It has been a good year for manga in America, and with the stunning popularity of titles such as Demon Slayer, One Piece, My Hero Academia, and One-Punch Man, there is no reason to doubt that in 2022, manga will continue the trend of interest and appreciation with the American comic audience.
One characteristic of manga that not only separates it from comics but also will prove important in attracting new fans is its diversity of subject matter. Indeed, from superheroes to sports, romance to LGBTQI+ stories, manga covers it all, comprehensively. Below are five titles that both long-term and potential manga fans should look forward to reading in the new year.
Tokyo Revengers
Tokyo Revengers follows the story of Hanagaki Takemichi, an affable twenty-something living without much of a plan, other than putting in hours at his dead-end job as a convenience store clerk. His life changes when he learns of the death of his former middle-school girlfriend at the hand of a notorious Tokyo Manji Gang. Lost in thought about his girlfriend while waiting for a train, he falls or is pushed onto the tracks as a train enters the station. Believing this to be his end he closes his eyes to accept his fate. However, when he awakens, he finds that he is not dead but rather has been transported 12 years into the past when he was a middle schooler still dating his girlfriend. Using his knowledge of the future, Takemichi decides to join the gang that will kill his girlfriend and do what he can to change history and make sure his ex lives. With its interesting premise and story, Tokyo Revengers has become wildly popular in Japan.
Unlike much of the mainstream manga of the last year, what makes Tokyo Revengers worth a read is that it does not rely on the typical manga tropes of super-powered beings fighting one another. Indeed, its scope is smaller and more focused on the characters as well as the interactions between them. This produces a solid manga story with situations readers can relate to and understand. Indeed, there are more than a few comics fans who would love to have a second chance to redo some aspects of their lives. Tokyo Revengers is now available from Kodansha Comics USA.
Deadpool: Samurai
As manga becomes more organic to the American comic book industry, the line separating it from comics has become increasingly become. Nowhere is this more obvious than in the upcoming manga Deadpool: Samurai, a Marvel + Viz Media collaboration that is scheduled to drop on February 08, 2022 from Viz Media.
As the title suggests, this manga is about the ever-loving Deadpool who, while working on an assignment in Tokyo, is approached by Iron Man with a job offer. Contrary to his best judgment, Iron Man offers Deadpool a position in the Avengers, working from the Avenger’s headquarters in Tokyo. Naturally, Deadpool accepts the offer after which all hell breaks loose.
There is a lot to like about this manga. First, there is Deadpool, and his patented “breaking the fourth wall” delivery. Second, there is the telltale manga style that mixes asymmetrical paneling with over-the-top facial expressions. This provides an interesting twist to the more formal Marvel style that American fans are used to. Most importantly, the manga provides the dark humor perspective of comics that has endeared Deadpool to his fans everywhere.
Blue Lock
Blue Lock is a hat tip to the popular manga sports sub-genre that has gotten lost in all the recent hype surrounding more superhero, supernatural stories. The comic tells the story of Isagi Yoichi, a talented high school soccer player with dreams of playing on the national team. However, failing the national team tryouts, Yoichi is given a second chance by participating in a special talent project. According to the rules, winners of the project will automatically gain a spot on the national team. Conversely, anyone who fails the training must agree to permanently give up the desire to play professionally. This makes every practice, game, or competitive situation a chance for blissful success or bone-rattling failure
While the common hallmark of a great comic is the exciting fight and actions scenes, the best comics tend to be those that combine an interesting story with solid artwork. Blue Lock satisfies both these points with plenty left over for creative character development that will have fans debating long into the night of who the actual hero and villain is in the series. Blue Lock is now available from Kodansha Comics USA.
Ayashimon
Ayashimon tells the story of Maruo Kaido, a diehard manga fan who, like many younger comic fans dreams of one day being like one of the heroes he reads about. To accomplish this Maruo relentlessly practices the moves he sees in the favorites series. Eventually he is able to perform some spectacular superhero feats, but no one seems interested in hiring a hero. One day, Maruo comes across a girl being bothered by some yakuza members. Jumping at the chance to use his skills, he saves the girl. However, the girl is not normal. She's actually an alien and a member of a supernatural yakuza gang. Impressed with Maruo’s skills, she recruits him into her gang, to help her take control of her gang. So begins the job of Maruo’s dreams, or is it really.
Combining elements of One-Punch Man, with a dash of Kaiju No. 8, to tell a hero’s story from the perspective of operating on a criminal team. Meaning there is sure to be plenty of morally ambiguous issues that Maruo will have to confront and overcome, in addition to fighting the “baddies” who might just be members of his own team. It’s a new and refreshing look of the traditional, but popular manga storyline of the down-on his luck loner who makes big. Ayashimon is available now from Viz Media.
Choujin X
In this new series by Tokyo Ghoul creator Sui Ishida, Choujin X introduces the manga universe to Azuma Higashi and Tokio Kurohara two high school friends who couldn’t be more different. Azuma is confident and tough, while Tokio is the nervous and weak. One day, on the way home, they run across a choujin or the human with supernatural powers that he obtained by using a drug. Barely escaping death, the two come across two syringes filled with the drug that the choujin used on himself. Faced with a choice of dying at the hands of the choujin, or taking the drug themselves to also become choujin, they choose the drug. So begins the adventure to two friends suddenly gifted with superpowers, as they try to navigate life, school, and most importantly their friendship.
Naturally, fans of Tokyo Ghoul and Ishida’s art and story style, will be drawn to this manga. It refreshes some of the best elements that made Tokyo Ghoul so good, namely the inter-character relationships and the how a normal person deals with becoming super-powered. Even if one has not read Tokyo Ghoul, this story catches a readers interest from the very first few pages. Choujin X is now available on Viz Media.