Monthly Manga Highlights: November 2018

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The weather is on and off, but with the exception of a few warm days, things are finally settling into something more definitively autumn. The leaves are changing color, and outside is a cascade of reds and yellows. With the weather cool and crisp, why not take a look at what manga are in store? Here are our picks for November 2018!

A title that I’ve truly been looking forward to for a long time is finally here, and I know a lot of fans have been looking forward to it as well- Mob Psycho 100 is finally out in English. When the anime first aired, Mob Psycho was a smash hit, from the fun but gentle story it told of the shy psychic Mob and his daily life. Although the anime is wildly detailed and shows off some of the best animation in recent years, it also mimics ONE’s original artstyle. Without a doubt, ONE’s art is very non-traditional, often being on the messy side. However, his composition and story are treats you don’t want to miss out.
It’s a classic that never goes bad- Fullmetal Alchemist is back. Without a doubt, it’s one of the best shonen series out there, boasting both and interesting storyline and a fantastic cast. What’s on the table isn’t a repackaging or a reboot but rather an artbook. The Complete Art of Fullmetal Alchemist is a gorgeous hardcover that shows off Arakawa’s fantastic art, and shows off how much fun the series is on multiple levels. A must-have for any fans of the manga.
Following in the trend of upcoming shonen is Dr. Stone, a newcomer to Jump that has since climbed the popularity polls to a fairly comfortable spot. After most of humanity is mysteriously turned to stone, Taiju and Senku have tasked themselves with restarting humanity, including how to figure out how to recreate some of mankind’s key inventions. With the second volume now out in english, the group of friends must work together to figure out the secret of gunpowder, but more lies in their wake. Altogether, a clever new kind of shonen, one that should be picked up to see the new turn Jump has taken recently.
Goblin Slayer the anime is making waves of popularity, climbing to be one of the most popular series of the season. Like many other titles airing in the fall, it has a light novel but also, a manga adaptation as well. This is a grisly series that doesn’t shy away from the hidden horrors in an RPG-fantasy world, and the manga doesn’t shy away from that either. For those who are less interested in sitting through a light novel, the manga does a pretty decent job of showing the story, so those curious have a fresh volume to pick up.
Land of the Lustrous is a personal favorite of mine, and I have been waiting for this volume for a long time. Not just because one of my faves is on the cover either. Ichikawa’s fantasy world is one that’s quiet but stark, and with Phos’ body destroyed, change has to come. The stability of the gems’ harmony begins to crumble little by little, and secrets become all the more apparent in this volume. Not one to miss.
A newcomer is Ran and the Gray World, a title I’m not too familiar with. Ran brings to the table gorgeous art and a story filled with magic and adventure. Like many people, Ran dreams of a world outside her own, and uses her magic to make herself older and venture out of her zone of familiarity. What she discovers in the human world is most unlike her own, a coming of age story that happens too early. What drew me to the series is the art, but the concept sounds like it’s absolutely worth a try.
Summer Wars was a smash hit of a movie, one that people still remember. Hosoda’s unique vision and directorial slant made the entire movie a joy to watch, and something that sticks with you. The movie was an experience, but now the manga has been compiled as well. Previously two individual volumes, now the series is together in a single volume, combining the comedy of real life with the escape of the internet.
Those are our top picks for the month. What are some titles that stood out to you? Let us know!