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Discover the New Manga Licenses Announced at Anime NYC 2023

Posted on | Events | Licensing Announcements

Kodansha Reveals New Print & Digital Manga Licenses at Anime NYC

Kodansha announced today at Anime NYC nearly a dozen new print & digital manga licenses, with one new series available to read the same day as announced, and more to come this December and fall 2024.

New Kodansha Portal Series Debuts:
Revealed at the top of Kodansha’s industry panel was the magical new Kodansha Reader Portal series The Spellbook Library by Uta Isaki—the mangaka behind the asexual coming-of-age one-shot, Is Love the Answer?. The first episode of this series is available now and free-to-read for Kodansha Readers, with new episodes arriving biweekly exclusively on kodansha.localhost/.

Coming to Print Fall 2024:
Kodansha then gave us a glimpse into 2024 by showcasing their wide-ranging roster of upcoming debuts including Versus, the the epic action fantasy series by the One Punch Man creator ONE; Pupposites Attract, the adorable canine centric rom-com by Hono Natsuna; Snow & Ink, the dramatic road-trip saga about healing from your past; Home Office Romance, the pandemic-era at-home love story from the Kintetsu Yamada, the creator of Sweat and Soap; and much more!

Debuting Digitally in December:
December also sees the English-language premiere of Uta Isaki’s Japanese debut series, the fantastical manga about searching for a place of peace after a time of war, Sayabito: Swords of Destiny, as well as the spicy work-place romance, Don’t Tempt Me, VP!.

The announced print titles will be available fall 2024 at physical and online book vendors like Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, Amazon, and more. While December’s digital manga series debuts will be available upon release across all our participating digital vendors, including Bookwalker, Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, Google Play, Nook, Kobo, MyAnimeList, Mangamo and more! Fans can also purchase and read all our digital manga on the new kodansha.localhost/.

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

 

NEW KODANSHA READER PORTAL SERIES:

 

Read the first episode of Uta Isaki’s The Spellbook Library today!

 

 

FALL 2024 NEW PRINT LICENSES:

 

Versus
Story by ONE; Manga by Kyoutarou Azuma; Organized by bose

Centuries ago, humanity’s natural enemy,“Demons,” invaded the world and oppressed humankind. The Great Demon Lord and 47 subordinates known as Demon Lords have since dominated the world, while the human race lives on in fear. In desperation, a last-ditch effort for humanity’s very survival is placed in the hands of 47 people gathered from across the world. These heroes will oppose the demon army and win back humanity’s freedom…or die trying!

Rated: 16+

 

Pupposites Attract
By Hono Natsuna

Chiharu Kagura is content spending her days with her sweetie of a Rottweiler that probably weighs about as much as she does. Meanwhile, Kiyotaka Tsujii can’t get enough of his fluffy Pomeranian that barely comes up to his knees. When these two mismatched pairs chance upon each other at the park, could it be the start of an unlikely friendship—or maybe something more?

Rated: 16+

 

The Boy I Loved Became the Jaded Emperor
By Ii Oshikawa; Created by Bekio; Character Designs by Mitsuya Fuji

After witnessing the death of the woman who saved him as a child, Prince Alexei vows revenge and turns bitter and jaded, eventually taking the throne and becoming Emperor. Little does he know, the woman who saved him was reborn as the daughter of a duke, a taciturn young lady with a secret. When fate throws them together, will they recognize each other, or will their jaded pasts keep them apart?

Rated: 13+

 

Snow & Ink
By Miyuki Unohana

Accused of slaughtering an entire village, a sardonic criminal resigned to his lot in life is mysteriously bought by the daughter of a wealthy family. She too has been shunned by the world, and saw in him a suitable companion for her journey to the barren north. While they both carry a certain darkness in their hearts, that may be what allows them to find solace in each other…

Rated: 16+

 

Home Office Romance
By Kintetsu Yamada

A one-shot (home) office romance rom-com from the creator of Sweat and Soap!

Nokoru is finally afforded the chance to telework at home due to the pandemic lockdown. Rediscovering old passions and new hobbies, Nokoru is allured by his next-door neighbor, Natsu.

From the creator of Sweat and Soap, this standalone volume showcases two adults building a relationship when most human-to-human interaction was halted, even if it feels like a tall tale to find romance at home.

Rated: 16+

 

Kusunoki’s Flunking Her High School Glow-Up
By Mitsuki Mii

Keisuke Shizuki and Shizuka Kusunoki are taking high school by storm with their good looks, but they share a dark secret: they were both total outcasts in middle school! While Shizuki has succeeded in making himself over inside and out, clearing the slate of his past life, Kusunoki is still struggling to develop social skills to match her new appearance. She’s eager for Shizuki’s help, if only he could get over his phobia of pretty girls…

Rated: 13+

 

Spoil Me Plzzz, Hinamori-san!
By tsuke

Ichigo Hinamori has always looked up to her senpai Yaya Suou for her poise, impeccable grades, and kind heart. But that all changes the day Ichigo stumbles upon Yaya wailing like a little kid in the nurse’s office. It turns out everyone’s favorite honor student is desperate to get off her pedestal and be spoiled rotten instead—and now she’s hoping Ichigo will be the one to indulge her!

Rated: 13+

 

Sheltering Eaves
By Rie Aruga

At the age of ten, Yoru was sent to live in a children’s home due to abuse from her mother. Tenjaku, a boy who is the same age, takes Yoru under his wing. Now in their second year of high school, Yoru and Tenjaku only have a year left before they must leave the children’s home.

From the creator of Perfect World, this story follows a pure romance that has blossomed in an unfair and cruel world as it explores Japanese society’s treatment of those who are most innocent.

Rated: 16+

 

Your Lie in April Omnibus
By Naoshi Arakawa

Naoshi Arakawa’s beloved romantic drama about relearning to fall in love with music—and life—returns in this brand new omnibus edition!

Kōsei Arima was a piano prodigy until his cruel taskmaster of a mother died suddenly, changing his life forever. Driven by his pain to abandon piano, Kosei now lives in a monotonous, colorless world. Having resigned himself to a bland life, he is surprised when he meets Kaori Miyazono, a violinist with an unorthodox style. Can Kaori teach Kosei not just how to play, but how to start living again?

Rated: 13+

 

DECEMBER 2022 NEW DIGITAL LICENSES:

 

Sayabito: Swords of Destiny
By Uta Isaki

Release Date: December 5, 2023

From the creator of Is Love the Answer? and The Spellbook Library comes an exciting new fantasy battle manga—the author’s debut, now available in English!

Constructed solely for war, sayabito are fearsome human weapons who are tightly bonded to those who wield them. In the wake of a great war, fiery and impatient Rivia and her willowy, cautious partner Kuifa roam the land in search of sayabito who lost their wielders in the conflict, in order to register and protect these vulnerable sayabito before they wither away or are exploited. Though Rivia and Kuifa frequently exasperate each other with their clashing approaches, they share one common goal: to carve out a life in the peacetime for which they, and others like them, were never meant.

Rated: 16+

Read Chapter 1 Now

 

Don’t Tempt Me, VP!
By Kana Nakatsuki

Release Date: December 19, 2023

27-year old Maki Enomoto is done with relationships. One year ago, her terrible boyfriend made her the joint guarantor on a loan before promptly ghosting her with a mountain of debt. Now she just wants to be left alone to her quiet otaku life, working her office job to make her ex’s monthly repayments, and devoting what scant little is left to her hobbies. Namely, her virtual boyfriend Allen-kun, who is hot, kind, and dependable in a way that real-life men aren’t—least of all the hotshot young VP that keeps getting on her case about deadlines and deliverables. But when said VP shows up with a rather interesting proposal, Maki must decide if she’s ready to roll the dice one last time…

Rated: 18+

Read Chapter 1 Now

 

Save with the Finding Family Digital Sale

Posted on | Sales

Tales of found family like To Your Eternity, The Dawn of the Witch, Air Gear & more up to 50% off

As the days are getting shorter and nights are getting colder who doesn’t want to feel the warm embrace and comfort of the loved ones we call our “found family”? That’s why Kodansha is holding our Finding Family digital manga sale—with discounts on series featuring comrades and confidants who make homes in our hearts.

Right now, take up to 50% off select volumes from series that celebrate finding family however & whenever they arrive into our lives like:

Sale Ends Monday, November 27th, 2023!

Great discounts on a number of found family-focused manga series can be redeemed on kodansha.localhost/ for Kodansha Readers. OR you can also find these series on sale at participating digital manga vendors like:

Curious to learn more about the discounted series part of the Finding Family digital manga sale? Take a look below for details on four recommended series!

 

 

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

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

Rated: 16+

Read the FREE preview

 

With a Dog and a Cat, Every Day is Fun
By Hidekichi Matsumoto

With both a cat and a dog, there’s double the antics, double the fun (and double the kibble!) but while Inu and Neko coexist peacefully, they have their own distinct personalities, which play out in unexpected, charming ways during these short-form stories.

Whether you’re a dog-person or a cat-person, there’s plenty to love about these homegrown sketches of daily life shared with four-legged friends!

Rated: 13+

Read the & FREE preview

 

Peach Boy Riverside
By Johanne and Coolkyousinnjya

Saltherine Aldarake, princess of the Kingdom of Aldarake, dreams of traveling the world—a dangerous dream in a land where monsters roam the countryside as they please, and humans live behind high, strong walls. But when a chance meeting with traveler Mikoto gives hope to her dream, he shatters it soon after, as he reveals himself to be none other than Momotaro, ruthless demon-slayer. Though horrified by the gore Momotaro leaves behind, Saltherine is convinced more than ever that she needs to learn about the world beyond her walls, and journeys out…following the steps of the mysterious, charismatic, terrifying boy she met that day…

Rated: 13+

Read the FREE preview

 

Cells at Work and Friends!
By CMS Kanna Kurono

The smash-hit anthropomorphic cell fantasy’s latest spinoff features a fearsome Killer T Cell as its protagonist! Killer T Cells are the assassins who destroy virus-infected cells and other foreign contaminants to keep things peaceful inside the body. The Squad Leader of the Killer T Cells is feared by all… but he wants to change his public persona! He wants friends! But he can’t just say so! Solo karaoke, hot pot parties, and smartphones… Cells using modern gadgets in their daily lives unexpectedly result in one hilarious situation after another!

Rated: 13+

Read the FREE preview

 

See below for the full list of series on sale now until 11/27:

Join Kodansha @ Anime NYC 2023

Posted on | Events

Catch Kodansha at Anime NYC for Reveals, Recommendations & Giveaways

It’s time once again for the fan-favorite New York City anime & manga event Anime NYC – happening November 17-19, 2023 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center. And with this tremendous pop-culture event comes several chances to catch Kodansha at the show! Get a glimpse of future Kodansha debuts, customized recommendations from our manga experts, and even a few giveaways, all across our activities at Anime NYC!

And be sure to also check our partners Crunchyroll & Bandai Namco who will be celebrating Blue Lock in a big way with two panels no anime or manga fan will want to miss!

See below for all the places you can find Kodansha and our partners at Anime NYC 2023!

 

Friday, November 17, 2023:

8 MANGA YOU SHOULD ADD TO YOUR COLLECTION
When: 11:15 am -12:15 pm ET
Where: New York Public Library – 18 W 53rd St
What: Editors and representatives from manga publishers, including Yen Press, Dark Horse, Kodansha, and more, do their best to showcase one title they love that needs to be known, read, and cherished. To find out how to RSVP, head to http://www.animenyc.com/nypl
Details: Anime NYC Website
Note: *PROS ONLY!* (RESERVATION REQUIRED)

CRUNCHYROLL INDUSTRY PANEL
When: 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm ET
Where: Crunchyroll Stage – River Pavilion
What: Hear about all the latest and greatest anime coming out of Crunchyroll straight from the source! Hosted by Crunchyroll’s Lauren Moore and Tim Lyu. Please note: All programming times are approximate, and details are subject to change. Access to the Crunchyroll Stage is limited on a first come, first serve basis. The Crunchyroll Stage does not clear between panels, and entry to the stage may temporarily pause due to high demand.
Details: Anime NYC Website

BLUE LOCK PANEL: DIRECT SHOT INTO ANIME NYC!
When: 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm ET
Where: Panel Room 1 – Room 1E09-11
What: Calling all diamonds in the rough! Come join us in welcoming Kazuki Ura’s (voice of Yoichi Isagi) first time in the city of NYC as well as Ryoya Arisawa (Producer of BLUE LOCK) and get to know more about them, the BLUE LOCK series, and the egoists!
Details: Anime NYC Website

 

Saturday, November 18, 2023:

KODANSHA’S NEW AND UPCOMING MANGA REVEALED
When: 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm ET
Where: Panel Room 2 – Room 1E13-12
What: Kodansha – purveyor of some of the most exciting manga published today like, Blue Lock, Attack on Titan, Shangri-La Frontier,& more – invites all manga & anime fans to a special panel presentation that will reveal new & upcoming manga debuts sure to excite fans of every genre! Join manga experts Ivan Salazar (Kodansha USA), Tomo Tran (Kodansha USA), TJ Ferentini (Penguin Random House) for a wide ranging chat filled with first-looks of new licenses, personalized recommendations & even some giveaways. It’s a panel no manga fan can miss!
Details: Anime NYC Website

 

Sunday, November 19, 2023:

BLUE LOCK PANEL: LOCK OFF! AT ANIME NYC!
When: 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm ET
Where: Panel Room 2 – Room 1E13-12
What: Calling all diamonds in the rough! Come join us in welcoming Kazuki Ura’s (voice of Yoichi Isagi) first time in the city of NYC as well as Ryoya Arisawa (Producer of BLUE LOCK) and get to know more about them, the BLUE LOCK series, and the egoists!
Details: Anime NYC Website

 

 

Stay tuned to our X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Facebook & TikTok for updates live from the event!

Get Attack on Titan Vol. 1 Free During the End of Titan Sale

Posted on | Sales

Celebrate the Attack on Titan anime finale with a free copy of the first volume!

The Attack on Titan anime finale arrives on Crunchyroll November 4th! To celebrate, Kodansha is giving away volume 1 of the original earth-shattering Attack on Titan manga and also discounting additional volumes up to 50% off. Not only that but spinoff Attack on Titan titles from fan-favorite light novels to prequels & side stories are also available at a discount as part of the End of Titan digital manga sale!

Looking to fill the Colossal Titan-shaped hole left by the end of Attack on Titan? No problem! Save up to 50% off series like:

All of this and more!

Sale Ends Monday, November 13th, 2023!

For a limited time get a free volume 1 of New York Times-bestselling series, Attack on Titan, and also save up to 50% off other Attack on Titan titles during the End of Titan digital manga sale.

Great discounts on Attack on Titan manga can be found on kodansha.localhost/ for Kodansha Readers, or you can also find these series on sale at participating digital manga vendors like:

Curious to learn more about the massive Attack on Titan universe? Take a look below for details on four recommended series!

 

Attack on Titan Anthology
By Gail Simone, Hajime Isayama, Tomer Hanuka, Faith Erin Hicks and Scott Snyder

The manga megahit Attack on Titan, reinterpreted by some of comics’ top talent! Featuring original stories by a long roster of comic superstars such as Scott Snyder, Gail Simone, Faith Erin Hicks, Michael Avon Oeming, Paolo Rivera, Cameron Stewart, and Babs Tarr! 

Rated: 16+

Read the FREE preview

 

Spoof on Titan
By Hounori and Hajime Isayama

With all the danger and hard work that comes with being a soldier in the Survey Corps, it’s only natural that Eren Yeager and his comrades would want some relaxation. But with all the hijinks his comrades stir up, even time off can stress a soldier out! Flunking tests, pulling all-nighters, and summoning magic genies?! Join the fun as smaller, cuter versions of Eren, Levi, Mikasa, and the rest of the Survey Corps get together for all sorts of misadventures in this four-panel comic strip spinoff of the hit manga Attack on Titan!

Rated: 16+

Read the & FREE preview

 

Attack on Titan: No Regrets
By Gun Snark, Hikaru Suruga and Hajime Isayama

The young Erwin Smith is a rising star in the Survey Corps, humanity’s only hope of defeating the man-eating monsters known as Titans. Ruthless and dispassionate, Erwin’s mind is devoted to strategies and intrigue. But beneath Erwin’s feet is another world, the Underground, where humans are born and die surrounded by the garbage the Capital throws away. Here, the criminal Levi survives on his wits and agility. But when these two ambitious men cross paths, who will prove himself stronger? The long-awaited origin story of Levi and Erwin, two of Attack on Titan’s most beloved characters!

Rated: 16+

Read the FREE preview

 

Attack on Titan: Lost Girls
By Hiroshi Seko, Hajime Isayama and Ryosuke Fuji

That day, Annie Leonhart woke up in the barracks. It was the morning of her day off. The feeling of freedom doesn’t last long, for tomorrow holds her biggest mission yet: During the 57th Expedition Outside the Walls, seize Eren Yaeger.

Rated: 16+

Read the FREE preview

 

 

See below for the full list of Attack on Titan series now on sale until 11/27.

Discover Kodansha at MCM London Comic Con!

Posted on | Events

Discover Kodansha at MCM London Comic Con!

We are back across the pond with some fun things lined up for MCM London Comic Con happening October 27-29!

We are partnering up with our friends at Diamond UK (booth #840) and Turnaround Comics (booth #N1000) for some discounts on your favorite books and special promotions.

 

Pre-street copies

Get some amazing debuts at MCM London even before they hit stores! A limited number of copies of Witch Hat Atelier Kitchen volume 1 (at Diamond UK booth#840) and Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun volume 4 (at Turnaround booth #N1000) will be available ahead of their official debut exclusively at this event.

 

Gift with Purchase

Purchase any manga at Turnaround Comics book during MCM and receive a Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun button* (one randomly chosen). Collect all 3!
*While supplies last

 

Kodansha US reader portal account sign-up promo

Sign-up for a Kodansha Reader Portal account at MCM London and receive a Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun con-exclusive lanyard*!
*Limited quantities given each day of the event.

 

 

Panel

Kodansha USA x Yen Press Manga Recommendations
When: Saturday, October 28, 2023 at 12:00PM UKT
Where: Artist Alley Stage
What: Curious about manga? Want to know what series to pick up next? Join manga experts Tomo Tran (Kodansha USA) & Mark De Vera (Yen Press) as they give dueling recommendations for budding and veteran manga fans alike. There’ll be something for everyone, including special announcements, Q+A, and even some giveaways!
Details: MCM London Comic Con Website

Survey says manga hit in libraries!

Posted on | General

Manga Tops Annual Graphic-Novels-in-Libraries Survey

The manga boom is centered on libraries, with high popularity and circulation.

 

Industry periodicals Library Journal and School Library Journal have released their annual Graphic Novels In Libraries Survey, and the results show that manga tops the charts in popularity with teen library readers. The survey, sponsored by Kodansha USA Publishing, covers the wide range of graphic novels finding a home in both school and public libraries across the United States, for every age and demographic.

According to the survey, more than 90% of public libraries and high school libraries are stocking manga currently, and across all demographics 64% of library workers responding identify manga as the most popular graphic novel category for teen readers, higher than any other category. That number jumps to more than 80% when looking at the popularity of manga in urban and suburban libraries, versus small towns and rural locations.

“We’ve seen tremendous uptake in our titles for schools and public libraries, and those numbers are growing all the time,” says Alvin Lu, Kodansha USA Publishing President & CEO. “Titles like soccer manga Blue Lock, viking history manga Vinland Saga, or the classic girls’ hero title Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon are loved by readers of all ages, and we’re proud to make those titles available in various formats for our library partners.”

The survey points to good news for the entire graphic novel publishing industry, with 97% of respondents stating that they had some comics and graphic novels in their collections, and different libraries and age categories finding different types of titles more popular for their audiences. More than 90% of survey respondents said that the popularity of all graphic novels had increased over the last few years in their libraries, with 57% saying that it had been a significant increase in popularity.

Perhaps the most interesting data though, is centered on reading fluency. Ninety percent of public librarians and 83 percent of school librarians recommend graphic novels to users in their library who are “striving readers”, and to promote overall reading fluency. Graphic novels and manga remain strong choices not just for existing fans of the media, but also for those who might otherwise be disinterested in reading or having a hard time doing so.

The complete SLJ 2023 Graphic Novels Survey Report is now available here. 

Visit survey sponsor Kodansha at kodansha.localhost/ and sign up for their school and library newsletter at kodansha.localhost/libraries.

Kodansha New Print & Digital Licenses Revealed at NYCC

Posted on | New Release

Kodansha Unveils New Print & Digital Manga Licenses at New York Comic Con

Kodansha announced today at New York Comic Con an array of new manga licenses debuting as soon as November for new digital series and in print for spring and fall of 2024!

Coming to print in 2024: This spring sees the print debut of the hitman action/comedy The Fable – which will also be getting an anime next year. Additionally, Blue Lock fans can rejoice over the news that the different POV spinoff, BLUE LOCK -EPISODE NAGI-, makes its debut fall 2024. Also coming in fall is the comically violent wheelchair hero battle manga Tank Chair. 

Debuting digitally in November: For fans craving new manga series immediately, next month brings two digital series debuts including the pregnancy thought experiment, He’s Expecting, and the risqué fantasy love story, How to Treat a Lady Knight Right.

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

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

 

SPRING 2024 NEW PRINT LICENSES:

 

The Fable
By Katsuhisa Minami

When you’re the infamous “genius killer” hitman The Fable, many things come easy. Being a normal person, however, isn’t one of them. In fact, being told that he can’t kill anyone for a while may just be the hardest job he’s ever taken…

Rated: Mature 18+

Read Chapter 1 Now

 

FALL 2024 NEW PRINT LICENSES:

 

BLUE LOCK -EPISODE NAGI-
Story by Muneyuki Kaneshiro
Manga by Kota Sannomiya
Character Design by Yusuke Nomura

Seishiro Nagi, a second-year high schooler, thought everything was a pain and lived his life in an apathetic fog. That is, until he met Reo Mikage and they entered the mysterious striker training center, Blue Lock… A new spin-off from Blue Lock‘s author, Muneyuki Kaneshiro, telling the story from Nagi’s point of view!

Rated: Older Teen 16+

 

Tank Chair
By Manabu Yashiro

Shizuka takes on the most dangerous of assassin jobs, but she’s not the one doing the killing. Rather, it’s her brother, Nagi, a strong assassin who took a bullet to protect his sister, leaving him in a comatose state and having to use a wheelchair. However, Shizuka has figured out the key to waking her brother up: he must be faced with killing intent! Thus begins a violent journey of recovery, battling the most dangerous foes!

Rated: Older Teen 16+

 

NOVEMBER 2023 NEW DIGITAL LICENSES:

 

He’s Expecting
By Eri Sakai

Release Date: November 7, 2023

When career-minded Kentaro Hiyama finds out that he’s pregnant, it will change the course of more than just his own life. In the Japan of Eri Sakai’s thought experiment, ten years have passed since the male sex has spontaneously gained the ability to get pregnant, and society has struggled to adjust. Kentaro isn’t sure at first who the mother might be, and quickly finds himself butting up against regressive attitudes and discriminatory policies—most of which long precede male pregnancy. In his previous life, he’d never given any of it a second thought—he may have even held the same views. But through his encounters with other pregnant people, and galvanized by his new perspective, Kentaro turns his skills in business and marketing to effecting social change.

Rated: 16+

Read Chapter 1 Now

 

 

How to Treat a Lady Knight Right
By Kengo Matsumoto

Release Date: November 21, 2023

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 Chapter 1 Now

 

 

Join the Attack on Titan After Party with a Special Discount

Posted on | Events

Join the Official Anime Finale After Party Celebration

In celebration of the hotly anticipated Attack on Titan finale, Kodansha announced its first fan participation wrap party inviting folks from around the world to celebrate in an online-only Attack on Titan Worldwide After Party happening November 5-8 (JST)!

This special, 4-day ticketed event invites fans to board the after-party cruise ship for tons of events and entertainment like exclusive conversations with the Japanese voice cast members, experiencing the premiere of an all-new voice drama, reliving powerful, fan-favorite moments from the entire series in the Character Cabins, and more!

And now, as a perk of being a Kodansha Reader, you can get a special discount for the Attack on Titan Worldwide After Party for FREE. All you need to do is visit this link, log in to your account, claim discount code, and your unique code will appear. Then use your discount code on the Attack on Titan Worldwide After Party website when purchasing your ticket. It’s THAT easy!

For more information on the Attack on Titan Worldwide After Party, visit their home page or take a look at the Worldwide After Party trailer!

Kodansha @ New York Comic Con 2023

Posted on | New Release

Find Kodansha at All These Exciting Panels & Presentations

We’re thrilled to announce that Kodansha will return to the pop-culture extravaganza that is New York Comic Con – happening October 12-15, 2023 at the Javits Center in NYC, NY.

We’ll be participating in a number of amazing panel discussions that range from new Kodansha print & digital license reveals, to recommendations, and even tips and tricks for breaking into the manga industry! Whether you’re a comic book fan or a manga aficionado you’ll want to check out the activities and announcements Kodansha has in store at NYCC.

See below for the full list of the panels Kodansha will be at during NYCC 2023:

 

Exploring Manga: Publisher Picks for Must Read Titles
When: Friday, October 13, 2023 at 10:15 AM ET
Where: The Javits Center – Professional Programming: River Pavilion
What: This panel features some of the most prominent manga publishers in the industry: Viz Media, Yen Press, and Kodansha! Whether you are an avid manga enthusiast or a newcomer eager to explore this rich storytelling medium, join us as these publishers reveal their latest and greatest manga releases, along with their must-read titles that have captured the hearts of readers worldwide. This is an exclusive opportunity to hear from the industry leaders themselves, discover hidden gems, and explore the diverse world of manga.
Details:  NYCC website

 

Attack on Titan 10 Year Celebration and Dub Panel (Presented by Crunchyroll)
When: Friday, October 13, 2023 at 1:30 PM ET
Where: The Javits Center – Empire Stage
What: We’re celebrating 10 years of the Attack on Titan anime! Join Crunchyroll and the Attack on Titan main dub cast for a special program, including Q&A and activities, as we look back at the long journey of AOT.
Details:  NYCC website

 

Embarking on a Manga Publishing Journey with Kodansha
When: Friday, October 13, 2023 at 2:30 PM ET
Where: The Javits Center – Professional Programming: River Pavilion
What: Ever dreamt of becoming a part of the dynamic and captivating world of publishing? Join manga experts from Kodansha and Penguin Random House for an insightful discussion on ways to venture into the realm of manga publishing! Our panelists, composed of experienced professionals from the editorial and marketing teams, will share their personal journeys and offer valuable insights on building a portfolio, editorial and publishing roles, and so much more!
Details:  NYCC website

 

Kodansha’s Manga Reveals & Recommendations
When: Saturday, October 14, 2023 at 3:30 PM ET
Where: The Javits Center – 1C-03
What: Kodansha, purveyor of some of the most exciting manga published today like, Vinland Saga, Blue Lock, MF Ghost, Attack on Titan & more, invites new and existing manga fans to a special first-look at upcoming debuts & more! Join manga experts Tomo Tran (Kodansha USA), Ivan Salazar (Kodansha USA) & Ben Applegate (Penguin Random House) for a revealing panel of exciting new manga, personalized recommendations for what to read next, and even get some giveaways. Curious about manga? Then this is the panel for you!
Details:  NYCC website

 

Manga Publishing in N. America: Past, Present & Future Trends
When: Sunday, October 15, 2023 at 11:45 AM ET
Where: The Javits Center – Professional Programming: River Pavilion
What: With over 20+ years of experience in the manga publishing and bookselling biz, Kurt Hassler,(Kadokawa World Entertainment CEO and President, Publisher of Yen Press, and former buyer at Borders Books & Music) and Alvin Lu (Kodansha USA CEO and former VIZ Media publisher) have seen a lot as manga has gone from comic shop niche category to blockbuster graphic novel category, with a few booms and busts along the way. Join us for a frank, in-depth discussion about where manga publishing has been, where it’s at now, and where it’s going next. Moderated by Deb Aoki (Publishers Weekly and Mangasplaining).
Details:  NYCC website

 

Come join us for wide-ranging conversations, special reveals, and more! Plus, stay tuned for additional news and announcements coming out of New York Comic Con

October 2023 New Digital Licensing Announcement

Posted on | Licensing Announcements

Learn about all the new digital manga series debuting soon!

This October, Kodansha debuts a trio of cozy, complicated, and killer digital manga series. This includes the meditation on leaving it all behind for the country life, That Time the Manga Editor Started a New Life in the Countryside; the budding romance story with a deadly twist, Searching for My Perfect Brother; and the action/comedy about Earth’s only alien (and secret government assassin), Rocopon.

October’s digital debuts will be available upon release across all our participating digital vendors, including Bookwalker, Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, Google Play, Nook, Kobo, MyAnimeList, and more. Fans can also purchase and read all our digital manga on the new kodansha.localhost/.

Take a look below for full details and links to chapter 1 previews of the October Kodansha digital manga debuts coming soon.

 

OCTOBER 2023 NEW DIGITAL LICENSES:

 

That Time the Manga Editor Started a New Life in the Countryside
By Kumagae & Hishiwo Miyazawa

Release Date: October 3, 2023

Sick of his job and the city, Yohei “Kuma” Sakuma has a grand plan—to start anew in the countryside and live off the land. Thing is, he hasn’t told his wife yet, nor does he know the first thing about growing rice. Between crooked houses, swarms of bugs, and grueling work under the sun, the city slicker Kuma and his wife Miyu get a crash course in country life. But at the end of the day, with beer in hand as they take in the sights, they begin to understand that country life can be real hard, but real good.

Rated: 13+

Read Chapter 1 Now

 

Searching for My Perfect Brother
By Satoshi Morie

Release Date: October 17, 2023

There’s nothing in the world Rize likes more than to curl up in her warm bed and doze away—just like she used to with her big brother when they were kids, before they were separated by their parents’ divorce. Working late shifts at a supermarket while attending university, she dreams of someday finding and reconnecting with her lost—and now grown-up—big brother. Her penchant for being able to nap in the break room draws the attention of Kairi, a co-worker who struggles with insomnia. Something about him reminds her of her big brother, and she finds herself growing closer to him…but when she discovers his secret, her whole world will be turned helter-skelter.

Rated: 16+

Read Chapter 1 Now

 

Rocopon
By Nadainishi & Chicchi Yukinaga

Release Date: October 31, 2023

As far as the public is concerned, Rocopon—earth’s only alien—hasn’t done much but loaf around in the 8 years since he crash-landed in Tokyo with no memory of his past. Granted, that is what he likes to do, and he does spend a lot of time playing video games. But as an alien to whom earth laws technically do not apply, he’s been hard at work in a top-secret capacity: government-sanctioned extrajudicial assassin, cleaning up the worst of society that the law is either too slow or too powerless to confront. After years of dispatching hapless crime lords and their goons, things have gotten comfortable. But Rocopon is about to meet his match in more ways than one—fed up with his sloppy ways, headquarters has assigned him a straight-laced partner, and the criminal underground has enlisted the help of those who are a little more than human…

Rated: 16+

Read Chapter 1 Now

Kodansha Presents Makoto Yukimura & Keito Gaku at Upcoming Events This Fall 2023

Posted on | Events

Kodansha Presents Makoto Yukimura & Keito Gaku at Upcoming Events This Fall 2023 

This fall, Kodansha brings you rare opportunities to meet the creators of your favorite manga series—perhaps at an upcoming event near you!! 

Even better, some of these events are completely free! So you won’t have to break the bank just to be there. 

You can check the details of those upcoming events below: 

 

Makoto Yukimura at Toronto International Festival of Authors (TIFA) 2023

Makoto Yukimura (creator of Vinland Saga) was invited to make his first Canadian appearance at the annual Toronto International Festival of Authors—Canada’s largest literary festival in Toronto, Ontario. 

This is a great honor and a sign of recognition for Vinland Saga, Yukimura’s artistic work detailing the history of those who traveled across the sea from Europe to find a land of peace and landed on the east coast of Canada.

Yukimura will be making a guest appearance for talk events and signings at both TIFA and The Japan Foundation, Toronto. And while you’re there, don’t forget to check out the Vinland Saga Manga Gallery.

  • The Pursuit of Purpose: Charting Vinland with YUKIMURA Makoto @ The Japan Foundation, Toronto 
    Free Event / Registration Required 
    When: September 22, 2023 at 6:00pm ET
    Where:  Japan Foundation Toronto  [Google Maps]
    2 Bloor St E #300, Toronto, ON
    Details: JFT website
  • Makoto Yukimura Book Signing @ TIFA 
    When: September 23, 2023 at 3pm ET 
    Where: Main Loft
    Details:  TIFA website
  • Visions of Vinland With Makoto Yukimura @ TIFA
    When: September 23, 2023 at 1:30pm ET
    Where: Harbourfront Center Theatre [Google Maps]
    235 Queens Quay W, Toronto, ON
    Details:  TIFA website 

Makoto Yukimura is one of Japan’s most respected manga artists. His works include the Viking epic Vinland Saga (published in English by Kodansha), which won the Japan Media Arts Grand Prize and was adapted into an anime streaming worldwide on Netflix, as well as the hard science fiction series Planetes (published in English by Dark Horse).

 

 

Keito Gaku at Cartoon Crossroads Columbus (CXC) 2023

Keito Gaku (creator of Boys Run the Riot) has been invited to make his first appearance in the US at Cartoon Crossroads Columbus in Columbus, OH.

His debut series, Boys Run the Riot, serves as an example of how creators of all genders and LGBTQIA+ identities can tell their authentic narratives through manga.

At the event, Keito Gaku will share his experience working on this groundbreaking manga series.

  • Keynote: Keito Gaku Interviewed by Justin Hall
    Free Event / Registration Required 
    When: September 30, 2023 at 8pm ET
    Where: Canzani Center Auditorium – Columbus College of Art & Design [Google Maps]
    60 Cleveland Ave, Columbus, OH
    Details: CXC Website 
  • Keito Gaku Book Signing
    When: October 1, 2023, from 1:30pm–3pm ET
    Where: The Columbus Metropolitan Library – Main Branch [Google Maps]
    96 S Grant Ave, Columbus, OH
    Details: CXC Website 

Keito Gaku is a manga artist and transgender man living in Tokyo, Japan. At age 22, Gaku was awarded the 77th Tetsuya Chiba Prize for his debut one-shot work, Light, which was later adapted into Boys Run the Riot. Boys Run the Riot is his debut manga series and first work to be published in English.

And to mark this very special occasion, for 4 days during the event, you can read Boys Run the Riot volumes 1 & 2 for free and get the additional volumes (volumes 3 & 4) for up to 50% off on the Kodansha Reader Portal (kodansha.localhost/). This promotion will run from 9/28-10/1 (Thur-Sun) and ends on 10/2 (Mon), so make sure you don’t miss out.

 

Come join us at these once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to be up close and personal with the creative minds behind hit Kodansha manga series and fan favorites! We’ll see you there! 

September 2023 New Digital Licensing Announcement

Posted on | Licensing Announcements

Learn about all the new digital manga series debuting soon!

This September sees two new English-language digital debut from Kodansha: the sequel to the critically acclaimed, and drama-inspiring wine saga, The Drops of God, along with a new spin-off of the fan-favorite medical manga series, Cells at Work!. 

Cells at Work! Lady brings a unique woman-focused spin on the biological world fans know and love, bringing not only action & drama but also medical insights into the inner workings of women’s physiology. Manga fans and budding oenologist will also want to break out the good glasses for Drops of God: Mariage, the next course in the acclaimed wine (and food) epic, which picks up right where the original series left off.

September’s digital debuts will be available upon release across all our participating digital vendors, including Bookwalker, Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, Google Play, Nook, Kobo, MyAnimeList, and more. Fans can also purchase and read all our digital manga on the new kodansha.localhost/.

Take a look below at the full roster of digital debuts coming soon.

AUGUST 2023 NEW DIGITAL LICENSES:

Cells at Work! Lady
Original Story by Shigemitsu Harada, Art by Akari Otokawa, Supervised by Akane Shimizu

Release Date: September 12, 2023

Life as a lady can be tough, but life IN a lady is that much tougher. From periods to pregnancies, it can be an emotional ride…especially when you’re the size of a cell. Thankfully, Macrophage, Killer T, Helper T, and White Blood Cell are joined by a host of hard-working allies equipped to deal with the daily struggles of lady life in this female-focused spin-off of Cells at Work!

Rated: 16+

Read Chapter 1 Now

Drops of God: Mariage
Story by Tadashi Agi, Art by Shu Okimoto

Release Date: September 26, 2023

One last challenge stands between Shizuku Kanzaki and his father’s fortune—to identify the wine his father called “The Drops of God” in his will. Problem is, he’s up against Issei Tomine, a famous wine critic his father adopted shortly before his death. Alone and penniless following his journey around the world to gain knowledge and train his senses for the final showdown, Shizuku stumbles into a western-style izakaya to work for food and a place to stay. But when Shizuku uses his newfound smarts to save the struggling business, a competing chain launches an identical menu and enlists the help of a rising sommelier to go head-to-head with them. In order to stay on top and survive this brutal business, it all comes down to perfecting the food and wine pairings—the blissful mariage of flavors which delights the senses.

Rated: 16+

Read Chapter 1 Now