If the manga industry has a motto, it’s “Nothing succeeds like success.” If readers like something, give them more. Manga publishers do this in different ways, sometimes with spin-offs, novels, and gag manga, but also with new formats and new titles by proven creators. That’s what we have this month: A cleverly designed box set for one of the most popular teen manga, and two volumes of early works by creators of two of the biggest blockbusters of the past year.
Toilet-Bound Hanako-Kun First Stall Box Set
Publisher: Yen Press
Release Date: 5/24/23
Price: $100.00
Creator: Aidalro
Format: 10 paperbacks in a box shaped like two bathroom stalls
Age Rating: 13+
What It’s About: It’s the first 10 volumes of the best-selling series in a box engineered to look like toilet stalls.
Why It’s a Pick Hit: Toilet-Bound Hanako-Kun has been a consistent best-seller (see “Top Manga Franchises – Spring 2022”). There’s an anime, of course, and the manga is actually very well written, mixing action, comedy, and wry observations about school life. This set is a great starter or gift set for someone who wants to read the series or has only been reading it online.
Tatsuki Fujimoto Before Chainsaw Man 22-26
Publisher: VIZ Media
Release Date: 4/19/23
Price: $9.99
Creator: Tatsuki Fujimoto
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781974734788
Age Rating: Teen Plus
What It’s About: Four short stories about murderous mermaids, gender gending, and the world’s worst little sister.
Why It’s a Pick Hit: Fujimoto is on a roll right now with the success of Chainsaw Man, and the companion volume to this standalone collection was one of 12 volumes by the creator on the January BookScan best-seller list (see “January 2023 NPD BookScan“).
Tista, Vol. 1
Publisher: VIZ Media
Release Date: 4/5/23
Price: $9.99
Creator: Tatsuya Endo
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781974736713
Age Rating: Teen Plus
What It’s About: A young woman leads a double life in New York City: Student by day, assassin by night. Her enhanced eyesight guarantees she will kill her prey with the first shot. Although she is feared by the criminals she stalks, Tista has problems of her own, but a relationship with a young man offers a glimmer of hope.
Why It’s a Pick Hit: Endo is the creator of Spy x Family, another repeat best-seller. This is an earlier story, and it’s just two volumes long, but it also has a more mature look and feel to it that may attract older readers as well as the expected audience.
Source: ICv2
