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New on Shoujo Shelves – May 2015

May 5, 2015

It’s Golden Week in Japan, and here in North America we’re hoping to land something golden as well. Let’s take a look at what titles are being newly released in the shoujo and josei manga genre for the month of May 2015.

Alice in the Country of Clover – Twin Lovers

Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum are the “Bloody Twins,” amorous and affable killers who are able to transform themselves into adorable children or suavely handsome adults. As the gatekeepers to the Hatter Mansion, they tried to kill Alice once. Now they are hopelessly in love with her. In this newest adventure, will either Dee or Dum win Alice’s affections, and more importantly, will she survive their screwball courtship?

Story by Quinrose and Art by Kei Shichiri.

Release Date: May 26, 2015

The Ancient Magus’ Bride, vol. 1 – New Series

Hatori Chise has lived a life full of neglect and abuse, devoid of anything resembling love. Far from the warmth of family, she has had her share of troubles and pitfalls. Just when all hope seems lost, a fateful encounter awaits her. When a man with the head of a beast, wielding strange powers, obtains her through a slave auction, Chise’s life will never be the same again.

The man is a “magus,” a sorcerer of great power, who decides to free Chise from the bonds of captivity. The magus then makes a bold statement: Chise will become his apprentice – and his bride!

Story and art by Kore Yamazaki.

Release Date: May 12, 2015

Ani-Imo, vol. 3

Hikaru is pressuring Youta to take their relationship too far and too fast for her brother, who still can’t see Hikaru as anything but a little sister. But Hikaru is not willing to take “no” for an answer. As tensions escalate between the siblings-turned-lovers, onlookers Oda and Mayama can’t help but notice “Hikaru”‘s uncertainty – a weakness Oda fully intends to exploit! But the opportunity turns to disaster when Oda and Mayama’s hasty pursuit leads to an accident that changes everything…

Story and art by Haruko Kurumatani.

Release Date: May 19, 2015

Emma, vol. 1 Hardcover Omnibus

Calling upon his inimitable former governess, young aristocrat William Jones is startled to find his knock answered by a clever, bespectacled maid – Emma. From that moment forward, the two are drawn to each other and slowly but surely grow ever closer. But as the love between Emma and William builds, so too do the obstacles that threaten to keep them apart. For in Victorian London, some things are simply not done, and marrying outside of one’s social class just happens to be one such taboo…

Story and art by Kaoru Mori.

Release Date: May 19, 2015

Manga Classics: Emma

This volume brings Jane Austen’s classic tale of youthful folly and romantic exuberance to a modern audience. The impulsive match-making of Emma Woodhouse delivers both humor and heartache through the artwork of manga-ka Po Tse.

Story by Jane Austen and Art by Po Tse.

Release Date: May 13, 2015

Goong, vol. 18

During the Royal Family’s first public interview with Prince Sun, the nation is shocked when the youngest prince accidentally reveals Shin’s intention to get married and leave the Palace! Recognizing Sun’s voice from her mysterious phone call a few nights previous, Chae-Kyung drags her new boyfriend to the Royal Family’s parade. Shin spots her from the car, and Chae-Kyung follows him to the Palace, where they are reunited…

Story and art by Park SoHee.

Release Date: May 19, 2015

Kiss of the Rose Princess, vol. 4

High school student Anise Yamamoto is the “Rose Princess” who commands four handsome knights. She is quickly trying to fix the Demon Lord’s seal to free herself and her knights from the Rose Contract that binds them to her. Her knights have entered a boy-band contest to win a mysterious Arcana Card, but do they have what it takes to be idols?!

Story and art by Aya Shouoto.

Release Date: May 5, 2015

Millennium Snow, vol. 3-4 Omnibus

Toya still can’t shake his blood aversion, even though Chiyuki would happily share hers with him, and the malnutrition is starting to take its toll. Chiyuki tries to supplement his diet with solid food, but that’s just barely enough to keep him alive. Can Chiyuki find a way to support her vampire when he refuses the help she knows he needs?

Story and art by Bisco Hatori.

Release Date: May 5, 2015

My Little Monster, vol. 8

The second year of high school is here, but Haru’s been moved to another class all by himself! At first, the former chronic truant refuses even to enter the strange classroom, but with Shizuku’s “encouragement,” he slowly comes to terms with the change. Shizuku begins to feel she’s really reaching Haru, especially compared to how things used to be, but then the unexpected arrival of a new student throws things out of whack, and Yamaken finally begins to move… What could possibly come next?

Story and art by Robico.

Release Date: May 26, 2015

Nisekoi, vol. 9

Raku’s crush, Kosaki Onodera, has a younger sister – Haru! She’s determined to protect Kosaki from what she perceives to be Raku’s playboy ways. Meanwhile, assassin Paula joins Haru’s class with a secret mission in mind – to set up Raku with fellow assassin Tsugumi!

Story and art by Naoshi Komi.

Release Date: May 5, 2015

Manga Classics: The Scarlet Letter

A tale of forbidden love, shame, and revenge comes to life in this new edition, bringing fresh insight into the Nathaniel Hawthorne’s tragic saga of Puritan America.

Story by Nathaniel Hawthorne and Art by SunNeko Lee.

Release Date: May 13, 2015

A Silent Voice, vol. 1 New Series

Shoya is a bully. When Shoko, a girl who can’t hear, enters his elementary school class, she becomes their favorite target, and Shoya and his friends goad each other into devising new tortures for her. But the children’s cruelty goes too far. Shoko is forced to leave the school, and Shoya ends up shouldering all the blame. Six years later, the two meet again. Can Shoya make up for his past mistakes, or is it too late?

Story and art by Yoshitoki Oima.

Release Date: May 26, 2015

Spell of Desire, vol. 4

In order to become a Black Witch, Kaoruko makes a pledge with Kaname. However, that means that Kaname will be breaking his pledge as a knight and betraying the Witch Queen! If the Witch Queen awakens, Kaname will suffer a terrible punishment… Meanwhile, Kaoruko is being stalked by someone who is after her powers!

Story and art by Tomu Ohmi.

Release Date: May 5, 2015

Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle, Omnibus 4

Syaoran and his world-hopping friends find themselves in grave danger as they continue their inter-dimensional search for Princess Sakura’s missing memories! After the godlike Ashura-o kills the mighty Yasha-o, the country of Shura hangs in the balance – and Syaoran will do anything he can to correct the past.

Then, the dimension travelers are off to Piffle World, where the prize for the lucky pilot who wins the elusive Dragonfly Race is one of Princess Sakura’s memories! But when contestants are eliminated from the competition unexpectedly, the friends fear that someone may be rigging the race with booby traps. Can the culprit be found before it’s too late? And will any of our heroes emerge victorious? Princess Sakura’s memories – and now their lives – depend on it!

Collects volumes 10-12 in an omnibus format.

Story and art by CLAMP..

Release Date: May 5, 2015

I’m really excited for some of our new series debuting this month. I can’t wait to dive into The Ancient Magus’ Bride and A Silent Voice. I’m looking forward to the next volume of Kiss of the Rose Princess as well. Also we’re getting the new reprint of Koaru Mori’s Emma this month, along with two new manga classics from Udon, The Scarlet Letter and Emma.

What series will you be picking up?

4 Comments

[…] Over in shoujo land, Shojo Beat posts their pretty releases for the month, and Heart of Manga rounds us out with a month full of releases. […]

Feedly Friday: May 8, 2015 - Manga Connection May 08, 2015
I’m glad to see that Emma is getting an Omnibus release!

Alexis May 06, 2015
- And it’s in hardcover which is nice for collectors! 🙂
  
  Laura May 06, 2015
Definitely Ancient Magus Bride-did very well in Japan. Also Emma, A Silent Voice and Kiss of the Rose Princess. Already own the Tsubasa series, but I can definitely recommend it to anyone wondering about it. Truly worth the read.

Mary May 06, 2015