At 32, Yuna has been dumped by her boyfriend. With the breakup with her boyfriend, who gave her so many memories, still fresh her life seems bleak. Fed up, she decides to play around with men, Yuna meets Ren, a handsome younger man. Instead of being thrilled by Ren's cheerful and considerate nature, Yuna becomes increasingly self-deprecating. But when Ren hears about Yuna's heartbreak, he looks her straight in the eyes and says, "I'll make you forget that guy." Is this a chance for Yuna to finally play the bad girl?
Nanao has always kept her feelings for her sister's boyfriend a secret, but one night, he drunkenly spends the night with her?! Two years later, still haunted by regret and unable to move on, Nanao drowns herself in a superficial relationship with the mysterious and handsome Haruto. Just as she tries to forget the past, it comes back to haunt her when a man she never wanted to see again reappears...
"Who would ever worry about you?!"Rimmel used to be a noble, but after her family lost everything, she now lives as a commoner and works at a bar. Her childhood friend Hewitt, the heir to the Count Stan family, often visits, but only to make sarcastic comments. Ever since Hewitt declared he wanted to become a knight at age twelve, they've grown apart.Rimmel thinks Hewitt is coming to the bar just to see Heather, the baron's daughter who helps run the bar and is popular with the customers. One day, Rimel spots the swindler who ruined her family's life.She asks Hewitt for help, but the man escapes. Later, the knights ask Rimmel to help with their investigation, by pretending to be Hewitt's lover to lure the criminal out. Now, caught up in something much bigger than she expected, Rimmel must face the past she tried to leave behind.
One day, Aiko's husband, Kento, suddenly disappeared. Years later, he's resurfaced, but he looks like a completely different person. Aiko loves her husband and loves her career. Everything is going so well, she tells the whole world on her social media account. She believed that she would get her happily ever after. However, one day, another "Aiko" appears before her. Aiko Takasugi is a fan of hers, but she aims to sneak her way into the cracks of Kento's heart. Suspicious accidents start to occur around "Aiko," but what is she really after? The bond between husband and wife is about to be tested, by this devil's little game!!
It all started with a pageant at a university. Romiko's known as one of the most beautiful girls at her school with captivating beauty, but she truly has one of the most horrendous personalities. She's always looking down on and berating her peers and has been convinced there's no competition in the beauty pageant coming up at her school. All of that changed when a fierce opponent hit the field. For Romiko, it's truly impossible for someone like this girl to be anything more than below her! Romiko can't lose. This is her steppingstone into the world of celebrities... Anything she wants, she can have... because it's all hers.
Yukari Fuyuno thirty years old, hard-working, and career oriented. She has a reputation at work for being a perfect person with good looks and work ethic, but she's troubled with the fact that she tends to conform to other's expectations to not disappoint them. She has been dating Wada, her boyfriend of 5 years, and was on the verge of getting married until one day out of the blue, he dumps her and says he has a new girlfriend. Down in the dumps, Yukari heads to a restaurant and witnesses some love troubles between two workers. On her way home, she sees the same man that was caught in the tiff earlier. Yukari unexpectedly starts a conversation with him and finds out his name is Ayato. He believes he has no substance, and to hide that, he tries to be nice to everyone, but that just gets him in trouble. Yukari, still worried about Ayato, tells him about a bathhouse since he's still covered in soup that the girl dumped on him. After cleaning himself up, Yukari realizes just how good-looking Ayato is, and understands why he's so popular with the ladies. Yukari also realizes they have a common problem: they both want people to see the real them, and it's the inside that counts! Yukari then proposes that they work together to help improve one another...!
Being in her 50s, if she wants to get a new husband, she needs to start with plastic surgery!? She's using an approach that hides her true self, but this race to get married is much too risky...!!
The adorable new odd-couple cat comedy manga from the creator of the beloved Chi's Sweet Home and Chi's Sweet Adventures, in full color and formatted for English readers, just like Chi! Sue is an aging housecat who's looking forward to living out her life in peace... but her plans change when the mischievous black tomcat Tai-chan enters the picture! Hey! Sue never signed up to be a catsitter! Sue and Tai-chan is the latest from the reigning meow-narch of cute kitty comics, Konami Kanata.
A rose desperate to hide her thorns finally blooms in this office romance. Suzu Takamine, the office's unattainable beauty who turns down anyone that asks her to date, is carrying a painful secret. Whenever she tries to be intimate with a man, they faint for some reason. Suzu wants to get married someday, but with her condition ruining her dating life, she's losing hope for any happily ever after. When the office playboy, Kinase, learns of her unbelievable secret, Suzu is shocked to hear him offer his "expert assistance" in resolving her problem. Now she has to decide: Will she give him a try?
This great revenge story starts with a foolish denouncment...
At his graduation party, the second prince suddenly denounces Irmhild for the crime of threatening her half-sister. He claimed Irmhild had committed crimes such as pushing her half-sister down the stairs, but the only proof he had was a witness claiming the criminal was a girl with blue hair. "Are you sure you want to do this? I, Irmhild Rippencrock, haven't even been at school this year..." She must clear her name of these crimes, so... Are you ready, Your Highness?
Hibiki... Are you with the kimono police!? Nadeshiko got into wearing kimonos after finding a sash she fancies. Even though she does her best to practice wearing a summer kimono to go to the fireworks festival, when she walks it starts to fall apart and gets blisters from the wooden sandals. Just as Nadeshiko is wallowing in hopelessness, she is helped by the gorgeous Hibiki Takakura who's wearing an elegant summer kimono. Nadeshiko feels ashamed in front of Hibiki, who seems to be a master at wearing kimonos, but then Hibiki makes a surprising suggestion......?
A secret relationship between two people that began with a crazy request from a hidden handsome junior colleague.
"Ms. Yokoi, please have sex with me." This is how my relationship with him had its crazy beginning... Natsuki Yokoi is 28 years old. As a career woman in her late twenties, she is immersed in work every day and has no time to or interest in finding a boyfriend. Her superiors are unreasonable and she is overwhelmed with work, but fortunately, she is helped a lot by the work of her excellent junior colleague, Minato Sakuragi. Sakuragi has a bad reputation among the women in the company due to his dull appearance and cold attitude, but it seems that his true face is quite handsome...
"Be my attendant." What? A lame woman like me can't serve a man in that way!
I was a plain, unfeminine woman, but before I knew it, I woke up in the world of the game I was playing! And to think that I'd become the villainous young lady Alissa, a character I hate the most... On top of that, Alissa is on the verge of being sent to a dirty old man as a prostitute by her evil sister, the queen, under the guise of being a saintess! As Alissa tries to escape from the royal palace, a wild and mysterious handsome man assists her rescue. But the forceful man orders her to perform serve him in exchange for his help!
When Lizel mysteriously finds himself in a city that bears odd similarities to his own but clearly isn't, he quickly comes to terms with the unlikely truth: this is an entirely different world. Even so, laid-back Lizel isn't the type to panic. He immediately sets out to learn more about this strange place, and to help him do so, hires a seasoned adventurer named Gil as his tour guide and protector.
Until he's able to find a way home, Lizel figures this is a perfect opportunity to explore a new way of life adventuring as part of a guild. After all, he's sure he'll go home eventually... might as well enjoy the otherworldly vacation for now!
Winner of the 24th Manga Division Excellence Award at the 2020 Japan Media Arts Festival
Every young couple has high hopes for their unborn child, and Sara and Kouta Takano are no different. But only days away from giving birth, Sara learns about the tragedy of Malala Yousafzai's attempted assassination at the hands of the Taliban, and her pure and innocent belief in the future is shaken. If such a smart and courageous child can be hurt so badly by the world, how can she keep her own baby safe? With Sara now in a state of shock, will the young couple be able to bridge the widening gap between them, or will it tear their family apart?
The reality of this world, as seen through the eyes of an author that has spent years illustrating the women and their lives.
"This book brilliantly captures the anxieties held by people of today. Sara embodies the joyful anticipation of a mother-to-be, until an international story breaks and expands her list of hopes and fears in the information-flooded world. A modern audience can relate to her distrust in the times, and Sara's anguish is universal in its resonance. The work devotes numerous techniques to express its intentions but remains accessible. Colored pencils bring the story to life, at different times injecting turbulence and warmth. Through a small but striking backlist, the artist has secured a singular presence in the industry. What does it mean to be wise and brave? How do we resist and reverse the cruelties of the world? The artist plumbs this fathomless question and offers a powerful response." - Kazuko Kawahara, Japan Media Arts Festival
"A story that exposes its whole heart on the page, Miki Yamamoto's A Smart and Courageous Child perfectly encapsulates the nearly unbearable hope and angst of being a new, expectant parent. It is no exaggeration to say this comic made me cry with recognition and remembrance of this fragile time before my own children's births. Raw and relatable to any parent, A Smart and Courageous Child uses simplistic illustrations to tell a universal story. Drawn only with black, red, yellow, and slate-blue colored pencils, it captures a muted snow globe of a world-the strange liminal space that new parents occupy, seemingly insulated from everything else." - Lauren Orsini, Anime News Network
"It may just be the timing, but this ended up being a very comforting book to read in a dark time, and I hope that enough people read it. Not only because its a great book. Not only because hopefully it will result in more of Miki Yamamoto's works being translated. But because I feel this is a book we need right now, to remind us that life is worth living outside of the doomscrolling, and it reminds us of this in the most human way possible." - Kevin T. Rodriguez, Fandom Post
"Such stylistic choice contributes to making A Smart and Courageous Child a heartwarming reading, where mutual trust and care are presented as a potential solution to the issue of a world saturated with bad news and skepticism. [...] Powerful and moving in its apparent simplicity, A Smart and Courageous Child sure deserves the popularity enjoyed upon receiving the 24th Manga Division Excellence Award at the 2020 Japan Media Arts Festival, whose commission did not fail to notice how behind Miki Yamamoto's gentle visuals lies a much-needed call for change. A change towards an age where kindness and adaptability are the antidote to horror." - Giovanni Stigliano, Asian Movie Pulse
"If you've ever felt any anxiety about something you can't control, you will empathize with Sara and how she can't cope with these new fears that have sprung up out of what feels like nowhere, the loss of control that she can't help but feel. The art is deceptively simple, using what looks like colored pencils to create a sense of a picture book, which of course, as one character says, is for not just children, but parents as well." - Rebecca Silverman, Anime News Network
Alice Kagami is an ordinary high school girl who doesn't really get her friend Tamami's obsession with idol games. There's more to life than handsome digital boys, dating sims, and mini-games, right? But then, Tamami is "chosen" as one of the top idol fangirls in the country and gets drawn into the game - and hapless Alice gets pulled in too!
Between dealing with the mismatched members of her idol group to intense pressure to spend real money on gachas, how is a total idol game newbie supposed to take them to the top?
Orphaned at a young age, Alice has lived with her aunt for most of her childhood. But her uncle is abusive and resentful, and at fifteen years old, Alice decides to return home to Kyoto and train as a maiko, eventually hoping to become a geisha.
But when she arrives back to the city where she was born, she finds that Kyoto has changed quite a bit in the eight years since she left it. Almost as if it's a completely different world...
At age 30, Shou Arai (he/him) came to a realization; he had no gender. Now he was faced with a question he'd never really considered: how to age in a society where everything is so strongly segregated between two genders? This autobiographical manga explores Japanese culture surrounding gender, transgender issues, and the day to day obstacles faced by gender minorities and members of the LGBTQIA+ community with a lighthearted, comedic attitude.
"Arai's English-language debut At 30, I Realized I Had No Gender isn't his first autobiographical manga, but it is something of a rarity in terms of what we tend to get in translation: it's about aging as a queer person and being comfortable with the changes that come along with it. [...] At 30, I Realized I Had No Gender is the open, frank, and honest discussion that sticks with you. If you're looking for a book that doesn't hold back and just speaks its mind about its creator's experiences as a human being, definitely pick this up." - Rebecca Silverman, Anime News Network
"I had not really thought about cultural differences when it comes to non-binary / trans / intersex individuals in other countries besides the US. However, the same issues of language persist no matter where you live or culture you are from. [...] I liked this manga overall for the honesty and frankness, even in the smallest detail, like when Shou gives advice to a female-to-male individual who wants to know how to grow or present a better-looking beard. Something for truly everyone along the gender and sexuality spectrum." - Patti Martinson, Sequential Tart
Masamune Hanzawa, a 27-year-old office worker with no time for love or cooking, reluctantly tries a housekeeping service at his section chief's suggestion. Enter Natsuki, a charming college student and his boss's son, who quickly captures Masamune's heart. After their first meeting, Natsuki boldly confesses his feelings, leaving Masamune torn. Though undeniably attracted to Natsuki, Masamune hesitates due to their age difference and the potential complications of dating his superior's son. As they navigate meals and growing emotions, Masamune must decide whether to embrace this unexpected chance at love-or let it slip away.
When it comes to idol group Cham Jam, Eripiyo is the oldest - and perhaps only - fan of Maina Ichii. Despite Eripiyo's enthusiastic support, Maina is the least popular member of the group, but that doesn't deter Eripiyo, even though she spends so much of her money that she only has a single outfit of her own. But her love for Maina doesn't waver, even if she knows she might never be noticed for it!
She loves meat and fried foods, and eats only karaage bento. Wearing exclusively clothes with weird characters printed on them, her fashion sense is practically non-existent. No confidence in her own looks. Extreme social anxiety. She speaks with a country drawl, and even her name is unusual.
But then Mame (born in Tottori prefecture) was discovered by an intimidating, bespectacled rookie manager, and now begins the arduous task of getting her ready for auditions! The road to Top Model looks awfully steep from here.
Akari is an average 25-year-old office worker who harbors a secret she hides from her colleagues: she's so obsessed with the pretty-boy idol Ren-Ren that it's ruining her financially!
When her lunch is stolen by a pigeon, a kind stranger offers his homemade bento in its place, and after graciously accepting, Akari tells him the reason she's so destitute. It's the first time she's revealed her secret otaku lifestyle to anyone. Of course, she assumes she'll never see this stranger again... until he shows up as the newest employee at her office! Can Akari trust him to keep her tragic and embarrassing secret from their coworkers?
Arika is what you could charitably call a vampire "enthusiast." When she stumbles across the beautiful and mysterious vampire Divo however, her excitement quickly turns to disappointment as she discovers he's not exactly like the seductive, manipulative villains in her stories. His looks win first place, but his head's a space case.
Armed with her extensive knowledge of vampire lore, Arika downgrades Divo to a beta vampire and begins their long, long... long journey to educate him in the ways of the undead.
Miroku Osaki is 36 years old, unemployed, and unhappy. Having been bullied in his childhood and even into his adult life, he became a shut-in after being unfairly laid off. For a long time, the only thing that brought him joy was online gaming. Then, he tried the popular "Let's Try Dancing!" karaoke style. It was addicting... and transformative! Inspired by his new hobby, Miroku decides to turn his life around. He begins singing karaoke and going to the gym, where he meets Yoichi, the director of an entertainment company who encourages Miroku to pursue his dreams. Miroku only wanted to be good at the game he loves, but when he accidentally uploads a clip of himself singing and dancing, it goes viral! Can he really become an idol, even at his age? Suddenly, it doesn't seem so impossible!
When Megan Amano dreams, she travels to a place called Meridian University. Traditionally, spirits travel to the University to be educated before they are reborn into the world of the living. Megan, however, is still alive and attends college in Santa Monica, California by day and Meridian University at night. One night, Megan peers through the the shutter of her camera lens and discovers a mystery so deep that she begins to question her own existence and begins her search for answers.
Sawako Honna, 42, single; she works hard at a film promotion company. One night, all of a sudden, her heart palpitates, and her body goes cold... Could it be that she's going through menopause!?
Not as hard-working as in your 20s. Not as flippant as in your 30s. The mental and physical changes, and the obstacles you face in your 40s. Sudden illness, menopause, fatigue you can't get rid of, changes in working patterns, money worries, life plans for the future...
"What will happen to me tomorrow?"
23rd Japan Media Arts Festival Excellence Award winner. Nominated for the 2020 Manga Taisho Award.
Dani's bright future as an elite tennis player comes to a sudden stop when, during a match, she has a heart attack. Her newly discovered condition affects not only her health, but also her relationship with her mother, as well as her career.
Wanting to get away from everything, she leaves behind the big city - and all her problems - and goes with her cousin to a little coastal village. There she meets Blanca, a girl full of life and in love with astronomy. Blanca reminds Dani that life can be beautiful, and that she can shine again like stars do.
"Love Jessica" - That's what Leah finds on the back of a love letter to her sister - but who is this Jessica? When more letters, flowers and gifts start popping up, Leah goes undercover to discover her sister's secret. What she doesn't expect is to find is love of her own, and in some very unexpected places!
Ami Satou works for Cobara, a company that specializes in sweets. While she may be good at sales, her confidence in pretty much everything else is low, which is why she hasn't even thought about dating since college. Instead, she fills up her imagination with romantic scenes from shoujo manga.
When she meets Alain Giraud, a handsome, older French man in charge of a new project she's assigned to work on, she begins to struggle to keep that romantic imagination in check... especially with Alain being so overly friendly! Ami keeps reminding herself that it's just because he's French, but will she be able to resist his romantic charm?
This enemies-to-lovers fantasy romance follows a strong-willed, sword-wielding heroine who takes control of her own destiny.
Anna, daughter of the Margrave of Halmich, is tired of the expectations placed on women in court. She has no interest in marrying a nobleman because society expects it of her. Instead, she works hard on her swordsmanship and dreams of joining her father on the battlefield someday. Unfortunately, fate deals her a heavy blow: when the hostile forces of the Kingdom of Albion invade and take the Halmich heir prisoner, she is given to the enemy prince in exchange for her brother's life.
But even in the face of these tragic circumstances, Anna still has plans of her own:
"I'll infiltrate their ranks as a tribute, and then... I'll defeat the man who killed my father."
Why I Adopted My Husband is a profound exploration of love, societal expectations, and individuals' lengths to solidify their bonds. Yagi's storytelling prowess and the manga's impactful message position it as a must-read, shedding light on the challenges LGBTQ couples navigate in Japan. As a gay couple living in Japan (where gay marriage is not yet legal), Yuta and Kyota have found a unique loophole in order for the government to recognize their union: Kyota adopted Yuta.
This nonfiction manga depicts how the two men met and fell in love, their life together for the last twenty years, their struggle to communicate their relationship to their families, their anxieties about the future, and their determination to live happily and carefree as any other married couple, while they strive for independence and equal rights in a changing cultural landscape.
"If you know nothing about what homosexuality or LGBTQ people, Why I Adopted My Husband is a perfect introduction and learning tool. It also teaches you about Japanese culture, how many family traditions are ingrained into law, and how that's both a comfort to people and can hinder LGBTQ people who want to live their lives. It's cute and funny and gets the points across with a spoonful of sugar instead of a hammer." - Adi Tantimedh, Bleeding Cool
"Why I Adopted My Husband is a profound exploration of love, societal expectations, and individuals' lengths to solidify their bonds. Yagi's storytelling prowess and the manga's impactful message position it as a must-read, shedding light on the challenges LGBTQ couples navigate in Japan." - Travis Hayward, Geek Therapy
"There are tips on how a gay couple can go the adoption route, like information on contracts. It even includes a section showing how to fill out the paperwork. This part doesn't pertain to American readers, but the manga is still worth reading because of its well-told story, its look into the realities of gay couples in Japan, and how the characters are relatable - because even if someone isn't in Yuta and [Kyota]'s shoes, the parts about feeling left out would be something everyone can relate to on some level. The fact that both men are otaku (and there are plenty of references to otaku culture) makes telling the story in manga format all the better." - Katie Kimura, Otaku USA
After finding out she is to be forced into an marriage of convenience as soon as she graduates high school, Kokoro sees her life ending before her eyes at her father's wishes. And so in her final year of high school, she decides to indulge in her love of other women, and create an incredible sketchbook of lesbian romance to leave behind as her legacy. As she observes the young women of her town, she learns more about their desires, their struggles, and the unpredictable whims of love.
Cree is the lead singer for a punk band. When her bassist bails, she's in a tough spot - until she meets Izsak, bass player extraordinaire. He's the answer to all her prayers! But when a pair of mysterious figures begins to stalk the band, her world quickly spins from a dream to a nightmare. Between a dark past and a shadowy future, can the light of this romance survive?
Karin's wedding is just around the corner, and while she is enjoying a blissful meal with her family, her fiance Chris and his father suddenly inform her that the engagement is off. Though shaken by their unexpected declaration, Karin asks Chris for the reason, and he reveals that he has fallen for Mary, Karin's best friend. With her honor and dignity tarnished by Chris and his father's thoughtless actions, Karin plummets into despair. However, her brother asserts that they will give them "a taste of their own medicine." The Rhedsum family shall not be trifled with! Dive into a refreshing and elegant fantasy of nobility and revenge!
Ryo, my husband of six months, has become distant lately. Every time I speak to him, he seems irritated and responds with sharp words. Our strained relationship has taken a significant mental toll on me, but thankfully, I can lean on my best friend Miku. She's someone truly precious whom I trust and can confide in about anything. One day,I decide to surprise Miku with a visit, only to find my husband's car parked outside her apartment. He'd told me he was heading out for golf with his boss early that morning, but it turns out he was lying. The truth? He's been sleeping with my best friend behind my back! And as if that weren't enough,he showers her with affection he never shows me while also trash-talking me. As I grapple with my disbelief, a dark resolve forms within me, urging me to get rid of both my husband and best friend.
"Did you know? Even I get a turn to make my move." Temp worker Rino Amano, 27 years old, used to have a lover. His name was Haruo Higashiyama and he worked full-time at the same company as the manager of the planning department. He was 32 years old, married, and had a two-year-old daughter. While 99% of her knew that this was an unforgivable love that would never amount to anything, the other 1% was clutching her phone, spending her days waiting for him to reach out. One day he suddenly demands to break it off, throwing the feelings she had for him in the trash. This devastating blow leaves Rino distraught. Even at work she is unable to suppress her feelings, and she searches for an empty room to hide her tears. In doing so she catches Haruo secretly making out with another coworker much younger than herself. At that moment something inside her breaks and awakens something inside.
On a moonless night... I hear your voice for the first time. Ume was abandoned by the family she married into because she was unable to bear children. She returns to the village where she was born but finds herself alone as her parents die from a spreading disease. As told in tales of sacrifice to the gods, the village also begins to experience a shortage in the crops of their farms that will only continue until someone is offered. Ume is not able to bear a child but as she does not have any children, she is able to lie her way into being offered to the gods. Waiting for her at a shrine deep in the mountains is a wolf god with silver hair and beautiful nails that shine in five different colors... what will come from this encounter between a despised god and an unhappy girl?!
*This volume compiles ch. 1-5 of "The Lying Moon Princess's Marriage: I Will Gain the Wolf God's Favor"
Akari is good at her job, beautiful, and her sense of style is beyond compare... but she has a secret. She's almost 30 and she's still a virgin! One fateful day, a new department chief takes over -- the handsome Shinomiya. "You're my subordinate now, which means from today, you have to do what I say." Shinomiya is a condescending bully and he and Akari clash from day one. Akari finds herself drinking her worries away at his welcome party and before she knows what hit her, she's completely smashed. She wakes up the next day to find -- Shinomiya emerging from her bathroom half naked?!?! Thus begins Akari's comedic office romance with her callous new boss!
*This volume compiles ch. 1-6 of "From Zero to Office Romance"
"I thought this would be the only love of my life." Lacheria, the daughter of a marquis of the Gazel kingdom, becomes one of the candidates for princess consort of Prince Bradford, her childhood friend. However, he falls in love with Alamoana, a daughter of a marquis who he suddenly meets one day. Bradford's feelings for Alamoana are so deep that he forgets his position and doesn't notice Lacheria's bittersweet feelings, as she had loved him ever since they were children. Where does this story about Lacheria's faithful love and sacrifice lead?
Cafe Waikiki is so empty that owner-chef Yori swears he's been hearing voices. Why isn't he getting any customers? His cooking can't be that bad, and it's not like he's in the wrong location, so what other reason could there be for this to happen?