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Kodansha Announces Fall 2025 Print Manga Lineup

Kodansha has revealed all the manga it plans to bring to physical life this fall. All the titles listed below will be available at places Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, Amazon and more. The titles will also have digital editions available through Bookwalker, Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, Google Play, Nook, Kobo, MyAnimeList and other vendors.

There’s a wide variety of releases here. Several family-friendly and just-for-kids titles will be released, including two volumes in the Cells At Work series, about an anthropomorphized red and white blood cell who reveal how the human body works. Five titles have come out in the series and this fall they’ll be joined by Picture Books and Cat!; the latter being a departure from human beings to explain how a CAT’S immune system works.

As far as artbooks are concerned we’ve got a big one, in both senses of the word: Artwork In The Shell, a hardcover collection of Shirow Masamune’s works that is nearly a foot tall. The book contains rare pieces drawn for Ghost In The Shell, Dominion, Appleseed and more.

In terms of romance, how about an affair with an atomic bomb? My Husband Is A Doomsday Weapon by By Yuki Amemiya and Yukino Ichihara is about an ancient weapon of mass destruction who forms into a humanoid and begins a relationship with the scientist who discovered him. Normally we’d hope for fireworks, but not in this case.

Kodansha’s full list of fall print releases can be browsed below.

PREMIUM ART BOOK:

Masamune Shirow: Artwork in the Shell
By Masamune Shirow
JP Title: 士郎正宗の世界展 公式原画集 SHIROW MASAMUNE ARTWORKS IN THE SHELL (Shirow Masamune no Sekai-ten – Koushiki Genga-shu)
Debut Date: Fall 2026
Artworks in the Shell is the capstone to any collection focused on Shirow Masamune, covering his more than 40-year career from Dominion and The Ghost in the Shell through Appleseed, Intron Depot, and more!
At 288 pages and nearly a foot long, this hardcover collection is the most spectacular presentation ever of the stunning range of Shirow’s color works, tracing his techniques from all-analog through dozens of early digital tools up to the present day. Assembled for a blockbuster career retrospective exhibition in Tokyo last year, this exhaustive collection of color work by Japan’s master of cyberpunk includes dozens of rare, uncollected pieces, including two exquisite double-folded gatefold artworks.
Rated: 18+

ALL-AGES:

Cells at Work! Picture Books
By Kumi Makimura
Original work by Akane Shimizu

JP Title: 絵本 はたらく細胞 (Ehon Hataraku Saibo)

Debut Date: Fall 2026

The mega-hit anime and best-selling manga is now an edutainment picture book series! Red Blood Cell, White Blood Cell (Neutrophil), and their team guide young readers on an exciting behind-the-scenes exploration of all the hard work going on to keep the human body healthy. Adorable characters, diagrams, and simple language help make the scientific adventure fun.

Titles in the series:
  • Cells at Work! Picture Book 1: The Great Bacteria Vs. White Blood Cell Battle!
  • Cells at Work! Picture Book 2: The Dastardly Duo of Flu and Food Poisoning!
  • Cells at Work! Picture Book 3: I’m Not Scared of Shots!
  • Cells at Work! Picture Book 4: Just a Cold? Just a Bump?
  • Cells at Work! Picture Book 5: Busy, Busy Gut Bug Buddies!
Rated: All Ages 10+
Cells at Work! Cat
Original story by Choco Aozora
Art by Meku Kaire
Supervised by Akane Shimizu
JP Title: はたらく細胞 猫 (Hataraku Saibo Neko)
Debut Date: Fall 2026

Red Blood Cell, White Blood Cell (Neutrophil), and their team put on their cat ears as they work, day and night to fight the invaders big and small to make sure these feline friends are happy, healthy, purring machines! Explore the action taking place inside a cat’s body, in Cells at Work! style, while also seeing the perspective from the humans who provide a home and tender loving care.

Rated: All Ages​ 10+
YuM Cat
By Shirimoto
JP Title: ンめねこ (Nmeneko)
Debut Date: Fall 2026
YuM Cat (Nmeneko) is a cat who just wants to enjoy the yummier things in life. But some things that look tasty can be deceiving, and sometimes you need to get a little creative to satiate a craving! Thankfully, YuM Cat’s got a trusty sidekick to help with the trickier slices of life!
This full-color, mostly wordless manga, based on the popular mascot character created by illustrator Shirimoto, which gained popularity on X (Twitter), was recently adapted into a short-form anime series starring Han Megumi and Hiro Shimono.
Perfect for cute cat fans (and foodies!) of any age!
 
Rated: 10+
When a Dragon Calls
Original Story by Sachiko Kashiwaba
Art by Renji Asai
Character Design by Miho Satake
JP Title: 竜が呼んだ娘 (Ryu ga Yonda Musume)
Debut Date: Fall 2026
A fantastical adventure based on the hit fantasy novel that will sweep you off your feet!
Ten-year-old Mia lives with her aunt in the poor, secluded, so-called “Criminals’ Village” where the only way out is to be called by a dragon and carried off to a new life. One day, the unassuming Mia is chosen for this honor and whisked away on dragon-back to the royal palace, a dazzling world filled with witches, dragon-riding knights, and a centuries-long curse she must somehow find a way to lift.
Perfect for young readers and fans of Kiki’s Delivery Service and Spirited Away! 
 
Rated: 10+

Action & Adventure:

Erin the Beast Player
Original story by Nahoko Uehashi
Art by Itoe Takemoto
JP Title: 獣の奏者  (Kemono no Souja)
Debut Date: Fall 2026

Coming to print for the first time in all-new omnibus editions!

Erin loves her modest but happy life with her mother, a gifted beast doctor who cares for the fearsome giant serpents that the kingdom’s warriors ride into battle. But their world is turned upside down when the entire stable of the prized serpents dies overnight, and Erin’s mother is saddled with the blame. Before she knows it, ten-year-old Erin is cast off in a faraway land where she must learn to survive with only her mother’s words and the kindness of strangers to guide her.

A sumptuous manga adaptation of the hit fantasy novel series, perfect for fans of Witch Hat Atelier, Mushishi, and Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind!
 
Rated: 10+

Action & Adventure:

My Husband is a Doomsday Weapon
By Yuki Amemiya and Yukino Ichihara
JP Title: 旦那様は終末兵器 (Danna-sama wa Shuumatsu Heiki)
Debut Date: Fall 2026
The first ever post-apocalyptic hard sci-fi human/android romance?!
A young scientist working to restore a civilization destroyed centuries ago by cataclysmic war unearths a devastatingly powerful doomsday weapon, which saves her from a marauding robot, then promptly transforms into human guise, identifying her as its new master. Thanks to the input from a romance novel, this handsome anthropomorphic weapon dedicates itself body and soul to our heroine, who in turn realizes that this may be the answer to her total inability to interact with human men…
Packed with humor and sterling artwork, this series fuses the visual storytelling techniques of shojo manga with effortlessly natural and precise science fiction worldbuilding to create something totally unique, and genuinely romantic!
Rated: 13+
You Might As Well Be the One
By Megumu Seto
JP Title: いっそあなたがトドメを刺して (Isso Anata ga Todome wo Sashite)
Debut Date: Fall 2026
“I want you to never stop smiling.” Ichika, a college student, just wants to have a normal romance for once, yet because of her flashy appearance, she is often misunderstood. Not ready to give up on a romantic encounter, Ichika joins a drinking party and meets a kind boy named Kosei. They immediately click and Ichika has a great time talking to him about their mutual interests and other things, and she finds herself falling for him after he tells her that he likes her for who she is. However, he has a secret…?!
Rated: 16+

BL:

A Love Too Captivating
By Mia Sorahana
JP Title: たまらないのは恋なのか (Tamaranai no wa Koi na no ka)
Debut Date: Fall 2026

The eagerly-awaited BL is finally here!

Misuzu never goes looking for fights, they just always come to him. But when he sees the local punks trying to start trouble with his classmate, honor-student Kitahara, he can’t help himself from stepping in. Ever since, Kitahara has been following Misuzu everywhere, trying to get to know this so-called bully who is actually much sweeter than he seems. All Misuzu wants is to be left alone…at first. But soon, something begins to blossom between the two, something that may just prove too captivating to resist.

A must-read for fans of My Summer of You and Sasaki and Miyano!
 
Rated: 16+
Comeback After Fate
By Anji Seina
JP Title: カムバック・アフター・フェイト
Debut Date: Fall 2026
The steamy K-Pop omegaverse BL manga you’ve been waiting for!
Eli’s boy band VINKS has just made their big debut, and as the youngest in the group, far from having everything handed to him as an alpha, he has to work twice as hard! One day, he participates in a session with Lee Suyoung from the top-ranked, all-alpha group α-code. For Eli, a longtime fan, it’s a dream come true. But what’s this sweet smell coming from Suyoung? Before he knows it, Eli’s mouth is heading for Suyoung’s nape… It’s only one month until α-code’s big comeback. What will they do, now that Eli knows Suyoung’s secret?
Rated: 18+

Box Set:

Gachiakuta Dumpster Box Set
By Kei Urana
Graffiti Design by Hideyoshi Andou
Debut Date: Fall 2026

Volumes 1-10 of the original manga in a graffiti-covered, dumpster-shaped box set. Bonus item: cotton tote bag made from recycled material.

A young boy is framed for murder and cast off the edge of a floating city into the abyss, where he grapples with the monsters that the elite high above would rather forget. The more the rich glitter, the higher the price paid by the poor…

Now a hit anime running through December 2025!
Rated: 16+

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Avatar of Dart
Dart

Member

494 messages 30 likes

The box set for Gachiakuta sounds very cool. Making it look like a dumpster fits the story’s theme. I also appreciate that they use recycled material for the tote bag. It’s small touches like that which make a collector’s edition stand out. I’m glad this series is getting more recognition, especially now that the anime is ongoing.

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Avatar of Gibletsnearby
Gibletsnearby

Member

318 messages 16 likes

The lineup shows how much Kodansha understands variety. You have something for kids, cat lovers, BL readers, sci-fi fans, and collectors. The one that got my attention most is My Husband is a Doomsday Weapon. I like the mix of romance and technology. It reminds me a little of classic sci-fi stories where machines start to understand emotions. The premise sounds dramatic but also slightly humorous, which makes it unique.

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Avatar of Ruisu
Ruisu

勇気ある者

159 messages 5 likes

I find Artwork in the Shell very exciting. Shirow Masamune’s art has always fascinated me. It’s not only about robots and futuristic cities but also about his mastery of color and line. Having all his rare works together in one big hardcover sounds worth collecting. It’s expensive, I’m sure, but art like this deserves to be printed on good paper. I just hope the binding quality matches the importance of the artist.

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Avatar of Fujiyoshi excellence
Fujiyoshi excellence

The Book of love is long and boring

246 messages 18 likes

The BL titles look strong this season. A Love Too Captivating has that classic school setting but seems more emotional than most. I like that it’s not just about romance but also about understanding and acceptance. Comeback After Fate being an omegaverse story in the K-pop scene sounds bold. It’s nice that Kodansha is publishing stories that appeal to modern fans without watering them down.

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Avatar of Dawglas
Dawglas

Member

467 messages 15 likes

I am very impressed with how Kodansha is expanding the Cells at Work! franchise. Moving from human biology to cats is such a clever idea. It keeps the same educational approach but adds fun for pet lovers. I think it will attract both children and adults who enjoy learning in a lighthearted way. It also shows that manga can teach science while still being entertaining.

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Avatar of TJN
TJN

Member

153 messages 4 likes

I like that Kodansha is including so many age ranges. From picture books for children to more mature BL manga, there is something for everyone. Erin the Beast Player and When a Dragon Calls show that fantasy still has a strong place, even for younger readers. It is good to see publishers not forgetting stories that encourage imagination.

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Avatar of Michael1
Michael1

Member

155 messages 15 likes

The graffiti-style box set for Gachiakuta looks very bold. I like when the design reflects the tone of the story. Making the box shaped like a dumpster is unusual, but it gives character to the collection. The inclusion of the tote bag is also practical and eco-friendly. I hope more series try creative packaging like this.

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