Monthly Manga Highlights: August 2018

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August is many things: the end of summer, muggy weather, and more importantly, going to your local bookstore to order all your new readings for the school semester. Whether at the end of the month for university or next month for regular school, it’s time to buy those books, so why not look for manga as well? Here are our top picks from August 2018!

I can’t recommend To Your Eternity enough. I mean it when I say it’s a gorgeous and hauntingly beautiful series, as every character makes you ache. With volume 6 comes the last of Fushi’s adventures on the island, a sorrowful parting, and a reminder that some bonds really do last forever.
Yowamushi Pedal is another series dear to my heart, Volume 9 releases this month, and with it comes a whole new set of complications. The captains are battling it out, with a year-old promise on the line, but with Midousuji in the picture, nothing good is bound to happen. A lot of action happens but that doesn’t detract from Watanabe’s pin-point focus on his characters, how they struggle, and how age-old tensions finally come into play.
People became very hyped over Go Nagai for two reasons- his 50th anniversary earlier in the year, and the release of Devilman Crybaby. As a result, people overseas were introduced to Go Nagai on a greater level, and began to seek out more of his works. Cutie Honey recently got an anime adaptation as well, and for those looking for the original, look no further- for the Classic Collection is here. Including both volumes, Cutie Honey is finally available properly available for english-speaking audiences, so everyone can enjoy the Go Nagai craziness in style.
Angels of Death is currently running as an anime right now, and with it comes more of an exploratory kind of horror. Volume 4 is the last volume adds even more complications as the two advance to higher floors, and discover more about the kind of place they inhabit. While Rachel and Isaac’s relationship is by no means conventional, it is very tender in its own way, and you’re going to root for them finding some way to escape.
Volume 14 of My Hero Academia dropped earlier in the month, another series that’s currently running as an anime. This will likely take things a little further than the expected runtime of the current anime season, so those that want to experience the anime unspoiled should steer clear. This volume in particular I feel is fairly important, as it features an important moment between Midoriya and Bakugou that has built up for a long time. Between the action is Horikoshi’s firm handle on his main characters, and it truly shines in this volume.
Case Study of Vanitas has a slower release schedule than most manga, reflecting the original’s schedule, but it’s completely worth it. Volume 4 is up on the schedule, and with that comes gorgeous art, more vampires, and short comedy that will give you a good laugh. Intrigue arises as the two go on the run but also encounter some portions of Vanitas’ past, some that he’s unwilling to tell anyone.
Chio’s School Road is so ridiculous you have to give it a read. It features a young girl just trying to get to school, and the universe conspiring against her. From natural disasters to friends to gang warfare, Chio just can’t get a break. An absurdist comedy to the extreme, there’s really nothing like it out there, and it’s sure to give you a few chuckles.

That Blue Sky Feeling is an LGBT romance, featuring two young boys. Instead of the typical coming of age romance that features the two realizing their feelings for each other, this begins with a much harsher premise. One of the boys has already been outed, and just wants to have a normal life. Considering how harsh high school can be, especially in a relatively conservative country, this takes the usually tender opening and grounds it in (sadly) more realism. But all isn’t lost, as this series is by no means unkind- one boy’s isolation doesn’t remain that way forever.
Continuing Seven Seas’ dedication towards LGBT stories is the final volume of Bloom Into You. Overall, this series is quite gentle, culminating with the two girls going on a date at an aquarium. Jealousy still abounds from other parties, but hopefully, this volume will serve up a satisfying ending for all.
While What Did You Eat Yesterday? isn’t from Seven Seas, it’s definitely an LGBT romance. This series casts a more mature story, featuring a cast of adults instead of high-schoolers. It tackles a quieter kind of love that comes with age, with the two protagonists slowly connecting in both romantic love and their love of food. With volume 13 out this month, this volume is sure to make you hungry as well!

That’s our selection for this month! As usual, let us know if you picked up any of our suggestions, or if you have suggestions of your own!