Kodansha Announces Their May 2024 New Digital Manga License
As seen today on Anime News Network, Kodansha announced their May 2024 new digital manga license—the beautifully rendered fantasy adventure, The Beast Player, by Nahoko Uehashi and Itoe Takemoto.
Debuting digitally May 14, 2024, The Beast Player, tells the story of Elin, a young girl exiled after her mother, a revered beast doctor, is accused of causing a mysterious illness that claimed the lives of the village’s battle beasts, the Toda.
Take a look below for more details on this upcoming digital debut, as well as a free chapter 1 preview.
MAY 2024 NEW DIGITAL LICENSE:
The Beast Player Story by Nahoko Uehashi, Art by Itoe Takemoto
Debut Date: May 14, 2024
Ten-year-old Elin loves her brave and beautiful mother, a gifted beast doctor charged with the care of the Toda—the fearsome giant serpents that the kingdom’s warriors ride into battle. Their modest but happy life together is shattered when a mysterious illness fells the entire stable of the prized serpents overnight, and Elin’s mother is saddled with the blame. Before she knows it, Elin finds herself cast out from all she has ever known, alone in a faraway land, with only her mother’s words and the kindness of strangers to guide her. A sumptuous manga adaptation of the hit fantasy novel series, The Beast Player, by Nahoko Uehashi.
Get deep discounts on over 4, 000 volumes of your favorite Kodansha series with volume 1s starting at $.99!
Whether you’ve been on the lookout for a new series, wanting to pick up where a new favorite anime left off, or if you’re just looking to beef up your digital bookshelf, Kodansha has you covered with over 4, 000 digital manga volumes now on sale during Kodansha’s Line-Wide Mega Sale.
Take advantage of these limited-time discounts either by purchasing on kodansha.localhost/ or by visiting any of our participating digital manga vendors:
Are you like many others interested in manga and are wondering where to start? Or if you’re a veteran fan wondering what new series might be right for you and want some recommendations, you’re in luck! The manga experts at Kodansha USA have prepared a number of categories to pique your interest! And remember all spotlighted series below have $.99 volume 1s making it possible to sample freely without stressing about the cost!
Creature Among Us & Beyond
Parasyte By Hitoshi Iwaaki
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?
Ichiro Inuyashiki is down on his luck. While only 58 years old, his geriatric looks often have him written off as a pathetic old man by the world around him and he’s constantly ignored and disrespected by his family despite all that he’s done to support them. On top of everything else, his doctor has revealed that he has cancer and it appears that he has little time left in this world. But just when it seems things couldn’t get any worse, a blinding light in the night sky strikes the earth where Ichiro stands. He later wakes up to find himself unscathed, but he soon starts to notice that there’s something…different about himself. However, it turns out that these strange, new changes are just what Ichiro needs to take a new lease on life and now it seems like there’s nothing to stop him from being a hero worthy of the respect that he never had before…unless, that is, there was someone else out there with these same “changes”…
Iruma Ikaruga is living his best high-school life… until mascot-looking aliens from another world invade with their flesh-eating bugs, seemingly hell-bent on destroying humanity violently and effectively! On that fateful day, Iruma loses everything…his normal life, his best friend, and his crush…until six months later, when he catches a glimpse of her again. Is all hope for humanity—or just Iruma himself—truly lost?
After a disastrous defeat at the 2018 World Cup, Japan’s team struggles to regroup. But what’s missing? An absolute Ace Striker, who can guide them to the win. The Japan Football Union is hell-bent on creating a striker who hungers for goals and thirsts for victory, and who can be the decisive instrument in turning around a losing match…and to do so, they’ve gathered 300 of Japan’s best and brightest youth players. Who will emerge to lead the team…and will they be able to out-muscle and out-ego everyone who stands in their way?
Second-year high school student Rakuro Hizutome loves nothing more than finding so-called “trash games” and beating the crap out of them. When he decides to change things up by playing a new,“god-tier” VR game known as Shangri-La Frontier (a.k.a. SLF), he does what he does best: min-maxes, skips the prologue, and jumps straight into action! Rakuro may be a seasoned gamer, but a meeting with an old rival will change the fate of every SLF player forever.
Chihaya is a girl in the sixth grade, still not old enough to even know the meaning of the word zeal. But one day, she meets Arata, a transfer student from rural Fukui prefecture. Though docile and quiet, he has an unexpected skill: his ability to play competitive karuta, a traditional Japanese card game.
Fourteen-year-old Yukio Tanaka is one heck of a boring guy. He has no hobbies, weak taste in music, and only a small vestige of a personality. His shy and somewhat neurotic personality makes him his own worst enemy. Little does he know that his life will be forever changed when he meets rocker Ryusuke Minami, an unpredictable sixteen-year-old with a cool dog named Beck. Ryusuke has just returned to Japan from America, and when he inspires Yukio to get into music, the two begin a journey through the world of rock ’n’ roll dreams! Lace up your Docs and head to the mosh pit-Harold Sakuishi’s manga series that spawned the hit anime is back!
Kaboku Kotani is starting high school, and he plans to do what he’s always done: go along with his friends, keep quiet, and not to draw too much attention to himself. After all, it’s hard enough to get by with a stutter like his—why make things worse by standing out from the crowd? But then he sees another first-year, Hikari Wanda, dancing like no one is watching—or like she doesn’t care who sees her. It makes Kaboku wonder: Could he reach that same freedom? To find his way to Wanda, he does something he never thought he could: He joins the dance club. After all, every routine begins with a single step, right?
Kosei Arima was a piano prodigy until his cruel taskmaster of a mother died suddenly, changing his life forever. Driven by his pain to abandon piano, Kosei now lives in a monotonous, colorless world. Having resigned himself to a bland life, he is surprised when he meets Kaori Miyazono, a violinist with an unorthodox style. Can she bring Kosei back to music, and back to life?
Yuki, who’s always been deaf, is used to communicating with sign language and her phone. But she’s not used to English, so when a tourist from overseas asks for directions, she nearly panics…until a handsome stranger steps in to help. His name is Itsuomi, and it turns out he’s a friend of a friend. A charismatic globetrotter, Itsuomi speaks three languages, but he’s never had a deaf friend. The two feel drawn to each other and plan a date on a romantic winter’s night…but Yuki’s friend is afraid that she might be setting herself up to get hurt. Could this be something real? Or will these feelings melt away with the snow?
Years ago, Shoya Ishida led his peers in tormenting a hearing-impaired classmate, Shoko Nishimiya. When she transfers schools, Shoya finds he has gone from bully to bullied, and is left completely alone. Now Shoya struggles to redeem himself in Shoko’s eyes and to face the classmates who turned on him. This emotional drama is one of the most critically-acclaimed manga of the decade, earning an Eisner nomination and accolades from teachers and the American Library Association. An animated film adaptation from Kyoto Animation has swept the globe, arriving in US theaters in October 2017.
An office party reunites Tsugumi with her high school crush Itsuki. He’s realized his dream of becoming an architect, but along the way, he experienced a spinal injury that put him in a wheelchair. Now Tsumugi’s rekindled feelings will butt up against prejudices she never considered-and Itsuki will have to decide if he’s ready to let someone into his heart… Yet they may soon discover that, without each other, the world feels imperfect.
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…
Nagatoro is a freshman in high school who loves teasing and torturing her older male classmate! What’s her motivation and why does Senpai put up with her? Does Nagatoro just want to create misery for Senpai? Or maybe she secretly likes him?
Yoi Takiguchi has long legs, a deep voice, and a handsome face…in other words, Yoi is such a good-looking guy that most people don’t notice or care that she is, in fact, a girl. Indeed, she’s had the nickname “Prince” for as long as she can remember. That is, until she met Ichimura-senpai…the only person who really seemed to see her for herself. To her surprise, she’s not sure how to handle this new relationship, especially when her newfound friend is a prince himself (and a guy prince, at that). The story of the two high school princes starts here!
Watching the news, Takemichi Hanagaki learns that his girlfriend from way back in middle school, Hinata Tachibana, has died. The only girlfriend he ever had was just killed by a villainous group known as the Tokyo Manji Gang. He lives in a crappy apartment with thin walls, and his six-years-younger boss treats him like an idiot. Plus, he’s a complete and total virgin… At the height of his rock-bottom life, he suddenly time-leaps 12 years back to his middle school days!! To save Hinata, and change the life he spent running away, hopeless part-timer Takemichi must aim for the top of Kanto’s most sinister delinquent gang!!
Haruka Sakura wants nothing to do with weaklings—he’s only interested in the strongest of the strong. He’s from Fuurin High School, a school of near-dropout degenerates known only for their brawling strength. And in a town known for its territorial disputes, Haruka’s got only one goal—become the hero his town deserves.
Tattoos are the mark of a hero! Tattoos are life! Ever since being saved by a man with a back tattoo as a child, Jimmy has dedicated his life (and skin) to the ancient art of tattooing. Given his school full of delinquents, it’s no surprise that Tattoo Jimmy has become infamous for his skill at inking and brawling alike. So infamous that the biggest, baddest dudes around want to test their mettle against him…but Jimmy doesn’t take shit from anyone. He’s just got to stay in one piece long enough to meet his hero…even if it means bashing a few skulls along the way!
Get ready for an exciting lineup of your favorite Kodansha titles coming to anime this spring season!
Another anime season has come and gone, but don’t worry! This spring arrives with tons of titles perfect for any anime & manga fan including, the third season of the lovable yet powerful slime in That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime; to the villain-as-an-undercover-hero revenge story, Go! Go! Loser Ranger!; into the heartwarming school days romance, A Condition Called Love; as well as the wholesome new yuri series, Whisper Me a Love Song, and more!
Missed out on last season’s series? Pick up where the anime left off for the trash game connoisseur series, Shangri-La Frontier – starting at volume 7; continue the captivating romance in the hit shoujo series in A Sign of Affection – starting at volume 6; or immerse yourself in the stylish urban wonderland of vengeance in The Witch and the Beast – starting at volume 5.
NEW THIS SPRING ANIME SEASON!
I Was Reincarnated as the 7th Prince so I Can Take My Time Perfecting My Magical Ability
Prince Lloyd wasn’t always a prince…in fact, his previous life is one he remembers perfectly: he was a sorcerer, of sorts. So when he was forced to reincarnate, he decided to continue his studies, prince of the realm or not! But his new life has its own sets of challenges…including being a 10-year-old! What’s the 7th prince/sorcerer to do?!
Starts Airing: April 4, 2024 Studio: East Fish Studio Streaming: Crunchyroll
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…
Starts Airing: April 5, 2024 Studio: 8bit Streaming: Crunchyroll
Anime returns with season 3!
CRISES EVERYWHERE! The Kingdom of Falmuth sits on the precipice of civil war as its leaders debate how to respond to the Jura Tempest Federation’s demands. Meanwhile, the Ten Great Saints discuss the Storm Dragon’s return and the crowning of a new Demon Lord. Although Rimuru and Hinata wish to settle their dispute peacefully, a sinister group acting from the shadows is determined to see things end in bloodshed!
Starts Airing: April 5, 2024 Studio: CloverWorks Streaming: Crunchyroll
Haruka Sakura wants nothing to do with weaklings—he’s only interested in the strongest of the strong. He’s from Fuurin High School, a school of near-dropout degenerates known only for their brawling strength. And in a town known for its territorial disputes, Haruka’s got only one goal—to become the hero his town deserves.
Starts Airing: April 7, 2024 Studio: Yostar Pictures Streaming: HULU
When the Monster Army invaded Earth thirteen years ago, the Divine Dragon Rangers rose up to stop them! With the war raging on, these great heroes are mankind’s last hope! …or are they? In truth, the invaders were subjugated within a year, forced to continue to crank out a monster a week for the Rangers to crush in front of their adoring fans! But one monster has had enough. Something has to change! He’ll rebel against the might of the Dragon Rangers and destroy them all…from the inside!
As a Reincarnated Aristocrat, I’ll Use My Appraisal Skill to Rise in the World
Starts Airing: April 7, 2024 Studio: Studio MOTHER Streaming: Crunchyroll
It’s brains over brawn in this new isekai adventure! One day when leaving work, a salaryman dies and is reborn in another world as the weak child of the noble Louvent family. Using his “appraisal” skill, which lets him see the stats of others, young Ars Louvent recruits the best people to his side in order to turn his country around.
Airing April 7, 2024 Studio: Tezuka Productions Streaming: HULU
When you’re the infamous “genius killer” hitman The Fable, many things come easy. Being a normal person, however, isn’t one of them. In fact, being told that he can’t kill anyone for a while may just be the hardest job he’s ever taken…
Starts Airing: April 7, 2024 Studio: Studio Blanc Streaming: Crunchyroll
Mito, who has no family to rely on, lives on the streets, disguised as a boy. Ruka, a vampire, saves her from a perilous situation and makes her an offer: become his subservient thrall from which he can feed whenever he wants, and she can live with him—in the boys’ dorm. Because her very existence depends on her secret not being found out, every day is a new danger—to say nothing of that vampire! Meanwhile, Ruka, not knowing Mito’s a girl, dotes on her night and day in an attempt to ripen her “disgusting male blood,” but when real feelings develop… this dangerous romance between a crossdressing girl and an obsessive vampire begins!
Bubbly, energetic first-year high school student Himari falls head over heels for her senpai Yori after hearing her band perform on the first day of school. Himari tells Yori she just loves her, and, to Himari’s surprise, Yori says she loves Himari back! But when Himari realizes that she and her senpai are feeling two different kinds of love, she begins to ask herself what “love” really means…
Premiers in Japan: April 19, 2024 Studio: 8bit English-language debut: COMING SOON
Second-year high school student Reo Mikage wants nothing more than to escape his illustrious family’s shadow by becoming a soccer star and winning the World Cup. The only thing that’s missing is a talented diamond in the rough who can help him achieve his dream. That’s when he sets his sights on Seishiro Nagi, a notorious slacker whose quick reflexes are the only hint of athletic ability. Can Reo find the switch to awaken the beast inside Nagi?
Story by Katarina, Art by Ryosuke Fuji CHAPTER 59: THE HALF-NAKED HERO AND FRIENDS IN GOLEM PARADISE
Sunraku can’t help but get side-tracked by the allure of challenging overpowered monsters for loot. By exploiting the game-breaking abilities of his Inventoria equipment, Sunraku collects a massive haul of valuable drops from the impossibly strong crystal scorpions. With his precious loot squared away, Sunraku can focus on searching for the magic application unit in order to advance his main quest, but his clanmates have other ominous plans for him…
Yuki’s a college student who admires and then falls in love with an upperclassman at her school, Itsuomi, who treats her naturally despite her being Deaf. After she resolves to pursue this love in earnest, and Itsuomi asks her to go out, the two become a couple. On their first date alone, Yuki asks Itsuomi about something she’s been wondering for a while, but how will he respond?
By Kousuke Satake CHAPTER 28: FOUR LEVELS BELOW-PROLOGUE
An unexpected encounter with Angela, the witch responsible for Guideau’s curse, leaves Guideau in a primal, beast-like state. The regression calls to Ashaf’s mind the time the pair had first met—it was in a village out in the countryside, a place supposedly untouched by magic, but where rumors of a witch began to poison the community…
Kodansha Celebrates Renowned Author NISIOISIN with the MONOGATARI RETURNS, AGAIN Humble Bundle!
Get over $500 worth of NISIOISIN manga, light novels, and audiobooks in one $30 Humble Bundle.
Once again, Kodansha and Humble Bundle join forces to honor the MONOGATARI series & its creator NISIOISIN with over $500 worth of his fan-favorite titles for just $30 during the MONOGATARI RETURNS, AGAIN Humble Bundle. Available now until April 25, 2024, this latest Humble Bundle offers 57 digital volumes of NISIOISIN’s best-selling manga, light novels, and even audiobooks, including BAKEMONOGATARI (manga), NISEMONOGATARI, KATANAGATARI, Pretty Boy Detective Club (manga), and more.
Not only that, but a portion of each Humble Bundle sold contributes directly to supporting booksellers and book workers across North America viaBINC – the Book Industry Charitable Foundation.
Read ’em anywhere: All the light novels & manga featured as part of the MONOGATARI RETURNS, AGAIN Humble Bundle will be delivered digitally upon purchase in various formats, such as CBZ, PDF, ePub, and FLAC. This means fans can read these titles across their computer, e-readers, tablets, cell phones, and a wide array of mobile devices!
Support charity: In this Humble Bundle, Kodansha will be leveraging the purchasing power of each bundle – whether it’s at the $1 tier or the $30 to donate a portion of the proceeds to a worthy cause! Choose where the money goes among Kodansha and our preselected charity, the BINC, the Book Industry Charitable Foundation – an organization helping bookstore owners, booksellers, and comic store employees and owners facing unexpected financial hardships. Alternatively, you can also choose a charity of your preference via the PayPal Giving Fund.
A Sign of Affection, Volume 6
The Witch and the Beast, Volume 5
