Kara Dennison
May 3, 2025 
Summer is just around the corner. Whether you’re going on vacation, staycation, or just need a break from summer responsibilities, you’ll want some manga to hand. And Kodansha has several awesome titles coming your way next month!
Read on as we explore the first volumes of two upcoming releases—one of which already has an anime to its name. Then check out what else is coming from the manga publisher in June!
Issak Vol. 1
Starting in June, Kodansha will be offering the historical drama Issak in a 2-in-1 omnibus addition! This series from Yuugo creator Shinji Makari and XS-Hybrid creator DOUBLE-S is a unique and compelling story. Set during the Thirty Years War, the manga follows title character Issak: a Japanese warrior traveling Europe. He’s a master marksman with an unusual gun. And he has one goal: find the man who killed his meister and take revenge.
Issak itself is a gorgeous manga, uniting stunning art with action-packed story. You don’t have to be a history buff to fall in love with this one. The character of Issak, inspired by a tiny drawing on a 17th century map, owns the story from the moment of his arrival. It’s a must for Vinland Saga readers. Additionally, the omnibus printing is a treat. Sporting historical notes, author’s notes, and more, it’s a must-have for manga collectors.
Issak Omnibus, Vol. 1 goes on sale June 10.
Senpai Is an Otokonoko Vol. 1
The surprisingly sweet Senpai Is an Otokonoko has already made waves via its anime adaptation. Next month, Kodansha brings the original manga to an English-speaking audience! Senpai Is an Otokonoko: My Crossdressing Classmate kicks off with first-year Saki confessing her love to Makoto, a beautiful upperclassman. But as a new student, Saki is out of the loop. Makoto is a boy! But that news, if anything, makes Saki love Makoto even more. But she’s not alone: Makoto’s childhood friend Ryuji also has conflicted feelings about his beautiful bestie.
While the love geometry of Senpai Is an Otokonoko would be enough to carry this series, the manga digs deeper. While Saki and Ryuji vie for Makoto’s attention, he contends with his identity and self-image. This is more than just a love-comedy of errors: it’s a serious interrogation of identity, why we love what we love, and why we hide who we are. Even within this first volume, the manga’s deeper themes are striking. If you loved the anime, pick this one up. If you’ve never seen the anime… pick this one up.
Senpai Is an Otokonoko: My Crossdressing Classmate Vol. 1 goes on sale June 17.
More Upcoming Titles
Kodansha has even more big titles, old and new, scheduled for release next month! Shoujo fans will want to jump on both volumes of Codename Sailor V, now reprinted as Volumes 11 and 12 of the publisher’s Naoko Takeuchi Collection. A Sign of Affection and The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity also get new volumes this month. And the tragic fantasy magical girl series I Want to Love You Till Your Dying Day locks in Volume 3.
Not your style? There’s plenty of action to be had, too! From Initial D to DEAD ROCK, with lots of isekai in between, there are multiple new releases dropping every week. Keep an eye on the Kodansha release calendar and the K Manga app for more!
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