New year, new manga! Now that we’ve finally taken the plunge into 2024, it’s officially time to go through a few of the most impressive releases for a fresh start. So which ones made the final cut for the month of January? As always, let’s skip the small talk and get right into it!
The Red Thread
Manga
Volume 2
Publisher: Yen Press
Release Date: January 30, 2024
Premise: When Dean, the captain of the swimming club, takes the podium during Pharm’s university orientation, something unusual happens. Though the two have never met before, they’re unable to hide the turmoil that suddenly wells up inside them as they can’t help but feel that this isn’t the first time they’ve laid eyes on each other. Perhaps the red thread of fate links them together from their past lives…
Currently: After exchanging phone numbers, Pharm and Dean begin spending time together almost every day. Their budding chemistry doesn’t go unnoticed, though—soon, the potential couple is the talk of the campus! But as the pair’s feelings for each other grow, their recurring dreams intensify, now infiltrating their waking lives. Will the threads of fate pull the two close enough to finally remember their promise?
Why It Works: A major reason that The Red Thread is now a two-time selection as an MVP title is the fact that there’s plenty of genuine passion and wholesome creativity behind its characters. Yes, it’s been proven that generally, readers do gravitate towards stories about characters who struggle or undergo hardship (likely because of a desire for ‘high-stakes’ content), but The Red Thread proves that you don’t always need to rely on complications to offer readers a fun and healthy story about companionship, love, and the notion of fate. In terms of the volume’s exceptional content, there are also plenty of engaging plot details to sink your teeth into – with glimmers into a past life that includes a very different existence than the current, cheerful life they’re living. And after seeing even minuscule aspects of what they unknowingly dealt with, it’s safe to say that this change of pace is both refreshing and deserved.
So in essence, between healthy introductions into each other’s lives, shared morals, endearing sincerity, and some marginal clarity about their tragic past, The Red Thread’s second volume solidifies that the ongoing title is easily one of the best BL stories that’s currently in print. Because at this point, how can you not root for Pharm and Dean (or In and Korn, depending on the era)? Exactly.
CLAMP Premium Collection Tokyo Babylon
Manga
Volume 2
Publisher: Yen Press
Release Date: January 23, 2024
Premise: Tokyo—a beautiful yet cold city, full of life and twinkling lights. There resides Subaru Sumeragi, the thirteenth head of his clan and a powerful onmyouji. Aided by his glamorous twin sister, Hokuto, and the veterinarian who claims to love him, Seishirou Sakurazuka, he solves the supernatural troubles that plague the citizens of Tokyo—both living and deceased!
Currently: Tokyo—a lively yet congested city, full of laughter and merriment. There resides Subaru Sumeragi, the thirteenth head of his clan and a powerful onmyouji. When Subaru is called to awaken a girl trapped in a four-month-long slumber, he’s startled to see his childhood friend Mitsuki, who’s barricaded her consciousness within her own memories. All he needs to do is coax her out…but that’s easier said than done when the target claims to hate him!
Why It Works: When we previously highlighted Tokyo Babylon’s re-release with its first volume a few months ago, we spent plenty of time gushing about how nice it was to see the title was getting a modern taste of appreciation. And with its second volume continuing to offer previous readers a comfortable feeling of nostalgia – we’re understanding why the title has earned this glorious re-print in the first place. Though, make no mistake, there’s enough timeless material here to entice plenty of new readers with a grittier, tragic sequence of events that can definitely catch you off guard.
As we delve deeper into the second volume, Tokyo Babylon almost tricks readers with a light dream-scape backdrop, before quickly turning into real-life nightmare fuel that covers a range of heavier subject material. There are conversations about mental health, the anguish that comes with PTSD, and unfortunately, the sheer cruelty that humanity is sometimes capable of inflicting on others. Though, even in its darkest moments, this story does offer plenty of room to introduce the notion of healing through a fictional supernatural lens which prevents Tokyo Babylon from ever taking a plunge that’s too dark. That’s what we’d call a total classic!
A Cat from Our World and the Forgotten Witch
Manga
Volume 1
Publisher: Seven Seas
Release Date: January 2, 2024
Premise: A sweet tale starring a gigantic cat who’s summoned to a fantasy world by a lonely, elderly witch. In her youth, Jeanne was a powerful witch who vanquished the evil Demon King and saved the world–but over time, the people she rescued have forgotten her. Now she is a lonely old woman living in a secluded forest…until she accidentally summons a cat from Earth to her home! The former city kitty is now gigantic and must acclimate to this new world. Can a cat from another world soothe the loneliness of the forgotten witch?
Why It Works: It’s practically impossible to not love cats, and if you don’t love them, we don’t trust you, period. So if you’re not a cat person, this title isn’t likely the one for you, but it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t give it (or cats) a proper chance. With that in mind, why is the Seven Seas title A Cat from Our World and the Forgotten Witch really worthy of your precious manga reading time? That’s simple – it’s authentically sweet from start to finish!
On one hand, we’re instantly drawn to the series for cats and cats alone (obviously), but what makes you want to stay is the manga’s ability to focus on companionship in a different fantasy world that one might anticipate for a softer, heartwarming experience. Because of the grand power and life experiences that Jeanne has accumulated, her character feels like she greatly benefits from this newfound partnership, almost giving her life new meaning at a time when she likely needed it most. Plus, a giant cat adjusting to life in an unfamiliar world is basically like the epitome of charming storytelling, so why not give it a go?
Higurashi When They Cry: MEGURI
Manga
Volume 1
Publisher: Yen Press
Release Date: January 23, 2024
Premise: June 1983. The tragedy is over. It’s finally time to start a new chapter. After spending so long in Hinamizawa, Rika wants to expand her horizons and take on the challenge of becoming a fine young lady of St. Lucia Academy, with Satoko by her side. But the happiness of one can be the misery of another. Will Satoko be able to find joy within Rika’s dream…?
Why It Works: This one might be a first volume, but it definitely comes with a rather rich history that can be explored in both manga, visual novels, and anime – courtesy of the long-running, (and very established) world of Higurashi. What exactly is Higurashi to begin with? Well, for starters, the popular title is a horror-skewing murder mystery with an unavoidable curse that while set in a seemingly calm, peaceful village, is exactly filled with absolute carnage and turmoil underneath its grisly smile. Because in Higurashi, It’s only a matter of time before things go left.
And it’s not your average horror tale either – as Hiurashi has often required its characters to explore uncommon avenues with elements of time travel or depictions of various timelines to showcase a brutal curse that manifests in the most devious ways imaginable. Now, in the new addition to the story, our protagonist Sotako is very aware of the challenges of their past and is more than willing to create her own ideal future with Rika, no matter how difficult it might be. Thankfully, courtesy Higurashi When They Cry: MEGURI, the franchise is finally back 20 years after its conception to entice modern readers with a worthwhile spin-off title that aims to expand its celebrated history with new, equally compelling storylines.
Send Them a Farewell Gift for the Lost Time
Manga
One Shot
Publisher: TOKYOPOP
Release Date: January 16, 2024
Premise: For four years, Naruse was swept up in his love for his novelist boyfriend, Toui. But tiring of his flightiness and lack of commitment, Naruse finally walks away from his relationship. Or at least, he tries to. Every time he runs into Toui, they seem to get tangled in one another’s emotions and end up sleeping together. They argue and fight, then afterwards comes the pang of regret. Maybe their relationship is doomed to fail. Or maybe, it just needs a new angle…
Why It Works: Unlike The Red Thread, this one isn’t exactly a pairing that’s bound to go through life without hiccups – as Naruse and Toui regularly experience complications in their on-and-off relationship. In fact, throughout the volume it’s hard to tell what they are to each other or how they’d even define it, with talk of being broken up, only to be right back in each other’s lives the next day. However, it’s safe to say that we all have had that friend (or maybe some of you even relate on a more personal level) who has been in all too similar circumstances. No judgement!
All things considered, what truly makes the volume a strong read is the notion that underneath an unconventional dynamic, there’s some true, unfiltered chemistry on display by the time the title comes to a fitting conclusion. Whether or not the pair is always willing to admit it. So considering that it’s garnering our attention for providing a well-contained, one-shot with impeccable art, there are a lot of achievements from Send Them a Farewell Gift for the Lost Time that will leave you wanting more.