfriend. Except, uhhh…she flat-out rejected him, and now he’s stuck with his alter ego, the legendary phantom thief Dark. That means both the police and his classmate Satoshi Hiwatari (the prodigious son of the police commissioner—who knew?) are after him. And what’s worse, the only way to stop the body swap is to woo the object of his affections as his usual klutzy self…
The Drops of God 1
Written by Tadashi Agi
Illustrated by Shu Okimoto
Published by Vertical Comics
The manga where people have literary winegasms is back! The inspiration (my personal belief) for “Food Wars,” one of my favorite manga is back in print. Maybe this means we’ll get the whole thing, complete with the new translations, and the sequel series this time around.
When famed wine critic Kanzaki passes away, his will reveals that his fortune of a wine collection won't simply be bequeathed to his only son, who in a snub to his father went to work sales at a beer company. To earn his inheritance, Shizuku must identify--in competition with a stellar young critic--twelve heaven-sent wines whose impressions the will describes in flowing terms...
Fruits Basket: The Complete Box Set
Written and Illustrated by Natsuki Takaya
Translated by Sheldon Drzka
Lettered by Lys Blakeslee
Published by Yen Press
“Fruits Basket” is a formative manga for me, particularly with regards to my taste in shojo manga. It’s a classic for a reason and if you’ve been waiting to get it…well, this is really for the superfans. There isn’t that much of a discount from the individual volumes. The big draw are the new covers (which look gorgeous) and some lenticular cards plus a big box. If I didn’t already have the others, I might consider it. Could make a good gift though.
From sadness and sorrow to hope and happiness, the banquet starts anew! Relive the journey of Tohru Honda from start to finish as she breaks the Sohma family’s curse. This stunning box set features not only brand—new covers, but a beautiful set of lenticular cards as well. Each and every tragic, silly moment has been collected in one picturesque package!
Hunter X Hunter (3-In-1 Edition), Vol. 4
Written and Illustrated by Yoshihiro Togashi
Published by Viz Media
More Hunting! More X! More Hunting!
Gon's search for his father continues! After he's forced to pawn a precious possession to raise some cash, he stumbles across a silent auction bazaar and dives into the seedy world of rare-item appraisal. But trouble brews when two Spiders are spotted lurking in Yorknew City. Gon and Killua track them using Zetsu, but they stumble right into the Spiders' web--and get captured!
Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Part 7--Steel Ball Run, Vol. 4
Written and Illustrated by Hirohiko Araki
Published by Viz Media
You didn’t think the words Holy Corpse would ever appear in this newsletter, did ya? Well, neither did I. That’s JoJo’s for ya.
The hunt for the Holy Corpse is on! Gyro and Johnny have managed to get ahold of the second body part, the eyeballs, but can they keep Dio from getting his claws on them? And with a new enemy closing in on them, there’s no telling who will be the last to get the corpse!
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!
- Mocha the Cat and His Forever Family, Vol. 1
- My Kitten Is a Picky Eater, Vol. 6
- Yokai Cats, Vol. 10
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.
- Afterglow
- Only in the afterglow do you realize how you’re now literally in bed with the mob.
- Black Night Parade Vol. 8
- Dancer and Prancer’s no good, horrible very bad Christmas
- Blue Period, Vol. 16
- Digital art takes the stage!
- Choujin X, Vol. 10
- Do I finally have to catch up on this? Must I?
- Cosmic Censorship, Vol. 2
- The premise just seems to muddy to give a full look at. Also, great name for where we’ll be in a year.
- Rai Rai Rai, Vol. 2
- Big sword! Still don’t love how many times they say “implant” in the description.
- Sanda Vol.2
- Sanda baby, beat up all my enemies tonight.
- Takahashi from the Bike Shop, Vol. 3
- The meet-cute to starting a fight with a sexual harassing boss pipeline claims another co-lead.
- A Witch's Life in Mongol, Vol. 2
- I love this artstyle so much.
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.
- Baki the Grappler (Perfect Edition) Vol. 3
Baki is amazing. It is actually good. I just wanted to highlight the cover of this volume. I mean, all the covers are hilarious but this guy? This guy is the poster child for bombastic sideeye. He’s trying so hard not to shit his pants. - Terra Formars, Vol. 23
I know exactly what this series is. It is edginess incarnate. It’s got (almost certainly) racist bug aliens. It’s supremely distasteful and one of the few series I stopped reading and never went back to. I am simply shocked that there is a new volume. - The BS Situation of Tougetsu Umidori, Vol. 2
If you were to tell me this is the modern Higarashi, I would believe you. If you were to tell me it was a modern Chunibyo, I would also believe you. Thanks “Bullshit-chan.”
The List:
10. Guardians of Hool Gan’s
I’m getting strong “Spriggan” vibes from the pitch for “Hool!gan’s,” only instead of ancient aliens as the conspiracy du jure, it’s (potentially) lizard people. I don’t have any proof as of yet, to be clear. That’s all speculation. However, you don’t say “new world order” and “shadowy beings who want to eliminate human life on earth” unless you’re gonna be flirting with something Protocols adjacent. Not exactly thrilled to see it.
However, the rest of the pitch is solid. It’s a mafia story with alchemists who are, ostensibly, doing bad for good reasons. They probably won’t have a tragic fall if my understanding of the aesthetics of the first volume’s cover is correct. A shame.
Honestly, the biggest knock against the book is its title. The exclamation point as the “I” I get. Why the possessive though? What are they possessing? WHO are they possessing? Someone get Weird Al in this joint.
Hool!gan's, Vol. 1
Written and Illustrated by Iro Itani
Published by Seven Seas Entertainment
In a world of alchemy and chaos, one group will do whatever it takes to make their own paradise.
In nineteenth century London, deep in the East End, there live the Hooligans: a band of miscreants led by alchemist Lee Heartrib, the current head of the Antilia Family mafia. Entrusted with guardianship of the city by his predecessor, Lee uses his alchemy to keep the junkies happy--but his true aim is creating a "paradise" for the good of the people. And sometimes, that involves getting his hands dirty, especially when he's pitted against the other mafia heads, or shadowy beings who want to eliminate human life on earth.
A new world order is on the horizon, with the Hooligans leading the way!
9. Convergence of Indie Comics
The biggest draw of “In the Twilight of Our Adolescence" has to be its art style. Its approach appears to be quite unlike much else in mainstream manga, more evocative of American indie comics. That softer, more crosshatched style, Hayashi’s faces actually really remind me of Tillie Walden’s, or perhaps that’s the manga influences on Tillie’s works showing through.
In the Twilight of Our Adolescence
Written and Illustrated by Waka Hayashi
Translated by Christine Dashiell
Lettered by Vibrant Publishing Studios
Published by Tokyopop - Love is Love
A story about boys who grow from boys to adults during adolescence, and who worry, make mistakes, and gradually come to terms with the many facets of life.
Tanahashi Yusei is a popular boy who excels in both academics and sports, and naturally has people gathering around him. Yusei has a classmate he admires, but he can't tell anyone about him. That person is Nakagawa, an inconspicuous boy who his friends don't even seem to notice. The two become closer after a certain incident...
8. Hell is Parenting Other People
What a bonkers premise this is. Imagine you find out that you might potentially be a father after the funeral of your ex, or it could be this other guy you always hated, but no one is allowed to find out who’s the bio dad and you have to co-parent this child with the express purpose of currying her favor to be declared “official dad.” But, uh oh, you might be catching enemies-to-lovers with this guy! I don’t think I’ve read as fun a romance premise as this in a while. Good stuff.
Dysfunctional Family Theory, Vol. 1
Written and Illustrated by Mayo Tsurukame
Published by Seven Seas
When Sentaro goes to pay his respects to the family of his late ex-girlfriend, Ririko, the last thing he expects is to be named the father of her child! Well... potentially the father. As it turns out, he and a certain thorn from Ririko's past, Touma, have both been declared possible dads to a young girl named Meguru. But there's a catch--according to Ririko's will, there will be no DNA test. Instead, Meguru will live with them and decide for herself who she wants to call her father.
Now, two men with a complicated past must navigate an even more complicated future--under one roof, raising a child together. As tensions rise and unexpected bonds form, will this dysfunctional family find a way to work... or will the growing feelings between Sentaro and Touma make things even messier?
7. Lights! Camera! Drama!
As a recovering theater nerd, I know I gravitate towards titles like these simply because they feature characters interacting with the stage. It’s part of my love for “Kageki Shojo” and “Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-Kun.” I’m sure I could have a more objective opinion on why this is here. I don’t. I just want more theater-based manga.
A Curtain Call for You, Vol. 1
Written by Satou Shiho
Illustrated by Kiki Emoda
Published by Vertical Comics
ACT YOUR HEART OUT!
Shy, mousy Sakura Akutsu finds it difficult to breathe in public, much less speak for herself. She makes do by confining her adventures in creativity to the pages of her notebook--until the brash, outgoing new transfer student Tsubame gets her hands on it, that is. The two secretly share the stories Sakura spins, but that secret soon proves too big to keep, and Tsubame whisks Sakura away on an entirely different type of adventure...to start their very own drama club!
All the world's a stage, and this one is about to get some new, unforgettable players!
6. The Stars May Dazzle, But The Moon Truly Shines
Seven volumes in and somehow I kept skipping over this series. It seems like such Elias bait and from the sample of chapter 1 I checked out, a pretty solid shojo title. The art has a lot of personality and has a good level of bounciness too. I’m also in the mood for some low-key kids fumbling through hilariously contrived social situations so this is hitting that sweet spot perfectly.
Gazing at the Star Next Door, Vol. 7
Written and Illustrated by Ammitsu
Published by Kodansha Comics
Chiaki is a pretty normal teenage girl. Since they were kids, she's had a thing for her best friend Subaru--who's fast becoming the hottest young actor in Japan! With Subaru threatening to slip away, Chiaki has a decision to make: Will she finally take her shot, or give Subaru up to his adoring public?
5. Volume 2!
What a treat! I didn’t know there would be a second volume of this. It’s a shame this didn’t come out in October because it is the perfect early fall book. November’s a little too dreary for this kind of saturated spook. I guess for some it’s a year-round aesthetic so what do I know?
Noss and Zakuro, Vol. 2
Written and Illustrated by Rariatto
Published by Seven Seas
Shadowsville is an eerie town sitting right between this world and the next, the perfect place for any non-human to call home! The mother-daughter vampire duo, Noss and Zakuro, are among its many happy residents, but lately the town's in a state of chaos! How's a vampire supposed to relax and drink blood in peace? You'll want to sink your fangs into this heartwarming yet spooky comedy!
4. Mangasplain This To Me
The third and final volume of the cyberpunk reimagining of “Dororo” arrives! If you haven’t been reading, do yourself a favor and catch up. It’s a really scream into the night kind of book that’s more and more resonant and, hopefully, has an actual ending until the original its based on. Oh that Tezuka. So many series he never decided to finish.
Search and Destroy, Vol. 3
Written and Illustrated by Atsushi Kaneko
Based on “Dororo” by Osamu Tezuka
Translated by Ben Applegate
Published by Fantagraphic Books
Manga creator Atsushi Kaneko ( EVOL, Bambi and Her Pink Gun) concludes his cyberpunk retelling of the timeless, Eisner Award-winning Dororo by "God of Manga" Osamu Tezuka ( Astro Boy, Buddha).
3. The End is Never the End
“Land of the Lustrous” may be one of the most confusing manga I’ve ever read without it ever having lost my interest. I’ve read many, many terrible manga that have left me baffled, so take that as you will. There’s an undeniable alienness to “Lustrous,” to the chaotic, sparse, sometimes hard to parse world, that works in its favor.
Hundreds, thousands of years pass in the turn of a page and it holds the same impact as the changing of a day. Forms burst and reassemble, transmute and transform. It is an exploration of roles and relationships and societal expectations. Of otherness and rage. Of falling and falling and falling.
Of life.
It isn’t always successful. It isn’t always legible. But it was always engaging and thought provoking. Sometimes even a lot of fun. With one volume to go, I can’t wait to see the finale of Phospholyllite’s journey of meaning.
Land of the Lustrous, Vol. 13
Written and Illustrated by Haruko Ichikawa
Published by Kodansha Comics
Having inherited Kongõ's memories and abilities, Phosphophyllite finally completes the long-awaited prayer, sending the Lunarians into the void. Now truly alone, Phos can only await eternity in silence--that is, until an unfamiliar mineral lifeform comes along, inspiring deep contemplation of the events that have transpired over these thousands of years...
2. Asking the Tough Questions
Sex has become a harder topic to broach in the last few years. Partially because so many online spaces actively de-incentivize and censor any mention of sex, especially queer sex, making it a de faco taboo again. Honest and open discussion about sexual needs and desires or the role of sex workers in a society? Can’t have that. Can’t even have that in the text copy of this manga about a woman ending up as a scheduler for escorts!
Maybe, though, the manga can.
Do Women Need Sex Entertainment? Vol. 1
Written and Illustrated by Yachinatsu
Published by Titan Manga
In this charming coming-of-age manga, we witness a young woman attempt to juggle the everyday life of a career in the city, whilst constantly contemplating what she wants from her love-life - and sometimes the two overlap!
Yachinatsu's quirky, cute artwork and candid exploration of romance and sexuality bring the characters and their experiences to life with an honest and entertaining touch. Whether you're a fan of humor, romance, or personal growth, this manga will keep you laughing, learning, and longing for more.
1. The Long-Awaited Return of a Classic
“Mushishi” has been out of print for the better part of a decade, originally put out by Del Rey (yeah!) in the late 2000s. It’s a quiet, contemplative episodic series that may not be everyone’s jam but is so well-told it will become yours.
I’m always so happy to see these collector’s editions come out, providing an economical way of collecting older manga and hopefully making it an easier sell (5 volumes instead of 10.) An updated translation, larger size and new covers too? Put me first in line and ready to read.
Mushishi Collector's Edition, Vol. 1
Written and Illustrated by Yuki Urushibara
Published by Kodansha Comics
Before life as we know it, there existed entities that don't obey the laws of our reality--primordial beings known as mushi. In Japan, a man named Ginko wanders the land, investigating incursions by mushi into the human world--and by us into theirs. He is a mushi master...a mushi-shi.
Elias Rosner
Elias Rosner
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