Looking at upcoming manga releases from January 2024 and beyond that I find interesting, and maybe you will too!
It's the end of the year. Time to look to the future! My to-be-read (TBR) list keeps growing with every new license announcement. We still have a lot more releases to look forward to in 2024. Publishers won't stop announcing new titles for 2024 until July so consider this list a "first look" at what's coming up for the year. Without further preamble, let's get right to it!
Table of Contents
Previous Entries That Haven't Been Released Yet
I've mentioned the following entries in past roundup buyer's guide articles. The following entries were supposed to be released in 2023 but were pushed back or delayed. I'm mentioning them again as a friendly reminder! (And because I'm looking forward to reading them!)
King in Limbo by Ai Tanaka
Sci-Fi, Mystery, Drama (6 volumes/complete)
Considering that Ai Tanaka's other work Apple Children of Aeon is digital-only via Kodansha (as of this post), it's a small wonder that King in Limbo gets a wide print release right off the bat. (A 2-in-1 omnibus print release at that!) Serialized in Itan magazine between 2016-2019, King in Limbo is plugged as a "gripping thriller" that's "a must for fans of complex, suspense manga like Monster and The Promised Neverland."
Kodansha describes the story:
It's been eight years since the pandemic in which a deadly sleeping sickness claimed millions of lives. After a serious injury cost him a leg (and nearly, his life), Petty Officer Adam Garfield retires from active service in the U.S. Navy. But his plan to focus on his family and physical therapy is shattered when he receives secret word that the sleeping sickness has returned, and it's his job to bring back the mysterious man who helped cure it by diving into people's memories—a man known by the codename "King."
Barring no further delays, the first volume will hit store shelves on January 16, 2024. So, we're in a for a real treat soon enough!
Star Clock Liddell by Uchida Yoshimi
Historical, Mystery, Drama (3 volumes/complete)
Star Clock Liddell is an 80s mystery series by a mangaka whose works have never been published in English until now. Browsing online, I'm getting some Alice in Wonderland vibes from this one.
Glacier Bay Books describes the story:
Young American socialite Hugh is haunted by recurring dreams of a silent house shadowed in mystery. Slowly becoming overcome by a premonition of living on the "other side", he turns to his close friends for advice. And then one day, a girl appears in his dream asking for help...
Glacier Bay Books will be releasing all three volumes as singles and only in print. Glacier Bay Books updated us about its progress in October 2022 via Twitter (now "X", but fuck that, it's "Twitter"), and the publisher shared more pages. Since the update, Glacier Bay Books has been kicked off Twitter/X for... reasons. What reasons? Well, that's anyone's guess because the company didn't violate the terms of service. It's bizarre. For future updates, check out Glacier Bay's website and other socials. Fingers crossed that we'll see this series in 2024.
In addition to these two manga, I'm looking forward to reading (and collecting) the following 7 manga.
Upcoming 2024 Releases - My Top Picks
These are the series that I am looking forward to reading the most.
All Aboard the Steamship!
If you have read my other blog posts and reviews, then you probably know that I love smut romance. I'm super happy that I can now read more smut physically. I have been keeping a close eye on Seven Seas' Steamship romance manga line since its announcement and debut in 2022, and I gotta say, "They don't miss!" Every release has been solid, and so far, we have 5 new releases to look forward to in 2024. Of those 5 releases, I'm looking forward to reading (and collecting) these three the most, and they are I'll Never Be Your Crown Princess! -Betrothed, Before You Discard Me, I Shall Have My Way With You, and I Want You to Make Me Beautiful!.
I'll Never Be Your Crown Princess! -Betrothed by Saki Tsukigami, Rena Kamono, and Enn Tsutamori
Fantasy, Isekai, Romance (1 volume/ongoing)
Betrothed is the sequel to the 3-volume series I'll Never Be Your Crown Princess! The series is based on a novel of the same name, and the story follows a young noblewoman who loses her virginity to avoid marrying a prince from a polygamous family only for her plan to fail spectacularly. I'll Never Be Your Crown Princess! is one of my favorite releases thus far from Steamship so I'm really looking forward to reading the final volume in January 2024 and the sequel when it releases in July 2024.
Before You Discard Me, I Shall Have My Way With You by Takako Midori, Seren, and Mami Surada
Fantasy, Romance (2 volumes/ongoing; mature-rated)
If you enjoyed The Villainess and the Demon Knight or I'll Never Be Your Crown Princess!, you may also enjoy this "problematic," but super hot fantasy from the Steamship line.
Seven Seas describes the story:
Agnès is engaged to the crown prince, but much to her dismay, he declares that their engagement is off. Since the prince will not return her love, Agnès decides that she must do what is necessary to protect her family and herself. She commits an unfathomable act, but surprisingly, the prince becomes fixated on her! Will this couple get another chance at love? Or will their stubbornness get in the way?
Check the tags before you rush to the store to get this one, fam. First volume hits store shelves in March 2024.
I Want You To Make Me Beautiful! by Cocoa
Romance (2 volumes/complete)
I Want You To Make Me Beautiful! is a contemporary smut romance that's easy on the eyes and wallet. The series will be released as an all-in-one omnibus in April 2024.
Seven Seas describes the story:
Office lady Nishimura Kanna has had it with her boyfriend after discovering his cheating ways. When she breaks up with him, he insults her looks, bruising her self-confidence on top of breaking her heart. Then she runs into an old classmate, the androgynous Ichikawa Yuzuki, a man whose gorgeous appearance is a sharp difference from the boyish classmate Kanna remembers from their school days. Not only does she ask Yuzuki to help her become just as pretty, but she ends up pretending to be Yuzuki’s girlfriend, too! As things get hot and heavy between them, can a beautiful romance blossom from this “fake” relationship?
Sounds good to me!
Moving on from Steamship, I am looking also forward to these new releases.
Veil by Kotteri
Historical, Slice-of-Life, Romance (5 volumes/ongoing)
Alright, so this is a series I can scratch off my wishlist. Hallelujah! Veil is being published as a 2-in-1 full color omnibus by the last publisher I would think of to do this: Udon Entertainment. Udon Entertainment is known for publishing manga adaptations, artbooks, and other products from video game franchises, but it did pull out the stops for Summertime Rendering, simultaneously releasing a hardcover and softcover set plus exclusive boxsets for the series. So, I have hopes for a decent red carpet release.
Udon Entertainment describes the manga:
A chance encounter. A handsome soldier. A beautiful woman. A tentative love affair smolders on the snowy cobblestone streets, out of sight of those that might keep them apart. A manga unlike anything else in English, VEIL is a beautifully illustrated full-color romance manga, told in stylish short vignettes, beautiful illustrations, and secret moments.
Look for the first volume on store shelves sometime in 2024.
My Gemini by Yuu Morikawa
Historical, Mystery, Drama (1 volume/complete)
Written by the same mangaka as Mr. Villain's Day Off (also published in English and will soon be an anime!) comes a oneshot mystery about a devious set of twins and an untimely death.
Yen Press describes the story:
Plain, redheaded, and freckled John has nothing going for him, except his two friends who are incredibly popular at school—twins Jekyll and Hyde. The twins, indistinguishable, have always enjoyed taking each other’s places for fun. But when the pair is fragmented by an untimely death, it’s up to John to find out…which twin is left?
This single volume manga will be released sometime between March and April 2024.
Nagahama to Be, or Not to Be by Scarlet Beriko
Romance (1 volume/ongoing)
By the same mangaka of Jackass! comes a BL series that will be published simultaneously across several countries for the first time in February. Seven Seas will publish the series digitally in February and physically in April.
Seven Seas describes the story:
Nagisa may look like a delinquent, but he’s just a typical teen trying to figure out what to do with his life. Nagisa’s best friend, Issa, already knows what his own passion is: fish! Issa often skips school to work at the Nagahama fish market, and the two boys hang out near the ocean almost every day. When Nagisa suspects that Issa has a girlfriend, it turns his world upside down. Is he in love with his best friend? Could his best friend possibly like him back?
As a fan of Jealousy (also published in English), I'm looking forward to reading more Scarberi soon! So tune in February or April to read the story! Check it out here.
May Tomorrow Bring Rainbows by Kihara
Romance, Slice-of-Life, Drama (1 volume/complete)
May Tomorrow Bring Rainbows is a spin-off of The Dog will not Give Up Unrequited Love, which was published digitally by Futekiya/Manga Planet. I haven't read the main series, but I am interested in the spin-off since it sounds like a sweet standalone story. Plus, KUMA will be publishing this series physically. If you enjoy "high-quality" manga book releases with nice paper and jacket dustcovers or you enjoy indie and less mainstream manga (like its parent company Denpa), then you might want to peruse through KUMA's offerings. (Note that KUMA is a BL publisher, and a great one at that!)
KUMA describes the story:
The manga's story follows gay drag queen Whip, who has a daily routine of idly chatting in a chat app with a user named "Insomniac Salaryman" and listening to their grumbling. Whip develops some light romantic feelings for this person that he has never seen, but dismisses it as a romance that will never happen.
Check out May Tomorrow Bring Rainbows when it releases on May 28, 2024. So much BL goodness is coming out this year. There's no better time to be a fan!
That wraps up my most anticipated releases, but wait, there's more!
Upcoming 2024 Releases - It's on the TBR
Hopefully, I'll get to read these sometime this coming year! These are the series on my TBR.
Since I Could Die Tomorrow by Sumako Kari
Slice-of-Life, Drama (4 volumes/complete)
Since I Could Die Tomorrow is an award-winning manga about a woman contemplating and living her 40s. As a woman creeping slowly toward the big 4-0, myself, I have an interest in this series. Whether you're turning 40 or you're just looking for an "introspective josei" manga (for lack of a better term) to read, this manga is for you.
Tokyopop describes the story:
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?"
Tokyopop released the first volume digitally in November 2023. Tokyopop will release the first volume physically on February 6, 2024. Check it out!
A Smart and Courageous Child by Miki Yamamoto
Slice-of-Life, Drama (1 volume/complete)
Like Since I Could Die Tomorrow, A Smart and Courageous Child is a Kono Manga ga Sugoi Winner, and we're getting another serious manga. Finally, more "introspective josei" and women's life stories in 2024.
Tokyopop describes the story:
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.
The single volume will hit store shelves on June 18, 2024. (If you're interested in more of Yamamoto's work, check out Glaeolia volume 2 published by Glacier Bay Books!)
Steel of the Celestial Shadows by Daruma Matsuura
Action/Adventure, Supernatural, Drama (7 volumes/ongoing)
By the same author of the horror series Kasane (published digitally by Kodansha) comes a series about a down-and-out samurai. Kasane was a beautifully illustrated wild ride so I'm interested in reading Matsuura's latest series presently being published in Big Comic Superior. VIZ is publishing this series as large-trim single volumes under its Signature imprint so you can expect a nice release, a slightly higher price tag, and a mature storyline.
VIZ describes the story:
A down-and-out samurai who can’t even hold a sword enters a strange world of magic searching for honor and redemption.
A down-and-out samurai named Ryudo Konosuke struggles through his hardscrabble life in early 19th-century Japan. It is said that a samurai’s spirit rests in their sword—and Konosuke can’t even pick one up thanks to a cruel curse that repels anything made of metal that gets near him. Destitute and hopeless, he decides to end it all. But when a beautiful and mysterious woman saves his life and his soul, it is the beginning of Konosuke’s journey into a strange world of magic that exists a step away from his own.
The first volume will be released on January 16, 2024. Pre-orders are up now. Check it out here.
Kei x Yaku: Bound by Law By Yoshie Kaoruhara
Action, Mystery, Drama (9 volumes/ongoing)
Kei x Yaku: Bound by Law is an ongoing manga serialized on Kodansha's web platform Palcy. The series inspired the hit live-action drama starring Nobuyuki Suzuki and Atsuhiro Inukai. Unfortunately, the drama is not available to watch legally in English as of this post and as far as I know...
Kodansha describes the series:
Opposite sides of the law flirt with danger—and each other—in a tangled web of political intrigue that is fraught with deception and secrets. A suspenseful mystery sure to get the heart racing in more ways than one, perfect for fans of Banana Fish.
This bromantic mystery manga will hit store shelves in spring 2024.
In the Name of the Mermaid Princess by Yoshino Fumikawa and Miya Tashiro
Fantasy, Romance (7 volumes/complete)
From the same magazine as Neighborhood Story comes the recently completed manga In the Name of the Mermaid Princess. What's it about? Mermaid princesses. It's also a spin on the classic mermaid tale The Little Mermaid, and I love re-tellings and re-imaginings. Also, mermaids. In the Name of the Mermaid Princess was one of the few bright spots (for me) from Viz's licensing announcement in June 2023, and one of the few new Shojo Beat titles I'm looking forward to reading in 2024.
Viz describes the story:
In the classic fairy tale, a mermaid princess gives up her special abilities for love. What happens if she doesn’t?
Princess Mio is betrothed to Prince Chika. However, they’ve never met, and he doesn’t know her secret—she’s a mermaid! When her tutor, Yuri, takes her out of the castle to meet her subjects, Mio begins to accept her true self. But Yuri has a secret too… And when Mio tells her father, the king, she wants to live life openly as a mermaid, he punishes her. How can she stay true to herself?
The first volume will be released on February 6, 2024. Check it out here.
That covers the reads from my priority tbr, but I wouldn't be able to sleep at night if I didn't say something about the upcoming interesting manga (and not manga) I found that people are talking about (or should be talking about) and might be your jam.
Upcoming 2024 Releases - Honorable Mentions
The following manga (and not manga) are not at the top of my reading list. Some aren't on my radar at all, but they may be on yours! Whatever the case, these series are 100% interesting and are worth your attention.
My Girlfriend's Not Here Today by Kiyoko Iwami
Psychological, Romance, Drama (4 volumes/ongoing)
By the same mangaka of Transparent Light Blue comes a psychological yuri romance series.
Seven Seas describes the story:
Asahina Yuni is lonely–she has a girlfriend, but it feels like they’re barely dating. Pent up, Asahina vents her secret frustrations on an anonymous social media account. One day after class, Asahina is doomscrolling on her phone when she’s swept up in conversation with the striking, outgoing Taki. Taki peppers her with personal questions until she reveals that she’s been following Asahina’s supposedly secret social media. Taki insists that she only wants to talk, and the more time they spend together, the more Asahina can feel herself opening up…until Taki shows her true colors, threatening to blackmail Asahina to get more time alone with her! What will Asahina do once she’s caught in an erotic web of secrets and lies?
Lots of spice. Art is nice. Looks good to me. First volume lands on store shelves in May 2024. If you're looking for more yuri releases in 2024, check out Yuri Anime News.
I Got Reincarnated in a (BL) World of Big (Man) Boobs By Tsukiji Nao
Romcom, Isekai (3 volumes/ongoing)
Tiddies.
Kodansha describes the manga:
Nagare loves boobs. And he gets his wish to be reincarnated in a world of boobs...except these are man boobs. A zany BL isekai comedy full of titillation and satirical jabs at manga cliches of all kinds! An extra-long, 2-in-1 edition.
This manga is presently serialized in Shounen Magazine Edge, and it can either be the best thing ever or the worst thing ever. I'm not sure which, but this series will not go unnoticed. The first volume will be released on March 5, 2024.
No Roses Without Thorns: My Life As a Shojo Manga Assistant by Nami Sasou
Autobiography, Comedy (1 volume/complete)
So, here's another high-profile manga release brought to you by Udon Entertainment with help from the Mangasplaining Podcast crew. If you're a fan of autobiographical manga like Blank Canvas by Akiko Higashimura or a fan of classic shoujo manga, you'll want to keep your eyes peeled for this award-winning autobiography about being a manga assistant in the 70s.
Udon Entertainment describes the story:
What's it like to be a manga creator's assistant, when she's working on the most popular shojo manga in the country?
The 1970s were a golden age for girls manga, or shojo manga, in Japan – but what was it like to create these pages of roses, sparkles and romance? Manga artist Nami Sasou shares some of the not-so-glamorous stories from the ink-stained battlefield of… cute girls' romance manga? A highschool assistant to Suzue Miuchi, the creator of the famously popular Glass Mask, this manga about making manga tells it like it was… With a decidedly ‘shojo’ point of view!
Industry insider and Mangasplaining creator & host Deb Aoki will be editing the manga. Rachel Thorn will be translating the manga. If you enjoy shoujo manga in English today, you have Rachel Thorn to thank. She campaigned for Viz to license and translate shoujo manga in the 90s, and she has translated shoujo (and non-shoujo) works we still enjoy today. So rest assured this manga will be produced with a lot, a lot of love. The single volume of No Roses Without Thorns: My Life As a Shojo Manga Assistant will hit store shelves sometime in 2024.
Just Like Mona Lisa by Tsumuji Yoshimura
Romance, Drama (10 volumes/complete)
Square Enix is printing the coming-of-age drama manga Just Like Mona Lisa in July 2024. If you're inpatient or would like a sneak peek, you can read the series (called The Gender of Mona Lisa) in the Manga Up app. (Why are there two different names for this series? I have no idea.)
Square Enix describes the story:
Hinase falls into an identity crisis when their coming of age clashes with societal expectations in this unique teen drama!
In this world, people are born without a gender. Their bodies shift toward their desired gender when they reach twelve years old. Until Hinase's eighteenth spring, they lived content without a gender. But the bubbly girl Ritsu and thoughtful boy Shiori pull Hinase in opposite directions when they both confess their feelings on the same day! Romance was never on Hinase's mind, so how can they respond? Hinase may be forced to choose a new identity as they arrive at the cusp of adulthood. Who will they choose, and who will they become?
If you're looking for more manga about exploring gender and LGBTQ+ themes, then Just Like Mona Lisa should be at the top of your list. Check it out! Speaking of LGBTQ+ themes...
She Likes Gays, but Not Me by Naoto Asahara and Akira Hirahara
Drama (3 volumes/complete)
Yen Press announced She Likes Gays, but Not Me at Anime NYC, and the premise will sure grab fans of I Want to Be a Wall by Honami Shirano (also published by Yen Press).
Yen Press describes the story:
Atsushi has always hidden the fact that he’s gay. One day, he sees his classmate Sae with a BL book. Atsushi longs for a “normal” happiness with a loving wife and child, but what can he do when he’s not turned on by women?
Look for it sometime in 2024.
A Kingdom of Quartz by Bomhat
Fantasy, Adventure (2 volumes/ongoing)
So, this entry stretches the definition of manga and nods to how global the medium has become. Bomhat is an English-speaking artist living in Canada who made their manga debut with A Kingdom of Quartz, currently running in Kodansha's Afternoon Magazine. The manga was written in English translated to Japanese, and now it will be available back in English soon.
Kodansha describes the story:
A Kingdom of Quartz is the story of elegant creatures with magnificent wings and peerless strength who, by the Goddess’s will, protect the Kingdom of Quartz from infiltration by demonic forces: These are the heroes known as Angels. A little girl named Blue, who was born with mysterious black wings, spends every waking moment dreaming of becoming an Angel herself. Then, one day, Blue meets a prince, and the cogs of her fate twist and heave, enmeshing her in tragedy and adventure…
The first volume will be in stores on February 20, 2024. Check it out here.
Medalist By TSURUMAIKADA
Sports, Drama (9 volumes/ongoing)
Medalist is finally making its print debut in 2024, meaning lots of options. You can read the award-winning manga now via e-book, subscription, or print. Bonus, there will be an anime.
Kodansha describes the story:
The ice rink is the only place Inori can be herself—but everyone in her life insists she give up skating. Until she meets Tsukasa, a frustrated coach who will join Inori to form an unstoppable duo powered by hard work, transcendent joy, and an unshakeable belief that they can prove everyone wrong.
The first physical volume will be released on March 5, 2024. Check it out here.
Shadows of Kyoto by Yumeya
Horror, Drama (1 volume complete)
Okay, so this next one is for the horror fans. Titan Comics will translate and publish Shadows of Kyoto under its Titan Manga imprint on August 8, 2024.
Titan Comics describes the series:
Kiyomizu-dera, Kifune Shrine, and Adashino Nengbutsu-ji —to most these places are merely tourist hotspots in the busy city of Kyoto... but each is hiding a dark history, tales of ghosts and bloodshed! In this volume come and hear the true stories of these haunted places, and the creatures that lurk just out of sight...
Sounds really spooky, but you know what's even scarier? It's a josei manga. This manga was serialized in Comic Tatan, same website/publication as The Witch of Thistle Castle which has also been published in print by Titan Comics. Fingers crossed that this release will be scarily accurate.
ODD TAXI
Psychological, Mystery, Drama (5 volumes/complete)
Not to be confused with BEASTARS, ODD TAXI is the other anthropomorphic mystery drama you may have seen or heard of. ODD TAXI is an anime original that aired in Spring 2021. The anime got a considerable amount of buzz around the time of its release. The anime has since been adapted into a 5-volume series, which Denpa has now licensed.
The anime is still streaming on Crunchyroll, and Crunchyroll describes the story:
This town should look familiar, but suddenly, it's not. The taxi driver Odokawa lives a very mundane life. He has no family, doesn't really hang out with others, and he's an oddball who is narrow-minded and doesn't talk much. The only people he can call his friends are his doctor, Gouriki and his classmate from high school, Kakibana. All of his patrons seem to be slightly odd themselves. The college student who wants to be noticed online, Kabasawa. A nurse with secrets, Shirakawa. A comedy duo, the Homosapiens... All these mundane conversations somehow lead to a girl who's gone missing.
Denpa will release the first volume sometime in late 2024, early 2025. (That gives me plenty of time to finally check out the anime. 🙈) Check it out here.
Baccano! by Ryohgo Narita (audiobook)
Historical, Action, Mystery (22 volumes/ongoing)
The rip-roaring action light novel series adapted to manga and turned anime is finally getting the audiobook treatment!
Yen Press describes the series:
New York, 1931. The manufacture and sale of alcoholic beverages is prohibited by law, but behind this prohibition, organized crime flourishes-so, too, do bank robbers, bootleggers, assassins, and homunculi. Some want money, some are chasing the secret to immortality, and others just want to have a really good time. You know what they say, though: You can't always get what you want.
Tune in May 2024. Speaking of audio...
Gravitation by Maki Murakami
Romcom (12 volumes/complete)
Last but not least, Gravitation is back! Alright! The music romcom that awakened many a fujin is back to seduce a new generation to the dark side and make everyone else feel old as shit. Seven Seas will be releasing the series in large-trim omnibus volumes.
Seven Seas describes the story:
Shindou Shuichi is a young, energetic, and optimistic rockstar wannabe. He’s in a band with his best friend and is determined to top the charts. When a romance novelist named Eiri Yuki criticizes his lyrics, Shuichi takes it badly and wants to make Yuki eat his words…but as he starts to follow Yuki around, Shuichi falls hard for him. Yuki, despite his cold and prickly demeanor, even seems to like Shuichi back! Still, Yuki has a past full of trauma that he’s never fully faced, and Shuichi discovers that succeeding in the music biz might cost him his soul. Can these two very different men support each other and make this relationship work?
I haven't had the pleasure of reading this series. My experiences and memories stem from the anime, which I have on my shelf thankyouverymuch. 🙈 So, hey maybe we should all do a read-along or something. In any case, this classic BL shoujo manga will be in stores again in April 2024.
Conclusion
And there you have it, over a dozen manga to look forward to reading and collecting in the new year. What's on your to-read or to-buy list? Let me know below or on X/Twitter (@ThatMangaHunter).
(NOTE: release dates are subject to change. As of this post, the release dates are accurate.)