Article

Kodansha Licenses 5 ( Yes 5! ) New Shoujo Titles at NYCC

October 6, 2016

Major shoujo goodness from Kodansha today, with their announcement at the New York Comic Convention. The publisher will be releasing 5 new titles for their shoujo/josei manga catalog. The series are all ones I’ve previously read in Kodansha Japan’s magazines like Dessert and Betsufure. And I promise they’re all good ones, peeps!

Images and Synopses are from Kodansha’s website.

Kigurumi Boueitai (Kigurumi Defense Squad) – Lily Hoshino

From the creator of Otome Yokai Zakuro and character designer of acclaimed anime Mawaru Penguindrum comes another whimsical, modern fairy tale! 14-year-old Sasakura’s normal life is shaken up when she comes home to find a giant, mascot-like creature in her house. This kigurumi spirit, named Ginger, tasks her with protecting the world. If that’s not enough to take on, Ginger can also transform into a handsome young man. Fans of Hoshino Lily’s beautiful artwork and creative world-building won’t be disappointed!

Gozen 0-ji, Kiss Shi ni Kite yo (Kiss Me at the Stroke of Midnight) – Mikimoto Rin

To most people, Hinana is a model high school student, but she secretly yearns for a fairy tale romance straight out of a shojo manga. She finally gets the chance to meet her prince when Ayase, a popular actor, shows up at her high school. But this prince isn’t a charming knight at all… he’s actually a pervert!

Some of you might recognize the art style as this is by the same mangaka that drew Kyou no Kira-kun. My online pal Kuroneko already has a nickname for the male protagonist of this series- she calls him ass-man! LOL! He’s into the backsides of girls the most. I can’t wait to start getting this series in English.

Haru Matsu Bokura (Waiting for Spring) – Anashin

Mitsuki has been always been a loner, but high school offers the chance to break out of her shell and try to open up to people. The true friendship she seeks arrive in the unexpected form of four handsome guys from the basketball team! Mitsuki realizes there’s more than meets the eye to these boys, and together this unlikely group may be able to help her learn to really connect with others.

This one is my FAVORITE new license. I have the first 3 volumes of this in Japanese. Definitely makes your heart go “doki, doki”. Anashin knows how to draw good looking boys. I’m so excited for this series!

My fav frontis page. 😉

Ohayou, Ibarahime (Wake Up, Sleeping Beauty) – Morino Mei

Satoshi, a 16-year-old high school student, gets a job as a caretaker of a beautiful mansion surrounded by roses. He is drawn to Shizu, the mysterious girl who lives there. Behind her blank stare lurks a supernatural secret, and Satoshi wants to help her. But can he overcome his fear of ghosts to get closer to this strange girl?

This one is great for the supernatural romance aspect. I’ve read some of it in Dessert and it’s really good. If you like magical shoujo this one is for you.

Frau Faust – Kore Yamazaki

From the creator of the fantasy hit The Ancient Magus’ Bride, Kore Yamazaki, comes a josei reinterpretation of the classic Faust legend. An unlikely partnership forms when traveling scholar Joanna Faust comes across a down-and-out boy in search of books. She offers to be his teacher in exchange for his help in her search for something important to her.

It’s a josei fantasy title?! Kore Yamazaki fans should be thrilled we’re getting another series by her.

What new license interests you the most?

2 Comments

Haru Matsu Bokura was the one that most struck my fancy as well as I’ve recently been trying to get back into reading Shojo Manga and after reading Name of the Flower and Ballad of a Shinigami and haveing The Prince in His Dark Days on pre-order. I need something light and Haru Matsu Bokura looks to be just that. Also could possibly turn into a reverse harem series and I like Reverse Harem series so there is that as well.

Aaron Oct 11, 2016
- Haru Matsu Bokura is more of a love triangle than a reverse harem. But it’s really good! I think Kiss Me At the Stroke of Midnight would be lighter fair, as its more of a romantic comedy.
  
  Laura Oct 22, 2016