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.
The last month or so has been really good for catching up on manga. Been dipping my toes into some classics and browsing around with some new number ones in order to add or remove some from future lists. I just read “Orochi” by Kazuo Umezz, which was very different from what I was expecting. As for my picks, I’ve been looking to September for a while as it sees the release of two omnibuses that I’m dying to check out. You can probably guess what they are by now.
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.)
#drcl Midnight Children, Vol. 5
Written and Illustrated by Shin’ichi Sakamoto
Published by Viz
One of the best horror comics out there right now. Mysterious, dripping with style, and very messy. Not sure why he decided that Dracula needed to look like Michael Jackson though.
In this beautiful, evocative, and often surreal retelling of Dracula, a fearsome enemy comes from the east, bringing with it horrors the likes of which have never been seen in the British Empire. Standing opposed are Wilhelmina “Mina” Murray and her stalwart companions, united in a cabal that eclipses gender, nationality, and station until the day that they can achieve victory.
Mina’s world begins to unravel as her connection to Jonathan Harker reveals the secrets of his journey to Castle Dracula—as well as the unthinkable fate that befell him. Now, with Mina already reeling from the loss of one of the most important people in her life, will she be able to stand strong as the Camellia Club seeks to save the soul of her beloved midnight friend through the mercy of a true death?
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. 2
Written and Illustrated by Katsuhiro Otomo
Published by Kodansha Comics
You’re gonna hear me say this four more times. “Akira” is a masterpiece and these hardcovers are the best way to experience it.
The epic, timeless hit that inspired the legendary anime film and made the word "manga" part of the global vocabulary returns in a new hardcover edition. The AKIRA Hardcover Collection features the original right-to-left manga reading format and Katsuhiro Otomo's original, hand-drawn sound effects in a beautiful, large-sized collectible edition.
Neo-Tokyo has risen from the ashes of a Tokyo obliterated by a monstrous psychokinetic power known only as Akira, a being who yet lives, secretly imprisoned in frozen stasis. Those who stand guard know that Akira's awakening is a terrifying inevitability. Tetsuo, an angry young man with immense—and rapidly growing—psychic abilities, may be their only hope to control Akira when he wakes. But Tetsuo is becoming increasingly unstable and harbors a growing obsession to confront Akira face to face. A clandestine group including his former best friend sets out to destroy Tetsuo before he can release Akira—or before Tetsuo himself becomes so powerful that no force on Earth can stop him.
Blood Blockade Battlefront Omnibus, Vol. 1
Written and Illustrated by Yasuhiro Nightow
Published by Dark Horse Comics
The biggest gripe I have with this series is it comes out so damn slowly. Hopefully the omnibus helps keep it in print and in the zeitgeist.
From the creator of the international hit Trigun! A collection of the first three volumes and more of Yasuhiro Nightow’s frantic, fast action, sci-fi manga series!
Welcome to Hellsalem’s Lot, formerly known as New York City—a magical city trapped in an impenetrable bubble where a breach between Earth and the Beyond has forced the human inhabitants to coexist with magic, monsters, and mystical creatures. A group of stylish superhumans stands between the ordinary citizens and supernatural violence, but someone is threatening to sever the bubble to unleash the chaos to the rest of the world! And a young man with special eyes aims to join the fight!
Collects Blood Blockade Battlefront Volumes 1–3 and the chapter “E-Den of Master Fighters” from Volume 4.
Initial D Omnibus, Vol. 7
Written and Illustrated by Shuichi Shigeno
Published by Kodansha Comics
This is probably where peak “Initial D” begins.
Contains a new translation of Initial D Vol. 13-14.
A death match with no time limit. In a brutal battle of endurance with no clear advantage, Takumi and Wataru race through the treacherous mountainous roads with their Eight-Sixes. This true test in driving ability and acumen will end whenever someone runs out of stamina. Who will go the distance?
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.
Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run, Vol. 3
Written and Illustrated by Hirohiko Araki
Published by Viz
I really want to do the pithy description of the series but I also don’t want to spoil what it is. Also, I’m waiting to watch the anime before reading, as I have done for every part thus far. I wonder what nonsense localizations there will be this time.
A multigenerational tale of the heroic Joestar family and their never-ending battle against evil!
The legendary Shonen Jump series is now available in deluxe hardcover editions featuring color pages! JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is a groundbreaking manga famous for its outlandish characters, wild humor, and frenetic battles.
Gyro and Johnny are heading up the front of the pack in the Steel Ball Run race! But just as they’re about to reach the finish line, they’re attacked yet again. And to make matters worse, when Gyro and Johnny finally uncover the reason behind these constant attacks, they start to realize that the true purpose of the Steel Ball Run is much more sinister than either of them could have ever imagined.
Magic Knight Rayearth: Part 2, Book 2
Written and Illustrated by CLAMP
Published by Kodansha Comics
Yes, I know paperbacks aren’t “deluxe.” It’s still a big special collection, just now more accessible. It’s the final volume and I wanted it on the list. Fight me.
The thrilling and dramatic final arc of CLAMP's manga masterwork Magic Knight Rayearth comes to paperback with a new translation! Hikaru, Umi, and Fuu return to a Cefiro that is not the one they left, and they realize that there was always more to this other world than they realized...
The three teenage girls who saved a world at great cost return to Tokyo, a little older and much wiser. They assume that they'll never see the magical, troubling world of Cefiro again...when they find themselves back there once again. But Emeraude couldn't be the one who summoned them this time. What if the tragic climax of their first adventure was only the beginning?
This new edition brings the refreshed translation of the hardcover box set to a paperback format.
Vinland Saga Deluxe, Vol. 8
Written and Illustrated by Makoto Yukimura
Published by Kodansha Comics
What can even be said about "Vinland Saga" at this point? While I think what comes next is way better (there's a lot of Jomsviking nonsense in this stretch,) even half-way decent "Vinland Saga" is like a Michelin star meal.
The struggle for leadership of the Jomsvikings surges toward a gruesome climax that represents the most arduous test Thorfinn has faced since he foreswore the life of a warrior. When all is blood and tumult, how can peace be found?
Floki has dug in, depending on the fortifications of Jomsborg to protect his grandson Baldr from the rebels. But, without and within, the tide turns against the aging master of manipulation. Enraged by the assassination of rebel leader Vagn, the battle-mad Thorkell—Floki’s erstwhile ally—has taken the field against Baldr, and the boy himself has been taken hostage by Sigurd, who has opened the gate and offered the boy up to the invaders. Now Gudrid is caught between her desire to keep adventuring with Thorfinn and the guilt she feels for her part in Sigurd’s fate. Meanwhile, the vicious, dizzying duel between Thorfinn and Garm rages on the rooftops…
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.
- After God, Vol. 6
- Another series that seemed good on paper and is bogged down by its ambition. The series has a focus issue and it only got worse by volume 4. I enjoy the plot; it just feels like it has way less to say with it than the blurbs or even the opening couple chapters. I’m glad to see that Waka’s finally back in play in volume 6.
- Dragon Quest: The Mark of Erdrick, Vol. 1
- Rip Toriyama.
- Dogsred, Vol. 3
- Will report back when volume 1 finally ships to the library Viz.
- Gokurakugai, Vol. 4
- I want to like this series. I think it’s got a cool aesthetic and all. It’s just so…agressively bog-standard! All the most overdone tropes and caricatures of people shoved into one opening chapter. I read three volumes and I think that’s my limit. To be fair, my tastes lean towards the “Yu-Gi-Ohs” of the shonen world rather than the “Bleachs.” I’ll come back when its done.
- In Love's Key, Reprised
- Not sure if this is a sequel or not. It has that soft BL look which means it could either be a pretty milquetoast drama or a touching, healing romance. At least I know it won’t be drawn out.
- A Kingdom of Quartz, Vol. 3
- I really hope this lives up to the comparisons the description makes. Dark fantasies are hard to get right!
- Koguma's Cake Shop 4: Baby Bear's Bakery
- It’s so cute I could die! I just can’t trust this will come out on time.
- Let's Play, Vol. 5
- Not a manga but it is getting an anime from OLM that looks kickass. My one complaint about the collected editions is the scaling on the text gets completely fucked in the reformating from vertical to page thanks to the webcomic’s age. So tiny!
- On and Off Work-life Imbalance, Vol. 2
- Just missed the list this time. Seems like an excellent comedy of error/romantic drama set-up. My one worry? “Lolita boy.”
- Re-anima, Vol. 2
- Thank goodness for Kodansha’s first chapter previews. Solid sci-fi concept, a little lacking in the character department, seems like it wants to be a cli-fi “Fullmetal Alchemist.”
- Roar: A Star in the Abyss, Vol. 2
- Will report back when I read volume 1.
- Star and Hedgehog
- So sweet looking! And I love the orange on the cover. Maybe my most superficial pick yet.
- A Suitable Fetish, Vol. 4
- Whew. And here I was worried it’d be an unsuitable one.
- With a Dog and a Cat, Every Day Is Fun, Vol. 8
- Gotta have at least one cute and chaotic animal manga on this list.
- Young Ladies Don't Play Fighting Games, Vol. 8
- “YOU CAN'T COMBO-BREAK YOUR MOM!” - Seven Seas Marketing team
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.
- Killer Shark in Another World, Vol. 5
In an ocean of grey goo, there lives a predator so powerful, so secret, that no one has seen it. It is spoken of in whispers, so powerful is it. I never thought I would bear witness to its awesome, terrible visage. - Heaps of Boobs
Gotta give it one thing: the creator knows what they’re about and bless ‘em for their directness. I’m gonna spare you the cover on this one. - Excellent Property, Rejects for Residents, Vol. 4
I will not spare you the cover on this one because I need to know what is going on with that butt. Please. Can someone tell me if she just put a balloon in her pants and it got shifted weirdly? Why is the right cheek so big?!! Why is it sideways!?! And I don’t think this is an 18+ comic either.
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The List:
10. I Can Try, mOm
As I prepare to leave my late twenties, I find myself wondering where it all went. I wonder how much of adulthood is realizing that time only feels like it passes when the rhythm of the everyday is broken irreparably. A job change. A move. A relationship beginning or ending. A loss. I wonder if the four women at the heart of “You Can’t Live on Your Own!” are worrying about the same thing.
You Can't Live All on Your Own!, Vol. 2
Written and Illustrated by Mizono Tsuno
Published by Tokyopop
A cute and quirky slice-of-life manga about four best friends and roommates discovering what happiness truly means in their late twenties.
Shuuko, Eika, Misaki, and Shio are roommates and friends making their way in the busy world of Tokyo, Japan!
Together they’ve been through thick and thin, but the pressures of adult life are beginning to take their toll. Shuuko worries that her laid-back nature is preventing her from finding love — but is romance what she really wants? Things grow fraught as career-driven Eika works herself to burnout, finding herself taking out her frustration on her friends. Despite Misaki’s best efforts to win the love of her “boyfriend,” he tells her that he’s not interested in marriage or even in deepening their two-year relationship. Meanwhile, warmhearted Shio is caught up by worries about her friends and what the future might bring for them.
Join these four roommates as they navigate the biggest question of their late twenties: What does happiness really mean?
9. Cross-Promotion
There’s been a real dearth of comics for kids in the Big 2 as of late and, anecdotally, a distaste for the traditional look and feel of superhero comics. I know this isn’t the first Marvel manga, and not even the first “Spider-Man” manga, but it does feel of a new breed, made for American fans by Japanese creators that’s aiming at a middle-grade market rather than teen or nebulously “kids.”
I could also be talking out of my ass here. Either way, it looks like a fun romp through an alternate universe and features Ghost-Spider, which is always a plus. (I am…deeply afraid to see what she’s doing in the main Marvel universe right now…)
Spider-man: Shadow Warrior, Vol. 1
Written and Illustrated by Shogo Aoki
Published by Graphix
A cool new manga format for Spider-Man, one of the most iconic characters of all time! A reimagined Peter Parker, Miles Morales, and Gwen Stacy travel to feudal Japan to take on the Kingpin in this original manga from Japanese writer/illustrator Shogo Aoki!
Travel to a parallel universe where the shogunate still rules Japan and the evil Kingpin, Wilson Fisk has fled America to establish himself as Governor of Edo. Spider-Man, Miles Morales, and Ghost-Spider are hot on his trail. But the Kingpin has a trick up his sleeve: He's brought an alien parasite capable of granting extraordinary powers. When a young man named Hyo accidentally bonds with the symbiote and seemingly transforms into the infamous Venom, things go from bad to worse! This new book is perfect for manga and super-hero fans alike!
8. A Classic Concludes
With this release, Viz will finally have put all of the original “Fist of the North Star” out in print in the US for the first time. Can you believe it?! Well, actually, yeah. I can.
Having now read the prior 17 volumes, it’s clear that good old “Hokuto no Ken” peaks about two thirds of the way through, has a decent follow-up few volumes, and then trundles along for the last couple of ‘em. It’s not nearly as bad a drop as “Food Wars” (iykyk.) For a classic, it is just a skoosh disappointing and explains why it may not have made it back when manga was not nearly as ubiquitous as it is now.
Fist of the North Star, Vol. 18
Written by Buronson
Illustrated by Tetsuo Hara
Published by Viz
In the original classic manga set in a postapocalyptic wasteland ruled by savage gangs, a hero appears to bring justice to the guilty. This warrior named Ken holds the deadly secrets of a mysterious martial art known as Hokuto Shinken—the Divine Fist of the North Star!
Kenshiro faces the fanatic Emperor Balan, a man torn by lost love and his hatred for the gods, in an all-out battle to prove the divinity of Hokuto Shinken. Then, Kenshiro embarks on a last quest to find Rin and Bat. When Kenshiro loses his memory, Bat must fight for both Kenshiro and Rin against an old enemy determined to destroy them all! Get ready for the bone-crushing, face-smashing finale of Fist of the North Star!
7. Get Wild and Tough
Back when Kana first announced they’d licensed “City Hunter,” I was very enthusiastic. I may have also stated that I loved the series. This would give you the impression I knew a lot about the series, perhaps by having, say, watched the series? In fact, I knew jack all besides it was from the same guy who did “Cat’s Eye,” which I have seen, and I assumed it would be a similar show with a more hard-boiled edge.
Boy was I wrong.
Friends, “City Hunter” is a wonderful series that is effortlessly cool, decently funny, and a protagonist whose lechery is best left in the dustbins of history. The gender politics are…not great! Feminist work, this assuredly is not.
And yet, I’m still excited to get to read it. There’s a reason “City Hunter” captured the minds of a generation. I’m curious to see if the manga is less horny or at the very least less obnoxious about how it depicts the lechery.
Just get ready to push through a lot of mokkori nonsense (and that fucking Netflix Live-Action Film sticker.)
City Hunter Omnibus, Vol. 1
Written and Illustrated by Tsukasa Hojo
Published by Kana
This English-language omnibus edition contains the first three volumes of the series, beautifully printed and packed with all of the original art, including a 4-page full-color insert. This omnibus will be a prize for a collector’s shelf.
James Bond meets Lupin the Third! A stylish cocktail of hard-boiled action and raunchy comedy, manga classic CITY HUNTER follows exceptional marksman and compassionate sleazeball Ryo Saeba as he sweeps corruption from the lavish 80's Tokyo nightlife, one evil at a time.
Readers follow the City Hunter as he takes on underground odd jobs, ranging from serving as the bodyguard of a captivating madame to executing a vengeful assassination of a corrupt politician, navigating through quick-witted thrills and intense dramas.
The City Hunter Ryo Saeba does the dirty work of cleaning up Tokyo’s nightlife with his heart of gold worn on his sleeve.
Created by Tsukasa Hojo, who is also known for the hit series Cat's Eye, City Hunter showcases his exceptional talent in crafting engaging narratives that blend action and humor seamlessly.
6. Magic Play is Dancing
Now this is a much less caveated recommendation! “Cat’s Eye” is a heist manga through and through with an excellent episodic structure that lends itself to a wealth of adventures in addition to an ongoing plot. Toshio is a goof and Rui, Ai, and Hitomi are an excellent trio. It’s a ton of fun and it’s time to jump into all that 80s goodness feet first.
Cat's Eye Omnibus, Vol. 1
Written and Illustrated by Tsukasa Hojo
Published by Kana
Café owners by day, art thieves by night, the three sisters Rui, Ai, and Hitomi have high-risk lives outside of their day jobs. Hitomi especially needs to keep her secret under wraps, since she’s dating Toshio—the police officer assigned to catch the Cat’s Eye thief!
Cat’s Eye’s targets are easy to spot: They’re all art pieces authored by acclaimed genius painter Heinz. What museums don’t know is that this artist is the missing father to the three “Cat’s Eye” siblings.
As the sisters reclaim one piece after another, spreading their infamous name, a conspiracy gradually begins to reveal itself. How can their father come out of hiding when the bloodthirsty syndicate that betrayed him to steal his work and fame—many of whom were once his closest apprentices and art collectors—are still so powerful in the art world?
When Cat’s Eye tightropes another canvas out of a heavily guarded exhibit, the cops are pressed to apprehend the thief. Can the sisters discover the truth about their missing father? Or will they be apprehended by Hitomi’s star-crossed lover Toshio or killed by the looming syndicate responsible for the father’s disappearance.
As the heists continue, the stakes only get higher.
5. Sea and Sky
I’ve been on a kick of “folk dramas.” It’s like folk horror - isolated villages, oppressive traditions, mysterious goings on - but without all the spooky-scary ooga-boooga shit. Maybe there’s a better name for it. Whatever. I’m sticking with it.
“Land” fits firmly in that camp, with the abandoning a child in the woods only to have them survive and come back years later with revenge in their heart. The art isn’t particularly detailed, though it is evocative enough and the pacing in the first chapter is spot on. It’s easy to see why Yen Press is giving it the hardcover, 600-page treatment.
Land, Vol. 1
Written and Illustrated by Kazumi Yamashita
Translated by Kevin Gifford
Lettered by Madeline Jose
Published by Yen Press
“One shall live and the other shall die.” The younger sister ran through the fields, happy to live with the father who loved and adored her in the peaceful village under the watchful gaze of the four gods. Her elder twin ran through the mountains, swearing vengeance against the man who abandoned her to the very beasts she was hunting—her own father. When their paths finally cross, the terrible truth of their birth is revealed and An is left with a difficult decision: follow her twin to the mountains and beyond as she so desperately desires, or condemn her for trying to take her most precious person away…?!
4. Will the Bubble Burst?
I’m always happy to highlight an older manga from a female mangaka. I also really enjoy seeing works that depict the eras they’re from. It creates these time capsules that one doesn’t quite get from period pieces or other genre fare. The bubble era, in particular, is enlightening to revisit in a context that isn’t anime production. What anxieties permeated the culture and were they reflected by Takano? I look forward to finding out.
Miss Ruki
Written and Illustrated by Fumiko Takano
Translated by Alexa Frank
Published by New York Review of Books
A young woman rejects the fast-paced consumer culture of 1980s Japan in favor of a slower, more carefree lifestyle in this tenderhearted, sweetly funny classic of slice-of-life manga.
A classic of Japanese manga, Miss Ruki is a warm and vivid portrait of the lives of two young women in Tokyo during Japan’s 1980s bubble economy. The titular Miss Ruki spurns the fast-paced consumer culture of the era in favor of a lighthearted life dedicated to her hobbies, her books, and spending time with her anxious but far more pragmatic friend, Ecchan.
Takano’s art moves with all the warmth, grace, and clarity of the everyday moments it depicts. Sweet and funny, these vignettes of a long-gone time still resonate today with readers and authors in Japan, with famed contemporary manga artist Keigo Shinzo noting, “To read it is to grasp something of the essence of Japan.... This is the kind of manga I want to draw.”
3. May I Interest You in Some…~Murder~?
Twisty crime dramas are like catnip to me. I can’t get enough of that search for the truth, the laying down of clues, the twisty, turning conspiracies that grow ever darker as you peel back the layers of a sleepy town. Let’s see if “Adabana” lives up to the hype.
Adabana, Vol. 1
Written and Illustrated by Non
Translated by Caleb Cook
Published by Dark Horse Comics
A horrifying double murder and a shocking confession uncovers a dark secret in this suspenseful criminal drama manga.
A small town is shocked by the gruesome murder of a student and a ramen shop owner. Mizuki Aikawa, one of the victims’ best friend and classmate, confesses to the brutal crime. However, a local reporter and Mizuki’s public defenders are convinced there’s more to the story. As the truth unravels, a tale of class, exploitation, and the demands of family is revealed.
For mature audiences.
2. Gone Too Soon, Part 2
“Dur-An-Ki” is one of the final works Kentaro Miura contributed to and one of the few non-“Berserk” projects he was ever involved with. It’s a shame that it never got a proper end as far as I can tell. Still, getting it released at all is a testament to his power and to the team at Studio Gaga.
Dur-An-Ki
Written and Illustrated by Studio Gaga
Produced by Kentaro Miura
Published by Dark Horse Comics
Available in English for the first time comes an original story produced by Kentaro Miura, creator of Berserk!
A fantasy manga inspired by Greek and Mesopotamian myths, and illustrated by Miura’s personal manga studio, Berserk’s Studio Gaga!
In ancient times, a wondrous child is born of the gods. Neither human nor god, neither male nor female, Usumgal has an inventive mind that can create solutions where they are needed most. Descending from the holy mountain, Usumgal finds friends among humans, and with each fateful encounter comes adventure and perhaps . . . their destiny!
Includes extensive bonus materials of Kentaro Miura’s creative process including the original story outline, concept illustrations, and more!
1. Sanda Baby
I picked a lot of volume 1s this month. “Sanda” sits above them all for a single reason: Paru Itagaki is drawing a santa manga. That’s all you need. That’s all anyone needs. My only worry is that Titan Manga is putting it out. They’ve had some…issues with translation over the last couple years. Please, Titan. Please don’t do “Sanda” dirty.
Sanda, Vol. 1
Written and Illustrated by Paru Itagaki
Published by Titan Manga
Join Sanda and Shiori on an unforgettable journey to restore the magic of Christmas, uncovering secrets, friendship, and adventure in a future Japan.
In a near-future Japan, Christmas has faded into myth, and the birth rate has dropped so dramatically that children are now the most precious commodity. Society has artificially extended adolescence to preserve their youth, and traditional holidays, like Christmas, are a mere legend of the past.
Volume 1 of Sanda introduces Sanda Kazushige, a middle-school student who unexpectedly becomes entangled in a strange and dangerous mystery. When his classmate, Fuyumura Shiori, accuses him of carrying a curse that could help find her missing friend, Ono Ichie, Sanda’s life takes a dramatic turn. Together, they embark on an incredible adventure to unravel the truth behind Ichie’s disappearance and uncover the hidden magic of Christmas itself.
As they delve deeper into the mystery, the duo faces external threats and internal challenges—questions about loyalty, courage, and the power of belief. Along the way, they confront the true meaning of friendship, trust, and the possibility of magic in a world that has all but forgotten it.
Elias Rosner
Elias Rosner
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