Month: June 2024

From Anime Expo Kodanshs Unveils Spring 2025 & July New Manga Licenses

Posted on | Events | Licensing Announcements

Kodansha Reveals New Manga Licenses for July 2024 & Spring 2025 

As announced today at Anime Expo 2024—Kodansha unveiled a tremendous roster of upcoming print licenses for Spring 2025, including new debuts from celebrated creators like Hiro Mashima (FAIRY TAIL), Tsutomu Nihei (BLAME!, Knights of Sidonia), and Shuzo Oshimi (Blood on the Tracks), as well as hotly anticipated romance stories, fun and exciting BL titles, and more.

Also announced were two soon-to-debut digital manga series, Tokyo Tarareba Girls Returns 2, the latest installment of Akiko Higashimura’s Tokyo Tarareba Girls saga, and My Journey to Her,  Yuna Hirasawa’s the poignant diary-like memoir about gender affirming surgery. Both titles arrive this July.

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

See below for details on the full slate of debuts coming soon in print and digital from Kodansha.

SPRING 2025 NEW PRINT LICENSES:

DEAD ROCK
By Hiro Mashima

Debut Date: Spring 2025

What would you risk to rule the world? Dive back into the imagination of bestselling manga creator Hiro Mashima (FAIRY TAIL, EDENS ZERO) with a new fantasy adventure that pits the aspiring young denizens of Hell against each other in a battle royale to claim the ultimate prize…Earth itself!

Welcome to Dead Rock, the underworld’s top educational institution! A spot at this training facility for demonic mischief is all the young demon Yakuto has ever wanted, but in Hell, there’s no such thing as an easy A. Plenty of Yakuto’s fellow prospects won’t survive the entrance exam, and even fewer will make it to graduation. So why bother? The prize, for those who survive this death game through perdition, is the world, in the palm of their hand!

Rated: 16+

The Ayakashi Hunter’s Tainted Bride
Manga by Mamenosuke Fujimaru; Created by Midori Yuma

Debut Date: Spring 2025

The much-anticipated webtoon comes to print! From the creator of Kakuriyo: Bed & Breakfast for Spirits and the artist behind Captive Hearts of Oz and the Alice in the Country of Clover series comes a steamy new historical fantasy romance about a cursed girl shunned by those around her…and the demon hunter who falls for her. 

Noragami meets My Happy Marriage in this mix of romance, action, and suspense that has already won legions of fans!

Young, cheerful Nanao can’t wait to marry her betrothed, Reito, the young lord of the Byakurenji family. But that changes one night when she is attacked by a vengeful yokai spirit—an ayakashi—leaving her scarred with the mark of a demonic curse. Her cousin Akemi seizes the chance to steal away her fiance, but it doesn’t matter. Reito now finds her repulsive, and Nanao is forced to wear a monkey mask to hide her scar and live the life of an outcast. Years later, she meets Yako, the willful young scion of another noble family. When Nanao’s mask shatters after an accident, Yako sees her face and is drawn to her beauty and great spiritual power. But there’s more to the handsome young lord then meets the eye, and when Yako offers Nanao a way out of her torturous life, the new life that awaits her is filled with more mystery and intrigue than she could ever imagine…

Rated: 16+

The Dashing Zaddy and His Icy Protégé
By Fumito

Debut Date: Spring 2025

An outrageous BL manga about work, unlikely friends, and problems down there! At age 40, Takanashi is in the prime of his life, heading up a high-performing sales team and driving all the ladies crazy. Yet he turns them all down, because he has trouble performing in the bedroom! What will he do when a rising star on his team finds out his secret?!

The second sales division at Gosei Trading Company is headed up by Mr. Takanashi, one of the firm’s top performer and a charismatic knockout at age 40. One of his subordinates is the equally hot, cool and calculating 26-year-old, Hiwatari. Practically every woman at the company has attempted to stir up an office romance with the magnetic Takanashi, but this dashing zaddy has turned them all down, because…he secretly has ED! Meanwhile, Hiwatari seems like a scary robot on the outside, but he’s actually looked up to Takanashi since he started working with him four years ago. When Hiwatari gets a chance to spend the evening with Takanashi, he reveals more than he means to!

An irresistible love comedy between a hot older man with a shameful secret and a cunning underling who becomes an unlikely confidant in his quest to once more stand proud and, ahem…erect!

Rated: 18+

How to Deal When Your Intimidating Neighbor is Actually an Omega
By Nikuya Inui

Debut Date: Spring 2025

Nikuya Inui’s suspenseful and erotic new Omegaverse rom-com manga is finally here! A college-aged Alpha lives next door to a scary-looking hottie whom he assumes is an Alpha, too, but a shocking encounter will correct that assumption! An irresistible, tattooed Omega, living next door… What’s a virgin Alpha to do?

Complete story in one volume!

“He looks like a cold and handsome Alpha…who’d ever think he was actually a twisted and sexy Omega!”

Kota is a college student, and an Alpha. Still, he dreads bumping into his neighbor, a super-intimidating hunk with big, black tattoos. He always assumed this mystery man was an Alpha, too, and avoided him like the plague…until, one day, a scent wafts in so powerful it puts even the dull-headed Kota in a daze. It’s the scent of Omega pheromones, from next door! He assumes his neighbor’s brought an Omega home, but when he tries to leave, what should he find but the source of the pheromones: his hot neighbor! How will he get out of this situation unscathed, and without his neighbor finding out he’s a virgin?!

Rated: 18+

A Vampire in the Bathhouse
By Niko Izuki

Debut Date: Spring 2025

A heartwarming and hilarious comedy manga about a hot vampire who just wants to unwind and the family who runs the bathhouse where he crashes. Escape to a world of steam and relaxation…and get the blood flowing!

A full story in one volume!

Luka is your picture perfect vampire―he’s good looking, he’s regal… He’s also usually incredibly hungover and exhausted, and wants nothing more than a change of pace from his routine! When he takes a peek into the human world, he finds just the cure he’s looking for―a relaxing bathhouse that will surely cure him of his hangover and rejuvenate him from head to toe. To blow his fatigue out of the water, Luka pays a visit to Mangetsu no Yu bathhouse where he meets the bathhouse’s eldest son, Sakura. But between the bathhouse being short staffed and taking care of his little brother, Sakura has enough to worry about without a bougie vampire being added to the mix!

Rated: 16+

Hauntress
By Minetaro Mochizuki

Debut Date: Spring 2025

A seminal work of horror from 1993, this classic from the author of Dragon Head is finally appearing in English for the first time. Incorporating elements of psychological horror and urban legend, and credited with introducing the idea of stalking to Japan, Mochizuki’s early masterpiece remains just as terrifying as it was when it first appeared over 30 years ago.

Hiroshi Mori is an ordinary college student leading an unremarkable life, until one day he hears someone ringing his neighbor’s doorbell over and over again. He goes out onto the landing and finds a strange woman in a trenchcoat―whose tenacious attention soon transfers to him. Stalked and harrassed by this monstrous woman, Hiroshi tries to find out the truth about her before she ruins his life completely.

Rated: 16+

Tower Dungeon
By Tsutomu Nihei

Debut Date: Spring 2025

Tsutomu Nihei, master of the mysterious architectural monolith, brings his genius to bear on the fantasy genre for the first time. Having established himself with hit series like Blame! and Knights of Sidonia, he has now created a gritty, dark fantasy world and populated it with evil sorcerers and unique undead horrors. Tower Dungeon is structurally similar to the perennially popular isekai genre―the ingenuous farmboy Yuva must accompany a contingent of knights through the increasingly dangerous floors of a massive tower on the way to rescue the princess―but Nihei has turned the genre on its head, bringing his unique sensibility to bear on a crumbling world of malformed creatures, wounded soldiers, and labyrinthine darkness.

An evil sorcerer slays the king and takes over his body, kidnapping the princess and spiriting her away to the legendary Dragon Tower.

The Royal Guard is rebuffed in their attempt to rescue her, and to replace the wounded, a young farmhand named Yuva is called up into service. With only a pot lid for a shield and a strong back to carry supplies, Yuva joins the soldiers on the perilous quest to climb the tower and rescue the princess. But the Dragon Tower houses untold horrors…!

Rated: 13+

Toxic Daughter: Chi-chan
By Shuzo Oshimi

Debut Date: Spring 2025

Highly-acclaimed manga author Shuzo Oshimi brings his critical cinematic eye to this original one-shot, a dark, intriguing prologue to director Eisuke Naito’s newly-released horror film Toxic Daughter. The story follows friends Yua and Koudai who decide to save their delinquent classmate Chi from truancy, only to find themselves sinking deeper and deeper into the darkness that seems to haunt everything she touches.

Yua Hayakawa used to love playing with Chi, a mysterious girl with a murky family life who likes collecting dead insects, but it’s been years since they’ve spoken. Now, Chi hardly ever even comes to school. One day, Chi shows up to class in beat-up gym clothes with a handful of dead bugs and starts a commotion that gives Yua’s classmate, golden boy Koudai, an idea: he’s going to save Chi, and he needs Yua’s help to do it. But clean-cut exteriors don’t always promise good intentions, and the darkness in Chi may be more dangerous than Yua had ever imagined.

Rated: 16+

23:45
By Ohana

Debut Date: Spring 2025

Author Ohana’s debut English series! This bittersweet romantic mystery follows shy college freshman Iku, who has recently discovered he can see ghosts, Mimori, the friendly phantom that latches on to him, and Iku’s search to find out why this spirit is forced night after night to relive the fall that turned him into a specter. 

Two months after moving to Tokyo, college freshman Iku is living his otaku nerd life to the fullest. There’s just one problem: he’s started being able to see ghosts. One spirit in particular, a young man about Iku’s age, spends day after day standing on the pedestrian bridge on the way to Iku’s apartment. Though determined to live and let not-live unnoticed, Iku accidentally bumps into the handsome phantom and soon ends up with the very chat-deprived spirit of Mimori Seo haunting his apartment. Not long after, Iku notices that every night at 23:45, Mimori is drawn by some mysterious force back to the bridge and forced to repeat the fall that made him a ghost in the first place. Will Mimori be stuck in this loop forever, or can Iku find a way to save this specter from an eternity of unending tragedy?

Rated: 16+

Spacewalking With You
By Inuhiko Doronoda

Debut Date: Spring 2025

One’s an apathetic loner, one has his head in the stars… And they have no idea how much they need each other. The coming-of-age buddy comedy that became a surprise hit in Japan!

Kobayashi just can’t focus—not on studying, not on work—and the adults in his life think he’s in danger of becoming a worthless dropout. Then, one day, a strange new presence arrives in his class: an energetic and naïve kid named Uno. Kobayashi saves Uno from getting scammed, and that close encounter launches a new friendship. Uno’s definitely a space cadet, but Kobayashi can’t help admiring the way he floats through life, and before he knows it, he might start feeling his feet lift off the ground, too…

Rated: 13+

Magic Knight Rayearth Part 2 Vol. 1 (Paperback)
By CLAMP

Debut Date: Spring 2025

The thrilling and dramatic final arc of CLAMP’s manga masterwork Magic Knight Rayearth comes to paperback with a new translation! Hikaru, Umi, and Fuu return to a Cefiro that is not the one they left, and they realize that there was always more to this other world than they realized…

The three teenage girls who saved a world at great cost return to Tokyo, a little older and much wiser. They assume that they’ll never see the magical, troubling world of Cefiro again…when they find themselves back there once again. But Emeraude couldn’t be the one who summoned them this time. What if the tragic climax of their first adventure was only the beginning?

This new edition brings the refreshed translation of the hardcover box set to a paperback format.

Rated: 13+

Codename: Sailor V 1 (Naoko Takeuchi Collection)
By Naoko Takeuchi

The adventures of Minako Aino as the elegant, masked hero Sailor V are here in a new, portable and affordable edition! Featuring an updated translation and high page count, perfect to go wherever you or the legendary guardian in your life want to take it.

A year before meeting Sailor Moon―and her destiny as a member of the Sailor Guardians―Minako was the first hero to find her calling. At age 13, all this teen can talk about is finding a boyfriend, but her dreams change when a talking cat with a crescent moon on his forehead reveals her true identity as the Soldier of Justice, Sailor V! Miracles have returned to modern Tokyo, and she must use her powers to stop the Dark Agency, which is trying to manipulate Japan’s entertainment industry and enslave the population.

Join Minako’s adventures before her debut as Sailor Venus in a new, affordable edition.

Rated: 13+

JULY 2024 NEW DIGITAL LICENSE:

Tokyo Tarareba Girls Returns 2
By Akiko Higashimura

Debut Date: July 9, 2024

30-year-old Reina Hirota’s chill life of snacking and binge-watching TV shows gets a wake-up call through a forgotten childhood dream buried in a time capsule. Suddenly, her content solitude seems more like a forever-solo voyage, prompting her to crawl off the couch and start husband hunting—not just to find love, but to help her family find their groove again. Now, if only she knew what she wanted—not just in life, but in a guy, too.

Rated: 16+

Read the FREE Chapter 1 of Tokyo Tarareba Girls Returns 2!

My Journey to Her
By Yuna Hirasawa

Debut Date: July 23, 2024

After graduating university, Yuna spent several years going through the motions and working an office job. Until one day, while in pursuit of an essential missing piece of her life, she receives a diagnosis of gender dysphoria, which opens up new doors for her. As she takes on medical treatments and tries out new makeup and outfits, she sees just how lonely and difficult the process of transitioning can be. But in 2015, when Yuna travels to Thailand for her gender-affirming surgery, the support of her siblings, new strangers, and documenting her experience through manga helps her begin to heal in more ways than one. Told in an honest and, at times, humorous tone, this memoir is a blend of manga and detailed prose that does not shy away from sensitive topics, such as suicidal ideation, transphobia, and the simultaneously harrowing, yet joyous, experience of gender-affirming surgery.

Rated: 13+

Read the FREE Chapter 1 of My Journey to Her!

Manga Masters: Ema Toyama Digital Sale

Posted on | Sales
 

Get up to 50% off on Ema Toyama’s Masterpiece’s

Celebrate the manga of the beloved romance and adventure author, Ema Toyama, with this limited time sale making it easy for fans to explore her captivating stories and unforgettable characters during the Manga Masters: Ema Toyama digital sale!

Enjoy up to 50% off her most popular series like the sharp-witted satire about making manga, Manga Dogs; the “priestess from another world” AND demon mother fantasy adventure, I Guess I Became the Mother of the Great Demon King’s 10 Children in Another World Grill Our Love; the godly urban fantasy, Kamikamikaeshi; the icy novelist turned romantic novice love story, Missions of Love; the shy girl popular / boy secret romance, Aoba-kun’s Confessions & more!

Sale Ends Monday, July 1st, 2024! 

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

Bookwalker
Amazon Kindle
Google Play
Apple Books
Kobo
MyAnimeList
Mangamo
and more! 

Curious to learn more about the series on sale during the Manga Masters: Ema Toyama digital manga sale? Take a look below for details on five recommended series!

Manga Dogs
By Ema Toyama

Kanna Tezuka is a serious 15 year old manga artist, already being published as a pro. So when she finds out her high school is starting a manga drawing course, even she gets excited. But it’s a fiasco! The teacher is useless, and the only other students three prettyboy artist wannabes quickly adopt Kanna as their (unwilling) sensei. But they all have ridiculous delusions about being an artist, and if Kanna can’t bring them back down to Earth, she’ll never get any work done! A sharpwitted satire of the manga world from the creator of I Am Here! and Missions of Love!

Rated: 13+

Read a FREE preview of Manga Dogs

I Guess I Became the Mother of the Great Demon King’s 10 Children in Another World
By Ema Toyama

Akari was a typical game-loving 16-year-old girl who lived with her mother, until a fateful accident left her orphaned. A year later, she makes a fateful wish on a game disc to be a great mother for a family of her own-only to be swept through a portal into another world! She finds she’s been summoned as the “priestess from another world”…whose role is to become mother to the children of the demon king himself?!

Rated: 16+

Read a FREE preview of I Guess I Became the Mother of the Great Demon King’s 10 Children in Another World

Kamikamikaeshi
By Ema Toyama

You see, there are kamisama, a deity, in her hair. A Shinto ritual called kamigamigaeshi allows kamisama to rest in a girl’s hair to heal themselves… One day, Mashiro, who has been confined in a small room, meets Hinokagu, a kamisama who had been sealed inside her hair… ?! Super Kamigami Fantasy!!

Rated: 16+

Read a FREE preview of Kamikamikaeshi

Missions of Love
By Ema Toyama

Cell phone novelist Yukina Himuro has decided that, in order to satisfy her fans’ demand for love stories, she must experience romance firsthand. But with her icy reputation, how can she find someone willing to play the part of boyfriend? By blackmailing the most popular boy in school, of course!

Rated: 16+

Read a FREE preview of Missions of Love

Aoba-kun’s Confessions
By Ema Toyama

Mayo is a high school loner who has issues with communication. She starts a peculiar job at a “Listening House,” where she silently listens to people’s problems. But her first client is Aoba-kun, the star of the basketball team who is seemingly perfect! Could Aoba-kun and his complicated situation be too much for Mayo to handle?! So begins the secret relationship between the girl who lacks communication skills and the guy who seems to have it all. Enjoy the first volume of this heart-warming love story.

Rated: 16+

Read a FREE preview of Aoba-kun’s Confessions

Kodansha @ ALA Annual 2024

Posted on | Events

Visit Kodansha at Booth #235

Librarians and educators! Want to speak with the manga experts from Kodansha, purveyor of some of the most exciting manga published today like Attack on Titan, Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, Blue Lock and more? Now’s your chance!

Stop by our booth (#235) at the American Library Association Annual 2024, to pick our brains about the best manga for your library or classroom. Pickup free samplers and other giveaways, or come to one of our panels through out the event!

ALA 2024 Panels & Conversations: 

Check out our full schedule of Kodansha-related panels happening at the ALA Annual conference 2024:

Saturday, June 29, 2024

It’s not just for teens! Building great manga collections for adults
Programing Link: https://cdmcd.co/7brYEz
When: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM PST
Where: San Diego Convention Center, Room 04
What: More and more manga for adult readers is being translated and published every year, and many readers who grew up on shonen and shojo classics have aged out of the teen section of the library. Yet most collection development sessions and professional development for library workers still focuses exclusively on building great teen manga collections. This session spotlights the overlooked category of manga for adult readers. The panel of library workers and industry experts will discuss what kinds of manga are available (and popular!) for adult readers, which titles are comparable to other adult collections materials (romance? mystery? memoir?), and some of the more prickly issues around age categories and content ratings themselves.

Manga Power Hour with Yen Press, Kodansha, and Square Enix
Programing Link: https://cdmcd.co/gaar84
When: 4:00 AM – 4:45 PM PST
Where: Exhibit Hall – Book Buzz Theater (Booth 3027)
What: Want to know what are the best manga titles to add to your libraries? What are some upcoming titles you should keep your eye on? Well we have all the answers! Talk manga with three publishing powerhouses!

Sunday, June 30, 2024

How Manga Connects with LGBTQ Readers!
Programing Link: https://cdmcd.co/6vZbL7
When: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM PST
Where: San Diego Convention Center, Room 05 A
What: The sexual and gender diversity found in manga can support your equitable, diverse, and inclusive collection development goals.

And in 2024, there are more titles from LGBTQ creators, and representing LGBTQ identities, than ever before! In this session, manga publishers, experts, and librarians will discuss why and how your manga collection engages LGBTQ readers. We’ll explore key genres and terms, and talk about the advantages (and the challenges) this material offers. Along the way, we’ll offer tips and tricks for collection development and readers advisory in this category, and share some great titles to start your LGBTQ manga collection off right!

Won’t be attending the ALA Annual Conference? You can always access details on Kodansha manga, and even free previews on kodansha.localhost/. And for the most up-to-date info on on weekly new releases, new licensing announcements and more, follw us across our social media channels on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok! 

Kodansha @ Anime Expo 2024!

Posted on | Events

Kodansha at Anime Expo Booth #2100

Look out for Kodansha – because we are taking over the main headers of this year’s #AnimeExpo (July 4-8, 2024 at Los Angeles Convention Center) with the smash hit series like Blue Lock, Witch Hat Atelier, The Seven Deadly Sins: Four Knights of the Apocalypse and more! 

Did you hear that there are a few Kodansha manga creators like Kamome Shirahama (Witch Hat Atelier) and Nakaba Suzuki (The Seven Deadly Sins: Four Knights of the Apocalypse) making special guest appearances at the show? Keep reading to find out how to meet them in-person. 

We’ll also have our BIGGEST BOOTH EVER with tons of interactive activities, photo ops, and giveaways. Look for Kodansha Booth #2100 to find out more!

Attendee bags will be available at Anime Expo main entrances while supplies last. All other items will be available at Kodansha booth #2100 also while supplies last.


Panels, Anime Pemieres & MORE!

Do you want to be in the know for what’s coming down the pipe for Kodansha USA Publishing in the upcoming seasons? Or be the first ones to witness your favorite manga coming to life as an anime? You can even learn how to break into the manga industry by checking out Kodansha’s uniquite programs at this year’s Anime Expo. 

Keep your eyes open for #AX24_Kodansha announcements on kodansha.us and updates across our social media channels on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok! (And yes, you can lurk around from the comfort of your home too!) 

Here’s a full schedule of Kodansha-related events at AX24:

Thursday, July 4, 2024

Senpai is an Otokonoko Early Premiere
When: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM PST
Where: JW Marriott, Panel Room: JW-Platinum
What: Don’t miss an exclusive early premiere of the romantic comedy of the summer, Senpai is an Otokonoko! When Saki confesses to her crush, Makoto, he rejects her after revealing his secret to her. While unbothered by the secret, Saki perseveres and consults Makoto’s childhood friend Ryuji for advice, only for Ryuji to discover he might also have some feelings for his old friend…

Breaking into Manga Publishing 
When: 10:30 AM – 11:20 AM PST
Where: Los Angeles Convention Center, Panel Room: 409AB
What: Passionate about manga? Does working in the manga industry sound like your dream-job? Marketing, publishing, design, translation, licensing – there are many ways to have a career in manga, and you don’t even have to be good at drawing for most of them! Hear from a panel of manga professionals about how they got into this industry, and how you can too!


Kodansha: New Licensing Announcements
When: 3:45 PM – 04:45 PM PST
Where: Los Angeles Convention Center, Panel Room: 404AB
What: Kodansha—purveyors of some of the most exciting & heartfelt manga published today like, Blue Lock, Attack on Titan and A Sign of Affection—invites new and veteran manga fans to an exclusive first-look at the hot new print & digital manga license coming to your collection soon.

 

Witch Hat Atelier Panel featuring Manga Author Kamome Shirahama and Anime Staff
When: 05:30 PM – 06:30 PM PST
Where: JW Marriott, Panel Room: JW-Platinum
What: Join us for an enchanting journey into the world of Witch Hat Atelier with manga author Kamome Shirahama and special guests from the anime production staff! They’ll be unveiling the latest information about the upcoming anime adaptation, as well as and behind-the-scenes creations.

Friday, July 5, 2024

The Seven Deadly Sins: Four Knights of the Apocalypse Official Panel
When: 10:00 AM – 10:50 AM PST
Where: Los Angeles Convention Center, Panel Room: Main Events
What: The Seven Deadly Sins: Four Knights of the Apocalypse fans unite! Join manga creator, Nakaba Suzuki, and other guests from Japan for announcements, a special sneak peek, and a discussion about the anime’s up-coming second season!


BLUE LOCK panel – Meet the EGOISTS at AX!
When: 12:00 PM – 12:50 PM PST
Where: Los Angeles Convention Center, Panel Room: Petree Hall
What: Join us and special guests Kazuki Ura (Voice of Isagi Yoichi), Nobunaga Shimazaki (Voice of Nagi Seishiro), Megumu Tsuchiya (BLUE LOCK Manga Editor), and Ryoya Arisawa (BLUE LOCK Anime producer) for the very first Los Angeles BLUE LOCK series panel! We’ll be talking about the BLUE LOCK Anime, Manga, their characters, and the latest film!


Saturday, July 6, 2024

Manga and Anime Clubs: Best Practices, Challenges, Successes!
When: 1:45 PM – 2:35 PM PST
Where: Los Angeles Convention Center, Panel Room: 511ABC
What: This panel discussion will explore the value of manga and anime clubs, their format, their challenges and successes. This session is perfect for educators, library workers, retailers, as well as readers and fans who are looking to start an anime or manga club in their community.


BLUE LOCK panel – Direct Shot into AX!
When: 01:00 PM – 01:50 PM PST
Where: JW Marriott, Panel Room: JW-Platinum
What: Join us in welcoming special guests Kazuki Ura (Voice of Isagi Yoichi), Megumu Tsuchiya (BLUE LOCK Manga Editor), and Ryoya Arisawa (BLUE LOCK Anime producer) to Los Angeles and learn more about their work on BLUE LOCK and the strikers in the making.


Nakaba Suzuki (The Seven Deadly Sins: Four Knights of the Apocalypse Mangaka) GoH Live Art and Q&A
When: 5:15 PM – 6:05 PM PST
Where: JW Marriott, Panel Room: JW-Platinum
What: Join Nakaba Suzuki, creator of The Seven Deadly Sins, for an exclusive manga panel and live art demo. Discover his creative process, inspirations, and journey in the manga industry. Whether a fan or aspiring artist, immerse yourself in the realm of manga creation alongside this esteemed Guest of Honor.

Sunday, July 7, 2024

Kodansha Presents Kamome Shirahama panel
When: 10:30 AM – 11:20 AM PST
Where: Los Angeles Convention Center, Panel Room: 511ABC
What:  Kodansha is proud to present a special panel with Kamome Shirahama, the incredibly talented manga creator behind the all-ages epic fantasy series Witch Hat Atelier. Join us for what promises to be an enchanting experience featuring a live drawing, a Q&A session, and a showcase of the inspiration behind the upcoming Witch Hat Atelier animated series. Please note that photography and video recording during the panel are strictly prohibited. Seats will also be limited, so be sure to show up early for this must-see creator spotlight event!


Human Algorithm: Manga Recommendations from Manga Fans
When: 12:15 PM – 01:05 PM PST
Where: Los Angeles Convention Center, Panel Room: 409AB
What: Looking for a new manga to get hooked on? In this session, our team of manga aficionados will be your own personal algorithm, taking cues from manga (or anime, or any media, really…) you’ve previously enjoyed, and giving personalized suggestions for new or under-the-radar manga series to check out!


How Is Manga Made? A Background Session for Educators and Librarians
When: 3:00 PM – 3:50 PM PST
Where: Los Angeles Convention Center, Panel Room: 402AB
What: Why are the series so long? What’s with the eyes and the hair? A panel of industry pros will enrich your understanding of manga, discussing the history of the medium, similarities between manga and other comics traditions, and how the material conditions and production practices shape these stories.

Stay tuned to this blog with even more updates from Kodansha during Anime Expo 2024







 

Unlock over a 100 Vols. of Anime-Inspiring Manga for $30 with this New Humble Bundle

Posted on | Sales

Kodansha’s Read Beyond the Anime Humble Bundle lets you catch up on the manga that inspired anime from the Spring & Summer 2024 Season

Have you been enjoying this spring’s anime like the gritty villain-to-hero sentai satire, Go! Go! Loser Ranger!, the heartfelt first-love romance, A Condition Called Love, high school hero brawler epic, WIND BREAKER? Have these series piqued your interest in starting the original the manga series, but worry over shelling out the cash for that many manga volumes? We’re here to help with Kodansha’s Read Beyond the Anime Humble Bundle, offering fans the perfect way to deep dive on over 100 digital volumes of anime-inspiring manga for just $30.

HUMBLE BUNDLE ENDS JUNE 29, 2024 @ 11am PT

Now’s the best chance to get started on such fan-favorite series (all currently with anime) like the pulse-pounding vampiric romance, Vampire Dormitory, and the chaotically funny magical reincarnation adventure, I Was Reincarnated as the 7th Prince so I Can Take My Time Perfecting My Magical Ability. And also, get a head start on the manga thats inspired the Summer 2024 anime season like the hotly anticipated FAIRY TAIL sequel, FAIRY TAIL: 100 Years Quest, the unruly café hostess rom-com, The Café Terrace and its Goddesses, and even the spicy and emotionally intense BL series, Twilight Out of Focus. And remember that each Humble Bundle purchased also helps support the international humanitarian organization, Direct Relief.

Want to know what which manga you’ll get at each tier of the Read Beyond the Anime Humble Bundle, take a look below:

 

Pay $1 or more to get:
FAIRY TAIL 100 Years Quest, Volume 1
I Was Reincarnated as the 7th Prince so I Can Take My Time Perfecting My Magical Ability, Volume 1
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, Volume 1
Vampire Dormitory, Volume 1
WIND BREAKER, Volume 1

 

Pay $10 or more to get:
A Condition Called Love, Volumes 1-4
As a Reincarnated Aristocrat, I’ll Use My Appraisal Skill to Rise in the World, Volumes 1-4
Chi’s Sweet Home, Volumes 1-4
FAIRY TAIL: 100 Years Quest, Volumes 2-6
I Was Reincarnated as the 7th Prince so I Can Take My Time Perfecting My Magical Ability, Volumes 2-4
The Café Terrace and its Goddesses, Volumes 1-3
Vampire Dormitory, Volumes 2-3
WIND BREAKER, Volumes 2-4

 

Pay $20 or more to get:
A Condition Called Love, Volumes 5-8
As a Reincarnated Aristocrat, I’ll Use My Appraisal Skill to Rise in the World, Volumes 5-9
Chi’s Sweet Home, Volumes 5-9
FAIRY TAIL: 100 Years Quest, Volumes 7-10
Go! Go! Loser Ranger!, Volumes 1-5
I Was Reincarnated as the 7th Prince so I Can Take My Time Perfecting My Magical Ability, Volumes 5-7
The Café Terrace and its Goddesses, Volumes 4-7
Vampire Dormitory, Volumes 4-6
WIND BREAKER, Volumes 5-7

 

Pay $30 or more to get:
A Condition Called Love, Volumes 9-13
Chi’s Sweet Home, Volumes 10-12
FAIRY TAIL: 100 Years Quest, Volumes 11-15
Go! Go! Loser Ranger!, Volumes 6-9
I Was Reincarnated as the 7th Prince so I Can Take My Time Perfecting My Magical Ability, Volumes 8-11
The Café Terrace and its Goddesses, Volumes 8-12
Twilight Out of Focus, Volumes 1-4
Vampire Dormitory, Volumes 7-10
WIND BREAKER, Volumes 8-14

What charity does this Humble Bundle support?: Kodansha will be leveraging the purchasing power of each bundle sold – whether it’s at the $1 or the $30 tier – to donate a portion of the proceeds to a worthy cause! This Humble Bundle supports Direct Relief – an organization providing humanitarian and disaster relief in the U.S. and around the world. Pay what you want and choose how much of your purchase supports BINC or you can also choose a charity of your preference via the PayPal Giving Fund.

How will you get your purchased digital volumes?: All the thrilling, heartfelt, and action-packed anime-inspiring manga featured as part of the Kodansha’s Read Beyond the Anime Humble Bundle will be delivered digitally upon purchase in multiple formats including CBZ, PDF, ePub, and FLAC so fans can read these titles across their computer, e-readers, tablets, cell phones, and a wide array of mobile devices!

Curious about this Humble Bundle but aren’t sure if these series are right for you? Read FREE chapters of each of the featured series by clicking on the links below!:

June 2024 Twilight Out of Focus Print Licensing Announcement

Posted on | Licensing Announcements

Kodansha Reveals New BL Print Manga Licenses for
Fall 2024 & Spring 2025 

As announced today at the New York Public Library Graphic Pride! BL, Yuri & LGTBQ+ manga celebration, Kodansha will publish two new volumes of the fan-favorite, and anime-inspiring, BL series, Twilight Out of Focus.

Twilight Out of Focus 5: Long Take Part 1 and Twilight Out of Focus 6: Long Take Part 2 by jyanome will debut in both print and digital Fall 2024 and Spring 2025, respectively. This announcement arrives ahead of the premiere of the Twilight Out of Focus anime, inspired by the original manga series, which will begin airing July 2024.  

These two new print licenses be available starting fall 2024 and spring 2025 at physical and online book vendors like Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, Amazon, and more. Digital editions of these manga debuts will be available upon release across all our participating vendors, including Bookwalker, Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, Google Play, Nook, Kobo, MyAnimeList, and more! Fans can also purchase and read all Kodansha digital manga directly on kodansha.localhost/.

See below for title details of these upcoming BL manga debuts from Kodansha: 

NEW PRINT LICENSES:

Twilight Out of Focus 5: Long Take Part 1

By jyanome

Winter is coming for roommates-turned-lovers Mao and Hisashi, bringing with it a whole slew of unexpected challenges and a noted cooling in their relationship that makes Mao wonder if the foundation they’ve built really is as strong as it once seemed. To make matters worse, this period of transition before their final year of high school has also shaken up the one constant Mao had always relied on: film. Weighed down by such uncertainty, will the two manage to find something solid to see them through a season of darkness, or will the curtain fall on their romance for good?

Debut Date: Fall 2024
Rated: 18+

Twilight Out of Focus 5: Long Take Part 2

By jyanome

Amidst the anxieties of preparing for his final year in high school, film club cameraman Mao plucks up his courage and asks his boyfriend Hisashi to take a big step forward in their relationship. But what seemed like a great idea at first leads to a whole series of other questions that leave Mao at a loss and the two at a crossroads. And just when they most need some quality time together, Mao and Hisashi are forced to split up for a school field trip that threatens to disrupt their connection—and attracts unexpected attention from a clandestine figure lurking in the shadows.

Debut Date: Spring 2025
Rated: 18+

 

Graphic Pride! BL, Yuri & LGTBQ+ Manga Celebration with Kodansha

Posted on | Events | Partners

Kodansha and the Tompkins Square Library celebrated Pride Month with an exciting exploration of yuri (GL), yaoi (BL),& LGBTQ+ manga. Three editors from Kodansha, one of the largest and most dynamic manga publishers in the world, presented a lively panel talk showcasing some of Kodansha’s greatest and most beloved backlist titles and latest releases, as well as the sensational new series readers can look forward to in Fall 2024 and Spring 2025. 

Many heartfelt thanks once again to the New York Public Library for hosting the event, and to everyone who braved the rain to join this celebration! 

Take a look below at the list of titles discussed at the panel, including links to read the full-chapter previews of those available now! 

KODANSHA’S BL, YURI & LGTBQ+ MANGA

Boys Run the Riot
By Keito Gaku

High schooler Ryo knows he’s transgender, but he doesn’t have anyone to confide in about the confusion he feels. He can’t tell his best friend, who he’s secretly got a crush on, and he can’t tell his mom, who’s constantly asking why Ryo “dresses like a boy.” He certainly can’t tell Jin, the new transfer student who looks like just another bully… The only time Ryo feels at ease is when he’s wearing his favorite clothes. Then, and only then, the world melts away, and he can be his true self. One day, while out shopping, Ryo sees someone he didn’t expect: Jin. The kid who looked so tough in class has the same taste in fashion as him! At last, Ryo has someone he can open up to—and the journey ahead might finally give him a way to express himself to the world.

Rated: 13+

Read a FREE preview of Boys Run the Riot

Hitorijime My Hero
By Memeco Arii

Masahiro Setagawa doesn’t believe in heroes, but wishes he could: he’s found himself trapped in a gang of small-time street bullies, and with no prospects for a real future. But when high school teacher (and scourge of the streets) Kousuke Ohshiba comes to his rescue, he finds he may start believing after all…in heroes, and in his budding feelings, too.

Age Rating: Vol 1-5 : 16+/ Vol 6- : 18+

Read a FREE preview of Hitorijime My Hero

I Can’t Say No to the Lonely Girl
By Kashikaze

Quintessential good girl Sakurai finds herself trapped in the middle of a bribery scheme. Her teacher offers to write a recommendation letter in exchange for luring a truant student into attendance. Sakurai pins down the reclusive transfer student Honda, but there are strings attached. Honda demands that Sakurai grant one wish every day. The first wish is a kiss—and Sakurai finds herself feeling very eager to please…

Rated: 16+

Read a FREE preview of I Can’t Say No to the Lonely Girl

Is Love the Answer?
By Uta Isaki

When it comes to love, high schooler Chika wonders if she might be an alien. She’s never fallen for or even had a crush on anyone, and she has no desire for physical intimacy. It’s only when Chika enters college and meets peers like herself that she realizes there’s a word for what she feels inside—asexual. After years of wondering if love was the answer, Chika realizes that the answer she long sought may not exist at all–and that that’s perfectly normal.

Rated: 16+

Read a FREE preview of Is Love The Answer?

Kei X Yaku: Bound By Law
By Yoshie Kaoruhara

Ichiro, an agent with the Tokyo Metropolitan Public Security Bureau, receives orders to make contact with and closely surveil Shiro, a yakuza hotshot whose bed partners include a considerable amount of influential male politicians. The mission takes an unexpected turn when they realize they’ve both been pursuing the same cold case: the disappearance of Rion Nakaba, Ichiro’s senior and Shiro’s sister. Determined to uncover the truth, the two secretly team up under the guise of lovers to try and pick up her trail…

Rated: 16+

Read a FREE preview of Kei X Yaku: Bound By Law

Last Gender
By Rei Taki

Welcome to BAR California, a place for you to reveal your true self People of different genders, propensities, and sexual orientations gather at a certain chic bar that’s hidden from the public eye. While some come in search of themselves, others step into the establishment looking for sex and love. There are as many sexualities as there are people, and the patrons’ stories intertwine as they struggle to find happiness. A bisexual trans woman who’s been hurt by the voices of others wishes she had a “normal” relationship; a married, middle-aged salaryman secretly expresses his female side; and a pansexual cis guy is on the lookout for true love.

Rated: 18+

Read a FREE preview of Last Gender

My Summer of You
By Nagisa Furuya

Chiharu Saeki and Wataru Toda are two high school students who share a common hobby: They love to watch movies. After they meet, they become fast friends, until one day, when Chiharu confesses his love for Wataru. Wataru says that Chiharu’s confession doesn’t bother him, and the boys continue throughout their summer, going to pilgrimages to see film spots from their favorite movies. But the more time he spends with Chiharu, Wataru realizes that those feelings may also be mutual…

Rated: 16+

Read a FREE preview of My Summer of You

My Ultramarine Sky
By Nagisa Furuya

From middle school to high school, Kai and Ren have not only always been in the same class—they’ve also always sat next to each other. But in their last year of high school, the boys are assigned to two separate classes. One day, when Kai finds Ren sleeping in a classroom after school, he whispers the feelings that he can’t bring himself to say out loud… and Ren hears him. Will Kai’s confession draw them further apart, or will it be the spark that brings them back to each other once more?

Rated: 13+

Read a FREE preview of My Ultramarine Sky

Number Call 
By Nagisa Furuya

High schooler Eito Tachibana has always hated his name, including all of the jokes and puns about the number 8 that have come along with it.  One day, he meets a classmate named Tomoya Hatta, aka Hachi—the Japanese word for “8.” What begins as quick hellos and small talk in the hallway soon becomes something much deeper, and Eito realizes that it’s more than just a similar nickname that draws him to Hachi. Could the number that Eito resented for so long finally bring him something—or someone—to love?

Rated: 13+

Read a FREE preview of Number Call

Run Away With Me, Girl
By Battan

Maki’s first love was her high school sweetheart, a girl named Midori. But Midori broke up with Maki at graduation, saying they were now “too old to be fooling around dating girls.” Ten years later, Maki still can’t get Midori off her mind, but Midori has long moved on—in fact, she’s engaged. Yet the more Maki hears Midori talk about her soon-to-be-husband, the more red flags she notices. And Midori has another secret, one she hasn’t yet shared with Maki. Will it be the push that sets them on a new path—one they’ll travel together?

Rated: 18+

Read a FREE preview of Run Away With Me, Girl

The Moon on a Rainy Night
By Kuzushiro

One rainy night, Saki is rushing to a piano lesson when she crashes into a beautiful, long-haired girl, dropping her sheet music in the process. Saki stutters an apology, but the girl simply hands back her sheet music and leaves without a word. Saki begins her first day of high school the following morning, only to find the stranger from the night before sitting at the desk next to hers. She learns that the girl’s name is Kanon and that she is not quite completely deaf, but very hard of hearing. Though Kanon needs to be close to people to read their lips, she tends to push people away with her icy demeanor. Through one kind gesture, Saki slowly begins breaking down the walls around Kanon, even as she feels something new blossoming within her.

Rated: 16+

Read a FREE preview of The Moon on a Rainy Night

The White and Blue Between Us
By Kiyuhiko

It’s been seven years since Hozumi left the island town he grew up on, leaving behind not only the seaside, but also Mishima—his close friend and first love from high school. The two haven’t spoken since Hozumi turned Mishima down when he rejected him and lied about his own feelings, so when Hozumi returns for his high school reunion, he wants nothing more than to make amends with Mishima—a task easier said than done. In their years apart, Mishima has distanced himself from not only Hozumi, but everyone in the entire town, choosing to live alone in the lighthouse his grandfather used to tend to. Will Hozumi finally be able to break down Mishima’s walls, clear the air between them, and finally confess his true feelings, or are the two fated to be separated from one another?

Rated: 18+

Read a FREE preview of The White and Blue Between Us

The Yearning Fox Lies in Wait
By Nmura

The year is 1920, the 9th year of the Taisho Period. Lifelong philomath Kiyo Fukasaku is ecstatic when he’s admitted into the Imperial University, and can’t wait to begin his new life in the nation’s capital…that is, until he gets lost and already finds himself on hard times on his first day in the big city. Luckily, he runs into Ozaki, an eccentric, seemingly well-off man who invites Kiyo to stay in his mansion after he learns about his financial troubles. But there’s more to the handsome stranger than meets the eye. It turns out that Ozaki is a fox spirit who had some sort of connection to Kiyo’s grandfather, Seishirou, and he invites Kiyo to live with him as a way to repay Seishirou’s kindness. But just what kind of relationship did Ozaki and Seishirou have, and what does it mean for Ozaki and Kiyo?

Rated: 16+

Read a FREE preview of The Yearning Fox Lies in Wait

Turns Out My Online Friend is My Real-Life Boss!
By Nmura

Hashimoto is a perfectly average salaryman, working a repetitive office job, made all the worse by his stylish, strait-laced boss, Shirase, who insists everything be done by the book. Whatever he does for this perfectionist, it’s just not good enough! Thankfully, Hashimoto can go home to his favorite online video game, where he can unload on the forgiving shoulders of his best friend, whom he knows only by the name “Uma.” The duo make plans to meet in person, but when they do, Hashimoto is horrified by a revelation that will change his entire life…

Rated: 16+

Read a FREE preview of Turns Out My Online Friend is My Real-Life Boss!

Twilight Out of Focus
By jyanome

Film enthusiast Mao Tsuchiya and his lone wolf roommate Hisashi Otomo make three promises:

1. That Mao will never tell anyone that Hisashi is gay and has a boyfriend,
2. That Hisashi will never approach Mao “in that way,” and
3. That they’ll respect each other’s “private time.”

The second-years’ ground rules should ensure a peaceful life together in their dorm, but reality is never as simple as it seems in the movies, and some things are not so easily promised…

Rated: 18+

Read a FREE preview of Twilight Out of Focus

Welcome Back, Alice
By Shuzo Oshimi

Welcome Back, Alice is the latest work by Shuzo Oshimi, the author of Blood on the Tracks, Happiness, and The Flowers of Evil. Childhood friends Yohei, Kei, and Yui are reunited in high school. But what seemed like a straightforward love triangle between the three of them takes an unexpected turn when Kei shows up looking and dressed like a girl. In this story of adolescent awakening, perversion, and love, Oshimi sets out to explore the boundaries of gender, sexuality, and identity.

Rated: 16+

Read a FREE preview of Welcome Back, Alice

What Did You Eat Yesterday?
By Fumi Yoshinaga

From award-winning author Fumi Yoshinaga comes a casual romance between two middle-aged men and the many meals they share together. A hard-working middle-aged gay couple in Tokyo come to enjoy the finer moments of life through food. After long days at work, either in the law firm or the hair salon, Shiro and Kenji will always have down time together by the dinner table, where they can discuss their troubles, hash out their feelings and enjoy delicately prepared home cooked meals!

Rated: 16+

Read a FREE preview of What Did You Eat Yesterday?

Whisper Me a Love Song
By Eku Takeshima

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…

Rated: 13+

Read a FREE preview of Whisper Me a Love Song

Get $.99 Volume 1s During the Spring Into Summer Digital Sale

Posted on | Sales

Get $.99 volume 1s & up to 50% off on bingeable & must-read manga series for the Summer

Fill your summer reading list series filled with new adventures, travels to far off lands, epic battles and more with the Spring Into Summer Sale digital manga sale! No better time to dive into exciting and heartfelt stories with volume 1s at $.99 for series like the Slime spin-off series, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime: Trinity in Tempest; the sizzling, yet cute, food-forward romance, How to Grill Our Love; the get-rich-quick in another world fantasy adventure, Saving 80, 000 Gold in Another World for My Retirement ; the laid back and laugh-filled Cells at Work! spinoff, Cells NOT at Work!; as well as the burnt out manga pro turned humble farmer saga, That Time the Manga Editor Started a New Life in the Countryside. Find a series you want to keep reading? Take up to 50% off additional digital volumes such as Farewell My Dear Cramer, Am I Actually the Strongest?, My Unique Skill Makes Me OP even at Level 1 & more!!

Sale Ends Monday, June 17th, 2024! 

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

Bookwalker
Amazon Kindle
Google Play
Apple Books
Kobo
MyAnimeList
Mangamo
and more! 

Curious to learn more about the series on sale during the Spring Into Summer Sale digital manga sale? Take a look below for details on five recommended series!

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime: Trinity in Tempest
By Mitz Vah and Tae Tono

The new spinoff manga to the hit fantasy isekai series, developed by original creator Fuse! Against the odds, the little slime Rimiru has established his magical kingdom for all monsters, called Tempest, and it’s thriving. But three visitors, Phos the fox girl, Stella the dragon girl, and Frey the winged girl, come to pay Tempest a visit, they’re stunned at just how quickly it’s developed. Don’t miss this new story in the world of Slime, just as the second season of the anime arrives!

Rated: 16+

Read a FREE preview of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime: Trinity in Tempest

How to Grill Our Love
By Shiori Hanatsuka

Dating can be tough when you nerd out over barbecue. Kenta, a practical pitmaster, looks for a grill-friend in Chihiro, an aloof and faultless business babe…or is she? Scared of being rejected for who they really are, the two of them find comfort in food and each other…and all is well until Kenta must transfer away. With their developing relationship at steak, Chihiro proposes they tie the knot and they marry for better or wurst. Winging a long-distance marriage is one thing, but here’s the rub—they barely know each other! It’s a rare marriage where all the awkwardness of dating meets a sizzling passion for grilling!

Rated: 16+

Read a FREE preview of How to Grill Our Love

Saving 80, 000 Gold in Another World for My Retirement
By Funa and Keisuke Motoe

After growing up an orphan, Mitsuha has a healthy respect for money and a desire to live well—at least, until she dies after being pushed off a cliff. Waking up in a strange fantasy world, Mitsuha narrowly survives an encounter with a pack of wolves, then realizes she has the power to move between this world and the real one. A lesser person might embark on heroic adventures—Mitsuha instead immediately recognizes the lucrative possibilities of her new situation, and heads out to buy an arsenal of modern weapons. Her goal: to acquire 80, 000 gold, and the life of leisure she’s always dreamed of!

Rated: 16+

Read a FREE preview Saving 80, 000 Gold in Another World for My Retirement

Cells NOT at Work!
By Akane Shimizu and CMS Moe Sugimoto

Here comes a new Cells at Work! spinoff series-with laughs galore! Erythroblasts are cells raised by a Macrophage in order to become promising Red Blood Cells, but that doesn’t seem to be really the case here with these erythroblasts, who are on an indefinite moratorium-with no reason to work!

Rated: 13+

Read a FREE preview of Cells NOT at Work!

See below for the full list of Spring Into Summer Sale series on sale now until 6/17/24: