If you’re like us, you love manga and light novels. With the sheer amount of them coming out at any one time, however, it can be hard to decide which titles are most worthy of your attention and hard-earned money. We’re here to help, with spotlights on the volumes we’re most looking forward to this month, various new series debuting, and other notable releases.
Our top five must-buys
Viz Media
Hunter x Hunter Vol. 36
By Yoshihiro Togashi, published by Viz Media
Release date: 8/6/19
I covet few new releases as much as I do volumes of Hunter x Hunter. As far as I’m concerned it’s the best adventure comic of all time, and the long waits are always worth it. The current arc depicting Kurapika and co.’s voyage to the Dark Continent has been full of well-executed suspense and creepy fantasy beasts which I’m looking forward to seeing more of. The royal succession conflict is one of the most layered the manga’s ever had, and I can’t predict how it will progress from here at all.
–Eric
Viz Media
Golden Kamuy Vol. 11
By Satoru Noda, published by Viz Media
Release date: 8/20/19
Golden Kamuy continues to be one of my favorite ongoing series! Last we checked in on Sugimoto, Asirpa, and the rest of the gold-hunting gang, we were introduced to Otonoshin Koito who Sugimoto tussled with in the sky on an airship. I’m hoping we see more from him, but no matter what Noda has in store it’s sure to be wild. If you told me a year ago that I’d be rushing to the bookstore every couple months for a historical fiction series with detailed hunting and cooking elements, I wouldn’t have believed you. But there I’ll be in the checkout line right after work, resisting the urge to page through the volume to see what kind of beefcake Noda gets away with serving in the latest volume.
–Trevor
Kodansha Comics
10 Dance Vol. 4
By Inouesatoh, published by Kodansha Comics
Release date: 8/6/19
I’m beyond hyped for the next installment of one of the sexiest comics I’ve ever read– and it’s not even pornographic. Take the world of professional ballroom dancing, illustrate it beautifully, and add in mountains of sexual tension between two pros both named Shinya and you get one of the most invigorating reads out there right now. Watching the twists and turns of the lead pair’s relationship development has been fantastic, and I’m eager to see the emotional fallout of last volume’s conclusion.
–Eric
Viz Media
The Promised Neverland Vol. 11
Written by Kaiu Shirai, art by Posuka Demizu, published by Viz Media
Release date: 8/6/19
Now, I’ve already read the chapters contained in this volume thanks to the Shonen Jump app, but I have to pick this volume as one of my must-buys because it contains one of my most favorite (if not my very most favorite) two-page spreads in the whole series. Emma and the kids continue their confrontation with Leuvis as the Goldy Pond arc reaches a climax. This is probably my favorite arc of the series (not to suggest the quality dips at all after this point!) and rereading the confrontation with Leuvis will make a great reminder for why he’s such an incredibly compelling antagonist. Plus there’s tons of great panels with Palvus riding on Leuvis’s shoulder.
–Trevor
Vertical Comics
Kino’s Journey: The Beautiful World Vol. 3
By Iruka Shiomiya, original story by Keiichi Sigsawa, original character design by Kouhaku Kuroboshi, published by Vertical
Release date: 8/13/19
One of my favorite anime of all time now has a manga adaptation released in English, and it’s been fantastic so far. Few comics have an intriguing of philosophical pondering as this one’s, and Shiomiya’s art captures all the charm of the series’s world very effectively. Plus, this volume is supposed to adapt the colosseum tournament arc which is always a standout regardless of which version of Kino’s Journey it’s in. Here’s looking forward to a new iteration of an old favorite.
–Eric
Series debuts
Who doesn’t love finding a series as it’s just beginning and then following along through its run? If you’re looking to try out a volume one or a standalone read, here are some options this month:
Killing Me! Vol. 1 – Yen Press, 8/6/19
Automatic Eve (Novel) – Viz, 8/20/19
Bungo Stray Dogs Vol. 1 (Light Novel) – Yen Press, 8/20/19
Cocoon Entwined Vol. 1 – Yen Press, 8/6/19
Count Fujiwara’s Suffering – Yen Press, 8/27/19
Fairy Tale: 100 Years Quest Vol. 1 – Kodansha, 8/20/19
Goodbye! I’m Being Reincarnated Vol. 1 – Kodansha, 8/6/19
Kingdom Hearts Re:coded (Light Novel) – Yen Press, 8/27/19
Little Witch Academia (Light Novel) – Yen Press, 8/6/19
My Hero Academia: Smash!! Vol. 1 – Viz, 8/6/19
The Night Is Short, Walk on Girl (Novel) – Yen Press, 8/13/19
Overlord a la Carte Vol. 1 – Yen Press, 8/27/19
Reincarnated as a Sword Vol. 1 (Light Novel) – Seven Seas, 8/6/19
Star Blazers 2199 Omnibus Vol. 1 – Dark Horse 8/14/19
Vampire Dormitory Vol. 1 – Kodansha, 8/20/19
Yuri Life – Yen Press, 8/13/19
Ongoing series
On the lookout for the next installment of your favorite series? We’ve put together a list of this month’s upcoming releases.
Accomplishments of the Duke’s Daughter Vol. 4 – Seven Seas, 8/13/19
Ace of the Diamond Vol. 23 – Kodansha, 8/13/19
Again!! Vol. 10 – Kodansha, 8/6/19
All-Rounder Meguru Vol. 11 – Kodansha, 8/13/19
Ao Haru Ride Vol. 6 – Viz, 8/6/19
Attack on Titan Vol. 28 – Kodansha, 8/13/19
Barakamon Vol. 18 – Yen Press, 8/20/19
Behind the Scenes Vol. 7 – Viz, 8/6/19
Black Torch Vol. 5 – Viz, 8/6/19
Blank Canvas: My So-Called Artist’s Journey Vol. 2 – Seven Seas, 8/27/19
Black Panther and Sweet 16 Vol. 11 – Kodansha, 8/13/19
Boarding School Juliet Vol. 7 – Kodansha, 8/20/19
A Bride’s Story Vol. 11 – Yen Press, 8/27/19
Captain Harlock: Dimensional Voyage Vol. 9 – Seven Seas, 8/13/19
A Certain Scientific Railgun Vol. 14 – Seven Seas, 8/20/19
Chio’s School Road Vol. 5 – Yen Press, 8/27/19
Classmates: Sotsu gyo sei (Winter) Vol. 2 – Seven Seas, 8/13/19
Classroom of the Elite Vol. 2 (Light Novel) – Seven Seas, 8/13/19
Defying Kurosaki-kun Vol. 11 – Kodansha, 8/20/19
The Devil Is a Part-Timer! Vol. 14 – Yen Press, 8/20/19
Devil’s Line Vol. 13 – Vertical, 8/6/19
Dimension W Vol. 15 – Yen Press, 8/27/19
Division Maneuver Vol. 2 (Light Novel) – Seven Seas, 8/27/19
Domestic Girlfriend Vol. 20 – Kodansha, 8/27/19
Elegant Yokai Apartment Lift Vol. 16 – Kodansha, 8/27/19
Emanon Vol. 2 – Dark Horse, 8/14/19
Farewell, My Dear Cramer Vol. 2 – Kodansha, 8/20/19
Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma Vol. 31 – Viz, 8/6/19
Fullmetal Alchemist: Fullmetal Edition Vol. 6 -Viz, 8/13/19
The Girl From The Other Side Vol. 7 – Seven Seas, 8/27/19
Golden Kamuy Vol. 11 – Viz, 8/20/19
Go With The Clouds North By Northwest Vol. 2 – Vertical, 8/20/19
Happy Sugar Life Vol. 2 – Yen Press, 8/27/19
Hatsu*Haru Vol. 8 – Yen Press, 8/27/19
High School Prodigies Have It Easy Even in Another World! Vol. 4 – Yen Press, 8/6/19
Hunter x Hunter Vol. 36 – Viz, 8/6/19
Idol Dreams Vol. 6 – Viz, 8/6/19
Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? On the Side: Sword Oratoria Vol. 8 – Yen Press, 8/6/19
Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure: Part 4–Diamond is Unbreakable Vol. 2 – Viz, 8/6/19
Kino’s Journey: The Beautiful World Vol. 3 – Vertical, 8/13/19
Kiss Me at the Stroke of Midnight Vol. 9 – Kodansha, 8/27/19
Komi Can’t Communicate Vol. 2 – Viz, 8/13/19
Konosuba: God’s Blessing on This Wonderful World! Vol. 9 (Light Novel) – Yen Press, 8/27/19
Koyomimonogatari Part 2 (Light novel) – Vertical, 8/27/19
LDK Vol. 13 – Kodansha, 8/27/19
Machimaho: I Messed Up and Made the Wrong Person a Magical Girl Vol. 3 – Seven Seas, 8/13/19
Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic Vol. 37 – Viz, 8/13/19
Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid: Elma’s Office Lady Diary Vol. 2 – Seven Seas, 8/20/19
Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt Vol. 12 – Viz, 8/20/19
Murciélago Vol. 11 – Yen Press, 8/6/19
Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation Vol. 9 – Seven Seas, 8/20/19
My Boy in Blue Vol. 12 – 8/27/19
My Hero Academia Vol. 20 – Viz, 8/6/19
My Monster Secret Vol. 17 – Seven Seas, 8/6/19
My Pink is Overflowing Vol. 2 – Kodansha, 8/13/19
My Sweet Girl Vol. 5 – Kodansha, 8/6/19
O Maidens in Your Savage Season Vol. 3 – Kodansha, 8/20/19
One Piece Vol. 91 – Viz, 8/6/19
One-Punch Man Vol. 17 – Viz, 8/6/19
Peach Girl NEXT Vol. 5 – 8/13/19
The Prince’s Romance Gambit Vol. 5 – Kodansha, 8/13/19
The Promised Neverland Vol. 11 – Viz, 8/6/19
Pumpkin Scissors Vol. 22 – Kodansha, 8/13/19
Ran and the Gray World Vol. 4 – Viz, 8/20/19
Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- Chapter 3: Truth of Zero Vol. 8 – Yen Press, 8/27/19
The Royal Tutor Vol. 12 – Yen Press, 8/27/19
The Saga of Tanya the Evil Vol. 6 (Light Novel) – Yen Press, 8/6/19
Saint Seiya Sho Vol. 7 – Seven Seas, 8/6/19
Shibuya Goldfish Vol. 5 – Yen Press, 8/27/19
Shomin Sample Vol. 10 – Seven Seas, 8/6/19
Shortcake Cake Vol. 5 – Viz, 8/6/19
Silver Spoon Vol. 10 – Yen Press, 8/27/19
Smokin’ Parade Vol. 6 – Yen Press, 8/27/19
So I’m a Spider, So What? Vol. 6 (Light Novel) – Yen Press, 8/20/19
So I’m a Spider, So What? Vol. 6 (Manga) – Yen Press, 8/6/19
Sorry For My Familiar Vol. 5 – Seven Seas, 8/20/19
Sword Art Online: Hollow Realization Vol. 4 – Yen Press, 8/20/19
Tales of Wedding Rings Vol. 7 – Yen Press, 8/27/19
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Vol. 6 (Light Novel) – 8/20/19
Tokyo Alice Vol. 14 – Kodansha, 8/20/19
Tokyo Ghoul: re Vol. 12 – Viz, 8/20/19
To Love Ru Vol. 15-16 – Seven Seas, 8/13/19
To the Abandoned Sacred Beasts Vol. 9 – Vertical, 8/27/19
Takane & Hana Vol. 10 – Viz, 8/6/19
The Tale of Genji: Dreams at Dawn Vol. 6 – Kodansha, 8/6/19
10 Dance Vol. 4 – Kodansha, 8/6/19
Tokyo Revengers Vol. 10 – Kodansha, 8/13/19
Tokyo Tarareba Girls Vol. 8 – Kodansha, 8/6/19
Triage X Vol. 18 – Yen Press, 8/20/19
Trinity Seven Vol. 17 – Yen Press, 8/20/19
Ultra Kaiju Humanization Project Vol. 3 – Seven Seas, 8/13/19
Umineko WHEN THEY CRY Episode 8: Twilight of the Golden Witch Vol. 2 – Yen Press, 8/6/19
Urusei Yatsure Vol. 3 – Viz, 8/20/19
Val x Love Vol. 6 – Yen Press, 8/27/19
We Never Learn Vol. 5 – Viz, 8/6/19
Witch Hat Atelier Vol. 3 – Kodansha, 8/27/19
Wonderland Vol. 3 – Seven Seas, 8/20/19
Yokai Girls Vol. 8 – Seven Seas, 8/6/19
Yona of the Dawn Vol. 19 – Viz, 8/6/19
You Got Me, Sempai! Vol. 6 – Kodansha, 8/6/19
Note: Release dates are always subject to change due to publishing delays. Between small presses and as-yet-unannounced volumes, this list doesn’t include all the manga set to be released in English this month but it does cover most large companies and imprints.
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