Tyler Davis
As this year reaches its half-way point, yet another Viz Manga Sampler is set to release with a collection of new and exciting previews from all different kinds of Viz publications. From action/adventure to romance, the manga publisher has a lot in store for readers in the second half of 2023! Check them out below.
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Akane-banashi
“Akane unintentionally stirs up a scandal when she’s discovered taking informal lessons from her father’s former teacher, Shiguma Arakawa. And she’s about to make even bigger waves because she is about to begin her first steps in climbing the ranks of a rakugo performer from zenza opening act to shin’uchi headliner is exchanging her secret lessons for formal training. But she’ll still have to finish high school and navigate her relationship with Shiguma’s existing apprentices, all while learning that becoming a stellar rakugoka takes much more than just being good at performing!”
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This series comes from author Yuki Suenga and artist Takamasa Moue, a duo who’ve previously worked together on the one-shot story, Tatarashido. While neither have worked on a long-form series in any major capacity, this series is currently sitting at a whopping 62 chapters with no signs of slowing down. The first print volume of this series is set to release on August 8th, 2023.
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Ayashimon
“Maruo always wanted to be like the characters in his favorite manga. Unfortunately, his training efforts have paid off a little too well. Now he breaks everything he touches, can’t find a job, and wins every fight too easily. However, when he encounters a girl being pursued by a group of thugs who turn out to actually be monstrous ayashimon in disguise, it seems like his real-life manga story is about to begin!”
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- With bombastic action and fantasy storytelling driven by a sense of fulfillment, Yuji Kaku’s Ayashimon is pure, unbridled sh?nen storytelling at its shiniest. Kaku is a master of visual balance, bringing both uncanny horror and excitement to this spiritually edged action story. Volume 1 is on sale right now, with Volumes 2 & 3 up for pre-order.
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Ayashimon
“Sahoko tells off the nation’s top idol, Kouta, in her family’s restaurant for assuming that she’s his fan. Instead of being cowed by his mistake, Kouta comes in the following day with albums and VIP tickets to Like Legend’s next concert. Can Sahoko withstand his shining onslaught to charm her?”
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Cat-Eyed Boy: The Perfect Edition
“Hated by humans and demons alike, Cat-Eyed Boy dwells in the shadows of the human world. Wherever he goes, disturbing situations involving both men and monsters begin to unfurl. From the mind of Kazuo Umezz, undisputed master of Japanese horror manga and creator of The Drifting Classroom and Orochi, comes Cat-Eyed Boy! This deluxe edition contains five classic horror stories featuring a mysterious and dangerous cat-eyed boy who lives among humans, comes from the world of demons, and is despised by both. In four morbid tales, he interacts with humans and monsters to often-devastating ends. Then, in a final story, Cat-Eyed Boy must decide where his true loyalties lie—or if he has any loyalties at all.”
(Reprinting the original series in hardcover, available August 22nd, 2023).
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Insomniacs After School
Insomniacs After School
“Dark rumors about what befell the members of the astronomy club keep people away from the school observatory, and that’s what makes it the perfect sanctuary for Nakami and Magari to get some much-needed rest. Unfortunately, the school faculty can’t allow its unsanctioned use. But if there were a new astronomy club, maybe these two insomniacs could have a place to call home!”
Until I Love Myself
“Born into a body they hate and still reeling from the abuse they faced seven years ago, Pesuyama begins to rail at their past, their friends, and even their mother as they try to come to terms with who they are and what happened to them. This is an autobiography about confronting the traumas of gender dysphoria and workplace harassment.”
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Wolf Girl and Black Prince
“When a trivial lie turns into a relationship!
Fed up with her friends’ constant bragging about their boyfriends, high school student Erika Shinohara decides to make up one of her own. When her lie starts unraveling at the seams, her charming schoolmate Kyoya Sata agrees to be her pretend boyfriend, seemingly saving her reputation. She won’t get off that easy, however, as she soon discovers her white knight is actually a blackhearted prince! Now Erika must be at his beck and call or risk her lie being exposed. But is Kyoya really as blackhearted as he seems?”
Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead
Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead
In a trash-filled apartment, 24-year-old Akira Tendo watches a zombie movie with lifeless,envious eyes. After spending three hard years at an exploitative corporation in Japan, his spirit is broken. He can’t even muster the courage to confess his feelings to his beautiful co-worker Ohtori. Then one morning, he stumbles upon his landlord eating lunch—which happens to be another tenant! The whole city’s swarming with zombies, and even though he’s running for his life, Akira has never felt more alive!
What an exciting time for manga enthusiasts! Viz is really showcasing a wide range of stories from various genres, which caters to a broad array of tastes. “Akane-banashi” with its captivating rakugo performance premise, the action-packed “Ayashimon”, the relatable hijinks in “My Special One”, and the horror tale “Cat-Eyed Boy” are just a few that caught my eye. It’s also commendable that Viz is bringing sensitive topics into the spotlight with “Until I Love Myself”. The accessibility of these titles through Viz’s streaming apps makes it even more enticing for fans and new readers alike. I’m looking forward to diving into these stories in the second half of 2023!