Kara Dennison
October 3, 2024 
Add some new manga to your shelf next month with these fresh releases from Kodansha! This trio of first volumes introduces stories of unlikely romance, political intrigue, and even a potential multiverse. Join us as we preview all three, and be sure to pre-order your favorites!
Thunder 3
In this inventive new manga from Yuki Ikeda, three boys transcend the boundaries of manga and real life to save the world! Thunder 3 blends retro manga style with modern realism to bring a mind-bending sci-fi story to life, centered on Pyontaro. The son of a manga artist discovers his adoring little sister Futaba has gone missing, and he and his two besties will cross realities to bring her home.
A strange disc from a schoolteacher opens a portal to a new world. By comparison, the “Small Three” appear to be manga characters brought to life. But the new world they find themselves in isn’t our world exactly. It’s been overrun by dangerous aliens. Fortunately, the three boys are extremely resilient, effectively giving them superpowers. What follows is a unique and entertaining story that’s as innovative as it is eye-catching. It’s a fantastic blend of modern and classic styles, in both story and art.
Thunder 3 Vol. 1 goes on sale November 5.
Snow and Ink
Wealthy heiress Freya has done many things to disappoint both her family and the kingdom at large. But she’s just made her strangest choice yet: buying the murderer Neneo before he can be executed. Initially, it’s because she needs a fierce bodyguard. But before long, the two outcasts find comfort in each other’s company. And slowly, the new manga Snow and Ink turns into a surprisingly charming romance.
The art and the story are both beautiful, with the unlikely romance kicking off early and moving into complex subplots of intrigue and deception. Neneo’s story is, as one might expect, much more complex than simply being a murderer. The worldbuilding is spun out alongside the story of Freya and Neneo’s budding romance, allowing readers to immerse themselves in the new setting without becoming overwhelmed. This one is definitely worth sticking with if you’re a fan of stories like My Happy Marriage and Sacrificial Princess and the King of Beasts.
Snow and Ink Vol. 1 goes on sale November 5.
Sheltering Eaves
This new manga from Perfect World writer Rie Aruga is more than just a coming-of-age story. Sheltering Eaves is an in-depth look into group homes and the foster system in Japan. Told through the eyes of teenagers Yoru and Tenjaku, the series provides uncommon insight into the struggles that orphans and abandoned children face, even in the kindest of living environments.
After being discarded by an emotionally abusive mother, Yoru finds her footing at a new group home. There she meets Tenjaku, who was physically abused by his father. As they approach the age at which they must go out into the world, they navigate a “normal” high school life. From the misconceptions of classmates to the changing emotions of the parents who abandoned them, the pair cling to each other through their difficulties. It’s an emotional and important read.
