Yen Press and Kodansha Announce Release of Official CLAMP Art Books
Two compilations of original drawings from the beloved all-female mangaka collective is set to release this fall
Yen Press, LLC and Kodansha USA Publishing, LLC announced the respective acquisitions of the dual CLAMP Official Art Books for release this November. The art books, named KURO (which will be published by Yen Press) and SHIRO (which will be published by Kodansha), were created as companions to the CLAMP Exhibition that ran at The National Art Center in Tokyo, Japan, from July 2024 to September 2024 and feature the more than 200 original drawings displayed.
SHIRO and KURO showcase stunning art spanning a legendary career of more than 30 years. Each book contains elaborate full-color pieces from fan-favorite series from CLAMP’s commercial debut, RG Veda, as well as Tokyo Babylon, Cardcaptor Sakura, Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle, and many more. In addition to the manga and anime, the art comes from a variety of additional rarities, such as magazine bonuses, video games, telephone cards, and other official merchandise and communications, including pieces created just for the exhibition and these art books!
Originally founded in the 1980s, CLAMP is the creative group of women behind some of the most beloved classic manga, including Cardcaptor Sakura, CLOVER, Chobits, and xxxHOLiC, all available from Kodansha, and Tokyo Babylon, which was re-released by Yen Press beginning in 2023. The CLAMP Official Art Books go through the iconic journey of CLAMP and are must-haves for fans.
About Yen Press, LLC: Yen Press, LLC, is a joint venture between Kadokawa Corporation and Hachette Book Group. Founded in 2006, Yen Press has quickly risen to become one of the largest and most prolific publishers of manga and original graphic novels in the North American marketplace and is a driving force in the introduction of light novels and Japanese literature to new readers through its Yen On and Yen Audio imprints. For more information, visit yenpress.com.
About Kodansha USA Publishing, LLC A subsidiary of Kodansha, Japan’s largest publisher, Kodansha USA Publishing is the English-language publisher of some of the world’s most recognizable manga properties, including Katsuhiro Otomo’s AKIRA and Naoko Takeuchi’s Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, along with a robust catalog of English-language Japanese novels, cookbooks, craft guides, historical and cultural literature, and more. Today, thanks to recent fan-favorite and critically acclaimed hits like Attack on Titan, Battle Angel Alita, Witch Hat Atelier, and the popular MONOGATARI novels, Kodansha USA Publishing is one of the best-selling manga publishers in the United States. Kodansha USA Publishing’s print offerings are distributed by Penguin Random House Publisher Services, and their digital manga and select digital books are available across a number of digital comics, manga, and book vendors. For more information, visit kodansha.localhost/.
Earlier this year, Jyanome—the author and ultimate director of the cinematic BL series Twilight Out of Focus—sat down with Kodansha USA Publishing series editor Alexandra McCullough-Garcia to talk about the manga artist’s creative journey and the world of the Midorigaoka High School Film Club.
Now, to celebrate the world premiere of the Twilight Out of Focus Box Set, we’re offering fans a special behind-the-scenes peek into their chat!
In this final part of this series, they discuss Jyanome’s characters, having Twilight Out of Focus translated into English, the message Jyanome would like to share with her fans overseas, and more!
The Boys Next Door: Getting to Know the Friendly Neighborhood Film Club
Editor: If you don’t mind, I’d like to ask more about these “neighbors” of yours. Do you know Mao, Hisashi, and Giichi’s favorite movies?
Jyanome: Yes, and they’re definitely Japanese films. But, how do I put it, these guys are all high schoolers, so their favorite movies wouldn’t be anything too niche. Speaking as a manga author, you want your readers to have a general understanding about the movies that come up in the story, so I think I choose their favorite movies based on what people might be familiar with.
So, Mao and Giichi, for example, would say their favorite movie is Akira Kurosawa’s The Seven Samurai, and that they’re fans of [director] Yasujiro Ozu. That’s what I picture in my mind. But also, Mao has a poster of [actor and producer] Toshiro Mifune in his room. I specified that to the anime producers, too.
Aside from that, I do actually pick out the movie that plays in each specific scene where there is one on. Like, Giichi and Jin were watching Lawrence of Arabia [in volume 2]. I chose it because it’s a longer movie, but when we were working on the anime everyone told me,“Yes, it’s long, but it’s not quiet at all. It’s so loud!” And it’s true. There’s always, like, a “bang bang!” or some other sound of warfare going on. (lol) I wanted to argue, like,“There are still some quieter scenes, though!” But the second half is mostly super loud. It is a war movie, after all. Part of me is like,“Yeah, fair enough, maybe there were other long movies I could’ve chosen,” but I really like the beginning of that movie. It seemed fitting for these two. It’s also a movie I personally really love. I never expected I’d get called out for it being a noisy film, though. (lol) That surprised me a bit.
Editor: Huh! So, how was it that Mao got into film?
Jyanome: Oh, this I know for sure. What happened was, Mao’s father was very into photography and had a proper camera, so at first Mao used that to take pictures of their family. He started out liking photography. But pretty soon, he got really into the video function on the camera, so he began taking home videos with that. And that’s where he got this desire to get better at it. From there, he fell more and more in love with video and film. In my mind, it wasn’t like with Giichi where he saw a movie that really moved him and decided he wanted to make his own. For Mao, he had this feeling inside him that he wanted to film something, and that’s what put him on track to join the film club.
Editor: Then, how do you think Hisashi feels about becoming an actor?
Jyanome: That’s a tough one. I think the desire to act is something that’s still in its early stages within Hisashi, like a young leaf, or a bud that’s just forming. But, I do think he feels a little like,“Huh, I’m better at this than I’d thought.” And this isn’t exactly a good thing, but there’s a bit of a liar in Hisashi, so I think it comes kind of naturally for him to sort of become someone else and say things he doesn’t mean at all. And I think he’s a little surprised at how good that feels, to be able to do that.
But, I do hope that going forward he takes a more positive outlook on acting and starts to have fun with it. I think for now, he’s still at the stage where he’s figuring out that this might be something he’s good at.
Honestly, though, Hisashi is mostly motivated by a desire to have Mao compliment him. He just wants to be loved by the guy he loves. So, I think more than anything he figures that Mao won’t get tired of him as long as he stays involved with the film club in some way, so that’s what he does. It’s very calculating. (lol)
Editor: What about Giichi? What was the first BL manga he read?
Jyanome: To tell you the truth, I totally projected onto Giichi for this, but his first BL manga was definitely a school love story. I do have a few specific titles in mind, but I’ll keep those off the record, in part because they’re from a bunch of different eras.
But in any event, I think it was a heartwarming kind of school life BL. And that’s why he got the idea to make a BL movie with Hisashi and Honjou.
Editor: Giichi is very open about his love for BL. He never tries to hide it. Was he always that way?
Jyanome: The thing about Giichi is, he says a lot of things I wish I could say. Like, for so, so long I hid the fact that I liked BL, and I think he’s kind of the polar opposite of that. It’s not like I think he and I are very similar in personality or anything. He’s not, like, my clone. To me, he’s a completely separate person. But there are many things about him that I admire. So, I think he’s partly doing things that I wasn’t ever able to do. I could never say the kind of stuff that’s sure to get other people angry at you like he does—ever. (lol) I envy him for that, for how he doesn’t hide his love for BL. I wish I could be like,“Read this! Read it!” and go around handing people BL manga. Like,“This one’s amazing! And have you seen the movie Twilight of the Warriors?!” If only. So I envy him for that.
Editor: Can you tell us anything about Jin and Rei when they were kids?
Jyanome: They actually go back way before that, basically to birth. Their parents are close enough friends to be family, and must’ve been childhood friends, too, so Jin and Rei were essentially raised as brothers or as cousins. I think they have a pretty unique relationship, one that hasn’t really changed much over the years. They both need each other, but neither of them has exactly realized that. I think they’re also a little co-dependent.
To me, there was never anything BL-like about their relationship, but my editors have always harbored suspicions that there might be. (lol) So I’m determined to never have them get together. I mean, of course not! They each have a boyfriend!
[Cut for spoilers!!]
So yeah, to me, I think their friendship is adorable. They’re basically family, friends that are related by everything but blood.
As for Rei, he’s always been a sub-culture nerd. And it’s not that he’s into video games or movies in general, but he just really likes the stuff that’s up his own alley, anything that’s sci-fi. So, I don’t think he would’ve thought to get into making movies or into that whole world if it hadn’t been for Jin who dragged him into it. He probably would’ve pursued video games instead. But Jin said he wanted to make movies, so Rei went along with it. Wherever Jin goes, Rei follows. That’s the kind of childhood friends they are. I bet Rei used to follow Jin around everywhere when they were kids. He still does, of course.
Editor: Shion is kind of unique for a BL character in that he comes straight out and announces he’s joined the film club to find a boyfriend, and even goes through a whole bunch of other clubs to that end. Has he always been that self-confident? Jyanome: I’m honestly surprised I was allowed to write a character like him. (lol) I’m grateful I was, but I thought there was a chance not many people would like him. I thought BL fans particularly might dislike him, in fact. The thing is, most of us, myself included, have so little self-confidence. I mean, it’s so hard to say, like,“I’m super cool,” or “Look at how awesome I am!” right?
So, I thought it’d be nice to have a character who gives off this,“I’m amazing!” aura, even if they don’t necessarily think that way. How do I put it… I think Shion is a character who believes in himself. But that’s not to say he’s super self-confident or arrogant or anything. In fact, he probably doubts himself as much as anybody else, but just doesn’t voice those worries. Out loud, he’ll always say,“No, I know I’m cute!” but inside he’s just like everybody else. You can see that in The Evening Monologues, where he gets kind of down on himself, so I don’t think he’s too different in that sense.
I just, I think I’d like people to feel that they can be more like him. I think most people tend to fixate on their failures and put themselves down, and that makes them hold back. So, I thought it’d be nice to see this boy who refuses to do that and instead tries to enjoy his three years in high school to the max. He’s the type of character that I’d like to always be cheerful and happy.
Most of my characters are nothing like that. They’re almost all kind of dark and gloomy. There’s really nobody who’d want to go for student council president, or whatever. None of them have any desire to hold a position of power over other people. So, I thought it might be nice to have one character like that for a change, and that’s how Shion came to be.
But, I had no idea this was how he’d turn out. My editor at the time, Oriuchi-san, suggested I make a character who’s a striking beauty, adorable, and who everyone thinks is really handsome—a really magnetic person. So that’s what I tried to do. It’s not something I would’ve… To be frank, I think he’s a lot like Oriuchi-san. The kind of person who can come right out and specify,“I want you to make a blinding beauty who can be totally obsessed with himself!” But I think I twisted her request a bit and made him kind of an oddball.
Editor: Personally, I love Shion. Especially how he’s so open about what he likes and wants.
Jyanome: Thank you! That makes me so happy to hear. I love him, too. Drawing him gives me so much energy. He’s just such a go-getter. I get the feeling that he’s the kind of person who doesn’t make silly slip-ups. Like, he’s not the kind who’d forget to ask for a guy’s number and end up unable to contact him. He just slips right in and is like,“Hey, could you give me your number, please?” He tends to anticipate problems in a way I can hardly keep up with myself. He’s sort of mysterious.
Editor: That’s true! The fact that he thinks he’s so cute could make him seem arrogant, but he’s actually really good about greeting his elders and is very polite.
Jyanome: Yes, exactly! You know, when we were working on the anime, there were a lot of places in the script where he talks about how cute he is, but then it came time to cut things down and at first they cut all the sections where he’s being polite or thanking people. I had to ask several times, like,“Please don’t cut all those parts, or you’ll lose the good sides of him!” But honestly, I think they found a really good balance and depicted him in a really cute light. I was happy with the result.
A New Key to the World: Breaking into English Translation
Editor: Can you tell us what you thought when you received the offer for an English translation?
Jyanome: Oh, I was beyond thrilled. I’m always happy to receive offers for my books to be translated into any language. It blows me away that there are people overseas who want to read my work, and publishers in other countries who want to publish it. To be honest, the English edition came kind of late. The series came out in a few European countries first, as well as in Taiwan and Korea. In fact, I kept wondering out loud, like,“Will we ever get an English adaptation…?” So when the offer did finally come, I was really happy. Sincerely happy. I told everybody I knew the news. (lol) I was advertising it everywhere.
The thing is, there were people that speak other languages who’d been saying they wanted to read the story in English. English is something even people who don’t speak it as a first language can read to a certain extent, and some of my fans were telling me that they’d love to read it in English. So, yeah, I was thrilled when this version came out, and I’d love for everyone to read it.
Editor: Do you get many messages or comments from overseas fans?
Jyanome: Oh yes, loads. So many that it makes me feel like maybe I have fewer fans in Japan than overseas. Honestly! My posts on X always seem to get more impressions late into the night.
Editor: Because of the time difference?
Jyanome: Yes, exactly. That’s why I wonder if I have a bigger fan base overseas. Especially on Instagram, for example, most of the comments I get are from overseas. And that’s such a gift. I wish I could respond to them, but I can only do it through translation, so it’s hard to really communicate. That’s kind of disappointing—I mean, I’m disappointed in myself. But they make it really easy to appreciate that I have readers all around the world, and that the translations of my work are what make it possible for them to reach out to me.
Editor: Is there anything you’d like to express to your international fans?
Jyanome: Yes! I say this all the time, but I want everyone to know that your support is something I have felt very deeply and that I’m truly grateful for. I wish I could express that more regularly, but that’s not always so easy, which is why I feel so blessed that I get to do interviews like this that will be translated into another language. I’d like to take this moment to give my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has supported me and read my work. I’m going to keep writing many, many more manga and will do my best to create opportunities for those books to be delivered to all of you, so please keep following me if you’d like to see more!
Editor: Thank you for that! One last question: Could you please share your thoughts on the Twilight Out of Focus Box Set ?
Jyanome: My thoughts on the box set? The design is absolutely amazing! Seriously! Nothing like that even exists in Japan! In fact, I think it’d be nearly impossible to make a box set like this here—especially not one this beautiful—so this makes me incredibly happy. Honestly, I’m dying to show it off to everyone here, but it’s not out so I can’t do that just yet. But once it does come out, I can’t wait to brag about it to everyone in Japan, even though they can’t buy it. (lol) So if you are able to get one, I’d highly recommend you do!
Editor: Thank you so much!
Thanks for Reading:
Thank you for joining us for this special interview series! We’d love to hear what you thought. Reach out by tagging us on your social media platform of choice: X, Instagram, TikTok, BlueSky or Facebook. And don’t forget to pick up your copy of the Twilight Out of Focus Box Set, available now.
Come back next Tuesday, July 1, 2025, for another exciting announcement!
Jyanome in Her Own Words:
Get Your Twilight Out of Focus Box Set Today:
Twilight Out of Focus Box Set By Jyanome
AVAILABLE NOW!
For the first time ever, volumes one through four of this cinematic series are now available in a beautiful collector’s edition box set! As an added bonus, each box set comes with a special booklet featuring exclusive cover art, never-before-translated manga pages, and gorgeous full-color illustrations!
Go back to the dorm room where it all began…
Film enthusiast Mao Tsuchiya and his lone wolf roommate Hisashi Otomo make three promises:
â‘ 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…
And don’t forget, you can still download the special Twilight Out of Focus digital wallpapers—based on the box set artwork—for your mobile device and computer by visiting the exclusive digital wallpaper page.
This year at #AnimeExpo (July 3–6, 2025 at the Los Angeles Convention Center), Kodansha is inviting fans, both old-school and new, to our BIGGEST BOOTH EVER, featuring The Ghost in the Shell and Gachiakuta! With TWO highly anticipated new anime premiering at AX25, we’ll be offering exclusive sneak previews and giveaways to get you hyped! Get your first look at the Kodansha Booth at Anime Expo 2025 here.
And don’t miss the one-of-a-kind opportunity to meet the incredible talents behind your favorite Kodansha manga—only at AX25!
We’re honored to host the Kodansha Presents Gachiakuta panel, featuring Kei Urana and Hideyoshi Andou—the visionary team behind the gritty, graffiti-bombed dystopian fantasy manga, Gachiakuta. Join us for a live drawing from the innovative talents behind the manga as they answer your questions about the work that inspired the new anime!
Plus, the legendary creator duo of the beloved millennial magical girl series Shugo Chara!, PEACH-PIT, will appear as Guests of Honor at AX25. Be sure to check out the PEACH-PIT Gallery at AX (Room 501AB) and the special panel celebrating 25 years of their iconic work.
Panels, Anime Premieres,& MORE!
Plan your schedule wisely, because you won’t want to miss out on any of the special events related to Kodansha at AX25. Here’s the full rundown of the schedule:
Thursday, July 3, 2025
Breaking into Manga Publishing When: Thursday, July 3 at 10:00–10:50am PDT Where: Room 408AB What: Passionate about manga? Does a job in the manga industry sound like your dream gig? From marketing and publishing to translation, editing, and more—there are many ways to have a career in manga, and you don’t even have to be an artist for most of them! Ivan Salazar (Sr. Marketing Director, Kodansha) hosts a panel of amazing manga professionals, including Ben Applegate (Director, Publishing Services, Penguin Random House), Morgan Perry (Marketing Manager, Square Enix Manga & Books), and Maggie Le (Editor, Penguin Random House) to chat about how they got their start, and how you can also get involved in manga publishing.
Kodansha Presents: Gachiakuta Creators Kei Urana & Hideyoshi Andou When: Thursday, July 3 at 4:15–5:05pm PDT Where: Rm 403AB What: Kodansha is proud to present a special panel with the kinetic and stylish creator Kei Urana and Hideyoshi Andou, the graffiti designer behind the fan-favorite battle manga, Gachiakuta. Join us for what promises to be an exciting experience featuring a live drawing, a Q&A session, and a showcase of the inspiration behind the upcoming Gachiakuta animated series. Seats will also be limited, so be sure to show up early for this must-see creator spotlight event!
THE GHOST IN THE SHELL × Science SARU: New Animation Project Panel When: Thursday, July 3 at 5:15–6:05pm PDT Where: Room 408AB What: The return to a legendary cyberpunk sci-fi anime by Shirow Masamune will be launched in 2026. The leading animation studio Science SARU will be presenting a new project,“THE GHOST IN THE SHELL”. Producers and other members of the production team will discuss the content of the anime and production status of the project along with other updates.
Friday, July 4, 2025
Gachiakuta US Premiere and Special Guest Q&A When: Friday, July 4 at 10:00–11:20am Where: Platinum Ballroom What: Dive into the action-packed, trashpunk battlefield of upcoming anime “Gachiakuta” in an exciting Q&A with special guests: Kei Urana (manga story & illustration), Hideyoshi Andou (graffiti design), and Naoki Amano (Bones Film producer). Then, join us for the exclusive US PREMIERE of the first TWO episodes!
The Future of Kodansha Manga Revealed When: Friday, July 4 at 10:00–10:50am Where: Room 408AB What: Kodansha—purveyors of some of the most exciting & heartfelt manga published today, like Gachiakuta, Attack on Titan, and A Sign of Affection—invites both manga and anime fans to get a sneak peek at the future of Kodansha Manga releases! Join Ivan Salazar (Sr. Marketing Director, Kodansha), Ben Applegate (Director, Publishing Services, Penguin Random House), and Maggie Le (Editor, Penguin Random House) to get the inside scoop on what’s ahead for Kodansha print manga, participate in our Q&A, and maybe even come away with some surprise giveaways.
Manga, Memories & Magic: PEACH-PIT’s 25th Anniversary Panel When: Friday, July 4, at 3:45–4:35pm Where: Room 408AB What: Celebrate 25 years of PEACH-PIT, the creators of Rozen Maiden, Shugo Chara!, and more! Join this special panel for a look back at their iconic works, creative journey, and the magic that made their stories unforgettable.
PEACH-PIT Gallery @ AX When: Thursday, July 3–Sunday, July 6 Where: Room 501AB What: From Rozen Maiden to Shugo Chara! and beyond, revisit their worlds and characters that have captured hearts for decades. Exclusive merch and exhibition on all 4-Days at Anime Expo in Room 501AB. Additional commemorative exhibition to be held in Tokyo. More Info:https://peachpit2525.jp/en/
Saturday, July 5, 2025
Manga and Anime Clubs: Best Practices, Challenges, Successes! When: Saturday, July 5⋅4:45–5:35am Where: Room 411 What: Are you a fan of manga and anime and want to gather with like-minded folks and friends to share the love? Join Ivan Salazar (Sr. Marketing Director, Kodansha), Morgan Perry (Marketing Manager, Square Enix Manga & Books), and Jillian Rudes (Librarian, Author of Manga in Libraries) for a panel discussion exploring the value of community in manga and anime clubs, 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.
Keep your eyes open for #AX25_Kodansha announcements on kodansha.localhost/ and updates across our social media channels on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky and TikTok! (And yes, you can lurk around from the comfort of your home, too!)
Earlier this year, Jyanome—the author and ultimate director of the cinematic BL series Twilight Out of Focus—sat down with Kodansha USA Publishing series editor Alexandra McCullough-Garcia to talk about the manga artist’s creative journey and the world of the Midorigaoka High School Film Club.
Now, to celebrate the world premiere of the Twilight Out of Focus Box Set, we’re offering fans a special behind-the-scenes peek into their chat!
In this first of two parts, they discuss Jyanome’s path to becoming a professional manga author, her first brush with BL, the making of the Twilight Out of Focus series, and more!
Come back for the second and final part of the interview, premiering Thursday, June 26, 2025.
This interview has been translated and edited for clarity and length.
From Sketches to Serialization: Jyanome’s Path to Manga
Editor: Could you tell us how you first got into making manga?
Jyanome: Yes, of course. I first started drawing manga in elementary school. There was a four-panel comic contest every summer and winter break, and I sort of entered on a whim. That was how I first learned to break manga up into panels. My entry was a gag comic, with the last panel being a punchline. I think I was in first grade.
Editor: So did you just keep drawing manga after that?
Jyanome: Not continuously, but I liked to draw as a hobby, so I did draw illustrations and manga and things pretty regularly. I joined a band in high school, though, so I didn’t do much drawing then at all.
Editor: How did you then decide to get into manga professionally?
Jyanome: Well, I never actually did. All I really did was decide to share some things online. At the time, it was a popular thing to do, to share your art on some sites, so I thought I’d try that. After a while, I got an offer to compile my work into an entry for a magazine, and that’s how I made my debut.
Even then, I didn’t really feel like I’d “become a manga artist.” At all. I just felt like this would be a cool memento. But then another magazine called LYNX got in touch and asked if I would like to start a serialization with them. That’s when I first felt like,“Oh, I guess I’m a manga artist now.”
So yeah, I never actually set out to become a professional manga artist. I’ve mentioned this in other interviews before, but the truth is it was never my goal to become a professional artist. It just kind of happened, which I think is sort of embarrassing.
A Lifelong Love: Discovering and Embracing BL
Editor: Not at all! Then, how did you get into drawing BL manga?
Jyanome: Well, I just really love BL. People often ask me this question, and that is definitely part of it. But it occurs to me now that another part is that I didn’t think anybody would read my manga unless it was BL. Back when I was doing a lot of dojinshi [amateur fan-fic manga], I was told that people only wanted to read BL stories. That was sort of the feeling you got doing fan-fiction-type work back then. It was just sort of understood among fan-fiction authors that BL was the thing to do. So I think that influenced me, too. That’s what I thought. But it wasn’t as if I set out to become a professional BL manga author. I just thought, if I’m going to draw a manga, I’d like it to be a BL about these two characters, and that’s what I started posting online. I wonder if that’s actually answered your question. (lol)
Editor: Of course!
Jyanome: So, yeah. That’s how I got my start in BL. I think the best way to explain it is that BL is what I loved.
Editor: Have you always been a fan of BL? Do you remember the first BL work you read?
Jyanome: Yes. The first BL I read was an anthology spin-off of Captain Tsubasa. I was in eighth grade, and I borrowed it from a friend who was like,“Check this out.” And it was a clear-cut BL anthology, a little on the extreme side. After that, I started seeing BL in other places, and realizing that those stories showed up in professional magazines, too.
I’m trying to think of specific titles. For example, I totally labeled Mari and Shingo a BL in my mind, even if it’s not officially. Or manga like Slam Dunk, too. My head canon is that it’s BL. (lol) Even though it’s very explicitly platonic love, I couldn’t help but feel that it was a BL story.
There’s a manga called The B. B. B. by Akisato Wakuni-sensei and in that one, there is a boy who comes out and says explicitly that he likes another boy. I think it’s the first manga where that happened. You should check it out if you’re curious.
Maybe it’s better to say that that was the first manga that I read where a boy character talks about how he only likes other boys, in terms of both romantic and physical attraction. It was only later on that I read older manga like Mari and Shingo that had been popular a generation before me, so The B. B. B. is probably the first time I read a manga with a boy character who clearly says he likes another boy.
Editor: And what did you think? What was your reaction to your first boys’ love story?
Jyanome: I was like,“Oooh! Oh my god!” I was just over the moon. Like, this is amazing! (lol) I couldn’t believe something so awesome existed. How do I put it? This may sound a little try-hard, but more than anything I felt like I’d found something that was perfect for me. It was just so much fun to read.
Pretty soon after, one of my friends suggested I try drawing some BL, and I was like,“Okay, let’s all write something together.” That friend got really into it really quickly, and even wanted to start making dojinshi—as a junior high schooler. She was so gung-ho about it. But making dojinshi is pretty expensive, so it’s kind of an adult hobby for a middle schooler. It wasn’t exactly feasible at the time, but we decided to all start writing together and talked about how we’d love to make our scribbles into a book at some point. So, we pretty quickly and naturally formed this BL fan group. But then, that friend of mine who was extra passionate about BL, who started reading it much sooner than I did—probably first in elementary school if she was that into it by eighth grade—by the end of ninth grade, that friend declared she’d gotten bored of BL and didn’t want to talk about it anymore.
Editor: Wow, that was quick!
Jyanome: I know! She sort of left me behind, and I was the one who never stopped liking it. (lol)
Editor: What do you think it is about BL that makes it so appealing ?
Jyanome: I wonder. That’s kind of a difficult question, but basically I think it’s just lovely, seeing a boy I think is lovely fall for another boy and have a lovely romance—it’s all just so nice. I still read a lot of BL to this day, and it’s kind of, like, just jam-packed with things I like. It’s just really exciting.
But that’s not to say that I think romances between a boy and a girl or between girls are in any way less than. It’s just that BL is what suits me best. It’s what makes my heart flutter.
I think a lot of BL fans think about this a lot, and question why they like BL so much, but honestly, at this point I don’t think the why of it matters much at all. I think if you like something, you like it—simple as that.
You know, when I was still a teenager, I used to think that I should probably give up on BL by the time I turned twenty [the age of adulthood in Japan].
Editor: What? Really?
Jyanome: Yes, seriously! I thought it was one of those things you just had to leave behind once you became an adult. I think that’s common among otaku. When you’re younger, it feels like there’s a limit to how long you can keep doing certain things. Like, once I turn this many years old, or once I start working I’ll have to stop this or that hobby, or whatever. My friends and I used to talk about that. And one of those things we thought we’d have to leave behind was BL. I had this feeling deep down that it was a hobby I’d have to grow out of, one I could only pursue in my youth.
But now that I’ve come this far with it, I think I’ll just keep liking it forever. (lol) It feels weird to keep looking so hard for the reason. The fact is that I love it. I love writing it, I love reading it—I just love it.
Honestly, I think I’m a pretty hardcore BL fan, as in my love for this genre is greater than most. I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t lose out to anybody there. (lol)
How do I put it… It’s something I want more and more people to fall in love with, too. I have this urge to be like,“It’s so much fun! You should read it!”
Lights, Camera, Characters! Behind the Scenes of Twilight Out of Focus
Editor: I love that! People should read it! Switching over toTwilight Out of Focus, can you tell us how that story came about?
Jyanome: Well, it all started when I was brainstorming with my editor about what sort of serialization we should do next. Part of me wanted to do something centered around a school club, so that was the first piece. But then, what kind of club? I was in the kendo club for years and years, and that’s a kind of sports team, you know? But that didn’t feel right, so I started thinking about what sort of non-sports, culture-type clubs might provide interesting material, and it hit me that it might be cool to have high schoolers making movies. So the film club was the first thing we really ironed out.
After that, I started working on what the main character of a film club manga might be like. Mao came first. Initially, I thought maybe he could pair up with another club member, but that felt wrong. So if Mao was a cameraman and not the director—that’s actually a bit of a mystery. I don’t know why I wanted him to be a cameraman and not the director—but if he’s behind the camera, it’d be cool if his love interest was someone who could be in front of the camera, an actor. A subject for Mao to film. And that’s how Hisashi came into being. I tend to develop characters in pairs so that their personalities and things balance each other, so I worked on fleshing them out.
Next, there’s always a part of me that wants my main characters to have friends, so I got to work creating the other film club members who could be Mao’s friends, like Giichi, Runa, and Teru.
It all progressed pretty quickly after that. My editor was the one who suggested we set it in an all-boys school. That’s very much what she’s like. (lol) Like,“The more boys the better! Who needs girls?!” It’s kind of mean, right? (lol)
At first, I was like,“Oh, c’mon, we need girls to squeal about our boys!” But I’m glad we went with an all-boys school in the end. Things are simpler that way. They don’t get so messy.
The dorm aspect was my idea, I think. I was like,“Let’s put them in a dorm!” I got kind of greedy.
From then on, once I’ve got my characters in place, they kind of just do their own thing and move the story along. That’s essentially how it happened.
Editor: Yes, I’ve been curious about that. You’ve mentioned in previous interviews that your characters don’t always do what you want them to do, but could you explain that in more detail? They’re your characters, right? Do they just have minds of their own? What is that like?
Jyanome: The thing is, I can’t move them around like pawns. For example, we’re talking right now, right? But I can only know the things you’ve told me. I can’t know the things we haven’t talked about yet. It’s kind of like that with my characters. There are things I know about them, and things I don’t. Like, I don’t really get it myself, but I don’t ever know their birthdays to begin with. It’s strange, since they all come from me, but I haven’t asked them when their birthdays are, so I don’t know. As I write the story, though, another character might, for example, say,“Hey, Otomo, isn’t your birthday in November?” And that’s when I finally realize,“Huh. I guess he was born in November.” I do at that point consider, like, is that what I want it to be? But then it just clicks that Hisashi does actually seem like a winter baby, so I go back to what I originally heard.
That’s sort of what it’s like. The further I follow the story, the more I get to dig deeper into each character. That’s how I learned that Mao likes to eat, that he loves snacks and karaage fried chicken. It was only after seeing him in a scene where food comes up that I realized,“Oh, Mao is kind of a glutton.”
I’m sorry, I know I’m saying something really strange, but that’s really what it’s like. I don’t know how else to put it.
For example, when they’re filming the film club movie [in volume one], things aren’t going well and Mao buys a bunch of food to cheer Hisashi up when they go off to talk together. But it wasn’t until we got there that it hit me that he’s probably doing that because he himself loves to eat. I had no way of knowing that ahead of time.
So, even if I try to sort of impose my ideas on them to fill out the things I don’t know, I can’t ask them if I got it right, and they won’t just act that way for me. It’s as if I don’t know at all. It’s only after going through lots of scenes that show me what they are really like that I can create profiles for my characters.
I’m sorry, I have trouble putting this into words, but that’s the overall feeling of it. You could call it inspiration, or you could say that I don’t think about what they’d be like in a particular situation until we actually get there, but that’s how I learn things bit by bit about my characters, how I develop relationships with them.
Editor: Please don’t apologize! I think that’s wonderful.
Jyanome: It’s so tough. I’m not trying to sound cool or anything, but that’s just how it is! (lol) Hirohiko Araki-sensei, for example, will write up profiles for all his characters at the very beginning and fill out their special attacks and things on a sheet. I tried doing it once myself, deciding my characters birthdays, their special attacks, the things they’re bad at. But then after going through all that, none of it came up in the story and I was left thinking,“Why do I need to put these shackles on myself?” I mean, I can see how it would be interesting to add those kinds of rules and make things more challenging, but it’s not like a dating app where you can exchange profiles or anything. It just doesn’t work well at all for romance stories, so I gave up. (lol)
Editor: Do you think of your characters as your own children?
Jyanome: My children… No, it’s nothing quite so specific. But, I do feel like I have different relationships with different characters. For example, Giichi I think of as sort of a friend. Someone who I could tease a bit and be like,“C’mon, Ichikawa, why are you always like this!” and get kind of frustrated with him. Hisashi Otomo, on the other hand, feels very distant. He’s not someone I could tease so easily. It really depends on the character. Mao I feel somewhat closer to, but I think if I tried to tease him he might, like, push me away a bit, so I wouldn’t necessarily try it with him.
That’s why I wouldn’t say they’re all equally my children—some feel closer, some feel more distant.
I’ve said this in another interview, but when I’m working on a series, it’s like I’m developing relationships with the people who live in the apartment next door. We’re close, but not that close. But then, once the series ends, it’s like I move away, so I have no idea what happens to those characters who are now so distant. At that point, I just have to wonder, like,“Are they doing all right? I hope they are.” That’s the way I relate to my characters.
That’s also why I think it would be very difficult for me to make anything really bad happen to them. I think I’d have to take a much more godlike stance to be able to kill them or anything. That would be like opening the door to my neighbor’s apartment and coming upon their dead bodies. It would be a huge shock. I think I’d have to prepare myself to be the kind of god that throws down thunderbolts like Zeus before I could create any characters that meet cruel ends. I don’t really know why, though. I’d like to challenge myself to try it one day.
Editor: That’s fascinating! So, does that mean you don’t know what will happen to them a few years down the road?
Jyanome: Exactly. I do think about it, though. Like,“Aw, it’d be great if Hisashi could become a professional actor in a few years,” and I think about what that story might be like. But I don’t think I’ll know for sure until I sit down and say,“Okay, let’s write this thing!” Even if I said for example,“I’ve decided you’ll be an actor, so that’s that,” I don’t know if Hisashi himself would agree. That said, I do have hopes for my characters.
Coming Up Next: Inside the Mind of Jyanome
Stay tuned for the second half of this amazing conversation with Jyanome to learn more about the author, her rich characters, and her thoughts on breaking into the world of English-language manga when this two-part series concludes on Thursday, June 26, 2025!
Here’s a Sneak Peek of Part 2!
Get Your Twilight Out of Focus Box Set Today:
Twilight Out of Focus Box Set By Jyanome
AVAILABLE NOW!
For the first time ever, volumes one through four of this cinematic series are now available in a beautiful collector’s edition box set! As an added bonus, each box set comes with a special booklet featuring exclusive cover art, never-before-translated manga pages, and gorgeous full-color illustrations!
Go back to the dorm room where it all began…
Film enthusiast Mao Tsuchiya and his lone wolf roommate Hisashi Otomo make three promises:
â‘ 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…
And don’t forget, you can still download the special Twilight Out of Focus digital wallpapers—based on the box set artwork—for your mobile device and computer by visiting the exclusive digital wallpaper page.
Dive deep into every detail of these worlds with volumes 1s of both the manga and light novels starting at $0.99
Ever wanted to know everything about some of your favorite fantasy worlds? Now’s your chance to dive into the magic, myths, and adventures! Explore a wide selection of isekai and fantasy manga, while also checking out the original light novels, all available digitally and on deep discount during our Explore the Lore Sale digital manga & light novel sale!
For a limited time, get $0.99 volume 1s and up to 50% off additional volumes of isekai and fantasy series like:
Am I Actually the Strongest? (Manga / Light Novel) a comedic isekai fantasy about an overpowered shut-in reborn in a magical world—only to be wildly underestimated.
My Unique Skill Makes Me OP Even at Level 1 (Manga / Light Novel): a fun and quirky isekai where game mechanics rule the world—and one laid-back protagonist breaks them completely.
Saving 80, 000 Gold in Another World for My Retirement (Manga / Light Novel): a clever, money-minded isekai that follows a pragmatic heroine with one goal: financial freedom.
The Dawn of the Witch (Manga / Light Novel): a dark fantasy that mixes magic school drama with buried secrets and emotional scars.
Sale Ends Monday, June 23rd, 2025!
To take advantage of this big discount on kodansha.localhost/ or by visiting any of our participating digital manga vendors:
Curious to learn more about the series on sale during the Explore the Lore digital manga sale? Take a look below for details on five recommended series!
Am I Actually the Strongest? By Ai Takahashi and Sai Sumimori
Being reincarnated into another world with the promise of a “cheat” power is one thing, but being reborn as a baby, and then left for dead after your royal parents think you’re powerless? That’s another thing entirely! Now the newly born Reinhardt—Haruto to his new friends—must find his way through a dangerous world…but luckily he’s got magic that’s quite literally off the charts!
As a Reincarnated Aristocrat, I’ll Use My Appraisal Skill to Rise in the World By Miraijin A, Natsumi Inoue and jimmy
A salaryman suffers a heart attack and is reborn in another world as Ars Louvent, the child of an aristocratic house. Though lacking in physical strength, Ars has a unique “appraisal” skill that lets him see other people’s stats and latent abilities. He puts this skill to the test by discovering a downtrodden young man with fearsome blade skills and a street urchin with a knack for magic. Has Ars found the diamonds in the rough that will help him secure his family’s fortunes?
My Unique Skill Makes Me OP Even at Level 1 By Nazuna Mika, Subachi, and Mawata
Ryota Sato gets the surprise of his life when he’s suddenly transported into another world and nearly clobbered at the hands of the young, pretty adventurer Emily Brown. This new world revolves around defeating monsters and profiting on whatever they drop—food, money, items, etc. Unfortunately for Ryota, he has no skills to speak of…until he learns he has the ability to get rare drops! Suddenly his luck turns around…or does it?
Saving 80, 000 Gold in Another World for My Retirement By Funa, Keisuke Motoe and Touzai
When life gives you another world, you take it for all it’s worth! The irreverent new isekai adventure from the creator of Didn’t I Say to Make My Abilities Average in the Next Life?! and I Shall Survive Using Potions! Anime streaming now!
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!
The Dawn of the Witch By Kakeru Kobashiri, Tatsuwo, Takashi Iwasaki, and Yoshinori Shizuma
Saybil is a magic student with no memories of his life before he met a mysterious silver-haired woman in an alley. Now he travels with his teacher, Loux—another student, Holt, and the beastfallen Kudo for “special training”… but this field trip may not be as routine as it seems!
For a limited time, get 50% off digital volumes of series like Attack on Titan, The Abandoned Reincarnation Sage, Inuyashiki& more!
Every epic story sees he rise and clash of heroes and villains—and this sale brings them all together. Whether you’re drawn to noble champions or captivating antagonists, celebrate the battle between light and dark with our Heroes and Villains digital manga sale!
For a limited time, get 50% off digital volumes from series where good and evil collide in the most thrilling ways, like:
Attack on Titan: an intense, emotionally charged, dark fantasy epic that explores the cost of survival, the burden of truth, and the cycle of violence in a world where the line between monster and man are blurred.
The Abandoned Reincarnation Sage: a reincarnation fantasy packed with magical mastery, revenge-fueled momentum, as a powerful sorcer after the end of his life is recincarnted, abandonned by his human family, only to be adopted by a tribe of goblins.
Devils’ Line: a dark thriller that blends supernatural suspense with raw, human vulnerability in a world where devils pray on humans, and one shadowy organization with half-devil members stands between humanity and anihilation.
ORIGIN: a high-octane sci-fi action series that fuses cutting-edge tech with brutal hand-to-hand combat, all delivered in Boichi’s signature hyper-detailed art style.
Yozakura Quartet, a supernatural action epic where super-powered teens must team-up and defend the town of Sakurashin from malevolent forces.
Sale Ends Monday, June 9th, 2025!
Take advantage of these tantalizing discounts by purchasing on kodansha.localhost/ or by visiting any of our participating digital manga vendors:
Curious to learn more about which series are discounted during the Heroes and Villains digital manga sale? Take a look below for details on five recommended series!
Attack on Titan By Hajime Isayama
In this post-apocalyptic sci-fi story, humanity has been devastated by the bizarre, giant humanoids known as the Titans. Little is known about where they came from or why they are bent on consuming mankind. Seemingly unintelligent, they have roamed the world for years, killing everyone they see. For the past century, what’s left of man has hidden in a giant, three-walled city. People believe their 100-meter high walls will protect them from the Titans, but the sudden appearance of an immense Titan is about to change everything. Winner of the 2011 Kodansha Manga Award (Shonen) and nominated for the prestigious Osamu Tezuka Cultural Prize for 2012.
Dolly Kill Kill By Yukiaki Kurando and Yusuke Nomura
Iruma Ikaruga is living his best high-school life… until mascot-looking aliens from another world invade with their flesh-eating bugs, seemingly hell-bent on destroying humanity violently and effectively! On that fateful day, Iruma loses everything…his normal life, his best friend, and his crush…until six months later, when he catches a glimpse of her again. Is all hope for humanity—or just Iruma himself—truly lost?
Ichiro Inuyashiki is down on his luck. While only 58 years old, his geriatric looks often have him written off as a pathetic old man by the world around him and he’s constantly ignored and disrespected by his family despite all that he’s done to support them. On top of everything else, his doctor has revealed that he has cancer and it appears that he has little time left in this world. But just when it seems things couldn’t get any worse, a blinding light in the night sky strikes the earth where Ichiro stands. He later wakes up to find himself unscathed, but he soon starts to notice that there’s something…different about himself. However, it turns out that these strange, new changes are just what Ichiro needs to take a new lease on life and now it seems like there’s nothing to stop him from being a hero worthy of the respect that he never had before…unless, that is, there was someone else out there with these same “changes”…
Shuichi Kagaya is an ordinary high school kid in a boring little town. But when a beautiful classmate is caught in a warehouse fire, he discovers a mysterious power: he can transform into a furry dog with an oversized revolver and a zipper down his back. He saves the girl’s life, sharing his secret with her. But she’s searching for the sister who killed her family, and she doesn’t care how degrading it gets: she will use Shuichi to accomplish her mission…
When they were accused of trying to overthrow the monarchy, the feared warriors the Seven Deadly Sins were sent into exile. Princess Elizabeth discovers the truth—the Sins were framed by the king’s guard, the Holy Knights—too late to prevent them from assassinating her father and seizing the throne! Now the princess is on the run, seeking the Sins to help her reclaim the kingdom. But the first Sin she meets, Meliodas, is a little innkeeper with a talking pig. He doesn’t even have a real sword! Have the legends of the Sins’ strength been exaggerated…? Prepare to get swept away by an epic fantasy story and colorful cast of characters that will rewrite the history of manga as we know it!
For a limited time, get 50% off digital volumes of series like Attack on Titan, The Abandoned Reincarnation Sage, Inuyashiki& more!
Every epic story needs both sides of the fight—and this sale brings them all together. Whether you’re drawn to noble champions or captivating antagonists, celebrate the clash between light and dark with our Heroes and Villains digital manga sale!
For a limited time, get 50% off and explore the stories where good and evil collide in the most thrilling ways with titles like:
Attack on Titan: an intense, emotionally charged epic that explores the cost of survival, the burden of truth, and the cycle of violence that challenges the meaning of freedom—and who gets to fight for it.
The Abandoned Reincarnation Sage: a power fantasy packed with magical mastery, revenge-fueled momentum, and a sharp edge of ambition with a mix of high-stakes battles, old grudges, and a hero who plays by his own rules.
Devils’ Line: a dark, emotionally charged thriller that blends supernatural suspense with raw, human vulnerability that digs into what it means to fight your inner demons, both literal and emotional.
Origin: a high-octane sci-fi action series that fuses cutting-edge tech with brutal hand-to-hand combat, all delivered in Boichi’s signature hyper-detailed art style.
Yozakura Quartet, a short and sweet supernatural romance that blends classic shoujo charm with a mysterious twist and a fast-paced, genre-blending ride that’s equal parts heartfelt and high-energy.
Sale Ends Monday, June 06th, 2025!
Take advantage of these tantalizing discounts by purchasing on kodansha.localhost/ or by visiting any of our participating digital manga vendors:
Curious to learn more about what’s on sale during the Heroes and Villains digital manga sale? Take a look below for details on five recommended series!
Attack on Titan By Hajime Isayama
In this post-apocalyptic sci-fi story, humanity has been devastated by the bizarre, giant humanoids known as the Titans. Little is known about where they came from or why they are bent on consuming mankind. Seemingly unintelligent, they have roamed the world for years, killing everyone they see. For the past century, what’s left of man has hidden in a giant, three-walled city. People believe their 100-meter high walls will protect them from the Titans, but the sudden appearance of an immense Titan is about to change everything. Winner of the 2011 Kodansha Manga Award (Shonen) and nominated for the prestigious Osamu Tezuka Cultural Prize for 2012.
Dolly Kill Kill By Yukiaki Kurando and Yusuke Nomura
Iruma Ikaruga is living his best high-school life… until mascot-looking aliens from another world invade with their flesh-eating bugs, seemingly hell-bent on destroying humanity violently and effectively! On that fateful day, Iruma loses everything…his normal life, his best friend, and his crush…until six months later, when he catches a glimpse of her again. Is all hope for humanity—or just Iruma himself—truly lost?
Ichiro Inuyashiki is down on his luck. While only 58 years old, his geriatric looks often have him written off as a pathetic old man by the world around him and he’s constantly ignored and disrespected by his family despite all that he’s done to support them. On top of everything else, his doctor has revealed that he has cancer and it appears that he has little time left in this world. But just when it seems things couldn’t get any worse, a blinding light in the night sky strikes the earth where Ichiro stands. He later wakes up to find himself unscathed, but he soon starts to notice that there’s something…different about himself. However, it turns out that these strange, new changes are just what Ichiro needs to take a new lease on life and now it seems like there’s nothing to stop him from being a hero worthy of the respect that he never had before…unless, that is, there was someone else out there with these same “changes”…
Shuichi Kagaya is an ordinary high school kid in a boring little town. But when a beautiful classmate is caught in a warehouse fire, he discovers a mysterious power: he can transform into a furry dog with an oversized revolver and a zipper down his back. He saves the girl’s life, sharing his secret with her. But she’s searching for the sister who killed her family, and she doesn’t care how degrading it gets: she will use Shuichi to accomplish her mission…
When they were accused of trying to overthrow the monarchy, the feared warriors the Seven Deadly Sins were sent into exile. Princess Elizabeth discovers the truth—the Sins were framed by the king’s guard, the Holy Knights—too late to prevent them from assassinating her father and seizing the throne! Now the princess is on the run, seeking the Sins to help her reclaim the kingdom. But the first Sin she meets, Meliodas, is a little innkeeper with a talking pig. He doesn’t even have a real sword! Have the legends of the Sins’ strength been exaggerated…? Prepare to get swept away by an epic fantasy story and colorful cast of characters that will rewrite the history of manga as we know it!
Get started or catch-up with the fantasy rom-com Pass the Monster Meat, Milady!, now up to 50% off all volumes!
Grab your sword and fork—it’s time to dig into the monster-slaying mayhem to gourmet romance!
Whether you’re here for the monsters, the meals, or the romance, it’s the perfect time to catch up on the tasty heartfelt adventure, Pass the Monster Meat, Milady! by Chika Mizube, Peperon and Kanata Hoshi. For a limited time, start this flavorful fantasy rom-com with 50% off every volume!
Pass the Monster Meat, Milady! By Chika Mizube, Kanata Hoshi and Peperon
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!
Take advantage of this lovely discount by purchasing on kodansha.localhost/ or by visiting any of our participating digital manga vendors:
Pass the Monster Meat, Milady!, Vol. 8 By Chika Mizube, Kanata Hoshi and Peperon
Aristide, the “Blood-Mad Duke,” is injured after defending the castle from the angry mother Sirius and the rampaging Berguignon swarm. While the Duke is sent to bed to rest and heal, his fiancée Princess Melphiera tackles an entirely different challenge…what to do with all the Berguignon carcasses left dead and tantalizingly edible after the attack?! With the help of Lenya the cook, Melphiera concocts a plan to turn the Berguignon from vicious monsters to delicious hors d’oeuvres!
Get started or catch-up with the fantasy rom-com Pass the Monster Meat, Milady!, now up to 50% off all volumes!
Grab your sword and fork—it’s time to dig into the monster-slaying mayhem to gourmet romance!
Whether you’re here for the monsters, the meals, or the romance, it’s the perfect time to catch up on the tasty heartfelt adventure, Pass the Monster Meat, Milady! by Chika Mizube, Peperon and Kanata Hoshi. For a limited time, start this flavorful fantasy rom-com with 50% off every volume!
Pass the Monster Meat, Milady! By Chika Mizube, Kanata Hoshi and Peperon
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!
Take advantage of this lovely discount by purchasing on kodansha.localhost/ or by visiting any of our participating digital manga vendors:
Pass the Monster Meat, Milady!, Vol. 8 By Chika Mizube, Kanata Hoshi and Peperon
Aristide, the “Blood-Mad Duke,” is injured after defending the castle from the angry mother Sirius and the rampaging Berguignon swarm. While the Duke is sent to bed to rest and heal, his fiancée Princess Melphiera tackles an entirely different challenge…what to do with all the Berguignon carcasses left dead and tantalizingly edible after the attack?! With the help of Lenya the cook, Melphiera concocts a plan to turn the Berguignon from vicious monsters to delicious hors d’oeuvres!
In March 2025 it was brought to our attention that I Was Reincarnated as the 7th Prince so I Can Take My Time Perfecting My Magical, Volume 14 contained printing errors that affected the first print run. Though Kodansha USA has already taken steps to rectify this issue with a subsequent printing we understand that there may still be affected customers.
If you have an affected copy, Kodansha USA wants to replace it with a corrected version free of charge.
How to know if your manga volume is affected:
I Was Reincarnated as the 7th Prince so I Can Take My Time Perfecting My Magical, Volume 14(LINK):
First, look to see if your version of I Was Reincarnated as the 7th Prince so I Can Take My Time Perfecting My Magical, Volume 14 contains the “1st Printing” colophon page, as seen below. This colophon page will be the very last page of the book before the back cover:
I Was Reincarnated as the 7th Prince so I Can Take My Time Perfecting My Magical, Volume 14, 1st printing colophon [IMAGE PLACE HOLDER]
In these editions the back half of the volume contains pages that are out of order making it so that the story pages feel out of sequence. See the pictures below:
[IMAGE PLACE HOLDER]
How to get a replacement volume:
Visit and complete the I Was Reincarnated as the 7th Prince so I Can Take My Time Perfecting My Magical, Volume 14 Replacement Request Form. This includes filling out all necessary information—including your email, name, address, and phone number. You will also need to take a photo of the colophon page for your affected book and submit it as part of this form.
Once submitted, a Kodansha customer service representative will reach out to you to confirm your submission, then a new corrected book will be shipped soon after.
Please wait 1-2 weeks for this updated version of I Was Reincarnated as the 7th Prince so I Can Take My Time Perfecting My Magical, Volume 14 to arrive.
If you have any additional questions about I Was Reincarnated as the 7th Prince so I Can Take My Time Perfecting My Magical, Volume 14, you can reach out to us through the Kodansha Support Center.
We appreciate your understanding as we work to fix this error and thank you for your continued support of Kodansha manga.
Gachiakuta and GHOST IN THE SHELL in Anime Expo 2025!
Kodansha is returning to Anime Expo this year! In 2025, our booth will spotlight two highly anticipated anime titles: Gachiakuta, which will begin airing soon, and GHOST IN THE SHELL, with a brand-new series launching in 2026.
At the Kodansha booth (SH-1225), you can catch exclusive special footage from both series, snap some photos with giant standees, and try your luck at our Gacha Gacha machine for original merchandise or take on the Giant Claw Machine,”Drop the Claw”! Be sure to stop by the Kodansha booth and discover the captivating worlds of our latest series!
Booth Activities
Photo Panels
Strike a pose with larger-than-life panels featuring a Trash beast and the main characters from Gachiakuta, as well as the iconic Motoko Kusanagi from GHOST IN THE SHELL.
A Gacha Gacha Machine
Follow our social media accounts (@gachiakuta_news on X, @theghostintheshellofficial on IG, @KODANSHA_EN on X or IG) related to these series for a chance to win popular character and logo badges! You’ll have to spin to see what you get!
The Giant Claw Machine “Drop the Claw”
Tag our social media accounts (@gachiakuta_news on X, @theghostintheshellofficial on IG, @KODANSHA_EN on X or IG) related to these series when you post your photos or videos for a chance to play “Drop the Claw”! Grab some awesome prizes you can only get at the event and show them off to everyone!
Booth Exhibits
Giant LED Monitor
Don’t miss the special collaboration video between Gachiakuta and GHOST IN THE SHELL, as well as exclusive footage from each series, only viewable at our booth!
Exhibits
Explore special video presentations, exhibition walls used to display reproductions of original artwork, and exclusive exhibits that will be unveiled on the day!
Panels, Anime Premieres & MORE!
Kodansha and its partners will be hosting multiple exciting panels featuring our currently trending titles. Please note that advance registration will be required for these panels, so be sure to check the Anime Expo social media and website for the latest information.
For full list of the AX25 Schedule, we’ll have an update next week on June 13th, 2025. See you soon!
Anime Trailers
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.
Studio Bones New Anime Project with Kodansha When: 3:15 PM – 4:05 PM PST Where: Los Angeles Convention Center, Panel Room: 408AB What: My Hero Academia and Fullmetal Alchemist producer Studio Bones presents their new project with Kodansha, publisher of Attack on Titan and other hits. Anime producers and the editor of the manga will reveal behind the scenes of the upcoming anime. We’ll also show the trailer and teaser visual. All attendees will receive an exclusive gift! This room will NOT be cleared prior to this panel. This room will NOT be cleared after this panel.
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
For a limited time, get 50% off digital volumes of series like Girlfriend Girlfriend, Anyway I’m Falling in Love with You, The Quintessential Quintuplet& more!
Whether you’re into sweet crushes, messy love triangles, or full-blown romantic chaos, there’s a love story (and multiple romantic interests) waiting to sweep you off your feet. Now’s your chance to get overwhelmed in the best way posssible during our Love Overload digital manga sale!
For a limited time, get 50% off page-turning series that also turn up the romantic heat like:
Girlfriend, Girlfriend: a frantic, fast-paced rom-com that cranks the love triangle formula up to eleven. With laugh-out-loud moments, unexpected sweetness, and nonstop romantic chaos
The Quintessential Quintuplets: a heartfelt and high-energy romantic comedy that blends classic harem tropes with real emotional depth.
Yamada-kun and the Seven Witches: a genre-blending school rom-com with a supernatural twist. Equal parts mystery, body-swapping chaos, and heartfelt character drama
Curious to learn more about what’s on sale during the Love Overload digital manga sale? Take a look below for details on five recommended series!
Girlfriend, Girlfriend By Hiroyuki
Naoya just got a girlfriend, the gorgeous Saki-chan, and though their intensities often pit them against each other like ice and fire, they’re totally, uncontrollably in love with each other. He vows never to cheat…when out of the blue he receives another confession! Nagisa’s cute, sweet, and she’s made him lunch to boot! He knows he can’t cheat, but he can’t let a cutie like this get away…so he does the logical(?) thing: Asks Saki for permission to date them both! The confidence! The arrogance! The very gall! No matter the outcome, Naoya’s future will be lively!
Anyway, I’m Falling in Love with You. By Haruka Mitsui
It’s 2020, and Mizuha’s seventeenth birthday is the pits. Her dad forgot, the senpai she likes isn’t interested, and her social calendar is getting cleared out by a mysterious virus. But when her longtime childhood friend asks her out, Mizuha has to sort out what this change could mean. And her feelings may not be the only ones changing…!
Wife: Ichiko Aihara. Husband: Otoya Aihara. Married for seven years, they get along well, but sexless and without children, they agree to see other people. Otoya has an affair with Mitsuki, and Ichiko is aware of it. Looking at Otoya in a state of bliss with Mitsuki, Ichiko begins to change, too… Peko Watanabe tells a story of lies and truth—whether or not you ever want to get married, the real life of this thirty-something couple might give you some second thoughts about that institution we call marriage!
Five girls who want to do anything but study, and their tutor: a high school boy who’s got book smarts and not much else. Futaro Uesugi took the tutoring gig because he was desperate for cash, but when his students—the five beautiful daughters of a wealthy businessman—find five times the excuses to slack off, what can he do?! At this rate, the sisters won’t graduate, so if he wants to get paid, Futaro must think of a plan to suit each of them… Which feels hopeless when five out of five of them think he’s a loser!
In today’s Japan,“rental” services can deliver an afternoon with a “friend,” a “parent,” even a fake girlfriend! After a staggering betrayal by his girlfriend, hapless freshman Kazuya gets just desperate enough to give it a try. But he quickly discovers how complicated it can be to “rent” an emotional connection, and his new “girlfriend,” who’s trying to keep her side hustle secret, will panic when she finds out her real life and Kazuya’s are intertwined in surprising ways! Family, school, and life all start to go wrong, too… It’s sweet but naïve boy meets cute but ruthless girl in this 21st-century manga rom-com!
Editor: Could you tell us how you first got into making manga? 
