Furudate, Haruichi. Haikyu!! (3-in-1 Edition). illus. by Haruichi Furudate. Haikyu!! Bk. 1-3. 600p. Viz. Jul. 2024. pap. $16.99. ISBN 9781974747092.
Gr 7 Up–Ever since Hinata saw the “Little Giant” prove that one’s height isn’t a necessary factor to be great at volleyball, he has been determined to work hard and become the best volleyball player ever. To do this, Hinata must team up with his former rival, Tobio Kageyama, whose nickname is the “King of the Court.” When the two learn to put aside their individual egos, they create a power move that is deadly on the court, but the whole team must still bring their disparate elements together. This manga satisfies the typical sports tropes of hard work paying off, but Furudate also builds up each one of his characters until readers will have favorites and wish they had more page time. Furudate borrows some visual elements that are typically seen in action manga and incorporates them in his illustrations, with zooming lines and intense perspective angles to show speed and skill, but also to heighten the excitement throughout so it reads like a battle manga at times. VERDICT This 3-in-1 edition is a great investment for libraries looking to save a little bit of shelf space while offering a perennial favorite that will resonate with readers for years to come.–Sara Smith

Ito, Junji. Alley: Junji Ito Story Collection. illus. by Junji Ito. 344p. (Junji Ito). Viz. Jul. 2024. Tr $25. ISBN 9781974736034.
Gr 10 Up–In this collection of short stories, master horror mangaka Ito revisits classic body horror tropes, like the invasion of privacy, monsters connected by myriad protuberances from the mouth, mold spores growing over host bodies, and more. There are also other horror topics covered in the anthology, such as murderous twins, nefarious ice cream men, and strange, floating, catatonic missing persons. Ito continues to shock, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions as to what’s happening up until the opportune moment of reveal. Ito achieves this through his signature dark lines and deep shadows, featuring detailed backgrounds in situational horror scenes where vividness makes one’s skin crawl. His panel awareness is on full display, capitalizing on page turns to deliver the equivalent of a jump scare or a big reveal. There is some topless nudity in a story where the central horror stems from a lack of personal privacy, which will make the sense of violation feel ever more real for readers. With so many offerings in the “Junji Ito” anthology series, it’s hard not to compare, and while Alley may not be the strongest, it will find an audience. VERDICT This collection will draw Ito’s loyal fans and horror enthusiasts; an additional purchase for libraries where his other work is popular.–Sara Smith

Kouno, Fumiyo. Giga Town: The Guide to Manga Iconography. illus. by Fumiyo Kouno. 132p. Udon Entertainment. Sept. 2024. pap. $12.99. ISBN 9781772943085.
Gr 6 Up–From the “sweat drop” to onomatopoeic Japanese words, manga is full of symbols that add emotion and nuance to any scene. Readers learn to interpret these “manpu” as their visual literacy develops, but few take the time to actually analyze them. This is where this handy guide to manga iconography comes in. As one of the few resources on the topic, Kouno is more interested in succinctly introducing the symbols and their usages, rather than their origins. The table of contents breaks them apart into three loose categories, with drawn images in lieu of text for ease of access. Each symbol receives a cute four-panel comic that demonstrates the symbol’s use in manga accompanied by written explanations. These comics feature animals that are illustrated in a style inspired by the Chōjū-jinbutsu-giga, a famous set of Japanese scrolls dating back to the 12th and 13th century, which many attribute as a precursor to manga. All the gags throughout are charming snippets of slice-of-life that don’t overshadow the book’s main purpose. For aspiring manga creators, or those just intrigued by iconography, these images and the short descriptions make a practical reference guide. VERDICT This is a quality guide on manga iconography, and due to its niche nature, it is recommended mainly for systems that serve large populations, or those that prioritize the arts.–Rachel Forbes.

Kuki, Yuzuru. Manga Biographies: Charles M. Schulz The Creator of Snoopy and Peanuts. illus. by Yuzuru Kuki. 168p. (Manga Biographies). Udon Entertainment. Oct. 2024. pap. $13.99. ISBN 9781772943443.
Gr 6 Up–Charles M. Schulz, the creator of Peanuts, went down in history as one of the greatest cartoonists. Now, in this authorized manga biography, his tale continues to inspire the next generation. Using brief conversations and bridging narration, Kuki establishes Schulz’s demeanor and the moments that shaped him. These glimpses acknowledge even the hard times, but never dig into the trauma of facets such as his World War II service. What comes through most is the dedication it takes to reach for one’s passions. While many first reactions may be to compare this manga with 2023’s Funny Things: A Comic Strip Biography, another illustrated biography on Schulz, the two have different styles and target demographics. Both are worth reading, but for those wanting a linear narrative that appeals to a younger readership, this manga may be the preferable option. The events are accurate, although it is noted that some liberties were taken with minor details, such as what may have been said during conversations. As a bonus, this biography wraps up with a number of facts about the Peanuts comic and its author’s life, as well as a summary time line. VERDICT For fans of the comics and upcoming young artists, this manga biography may intrigue and inspire.–Rachel Forbes

Mii, Mitsuki. Kusunoki’s Flunking Her High School Glow-Up, Vol. 1. illus. by Mitsuki Mii. 192p. (Kusunoki’s Flunking Her High School Glow-Up). Kodansha. Aug. 2024. pap. $13.99. ISBN 9798888772713.
Gr 6 Up–When outcast Shizuki overheard cute girl Ririsa, whom he thought a friend, badmouthing him to her friends back in junior high, he made a pact to completely reinvent himself when he got to high school. Having successfully done that, he finds himself in a more desirable social standing. But when his ex-junior high classmate Kusunoki, a fellow outcast-turned-high-school-heartthrob, asks Shizuki to help her with her communication skills, Shizuki wonders if this new camaraderie will throw his identity into chaos. This manga title is charmingly funny, where the young adults at its heart just want to fit in a little better. Shizuki and Kusunoki are both heartwarming leads, and teens will see themselves in the duo if they struggle with bullying and/or connecting with others their age. Mii does a good job of teasing the plot as a typical coming-of-age romance, before throwing a curveball with the story’s beguiling supporting characters. While readers can make their predictions of who’s going to end up together, it’s clear there’s plenty more story to come in this series before the dust truly settles. The art is light and radiant, befitting the story’s tone very well. VERDICT Though it has elements of garden variety romance, this manga tosses some surprises into the mix, making it a more interesting option for readers to check out.–Joe Pascullo

Mora, Amèlia & Ana C. Sánchez. Sayonara Magic: Wizards in School. tr. from Spanish by Dana Guterman Levy. 240p. (Sayonara Magic: Bk. 1). Andrews McMeel. Sept. 2024. Tr $21.99. ISBN 9781524886776.
Gr 3 Up–A whimsical and playful light novel about triplets Naoki, Hiro, and Akira, who will face getting sent to wizard school by their parents if they perform magic without permission. However, both Hiro and Naoki use magic for their benefit, thus creating chaotic circumstances. Hiro accidentally turns himself invisible and has trouble reversing that. Meanwhile, Naoki does his best to impress Maru, a girl he likes, by using a spell to make himself more confident, but it comes off more like arrogance. When both these spells go horribly wrong, the triplets must work together to fix the messes they created. Readers will delight in the triplets, who are a combination of mischievous and quirky. Akira constantly has to save her brothers from their misbehaviors, often reminding them of the looming threat of being sent to wizard school. The light novel format, which is a hybrid combination of a manga and chapter book, adds to the adventure of three children struggling to solve their issues while causing more problems along the way. Secondary characters also add to the fun, such as Mr. Kimura, who suspects the triplets are wizards and pops up at the most inconvenient time to expose their secret. VERDICT This novel about mischievous, magical triplets who are trying not to get sent to wizard school is a feel-good, lighthearted read.–Kharissa Kenner

Natsuna, Hono. Pupposites Attract, Vol. 1. illus. by Hono Natsuna. 160p. (Pupposites Attract). Kodansha. Aug. 2024. pap. $13.99. ISBN 9798888772898.
Gr 7 Up–Kiyotaka and his tiny Pomeranian Monjuro keep running into fellow dog owner Chiharu and her large Rottweiler Tsubu-chan while out in their neighborhood. All of their personalities appear to contrast one another at first, but the more chance encounters this quartet have together, the more their feelings begin to change. As its title suggests, this is an enormously cute manga. With incredibly drawn, adorable animals engaged in innocent scenarios, there is no shortage of charm throughout. It also features a slow-burn romance where the attention isn’t so much focused on the budding relationship between its adult human leads, but more on their relationships with their respective pets. With many animal-centered manga aimed at a juvenile age group these days, the adult romance angle (though it must be stressed that it’s not this title’s prominent feature) keeps this title in YA sections at a minimum. The plot isn’t the most cutting edge, and probably won’t appeal to readers who aren’t into either animals or cuteness. But for those seeking a fluffy read, look no further. VERDICT While this manga won’t be for everybody, its art and subject matter are unquestionably delightful; a light title that will keep readers smiling.–Joe Pascullo

SAM. Your Throne, Vol. 1. illus. by SAM. 288p. (Your Throne). WEBTOON Unscrolled. Nov. 2024. Tr $24.99. ISBN 9781998854738.
Gr 9 Up–Lady Medea was on the path to having everything. Cunning, strong, and with a betrothal to the crown prince, her destiny was set until Lady Psyche interfered. Now, Lady Medea’s strength, and the rumors surrounding her, cast her in a monstrous light—someone to be feared rather than respected. Medea is determined to get her vengeance on Psyche, willing to kill those who spread rumors about her, and even take out Psyche’s favorite knight. When she finally confronts Psyche on the day of prayer, Medea’s own prayer is answered, and the two swap places. Now, in Psyche’s body, she can finally marry the prince and finish her ascent to power. However, as the two settle into their new lives, both realize that they never fully understood what the other woman had to deal with. Medea finds herself without the strength and freedom she was accustomed to, while Psyche begins to realize what it’s like to wield power. SAM’s manhwa, which was originally a webtoon, primarily focuses on court intrigue yet contains a fair amount of violence as well, though it is not gory. Scenes are often quick; there is a lot of plot to follow and many questions to be answered. While flashbacks can make it confusing to keep track of which Medea and Psyche are which, the artwork, facial expressions, and inner thoughts help to separate them. The art is done in full color. At times, the story lacks depth, and there are still flashbacks waiting to be revealed. Still, for those who enjoy keeping up with political machinations, it could be a promising story. VERDICT Recommended where court intrigue graphic novels are popular.–Lisa Rowland

Yasuda, Kasumi. Fool Night, Vol. 1. illus. by Kasumi Yasuda. 224p. (Fool Night). Viz. Jun. 2024. pap. $14.99. ISBN 9781974746934.
Gr 9 Up–The prospects for this world look grim. Clouds blot out the sun and winter has permanently fallen on the earth. Plant life has all but died out, and oxygen is depleting. This has led humanity to develop a type of plant growth that harvests nutrients from within a human, stealing sustenance from their very essence. Kamiya desperately wants to undergo this procedure, mostly for the money it will bring him, but he never expects what else will come when he surrenders his humanity to morph into a plant. This story is dark and brings about some existential questions about duty to society, quality of life, and what makes someone human. The haunting illustrations and philosophical subject matter create a ghostly and intriguing atmosphere that will hook readers and invoke sympathy at the same time. Yasuda has created a world that readers will want to explore and discover more as Kamiya figures out his new circumstances and abilities, but the suspense is also ever-present and looming over Kamiya’s every decision. VERDICT Readers of The Summer Hikaru Died will appreciate this delve into a well-crafted body horror story.–Sara Smith

Yazawa, Ai. Last Quarter, Vol. 1. illus. by Ai Yazawa. 280p. (Last Quarter). Viz. Sept. 2024. pap. $22.99. ISBN 9781974743537.
Gr 9 Up–Dissatisfied with her home life, high school student Mizuki runs away and winds up meeting a dashing, foreign guitarist named Adam in a park. Their music-filled whirlwind romance is cut short, and Mizuki runs off to help elementary student Hotaru search for her cat in a dream-space. The next day, Hotaru continues her search and finds the same girl in an abandoned mansion, though she’s the only one who can see her, and the girl can’t remember anything except the song Adam would repeatedly sing to her. The narrative follows Hotaru and her friends as they search for clues about the girl’s life, while simultaneously sorting out their own teenage lives, including first crushes and processing some of their personal grief. While most of this story is innocent and beautiful, it can be intense; there are a few moments of domestic assault seen on the page, and the characters have yet to address the behavior and the rationalization given by the end of Volume 1. Fans of Yazawa’s other works will recognize her signature art style—retro fashion choices, large eyes and lips, and many an updo with curls—but the supernatural storyline is a different choice for Yazawa. VERDICT This supernatural mystery comes with moments of intensity, but nonetheless makes for an interesting read.–Sara Smith