AGASAWA, Kocha. You and I Are Polar Opposites, Vol. 1. Viz. ISBN 9781974743766.
Gr 7-10–Boisterous Suzuki is always concerned with others’ opinions, while Tani is reserved and truthful. However different their personalities, neither needs to change who they are as their feelings grow. A simple yet sincere rom-com, perfect for young readers.

ARAI, Sumiko. The Guy She Was Interested In Wasn’t a Guy at All, Vol. 1. Yen Pr. ISBN 9781975399689.
Gr 8 Up–Aya’s love of music intersects with her crush on a cute, mysterious music store clerk, whom she later discovers is actually her classmate Mitsuki. This nostalgia bomb of 1990s rock features stunning artwork with unique instances of green, and a sweet, budding romance that is sure to delight fans of LGBTQIA+ and “Girls’ Love” stories.

BOMHAT. A Kingdom of Quartz, Vol. 1. Kodansha. ISBN 9798888771266.
Gr 7 Up–Blue, an orphan with pitch-black wings, dreams of joining the noble Angels who protect the Quartz Kingdom, but rumors of a curse follow her. When demons attack her orphanage, Blue discovers a dark power that could determine the kingdom’s fate. With exquisite art, this captivating dark fantasy explores themes of identity, class conflict, and belief.

CHO, Hyeon A. Your Letter. Yen Pr./Ize Pr. ISBN 9798400901119.
Gr 8 Up–When Sori discovers a chain of letters at her new school, they lead her on an adventure into the unknown. What follows is a charming story about how important the power of friendship can be, with wonderful and relatable characters.

FUMIKAWA, Yoshino. In the Name of the Mermaid Princess, Vol. 1. illus. by Miya Tashiro. Viz. ISBN 9781974742738.
Gr 5 Up–Princess Mio was born a mermaid in a human kingdom that despises other creatures. However, her worldview shifts when her tutor helps her see that her identity is nothing to be ashamed of. While Mio is just beginning to find her path, this series promises to take a deeper look at injustice and advocacy.

GALADIMA, Issaka & Frederick L. Jones. Clock Striker, Vol. 2: I’m Gonna Be a Smith! illus. by Issaka Galadima. Quarto/Rockport. ISBN 9780760388570.
Gr 7-10–Cast, a young Black girl determined to join the league of legendary engineers called SMITHs, continues her electric journey seeking a kidnapped friend. Themes of social justice bolster science-driven action in a steampunk world. STEM aficionados and fans of “Dr. Stone” will love this series and its tech talk.

GRAVEWEAVER. I’m the Grim Reaper, Vol. 1. Viz. ISBN 9781974739080.
Gr 10 Up–One sinner for one more day. That’s the deal amnesiac Scarlet makes with Satan in this edgy Webtoon-based Viz Original. Crimson pages beckon readers into a character-driven perspective on morality, spiced up with compelling secrets, psychological horror, and plenty of tone-balancing comedic moments.

GUREISHI, Yako. Somali and the Forest Spirit, Vol. 1. Titan. ISBN 9781787743625.
Gr 9 Up–Wholesome and adorable, this endearing story follows Somali and the dying golem she relies on for safety in their fantastical world. As their father-daughter–like bond grows, so does their emotional awareness. Even in darker thematic moments, the characters and exquisite art will resonate with readers.

GYEOEUL, Gwon. Villains Are Destined to Die, Vol. 6. illus. by SUOL. Yen Pr./Ize Pr. ISBN 9798400901263.
Gr 8 Up–Penelope has been reincarnated into an otome video game. Hard mode ramps up as she scrapes through a rescue scenario. With Penelope’s survival mindset never wavering, developments in platonic and romantic relations are rewarding. A heart-pounding level-up that continues to satisfy, even in later volumes, setting it apart from other romance transmigration series.

HINODEYA, Sankichi. Splatoon 3: Splatlands, Vol. 1. Viz. ISBN 9781974743544.
Gr 3-6–Splatoon, based on the video game, is back, this time taking Goggles out to the Splatlands. New friends, battles, and weapons feed energy into this silly world, but the book is still accessible to those new to Splatoon. Brimming with action, this is a standout option for elementary readers.

HOKAZONO, Takeru. Kagurabachi, Vol. 1. Viz. ISBN 9781974747245.
Gr 10 Up–Chihiro’s father was a renowned sword maker whose life, and life’s works, were stolen in an attack on their home. Now, Chihiro vows vengeance on all who possess these six magical katana. This crusade, filled with beautifully illustrated mysticism, action, and surprisingly humorous moments, bursts out of the gate with shock-charged momentum and will leave readers eagerly anticipating more.

IKEDA, Yuki. Thunder 3, Vol. 1. Kodansha/Vertical. ISBN 9781647294007.
Gr 8 Up–When Pyontaro’s little sister gets lost in another dimension filled with hyperrealistic looking humans and strange aliens, he and his two friends must risk it all to ensure they return home alive. The dimensions present vastly different visuals, shifting between a cartoony manga style and photorealism, culminating in an unforgettable reading experience.

KINOSHITA, Itaru & Shin-ichi Fujiwara. Dinosaur Sanctuary, Vol. 4. Seven Seas. ISBN 9798888433492.
Gr 6 Up–As seasons change, so do the responsibilities of the dinokeepers at Enoshima Dinoland. A foray outside the zoo examines how dinosaurs might interact with our world and highlights a fan favorite, the Velociraptor. Stuffed full of stellar research, including informational text between chapters, this edutainment title is waiting to be devoured.

MATSUURA, Daruma. Steel of the Celestial Shadows, Vol. 1. Viz. ISBN 9781974742745.
Gr 10 Up–Konosuke is a disgraced samurai, cursed to repel all metal away from his skin, rendering him unable to wield a sword. When an ethereal woman mysteriously appears and agrees to marry him, she brings hope, but mystical baggage plunges Konosuke into a terrifying, enthralling adventure. A dynamic blend of historical fantasy, otherworldly action, and a blossoming romance.

SATTIN, Samuel & Osamu Tezuka. Unico: Awakening. illus. by Gurihiru. Scholastic/Graphix. ISBN 9781339036342.
Gr 4-7–Unico, a young unicorn, angers evil goddess Venus and is cast from the heavens, losing his memory. Rescued from oblivion by the West Wind, Unico continues to help others before evading Venus again and beginning a new adventure. This western manga reimagines Tezuka’s beloved classic with heart, introducing kids to heavier topics in a safe space.

SHINKAI, Makoto. Suzume, Vol. 1. illus. by ­Denki Amashima. Kodansha/Vertical. ISBN 9781647294045.
Gr 7 Up–Master storyteller Shinkai weaves an epic fantasy about high school junior Suzume and the beautiful stranger she meets. Together, they must overcome the odds to prevent Japan from succumbing to a series of supernatural disasters. With gorgeous artwork and a thrilling story, this lovely adaptation of the film will be embraced by readers.

SHIRATO, Seiichi. Watch Dogs Tokyo, Vol. 1. illus. by Shuuhei Kamo. TOKYOPOP. ISBN 9781427876645.
Gr 8 Up–Vigilante hacker group DEDSEC Tokyo has its eyes on J-ctOS, the government-issued system that decreases crime at the expense of privacy. Hyped-up, crisply choreographed thrills ensue as Inspector Gordon realizes DEDSEC may be his only hope against the city’s corruption. Based on the video game, this book features sharp commentary on the surveillance state that will speak to teens.

SONOYAMA, Yukino. Bless, Vol. 1. Kodansha. ISBN 9798888771792.
Gr 7 Up–Although Utagawa had prior success as a model, his true dream is to become a makeup artist. When he meets a self-conscious classmate, the two form a bond and together try to buck society’s standards. This beautifully illustrated book crushes boundaries, encouraging teens to forgo expectations and pursue their dreams.

TSURUMAIKADA. Medalist, Vol. 1. Kodansha. ISBN 9798888771853.
Gr 6 Up–Just as Tsukasa gives up on his competitive skating career, he meets Inori, a young girl who dreams of becoming a figure skater despite many obstacles. Thankfully, Tsukasa is a coach, and together, they might have what it takes to prove everyone wrong. Perseverance drives this sports manga, highlighting the sacrifices athletes and their families must make.

URANA, Kei. Gachiakuta, Vol. 1. Kodansha. ISBN 9798888770207.
Gr 10 Up–In a floating world that values nothing, Rudo and his cherished gloves are discarded as garbage and cast off the edge after he is falsely accused of murder. In the trash heap below, Rudo discovers an entire society with humans, monsters, and magic. This graffiti-inspired, kinetically drawn manga uses waste to examine what it means to have a soul.

XU, Ru. Status Royale, Vol. 1. Viz. ISBN 9781974727995.
Gr 7 Up–Jun is a beast in VR esports, turning every team he joins into an instant winner. His best friend Vell enjoys gaming far more casually. But when Jun unceremoniously ghosts her, Vell’s competitive spirit kicks in, and she decides to challenge him. Fresh and frantically funny, this Viz Original is a perfect introduction for new manga readers.

YASUDA, Kasumi. Fool Night, Vol. 1. Viz. ISBN 9781974746934.
Gr 9 Up–When the sun is permanently blotted out, most plant life is destroyed, depleting Earth’s oxygen. To fight extinction, technology emerges that allows humans to be transformed into plants upon dying in exchange for money. Desperate, Kamiya undergoes transfloration for a payday, but never expects what ensues. A fascinating and unsettling tale of enviro-futurism and what it means to be human.