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New on Shoujo Shelves – August 2017

July 31, 2017

New releases are debuting on August 1st this month, so this post is coming out right away.

New titles from Kodansha and Shojo Beat this month! I bet lots of people are excited for Vampire Knight Memories. I have been looking forward to reading Kigurumi Guardians. Let’s see what other series are continuing in the month of July:

Editor’s Note: If you come to this list and find something that’s not classified as shoujo, that’s because there are fewer and fewer titles that are strictly shoujo. We are trying to highlight new titles that girls or shoujo fans would be interested in knowing about.

Kodansha Digital

Aoba-kun’s Confessions, vol. 2

Shy girl Mayo starts a job at a strange place called the “Listening House.” She does her best to get Aoba-kun, the most popular kid in school, to share his worries, but he doesn’t open up so easily … During all this, Mayo drops Aoba-kun’s notice to quit the team, and it gets spotted by his friend Nao … ! There’s more to the story of the basketball team and Mayo’s romance in volume 2!

Story and art by Ema Toyama.

Release Date: 8/01/17

Behind the Scenes!!, vol. 4

Ryoji Goda is everything Ranmaru wishes he could be–self-assured, competent, and cool. But when the Art Squad works the final film camp of the summer, Ranmaru gets to see a whole new side to his idol–disappointing son! Goda’s dad seems to criticize everything his son does, and they fight constantly. Finally Ranmaru and Goda have something in common! But the pressure of paternal disapproval pushes Goda to do something shocking that might change the Art Squad forever…

Story and art by Bisco Hatori.

Release Date: 8/01/17

Citrus, vol. 6

The Best Laid Plans…

As the big sister in the family, Yuzu wants to take the lead in her relationship with Mei. But courting your step-sister is a huge challenge, so she turns to the research she’s compiled in her secret notebook. With the help of her “Fall in Love With Mei and Live Happily Ever After Plan,” Yuzu decides it’s time to take the first step: invite Mei on a date. But before she can, Mei discovers the secret notebook…

Story and art by Saburouta.

Release Date: 8/22/17

Finder: Caught in a Cage – vol. 2

Pain and pleasure collide when a sophisticated underworld boss crosses paths with a naive photographer hell-bent on bringing him down!

Impulsive freelance photographer Akihito Takaba isn’t one to back down from a challenge. Undeterred by the ravaging his body took at the hands of crime lord Asami Ryuichi, Akihito stakes out the handsome crime boss’s club hoping to get the information he needs to take him down. Meanwhile, rival mafioso Fei Long returns to Hong Kong after his run-in with Asami and reminisces about their time together seven years earlier. What could the future possibly hold for this very deadly love triangle?

This deluxe edition includes never-before-released material as well as a double-sided color insert and special cover treatment!

Story and art by Ayano Yamane.

Release Date: 8/08/17

First Love Monster, vol. 7

Adults who kiss even though they’re not in love are weird. Kanade worked hard on the perfect hand-made birthday present to give Kaho for her birthday. But when he goes to give it to her, he catches Taga kissing Kaho in the rain! What will happen to this fragile romance?

Story and art by Akira Hiyoshimaru.

Release Date: 8/22/17

Kodansha Digital

The Full Time Wife Escapist, vol. 5

Now that her mother has recovered from her injury, Mikuri is finally able to return home, and this has Hiramasa jumping for joy … on the inside. He just can’t bring himself to show Mikuri how he feels. Will he manage to break out of his shell before their twice-monthly “hug day” is over, or is Mikuri going to have to be the one to initiate yet again?

Story and art by Tsunami Umino.

Release Date: 8/08/17

Haikyu!!, vol. 14

It’s the middle of the quarterfinal round of the Spring Tournament Qualifiers, and Karasuno’s captain, Daichi Sawamura, is injured! With their most reliable player out of the game, the only one who can replace him is…Chikara Ennoshita?! This volume also includes the bonus one-shot chapter “Nisekyu!!”—a collaboration with the author of Nisekoi!

Story and art by Haruichi Furudate.

Release Date: 8/01/17

Kodansha Digital

Kasane, vol. 4

Kasane’s face is so hideous, you couldn’t bear to look twice at her—and her ugliness has forced her to walk a harsh path in life. But her mother left her something: a tube of lipstick. The power of this lipstick will change everything about her downtrodden life.

Story and art by Daruma Matsuura.

Release Date: 8/01/17

Kaze Hikaru, vol. 25

Shinsengumi vice captain Toshizo recounts his youth as an aspiring swordsman and his budding relationship with captain Kondo. Later, Kondo, Toshizo and Tominaga Sei, a female samurai living as a man, confront internal strife when money goes missing from the Shinsengumi’s coffer. Sei must face her fears when Shinsengumi leadership hands down a terrible punishment to a fellow warrior.

Story and art by Taeko Watanabe.

Release Date: 8/01/17

Kigurumi Guardians, vol. 1 **New Series**

Hakka Sasakura’s life is about to turn upside-down. She comes home from a day of admiring the student body president only to discover that a mysterious creature resembling a man in an animal suit has taken up residence at her home! What’s more, she’s been chosen to work with this strange being to fight off invaders from another dimension and save the world…and she has to kiss him to do so?!

Lily Hoshino, the beloved artist behind Mawaru Penguindrum, offers her cute and twisted take on the magical girl genre. You probably never thought Sailor Moon needed more hot older guys in full-body mascot costumes, but Kigurumi Guardians will bring you around!

Story and art by by Lily Hoshino.

Release Date: 8/29/17

Kiss & White Lily for My Dearest Girl, vol. 3

Ayaka Shiramine and Yurine Kurosawa have started a new year at school as second years and are classmates once again. Yurine is practically assaulting the gardening club so she can join. Meanwhile the rest club struggles valiantly to ensure the survival of the rose garden. Amidst this, they meet Yukina Ooshiro and Towako Mita. The story of kissing girls continues!

Story and art by Canno.

Release Date: 8/22/17

Kodansha Digital

Kounodori – Dr. Stork, vol. 2

Childbirth isn’t an illness, so under normal circumstances, insurance won’t cover it. Delivery staff doesn’t cure disease or treat injuries, so there’s no need for a doctor…unless, of course, circumstances aren’t normal. This smash-hit drama gives a look into the lives of the men and women who work to welcome 1,000,000 new lives into the world each year in Japan.

Story and art by You Suzunoki.

Release Date: 8/01/17

Kuroko’s Basketball 2-in-1 edition, vol. 7

Seirin’s made it into the Winter Cup! The team decides to take a break at a hot spring in preparation for the tournament. While there, they run into Aomine and are surprised to learn that To-Oh Academy, the very same team that blew them out in the Inter-High qualifiers, will be their first opponent! Features volume 13 & 14.

Story and art by Tadatoshi Fujimaki.

Release Date: 8/01/17

LDK, vol. 10

Although Aoi’s father found out about their housing situation, Aoi and Shusei are still allowed to live together, but on one particular condition…Before long, the two of them begin their final year of high school, and end up in the same class. Now the couple will be together around the clock! However, with Shusei as a classmate, Aoi is disappointed to see a side of him that she’s never seen before. She must balance her friendships, both new and old, but what will she do about her own roommate?!

Story and art by Ayu Watanabe.

Release Date: 8/08/17

Kodansha Digital

Love’s Reach, vol. 2

Girl genius Yuni and heartthrob teacher Sakurai are in a secret relationship no one knows about. Yuni wants to celebrate her birthday with Sakurai, but he’s so busy with work that she missed her chance and invited her friends to her house instead. Yuni’s family also makes an appearance, and everyone is having a great time at the birthday party! But, as expected, she feels lonely without Sakurai there … What will happen next?!

Story and art by Rin Mikimoto.

Release Date: 8/01/17

Maid-sama! 2-in-1 edition, vol. 9 **Last Volume**

Misaki undergoes strict training on how to become a lady before visiting Usui in England! Later, she decides to apply to a highly selective university… With everyone heading down different paths toward the future, will Misaki and Usui be able to find happiness together? Collects volumes 17 & 18 in one edition.

Story and art by Hiro Fujiwara.

Release Date: 8/01/17

Kodansha Digital

Our Precious Conversations, vol. 2

Nozomi Aizawa has has kept her feelings for her schoolmate Azuma-kun a secret for quite a while, but the time has come for her to finally confess. His response, though, is far from ordinary! Led in circles by his hilarious tangents, these two awkward teenagers find themselves growing ever closer while muddling through misunderstandings and off-topic rants. When the airheaded stalker Aizawa-san finally connects with the petulant know-it-all Azuma-kun, the result is a romantic comedy worth talking about!

Story and art by Robico.

Release Date: 8/08/17

Kodansha Digital

Peach Heaven, vol. 5

High-school student and erotica author Momoko is supermodel Ranmaru’s slave. Normally, Ranmaru can be sadistic as hell, but he occasionally lets Momoko catch a glimpse of his kinder side. Lately, Momoko’s been starting to think that maybe things aren’t so bad the way they are … until Ranmaru says he doesn’t want her to be his slave anymore! Things get a lot more intimate in volume 5!

Story and art by Mari Yoshino.

Release Date: 8/15/17

She and Her Cat

“It was the start of spring. It was raining. That was the day that she brought me home.”

This is the story of Miyu, a woman who lives alone with her cat, Chobi. As Miyu navigates the world of adulthood, she discovers both the freedom and loneliness that come with living independently, and Chobi learns of the outside world through her actions. Time drifts slowly for Miyu and her cat, but the harsh realities of the world soon catch up…

Story by Makoto Shinkai and art by Tsubasa Yamaguchi.

Release Date: 8/01/17

So Cute It Hurts, vol. 14

The earthquake is over, but the aftermath is still devastating the region. Mitsuru and Azusa try to put the power of the Tokugawa Group to good use while others, including Megumu and her mom, rush to Sendai to look for their missing loved ones. Megumu wants to hold on to hope, but Aoi still isn’t picking up his phone…

Story and art by Go Ikeyamada.

Release Date: 8/01/17

Ten Count, vol. 5

Seeing Kurose for the first time in two months, Shirotani takes a big step forward in their relationship—and his treatment—by holding hands with Kurose. Then, after Kurose fails to invite him home, Shirotani chases after him! Could this new, more impulsive side of Shirotani signal a new phase in this tumultuous relationship?

Story and art by Rihito Takarai.

Release Date: 8/08/17

Kodansha Digital

Tokyo Tarareba Girls, vol. 6

“If I had done this … ” “If only that would happen … ” It’s not like we’re seeking happiness beyond our stations. But what’s wrong with dreaming a little?! Those were our feelings as we told our What-If stories, but what we ended up with instead is a far too bleak reality. We’re trying our hardest, but the future we imagined for ourselves when we were young is so, so far away!

Story and art by Akiko Higashimura.

Release Date: 8/15/17

Vampire Knight Memories, vol. 1 **New Series**

Immortal tales of the past and present from the world of Vampire Knight.

Vampire Knight returns with collection of stories that delve into Yuki and Zero’s time as a couple in the past and explore the relationship between Yuki’s children and Kaname in the present.

After a fierce battle between humans and vampires, a temporary peace was established, but Kaname continued to sleep within a coffin of ice… Yuki gave Kaname her heart to revive him as a human being.

These are the stories of what happened during those 1,000 years of Kaname’s slumber and at the start of his human life.

Story and art by Matsuri Hino.

Release Date: 8/01/17

What Did You Eat Yesterday? vol. 12

As his clients get on in years, Kenji starts offering house call haircuts, which leads to the most emotional moment of Kenji’s career as a stylist. Shino asks for someone to split the burden of clerical work at the office and the firm ends up with a very perceptive new employee. And Kohinata calls Shiro in a panic asking for help with Gilbert, and ultimately makes Shiro a very intriguing offer…

Story and art by Fumi Yoshinaga.

Release Date: 8/22/17

Yona of the Dawn, vol. 7

In order to free the port town of Awa from an evil tyrant, Yona and her friends team up with Jaeha, the Green Dragon, and his fellow pirates. While Hak and the others are fighting Yang Kum-ji’s forces, Yona and Yun infiltrate a human trafficking operation! When the enemy closes in and things look dire, what will Yona do?

Story and art by Mizuho Kusanagi.

Release Date: 8/01/17