KiraKira Media’s Azuki digital manga service revealed 10 manga will be added to the service as part of a deal with Media Do International and MediBang!. The announcement came at the official Azuki panel at Anime Expo 2023, where celebrations were held for the launch of the Mecha-Ude: Mechanical Arms by Yoshino Koyoka and TriF.
Itazurana Kiss, Buffalo 5 Girls, and many more manga will be available on Azuki for Azuki Premium subscribers. Moreover, Azuki will publish eBook editions of Shunsuke Sorato’s romantic comedy manga Natsume & Natsume with chapter 0 being free to all readers. Natsume & Natsume Volume 1 goes on sale on August 25 via Amazon, BookWalker, Apple Books, and Google Play Books. The eBooks beta is currently live on Azuki, allowing fans to directly purchase from the website and download files to read in their favorite reader.
Azuki Manga Announcements from Anime Expo 2023
Itazurana Kiss
- Author: Kaoru Tada
- Distributor: MD-i
A high school girl named Kotoko Aihara’s love letter has been rejected by her crush, a genius with an IQ of 200 and a sports champion who’s popular with all the girls — Naoki Irie.
As if Kotoko’s luck wasn’t bad enough, shortly after her house gets destroyed by an earthquake and she has to find somewhere to stay, her father reaches out to a good friend to help them out but by some twist of fate her father’s friend is… Naoki Irie’s father!
First she got rejected and now she has to live under the same roof as her crush who rejected her! Will Kotoko’s luck finally turn around?
Buffalo 5 Girls
- Author: Moyoco Anno
- Publisher: CORK
- Distributor: MD-i
In the unforgiving towns dotting the barren desert, girls sold into brothels must face the carnal desires of men day in and day out. In a world rampant with sex and violence, what happens when prostitutes fall in love? Is there a way for them to survive?
Two working girls, Candy and Suzy, will risk their lives to break the cycle, all for the sake of the freedom they’ve never had. Stronger than they ever thought possible, these girls on the run learn to give their instincts free rein.
“Love or life, which would you choose?”
“I’d take love.”
“But then you can’t love if you’re dead, can you?”
Insufficient Direction
- Author: Moyoco Anno
- Publisher: CORK
- Distributor: MD-i
When Moyoco Anno, the widely successful creator of women’s manga, married Hideaki Anno, creator of Neon Genesis Evangelion and a director famed for being an otaku, she had one important doubt:
“Am I really ready to be an otaku’s wife?”
Taking up that challenge, Moyoco Anno launched herself into the deep and beautiful world of married life. This comic essay, an account of the private lives of two of Japan’s most high-profile creators, is raw, unfiltered, and unforgettably hilarious.
Memoirs of Amorous Gentlemen
- Author: Moyoco Anno
- Publisher: CORK
- Distributor: MD-i
Paris, France — Beginning of the 20th century. Colette works in a brothel and entertains clients with “perverted” desires. She feels she’s living a life without prospects — the only thing that brings her happiness are her secret meetings with a handsome gigolo named Leon. She feels helplessly attracted to the mysterious Leon despite his obvious inability to remain faithful…
This is the first new series by Moyoco Anno in eight years! After “Sakuran” and “Buffalo 5 Girls” comes another story about the strong lives of prostitutes.
The Diary of Ochibi-san
- Author: Moyoco Anno
- Publisher: CORK
- Distributor: MD-i
“Even if I can make you smile, I can’t erase the tears you’ve cried.”
In Mametsubu-cho, a little town somewhere in Japan’s ancient capital of Kamakura, the cheerful Ochibi lives a free and easy life. Together with his friends — the dog Nazeni, the mischievous cat Jack, and the ever-hungry pooch Pankui — he welcomes the new discoveries and acquaintances that come with the changing seasons.
The spring brings flowers and greenery; the summer, chances to swim in the cool sea. With autumn come the fiery red maples, and winter brings hot and hearty meals.
These events and shifts of season are drawn with a soft and tender touch, bringing out the warmth in the details of everyday life.
Urban Legend Hunters
- Author: Yvon Lee
- Artist: NOFI
- Distributor: MediBang:
Have you heard of the popular horror mobile game from Taiwan? This manga has been adapted from the “Urban Legend Hunters” series where urban legends grow in power as they grow in popularity.
After getting wrapped up in a grisly crime at school, Yangda has to investigate the urban legend he believes to be at the root of the cause. His investigation leads him to believe a “dating ban” is behind a tense atmosphere that’s breeding spirits that resemble babies. Will he hold a ritual and speak with the spirits to find out if the murderer is actually a ghost or just pretending?
DON’T COUNT YOUR TANUKIS
- Author: Mayu Minase
- Publisher: Futabasha
- Distributor: MD-i
A new love comedy from Mayu Minase that takes place in the heart of Tokushima, featuring nonhuman entities and love! The son and heir to an indigo dyeing shop, Riku, has dreamed of going to university outside his prefecture with his childhood best friend and girl he loves, but is instead forced to marry a girl named Miyo due to an old family promise. However, just what is Miyo’s incredible secret?! Tokushima’s very own Mayu Minase sets the stage in her hometown for this youthful love fantasy.
Wonder House of Horrors
- Author: Miyako Cojima
- Publisher: Star Fruit Books
A 10-story horror anthology by Miyako Cojima that is sometimes kooky, sometimes gory, and sometimes positively profound!
Young, Alive, In Love
- Author: Nishijima Daisuke
- Publisher: Star Fruit Books
Makoto uses a Geiger to measure radiation, and Mana can see ghosts. The two fall in love. What is more important, decontamination or spirit cleanse? 3 volumes long. Volume one available Q4 2021
Transit
- Author: Makoto Aizawa
- Publisher: Star Fruit Books
Life is just a repetition of encounters and partings, and where we are now is in any case a transit point. A series of coming of age stories about the days we go through feeling lost. Transit will launch on Friday, July 21.
