Staff-Recommended Manga Reads for Fall

story by Reia; art by Suki Umemiya; character design by Haduki Futaba; translation by Angela Liu

Iris, an otome game addict with no time for romance, gets hit by a truck after getting out of work–but instead of dying, she finds herself in the world of a game she’d played just hours earlier. However, she’s not reborn as the game’s protagonist, the main heartthrob of the harem. Instead, she starts her new life as the antagonist, right at the moment she’s being sent to live in a nunnery–for the rest of her life!

Recommended by Amanda Pagan: I thought I was done with isekai and "I’ve been reincarnated" subgenre, but then I picked up this series. Slice of life fantasy is so much fun, and I adore this series. It never went the way that I thought it was going to go, but I was here for every second of it. If you’ve ever wondered about the day-to-day details of life within a fantasy world, then you’re in luck because that is exactly what this series is all about. A very chill but interesting slice of life fantasy series!

story and art by Shinichi Ishizuka; translation by Daniel Komen; lettering and retouching by Ludwig Sacramento

The award-winning manga of one young man's journey to become the greatest saxophone player in the world. Dai lived a normal high school life in Sendai: a city of hot summer days and rainy nights. Between basketball, part time jobs, and an uncertain future, something was missing. And that thing was music. With his days in senior year running out, Dai swears a heartfelt vow: 'I'm gonna be the best jazz player in the world'. But what do you need to be the best? Talent? Effort? A lucky break? Or maybe just a deep, pure love for music, and too much stubbornness to know when to quit.

Recommended by Joseph Pascullo: I love the protagonist Dai in this title. He may be an everyman student/part-time worker for now, but he's also tireless and determined when it comes to making sure his dream of being the best jazz saxophonist of all time comes to fruition. That "never say die" type of perseverance is exactly the kind of characteristic I love seeing in people.

story and art by Q Hayashida; translation by Daniel Komen; adaptation by Casey Lucas; lettering by Phil Christie

Zaha Sanko's body has great and terrible powers—they say that possessing his bones will grant you any wish, even the desire to become ruler of the universe. But Sanko is still a teenage dude with his own life, and he isn't about to let every monstrous lowlife in the galaxy rip him limb from limb. He and his skeletal buddy Avakian will use their dark powers to fend off any murder attempts while they search space for whomever put this curse on Sanko's bones...because killing them might end the madness. (And then Sanko can celebrate with his favorite spaghetti.)

Recommended by Joey Leyko Picciott: This was an unexpected and exciting cosmic odyssey. What starts out as creepy horror turns into wild action sequences, zany humor, and even a touch of grim existentialism, all centered around a teenage immortal ramen-eating space-traveler-warrior and his deadly sentient backpack.

by tearontaron; translation by Caleb D. Cook; lettering by Bianca Pistillo

Her boyfriend thinks she’s the cutest girl around, but her expressions can be a bit hard to read...Despite the miscommunications, there’s one thing that always comes across—their love for each other.

Recommended by Amanda Pagan: This is the cutest slice of life paranormal romance I’ve ever read. Just completely wholesome and adorable. It’s actually perfect if you want a lighter kind of ghostly romance. 

by Yoshimurakana; translation by Christine Dashiell; lettering by Alexis Eckerman

Mass murderer Kuroko Koumori has two passions in life: taking lives and pleasuring ladies. This doesn't leave her with many career prospects, but Kuroko actually has the perfect gig—as a hit woman for the police! A license to kill other killers, and plenty of opportunities to get a little loving on the side? That's some serious job satisfaction right there! RATED M for MATURE

Recommended by Amanda Pagan: Now here me out. The main protagonist is a horrible person in every way possible. Like, every way. Pretty sure she’s pure evil. BUT! This series really pulls you in and makes you forget how evil she is...until she reminds you. The characters are fun, the action is great, and I love the creative way the mangaka draws every chapter title. It's sort of like if Dexter and Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction had a baby. So if you’re looking for pretty girls and over-the-top bloody battles-to-the-death, then you’ll love this.

by Hajime Inoryu

Eiji the college-age virgin dreams of someday having a girlfriend...until he wakes up one day with his "girlfriend" in his bed with him! Not only that, his buddy tells him he got in a fight...and that three days have passed that Eiji doesn't remember? What dark secrets are being hidden...by Eiji himself?

Recommended by Joseph Pascullo: One of the best psychological thrillers out of 2021. A horrifying look at what could happen when you begin to have gaps in your memory, not recollecting what you've been up to the past handful of days...and what might befall other people in the process...

story and art by Mita Ori; translation by Amber Tamosaitis; adaptation by Marykate Jasper; lettering by Laura Heo

Eating around other people is a struggle for salaryman Yutaka, despite his talent for cooking. All that changes when he meets Minoru and Tane—two brothers, many years apart in age—who ask him to teach them how to make his delicious food! It's not long before Yutaka finds himself falling hard for the meals they share together—and falling in love! 

Recommended by Louise Lareau: A sweet story about family and friendship with a little romance mixed in. This yummy addition to our manga collection will leave you hungry for the next volume.

by Kanae Hazuki; translation by Alethea and Athena Nibley; lettering by John Clark; editing by Ben Applegate

Mei Tachibana has no friends—and she doesn't need them! Ever since her "friends" betrayed her in elementary school, she's sworn off friendship entirely. All it leads to is betrayal and heartbreak, and she's well enough on her own. But everything changes when she accidentally roundhouse kicks the most popular boy in school! However, Yamato Kurosawa isn't angry in the slightest—in fact, he thinks his ordinary life could use an unusual girl like Mei! He won't take no for an answer, and soon Mei and Yamato embark on an unwanted friendship that will change both of them forever.

Recommended by Amanda Pagan: I thought this was going to be your typical run of the mill shojo romance, but I was blown away by the amount of heart this series has. All of the characters actually grow and evolve throughout the series in a natural way. Usually when you have an introverted main character they end up involved in tons of over the top and zany shenanigans, but this series didn't do that. Mei grows at her own pace and eventually comes to realize that it's okay to love and be loved and that having relationships with other people whether they're romantic or platonic are good and healthy! She even learns how to have positive healthy relationships with her female friends! There are so many positive female friendships!! If you’re looking for a chill romance that really tries to tackle the trials and tribulations of growing up, here you go!

by Asumiko Nakamura

Young author Aki Fujino appeared poised to make it big in the world of publishing. Her debut title Utsubora was being pitched about to a number of editors and at least one person felt it was set to propel her into stardom. However, before she could ever have her book published, the young woman was found dead. Some believe it was a suicide, but those close to her feel there is something more sinister involved in this young talent's death. Aki's death has become something straight out of a mystery. Much like the story behind Utsubora, there is something more to Aki, Sakura and their relationship with an author named Mizorogi than meets the eye. And it is possible that the only way to solve this mystery may be to uncover all their secrets. RATED M for MATURE

Recommended by Amanda Pagan: If you’re looking for a series with plenty of mystery and twists, then this is for you. This is one of those manga that you’ll be pestering your friends to read so you can both discuss and dissect. 

by Kiyohiko Azuma; translation by Amy Forsyth; lettering byTerri Delgado

The curious and curiouser Yotsuba moves to a new town with her dad. In the process of moving in, Yotsuba encounters things like swingsets and broken door handles, which all bring about a never-ending torrent of questions and shrieks of amazement.

Recommended by Douglas Varney: We're big fans of Yotsuba&! here! Hilarious and charming slice of life about a little girl and her adoptive father. Volume 12 has a delightful Halloween chapter. Great for grade 3 and up.