Best Manga Releases: November 2023

As we approach the end of the year, some of our favorite rookie ongoing titles are getting exceptionally juicy, we’re discovering a few new quirky one-shots, and of course, jumping back into a few storylines that we’ve been dying to continue.

So with a healthy blend of entertaining manga tales out now, we’ve taken the much-needed time to break down a few of the must-have releases of November. Here’s what’s been on our radar! 

[Oshi No Ko] 

Volume 4

Publisher: Yen Press

Release Date: November 21, 2023

Premise: Gorou is an ob-gyn with a life far removed from the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry—the world of his favorite idol, rising star Ai Hoshino. But when the two are unexpectedly brought together, their fates become intertwined in ways that defy all reason. For the good doctor, it’s time to stan(d) and deliver!

Currently: As filming wraps on Love for Real, Mem-cho confesses that despite her online success, she’s always dreamed of becoming an idol. How convenient—Aqua happens to know a group that’s recruiting! Now three members strong, the new B Komachi can start working on their routine…but will they get their act together in time for Japan Idol Fest?!

Why It Works: The first few volumes of this title have definitely felt like a fever dream, and with each passing chapter, we’re increasingly invested in the ongoing intricacies of this masterful murder-mystery revenge plot. However, when it comes to something that’s as rich and well-paced as [Oshi No Ko] is (especially in this fourth volume), you can truly expect each chapter’s shifting focus to effortlessly bring the heat for years to come. In fact, for inquiring minds, there are currently over a dozen volumes in Japan, so we’re still destined for plenty of [Oshi No Ko] greatness with a constantly evolving story. 

With all that being said, something that sets this particular volume apart from previous chapters is that our beloved Kana is finally taking center stage to showcase her growth! Leading up to this point, we’ve watched Kana gracefully take a back seat to let Aqua thrive on the dating series scene – but now she’s driven to secure a highly coveted spot in the idol group, innately earning immense respect from peers for her untapped talent, and setting up several roads for the increasingly confident star. While Aqua and Ruby’s goal remains at the forefront of the story, Kana is easily a standout addition to [Oshi No Ko], making her newfound importance feel like a promising sign for what’s to come. And as we suggested earlier, there’s still so much to look forward to for everyone involved!

Your Turn to Die: Majority Vote Death Game

Volume 4

Publisher: Yen Press

Release Date: November 21, 2023

Premise: Joe Tazuna has always been the most selfless person Sara Chidouin has ever known, someone she could count on to take a bullet for her. But that trust is put to the test when they wake up restrained to some strange tables and discover Joe holds a key that can set only one of them free. Thus begins a mysterious and sadistic game that will require all of their wits and faith in each other to survive…!

Currently: The Main Game is about uncovering the truth—and with multiple ways to lose by voting out the wrong player, doing so is a matter of life and death. But there is someone lurking among the players who will do anything to lead them astray, and Sara knows that if she doesn’t expose the demon’s lies, tragedy will befall them all…

Why It Works: Your Turn to Die: Majority Vote Death Game has taken all the necessary steps to establish itself as an intriguing survival series, before officially amping up its intensity to exciting new levels by bringing a popular game to life in some of the best and strongest methods with its new release. After the previous cliffhanger ending attached to the riveting third volume of the dark horse manga title, the fresh series of chapters now makes a point to fulfill that promise for major answers by bringing new crucial information to light and undoubtedly shaking up the entire group dynamic. 

Throughout this current story arc, readers are really forced to reanalyze the intentions of any early “favorites” due to a specific and drastic personality shift – but before you can even process the choices of that unexpected character we’re referring to, we’re further faced with deceptions from even more of the remaining people in play. Without delving into any major spoiler territory, Keiji is the obvious MVP of the volume once again, and not only for being a reasonable voice that convinces you to trust him (let’s hope we don’t get burned here) but for his deductive skills that ensure the ex-policeman could become a vital piece of the ongoing puzzle. Lastly, by the volume’s final pages, we’re hit with another cliffhanger that’s sure to turn the game upside down when we eventually jump back into this juicy horror read with chapter 30!

Happy Crappy Life

Volume 2

Publisher: KUMA

Release Date: November 14, 2023

Premise: After his boss discovers that he has been having sex with his daughter, Kyoutarou gets is transferred from his high-powered job in the big city to a ho-hum position in the Japanese countryside. Obviously, his first intentions upon being transferred are to return to Tokyo as soon as possible, but after he realizes that everyone in his new village knows exactly why he was demoted he loses all hope for his future…but still finds it in his heart to embrace who he is – a ne’er-do-well with a love for a certain type of sex!

Currently: Kasuya’s future looks seriously in doubt as he has been demoted to the boonies. His social life is also looking poor given how there are not many people his age in the area who are single, his age or even remotely share his interests. …Outside of maybe his neighbor, Kuzuya. But while they both share the same kinks and both enjoy drinking heavily, they’d both rather make it big in the capital (hopefully in the arms of a strong dominating lady!!) Well, at least in Kasuya’s case, that “dream gal” has come searching for him! His ex is back and she’s about to discover his secrets.

Why It Works: As we learned in the first volume of Happy Crappy Life, this one is definitely for more mature readers due to its fearless, undeniably campy inclination to go full-throttle in its embrace of all things sexuality-centric. And in this instance, the newly established pair is finding more comfort with one another in their pursuit of pleasure. But honestly, after baring it all (both emotionally and physically) it’s not too surprising to see that this sex-positive, hormonally-charged couple is still keeping things lively! Which is exactly what the second volume dedicates its entirety to accomplish.

For starters, the duo immediately kicks off the book with the intention of broadening their horizons together and individually with the series’ now recognizable balance of chaotic humor and shameless courage — generating plenty of laughs and necessary dialogue about being transparent with a partner in every capacity. As proven throughout two volumes now (and this volume specifically), there’s genuinely no topic that goes unspoken between these two, and even when diving into bold ‘genre’ territory in these recent chapters, there’s a pure level of honesty and even sincerity wrapped in NSFW content that deserves recognition. Also, for those who might be seeking something unexpectedly emotional to switch up the mood, there does happen to be a surprisingly effective family-centric chapter about grief and nostalgia which goes on to solidify that this series has plenty of heart underneath all of its feverish flair. 

The Ruthless Commander and his Reincarnated Warhorse

One Shot

Publisher: KUMA

Release Date: November 14, 2023

Premise: A thirty-year-old Japanese male is teleported to Japan’s warring-era. But instead of being reincarnated as a samurai or ninja, he is now a pony! Cute and spry, he is enjoying is carefree new life but all that changes when he runs into a human who is fighting off a bear attack! The pony dashes and rescues the man, and thus begins his new life…as a warhorse!

Why It Works: Have you ever found yourself reincarnated as a horse, encountered an injured stranger, assisted said stranger, then to your surprise – turned back into a human? Fortunately for you, now you don’t need to, because that’s pretty much the current situation in KUMA’s recent (and fairly self-explanatory) one-shot title The Ruthless Commander and his Reincarnated Warhorse. But what you might not anticipate from the title is that this multi-faceted manga is just as dedicated to the development of romance as much as it is to companionship. 

When the title’s two distinctly different human characters unexpectedly enter each other’s lives (we’ll leave some of the surprises for you to discover on your own), there are clear reasons that would push the two in different directions. However, their organic, undeniable feelings for each other supersede even life-or-death circumstances, forging a mature relationship that appears strong enough to withstand anything. Art-wise, the title does an incredible job of shifting gears to cover a broad spectrum of stylistic choices including clear-cut lighter comedic moments, and even tasteful passion-skewing depictions of romance or intimacy that help it subvert expectations by the time you get to the manga’s upbeat conclusion. Plus, we do love an unconventional title about commitment!

BERGAMOT & SUNNY DAY

One Shot

Publisher: TOKYOPOP

Release Date: November 28, 2023

Premise: Every time café worker Riku sees the café’s owner, Josh, he’s asked on a date. He’s a talented manager, but how could I go out with such a shallow man?!” Or so Riku thought, but after a bad breakup, Josh comforted him with homemade sweets. After being fully pampered, Riku woke up at Josh’s house to find a clean shirt, a BLT sandwich, and a kiss on his way out.

Why It Works: It’s always refreshing to find an upbeat one-shot that celebrates the basics of romance, which in this instance, comes on the heels of a fizzled-out romance. While it might not be typically the best or healthiest to dive right into another relationship so quickly, there’s such an unshakable, natural chemistry between these two central characters that the warm love-focused narrative feels as effortless as possible. So don’t anticipate any major red flags, toxicity, or grim strings attached, this one is through-and-through a light, playful read!

That being said, the charming title does still have to tackle a few unavoidable hiccups for quickly-evolving partnerships (executed with the utmost care), so for being a brightly burning display of passion there’s still the healthy inclination to make readers feel as optimistic as its character’s when it comes to establishing a potential future together. Who doesn’t love love?!