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New on Shoujo Shelves – April 2016

April 4, 2016

No foolin’! It’s the beginning of April, and it’s time to find out what shoujo titles are showing up on shelves this month. No new series this month, but we are getting the final volumes of The Wallflower and Library Wars: Love & War. I think I reread the last scene in Library Wars about five times. It’s soooo good! Let’s see what other shoujo and josei manga are continuing in the month of April:

The Ancient Magus’ Bride, vol. 4

Chise Hatori of manga series The Ancient Magus’ Bride, 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: 4/5/16

The Demon Prince of Momochi House, vol. 4

Himari Momochi inherits Momochi House, an estate that exists on the barrier between the human and spiritual realms. All knowledge of Aoi’s existence has been expunged from the outside world, but there is one who still faintly remembers him—Aoi’s childhood friend Hayato Hidaka. Hayato seeks out Himari, but it is said anyone who becomes involved with him will be cursed!

Story and art by Aya Shouoto.

Release Date: 4/5/16

Emma Omnibus, vol. 4

With the postmark of Emma’s last letter–and his heart–guiding him, William makes a bold journey across the Atlantic to begin his search for Emma in the town of Burnley in the United States.

Even if he finds her among the hundreds of new arrivals from England, the life ahead of them will not be an easy one. The broken engagement of the Viscount’s daughter has set him–and, through him, all of London society–against the Joneses, and it will take time to rebuild those business and social relationships.

Even more difficult will be convincing society that Emma is worthy to join their ranks despite her humble origins. With dogged persistence, patience, and a little help from Mrs. Molders, Emma and William aim to carve out a place in this world where their love can thrive at last!

Story and art by Kaoru Mori.

Release Date: 4/26/16

First Love Monster, vol. 4

Though Kaho and Kanade break up due to Kanade’s own immaturity, the fifth grader soon realizes just how precious Kaho is to him. Which leads to the completely mature actions of chasing her home, serenading her with piano-accompanied love songs, and even making an emergency marriage proposal?! Surely the age gap between the two means marriage is impossible–but Kaho and Kanade tentatively exchange vows! Meanwhile, it seems like a new threat is waiting to test the young couple’s relationship–and that busty high school girl and devilish college student are at the center of it!

Story and art by Akira Hiyoshimaru.

Release Date: 4/26/16

Honey So Sweet, vol. 2

Although Nao Kogure was once afraid of the delinquent Taiga Onise, she was soon touched by his kind soul. Nao and Taiga stopped dating when Nao became confused by her feelings for the two different men in her life. Now that they’re just friends, Nao begins to realize who she truly has romantic feelings for.

Story and art by Amu Meguro.

Release Date: 4/5/16

Horimiya, vol. 3

The longer Hori and Miyamura keep each other’s secrets, the more the distance between them slowly shrinks. Soon, Hori’s racking her brain to find a wordless way to tell Miyamura how she feels. But when she lets slip an “I like you” without thinking, how will Miyamura respond to Hori’s confession…?

Story by HERO and art by Daisuke Hagiwara.

Release Date: 4/26/16

Kiss Him, Not Me, vol. 4

Hi again! It’s me, Kae! After sweating it out with the boys, I’ve slimmed down again, but the fujoshi in me will never fade away!

After everything that happened in the last volume, Igarashi has now fallen in love with the true me. He’s decided to continue his pursuit, but this time, he means business!

Igarashi’s new resolve also spurs a change in Nanashima, and he doubles his efforts to win me over. It’s great that they’re both so fired up, but what’s firing me up is the thought of them possibly getting hot and heavy with each other…

Kiss Him, Not Me! volume 4 includes extras such as a White Day-themed bonus comic and sketches of never-before-revealed character designs!

Story and art by JUNKO.

Release Date: 4/5/16

LDK, vol. 4

A series of unexpected occurrences along with some exciting and thrill-filled summer events bring Aoi and Shusei closer than ever before. And with the rising temperature, things start to heat up in their living arrangement! Will Aoi’s seemingly impossible love come to fruition or will it all pass as just another summer romance?

Story and art by Ayu Watanabe.

Release Date: 4/19/16

Library Wars: Love & War, vol. 15 **Final Volume**

The war between the Library Forces and the government’s censorship committee heats up! Iku Kasahara, once a lowly Library Forces recruit, is now a high-profile militia member, undercover and off the radar as she accompanies a censored author to a foreign embassy. All the while, her mentor and secret love Dojo is recovering from a gunshot wound. The last time she saw Dojo, Iku vowed to tell him her true feelings, but now she’s not sure she can go through with it. Are Iku and Dojo destined to be together, or will the battle for books tear them apart?

Story and art by Kiiro Yumi, Original concept by Hiro Arikawa.

Release Date: 4/5/16

Missions of Love, vol. 12

SIBLING RIVALRY

When Yukina goes to Shigure’s house to apologize, her attempts are thwarted by the appearance of Shigure’s brother Hisame! This twisted sibling will do anything to discredit his brother and torment his beloved Mami, but what is he plotting this time? Meanwhile, Yukina and Akira are technically still a couple…

Story and art by Ema Toyama.

Release Date: 4/26/16

My Love Story, vol. 8

Takeo and Yamato spend their days deeply in love. Yamato invites Takeo to a date at her house, but what’s in store when Takeo meets Yamato’s family for the first time? Furthermore, Takeo now has a rival in love! What will the gentle giant do about his incredibly handsome foe?!

Story by Kazune Kawahara and art by Aruko.

Release Date: 4/5/16

Say, ‘I Love You’ , vol. 13

Graduation is only a few months away and Mei and Yamato have both found their future careers. Mei has decided to go into childcare and Yamato will become a professional photographer. But not everyone has found their place. Megumi uses the summer break to travel to Paris in an attempt to make it as an international model, but she quickly discovers that she doesn’t have the same appeal as she does back home. Megumi will do anything it takes to break into the industry, but she may have to rely on local help to overcome the many hurdles that stand in her way…

Story and art by Kanae Hazuki.

Release Date: 4/19/16

A Silent Voice, vol. 6

Time stands still for both Shoya and Shoko. Triggered by past traumas, Shoya coldly attacked his friends and burnt the bridges he first set out to rebuild. Shoko feels a deep responsibility for this disaster and attempts to pay for it by taking her own life. Meanwhile, each of their friends finally show their true colors. After everything has fallen apart, how will they mend their hearts and put the pieces back together?

Story and art by Yoshitoki Oima.

Release Date: 4/19/16

So Cute It Hurts, vol. 6

Megumu is considering a career as a manga artist, but as Mitsuru so helpfully points out, her drawing skills could use a lot of improvement. That doesn’t dim her enthusiasm, and she vows to practice drawing every day. But her first sketching session in a park is interrupted by an intense young man who goes ballistic when he sees the portrait of Aoi in her sketchbook! Who is this stranger, and why does he want to destroy her boyfriend?!

Story and art by Go Ikeyamada.

Release Date: 4/5/16

The Wallflower, vol. 36 **Final Volume**

The mad dash to ladyhood for horror-girl Sunako and her dazzlingly beautiful boys draws to a close in their last adventure. Things start to heat up for Sunako and Kyohei, as the romance between the unlikely couple reaches maximum levels!

As they interact with each other at a Halloween party, the Mori High Cultural Festival, and even a cruise ship, it seems that Sunako may finally become a lady! But you can be the judge of that as you read the final volume of The Wallflower!

Includes special extras after the story!

Story and art by Tomoko Hayakawa.

Release Date: 4/26/16

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz & The Marvelous Land of Oz

Combining the classic novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, and its sequel, The Marvelous Land of Oz, into one lavishly-illustrated edition, readers will be able to re-experience the original story that spawned numerous popular plays, television shows, and films. The work will feature lovely manga-inspired illustrations by artist Kriss Sison, who previously illustrated an omnibus edition of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass.

Follow young Dorothy Gale as she is whisked away to the strange and magical world of Oz. There she meets a host of endearing and colorful characters, such as the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion. Dorothy and her new-found friends will embark on a grand adventure to seek out the mysterious Wizard of Oz who can grant any wish, and thwart the Wicked Witch of the West. Then readers will meet young Tip, a boy from Oz who has been victimized by the wicked witch known as Mombi. Can Tip defeat the witch, against impossible odds, and discover his true destiny? Find out in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz & The Marvelous Land of Oz Manga

Story by L. Frank Baum and Art by Kriss Sison

Release Date: 4/19/16

I’ve already scarfed down my volumes of Library Wars and So Cute It Hurts! and I still have more volumes to read of other series.