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At MCM London Comic Con 2025, Yen Press announced it will release the Love Bullet manga in English and will release a Complete Box Set of Fruits Basket. The first volume of the yuri manga and box set will both appear in November 2025, though there’s no exact release date for either one yet. 

In the case of Love Bullet, it’s a series from inee about a young woman named Koharu. After she dies, following a confession from her best friend Aki, she becomes one of the Cupids who helps people fall in love. As they spread happiness, they might eventually be able to get a chance to become a human again. Koharu now works alongside Kanna, Chiyo, and Ena to spread love and solve problems with romance.

Inee shared the following image on social media to celebrate the English Love Bullet manga localization announcement.

As for the Yen Press Fruits Basket: The Complete Set release, that will feature all 23 volumes of the manga series. The announcement also confirmed lenticular cards will be included with it.

Two other manga were confirmed as part of the Yen Press MCM London Comic Con 2025 reveals. One is The Terrifying Students at Ghoul School. The anime for that is already appearing worldwide on Crunchyroll. The other is The Girl Past the Filters. Both will also appear in November 2025. 

The post Yen Press Picks Up Love Bullet and Fruits Basket Manga Box Set appeared first on Siliconera.

There are so many shojo manga about a young woman who might get to marry royalty, but endures so many challenges and develops so many enemies along the way. It’s frustrating! Especially when the heroine herself isn’t taking it well and sometimes gets down on herself or questions who she is. The 31st Consort seems, from the outside, like it could be such a story. It is about the underdog potential wife for a king competing against other consorts. However, the character of Felia and way she wins over those around her makes it feel a little fresher in the first volume.

Editor’s Note: There are minor spoilers for the first volume of The 31st Consort shojo manga below. 54j2v

Felia is a rather ordinary girl from Karodia province living with Ricarro, her oldest brother that is the area’s lord, and her other brother Garon. She’s a rather ordinary person who enjoys tending to the herbs that region is known for. However, because of her station, she ended up being picked as one of the king’s consorts. The thing is, she’s the 31st one. Which means she only sees him on months with 31 days, as that’s when he’ll see her. Because of that, and the fact that it’s the lowest ranked in of power, nobody else wanted the spot and it fell to her. Because this is a position that lasts for a year, her brothers basically talk her into it, so off she goes.

First, I want to say that it’s a little off-putting that Felia is considered “old” at just over 22. I get this is supposed to be something of a period piece, but it shocked me a bit! I did read shojo series along similar lines with younger heroines, so it isn’t the most egregious case of that.

From there, we get to see Felia’s arrival and what life would be like for the 31st consort. Since she’s a country girl and their community is more humble, she arrives in her ordinary clothing, with her brother Ricarro bringing her to the castle in an ox cart. Rather than be captivated by the impressive palace, she’s more concerned with the soil, flowers, and composting possibilities. Her home ends up being the most, well, homely! She gets her own wooden house, a garden, and she’s not getting any maids since nobody wanted to live so humbly. Which she attests as fine, as she’s the type of person who didn’t want or need one. All she basically has is the Knight Commander Binz to help, and her only request ends up being farming tools.

Aside from the shock about her age, The 31st Consort ends up being quite pleasant from there on out. Binz and other of the knights’ fourth unit assigned to her end up making themselves at home and befriending her, in a better situation than other knights assigned to demanding or terrifying higher-ranked consorts. She had no issue standing up to an intimidating housekeeper who apparently usually leaves people cowed. It’s sweet to see her adapt so well and people genuinely appreciate her, as well as her make astute observations about the soil, area, country, and other consorts. So much so that people like Binz are willing to fight for her and other consorts’ knights escape to hang out at her place.

This all means once Felia meets King Macron after months, we’re also meeting him for the first time. And his feelings on marriage and the consort process feels like it mirrors hers. He doesn’t care for it. He doesn’t want to spend time with unpleasant people. He basically wants to do his job, and he’s counting down the days. We see what he goes through with them, the governmental process that involves whittling down candidates, and finally his first meeting with Felia. Even though the housekeeper delayed the king’s visit, due to her dislike of Felia. But when he does arrive, it’s genuinely satisfying and makes The 31st Consort seem like a shojo manga with some potential. 

While the initial introduction for this shojo manga might seem a bit awkward, I ended up really enjoying the first volume of The 31st Consort. Felia is such a down-to-earth, practical heroine. She savors what she has, appreciates a challenge, is incredibly competent, and always remains in character. It ends up being quite a delight, and I ended up rooting for the 31st consort to be picked by the end of the first volume too.

The first volume of The 31st Consort is now available, and Yen Press will release volume 2 on August 26, 2025. 

The post The 31st Consort Could Be a Promising Shojo Manga appeared first on Siliconera.

Different adaptations of stories can each become an opportunity to enhance the tale or offer new insights into actions. With The Summer Hikaru Died light novel, I’ve noticed more thought and explanation put into characters’ thoughts and ing cast. However, at the same time, some moments and situations don’t hit the same in the book as they do in the manga. 

Editor’s Note: There will be some light spoilers for the first volume of the light novel adaptation of The Summer Hikaru Died. 1kc4p

Going in to the first volume of The Summer Hikaru Died light novel, it is important to note that it basically covers the same part of the story as volume 1 of the manga. Yoshiki is aware his friend Hikaru died, and the being known as “Hikaru” who’s been around for a while isn’t really him. It starts with a confrontation about this fact, which leads to Yoshiki being the secret keeper and one closest to an entity basically wearing the skin of his best friend and crush. What follows is a look at life with such a being by your side and the danger and consequences that come from that. 

The biggest takeaway I have is that the light novel features a lot more asides with the ing characters. Things start out with Hikaru, rather than “Hikaru” getting a moment. Then in a nod to things going wrong in town, we get a little more time with Mrs. Matsuura in a critical moment. When Yuuki and Asako, Hikaru and Yoshiki’s classmates, are introduced, there is far more effort put into their introduction, defining them as characters, and setting up their friendship. There’s also a little bit of insight into the personality of Kaoru, Yoshiki’s sister, as a result. 

While this is generally a good thing, there are also times when I feel like the light novel adaptation of The Summer Hikaru Died loses some of its punch with this new approach. For example, the introduction begins with us seeing the actual Hikaru’s last moments. I felt this lessened the effect and introduction of “Hikaru” in the first chapter of the book. That moment is perfect in the manga and so notable because of that jolt. It also doesn’t feel as well written and executed as that moment in the manga when it happened as well. 

There are also some moments when the extra internal insight from Yoshiki feels like a bit much. Some of his reactions and deterioration throughout the manga version of The Summer Hikaru Died is effective because we’re inferring or actually seeing the strain through the art. The bags under his eyes. His hair. His injury that just doesn’t heal. That doesn’t come across the same in text. There’s a point at which Yoshiki thinks, after “Hikaru” says something notable, “Hikaru never said a thing like that before.” I didn’t like how it came across, and appreciated the nuance in the manga when you could tell from the art that Yoshiki realized a response or behavior was off, but didn’t say anything about it. 

I feel like The Summer Hikaru Died light novel is an interesting option, but not the ideal adaptation. There is so much nuance to the manga, and that doesn’t always come through here. Yes, we do get some extra ing character insights. That’s fun. However, I’d recommend the first volume of the manga over the first volume of the light novel any time. 

The first volume of The Summer Hikaru Died light novel is available now through Yen Press, and the company handles the manga as well. The anime will air on Netflix in July 2025.

The post The Summer Hikaru Died Light Novel Gives ing Characters More Time appeared first on Siliconera.

In Another World, My Sister Stole My Name is an isekai shojo manga series that relies upon both love and betrayal. After all, Ichika ended up being something of a chosen one who could communicate with another world through a mirror, she told her sister Karen about it, her sister ended up disappearing there, and when Ichika does wind up spirited away she learns her sister stole her identity. There are some serious secrets and mysteries. Now with the second volume, even more are coming up and suspicious behavior is pretty rampant, but Ichika doesn’t seem to be catching on in the same way us readers likely are.

Editor’s Note: There will be spoilers for volume 1 and light spoilers for volume 2 of the In Another World, My Sister Stole My Name manga below. 1h313h

As a quick reminder, the way mechanics worked in In Another World, My Sister Stole My Name means that there was a time difference between the magic mirror tying the worlds together. Ichika talked to a young prince named Cecil through it. When her sister Karen disappeared, she appeared in that kingdom, became grown-up Cecil’s fiance, and is a Saint due to possessing remarkable light magic. When Ichika came through the portal, she learned Karen claimed to be her and is going by “Ichika” there. She declared the real Ichika “Karen.” This means Ichika is now betrothed to the prince’s younger brother Noah, and he seems quite displeased about things. 

The end of the first volume of revealed plots are afoot. Someone targeted Ichika with a curse. Noah sensed it and got in the way. Ichika, as befitting the actual chosen one, used an incredible amount of light magic to save him and is now acknowledged as a second Saint.

This means that now so many suspicious and shady dealings are coming up in In Another World, My Sister Stole My Name, but I find it a bit frustrating that Ichika doesn’t seem to realize it. Noah is clearly hiding something, and as the volume goes on it is obvious he either knows or realized facts critical to Ichika and her situation. Since he’s her fiance and they spend an extended period of time together in these chapters, it’s a little frustrating that she’s not figuring out something is awry. I suppose you could use the excuse that she’s figuring out her magic powers and on her first Saint assignment, but still.

What’s going on with people around Ichika, Noah, and Cecil is equally obvious. Something is absolutely awry with Karen. It’s clear from the first volume. However, Ichika isn’t doing any sort of investigation. We see some of it begin to pop up here, now that they’re in close proximity and Ichika is a second Saint. But I’d have loved more awareness from our main heroine. Also, the only person who seems suspicious of the queen is Noah, even with some rather notable scenes in both volumes, and I’m surprised there isn’t more investigation into the curse directed at Ichika and Noah. 

The scenario Kotoko constructed is interesting for a reader. Because of the narrative decisions, we’re aware of all these webs, pitfalls, and machinations. However, I find it leaves me a little frustrated because I am seeing them, but Ichika isn’t. Instead, by the end of the volume, I get the impression she’s more upset by the fact that things are tense between Cecil and Karen, Karen and her, Noah and her, Noah and Cecil, and just… everyone. When really, I’m thinking, “Why aren’t you more concerned about your sister’s identity theft, the possible sabotage, and the attempted murder?”

To be honest, I’m still not sure how I feel about a series where the female lead is so clueless that she’s not able to see how suspicious everyone around her is acting. What’s keeping me reading the In Another World, My Sister Stole My Name manga is more of a desire to see everything blow up and issions come out, rather than watch Ichika get her happy ending. Because it’s clear there are some revelations that Kotoko is incredibly close to sharing, but the author is just building a little more anticipation in the meantime. 

Volume 2 of In Another World, My Sister Stole My Name is available now, and Yen Press will release volume 3 of the manga on July 22, 2025. 

The post In Another World, My Sister Stole My Name Keeps Piling on Suspicious Situations appeared first on Siliconera.

One of my pet peeves, when it comes to anime and manga, is when a story beat is drawn out. You know, like when there’s a pertinent part of a protagonist’s personality that is critical to what’s going on and keeping the story from really advancing, but the creator’s gone multiple volumes without getting to it. In a shojo manga like If the Villainess and Villain Met and Fell in Love, you would think that issue would come up with the romance element, but instead by the end of volume 3 it’s with an issue having to deal with Brigitte herself.

Editor’s Note: There will be some light spoilers for volume 3 of the If the Villainess and Villain Met and Fell in Love manga adaptation below. 5gh6y

 If the Villainess and Villain Met and Fell in Love is a series set in a world where magic is a big deal, as is your place among the kingdom’s various classes. This means there are multiple plot points at play. One is the typical romance plot that involves Brigitte being a former fiance of a prince and involved in a love triangle between him and another nobleman named Yuri. Another is the whole school-life element at Otoleanna Academy of Magic and Brigette struggling to fit in there due to both bullying from her former fiance Prince Joseph and his new love interest Lisa and her status. But the big one is the fact that people in this world end up forming contracts with spirits, and Brigitte supposedly is tied to a weak, “no-name” one. 

Here’s the thing. Throughout the first two volumes of the If the Villainess and Villain Met and Fell in Love manga, we’re basically told that Brigitte is more than she seems. It isn’t just her being so dedicated to prove her value and connect with spirits that she excels at school. Everything flat out says that her spirit is actually a powerful one and she is remarkable in a way people aren’t seeing yet. It was completely reasonable for things to remain mysterious for the first two volumes. However, given how critical the reveal is to starting to resolve the other two plot points, I genuinely expected to see that start to be covered now.

Except it doesn’t. If the Villainess and Villain Met and Fell in Love volume 3 ends on another cliffhanger instead. Which is incredibly frustrating! We get a major situation in this installment that would have involved a scenario perfect for some sort of reveal during a critical confrontation. Failing that, some of the later chapters could have resulted in a quieter reveal and introspection that helped Brigitte confirm for herself her own strength. 

It isn’t the absolute worst, I know. This set up does mean everything will resolve in the fourth volume. Especially if someone is already aware of the series and its progress. However, there’s something about this format for everything that makes it feel a little more obvious here. I suspect it is because the other elements tied to challenges Brigitte are resolving in such a smooth and swift fashion that this one stands out all the more. Brigitte has made two solid friendships by this point. She’s already connected in fantastic ways with Yuri, with both pretty much accepting and acknowledging their feelings. The Lisa and Joseph portions are keeping up at a great pace too, as are misconceptions at school. 

The thing is, this is also an issue that I find is unique to the If the Villainess and Villain Met and Fell in Love manga adaptation! I think that’s why it feels like such a sticking point here. Harunadon’s pacing in the original light novel, which Yen Press also handles, is honestly pretty great! By the time the third volume rolls around, we’re past the hiccup we’re still facing in the manga. Brigitte is completely aware of her spirit contract. Because of that, some absolutely fascinating plot points are coming up. It also even means there are great romantic developments between her and Yuri. 

I still think the manga adaptation is If the Villainess and Villain Met and Fell in Love is fun in its way. There’s definitely a lot of merit to it too. Not everyone enjoys light novels and instead prefers manga. Chiru Ukai and Yomi Sarachi’s art is lovely. I just feel like the execution and pacing is better in the light novel adaptation. So maybe this is more a situation that involves picking one version and sticking with it, rather than going through multiple ones. 

Volume 3 of If the Villainess and Villain Met and Fell in Love is available now, and Yen Press will release volume 4 of the manga on September 23, 2025.

The post If the Villainess and Villain Met and Fell in Love Manga Drags Out Its Premise appeared first on Siliconera.

In The Summer Hikaru Died, we’re constantly learning about the new “Hikaru” who stepped into Hikaru Indou’s life. However, a lot of this is based on interactions with other people and observations from Yoshiki Tsujinaka, his love interest and our primary protagonist. It makes sense, since “Hikaru” is an entity beyond our understanding. What I love about volume 5 of The Summer Hikaru Died manga is that it really gives a fantastic chance to see things more from that character’s perspective, and it makes me hope this volume and some of those moments will make the cut-off for the anime adaptation.

Editor’s Note: There will be some mild spoilers for the volume 5 of The Summer Hikaru Died manga below. 1s6u44

After the incident and events of volume 4, we get a stark reminder of exactly how inhuman “Hikaru” is when The Summer HIkaru Died volume 5 begins. This means when the entity wakes a chapter into things, we get a rather unusual peek into its thought process. It’s in an incredibly primal state after being incapacitated. This means it goes on instinct. 

Which… is a bad thing. Because prior to inhabiting Hikaru, the entity “Hikaru” didn’t really possess a sense of self, awareness of others’ needs and safety, and necessary inhibitions to keep people safe. If Rie Kurebayashi wasn’t with Yoshiki, odds are what would have happened would have disastrous. But she is, and things are okay.

However, in this moment now, Mokumokuren provides an opportunity. There are new insights into “Hikaru” because the character is no longer at their best. We see that impulse from the being upon waking up. We witness them feeling weak when rehashing what happened with Yoshiki and Rie. After talking with their school friends and Yoshiki, bringing up what would happen with an entity among them, and discussing taking the piece of themselves back from Yoshiki, there’s a whole new level of introspection. “Hikaru” is questioning themself and their “life,” and in so doing we as the readers learn more about them.

Which I also love, as it emphasizes “Hikaru’s” unpredictability in The Summer Hikaru Died manga. Up until this point, a lot of people pointed out how the entity getting involved with Yoshiki changed the human teen. He’s got a scar that won’t go away. Impurities are drawn to him. He’s getting too comfortable with the supernatural. But this volume feels like the first that really gets into how much Yoshiki changed “Hikaru” too. The being willingly weakened itself for the person they care about and gave them a piece of themself. They’re able to feel pain and be in danger because of it. The being is more unstable, unexpectedly lashing out. 

Mokumokuren’s narrative decisions regarding an increased focus on “Hikaru” in this volume are also pretty perfect for two other reasons. One is that it provides an opportunity for the being to tap into Hikaru’s memories and us as readers to witness that firsthand. It’s such a boon in helping to better understand the history and situation, as well as decipher what supernatural things are actually happening in this town. Because the original Hikaru is kind of “telling” us. 

But it’s also great as we pretty much only saw “Hikaru” in situations with Yoshiki, which influence our depictions and understanding of him. The being gets so many more moments alone and with important ing cast in this volume. Because of that, we see others who know what the individual is react and respond. There are more insights into relationships. It helps better inform us about this being. 

The Summer Hikaru Died volume 5 is essentially Mokumokuren helping us better understand “Hikaru,” just as it seems like the entity is starting to do more questioning of themself. The increased focus on the character and opportunities to see both from their perspective or moments when Yoshiki isn’t around is fascinating and enlightening. I think it even helps a bit with the mystery surrounding everything that’s happening.

Volume 5 of The Summer Hikaru Died is available now via Yen Press, and there’s no release date for volume 6 yet. 

The post The Summer Hikaru Died Volume 5 Digs More Into ‘Hikaru’ appeared first on Siliconera.

When it comes to The Do-Over Damsel Conquers the Dragon Emperor, it might seem a bit off-putting for a pre-teen to be the influential heroine who will save the day. Even with ensuing volumes of the manga making clear what kind of person she is. You really need a lot of evidence through clear situations to make the case. With volume 5 of The Do-Over Damsel Conquers the Dragon Emperor, the manga provides a lot of prime examples of how important, valuable, and strong Jill is due to both her innate abilities, hard work, and knowledge of her past life.

Editor’s Note: There are some spoilers for volume 5 of The Do-Over Damsel Conquers the Dragon Emperor manga below. 4w641o

At the very start of volume 5 of The Do-Over Damsel Conquers the Dragon Emperor, we’re already in a position where Sarasa Nagase uses the manga to highlight how capable and responsible is. Because Hadis is in hiding, Jill is in-training in disguise alongside Camila and Zeke with Princess Elentzia and her Dragon Knights. She’s setting herself up as a cadet and, because of Elentzia’s dragon attacking her, is taking advantage of the fact that it seems like she has no affinity with dragons. So from the start, we see how she’s being depended upon to gather information, assess situations, and prepare when Hadis needs to be in hiding as a result of the false Dragon Emperor’s actions. 

This also means we get a great example of Jill using her knowledge of the past to assist with her strategies in the future. Back in the original timeline, her fiance Prince Gerald basically spied on her throughout her school years and life via his ally, friend, and minion Lawrence Marton. Lawrence appears to be quite friendly. Jill only realized exactly what he had been capable of and doing for years after Gerald’s betrayal and her death. So now when she meets her as a Dragon Knight cadet, she immediately acts in a way that gets in the way of his plans, keeps him from sowing doubt, and allows her to perhaps mitigate some possible damage. (It’s not the only way her past helps her potential future in this volume, so keep your eyes open!)

Jill’s instincts and intuition are on full display in volume 5 of The Do-Over Damsel Conquers the Dragon Emperor manga too. When observing Hadis’ siblings Elentzia and Risteard, she’s able to pretty accurately discern their character. It’s especially impressive with Risteard, since there are time when he says something or gets so worked up that it could seem villainous. But no, she assesses them as well as she did people like Hadis, Camila, Zeke, and Lawrence.

Finally, we see Jill’s straight-up combat prowess. At a point in this volume, she needs to use force to get her point across. First, she knows the right time to get serious. Then, she’s good at making use of her capabilities to get things done. More importantly, she even adjusts for her own shortcomings. It’s great to see how she handles herself.

I absolutely love when the story in The Do-Over Damsel Conquers the Dragon Emperor shows how practical Jill’s knowledge of her past life can be alongside her general strength and intelligence, and volume 5 of the manga includes multiple examples of how capable she is. We get a sense of her intuition when she observes a potential enemy and Hadis’ siblings. We note how dragons react to her. We see her skill with the blade. She also makes good use of what she knows happened in the previous timeline to keep history from repeating. It really showcases what a strong heroine she is.

Volume 5 of The Do-Over Damsel Conquers the Dragon Emperor is available now, and Yen Press will release volume 6 of the manga on September 23, 2025. An anime is available, and it is streaming on Crunchyroll.

The post The Do-Over Damsel Conquers the Dragon Emperor Volume 5 Shows Jill’s Strength appeared first on Siliconera.

The Small-Animallike Lady is one of those shojo manga about a sweet situation and even a bit of an opposites attract couple, and the second volume continues to accentuate that. However, it accomplishes even more than that. While the first volume is about setting the stage and ensuring it comes across as lighthearted and sweet, the second is more touching. It’s something of a tale of acceptance. 

Editor’s Note: There will be some spoilers for volume 2 of The Small-Animallike Lady is Adored by the Ice Prince manga below. 3s1hf

The acceptance showcased in this latest installment of the The Small-Animallike Lady is Adored by the Ice Prince manga is honestly twofold. Because we’re not just watching Lily adapt to her new life as a princess, royal family member, and fiance. We’re seeing them adjust to her as well. In the first volume, it’s already evident that William and his parents approve of her. However, this new entry helps further establish that and show she’s dealing with genuinely considerate and kind people by watching us bond with her future mother-in-law, Queen Sophia.

Now, when I first talked about this series, I mentioned how genuinely funny it can be. The first portion of this volume highlights that. The time spent with Queen Sophia ends up being the real “comic relief” in this installment. She’s as taken with Lily as her son is. Partially, because she also always wanted a daughter. But also, she’s charmed with her earnestness, sweet behavior, adorable appearance, and just genuine personality. She eagerly welcomes her to tea, then to go out shopping together. The enthusiasm is so heartfelt. She already does seem to be interested in and ready to dote on the new family member, and she’s so proud that she wants to show her off. It’s heartwarming.

The other part of the “acceptance” found in volume 2 of the The Small-Animallike Lady is Adored by the Ice Prince manga involves Lily herself. Throughout the first volume and part of this one, she enacted something of a wall between her and William. She actively tries to consider getting out of the marriage and attempts to keep him at a distance. In this entry, we see that start to shift. She starts to consider who he is as a person, rather than what he is and represents. 

Which means we get to see new sides of both of them. It’s evident from the beginning that William is taken by Lily. She’s clearly a good match for him in of her personality. But for the first time, we’re seeing how well he’s also suited for her. He shows genuine consideration for her wants and needs, and pays attention to her. It makes for some really satisfying moments, especially toward the end of this volume.

Volumes 1 and 2 of The Small-Animallike Lady is Adored by the Ice Prince are available now, and Yen Press will release volume 3 of the manga on July 22, 2025.  

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I Want to Be a Receptionist in This Magical World is one of those manga series that might give someone pause at first glance, even though it is a shojo series that is a lot of fun. Nunnally Hel wants to be a receptionist at the adventurer’s guild Harre. However, in this world that’s a very coveted position that requires someone to essentially have top marks at school and be quite magically gifted as well. The pacing in the first volume is great, since it covers her education and getting started, but it doesn’t really help us understand why it is necessary. Now that we’re already up to volume 6, the series makes much more sense and is more enjoyable as a result. 

Editor’s Note: There will be some very light plot references for I Want to Be a Receptionist in This Magical World manga volumes below. 2w304z

So in the very first volume of I Want to Be a Receptionist in This Magical World, we see Nunnally attending the prestigious Kingdom of Doran Magic Academy, even though she isn’t nobility. This is because of natural talent and a drive to become a receptionist at the Harre’s adventurer assisting organization. That’s a place that helps with investigations, assignments, and other things associated with quests. There, she develops as an individuals, ends up with the rare ice magic Blood Type, and grows as an individual. It also sets up a rivalry with Alweiss Rockmann, an actual noble and love interest who is equally magically inclined and gunning for a role with the kingdom’s knights.

It’s only once we get past that initial volume that Harre’s demand makes sense. This is because, while I Want to Be a Receptionist in This Magical World is a shojo manga, there’s also a bit of adventure to it. As a newcomer, a lot of Nunnally’s time at the job involves learning practical skills. While some of that is typical paperwork, it also shows that insight into what explorers will deal with is a necessity. While figuring out new assignments and taking requests from common people for the knights and other experienced warriors, they’ll need to figure out what’s going on. Maybe identify a creature involved in a situation. This requires them to be strong enough to do some light exploration on their own for investigations for the assignment. Basically, they need to know what they’re talking about, and have a wide range of immediately familiarity and information to pull from due to everything Harre handles. We see Nunnally do some tracking and use a memory detection on folks with requests about incidents to help properly figure out what’s going on and pair them with folks who can help.

Another element that suddenly makes it believable that a “simple” receptionist would need to be so experienced and skilled is the adaptability. Part of I Want to Be a Receptionist in This Magical World heading to different locations in the manga does feel designed to offer more backstory and insight into Nunnally and her family’s past and offer more sorts of shojo setups for interactions with her friends and Rockmann. However, part of it also shows the range of the individuals working for Harre. One of her assignments takes her outside the one major location in Doran to other branches. So a part of that sends her to the south to Solieu. So since she does need to go around the kingdom, it reasons someone would need to be strong enough to travel and handle themself in any situation, regardless of environment.

Two of the more recent examples as to why Harre needs such talented and strong employees is hinted at in the sixth volume of the manga, leading into the events of the seventh. The first involves a major event and competition called Walhelnus. Harre sends representatives to compete alongside other sorcerers. Nunnally isn’t participating that year, due to her being relatively new. However, part of Harre’s tasks involves also assisting with running it, which she’ll be doing. That involves even more magical assistance than her daily job. The other teaser suggests now she is experienced enough to work the night shift. This again involves more danger and critical situations, as well as doing so without senior staff around.

It basically feels like every volume of I Want to Be a Receptionist in This Magical World gradually showcases more and more why Nunnally needed to be such a talented sorceress to work there. When the manga began, it didn’t properly show or tell why what is essentially an adventurer’s guild would need top-of-their-class students as employees. However, as the series continues, it’s doing a much better job of laying that out. I really appreciate it!

Volume 6 of the I Want to Be a Receptionist in This Magical World manga is available now, and Yen Press hasn’t noted when it will release volume 7 yet. 

The post I Want to Be a Receptionist in This Magical World Manga Gradually Makes More Sense appeared first on Siliconera.

There are so many takes on gods living in modern times in manga. Kamisama Kiss and Ah My Goddess both spring to mind. We could consider Death Note one as well. Yen Press’ The Failure at God School, from The Apothecary Diaries author Natsu Hyuuga, is another take on the concept that not only involves gods in everyday life, but gets into the training for such deities.

Editor’s Note: There will be minor spoilers for first volume of The Failure at God School manga below. 5w312a

Much like The Apothecary Diaries, the star of The Failure at God School manga is a young woman named Nagi. Her family tends the Hibiya Shrine, and her deceased grandmother used to be its god. After her ing, that leaves them looking for a replacement Himiko with powers who can live there and assist the town. While her twin brother Takeru is a Himiko with abilities, he won’t take up the role due to personal trauma, so there’s been nobody who can properly serve the community and fill the role for five years. She’s tried to push him into taking the government god exam, but he won’t. 

When the town’s butcher’s grandson, a young boy who had been certified as a Himiko, is spirited away, this spurs Nagi into action. When taking a shortcut to get to school, she starts to realize the area is one where a child could be lost. After ing a shrine, the world shifts and she finds the missing kid. As she starts to carry him out, she feels some entity pulling them back. Somehow, she is able to sever the connection and get them both back to freedom. This catches the attention of a Himiko named Tsukuyomi who is in town for the city hall inauguration, as she managed to overcome an “evil presence.” He and his manager then find Nagi and the boy and aid them, recognizing something special about her in the process. As a result, she gets accepted into Kannagara Academy, a school for Himiko who can become gods.

From there, The Failure at God School starts to feel a bit like a typical high school manga in which an underdog with incredible potential is involved. Nagi still isn’t totally aware of herself and her powers. As such, she’s considered the titular “failure.” Some of that teasing almost seems a bit good natured, as while Monaka can come across harsh, Sagami seems more lighthearted. So even if they’re critical, we can see there’s still a friendship there and affection. As a result, the segment in which we’re learning about how her power is “unidentified” comes across as more funny than traumatic. There are also similarly funny moments with a certain teacher determined to use her as a test subject and find out more about her potential. 

I do appreciate the moments we do get glimpses of what Nagi is capable of in the The Failure at God School manga. Because in those sections, it can be both impressive and incredibly funny. After all, she ends up with the nickname “Grizzly Killer.” This could have felt like a fairly typical story of a high schooler who’s underestimated and gets a chance to make good. But the humor behind it, as well as the possible potential and “identity” of Nagi, really helps set this story apart. Even though some of the steps to get to places might feel similar, the dynamics are engaging. Especially since Nagi’s personality is quite endearing.

The Failure at God School can feel like other manga series about young adults who are coming to with powers and training them, especially since the star is someone with possibly incredible potential who is completely underestimated. It’s the execution that makes it stand out sometimes. Nagi’s demeanor, her reactions to the situations she’s in, and the way others behave mean it can often feel both fascinating and quite funny. I would dare say it’s promising in the same way Hyuuga’s The Apothecary Diaries is.

Volume 1 of The Failure at God School is available now, and Yen Press will release the second volume of the manga on July 22, 2025.

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The title of The Guy She was Interested in Wasn’t a Guy at All explains the whole point of the The Green Yuri manga, so it isn’t exactly a shock to anyone aside from one of the lead characters in the first volume. But at the end of it, everyone knows the secret twist. Which means the second volume starts off in an even more fun place when it comes to the situation and relationship between Aya Oosawa and Mitsuki Koga.

Editor’s Note: There will be spoilers for volume 2 of The Guy She was Interested in Wasn’t a Guy at All, aka The Green Yuri, below. 1c2cp

As a quick refresher, Aya Oosawa and Mitsuki Koga are classmates in high school. Mitsuki is incredibly quiet there, while Aya is popular. Aya loves Western music and rock/alternative stuff. She visits a record store, where it turns out Mitsuki works. However, due to Mitsuki’s personal style outside school and wearing a face mask at the time, Aya mistakes her for a guy and develops a crush. Much of the first volume deals with both Mitsuki agonizing over the realization, Aya not knowing, and people around them realizing what’s going on.

With The Green Yuri volume 2, the manga’s gotten past that revelation and is dealing with a whole knew phase of things: acceptance. Aya knows. Mitsuki knows. They’re adjusting to the fact that they aren’t strangers anymore. However, that comes with whole new challenges. As we saw at the end of the first volume, Mitsuki performed as a way to reach out to Aya and make her feelings heard. Because of her awkwardness about forming connections with people and Aya’s awkwardness with her crush on Mitsuki, there are misunderstandings and moments that make you audibly gasp. But in a good way!

For example, I had one of these moments immediately after this volume begins. Aya is all flustered by Mitsuki and her responses. She’s unsure if she’s reading into it. She’s shy! She’s awkward! She’s running away constantly because she can’t face her feelings! So Mitsuki catches her in class to check in on her, and the responses of both young women is too perfect. It’s so sweet and adorable. I won’t spoil it, but it perfectly captures each of their personalities, as well as how suited they are for each other.

And it keeps happening. I’d say creator Sumiko Arai can’t keep doing this, but I want that. The series is too perfect and cute. Especially since this volume feels dedicated to Aya and Mitsuki dealing with the aftermath of the reveal and what appears to be the gradual response to them having feelings for each other. 

Like one of the major plot points in this installment is the introduction of Kanna. I won’t mention who she is, as that’s part of the fun of this part of the storyline. But what’s great about her introduction is we see someone else Mitsuki is close to and opens up around. You know, like the way she does around Aya sometimes. And we can see Aya starting to realize that “crush” she had on “that guy” is genuine, real feelings for who Mitsuki is as a person. Which means she is so jealous about the situation, and it is so adorable and funny. Especially since Kanna sees what is going on and teases her about it.

So much of this volume of the The Guy She was Interested in Wasn’t a Guy at All manga is about those moments, as The Green Yuri girls are starting to work things out. Aya and Mitsuki learning to relate to each other. Them figuring out their feelings. The funny, cute, and awkward scenes that come up as their relationship develops. We’re watching them grow and come together. It’s so charming and endearing, because you can tell this is real and the start of a healthy romance.

Volume 2 of The Guy She was Interested in Wasn’t a Guy at All is available now, and Yen Press will handle volume 3 of The Green Yuri manga as well. An anime adaptation is in development as well.

The post Volume 2 of the Green Yuri Manga Deals With the Reveal appeared first on Siliconera.

While Ruby and Aqua are twins in Oshi no Ko, it can really feel like he gets more attention sometimes. After all, many of the early volumes in the manga are showing things from his perspective or highlighting his plots. However, things start to shift in the eighth volume after a trip brings up past-life memories. That means in volume 9 of the Oshi no Ko manga, Ruby is the focal point. Not even the new B-Komachi, but this rising star herself. And I absolutely love it.

Editor’s Note: There will be spoilers for volumes 8 and 9 of the Oshi no Ko manga below.  2j3i1d

So to understand the setup for volume 9 of Oshi no Ko, you need to think back to what happened in volume 8. Ruby’s been relishing her new life as an idol, even though she is of course still morning her mother Ai’s death. Aqua’s been the one focused on revenge, as we’ve always seen him more aware of his past life. In previous volume, she actually happened upon the body of Dr. Gorou Amamiya. That was the doctor visiting her that she had a crush on in her past life. (Who was reincarnated as Aqua, which she doesn’t know.) Due to this discovery, Ruby learns that Gorou was murdered by the same two people who killed Ai. 

This kicks off something inside her. Ruby channels that in her performance with the B-Komachi song “POP IN 2.” It takes off and gets 20 million views. Her, Mem-cho, and Kana are hustling to take advantage of that boost to retain momentum. In the past, we really saw Aqua diving in and chasing every opportunity. Now, we’re seeing her check in with Ichigo Saitou for advance and assistance strategizing. She’s getting herself on the same variety show as Aqua. She’s cultivating a more ditzy persona, while also cozying up to people who will have influence or connections.

We know Aqua is smart in Oshi no Ko. We see it. But until volume 9, we’ve really only seen Ruby as a ionate and driven young woman who is willing to go over the top for her dreams. Now, her intelligence is on full display. She’s showing a type of cunning and sense of street smarts that shows she is Aqua’s equal in her own way.

What I also appreciate about Oshi no Ko volume 9 is while this installment of the manga is focusing more on Ruby than ever before, it still also shows a quick update on Aqua. Which I feel is important, given the revelations during the Tokyo Blade arc. He was finally able to start to let things go and live for himself a bit. However, we’re seeing here that while he made some breakthroughs, the trauma he went through as a child when he watched his mother Ai die isn’t going to just disappear. So it’s an appreciated insight to have those moments too.

Ruby is such an important part of the story in Oshi no Ko, and we’ve tended to see her as a ing cast member or more innocent young woman pursuing her dreams until volumes 8 and 9 of the manga. But now she’s doing her own research, plotting, and strategically positioning herself. It’s a wonderful reminder that she shouldn’t be underestimated. 

Volume 9 of the Oshi no Ko manga is available now, and volume 10 will debut on May 27, 2025. 

The post Ruby Starts Scheming in Oshi no Ko Manga Volume 9 appeared first on Siliconera.

The series Honey Lemon Soda always felt like it offered a fairly realistic take on the growth and development of not only characters Uka and Kai, but their relationship. While we get to see this right from the start in both the manga and anime adaptations, it’s especially evident in later chapters and volumes of the story. With volume 8 of the manga, for example, we’re seeing what happens when both the nature of the relationship changing and Uka growing as a person happen.

Editor’s Note: There will be spoilers for volume 8 of the Honey Lemon Soda manga below. 1j2iv

Okay, so right from the start this volume of the Honey Lemon Soda manga is exciting. We came out of the last entry with Uka finally making her feelings known to Kai. Since that’s reciprocated, all of that is out in the open. People notice. But because Uka is so naive, she doesn’t really get that this means the two are an item.

So initially, we’re dealing with the fact that the two really need to understand define what their relationship is now. Kai, who is more experienced, confident, and aware, sort of behaves in a way that purposely makes her come out and say it. That way, she better understands, there are no misconceptions, and they are together. However, because of the care Mayu Murata puts into the story and design, we can see how much this bothers and affects Kai as well. He already knows exactly how much Uka means to him. He’s ready to go ahead and be official. But he’s choosing to pull back and be even a bit more curt about it all, as that means Uka does need to think more clearly about what she wants and step up.

It also then means we see Uka growing as a person. She’s taking the care to go outside of her comfort zone. She makes great strides when speaking up, even though her and Kai initially don’t seem to be connecting regarding the change in their status. And when it does click and things get through, it’s so satisfying for them to both sort of… understand. They start to get it. Each of their feelings get through.

I also love how, even though we do get this satisfying element of Uka and Kai being together now, Honey Lemon Soda doesn’t shy away from getting into the challenges that come from a high school romance and connecting with your first love. That initial communication issue? That’s just one part. There’s also the fact that Uka is growing during this process. Throughout this volume, we see her start to step outside of her comfort zone. Part of this is for Kai, of course, but many of the decisions are ones she is also making for herself. One of the earliest ones, and the one that leads to them being separated into different classes, is her choice to pursue a college education. So we have them considering their goals and futures, while still staying together.

I’m not going to spoil what happens in this volume, of course. However, the result ends up being satisfying! We see both Uka and Kai react in a health manner to these obstacles. Namely, with the two just communicating and being together, rather than letting them get in their own heads or others get in the way. 

A lot of the satisfaction in Honey Lemon Soda comes from watching Uka recover from bullying, rebuild her confidence, and find people who love and appreciate her for who she is. We’re constantly seeing her progress in the series. With volume 8 of the manga, we’re seeing the new types of anxieties that can come from the Uka and Kai finally entering a proper relationship. Yet, in again a reassuring way, we get to see that growth and independence doesn’t mean sacrificing people or relationships along the way. It makes me excited to see how Uka and Kai’s romance goes next.

Volume 8 of the Honey Lemon Soda manga is available now, and Yen Press will release volume 9 on June 24, 2025. The anime is available via Crunchyroll. 

The post Honey Lemon Soda Volume 8 Covers Adjustments and Insecurities appeared first on Siliconera.

While Handyman Saitou in Another World often comes across as a slice-of-life isekai story, it also ends up being a serious explorations of characters and their relationships. Never is this so obvious as in volume 6. Because of the nature of the story, we get to see not only how much Saitou means to everyone in his party, but also the nuances of more personal one-on-one pairings.

Editor’s Note: There will be spoilers for volume 6 of the Handyman Saitou in Another World manga below. 3w10s

Volume 6 of Handyman Saitou in Another World volume 6 picks up right where the last volume of the manga left off. Raelza ended up separated from Saitou, Morlock, and Lafanpan went into the dungeon investigating the Golden Dullahan. When that happened, Raelza ended up with the Septicolor Knights leader, the Holy Knight Cadrea. That group is also searching for the unexpectedly strong foe that’s venturing into higher levels of the labyrinth where it hadn’t before. 

Right away, this already provides an opportunity for some insights. Recent installments pointed out the feelings that developed between Saitou and Raelza, as well as the general affection between everyone in the party. So rather than abandon her, the group is trying to reach the level where she dropped. There’s also a sense of respect and immediate camraderie between Raelza and Cadrea, since the two are both strong warriors who loved people they traveled with. 

It’s especially fascinating when we get these glimpses at Saitou’s inner thoughts concerning Raelza. We know he loves her. We’ve also seen over all the volumes how handy he’s proven as a party member, thanks to his versatility. So even if he isn’t physically strong, he’s more than proven his value and worth in a multitude of other ways. But with this separation and possible danger posed by the Golden Dullahan, we’re seeing his anxieties on full display. Given the nature of the foe and the ensuing events, it also makes it easy to see exactly why he might succumb to an attractive offer that would make him exactly who he thinks Raelza might need him to be, even though we have substantial proof over hundreds of pages that he’s already that person.

Likewise, seeing Raelza’s reactions to Saitou when he’s at his worst and in danger are so heartening. Sad, considering what the two are going through, of course. But we’re seeing her respond in kind and do things that put her own safety at risk to show exactly how important he is. She’ll even turn on someone who previously she ired and respected if it means he’ll be safe. 

This goes for everyone. While the focus of this installment is Saitou and Raelza, as well as the comparison in some ways of their romance between Cadrea and her lost love, we also get prime examples of how much Morlock and Lafanpan care about Raelza and Saitou. There’s the fact that neither is willing to abandon either character in the dungeon in Handyman Saitou in Another World volume 6. We also see them going out of their way to keep Saitou safe. This means also putting their own lives at risk, just like Raelza, with Lafanpan’s assertion being even more potentially tragic and chilling.

Of course, I’m not going to spoil the outcome of this excursion into the dungeon, but volume 6 of the Handyman Saitou in Another World manga once again does a fantastic job of developing characters and showcasing relationships. We get an even better look at how the main couple Saitou and Raelza feel about each other. There’s more background showing how everyone in the party feels about one another. It’s just satisfying to see even more interactions involving the group.

Volume 6 of Handyman Saitou in Another World is available now, and Yen Press will release volume 7 on June 24, 2025. The anime is on Crunchyroll. 

The post Handyman Saitou in Another World Manga Volume 6 Highlights Relationships appeared first on Siliconera.

There are so many ways to get into the Sword Art Online story now. You can go with the original light novel, the manga, some game adaptations, or even Sword Art Online the Movie: Ordinal Scale. It is a lot to take in. Yen Press picked up another option and tells a different tale, and we can Sword Art Online: Ordinal Scale in manga form instead of watching it. After going through the first volume, I feel like it’s a way to experience the adventure in greater detail.

Editor’s Note: There will be minor spoilers for the first Sword Art Online story in this Ordinal Scale manga article. 32163g

The Sword Art Online: Ordinal Scale manga begins with a quick refresher that reminds people how the original SAO MMO ended and a promise Kirito and Asuna made to meet again in the real world. However, while those survivors are returning to real life, there’s a hint that some other threat is lurking. We then see that the promises to reunite came true, as Kirito and Asuna are together hanging out with Lisbeth and Silica. The Augma is a new device for staying connected and even playing games, and the latest people turn to is Ordinal Scale. The title ties into real-world promotions, so all three girls are into it. Especially since the Returnee School where survivors attend all got an Augma for free.

It’s about then that the manga introduces to a pivotal character: Yuna. She’s an AI idol in Ordinal Scale and its mascot. Everyone at Kirito and Asuna’s school gets to attend her show. That excitement is tempered by the aforementioned threat. The SAO bosses are appearing in the new game. While some consider them a special event, Kirito seems suspicious. Naturally, the next fight the couple undertakes ends up being one of those inexplicable ones against Kagachi the Samurai Lord. Yuna appears to sing and provide buffs for the fight. 

I’m honestly not sure I’m as much of a fan of this form of presentation for the story. Sword Art Online the Movie: Ordinal Scale offered pretty great pacing, and the abrupt shifts between perspectives and moments felt a little more natural with that type of medium. In the manga adaptation, those transitions are more abrupt. They don’t have the same framing and presentation. So even if we do get a little more focus on certain actions or nuances with these stills, it doesn’t come across as naturally. 

Also, I feel like the manga adaptation makes it a bit more difficult to really capture what’s going on with the antagonist. The way the film is organized, it’s okay for there to be these shadow games and quick glimpses with little introduction. The brevity and nature of the medium helps build the mystery. When we have months between volumes and this more abrupt take, it draws it out in a way I feel isn’t as satisfying.

I’ve read… and watched… and played a lot of Sword Art Online in my time. I think the Sword Art Online: Ordinal Scale manga is fine and an interesting take, even though I preferred the pacing and execution of the film. It’s a great addition to the catalog, and I’m glad it is available in English. However, I think its real sense of worth I think comes from being an incredibly accessible way for a newcomer to quickly hop in and catch up with that story if they don’t have the ability, time, or desire to watch the film.

Volume 1 of the Sword Art Online: Ordinal Scale manga is available on February 18, 2025, and volume 2 is expected to release in May 2025. 

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