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
That Blue Sky Feeling Vol. 3
Viz Media
By Okura & Coma Hashii, published by Viz Media
Release date: 10/8/19
One of my favorite queer manga in recent memory is coming to an end in just a week…a matter that I feel even less prepared for since I only just now realized this is going to be the final volume. Compared to some other more widely discussed series over the last few years I feel like That Blue Sky Feeling has flown a little under the radar, but for me it’s been a poignant read. Sanada encapsulates a lot of specific experiences and attitudes I don’t often see represented, and Noshiro’s a likable protagonist as well, even as he’s bumbling along trying to find his way. I’m looking forward to reading this, but not to it’s being over.
–Eric
Golden Kamuy Vol. 12
Viz Media
By Satoru Noda, published by Viz Media
Release date: 10/15/19
Am I excited for the next volume of Golden Kamuy? Of course I am, it’s Golden Kamuy. However, when I remember where the last volume ended I can’t help but approach the next volume with…trepidation. I really thought Noda wouldn’t be able to top the taxidermist in…eccentricity, but wow! What a character that was introduced last time. I’m being obnoxiously vague, I know, but suffice it to say, I will always be excited for Noda’s work, even if it continues to shock and upset me.
–Trevor
Takane & Hana Vol. 11
Viz Media
By Yuki Shiwasu, published by Viz Media
Release date: 10/1/19
I’ve made a conscious effort over the last year or so to diversify my reading pile beyond mostly just shonen series, and when it comes to shojo, it’s hard to top Takane & Hana. Shiwasu’s over-the-top renderings of the characters are hilarious, especially where chibi-Takane is concerned. There’s effectively timed comedy aplenty in this manga but also plenty of emotional earnestness, and Shiwasu manages to weave in and out of different tones successfully without ever hindering any aspect of the story. The drama’s been heightened as of late, and I’m eager to see how the story develops in this installment.
–Eric
Skull-face Bookseller Honda-san, Vol. 2
Yen Press
By Honda, published by Yen Press
Release date: 10/29/19
As a retail employee who works at a bookstore, Skull-face Bookseller Honda-san is a series that makes me feel seen. The series never presents the trials and tribulations of retail life with any level of vitriol, but the customers Honda-san has to deal with and the general problems that arise in a bookstore are ones I know all too well. I love Honda’s rendering of the staff and all their masks and their texture work on their skeletal self-insert is always great. Who knew a skeleton could be so charming while often being drawn eerily realistically?
–Trevor
The Wize Wize Beasts of the Wizarding Wizdoms
Seven Seas
By Nagabe, published by Seven Seas
Release date: 10/1/19
Give me gay things and I will be happy. Give me gay things that dive into niche genres or ideas rather than just being slice-of-life or standard romances and I will be even more happy. Here’s hoping this manga lives up to my anticipation for it. Nagabe’s art is great, so I’m sure this’ll be a lot of fun to look at. The premise I gather from the back of the book– a loose collection of stories with animal-men in a fantasy school setting– also piques my interest. Given how charming the character designs on the cover are, I’ve got high expectations.
–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:
The Alchemist Who Survived Now Dreams of a Quiet City Life, Vol. 1 (Light novel) – Yen, 10/15/19
An Incurable Case of Love, Vol. 1 – Viz, 10/1/19
Bakemonogatari Volume 1 – Vertical, 10/1/19
Cells at Work and Friends! 1 – Kodansha, 10/8/19
Cells NOT at Work!, Volume 1 – Kodansha, 10/1/19
The Drifting Classroom: The Perfect Edition, Vol. 1 – Viz, 10/15/19
Ghostly Things Vol. 1 – Seven Seas, 10/1/19
Granblue Fantasy 1 – Kodansha, 10/8/19
How to Train Your Devil Vol. 1 – Seven Seas, 10/8/19
Neon Genesis Evangelion: ANIMA Vol. 1 (Light novel) – Seven Seas, 10/29/19
One Piece Color Walk Compendium: Water Seven to Paramount War – Viz, 10/1/19
Owarimonogatari Part 1 (Novel) – Vertical, 10/29/19
ROADQUEEN: Eternal Roadtrip to Love – Seven Seas, 10/8/19
The Wize Wize Beasts of the Wizarding Wizdoms – Seven Seas, 10/1/19
The World’s Strongest Rearguard: Labyrinth Country’s Novice Seeker (Light novel) – Yen, 10/29/19
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.
A Certain Magical Index, Vol. 20 (Light novel) – Yen, 10/1/19
A Sister’s All You Need., Vol. 5 (Light novel) – Yen, 10/15/19
Again!! 11 – Kodansha, 10/1/19
Akame ga KILL! ZERO, Vol. 10 – Yen, 10/29/19
Alice & Zoroku Vol. 6 – Seven Seas, 10/29/19
Angels of Death, Vol. 8 – Yen, 10/29/19
Anne Happy, Vol. 10 – Yen, 10/29/19
Ao Haru Ride, Vol. 7 – Viz, 10/1/19
The Asterisk War, Vol. 11 (Light novel) – 10/15/19
Berserk Deluxe Volume 3 HC – Dark Horse, 10/23/19
Black Butler, Vol. 28 – Yen, 10/29/19
Boarding School Juliet 8 – Kodansha, 10/8/19
Bungo Stray Dogs, Vol. 2 (Light novel) – Yen, 10/29/19
Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card 6 – Kodansha, 10/15/19
Case Closed, Vol. 72 – Viz, 10/8/19
Chio’s School Road, Vol. 6 – Yen, 10/29/19
CITY Volume 6 – Vertical, 10/22/19
Creature Girls: A Hands-On Field Journal in Another World Vol. 2 – Seven Seas, 10/29/19
Delicious in Dungeon, Vol. 7 – 10/29/19
Don’t be Cruel Vol. 8 – SuBLime, 10/8/19
Dreamin’ Sun Vol. 10 – Seven Seas, 10/29/19
Drifting Dragons 4 – Kodansha, 10/1/19
Durarara!!, Vol. 13 (Light novel) – 10/1/19
Fire Punch, Vol. 8 – Viz, 10/15/19
Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma, Vol. 32 – Viz, 10/1/19
Fruits Basket Another, Vol. 3 – Yen, 10/29/19
Getter Robo Devolution Vol. 4 – Seven Seas, 10/29/19
Gleipnir 4 – Kodansha, 10/15/19
Goblin Slayer, Vol. 8 (Light novel) – Yen, 10/1/19
Golden Kamuy, Vol. 12 – Viz, 10/15/19
Goodbye! I’m Being Reincarnated! 3 – Kodansha, 10/1/19
Grand Blue Dreaming 8 – Kodansha, 10/29/19
Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash Vol. 11 (Light novel) – Seven Seas, 10/29/19
Hakumei & Mikochi: Tiny Little Life in the Woods, Vol. 7 – Yen, 10/15/19
The Heroic Legend of Arslan 11 – Kodansha, 10/1/19
The High School Life of a Fudanshi Vol. 5 – Seven Seas, 10/29/19
Himouto! Umaru-chan Vol. 7 – Seven Seas, 10/15/19
Hitorijime My Hero 5 – Kodansha, 10/15/19
I Am a Hero Omnibus Volume 11 – Dark Horse, 10/23/19
If It’s for My Daughter, I’d Even Defeat a Demon Lord Vol. 4 (Manga) – Seven Seas, 10/8/19
The Irregular at Magic High School, Vol. 13 (Light novel) – Yen, 10/15/19
Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?, Vol. 11 (Manga) – Yen, 10/29/19
Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? On the Side: Sword Oratoria, Vol. 9 (Manga) – Yen, 10/29/19
Kaze Hikaru, Vol. 27 – Viz, 10/1/19
Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance The Novel (Light novel) – Yen, 10/29/19
Knights Of Sidonia Master Edition Volume 3 – Vertical, 10/8/19
Komi Can’t Communicate, Vol. 3 – Viz, 10/8/19
Laid-Back Camp, Vol. 7 – Yen, 10/1/19
Magical Girl Raising Project, Vol. 7 (Light novel) – Yen, 10/29/19
The Mortal Instruments: The Graphic Novel, Vol. 3 – Yen, 10/29/19
Murciélago, Vol. 12 – Yen, 10/29/19
Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation Vol. 3 (Light novel) – Seven Seas, 10/29/19
My Hero Academia, Vol. 21 – Viz, 10/1/19
My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, Vol. 6 – Viz, 10/1/19
My Sweet Girl 7 – Kodansha, 10/1/19
Mythical Beast Investigator Vol. 2 – Seven Seas, 10/15/19
Natsume’s Book of Friends, Vol. 23 – Viz, 10/1/19
New Game! Vol. 7 – Seven Seas, 10/29/19
The Night Beyond the Tricolored Window Vol. 6 – SuBLime, 10/22/19
No Game No Life, Vol. 9 (Light novel) – Yen, 10/29/19
No Matter How I Look at It, It’s You Guys’ Fault I’m Not Popular!, Vol. 14 – Yen, 10/15/19
Nyankees, Vol. 4 – Yen, 10/29/19
Overlord, Vol. 11 (Light novel) – Yen, 10/29/19
Pandora of the Crimson Shell: Ghost Urn Vol. 12 – Seven Seas, 10/29/19
Plus-Sized Elf Vol. 3 – Seven Seas, 10/8/19
Prison School, Vol. 14 – Yen, 10/29/19
The Promised Neverland, Vol. 12 – Viz, 10/1/19
Sacrificial Princess and the King of Beasts, Vol. 7 – Yen, 10/1/19
The Saga of Tanya the Evil, Vol. 8 (Manga) – Yen, 10/29/19
School-Live!, Vol. 11 – Yen, 10/29/19
Sekirei, Vol. 10 – Yen, 10/29/19
Silver Spoon, Vol. 11 – 10/29/19
Skeleton Knight in Another World Vol. 3 (Light novel) – Seven Seas, 10/15/19
Skull-face Bookseller Honda-san, Vol. 2 – Yen Press, 10/29/19
Sleepy Princess in the Demon Castle, Vol. 9 – Viz, 10/8/19
Smile Down the Runway 2 – Kodansha, 10/1/19
Star Wars Lost Stars, Vol. 3 (Manga) – Yen, 10/29/19
Strike the Blood, Vol. 13 (Light novel) – Yen, 10/15/19
Sword Art Online 17 (Light novel) – Yen, 10/29/19
Takane & Hana, Vol. 11 – Viz, 10/1/19
The Tale of Genji: Dreams at Dawn 8 – Kodansha, 10/1/19
That Blue Sky Feeling, Vol. 3 – Viz, 10/8/19
Tokyo Ghoul: re, Vol. 13 – Viz, 10/15/19
Tokyo Tarareba Girls 9 – Kodansha, 10/15/19
To Love Ru Darkness Vol. 12 – Seven Seas, 10/29/19
Tomo-chan is a Girl! Vol. 5 – Seven Seas, 10/22/19
Toradora! Vol. 7 (Light Novel) – Seven Seas, 10/22/19
Torture Princess: Fremd Torturchen, Vol. 2 (Light novel) – Yen, 10/8/19
We Never Learn, Vol. 6 – Viz, 10/1/19
World Trigger, Vol. 19 – Viz, 10/1/19
Yona of the Dawn, Vol. 20 – Viz, 10/1/19
Note: Release dates are always subject to change due to publishing delays and other factors. 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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