Kara Dennison
September 20, 2024 
Ready to add some new manga volumes to your shelf? Kodansha is preparing to kick off three series in print starting next month! And we’ve got reviews of all of them, so you can be ready to pick your faves.
Whether you in the mood for magic, epic interdimensional battles, or just some more BLUE LOCK, next month’s offerings have you covered. Check out our early thoughts on these upcoming manga releases!
Versus, Volume 1
For this new manga, all we really need to say is that it’s from the author of One-Punch Man and Mob Psycho 100. But while ONE’s CV tells a story in and of itself, there’s much more to Versus than that pedigree alone. The series takes place in a magical world beset by powerful demons. As humanity’s perfect predators, their prey can hardly fight back. But soon, a small team gets a brilliant plan to turn the tables. But in an attempt to save their world, humanity opens a door to an even bigger problem.
Giving away the twist of Versus volume 1 would be doing readers a disservice. Suffice to say, it’s not going where you expect it to. The phenomenal writing we’ve come to expect of ONE combines with planning from bose and action-packed artwork by Kyoutarou Azuma to create a genre-busting adventure. It looks like it’s going to be big, so you’ll want to get in on the ground floor for this one.
Versus Vol. 1 goes on sale October 15.
BLUE LOCK: Episode Nagi, Vol. 1
With a new season of BLUE LOCK about to kick off, we’re craving more of our favorite soccer egotists. Now, you can finally own the inspiration for the anime’s movie in print with this new manga release! BLUE LOCK: Episode Nagi retells the beginnings of the BLUE LOCK program from a new point of view in this first chapter. The exercises and speeches are familiar, but we peek behind different doors as Reo Mikage and Seishiro Nagi fight their way to the top.
Muneyuki Kaneshiro continues to pen this spinoff of the original manga. Tesla Note artist Kota Sannomiya does fantastic work as the manga’s main artist, working from Yusuke Nomura’s character designs. If you’re a BLUE LOCK fan, this is a must-have. And even if you’re not, this side story might encourage you to pick up the main series.
BLUE LOCK: Episode Nagi Vol. 1 goes on sale October 15.
The Spellbook Library, Volume 1
There are a lot of new manga about magical boys. If those have been appealing to you, The Spellbook Library may be one to check out. The series hails from Uta Isaki, who also penned Is Love the Answer? This new series takes place in a world where magic-wielding librarians fight and contain powerful spellbeasts. Yan was rescued by one such librarian and thus wants to join the Spellbook Library himself. So does Tohru, a mysterious young boy whose reasons are less clear. Passing will require both cleverness and magical prowess. But they don’t end up quite where they planned.
The Spellbook Library sports gorgeous art and character designs, but never takes itself too seriously. A blend of action, comedy, and magical battles, it’s a great fit for readers who want to recapture that Cardcaptor Sakura feeling.
The Spellbook Library Vol. 1 goes on sale October 22.
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