A heart-wrenching chronicle of loss and resilience based on the true story of the Himeyuri corps of student nurses in WWII.
San and her best friend Mayu attend a boarding school for girls on Japan’s Southern Island, but their studies are interrupted when they and the other students are recruited to help the war effort as assistant nurses. Sent to the front lines, the girls must deal with more than just the threat of enemy bombs overhead. Stuck working in the horrifying caves of a field hospital, San wishes she could wrap herself and her friends in a cocoon of protection. But invisible threads of affection are no match for the carnage that surrounds them, and more students perish day by day. Worn down by starvation and loss, what will San and her remaining friends do when they are told to find their way home through the fields of war?
Story: Machiko Kyo Art: Machiko Kyo Translation: Jan Mitsuko Cash Touch-up and Lettering: Elizabeth Conley
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VIZ Media provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and make a purchase, we’ll receive a percentage of the sale. Graphic Policy does purchase items from this site. Making purchases through these links helps support the site
The 31 manga nominated for the 2026 American Manga Awards were selected by judges who are experts in their respective fields.
Eligible professionals registered to vote in the American Manga Awards are encouraged to click the covers and titles below to see comments from the judges about each manga, along with preview pages and photos as they fill out their ballots.
New voter registration closes on Monday, July 20, at 5:00 pm EST. Voting closes on July 28, 2026, at 5:00 pm EST. Winners will be announced at the American Manga Awards ceremony on August 20, 2026, at Japan Society in New York City.
Best New Manga
Billy Bat by Naoki Urasawa (Kana/Abrams ComicArts)
Bug Ego by ONE and Kyoto Shitara (Viz Media)
The Credits Roll into the Sea by John Taranchine (Dark Horse)
The Horrors of Noroi Michiru by Noroi Michiru (Star Fruit Books and Glacier Bay Books)
LOVE-BULLET by inee (Yen Press)
Best Continuing Manga Series
The Climber (volumes 3-6) by Shin’ichi Sakamoto, based on Jirō Nitta’s novel (Viz Media)
March Comes in Like a Lion (volume 4) by Chica Umino (Denpa)
A few weeks after an exciting set of announcements made at Anime North 2026 in Toronto, ON, Yen Press has announced fifteen additional acquisitions set to debut in the month of December 2026.
The announcements included eight manga series (Witches Can’t Be Collared; Your Castle’s Little Helper: Please Feed Me, I’ll Work; Alma-chan Wants to Be a Family!; I’m the Monster Girl You Once Saved: A Middle-Aged Teacher in Another World Is Concerned About His Sudden Popularity; Love Me to My Core; The Purple Clavel: They Took Everything, So I’ve Bloomed Once More as a Villainous Femme Fatale; The Reincarnated Devil’s Plot for Raising the Ultimate Hero; Yamada’s Class Diary), six light novel series (Tale of the Wizrain Kingdom: The Nation’s Dragon Guardian Is Reborn as a Downtrodden Young Lady; Mafia; Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? Familia Chronicle Episode Asfi; Shino & Ren: Future; Playful Relationships; The Immortal Witch Would Sacrifice Ten Thousand Lives to Fulfill a Simple Wish), and a collection of one of the most iconic Yen Press manga series, Bungo Stray Dogs Case Files: BSD 01 – 10 Box Set.
Witches Can’t Be Collared (manga)
By Makuei Original Story by Yuri Yumemi Character Design by Wata
The Las Lilte Empire, with boundless magic power at their command, has grown to great prosperity…but in the wrong hands, that power can pose a grave threat. To counteract the rampant abuse of magic, the Empire established the Magic Crimes Bureau. In the imperial capital, Elayl, hardened detective Rogue has to make a deal with the most despicable criminal of them all—because only Miseria, the witch who unleashed hell on the world, has the kind of power that can help him solve the case surrounding the Lifetaker. But when you’re dealing with convicted witches, standard investigation protocol just won’t cut it…
Your Castle’s Little Helper: Please Feed Me, I’ll Work (manga)
By Kazumi Kurihara Original Story by Kazuhito Minagi Character Design by PenekoR
In the darkest corner of a grand castle, a starving young girl collapses from hunger…but the second she thinks her life is over, the soul of a former Japanese office worker, Chihiro Sagami, awakens inside of her—and there’s no way Chihiro is dying here!! As she wanders the castle in search of food, Chihiro happens upon the kitchen and begs the kindhearted chefs working there for help…and so begins her new life! Revitalized by the delicious cooking, Chihiro agrees to start working around the castle and gains a fond reputation as their little helper. But behind her eager eyes, there’s a secret unknown even to her that could decide the future of the entire world…
Tale of the Wizrain Kingdom: The Nation’s Dragon Guardian Is Reborn as a Downtrodden Young Lady (light novel)
By Hyogo Amagasa Illustration by LINO
Elna, the adopted daughter of a baron, lives in the Wizrain Kingdom and endures constant abuse from her elder stepsister. But one fateful day, it all comes rushing back to her. In a past life, she was the famed dragon Elnarfia who protected the nation and longed to be human! Soon, a kingdom-wide search for the girl who is Elnarfia’s reincarnation brings Elna face-to-face with a dear friend from her previous life: the legendary hero, now reborn as the king of Wizrain. But can the two of them rekindle their old bonds, or will they have to start from square one in this new life…?
Mafia
By Shinano Sano Illustration by Nigata Ammon
In the violent, crime-ridden underworld of Broken Ark, everyone knows Amrita—it’s one of the biggest gangs in the city, and also the most philanthropic. But precious few have seen its enigmatic boss, Lucy. And so, when she’s targeted by a series of escalating attacks, the suspects are limited. Someone among Amrita’s top brass is a traitor, but who?
Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? Familia Chronicle Episode Asfi (light novel)
Created by Fujino Omori Story by Fumikaru Nishijima Illustration by nilitsu Character Design by Suzuhito Yasuda
Asfi is never not busy, so it takes some doing to get her to accept a quest to investigate a mysterious ship that keeps showing up recently. But when she, Hermes Familia, and Lyu board the vessel, they are attacked by a horde of ghosts! While enduring an endless stream of inexplicable phenomena, the ship takes them to a place that shouldn’t exist—Asfi’s lost homeland.
Shino & Ren: Future (light novel)
Original Story and Illustration by Minori Chigusa By Tsuzuro Hibi
Lovebirds Ren and Shino have left their school days behind and set out into the world of working adults. Independence is exciting, but living on their own and starting their careers come with a whirlwind of challenges. Ren is struggling to make time in her busy modeling schedule for her girlfriend. Shino is happy about Ren’s success, but she can’t help but notice all the admiring gazes Ren attracts. Then when they’re finally alone, Shino shies from physical intimacy! And to top it all off, Shino gets along with her coworkers and students so well that it’s stoking Ren’s jealousy. Do these high school sweethearts have what it takes to clear these hurdles and build a future together?
Alma-chan Wants to Be a Family!
By Nanateru
What are two underappreciated scientists to do when their greatest invention, the ultimate self-learning android, Alma, insists they’re her parents? Become an extraordinary nuclear family, of course! Alma may be small and cute, but she’s got wicked combat capabilities and an insatiable curiosity about romance and family. Unfortunately, the unexpected co-parents have zero experience with those subjects and constantly find themselves at the mercy of Alma with her barrage of questions and razor-sharp analyses!
I’m the Monster Girl You Once Saved: A Middle-Aged Teacher in Another World Is Concerned About His Sudden Popularity
By Okinosuke
After twenty long years, Washio, a teacher summoned to another world, has gone to seed and become the laughingstock of the student body…until one day, he catches the eye of a breathtakingly beautiful girl who tells him: “I’m the monster girl you once saved!” By some strange twist of fate, he’s won the favor of these students who were once his monster pupils…What will happen to this past-his-prime teacher?
Love Me to My Core
By An Momose
Tokiwa is complete and utter trash. At least, that’s how Yuzuriha would describe his jerk of a classmate, if anyone asked him. Too bad nobody ever looks past his pretty face to see what’s underneath. So when the opportunity to connect with someone on a deep level comes knocking, he jumps at the chance! Too bad life—or more specifically, Tokiwa—seems intent on screwing him over! Caught in front of a love hotel, one thing leads to another, and Tokiwa’s left with only one wish: for someone to love him on the inside too…
The Purple Clavel: They Took Everything, So I’ve Bloomed Once More as a Villainous Femme Fatale
Original Story by Daifuku Hoshimi By Ichino Tomizuki
Maria lives a charmed life as a duke’s daughter—until her father is forced from his position through a coup d’état, and she loses everything! Now in hiding with her kid sister and her trusty lady-in-waiting at her side, Maria vows to secure safe passage into the nearby kingdom of Angelique. As luck would have it, a large trading company led by Angelique’s Count Holden is hiring…but Maria must disguise herself as a man to work for them! This is the story of a proud girl who fights with everything she has to protect the ones she loves—and the origin of a legendary seductress.
The Reincarnated Devil’s Plot for Raising the Ultimate Hero
By Ryuu Segawa Original Story by Candy Tamagokake Character Design by Megumi Nagahama
Low-ranking demon Kakyuu has amassed unparalleled power during his two millennia in hell. But when he gets caught in the cross fire during a battle between gods, he’s freed from that cruel life—and banished to another world altogether!! He finally has the peaceful, relaxed life he’s longed for, but peace doesn’t come easy…especially when the village that took him under its wing is razed to the ground. When he finds Alus, a baby who was left in the ruins of the village, this demon vows to repay his debt of gratitude—by making this baby the happiest child in the world!
Yamada’s Class Diary
By Rui Aomi
High schooler Nina Yamada is serious, studious—and the only girl in her class at a formerly all-boys school. She doesn’t exactly get along with her classmates, but she’ll work her butt off for a good college recommendation no matter what! So one day, when her teacher asks her to get the truant Murata to come back to school, she puts aside her reservations and braves the local arcade…only to find Murata surrounded by girls waiting on him hand and foot! Can Nina get through to this absentee playboy, or will it prove to be the one thing her hard work won’t help with?
Playful Relationships
By Sekina Aoi Illustration by Kurehito Misaki
Welcome to board game café Gather Round, where love starts with a roll of the dice. Join interim manager Kotarou “Banjo” Tokiwa, who has a crush on the youthful, fashionable part-timer Mifuru Takanashi but can’t ask her out because she has a boyfriend!
The Immortal Witch Would Sacrifice Ten Thousand Lives to Fulfill a Simple Wish (light novel)
By Haruichi Illustration by ituca
After being reincarnated in another world as an immortal witch lich with the appearance of a young girl, Yuurai is arrested by royal guards on the charge of killing and manipulating the corpse of a princess. While being tortured, she casts her “Descend into Darkness” skill, consuming twenty thousand souls to gain the mighty power of a Demon Lord—and in doing so, becomes a target for extermination. Yuurai is hunted by holy knights and first-rank adventurers before eventually coming face-to-face with the kingdom’s army of ten thousand soldiers. All she wants is to live in peace, but the vicious cycle never ends.
Bungo Stray Dogs Case Files: BSD 01 – 10 Box Set
Story by Kafka Asagiri Art by Sango Harukawa
Get the first ten volumes of Bungo Stray Dogs in one gorgeous box set! A young man kicked out from his orphanage, Atsushi Nakajima is in despair when he happens upon a stranger at death’s door and rescues him. This eccentric fellow is Osamu Dazai, and he’s actually a member of a crime-fighting supernatural detective agency whose powers and identities carry a literary twist!
In celebration of Pride Month, Ize Press has announced the acquisition of the hit Boys Love webcomicLove So Pure for print publication in English.
Love So Pure
By PlanB and Gonggam Media
As a popular bartender with a pretty face, Jihyun has no problem finding someone to spend the night with. He’s content going from one casual hookup to the next—that is, until he meets Yohan, an intimidating yet innocent classmate who he can’t get out of his head! Refusing to commit to a relationship, he makes up his mind to stay far away from Yohan—but when a group project forces the two together, will Jihyun be able to suppress his growing feelings?
Love So Pure follows the relationship between the carefree and promiscuous college student, Jihyun, and the inexperienced gentle giant, Yohan, as they navigate love, trust, and healing. The beloved supporting characters, engaging humor, and emotional character growth have helped make the series a standout title for BL readers worldwide.
The completed comic was serialized digitally on Tapas, where it garnered more than 4.6 million views. The English print edition will feature the mature version of the series in paperback. This full-color comic will be available at major bookstores, online retailers, and comic book shops nationwide December 2026. Additional publication details, including release dates, cover reveals, and preorder information, will be announced at a later date. For updates, visit the official Ize Press website and follow Ize Press on social media.
In Somali and the Forest Spirit Volume 5, Somali and her Golem father’s journey takes a dramatic turn as they venture into the lawless city of Arishikka, where danger lurks at every corner. While searching for clues about Somali’s lost family, they meet Shizuku, a fellow traveler with her own questions. In this chaotic city, the truth about Somali’s identity is finally revealed, and her Golem companion’s motivations become clearer.
This volume delves into the heart of the story, recounting the pivotal moment of their first meeting and shedding light on the mysterious bond that has kept them together. As the duo face both external threats and internal questions about their relationship, Volume 5 explores identity, family, and the meaning of companionship in a world where trust is scarce, and survival is a daily struggle.
With its richly developed world, filled with magic, mystery, and complex characters, Somali and the Forest Spirit continues to captivate readers with its heartfelt narrative and emotional depth, reminiscent of The Last of Us and The Mandalorian. This fifth volume unveils new revelations and offers a deeper understanding of Somali and Golem’s unforgettable journey.
From the universe that inspired hit films and shows on Netflix, Crunchyroll, and Funimation.
This manga spin-off plunges into a shadowy afterlife academy where souls battle to rise as divine warriors.
The war of the gods gets personal in this gripping third volume of the Saint Seiya: Dark Wing manga. Shōichirō, now the Wyvern Judge of the Underworld, faces his own twin brother – Sōjirō, the formidable Gemini Gold Saint – in a fateful clash between realms.
As Athena’s reincarnation, Cattleya, is struck by a cursed arrow, the stakes skyrocket. With the shadowy god Yaldabaoth entering the fray and secrets unraveling on all sides, the balance between Sanctuary and the Underworld teeters on the edge of collapse.
Packed with intense action, mythic drama, and dramatic betrayals, this volume deepens the saga’s emotional core while expanding its cosmic scope. Featuring stunning art by Shinshū Ueda and a gripping story by Kenji Saitō, this thrilling installment continues the legacy of Masami Kurumada’s Saint Seiya universe.
A must-read for manga fans and longtime Knights of the Zodiac viewers on Netflix, Crunchyroll, and Funimation.
In the monster-infested realm of the Black Parade, the Scavengers’ hunt for treasure and freedom escalates – will they survive its horrors or be lost to the dark?
The peril escalates in the second volume of Scavengers: Another Sky as the team delves further into the enigmatic Black Parade. New, more formidable entities challenge their mission, and the line between ally and enemy blurs. As the Scavengers confront these threats, they uncover unsettling truths about the Black Parade’s origins and its connection to their own pasts. With their million-dollar freedom hanging in the balance, the team’s unity and resolve are tested like never before.
Ryo Furube continues to weave a gripping tale of survival and discovery, complemented by dynamic artwork that brings the eerie world of the Black Parade to life. This volume deepens the lore and raises the stakes, ensuring readers remain on the edge of their seats.
Sparks fly between the handsome descendant of a snow spirit and the oblivious coworker he has a crush on! A romantic comedy in an office setting that takes coworkers to lovers to new heights within a winter wonderland of emotions!
As winter gives way to warmer months, the snow melts…and Himuro and Fuyutsuki are ready to take the next big step in their relationship: meeting the family! Fuyutsuki introduces Himuro to her cousin during a festival, and they make plans to visit Himuro’s ailing grandmother. Fuyutsuki can’t wait to see where he grew up and to possibly meet a real snow spirit in the flesh, yet Himuro seems nervous for some reason. Will the two of them survive this avalanche of a family reunion, or will it be a freefall down a snowy, slippery slope?
Get your copy in comic shops! To find a comic shop near you, visit http://www.comicshoplocator.com or call 1-888-comicbook or digitally and online with the links below.
Square Enix Manga provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and make a purchase, we’ll receive a percentage of the sale. Graphic Policy does purchase items from this site. Making purchases through these links helps support the site
An introverted delivery boy befriends a shy but intimidating shut-in who happens to be his favorite VTuber IRL!
It turns out the scary lady who happens to be the delivery boy’s favorite VTuber is just a painfully shy shut-in who wants to make a friend. Can he stop being awkward long enough to reciprocate? He manages to get her out of her apartment to do some shopping IRL, but when a convenience store cashier calls her his girlfriend, things get weird. When he tries to make amends, he finds another Eatza person at her door. Wasn’t he the only one in town? Does this mean she doesn’t want to see him anymore?
Get your copy in comic shops! To find a comic shop near you, visit http://www.comicshoplocator.com or call 1-888-comicbook or digitally and online with the links below.
Square Enix Manga provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and make a purchase, we’ll receive a percentage of the sale. Graphic Policy does purchase items from this site. Making purchases through these links helps support the site
New monsters rise. New powers awaken. In the explosive final volume, the fate of humanity is on the line – can the team survive one last apocalyptic battle?
With the world teetering on collapse, the surviving members of the specialized task force face their ultimate challenge. Volume 3 unleashes the most powerful Super Beast yet – a titanic force of nature with intelligence and a devastating agenda. Our heroes must unite one final time, combining their unique skills to stop the destruction before Earth falls.
The story blasts off right after the explosive cliffhanger of Volume 2, with Dr. Kisaragi cheating death and the rogue witch Ayame flipping sides in a jaw-dropping betrayal. With the team fractured and trust in short supply, humanity’s last hope is on the ropes.
As the threat escalates, the line between science and sorcery blurs. New alliances form, shocking truths are uncovered, and the battle for Earth becomes a fight for the soul of humanity itself.
From the mind of enigmatic creator Nykken (Gakuen x Fuusa) and the razor-sharp artwork of Toy(e), Toxic Super Beasts Volume 3 is the most high-octane, heart-pounding chapter yet. Packed with betrayal, bombshells, and beasts like you’ve never seen before, this volume raises the stakes in every possible way.
