This season, Korean manwha and Chinese manhua increasingly compete with Japanese manga on bookstore shelves. Readers will also see lots of romance, never-before-translated classics, and edgy titles from small publishers and new imprints.
Top 10
After God
Sumi Eno, trans. by David Evelyn. Viz, Nov. 19 ($14.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-9747-4970-6)
In a world ravaged by destructive gods, the researchers of the Anti-God Science Institute search for a way to fight back.
Ashita No Joe: Fighting for Tomorrow
Tetsuya Chiba and Asao Takamori, trans. by Asa Yoneda. Kodansha, Dec. 24 ($59.95, ISBN 978-1-64729-387-1)
A bantamweight boxer rises through the ranks in the first English edition of this classic sports manga.
Cherry Blossoms After Winter
Bamwoo. Inklore, Nov. 26 ($20 trade paper, ISBN 978-0-593-87093-8)
Two childhood friends move in together as adults and rediscover their bonds in this hit boys’-love web manwha.
The Concierge at Hokkyoku Department Store
Tsuchika Nishimura, trans. by Jan Cash. Seven Seas, Aug. 13 ($13.99 trade paper, ISBN 979-8-89160-286-1)
This whimsical fantasy, which has been adapted into a soon-to-be-released anime movie, takes place at a department store where the customers are animals.
Eden of Witches
Yumej, trans. by Jessie Aufiery. Kana, Nov. 12 ($12.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-4197-7793-6)
One of the launch titles from Abrams’s new manga imprint, this fantasy follows a young witch learning to use her nature-based powers in a world where witches are persecuted.
The Legend of Kamui
Shitaro Sanpei, trans. by Richard Rubinger. Drawn & Quarterly, Jan. 14 ($39.95 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-77046-729-3)
First serialized in the 1960s, Sanpei’s politically charged ninja epic makes its English-language debut.
Manga: A Visual History
Frederik L. Schodt et al. DK, Nov. 19 ($50, ISBN 978-0-593-84419-9)
With contributions from some of the top English-language scholars in the field, this lavishly illustrated volume traces the history of manga from the 19th century to today.
The Three-Body Problem
Cixin Liu et al., trans. by Brenda Tang. Yen, Oct. 15 ($22 trade paper, ISBN 979-8-8554-0132-5)
In 1960s China, a covert project launches to prepare Earth for an alien invasion in this manga adaptation of Liu’s hit novel.
Thunder 3
Yuki Ikeda, trans. by Cat Anderson. Vertical, Nov. 5 ($13.95 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-64729-400-7)
This series launch from Ikeda sees four young people from a cartoonish manga world transported to a hyperrealistic universe where their cartoon bodies give them superpowers.
Ultra Heaven
Keiichi Koike. Last Gasp, trans. by Ajani Oloye (Sept. 1, $24.95 trade paper, ISBN 978-0-86719-929-1)
Koike’s psychedelic manga takes readers to a cyberpunk future where “pump bars” dispense reality-twisting substances.
Manga Longlist
ABLAZE
Ablaze Spotlight on Manwha Set: Action/Adventure (Aug. 28, $48.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-68497-351-4) bundles together three action-adventure manwha titles: Immortal Regis, Heavenly Demon Reborn, and Fight Class.
Ablaze Spotlight on Manwha Set: Fantasy/Romance (Aug. 28, $48.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-68497-352-1) gathers three romantasy manwha titles: Witch of Mine, Savage Garden, and The Restorer’s Home Omnibus.
Neo Faust by Osamu Tezuka, trans. by Iyasu Nagata (Aug. 28, $48.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-68497-351-4). The “God of Manga” retells the legend of Faust through the story of a professor who makes a deal with a sorceress for a meaningful life.
AIRSHIP
An Autumn in Amber, a Zero-Second Journey by Mei Hachimoku and Kukka (Sept. 17, $14.99 trade paper, ISBN 979-8-89160-318-9). Time freezes for everyone but two young people in this light novel by the author of The Tunnel to Summer.
Ripping Someone Open Only Makes Them Bleed by Yoru Sumino (Aug. 27, $15.99 trade paper, ISBN 979-8-89160-271-7). From the author of I Want to Eat Your Pancreas comes a light novel in which a teenage girl meets a man who seems to have stepped out of her favorite novel.
DARK HORSE
Cthulhu Cat by Pandania, trans. by Zack Davisson (Sept. 17, $14.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-50674-417-9). The creator of Yokai Cats and Monster Cats introduces a new cast of fearful felines based on the eldritch entities of Lovecraftian horror.
Drifters Omnibus by Kohta Hirano, trans. by Matthew Johnson (Oct. 29, $29.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-50673-877-2). Famous military leaders from
history, including Joan of Arc and Adolf Hitler, are transported to an alien world to do battle in this action series.
GRAPHIX
Unico: Awakening by Osamu Tezuka, Samuel Sattin, and Gurihiru (Aug. 6, $12.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-339-03634-2). Tezuka’s adorable unicorn is back in a new full-color adventure drawn by artist duo Gurihiru. Ages 8–12.
INKLORE
Father, I Don’t Want This Marriage by Hong Heesu and Roal (Aug. 6, $20 trade paper, ISBN 978-0-593-87216-1). A duke’s daughter tries to avoid a bleak fate, including betrothal to a tyrannical prince.
Under the Oak Tree by Suji Kim and P (Sept. 3, $29.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-0-593-87128-7) follows a noblewoman with a speech impediment as she’s reunited with her husband and learns to find her voice.
KANA
Frank Miller’s Ronin Rising by Frank Miller, Philip Tan, and Daniel Henriques (Oct. 8, $12.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-4197-7662-5). Miller returns to the world of his cyberpunk classic Ronin, set in a dystopian world where sci-fi technology and the tropes of samurai manga mix, for the first time in over 40 years.
Leviathan by Shiro Kuroi, trans. by Montana Kane (Oct. 8, $14.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-4197-7767-7). After an interstellar spaceship is damaged, the passengers realize only one of them can survive and turn on one another.
Manhole by Tetsuya Tsutsui, trans. by Mercedes C. Gilliom (Oct. 8, $12.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-4197-7770-7). Two detectives investigating a murder uncover evidence of a global conspiracy and a deadly pandemic.
KODANSHA
Blue Lock: Episode Nagi by Muneyuki Kaneshiro, Yusuke Nomura, and Kota Sannomiya, trans. by Nate Derr (Oct. 15, $13.99 trade paper, ISBN 979-8-88877-175-4). Future soccer star Seishiro Nagi discovers his love of the game in the prequel to the hit series Blue Lock.
Home Office Romance by Kintetsu Yamada, trans. by Matt Treyvaud (Nov. 12, $13.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-88-88772-92-9). Two neighbors find love while working from home during the Covid-19 pandemic in this romance from the creator of Sweat and Soap.
Tank Chair by Manabu Yashiro, trans. by Max Greenway (Sept. 17, $13.99 trade paper, ISBN 979-8-88877-135-8). In a dystopian world, a disabled former assassin becomes deadlier than ever with the help of his sister and a souped-up battle wheelchair.
LOVELOVE
Bite Marks and Fluorite by Seno Yanase, trans. by Christine Dashiell (Oct. 8, $13.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-4278-7819-9). Part of Tokyopop’s new romance imprint LoveLove, this dark boys’-love romantasy finds a young man learning the undead ropes after being turned by a handsome vampire.
MAD CAVE STUDIOS
Gatchaman by Cullen Bunn and Chris Batista (Dec. 10, $17.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-5458-1226-6) revives the popular anime franchise about the bird-themed Science Ninja Team Gatchaman.
MARVEL
Ultimate X-Men by Peach Momoko (Nov. 5, $19.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-302-95731-5) introduces a new cast of Ultimate X-Men in a story set in a Japan where urban legends are coming to life.
ONE PEACE
The Revenge of My Youth: Re Life with an Angelic Girl by Boiru Iseebi, Yuzi Keino, and Tantan, trans. by Jameson Taber (Jan. 21, $13.95 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-64273-381-5). When a salaryman is transported back to his high school days, he has a chance to save the girl he loved from tragedy.
SATURDAY AM
Making Manga: The Saturday AM Way—Storytelling, World Building, Layouts, Coloring—with Two Manga Short Stories for You to Complete (Aug. 13, $21.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-
0-7603-8992-8) is a guide to creating manga through tutorials, QR codes to instructional videos, and sample stories from Saturday AM titles. Ages 12 and up.
Orisha by Huzayfa Umar (Sept. 10, $13.99, ISBN 978-0-7603-9032-0). An African teenager receives superhuman powers and must decide how to use them for the good of the world. Ages 13–18.
SEVEN SEAS
Hikari-Man by Hideo Yamamoto, trans. by Deniz Amasya (Nov. 26, $27.99 trade paper, ISBN 979-8-89160-595-4). A teenage outcast gains electrical powers and takes revenge on his bullies in a dark superhero story from the creator of Homunculus.
I Ship My Rival X Me by PEPA and Qualia, trans. by Mimi (Sept. 17, $19.99 trade paper, ISBN 979-8-89160-497-1) is a full-color manhua adaptation of a hit boys’-love novel about two actors who get curious about each other when their fans ship them. 80,000-copy announced first printing.
Killer Shark in Another World by Kuboken, trans. by Zihan Gao (Aug. 13, $13.99 trade paper, ISBN 979-8-89160-171-0). A bumbling sorceress accidentally summons Sharkiller, a creature capable of turning into every B-movie shark.
SMUDGE
UFO Mushroom Invasion by Marina Shirakawa, trans. by Ryan Holmberg (Oct. 1, $19.95 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-961581-01-2). In this 1970s underground horror classic, an alien fungus takes over Earth.
SQUARE ENIX
Always a Catch! How I Punched My Way into Marrying a Prince by Mayo Momoyo, Itsuki Mito, and Kaki Nagato (Nov. 26, $12.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-64609-308-3). A princess trained to defend her kingdom with martial arts is thrown for a loop when she loses her place as heir and has to marry a prince instead.
Dragon and Chameleon by Ryo Ishiyama (Nov. 19, $12.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-64609-311-3). A manga artist and his assistant switch bodies, forcing the veteran creator to start his career over and prove himself against the body-snatching usurper.
STEAMSHIP
The Obsessed Mage and His Beloved Statue Bride: She Cannot Resist His Seductive Voice by Crane and Hachi Uehara (Dec. 17, $15.99 trade paper, ISBN 979-8-89160-737-8) follows a sorceress who is turned to stone for 20 years and awakens to find her former apprentice is now a handsome, powerful mage.
SUBLIME
The Metalhead Next Door by Mamita, trans. by Adrienne Beck (Dec. 10, $12.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-9747-4988-1). A grad student develops a crush on a black-clad metalhead who turns out to be shier than he looks in this offbeat boys’-love romance.
TEN SPEED GRAPHIC
Suitor Armor by Purpah (Nov. 12, $24.99, ISBN 978-0-593-83563-0) sees a lady-in-waiting with a dark secret fall for a living suit of armor.
THAMES & HUDSON
How to Be a Manga Artist by Balthazar Pagani, Asuka Ozumi, and Silvia Vanni (Oct. 29, $19.95, ISBN 978-0-500-66029-4). The author of How to Draw a Graphic Novel presents a guide to creating manga, including drawing tips, advice on developing stories, and a glimpse at life in a manga studio.
TITAN MANGA
I.L. by Osamu Tezuka, trans. by Jonathan Clements and Motoko Tamamuro (Oct. 1, $16.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-78774-440-0). In this classic from Tezuka, a filmmaker teams up with a mysterious shape-shifting humanoid.
Somali and the Forest Spirit by Yako Gureishi, trans. by Jonathan Clements and Motoko Tamamuro (Nov. 12, $12.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-78774-362-5). The golem guardian of a forest takes a little girl under his protection in this gentle fantasy.
Welcome to Ghost Mansion by Nebukuro, trans. by Jonathan Clements and Motoko Tamamuro (Dec. 10, $12.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-78774-370-0). A slacker tries her hand at running a condo building, only to discover that all her tenants are ghosts.
TOKYOPOP
Maron the Magic Ocean
by Mimi, trans. by CCC International (Nov. 26, $16.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-4278-7840-3). A girl who has lost her emotions navigates a magical ocean in this bittersweet fantasy with deceptively cute art.
TUTTLE
Akutagawa’s Rashomon and Other Stories: The Manga Edition by Ryunosuke Akutagawa, mkdeville, and Philippe Nicloux (Aug. 13, $15.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-4-8053-1839-3) adapts works by the “father of the Japanese short story,” best known in the West for the story that inspired Akira Kurosawa’s Rashomon.
Kenji Miyazawa’s Restaurant of Many Orders and Other Stories: The Manga Edition by Kenji Miyazawa and Yasuko Sakuno (Sept. 17, $14.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-4-8053-1824-9) collects manga adaptations of magical, melancholy stories by Miyazawa.
UDON
Giga Town: The Guide to Manga Iconography by Fumiyo Kouno, trans. by Ko Ransom (Sept. 3, $12.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-77294-308-5). Frolicking animals from a historical Japanese scroll introduce readers to the visual symbolism of manga art.
Manga Biographies: Charles M. Schulz, the Creator of Snoopy and Peanuts by Yuzuru Kuki, with Charles M. Schulz Creative Associates, trans. by Mari Morimoto (Oct. 1, $13.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-77294-344-3). The first installment of Udon’s new Manga Biographies line tells the life story of Peanuts creator Charles Schulz.
VAULT COMICS
My Best Friend Is an Eldritch Horror by Actus and Kisaragipana (Oct. 15, $14.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-63849-234-4) centers on a student mage bound to an eldritch entity called Henry. 50,000-copy announced first printing.
VERTICAL comics
Confession by Kaiji Kawaguchi and Nobuyuki Fukumoto, trans. by Tristan B (Dec. 17, $16.95, ISBN 978-1-64729-396-3) is a thriller about a murder confession on a snowbound mountain by thecreator of Gambling Apocalypse: Kaiji and the artist of Eagle: The Making of an Asian-American President.
Shimazaki in the Land of Peace by Gouten Hamada and Takeshi Seshimo, trans. by David Boyd (Nov. 26, $13.95, ISBN 978-1-64729-395-6). A man kidnapped by terrorists as a child returns to Japan 30 years later and tries to assimilate to ordinary life.
Suzume by Makoto Shinkai and Denki Amashima, trans. by Jennifer McKeon (Sept. 24, $13.95, ISBN 978-1-64729-404-5). In this adaptation of the Golden Globe–nominated anime film, a teenage girl joins a handsome stranger in sealing doors to another world.
VIZ
I’m the Grim Reaper by Graveweaver (Sept. 10, $18.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-9747-3908-0). A girl escapes damnation by becoming a grim reaper in this supernatural mystery.
Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure: Shining Diamond’s Demonic Heartbreak by Kohei Kadono and Tasuku Karasuma, trans. by Nathan A. Collins (Dec. 3, $11.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-9747-4990-4). The first spin-off of the long-running hit manga series follows Hol Horse, a former servant of the vampire Dio.
Spider-Man: Octo-Girl by Hideyuki Furuhashi and Betten Court, trans. by Caleb Cook (Oct. 8, $11.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-9747-4991-1). Doctor Octopus wakes up in the body of a Japanese schoolgirl in this Spiderverse story from the
creators of My Hero Academia: Vigilantes.
Trillion Game by Riichiro Inagaki and Ryoichi Ikegami, trans. by Stephen Paul (Sept. 17, $14.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-9747-4972-0). The writer of Dr. Stone and the artist behind Crying Freeman team up for the story of two mismatched friends with a plan to become trillionaires.
WEBTOON UNSCROLLED
Love Advice from the Great Duke of Hell by Unfins (Nov. 5, $19.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-998854-86-8). A teenager summons a demon to help him get a date with the girl of his dreams.
YEN
Beware the Villainess! by Blue Canna, Berry, and Soda Ice (Oct. 22, $20 trade paper, ISBN 979-8-4009-0227-7). A woman reborn as the villainess of a novel decides to save the heroine from her terrible love interests.
Finding Camellia by Manta Comics and Jin Soye (Sept. 17, $20 trade paper, ISBN 979-8-4009-0203-1) follows a young woman who is taken from her home and forced to pose as the son of a noble family.
The Guy She Was Interested In Wasn’t a Guy at All by Sumiko Arai, trans. by Ajani Oloye (Oct. 15, $20 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-9753-9968-9). A teenage girl falls for a cool music store clerk, not realizing that “he” is one of her female classmates.
