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This is a requiem for those who are lost, wandering, and anguished in their lives after reaching 50. Amidst Japan's start of a new era, the protagonist of this story is Shiosawa. Once an editor for a prominent manga publisher, he has since retired early and finds himself questioning the significance of manga in his life. Is it merely a profession to him, a means of self-expression, or a source of companionship?
Sex is an intimate and exposed act that often necessitates an immense amount of faith. Misuzu grappled with this vulnerability, dejectedly abandoning both intimate relationships and dating entirely after being informed that she lacked proficiency in bed. Despite this, Misuzu eventually summoned the bravery to re-enter the world of romance when her coworker Mikage-san propositioned her years later. Sadly, she soon discovers that Mikage-san too struggles with sexual hang-ups. Will they be able to disregard their anxieties and cooperate to construct a resilient, gratifying bond?
Dear Citizen, We appreciate your loyalty, especially during these troubled times when people seem unmotivated and apathetic. You may be wondering why nothing is being done to stop this decline. Rest assured, we are taking measures to address the issue. Starting immediately, we will randomly select a citizen each day and they will be notified of their demise within 24 hours. This will serve as a reminder of how precious life is and the importance of being a productive member of society. Thank you for your attention and cooperation. Congratulations, you have been randomly selected by the government to participate in this reminder. Note: This piece was nominated for the Angoulême International Comics Festival in 2009.
Despite being homosexual himself, Jun lives in secrecy, hiding his true identity even from his childhood friend, because he considers same-sex orientation to be repulsive, abnormal, and shameful. To satisfy his desires, he engages in a clandestine affair with a married man and relies on "Mr. Fahrenheit" as his anonymous online confessor. Jun dons a false persona every day, maneuvering carefully to conceal his authentic self. Jun's life takes a dramatic turn when he meets Sae Miura, a fellow student who harbors her own secrets as a fujoshi. Though Sae remains unaware of Jun's homosexuality, she challenges his biased notions of same-sex relationships, and the two bond closely. Nevertheless, their relationship turns on its head when Sae confesses her romantic feelings for Jun.
Nao Okura adored helping her mother make wagashi, a revered Japanese delicacy, when she was younger. Her mother landed a job as a wagashi maker, where Nao met Tsubaki Takatsuki—Kogetsuan's heir—filling her childhood with warmth and happiness. But, the good times vanished when tragedy struck, leading Tsubaki to testify against Nao's mother, landing her in prison on false charges. Many years later, Nao—now Nao Hanaoka—works at a reputable wagashi establishment. But fate leads her back to Kogetsuan, where she encounters Tsubaki as a cruel man, barely recognizing her. In a surprising move, he proposes to Nao, hoping to elevate Kogetsuan's wagashi quality. Despite no romantic feelings towards him, Nao agrees to use the marriage as an opportunity to discover the truth behind what happened to her mother. Thus, commences their marriage of convenience, which may evolve into something more.
During a school trip, Kaito Ise and his classmates suddenly find themselves in the middle of a deadly game in which they must fight each other until one person remains. However, the organizers soon discover that Kaito is an "isekai returner" who had spent a decade in a fantasy world where even the smallest monsters posed great threats. After saving the fantasy world, Kaito returns to Japan only to find that only a few seconds have passed since his departure. All he wants is to enjoy his school trip and live a peaceful life. Despite being up against a former "strongest man," the organizers are no match for Kaito, who easily defeats them with his overpowered skills. However, new problems arise once things return to normal, and Kaito realizes that a peaceful life might be too much to ask for.
Featuring kidnapping, murder, and forbidden relationships, The Abysmal Flower is a novel that has stirred up controversy. The story revolves around the downfall of the notorious Agrece crime family, and the abduction of Cassis, the protagonist's elder brother, by Roxana's father. Roxana faces a difficult decision: to bide her time for revenge, or take action to save Cassis, who holds the key to her survival. However, with treacherous individuals lurking in their midst, can Roxana and Cassis unite to dismantle the brutal Agrece empire?
Silent and dark arrivals are the norm for them. Descending from the skies, these creatures hunger for the taste of human flesh. They infest every corner of the planet, surviving by invading and dominating a human host. Once inside, they can transform into any dangerous form desired, from monsters with teeth like giants to winged demons and even those with blade-like hands. Yet, they mostly choose to disguise their deadly nature with an ordinary human appearance. Their secret is only known to one average high school student, Shin. Battling to regain control of his own body from an alien parasite, he must find a way to warn humanity of the terrors on the horizon.
Maebara Keiichi enjoys his days in school, playing games with his local friends, after moving to the peaceful town of Hinamizawa. However, the tranquil environment turns out to be a facade when Keiichi discovers news of a murder that occurred in the town. From that point on, Keiichi's life takes a gruesome turn as he realizes his close friends may not be who they seem to be. The story, based on the amateur mystery game by 7th Expansion, is told through various scenarios. Tsumihoroboshi is the sixth manga in a series that explores different scenarios in the Higurashi games, and the second one that attempts to answer past puzzling questions. Focusing on Ryuuguu Rena's sudden distrust of her friends, the story answers some lingering questions revolving around Furude Rika's mysterious death.
In the summer of 1983, Keiichi Maebara and his family leave the noisy city for the tranquil town of Hinamizawa. There, he befriends Satoko Houjou, Rika Furude, Rena Ryuuguu, and Mion Sonozaki, who become his loyal group of friends. As they spend their days enjoying carefree fun, Keiichi gradually realizes that things in Hinamizawa are not what they seem. While attending the Cotton Drifting Festival, Keiichi discovers that the town has been plagued by murders and disappearances in the aftermath of the celebration. The locals attribute it to the "Oyashiro's Curse," which claims that anyone who angers the town's patron god will be cursed with death or disappearance. Initially, Keiichi dismisses it as a scary myth aimed at disciplining naughty children. However, when his friends refuse to speak about the strange occurrences in the village and a murder and disappearance happen after the festival, Keiichi starts to suspect his new friends' involvement in the gruesome events. He fears he may be the next victim of the mysterious vindictive force.
At 25 years old, Shizuka Yamauchi works as a housekeeper while Makiko Mitarai, who is 46 years old, is an amateur model and impeccable homemaker. Despite their unfamiliarity, the two have a history that Shizuka seeks to rectify in order to vindicate her mother. However, Makiko harbors her own secrets, and Shizuka must be cautious in her pursuit of the truth to avoid being harmed.
Upon his arrival at Shouran Academy Juvenile Detention Center, Yoshiaki Maeda finds himself sharing Cell 4 with fellow inmates Gou Iwakura, Masafumi Yoshioka, and Mitsuru Yamanoi, all of whom have different charges and sentences. Trapped within the walls of the detention center, Yoshiaki, who already harbors a negative outlook on life, soon learns of a fierce power struggle brewing amongst the inmates. However, matters take a turn for the worse when an unexpected zombie apocalypse hits the outside world, with one van carrying infected individuals crashing into the detention center, thereby unleashing a deadly threat on everyone inside.
