Month: July 2025

“Get “Sirius” about finding your new obsession with the volume starting 1s at $0.99 during the Sirius Magazine Sale Digital Sale”

Posted on | Sales

Get ready to discover your next favorite series with Volume 1s starting at $0.99

Celebrate Monthly Shonen Sirius—Kodansha’s famed manga magazine that first started in the early 2000s, and debuted such fan-favorites That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, APOSIMZ and more—by browsing recent magazine hits with volume 1s starting at $0.99! Browse a number of Sirius series with high-octane action, grand adventures, deep mysteries, and compelling characters that will keep you on the edge of your seat with our Sirius Magazine Sale Digital Sale!

Sale Ends Monday, August 11th, 2025! 

For a limited time get volume 1s for just $0.99 and additional volumes up to 50% off for amazing manga stories like:

Because I, the True Saint, was Banished, that Country is Done For!: A fantasy series where an unjustly exiled true Saint watches her former kingdom crumble after they foolishly cast her aside for a fake, while she finds new purpose elsewhere.

Pass the Monster Meat, Milady!: A quirky fantasy comedy where a gluttonous princess, renowned for her beauty but secretly obsessed with monster cuisine, embarks on adventures to hunt and savor fantastical creatures.

Cells at Work!: A unique and educational action-comedy manga that anthropomorphizes the cells within the human body, following a clumsy Red Blood Cell and a stoic White Blood Cell as they battle germs, viruses, and other threats to maintain the body’s health.

Altair: A Record of Battles: An epic historical fantasy manga set in a vibrant, pseudo-Ottoman Empire, following Mahmut, a young and idealistic pasha, as he navigates complex political intrigue and leads his nation’s armies against powerful rival empires to prevent war and shape the future of his world.

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

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

Want to learn more about thrilling new series featured in the Sirius Magazine Sale digital sale Take a look below for details on five recommended series!

Because I, the True Saint, was Banished, that Country is Done For!
By Shikiso Utsuzawa, Mokuba Matsu and Pukyunosuke

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 a FREE preview of Because I, the True Saint, was Banished, that Country is Done For!

 

Pass the Monster Meat, Milady!
By Chika Mizube, Peperon and Kanata Hoshi

A fantasy romance about a voracious lady who delights in monster meat and a mad-blooded duke who is swept off his feet by her curious charms. If you loved Delicious in Dungeon and Drifting Dragons, you will be salivating for some grilled moodle and burning hot love in this series!

Like any proper noble lady, one must have certain acquired tastes. For Melphiera Marchalrayd, she just happens to crave a rather exotic protein—monsters! But do not judge! Despite its bad reputation, monster meat can be used in exquisite cuisine and Melphiera is determined to change the kingdom’s opinion of it! Unfortunately, since debuting in society, Melphiera has been struggling to find her perfect match…until she meets the fearless “Blood-Mad Duke” of Galbraith!

Rated: 13+

Read a FREE preview of Pass the Monster Meat, Milady!

 

The Slime Diaries: That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime
By Fuse, Shiba and Mitz Vah

“Dear diary… I got reincarnated as a slime.”

Even in another world, lives aren’t always on the line. There’s plenty of work to be done, from feeding the community and forging the items the community needs; as well as plenty of play…and hijinks throughout! Join Rimuru and friends as they kick back and enjoy their daily lives.

Rated: 13+ 

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

 

How to Treat a Lady Knight Right
By Kengo Matsumoto

Leo Cornelia has dedicated her entire life to the battlefield. There is no demon she can’t slay, no challenge she can’t handle—at least, not until that confounding halfwit mage Foolie Dent confesses his love to her. Nothing feels farther from her than long-discarded notions of femininity and romance, but this annoying but dependable new friend might just be the key to opening the heart she closed long ago.

Rated: 16+

Read a FREE preview of How to Treat a Lady Knight Right

 

APOSIMZ
By Tsutomu Nihei

From acclaimed mangaka Tsutomu Nihei, the creator and artist behind BLAME! and Knights of Sidonia, comes his newest science-fiction epic.

This story takes place on the frigid, massive artificial planet known as Aposimz. Eo, Biko and Etherow, residents of the White Diamond Beam, are in the middle of combat training when suddenly a girl appears, Rebedoan Empire soldiers in hot pursuit. The girl asks for their help in keeping safe a “code” and seven mysterious “bullets.” This chance encounter marks a major shift in the fate of the entire planet…

Rated: 13+

Read a FREE preview of APOSIMZ

See below for the full list of Kodansha Manga Starter Packs series on sale now until 08/11/25: 

From San Diego Comic-Con Kodansha Unveils Spring 2026 New Manga Licenses

Posted on | Events | Licensing Announcements

Kodansha Announces New Print Manga Licenses for Spring 2026

Just announced at Comic-Con International San Diego 2025—Kodansha revealed to manga fans in-person and online updates to the Kodansha Print Club program as well as more print manga licenses arriving Spring 2026.

Kodansha kicked off their announcements with a surprise update on the Kodansha Print Club program, where they announced that volumes 2 of Blade Girl, Teppu, and Love, That’s an Understatement will be available for purchase in print starting August 2025.

Then, moving onto the Spring 2026 slate of new print manga licenses, Kodansha unveiled new premium editions of fan-favorite series Witch Hat Atelier and Attack on Titan. Also announced were all-new series, ranging from action-packed apocalypse fighting sagas like DRAGON CIRCUS, to taut thrillers about relationships that are too-good-to-be-true, like Whoever You Are, I Love You, and even a new chapter in the perennial cozy kitten series with Chi’s Sweet France. 

All this and more mark today’s print title announcements, which will be available starting Spring 2026 at physical and online book vendors like Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, Amazon, and more, while digital editions 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.

KODANSHA PRINT CLUB UPDATE:

With many thanks to the patience of fans eagerly waiting for more information on this experimental program, Kodansha is proud to announce that volumes 2 of Blade Girl, Teppu, and Love, That’s an Understatement, will be available to purchase online and through select physical retailers on August 5, 2025. Pre-orders will begin as soon as next week, so check with your favorite retailer or bookstore for availability.

PREMIUM EDITIONS:

Witch Hat Atelier: Grimoire Edition 
By Kamome Shirahama

JP Title: とんがり帽子のアトリエ

Debut Date: Spring 2026

This deluxe, keepsake-quality hardcover edition includes three volumes of the acclaimed fantasy manga on which the enchanting anime was based. Experience the beautiful tale of a young witch who discovers her creativity and faces down a dangerous and thrilling world with her friends by her side in these extra-large books, printed on premium paper with intricate gold foil covers and exclusive bonus content.

Includes Witch Hat Atelier Vols. 1–3.

In a world where everyone takes wonders like magic spells and dragons for granted, Coco is a girl with a simple dream: She wants to be a witch. But everybody knows magicians are born, not made, and Coco was not born with a gift for magic. Resigned to her un-magical life, Coco is about to give up on her dream…until the day she meets Qifrey, a mysterious, traveling magician. After secretly seeing Qifrey perform magic in a way she’s never seen before, Coco soon learns what everybody “knows” might not be the truth, and discovers that her magical dream may not be as far away as it may seem!

The new Grimoire Edition is a gold-foiled hardcover of nearly 600 pages each, including color pages and bonus content and presenting this magical epic in a special large size.

Rated: 10+

Blue Lock Omnibus
Story by Muneyuki Kaneshiro
Illustrated by Yusuke Nomura

JP Title: ブルーロック

Debut Date: Spring 2026

The manga that became a worldwide sports action phenomenon returns in a new 3-in-1 omnibus edition featuring sculpted embossed covers!

A mad young coach gathers soccer players from across the country to compete in a series of bizarre challenges in a high-tech colosseum he calls Blue Lock. It’s a no-balls-barred battle to become Japan’s next top striker, in this Squid Game–meets–World Cup manga, now a global hit anime with two explosive seasons!

Rated: 16+

Attack on Titan Definitive Hardcover Collection
By Hajime Isayama

JP Title: 進撃の巨人 特装合本版

Debut Date: Spring 2026

The global manga hit returns in a massive new deluxe edition, including three volumes in one hardcover book featuring faux leather cover, gold foil stamping, library-style binding, and color pages that aren’t even included in the Japanese edition!

For eons, humans ruled the natural world. But a century ago, everything changed when the Titans appeared. Giant, grotesque parodies of the human form, these monsters consumed all but a few thousand human beings, who took refuge behind giant walls. Today, the threat of the Titans is a distant memory, and a boy named Eren yearns to explore the world beyond the wall. But what began as a childish dream will become an all-too-real nightmare when a Titan finally knocks a hole in the wall, and humanity is once again on the brink of extinction.

Rated: 16+

ACTION & ADVENTURE:

DRAGON CIRCUS
Story by Eiichi Shimizu
Illustrated by Tomohiro Shimoguchi

JP Title: DRAGON CIRCUS

Debut Date: Spring 2026

DEATH TO ALL DRAGONS!

The sudden appearance of massive monsters known as “Dragons” throws the world into chaos. The New United Nations, created as a response to the threat, puts together a team known as the Dragonslayers, including (among others) a vampire, an android, a witch, the animated remains of the legendary ogre Shuten Doji, and….a little girl?! Ace pilot Momo may still be in grade school, but she just might have the skills to save humankind.

Taut action, propulsive storytelling, and sly humor take this seinen action series to new heights and unexpected places!

On the fateful day the dragons first appeared, Dr. Abe’s beloved died in the initial onslaught. Now he has created an android in his own image: the DS-08 “Shikigami,” part of the NUN (New United Nations)’s top secret project to counter this monstrous invasion. In addition to the Shikigami, this team of “Dragonslayers” is comprised of members of the many races that have up till now lived in obscurity: elves, dwarves, witches, vampires, and more… As the team assembles to fight off the massive and mysterious creatures that now menace humanity, however, one member stands apart from the rest: Momo Agatsuma, the young daughter of an NUN scientist and ace pilot par excellence. Together this motley crew must fend off the greatest threat the world has ever faced…!

Rated: 13+

Stella Must Die
Story by Yasunori Mitsunaga
Illustrated by Ine Ohtaka 

JP Title: 絶対死なないステラ姫

Debut Date: Spring 2026

From the acclaimed creator of Princess Resurrection and Time Stop Hero comes the darkly comical tale of a princess with a most curious self-defense mechanism… Parasyte meets Cinderella in this zany fantasy manga about a princess who just won’t seem to die!

After losing her father, the king of Hillvalley, Princess Stella is thrown into the middle of a succession crisis. Her stepsister Illusia wastes no time in trying to assassinate Stella and seize the throne, but all her attempts mysteriously go awry. Little does anyone know that the young princess has a hidden protector…in the most unlikely of places!

Rated: 16+

Magical Karina
By Coyuri Tono

JP Title: まじかるカリナ

Debut Date: Spring 2026

A funny and heartfelt action manga that puts a poignant new spin on the magical girl formula, perfect for fans of Sailor Moon and Cardcaptor Sakura.

Karina never asked to be a magical girl! In fact, not even a few hours have passed since her dear grandmother’s sudden death when a boy meets her in the street and calls on her to transform. But how can a sarcastic teenager from a working-class family juggle her grief, her schoolwork, her waitressing job, and fighting death itself?

Just this morning, Karina was sitting at the breakfast table, cleaning up the miso soup her grandmother dropped on the floor. Now, she’s being called out to class to go to the hospital and see her grandma’s body…with a piece of seaweed still stuck to her uniform. She still finds time to make it to her hourly job at a family restaurant, but on the way home, she sees a glittering, elephant-like creature floating in the sky… And a teenage boy appears to push her out of the way of its attack! Death is stalking Karina’s town in a form that only she can see, and this boy gives her two choices: Die or transform and fight! She can scarcely follow what he’s saying, but her clothes do change, and the staff she finds herself holding has enough heft to do some serious damage… But is there space in Karina’s life for getting revenge for her grandma and fighting magical monsters when she’s already stretched to her limit?

Rated: 13+

CRIME & DRAMA:

Whoever You Are, I Love You
By Keiku Hagiwara

JP Title: きみが誰でも愛してる

Debut Date: Spring 2026

Evil lurks beneath the most beautiful surfaces…

Temp worker Yuki Sato is ready to settle down with the perfect man she met on a dating app—until she discovers her fiancé may not be who he seems. When the beguiling Shun Majima confronts her with the details of the mysterious death of his brother Kosuke, Yuki finds herself torn between the man she thinks she loves and the handsome stranger whose revelations threaten to upend her life completely.

A world of digital deceit gives way to very real danger in this tense romantic crime thriller.

Despite being unmarried at 32, Yuki Sato is happy—she enjoys temping as a greeter, and more importantly, she’s engaged to a handsome, successful man she met on a dating app…until Shun Majima walks into her life and blows it up. 

Does her fiancé seem too good to be true because he is? And was he really involved in the death of Shun’s brother? As Yuki’s life slowly starts to unravel, she finds herself drawn into the seedy underbelly of Tokyo, caught in a web of lies and manipulation. She and Shun join forces to uncover the truth, but will they be able to do so before it’s too late…?

Rated: 16+

That’s Not Love
By Peko Watanabe

JP Title: 恋じゃねえから

Debut Date: Spring 2026

Two female friends from middle school reunite as adults in this hard-hitting and personal drama manga. What begins as idle reminiscing leads to painful revelations as they heal the reopened wounds of their past in this highly-anticipated first print release from the creator of 1122: For a Happy Marriage.

Drawing on real events and the Japanese #MeToo movement and Watanabe’s own reflections on friendship and womanhood, That’s Not Love won a place on the industry insider poll Kono Manga ga Sugoi! as one of the best manga of the year.

Forty-year-old Akane attends the opening of a new art exhibit by her former cram school teacher, Mr. Imai, who has now become a sculptor. Akane notices that Mr. Imai’s new sculpture bears a striking resemblance to her middle school best friend, Yukari, who she remembers suddenly transferred out of the school. It even has a distinct scar that Yukari shared with Akane privately. Wondering what this could mean, Akane reaches out to her old friend, and learns that there was something else going on when they were children that she only partly understood. Was Yukari just a muse? Or something with more upsetting implications?

Rated: 18+

Lonely Deaths Lie Thick as Snow
Story by Hajime Inoryu
Illustrated by Shota Ito

JP Title: 降り積もれ孤独な死よ

Debut Date: Spring 2026

The shocking, gritty new seinen crime thriller from the team behind bestselling manga My Dearest Self With Malice Aforethought. A unique blend of cinematic art and realistic storytelling undergirds the terrifying mysteries and wild reversals of this dark police procedural, which will appeal to older readers of crime novels and graphic fiction far beyond the usual manga audience.

A routine call regarding a burglary at an empty mansion leads cocky young police detective Jin Saeki to a gruesome and shocking discovery. The corpses of 13 children, along with the presence of a strange symbol, spur a manhunt for Juzo Haikawa, the mysterious absentee owner of the house. So begins an investigation (and an obsession) that will take Jin all over Japan and into the darkest recesses of both the past and the human soul.

Rated: 16+

COZY & COMFORTING:

Cat-Life Balance
By Akari Otokawa

JP Title: 黒根さんはニャーと鳴かない

Debut Date: Spring 2026

In this office romance manga with a feline twist, a people-pleaser teetering on the edge of burnout discovers his antisocial coworker’s secret: She only smiles when she’s playing with stray cats! Now he’s got a choice: Keep up the façade and keep saying “yes” to every extra task and happy hour, or risk his perfect work image to sneak off for some simple, frisky fun?

Fans of Sweat & Soap and Smoking Behind the Supermarket With You will love this new series from the creator of Cells at Work! Lady.

Everyone at work loves Mamoru, because Mamoru never says no. Replacing lightbulbs, carrying boxes, taking over an impossible client from a retiring colleague… He’ll do it all, and it’s earned him the nickname “Prince of the Office.” This glittering extrovert’s opposite at work is Kurone, a quiet woman in another department who soaks up her boss’s senseless mood swings with a blank stoicism. After one particularly long day, Mamoru is thrilled to be walking home alone, sipping a beer (because all his colleagues went drinking and left him to work overtime), when he encounters something strange: The usually glum Kurone is in the park, gleefully playing with stray cats. This secret seems silly, but it brings Kurone joy. It’s the start of an unlikely relationship that will lead Mamoru to start reflecting on his life and who he really wants to share it with. Is work really all there is, or can he strike a balance with the help of these fluffy new friends–and a human who might become something more?

Rated: 16+

Chi’s Sweet France
Story by Konami Kanata
Illustrated by Catherine Bouvier

JP Title: ＣＨＩ ＥＮ ＦＲＡＮＣＥ ～『チーズスイートホーム』フランス版～

Debut Date: Spring 2026

A coda that picks up exactly where the main series left off: with Chi & Family in Paris.

Chi & her human family have moved to Paris but, even before the boxes are unpacked, relocate to ‘burbs just so the cat may still venture outdoors.

Rated: 8+

WIND BREAKER and The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity Crossover in Special Interview and Illustration

Posted on | Creator Spotlight | Giveaways | Partners

WIND BREAKER and The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity Creators team-up for a unique illustration & interview

With another season of the WIND BREAKER anime completed and the debut season of The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity anime just beginning, Kodansha thought it a perfect time to check-in with both manga creators Satoru Nii and Saka Mikami for a collaborative interview!

Not only that but both series creators have teamed up for a fun and cute crossover illustration with series stars Haruka Sakura and Kotoha Tachibana from WIND BREAKER, locking arms in friendship with Rintaro Tsumugi and Kaoruko Waguri from The Fragrant Flowers Blooms with Dignity.

Fans of both series can read the interview conducted by the Kodansha English manga editors from both series below with answers by both creators imagining how the characters from each series would meet and more!

Conversation with Satoru Nii, author of WIND BREAKER:

Kodansha: The story of WIND BREAKER has a lot to do with strength and the fighting ability of all the rival gangs — but beyond the action, what would you say that WIND BREAKER is about? 

Satoru Nii: I believe that it is a work about the importance of being with another person, and the communication needed to maintain that bond. 

Kodansha: How did you feel when approached about this collaboration promotion with fellow mangaka Saka Mikami-sensei? 

Satoru Nii: I felt incredibly grateful. It’s actually my first time doing a collaboration illustration in general, so it was a new challenge for me—one that I enjoyed doing.

Kodansha: Is there anyone from The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity that you think would be friends with Sakura and the rest of Bofurin?

Satoru Nii: All the characters in The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity are good kids, so I think they would get along with Sakura and everyone in Bofurin.  I think they’d become good friends, actually—as long as the Fragrant Flower characters aren’t too intimidated by the guys.

Conversation with Saka Mikami, author of The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity:

Kodansha: The bad relationship between Chidori High School and Kikyo Academy forms an important basis for the story. What inspired you to build a story around this concept of feuding schools?
 
Saka Mikami: Since this is essentially a shonen manga in terms of genre, I thought that having an obvious conflicting relationship would make it retain more of that shonen manga feel, in addition to making the story easier to understand.  I decided how intense to make that conflict through discussions with my supervising editor.

Kodansha: The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity explores different types of human relationships: romantic, friendly, and familial. Were you always planning to explore all these types of relationships? Or did some themes get added as the story developed?

Saka Mikami: I did intend to explore them all along. Although the romantic relationship between Rintaro and Kaoruko is the catalyst for the story, one’s range of emotion broadens the more one interacts with others, and it didn’t feel right to ignore that fact. 

Of course, being able to explore these elements to this depth is made possible by the support of the readers, for which I’m very grateful.

Kodansha: Rintaro and Kaoruko make a cute pair, and we see how much they care for each other as the story unfolds. What do you find most interesting about developing their romance?

Saka Mikami: While there are moments when it feels like I’m watching from a distance, there are plenty of times I find myself so drawn into their feelings that I cry or get embarrassed—it’s quite a strange sensation. 

Moreover, I have nothing but respect for them and how they make me want to be someone who can care for and cherish another person like that.

Kodansha: The anime adaptation is just around the corner. For fans discovering this series for the first time, what do you hope will get them hooked?

Saka Mikami: I think the number one thing I want them to notice is the importance of communicating things to other people. After all, even if you understand that concept mentally, actually doing it isn’t so easy—enough that it’s an act of courage.

Meeting someone you want to know more about and care for is such a precious thing. It would be nice if this series could help people see that, remind them of it, or inspire them to seek it out.

Kodansha: Regarding this latest collaboration with WIND BREAKER, which characters from Furin High School do you think would get along with Rintaro, Kaoruko, or their friends?

Saka Mikami: Putting Rintaro and Kaoruko anywhere near Sakura would activate his romance sensor like crazy, which I think would be a lot of fun to see. Overall, though, all the main WIND BREAKER characters are good people as well, so I can picture everyone getting along with each other.

Own the Kinokuniya-Exclusive Art

If you’d like to own this crossover illustration for yourself, as well as replica shikishi featuring recently created art by both mangaka, you need only visit a Kinokuniya store and online:

How to get these Kinokuniya-exclusive shikishi and poster:

  • Purchase any volume of WIND BREAKER or The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity in English in store or online to receive a shikishi from the purchased series.

  • Purchase at least one volume each from both series, and receive both shikishi boards and a mini poster with the exclusive collaboration art.

*Please note that each shikishi and mini poster are limited to one per person. // Only applies to English book purchases. // Available while supplies last.

Interview answers from each creator were translated from the original Japanese to English with Kodansha’s thanks by The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity translation contributor Lindsey Clifford. 

Start your manga journey with select volume 1s at $0.99 during the Kodansha Manga Starter Packs Digital Sale

Posted on | Sales

Get ready to discover your next favorite series with Volume 1s starting at $0.99

Now is your chance to jumpstart your manga collection whether your looking for gripping sci-fi stories, intense action and horror or heartwarming romance, comedy and adventures, we have you covered during the Kodansha Manga Starter Packs digital sale! Whether you’re a manga veteran or a newbie looking to dive in, there’s always a volume 1 ready to be your new favorite series.

Sale Ends Monday, July 28th, 2025! 

For a limited time get volume 1s for just $0.99 and additional volumes up to 50% off for amazing manga starter stories like:

Witch Hat Atelier, a beautifully drawn fantasy adventure manga that explores a world where magic is a secret, guarded art performed by drawing intricate symbols.

Ajin: Demi-Human, A high-octane thriller centered on immortal beings with horrifying powers and the ethical conflicts surrounding their existance.

Land of the Lustrous: A visually stunning manga about gemstone-like beings struggling with identity and existence while batting constant monstrous threats.

Don’t Toy With Me, Miss Nagatoro: A comedy manga centered on the playful, teasing dynamic between a high school girl and her shy upperclassman.

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

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

Want to learn more about the varied and exciting series featured in the Kodansha Manga Starter Packs digital sale Take a look below for details on five recommended series!

Witch Hat Atelier
By Kamome Shirahama

In a world where everyone takes wonders like magic spells and dragons for granted, Coco is a girl with a simple dream: She wants to be a witch. But everybody knows magicians are born, not made, and Coco was not born with a gift for magic. Resigned to her un-magical life, Coco is about to give up on her dream to become a witch…until the day she meets Qifrey, a mysterious, traveling magician. After secretly seeing Qifrey perform magic in a way she’s never seen before, Coco soon learns what everybody “knows” might not be the truth, and discovers that her magical dream may not be as far away as it may seem…

Rated: 10+

Read a FREE preview of Witch Hat Atelier

 

Nina the Starry Bride
By RIKACHI

Nina had a rough start to life, orphaned and stealing to survive, only to be abducted for her unusual lapis lazuli eyes. But to her surprise, her captor, Prince Azure, ordained that she would live the life of a princess…specifically, that of the recently deceased princess-priestess, Alisha, who had her same eyes. Despite her changing fortune, Nina won’t give up her old life without a fight. Azure might just be the one to finally match her wits, but how much can she trust him? And can she stop the feelings budding in her heart, knowing she must eventually marry another…?

Rated: 16+

Read a FREE preview of Nina the Starry Bride

 

BECK
By Harold Sakuishi

Fourteen-year-old Yukio Tanaka is one heck of a boring guy. He has no hobbies, a 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 highly addictive manga series that spawned the hit anime is back at last!

Rated: 16+ 

Read a FREE preview of BECK

 

Shaman King
By Hiroyuki Takei

Shamans possess mysterious powers that allow them to commune with gods, spirits, and even the dead…and Manta Oyamada’s about to learn all about them, because his class just welcomed a new transfer student: Yoh Asakura, a boy from way off in Izumo…and a shaman in training!

Rated: 16+

Read a FREE preview of SHAMAN KING

 

Happiness
By Shuzo Oshimi

Nothing interesting is happening in Makoto Ozaki’s first year of high school. His life is a series of quiet humiliations: low-grade bullies, unreliable friends, and the constant frustration of his adolescent lust. But one night, a pale, thin girl knocks him to the ground in an alley and offers him a choice. Now everything is different. Daylight is searingly bright. Food tastes awful. And worse than anything is the terrible, consuming thirst. The tiny shames of his old life have been replaced by two towering horrors: the truth of what will slake his awful craving, and high school itself.

Rated: 16+

Read a FREE preview of Happiness

See below for the full list of Kodansha Manga Starter Packs series on sale now until 7/28/25:

Kodansha @ San Diego Comic-Con 2025 Booth #5542

Posted on | Events

Kodansha Booth #5542 @ SDCC 2025 

San Diego, Prepare to Dive! This summer, Kodansha is bringing you the ultimate shopping experience and a chance to discover featured manga like The Ghost in the Shell, Mushishi, and Witch Hat Atelier at the biggest pop culture event of the year, San Diego Comic-Con (July 24-27, 2025 at San Diego Convention Center)

With the support of Kinokuniya USA, the Kodansha booth will feature unique offerings, including pre-release sales of the hottest manga of the summer and an exclusive gift with preorders of upcoming products.

On a tight budget? Not a problem! Sign up for a Kodansha Reader account (or show us that you already have an account, and we’ll send you home with an exclusive Kodansha sticker pack, totally free! 

And don’t forget to check out the mini-gallery featuring sketches and messages from legendary Kodansha creators like Masamune Shirow (The Ghost in the Shell), Tetsuya Chiba (Ashita no Joe), and Saka Mikami (The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity). You can even get a miniature replica of these pieces when you purchase a copy of these manga at the booth.

So come and check out the Kodansha Booth #5542 at SDCC Exhibitor Hall (near Entrance C). 

 

2025 Eisner Nominations from Kodansha

This year, Kodansha is excited to have the legendary and culturally relevant manga series in the running for the prestigious Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards. Happening Friday, July 25, 2025, starting at 8:00 PM PDT in the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Indigo Ballroom, fans and professionals can get the chance to attend the event as long as they have a Comic-Con International badge. 

See below for the Kodansha titles and creators up for awards:

 

Kodansha Panels @ SDCC 2025

Come and check out the programming by Kodansha at this year’s Comic-Con!

New & Upcoming Kodansha Manga Revealed!
Thursday, July 24, 2025 
2:00PM – 3:00PM
Room: 28DE
Programing link: https://sched.co/26whp

Kodansha—purveyors of some of the most exciting & heartfelt manga published today like Blue Lock, Gachiakuta, Witch Hat Atelier, and A Sign of Affection—invites new and veteran fans of manga to an exclusive sneak peek of new and upcoming manga licenses! From print books, to digital manga, premium editions, box sets, and more, get a glimpse of amazing manga series coming soon to a bookshelf near you! Join Kodansha manga experts and super fans Ivan Salazar, Ben Applegate, and Misaki Kido for an exciting look at new and upcoming releases, and even a few surprises.

 

Manga Publishing Industry Roundtable
Thursday, July 24, 2025 
5:00PM – 6:00PM
Room: 29AB
Programing link: https://sched.co/26wlV

Manga is one of the top-selling book categories in North America. Today, there are more manga and webtoons available in print and digital than ever, and more companies are entering the scene. But what are the opportunities and obstacles facing publishers today? Get a taste of what’s hot, what’s not, and what’s next from top publishing industry pros, including Hope Donovan (editorial director, VIZ Media), Sullivan Rouaud (founder, Mangetsu), Shuichi Mochida (COAMIX, Silent Manga Audition), Ben Applegate (director, publishing services, Penguin Random House), Morgan Perry (marketing manager, book publishing, Square Enix America), Ed Chavez (president and editor-in-chief, Denpa Books), and Michael Gombos (senior director of licensed publications, Dark Horse). Moderated by Deb Aoki (Mangasplaining).

More Programming Revealed Soon!

Stay tuned to this blog and use the hashtag #SDCC25_Kodansha on our social media for more updates from Kodansha during San Diego Comic-Con (July 24-27, 2025). 

 

Get 50% off series like CITY, A Condition Called Love, Mushishi & more during the Con Hangover Sale!

Posted on | Sales

For a limited time, get 50% off digital volumes of cozy series like CITY, A Condition Called Love, Magus of the Library & more!

Still recovering from Anime Expo? Or in the middle of an exhausting summer work schedule? Then, catch your breath, rest your feet, and let these stories carry you away. Whether you’re craving the chaotic laughs, tender feels or beautiful adventures we got you covered with our Con Hangover digital manga sale!

For a limited time, get 50% off digital volumes from series to help you recover with titles like:

CITY: a fast-paced, absurdist comedy that turns everyday life into complete chaos. With his signature sharp art and offbeat humor as seen in Nichijou. It’s unpredictable, hilarious, and totally unhinged—in the best way possible.

A Condition Called Love: a tender, emotionally layered romance that explores what it really means to care for someone—and be cared for in return with gentle pacing and beautifully expressive art.

Mushishi: a quiet, atmospheric masterpiece that blends folklore, philosophy, and the mysteries of nature into a deeply introspective journey centered on the wandering “Mushi Master” Ginko, the series explores encounters with mushi.

Sweetness and Lightning: a heartwarming slice-of-life story that serves up equal parts comfort food and emotional warmth. After the loss of his wife, a single father begins cooking homemade meals for his young daughter.

Drifting Dragons, a visually stunning fantasy adventure that mixes high-flying airship action with mouthwatering culinary detail. Set in a world where sky-faring crews hunt massive dragons

Sale Ends Monday, July 14th, 2025! 

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

Amazon Kindle
Barnes and Noble Nook
Bookwalker
Google Play
MyAnimeList
Mangamo
and more! 

Curious to learn more about which series are discounted during the Con Hangover digital manga sale? Take a look below for details on five recommended series!

CITY
By Keiichi Arawi

From the creator of nichijou, this surreal-slapstick series revolves around a penniless college student, Midori Nagumo, who lives in an ordinary city filled with not-quite-ordinary people. And as this reckless girl runs about, she sets the city in motion. Midori is in a bit of a bind. She is in debt, and her landlady is trying to shake her down for unpaid rent. Her best friend refuses to loan her cash since she’s wised up to her tricks. Maybe some bullying would help. Or a bit of petty theft? Neither is sustainable. Maybe getting a job would settle things… But working means less time for fun adventures in the big city…

Rated: 13+

Read a FREE preview of CITY

 

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

 

Magus of the Library
By Mitsu Izumi

A story about a poor boy swept away by a kind library mage and the (literal) magic of reading, Magus of the Library is a beautifully-drawn, spirited fantasy adventure, like a Fullmetal Alchemist for all ages! The Magic of the Written Word In the small village of Amun lives a poor boy named Theo. Theo adores books, but because of his pointed ears and impoverished life, he isn’t allowed to use the village library. As he endures the prejudice and hatred of the village, he dreams of going where such things don’t exist: Aftzaak, City of Books. But one day, Theo chances to meet a Kafna–a librarian who works for the great library of Aftzaak–and his life changes forever…

Rated: 16+ 

Read a FREE preview of Magus of the Library

 

Mushishi
By Yuki Urushibara

Some live in the deep darkness behind your eyelids. Some eat silence. Some thoughtlessly kill. Some simply drive men mad. They are known as mushi—creatures that came into being shortly after life emerged from the primordial ooze. They still exist parallel to our own lives and can only be seen by a select few. As a mushishi, Ginko is one of the few who are aware of their existense, and this young man with a sardonic smile roams from place to place with the knowledge and skill to aid those unwittingly affected by mushi.

Rated: 16+

Read a FREE preview of Mushishi

 

Shikimori’s Not Just a Cutie
By Keigo Maki

Shikimori seems like the perfect girlfriend: cute, fun to be around, sweet when she wants to be…but she has a cool dark side that comes out under the right circumstances. And her boyfriend Izumi loves to be around when that happens! A fun and funny high school romance with a sassy twist perfect for fans of Nagatoro-san and Komi Can’t Communicate!

Rated: 13+

Read a FREE preview of Shikimori’s Not Just a Cutie

See below for the full list of Con Hangover series on sale now until 07/14/25: