Month: March 2024

April, Fall 2024 & Spring 2025 New Licensing Announcement

Posted on | Licensing Announcements

Kodansha Reveals New Manga Licenses for April 2024, Fall 2024 & Spring 2025 

As announced today at Sakura-Con 2024, Kodansha revealed a wide-ranging slate of new print and digital licenses that span imminent and future releases from this April to Fall 2024 and Spring 2025. 

Coming to print fall 2024: This fall sees a number of exciting print manga debuts including the multiverse spanning science fiction epic, Thunder 3 by Yuki Ikeda; the secret high school bodyguard action series, Honeko Akabane’s Bodyguards by Masamitsu Nigatsu; new box sets for series like Blue Lock, Fire Force and Hitorijime my Hero; and even more detailed below. 

Also arriving in print spring 2025: The announcements kept coming as Kodansha unveiled print manga debuts for spring with the sweet gender-expansive rom-com, Senpai Is an Otokonoko: My Crossdressing Classmate by Pom, the dystopian yuri soldier chronicle, I Want to Love You Till Your Dying Day by Nachi Aono, and more.

Debuting digitally April 2024: New Kodansha manga is also immediately on the horizon with the April digital debut of You Must Be This Tall to Propose!, the hilarious awkward romance by Fumi Mifuyu. This upcoming debut is perfect for fans of other charmingly awkward Kodansha romances like Aho-Girl and Doing His Best to Confess.

Print titles announced will be available starting fall 2024 and spring 2025 at physical and online book vendors like Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, Amazon, and more, while April’s digital manga debut will be available upon release across all our participating digital vendors, including Bookwalker, Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, Google Play, Nook, Kobo, MyAnimeList, and more! Fans can also purchase and read all our digital manga directly on kodansha.localhost/.

Take a look below at the full roster of debuts coming soon in print and digital from Kodansha.

FALL 2024 NEW PRINT LICENSES:

Thunder 3
By Yuki Ikeda

Debut Date: November 2024

Three ordinary schoolboys come into possession of a DVD that supposedly opens a gateway to a parallel universe, but when their backs are turned Pyontaro’s little sister Futaba passes through and gets kidnapped by the aliens that have overrun that version of Earth! Discovering that their cartoonish bodies make them supermen in the hyper-realistic parallel universe, the boys set out to rescue Futaba.

Rated: 13+

Mobile Suit Gundam: Cucuruz Doan’s Island
By Junji Ohno, Yatate Hajime & Yoshiyuki Tomino

Debut Date: October 2024

Former Zeon mobile suit squad leader Cucuruz Doan has deserted, taking up residence on a small island where he helped to raise a number of orphaned children. But what about the other members of his squad? While the original story was told from federation pilot Amuro Ray’s perspective, Ohno’s limited series goes beyond the original television episode to explore the ramifications of Doan’s actions on his own troops, bringing us a multilayered and emotionally complex view of the events from Zeon’s perspective.

Rated: 13+

Honeko Akabane’s Bodyguards
By Masamitsu Nigatsu

Debut Date: January 2025

An exciting and new school action comedy perfect for fans of Assassination Classroom!

They have only one goal – to kill Honeko Akabane! One day, Arakuni Ibuki learns that his childhood friend, Honeko Akabane, is being targeted by assassins! Both of them are in Class 3-4 at Sosoji High School, and Ibuki is ordered to protect Akabane for one year. His goal is to ensure that she graduates safely, but he must do so without her realizing it. And so begins his secret life as a bodyguard at school! However, there seems to be more secrets within the so-called “Class 3-4”…?!

Rated: 13+

Dra-Q
By Chiyo

Debut Date: January 2025

An action-packed, forbidden bloodsucking romance between a vampire girl and her delinquent classmate, perfect for fans of Sankarea!

Amelie Kurosaki is your typical high school student—or so she seems. She tries to stay quiet and abide by the rules; she has a crush on her delinquent classmate, Paco, who she’s always fighting with. But her secret crush isn’t the only thing Amelie is hiding—she’s actually a vampire who’s forbidden to fall in love with humans. But after a series of events, Amelie’s hidden identity is revealed—right in front of Paco.

Rated: 16+

Dogs and Punchings Bags
By Kaori Ozaki

Debut Date: January 2025

From Kaori Ozaki, author of the gods lie. and The Golden Sheep, comes another touching exploration of love, family, and belonging. 

After leaving her isolating life in Tokyo, 34-year-old Nichiko returns to her remote island hometown for her estranged alcoholic father’s final days. There she meets Chimaki, an eccentric young man who stirs up old memories and feelings Nichiko had all but decided she no longer deserved. But despite his puppy-like enthusiasm for life, Chimaki’s almost obsessive need to rescue people and animals seems to be compensating for an unspeakable past.

Rated: 16+

Love on the Horizon
By Machi Yamashita

Debut Date: January 2025

A sweet and poignant BL series about a college student falling for his music club senpai, who also happens to be his next door neighbor, perfect for fans of My Summer of You and The White and Blue Between Us.

Art university student Nagi Kitagawa is hopelessly in love with Yuu Yamasaki, his senpai in the folk song club who also happens to be his next door neighbor. Yuu seems to have it all—good looks, a great personality, and he’s also super popular—so Nagi can’t help but think he’d never fall for a shy, innocent country bumpkin like him. One night, after drinking too much at one of their club get-togethers, Nagi helps a drunk Yuu get home safe—but before he can go back to his own apartment, Yuu wraps Nagi in his arms and falls asleep, trapping Nagi in his embrace. Nagi sneaks out the next morning, careful to not wake Yuu up, and vows to keep the incident a secret. But when Nagi finds himself growing closer and closer to Yuu, his unrequited feelings only grow stronger… And could it be that his love isn’t as one-sided as he thinks it is…?

Rated: 16+

Confession
By Kaiji Kawaguchi and Nobuyuki Fukumoto

Debut Date: December 2024

Live-action motion picture coming May 2024!

Two miles up in the unforgiving heights of Mt. Owari, hikers and friends Asai and Ishikura are hit by a blizzard and lose their way. Injured and sure of his imminent death, Ishikura confesses to killing a member of their university hiking club five years ago. However, Asai then stumbles upon shelter and carries them both to safety, only to realize that the confession has forever changed their relationship—and that the brutal elements may no longer be the most deadly threat around.

Rated: 16+

Shimazaki in the Land of Peace
By Gouten Hamada; Illustrated by Takeshi Seshimo

Debut Date: November 2024

After surviving a terrorist incident as a child, Shingo Shimazaki was forced to join the League for Economic Liberations’ revolutionary army. Now, thirty years later, he’s back in Japan and trying to assimilate to a normal life. His Japanese may be awkward, and his grasp of ordinary tasks a little weak, but he has all the combat and surveillance training of a green beret. There are many kindhearted souls who want to help him – and a few not so kind ones who will do anything to stop him.

Rated: 16+

Suzume
By Makoto Shinkai; Adapted by Denki Amashima

Debut Date: September 2024

All-new adaptation of the Golden Globes-nominated worldwide hit directed by Makoto Shinkai, creator of Your Name and Weathering with You!

High school junior Suzume has no idea why the beautiful stranger she meets is looking for ruins, for a certain door. Soon after pointing the stranger, Souta, in the direction of an abandoned resort, she thinks better of it and goes to try and stop him. But before she can find Souta, Suzume unknowingly opens a decrepit door to a world beyond time and place—and stumbles into an adventure of seismic proportions. 

Rated: 13+

Blue Lock Season 1, Part 1 Manga Box Set
Story by Muneyuki Kaneshiro; Art by Yusuke Nomura

Debut Date: October 2024

The cutthroat battle to become Japan’s top striker kicks off in this premium box set of the hit soccer manga that inspired the anime!

Includes volumes 1-6 of the Blue Lock manga and an exclusive double-sided poster.

Rated: 16+

Blue Lock: Episode Nagi 1 + Exclusive Q Posket Figure
By Kota Sannomiya; Created by Muneyuki Kaneshiro; Character designs by Yusuke Nomura

Debut Date: October 2024

Score big with this bundle of volume 1 of the spin-off of epic soccer manga Blue Lock and an exclusive Q Posket figure of reluctant prodigy Seishiro Nagi, all in a special box perfect for gifting! 

Includes volume 1 of Blue Lock: Episode Nagi and a full-size Q Posket figure of Seishiro Nagi based on the Blue Lock: Episode Nagi anime film.

Rated: 16+

Fire Force Manga Box Set 2
By Atsushi Ohkubo

Debut Date: December 2024

Dive feet-first into the world of devil-fighting firefighters with this box set edition of the hit manga from the creator of Soul Eater! You loved the anime—now blaze through the manga that inspired it all!

Includes Vol. 7-11 of the Fire Force manga and an exclusive double-sided poster.

Rated: 16+

Hitorijime My Hero Manga Box Set 2
By Memeco Arii

Debut Date: October 2024

Collect the BL manga that inspired the hit anime in a premium, six-volume box set, including an exclusive bonus booklet featuring newly-translated manga and illustrations!

This rigid, collector-quality box set, featuring exclusive box art that lines up with box set #1 on the shelf, includes Vol. 7-12 of the Hitorijime My Hero manga, plus a 100-page bonus booklet featuring exclusive color art, a Japanese color art gallery, and newly-translated short stories.

Rated: 18+

Ajin Complete
By Gamon Sakurai

Debut Date: October 2024

New 3-in-1 omnibus edition!

High school student Kei Nagai is killed in a traffic accident, but immediately revives to learn that he may not be human at all. Instead, he may be a Demi-Human, a mysterious almost immortal being blessed with amazing super-human abilities. Scared, he runs away, and is aided in his escape from society by his friend Kai. Unfortunately for Kei, the manhunt is on and he will soon be caught within a conflict between mankind and other Demi-Humans as they prepare to fight for global supremacy.

Rated: 16+

S (paperback edition)
By Koji Suzuki

Debut Date: October 2024

Now in a modern age of computers and the internet, the Sadako virus is revitalized and is potentially even more dangerous. Combining classic Japanese horror and modern themes, S is Koji Suzuki’s powerful return to the J-Horror field! Now in paperback!

Rated: 18+

SPRING 2025 NEW PRINT LICENSES:

Senpai Is an Otokonoko: My Crossdressing Classmate
By Pom

Debut Date: April 2025

A poignant, sweet romantic comedy about gender nonconformity and the love triangle between a ditzy girl, the cross-dressing boy she likes, and his best friend! The manga that inspired the anime coming this July!

First-year high school student Saki Aoi can’t help but find herself head-over-heels for her senpai, Makoto Hanaoka. After all, Hanaoka-senpai is tall, beautiful, and oh-so-cool—who wouldn’t fall for a girl like her? Saki, with her bright and bubbly personality, doesn’t hesitate to confess her feelings. However, Makoto turns her down, saying that they’re not the person Saki thinks they are—because Makoto isn’t a girl, but rather a cross-dressing boy!

Second-year Makoto Hanaoka is used to the negatives that come with his love of cross-dressing—including the harsh gossip from his classmates, as well as the disapproval from his mother at home. After revealing his well-known secret to Saki, he expects her to be disgusted. But Saki’s feelings only grow stronger, and she doesn’t care what Makoto’s gender is—in fact, she’s determined to win him over!

Ryuji Taiga hears what his other classmates have to say about his cross-dressing best friend, Makoto—and has no problem coming to his defense.  So when Ryuji finds out a first-year has a crush on him, he can’t help but be wary of her intentions. Not only that, but Ryuji has his own conflicting feelings about Makoto, which may run deeper than friendship…

Rated: 13+

Fall In Love, You False Angels
By Coco Uzuki

Debut Date: February 2025

A beautifully illustrated, hilarious rom-com perfect for fans of Kiss Me at the Stroke of Midnight, Horimiya, and Spoil Me Plzzz, Hinamori-san! about a seemingly perfect pair of high schoolers who bond over a shared secret—they’re not as perfect as they seem!

All sugar, no spice, and everything nice… that’s the impression the beautiful first-year high schooler and “heartthrob angel” class president Otogi Katsura gives to those around her. In reality, Otogi is brash, assertive, and has no problem calling out a jerk when she sees one—the complete opposite of her soft spoken vice presidential counterpart, the equally beautiful and seemingly perfect Toki Ninomae. One day, when a group of boys try to hit on her at the train station, Otogi doesn’t hold back and gives them a piece of her mind—and, to her surprise, Toki enjoys seeing this side of her. Not only that, it turns out the seemingly polite, put-together vice president has a hidden side of his own… and Otogi now finds him more attractive than ever! Now “partners-in-crime,” Otogi and Toki agree to keep their hidden sides a secret from the rest of their classmates—but could this shared, dark secret also bring them closer together…?!

Rated: 13+

I Want to Love You Till Your Dying Day
By Nachi Aono

Debut Date: February 2025

An action-packed new dystopian yuri series about a gruesome war, a mysterious orphanage, and the girls who live there, perfect for fans of Girls Last Tour and Otherside Picnic!

At the mysterious orphanage where Sheena lives, death is nothing new to its residents—girls who no longer have families of their own, who are raised as weapons of war, taught to kill and take the lives of others without batting an eye. Everyone, that is, except Sheena, who wishes for nothing more than the growing conflict around her to end. On the night of her roommate’s death, Sheena meets a strange girl covered in blood, who smiles despite the turmoil surrounding them. The next day, the girl appears as a new student in Sheena’s class and introduces herself as Mimi. Initially thought to be a school myth, there are now whispers in the orphanage’s halls that Mimi is their secret weapon—an immortal who cannot die. When Mimi is later assigned as Sheena’s new roommate, Sheena’s world grows even more complicated when she begins living with someone who loves and welcomes death, when all Sheena wants to do is stop it…

Rated: 16+

APRIL 2024 NEW DIGITAL LICENSE:

You Must Be This Tall to Propose!
By Fumi Mifuyu

Debut Date: April 9, 2024

Chitose Oki has a huge crush on his nextdoor neighbor Tomo, but there’s one small problem—his height. Back as kids, when his dream girl said she wouldn’t marry him until he grew up, poor Chitose took that quite literally. These days, it’s not just height—one embarrassing misunderstanding after another keeps them from seeing eye to eye. The truth is, they’re both head over heels for each other, but it’s a tall order to confess your feelings to the one you love.

Rated: 13+

Read the FREE Chapter 1 of You Must Be This Tall to Propose!

Kodansha @ Sakura-Con & Anime Boston

Posted on | Events

Catch Kodansha at 2 Events in March

Kodansha is proud to announce its first two in-person appearances of 2024! This time, we’ll have panels, giveaways, and more at both Anime Boston AND Sakura-Con, at the end of March. Both events will happen on the same weekend from Friday, March 29 to Sunday, March 31, 2024, with Anime Boston happening at the Hynes Convention Center and Sheraton Boston Hotel, and Sakura-Con happening at the Seattle Convention Center.

Look below for details on how you can catch Kodansha at each show!


SAKURA-CON — BOSTON, MA — 3/19-3/31/24


Are you attending Sakura-Con and want to get a sneak peak at Kodansha’s upcoming slate of print & digital manga? Be sure to come to our panel where we’ll give fans an exciting glimpse of amazing manga to come. Not only that, but to celebrate the debut of Initial D Omnibus, we’re thrilled to host an in-person gathering for Initial D fans and cosplayers at the LeMay – America’s Car Museum’s Shinka: An Immersive Japanese Automobile Exhibit, which is showcasing a real-life Trueno Hachi-Roku! More details below:

Saturday, March 30, 2024

The Latest Kodansha Manga Revealed & Recommended!
When: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM PST
Where: Seattle Convention Center – Summit, Room 438
What: Kodansha, purveyor of some of the most exciting, heart-warming, and thrilling manga published today like, Blue Lock, A Sign of Affection, Attack on Titan & more, invites manga fans to an exclusive first-look at new print & digital manga series coming soon to a bookshelf or tablet near you! Join the manga experts from Kodansha to learn about upcoming debuts, get customized manga recommendations, and even the chance to win giveaways. It’s a panel no manga fan can miss!

New print & digital licensing announcements from Sakura-Con Here!

Sunday, March 31, 2024

Initial D Fan Meet-up @ LeMay – America’s Car Museum
When: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM PST
Where: LeMay – America’s Car Museum, 2702 E D St, Tacoma, WA 98421 [LINK]
What: Come meet with Kodansha and other Initial D fans in person at LeMay – America’s Car Museum to celebrate the debuts of the Initial D Omnibus and the start of the Shinka Immersive Japanese Automobile Exhibit. We’re inviting all fans—but especially crafty cosplaying fans—to check out this amazing exhibit, meet at the Initial D-inspired Trueno Hachi Roku, and join this fan celebration!

RSVP is now closed but you can still come out to meet with Initial D fans and to check out the LeMay museum. 

For fans who were able to reserve an Eventbrite ticket: Once you arrive between 12-5pm PT, look for the Kodansha Staff member to check-in and redeem your ticket and then gain entry to the LeMay museum.

Don’t miss the opportunity to be a part of an epic photo-op in front of the Initial D Trueno Hachi Roku display inside the Shinka exhibit. Kodansha will also host a raffle immediately following the photo shoot for lucky fans to receive a brand new copy of the Initial D Omnibus. Make sure to be there by 3pm PT.


ANIME BOSTON — BOSTON, MA — 3/19-3/31/24


At Anime Boston, Kodansha is helping and participating in a wonderful track of educator and librarian programming dubbed the “Manga, Libraries & You” Panel Track. These panels will gather manga, educator, and academic professionals in a series of talks aiming to share the love of manga with students, library patrons, and all attending fans of Anime Boston. All panels for his panel track will be held at the Hynes Convention Center, panel room 208.

Educators and Librarians can even apply for free badges to Anime Boston to attend this panel track by filling out the Anime Boston Educator & Librarian Badge Request form.

Take a look below for this schedule of programing:

Friday, March 29, 2024

Building a Manga Collection for a Library [LINK]
When: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM EST
Where: Hynes Convention Center, panel room 208
What: Step into the world of manga as we explore what genres, formats, and series to look for when building a manga collection for a library. If you’re a librarian or educator looking to make manga available in your collection, you won’t want to miss this discussion.

Library Resources for Teens [LINK]
When: 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM EST
Where: Hynes Convention Center, room 208
What: Come learn about the resources you can find at your local library – it’s more than just books and manga!

The Choice is Yours: Best Manga Ever [LINK]
When: 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM EST
Where: Hynes Convention Center, room 208
What: Okay,‘Best Manga Ever’ might be a bit of a stretch, but we do have the 16 top-selling manga series from manga publisher Kodansha! Is Attack on Titan truly the best, or will it be dethroned by underdog Sign of Affection? Help us find the answer!

A Guide to Engaging Young Fans & Club Advisor Meetup [LINK]
When: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM EST
Where: Hynes Convention Center, room 208
What: An open discussion with members of the industry, guests of honor, and Anime Boston staff about how we can create a strong environment for the next generation of fans. Following the discussion we will have a meetup for advisors of anime clubs to meet and share ideas.


Be sure to follow Kodansha on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram for news, updates, and posts from these events!

Get Free Vol. 1s During the Read Beyond the Anime Sale

Posted on | Sales

WIND BREAKER
By Satoru Nii

Haruka Sakura wants nothing to do with weaklings—he’s only interested in the strongest of the strong. He’s just started at Furin High School, a school of degenerates known only for their brawling strength—strength they use to protect their town from anyone who wishes it ill. But Haruka’s not interested in being a hero or being part of any sort of team—he just wants to fight his way to the top!

Rated: 16+

Read a FREE preview of WIND BREAKER

The Seven Deadly Sins: Four Knights of the Apocalypse
By Nakaba Suzuki

Percival has always lived with his grandfather on God’s Finger, a remote haven that sits high above the clouds. And though he loves the simple life, he secretly longs for adventure. But Percival’s life is changed forever when an intruder—who shares a shocking connection with him—tears away everything he’s ever known. With nothing left to do but chase down the one who took everything from him, Percival sets out on his own. During his journey, the sheltered boy discovers that there are a lot of things he doesn’t know about normal life. Luckily, he meets friends along the way who can help him get by—but how will they react when they find out about Percival’s destiny… and how it’s connected to the end of the world?

Rated: 16+

Read a FREE preview of The Seven Deadly Sins: Four Knights of the Apocalypse


See below for the full list of Read Beyond the Anime series on sale now until 04/01/24:

A Condition Called Love
By Megumi Morino

Hotaru is a 16-year-old high school first-year who has always been ambivalent about love, preferring instead to have a lively life with her family and friends. So when she sees her schoolmate, Hananoi-kun, sitting in the snow after a messy, public breakup, she thinks nothing of offering to share her umbrella. But when he asks her out in the middle of her classroom the next day, she can’t help but feel that her life is about to change in a big way…

Rated: 16+

Read a FREE preview of A Condition Called Love

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime
By Fuse and Taiki Kawakami

Mikami’s middle age hasn’t gone as he planned: He never found a girlfriend, he got stuck in a dead-end job, and he was abruptly stabbed to death in the street at 37. So when he wakes up in a new world straight out of a fantasy RPG, he’s disappointed but not exactly surprised to find that he’s not a knight or a wizard but a blind slime demon. But there are chances for even a slime to become a hero…

Rated: 13+

Read a FREE preview of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime

WIND BREAKER
By Satoru Nii

Haruka Sakura wants nothing to do with weaklings—he’s only interested in the strongest of the strong. He’s just started at Furin High School, a school of degenerates known only for their brawling strength—strength they use to protect their town from anyone who wishes it ill. But Haruka’s not interested in being a hero or being part of any sort of team—he just wants to fight his way to the top!

Rated: 16+

Read a FREE preview of WIND BREAKER

The Seven Deadly Sins: Four Knights of the Apocalypse
By Nakaba Suzuki

Percival has always lived with his grandfather on God’s Finger, a remote haven that sits high above the clouds. And though he loves the simple life, he secretly longs for adventure. But Percival’s life is changed forever when an intruder—who shares a shocking connection with him—tears away everything he’s ever known. With nothing left to do but chase down the one who took everything from him, Percival sets out on his own. During his journey, the sheltered boy discovers that there are a lot of things he doesn’t know about normal life. Luckily, he meets friends along the way who can help him get by—but how will they react when they find out about Percival’s destiny… and how it’s connected to the end of the world?

Rated: 16+

Read a FREE preview of The Seven Deadly Sins: Four Knights of the Apocalypse


See below for the full list of Read Beyond the Anime series on sale now until 04/01/24:

Get free digital volume 1s of series like A Condition Called Love, WIND BREAKER & more for a limited time!

Kodansha is giving fans another way to continue enjoying some of the most exciting, heartfelt & talked about anime of recent and upcoming seasons by making it easy to… Read Beyond the Anime during this special digital manga sale!

For a limited time, we are discounting digital volumes 1s to 99¢ and taking up to 50% off series like the souls-like video game fantasy epic, Shangri-La Frontier (anime streaming on Crunchyroll); the dramatic crossdressing vampire romance, Vampire Dormitory (anime begins April 7); and even anime-inspiring classics like Shaman King, Noragami: Stray God & more!

Not only that, but cans can also get four FREE digital volume 1s of upcoming and currently airing series like the adorable school romance, A Condition Called Love (anime streams on Crunchyroll in April); the fan-favorite fantasy hero Isekai, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime (Season 3 begins April); The Seven Deadly Sins sequel series, The Seven Deadly Sins: Four Knights of the Apocalypse (now streaming on Netflix); as well as action-packed delinquent brawler, WIND BREAKER (Anime begins this Spring).

Sale Ends Monday, April 1st, 2024! 

Take advantage of these exceptional discounts either by purchasing on kodansha.localhost/ or by visiting any of our participating digital manga vendors: 

Amazon Kindle
Barnes & Noble Nook
Google Play
Apple Books
Kobo
MyAnimeList
Mangamo
and more! 

Curious to learn more about all the FREE digital volume 1s you can get during the Read Beyond the Anime digital manga sale? Take a look below for details on four recommended series!

A Condition Called Love
By Megumi Morino

Hotaru is a 16-year-old high school first-year who has always been ambivalent about love, preferring instead to have a lively life with her family and friends. So when she sees her schoolmate, Hananoi-kun, sitting in the snow after a messy, public breakup, she thinks nothing of offering to share her umbrella. But when he asks her out in the middle of her classroom the next day, she can’t help but feel that her life is about to change in a big way…

Rated: 16+

Read a FREE preview of A Condition Called Love

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime
By Fuse and Taiki Kawakami

Mikami’s middle age hasn’t gone as he planned: He never found a girlfriend, he got stuck in a dead-end job, and he was abruptly stabbed to death in the street at 37. So when he wakes up in a new world straight out of a fantasy RPG, he’s disappointed but not exactly surprised to find that he’s not a knight or a wizard but a blind slime demon. But there are chances for even a slime to become a hero…

Rated: 13+

Read a FREE preview of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime

WIND BREAKER
By Satoru Nii

Haruka Sakura wants nothing to do with weaklings—he’s only interested in the strongest of the strong. He’s just started at Furin High School, a school of degenerates known only for their brawling strength—strength they use to protect their town from anyone who wishes it ill. But Haruka’s not interested in being a hero or being part of any sort of team—he just wants to fight his way to the top!

Rated: 16+

Read a FREE preview of WIND BREAKER

The Seven Deadly Sins: Four Knights of the Apocalypse
By Nakaba Suzuki

Percival has always lived with his grandfather on God’s Finger, a remote haven that sits high above the clouds. And though he loves the simple life, he secretly longs for adventure. But Percival’s life is changed forever when an intruder—who shares a shocking connection with him—tears away everything he’s ever known. With nothing left to do but chase down the one who took everything from him, Percival sets out on his own. During his journey, the sheltered boy discovers that there are a lot of things he doesn’t know about normal life. Luckily, he meets friends along the way who can help him get by—but how will they react when they find out about Percival’s destiny… and how it’s connected to the end of the world?

Rated: 16+

Read a FREE preview of The Seven Deadly Sins: Four Knights of the Apocalypse


See below for the full list of Read Beyond the Anime series on sale now until 04/01/24:

Anime / Manga ReCap Digital Manga Sale

Posted on | Sales

Get up to 50% on select anime-inspiring series, like Parasyte, A Girl and Her Guard Dog, Initial D, The Witch and the Beast, and more!

Get ready to hit rewind, replay, and relive your favorite manga moments from series that have inspired anime for decades, with our Anime/Manga Recap Digital Manga Sale! Rediscover or catch up on fan-favorite manga series with up to 50% off of select titles including, the alien invasion horror thriller, Parasyte (live-action Netflix series coming 4/5); the silly, messy, multi-love rom-com, Girlfriend, Girlfriend; the high-octane street racing saga turned global phenomenon, Initial D; as well as the gritty art-deco action fantasy,  The Witch and the Beast (anime streaming now on Crunchyroll), and more!

Sale Ends Monday, March 18th, 2024! 

Take advantage of these provoking discounts either by purchasing on kodansha.localhost/ or by visiting any of our participating digital manga vendors: 

Bookwalker
Amazon Kindle
Barnes & Noble Nook
Google Play
Apple Books
Kobo
MyAnimeList
Mangamo
and more! 

Curious to learn more about some of the anime-inspiring series on sale during the Anime / Manga ReCap Digital Manga Sale? Take a look below for details on four recommended series!


Parasyte
By Hitoshi Iwaaki

Parasyte: The Grey —the Netflix live-action Korean drama from Train to Busan director Yeon Sang-ho— arrives 4/5/24!

They arrive in silence and darkness. They descend from the skies. They have a hunger for human flesh. They are everywhere. They are parasites, alien creatures who must invade—and take control of—a human host to survive. And once they have infected their victims, they can assume any deadly form they choose: monsters with giant teeth, winged demons, creatures with blades for hands. But most have chosen to conceal their lethal purpose behind ordinary human faces. So no one knows their secret—except an ordinary high school student. Shin is battling for control of his own body against an alien parasite, but can he find a way to warn humanity of the horrors to come?

Rated: 16+

Read a FREE preview of Parasyte


Girlfriend, Girlfriend
By Hiroyuki

Naoya just got a girlfriend, the gorgeous Saki-chan, and though their intensities often pit them against each other like ice and fire, they’re totally, uncontrollably in love with each other. He vows never to cheat…when out of the blue he receives another confession! Nagisa’s cute, sweet, and she’s made him lunch to boot! He knows he can’t cheat, but he can’t let a cutie like this get away…so he does the logical(?) thing: Asks Saki for permission to date them both! The confidence! The arrogance! The very gall! No matter the outcome, Naoya’s future will be lively!

Rated: 16+

Read a FREE preview of Girlfriend, Girlfriend


Initial D
By Shuichi Shigeno

Initial D Omnibus arrives in print, with new translation, and lettering 3/19/24

Tak Fujiwara spends a lot of time behind the wheel. His tofu delivery job sends him racing down the treacherous roads of Mount Akina, and without even realizing it, Tak has mastered racing techniques that take most drivers a lifetime to learn. Of course, none of his friends realize this. They’re all too busy watching the Akina Speed Stars, the local street racing team. When the legendary Red Suns show up to challenge the Speed Stars, it looks as if the Trueno Eight Six that has been seen racing through the mountain roads. The question remains…who’s the driver of this phantom car?

Rated: 16+

Read a FREE preview of Initial D

 

Ya Boy Kongming!
By Yuto Yotsuba and Ryo Ogawa

The Tokyo Party Scene isn’t NEAR ready for the star general of the Three Kingdoms era, but he sure is ready for it! Get down, shake your thing, and prepare to laugh out loud with this historical fantasy timeslip comedy, Ya Boy Kongming!

Rated: 16+

Read a FREE preview of Ya Boy Kongming!

See below for the full list of Anime / Manga ReCap series on sale now until 3/18/24:

New Fantasy Rom-Dom Debuts Digitally in March

Posted on | New Release

Kodansha Reveals March 2024 New Digital Series Debut

Today’s licensing announcement reveals a cute new fantasy rom-com about an ousted Saint and the doomed kingdom that kicked her out in Because I, the True Saint, was Banished, that Country is Done For! by Shikiso Utsuzawa, Mokuba Matsu,& Pukyunosuke. 

Debuting digitally March 13, 2024, Because I, the True Saint, was Banished, that Country is Done For! is the prefect new series for fans of other fantasy rom-coms like Pass the Monster Meat, Milady, the funny, food-centric romantic fable; and Saint Cecilia and Pastor Lawrence, the fantasy-tinged slow burn love saga. 

Because I, the True Saint, was Banished, that Country is Done For! will be available upon release across all our participating digital vendors, including Bookwalker, Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, Google Play, Nook, Kobo, MyAnimeList, Mangamo and more! Fans can also purchase and read all Kodansha digital manga via kodansha.localhost/.

Take a look below for more details on this upcoming digital debut, as well as free chapter 1 preview.

 

MARCH 2024 NEW DIGITAL LICENSE:

Because I, the True Saint, was Banished, that Country is Done For!
Story by Shikiso Utsuzawa, Art by Mokuba Matsu, Original Character Design by Pukyunosuke

Debut Date: March 12, 2024

Ever since she was a child, Eliane has been the saint and protector of the Kingdom of Belkheim, warding off monsters and ensuring bountiful harvests with her prayers. But when a pretender saint beguiles the foolish prince—to whom she is engaged—into believing she is nothing but a fraud, he calls off the marriage and banishes her from the kingdom. Homeless and penniless but free to chart her own course for the first time in her life, Eliane decides to make for the neighboring kingdom, where she hopes to blend in as a commoner and lead a quiet life…but a chance encounter on the road will totally upend her modest plans.

Rated: 13+

Read the FREE Chapter 1 of Because I, the True Saint, was Banished, that Country is Done For!