Friday, March 17, 2017

Best New English Mangas of 2016

I know this 2nd 'best of the year' list is a bit late. But better late than than never, right?

There are quite a lot of new mangas that started to be published in the year 2016. I have just selected some series' for this list which I think are must reads.

(PS: In no particular order of preference is this list created and only new series' that started being published in English for the first time were the main selection criteria.)

"Orange"
Written by Ichigo Takano
Published by Seven Seas

A Plea From the Future
On the day that Naho begins 11th grade, she receives a letter from herself ten years in the future. At first, she writes it off as a prank, but as the letter’s predictions come true one by one, Naho realizes that the letter might be the real deal. Her future self tells Naho that a new transfer student, a boy named Kakeru, will soon join her class. The letter begs Naho to watch over him, saying that only Naho can save Kakeru from a terrible future. Who is this mystery boy, and can Naho save him from his destiny? This is the heart-wrenching sci-fi romance that has over million copies in print in Japan!


[ Although Shoujo/romance manga is not my cup of tea, the amount of praise that 'Orange' gets is really note worthy. I think this might be a story worth checking out and its short length is also a plus in my opinion. ]

"Goodnight Punpun"
Story & Art by Inio Asano
Published by Viz Media

Meet Punpun Punyama. He’s an average kid in an average town.
He wants to win a Nobel Prize and save the world.
He wants to go far away with his true love.
He wants to find some porn.
But Punpun’s life is about to unravel…


[ It is said to be one of the best Seinen as well as one of the best coming-of-age manga of all time and now it is out in English. Definitely worth checking out. ] 

"I Am a Hero"
Story & Art by Kengo Hanazawa
Published by Dark Horse Manga

The zombie apocalypse has never been more surreal! A mentally unhinged manga artist witnesses the beginning of a zombie outbreak in Tokyo, and he's certain of only two things: he's destined to be the city's hero, and he possesses something very rare in Japan--an actual firearm! Kengo Hanazawa's award-winning series comes to Dark Horse, and this realistically-drawn international bestseller takes us from initial small battles for survival to a huge, body-horror epidemic that threatens all of humanity! These special omnibus volumes will collect two of the original Japanese books into each Dark Horse edition and include all of the color pages.

[ Zombie fiction is something that I am quite interested in and this one seems to have a setting that is different from the generic. And the reviews over the net seems to be mostly positive too. ]

"Haikyu!!"
Story & Art by Haruichi Furudate
Published by Viz Media

A chance event triggered Shouyou Hinata's love for volleyball. His club had no members, but somehow persevered and finally made it into its very first and final regular match of middle school, where it was steamrolled by Tobio Kageyama, a superstar player known as "King of the Court."
Vowing revenge, Hinata applied to the Karasuno High School volleyball club... only to come face-to-face with his hated rival, Kageyama!


[ A sports manga that is quite well received, should be good. ] 

"Kuroko's Basketball"
Story & Art by Tadatoshi Fuzimaki
Published by Viz Media

Kuroko Tetsuya doesn't stand out much. In fact, he's so plain that people hardly ever notice when he's around. Though he's just as unremarkable on the basketball court, that's where his plainness gives him an unexpected edge-one that lets him execute awesome moves without others noticing! And now that he's a high school student, he's on a mission to defeat each member of his legendary middle school team, known as the Miracle Generation, with the help of a new transfer student fresh from the U.S.-Taiga Kagami!
When incoming first-year Taiga Kagami joins the Seirin High basketball team, he meets Tetsuya Kuroko, a mysterious boy who’s plain beyond words. But Kagami's in for the shock of his life when he learns that the practically invisible Kuroko was once a member of the “Miracle Generation”—the undefeated, legendary team!
  


[ It seems good sports mangas are the thing this year, who am I to disagree with so many fans of this series, promising indeed. ]

"Platinum End"
Story by Tsugumi Ohba
Art by Takeshi Obata
Published by Viz Media

Troubled Mirai’s life changes when he gains the power of an angel, but he may need to become a devil to survive in the battle against others just like him!
As his classmates celebrate their middle school graduation, troubled Mirai is mired in darkness. But his battle is just beginning when he receives some salvation from above in the form of an angel. Now Mirai is pitted against 12 other chosen humans in a battle in which the winner becomes the next god of the world. Mirai has an angel in his corner, but he may need to become a devil to survive.
Mirai's once-great life turned to hell after his family was killed in a mysterious accident. But now that an angel is on his side, things might be looking up. With his newly received angelic powers, can Mirai get over his tragic past and find true happiness…?


[ From the creators of 'Death Note', hopefully it can deliver on the desires of so many. Still early for a decision but one can surely hope. ]

"Fire Force"
Story & Art by Atsushi Ohkubo
Published by Kodansha Comics USA

From the creator of Soul Eater!
The city of Tokyo is in the grip of a reign of terror! Possessed by demons, people have begun to burst into flame, leading to the establishment of a special firefighting team: the Fire Force, ready to roll on a moment's notice to fight spontaneous combustion anywhere it might break out. But the team is about to get a very unique addition: Shinra, a boy who possesses the unique power to run at the speed of a rocket, leaving behind the famous "devil's footprints" (and destroying his shoes in the process). Can the Fire Force discover the source of this strange phenomenon and put a stop to it? Or will the city burn to ashes first?


[ And lastly, a new series from the creator of 'Soul Eater', should be a simple yet enjoyable shounen for everyone. I already ordered two volumes from amazon and am keeping my fingers crossed. ]

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