Mangas to read by the pool this summer

From the creator of Waiting for Spring comes a new college romance that meditates on just what destiny means, and whether “the one” is really out there. A fresh and stylish spin on shojo manga!

Yuuki is a 20-year-old college sophomore who has wished for one thing since moving to Tokyo: to find her soulmate. Growing a bit desperate after a long drought, she goes along with a friend to a club for the first time. Her friend thrives, but it’s chaotic and loud…just not Yuuki’s scene. Just when Yuuki begins to despair that she’ll ever find a real, adult relationship, she meets Iori, a man with bleached hair and a slightly scary demeanor…but first impressions don’t always tell the whole story. Could destiny still have more cards to play?

With a carefree outlook on life, Hiroto knows better than anyone that slowing down is sometimes the best way to move forward.

At 29 years old, carefree Hiroto Ikuta doesn’t have a girlfriend, a full-time job, or a plan for the future—and he couldn’t be happier. Hiroto’s breezy attitude isn’t easy for everyone to understand, though. In a world filled with anxiety, confusion, and grief, Hiroto and the people who surround him are all just doing their best to figure out this thing called life.

After developing an unlikely friendship with the grouchy old woman who lives in his neighborhood, Hiroto suddenly finds himself inheriting not just her house but some rather difficult emotions as well. His 18-year-old cousin, Natsumi, moves in with him, but as a struggling art student, she has her own troubles to deal with and may just put Hiroto’s easygoing lifestyle to the test.

In a world where angels protect the people against demons, a young orphan with pitch-black wings may hold the key to the kingdom’s fate. An exquisitely drawn, dark fantasy manga for fans of Puella Magi Madoka Magica, Made in Abyss, and Witch Hat Atelier.

An orphaned girl named Blue has always dreamed of joining the ranks of the noble Angels, servants of the floating palace who protect the Quartz Kingdom against demons. Yet, Blue is not like the other children at the orphanage. Where their fledgling angel wings are downy white, Blue’s are pitch black, giving rise to whispers that she is cursed.

One day, the orphanage comes under attack by a host of demons. Angels swoop down from the palace to drive the demons back, but Blue watches in horror as they are cut down one after another. Just when all seems lost, Blue feels a dark power welling up inside of her. It may be enough to avenge her friends…but will the cost prove too great?

When it comes to romance, opposites really do attract!

Miyu Suzuki is a bright and bubbly high schooler who’s got a crush. There’s just one little problem—when it comes to personality, the guy she’s into is her polar opposite!

Suzuki’s a high school girl in love, but the guy she’s fallen for is nothing like her! While she’s cheerful, outgoing, and always trying to fit in, her classmate Yusuke Tani is stoic, quiet, and doesn’t seem to care what people think of him. Will Suzuki be able to overcome her anxieties and ask him out, or will she discover that opposites really don’t attract?

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!

Himuro is a modern-day ice god, an ordinary office worker who just so happens to be the descendant of a snow spirit. He’s also besotted with his coworker Fuyutsuki, who’s a little unusual herself. At first glance, the pair both seem to be calm, cool, and collected. But beneath Himuro’s icy good looks rages a passionate blizzard of love! On the other hand, his coworker’s cool facade belies nothing about any feelings she might have for Himuro in return⁠—because she’s too oblivious to realize anything! What’s a snowman in love to do?

College student Tsuneo loves the ocean and the creatures it harbors, and he dreams of studying abroad in faraway waters. All he needs is enough funds to go, so when a girl in a wheelchair suddenly barrels into his life, he readily agrees to work part-time as her caretaker. Getting close to the prickly Josee is easier said than done, but before he can give up, an impromptu trip to the beach shows them both that sometimes, they must take that first plunge to see the wonders that await. The hit animated film based on the striking story by Seiko Tanabe has been beautifully illustrated by Nao Emoto and collected in this single omnibus edition!

He’s a shy haiku writer who wears headphones to keep people at a distance. She’s a streamer who always hides behind a mask. After their worlds suddenly collide, these two strangers find themselves sharing secrets they’ve been desperate to keep underwraps. Even though their methods of self-expression couldn’t be more different, they’ll find they understand each other better than they ever expected…

A fantastical coming-of-age drama based on the critically acclaimed novel with an anime film!

Kokoro is a junior high school student—but after years of bullying, she’s become so anxious that she no longer goes to school. One day, she’s pulled through her full-length mirror into a castle in another dimension by a girl in a wolf mask. The mysterious girl tells Kokoro and six other kids that they will compete in a scavenger hunt. If one of them finds a key that unlocks a secret room, that person will get one wish granted. As long as they observe the rules of the world, they can come and go as they please. The seven kids gradually grow closer as they explore the castle, but the scavenger hunt is never far from anyone’s mind. After all, only one can win their heart’s desire.

For the right price, these professional troubleshooters can solve any problem, whether they’re taking out the scum of the earth or destroying human-eating monsters!

The troubleshooters of Gokurakugai are open for business! In a run-down town without law and order, Alma and Tao accept work from clientele of all creeds and cultures, and they’re always ready to dole out justice against human-devouring monsters that lurk in the shadows. They’ll take on any case—as long as the price is right!

There’s never a shortage of crime around town, and a young boy searching for his beastman friend is just another entry on a long list of missing person reports. However, Alma and Tao realize that they’re the best chance at solving the case—and destroy the vicious monsters waiting around every street corner.

“In show business, lies are a weapon.”
Gorou is an ob-gyn with a life far removed from the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry—the world of his favorite idol, rising star Ai Hoshino. But when the two are unexpectedly brought together, their fates become intertwined in ways that defy all reason. For the good doctor, it’s time to stan(d) and deliver!

Remember me? Relive Takumi Fujiwara’s journey from tofu delivery boy to street-racing legend in an all-new, large-sized, 2-in-1 print edition of the series that made Japanese street racing into a worldwide phenomenon.

Contains a new translation of Initial D Vol. 1-2.

Takumi Fujiwara spends a lot of time behind the wheel. His tofu delivery job sends him racing down the treacherous roads of Mount Akina, and without even realizing it, Takumi has mastered racing techniques that take most drivers a lifetime to learn. Of course, none of his friends realize this. They’re all too busy watching the Akina Speed Stars, the local street racing team. When the legendary Red Suns show up to challenge the Speed Stars, the rival team obsesses over a phantom car, the Trueno Eight-Six, seen racing through the mountain roads. Who is the driver, and will they take on the dangerous challenge?

This edition is still running in the ’90s but features a refreshed translation and lettering for the 2020s, as well as a special large size.

It has Hikaru’s face. It has Hikaru’s voice. It even has Hikaru’s memories. But whatever came down from the mountains six months ago isn’t Yoshiki’s best friend. Whatever it is, it’s dangerous. Carrying on at school and hanging out as if nothing has changed—as if Hikaru isn’t gone—would be crazy…but when it looks so very like Hikaru…and acts so very like Hikaru…

Also known as Do Not Say Mystery: a quirky, award-winning mystery manga from Yumi Tamura, the shojo powerhouse creator of Basara and 7SEEDS–inspired a live-action series and film!

Totonou is a young college student who stands out—both for his bushy hairdo and his finely-honed abilities of observation and deduction. When Totonou is accused of murder, he puts his skills to work and uses his exceptional insights to find the real killer. Later, all Totonou wants to do is return to his own little world, but he can’t avoid getting caught up in one mystery after another. In his own blunt yet gentle way, Totonou is a truth seeker who tries to make sense of a chaotic—and often

Playing Daughter of the Duke’s Super Love Project as the easy mode heroine, Ivonne, makes charming the male characters a breeze. But once you switch to hard mode and step into the shoes of Penelope, the misunderstood villain, it’s nearly impossible to even stay alive! So imagine the shock of suddenly waking up in Penelope’s body—you know right away that your life is on the line. With love interests who will kill you if their affection meters drop too low and the inability to speak without choosing from pre-selected dialogue, it quickly becomes clear that Penelope’s chances have been rigged from the start—and this villain might just be destined to die!

The manga spin-off to the acclaimed anime film about surfing, summer love, grief, and a hint of magic. Surfer girl Hinako is full of confidence when she’s out on the ocean, but when it come to everything else in her life, she second-guesses herself. After a fire breaks out, she meets a firefighter named Minato and the two fall quickly in love. When tragedy strikes and separates the young couple, Hinako feels lost and directionless. But soon, Hinako discovers that Minato is determined to overcome any obstacle to stay by her side. The heart-tugging manga adaptation that goes beyond the hit anime film!