Square Enix Also Prints Manga

Call me crazy but I don’t think Square Enix’s recent obsession with NFTs and crypto is going to work out for them. With Forspoken failing to set the world on fire, and their recent president stepping down in disgrace, they need something new to rely on beyond Final Fantasy games. Maybe they can enter the manga market. Oh wait — they’re already doing that.

Yes, Square prints manga — and it’s not all material based on their games. Here are three titles they plan to release as physical books in 2023. We’ll start with the obvious…

FINAL FANTASY XIV: Eorzea Academy (English translated edition)
Follow Alisaie’s adventures as a high school student at Eorzea Academy as she navigates the merging of two former rival schools, the Academy of Light and the Academy of Darkness. Join all your favorite FINAL FANTASY XIV characters in this modern-day rollicking high school comedy.

Square plans a September 19 release for this one. But they also have original concepts lined up in the romcom and comedy genres…

The Ice Guy and the Cool Girl (English translated edition) Vol. 1
Sparks fly between the handsome descendant of a snow spirit and the oblivious coworker he has a crush on in this romantic office comedy. An enchanting slow-burn romance that takes the story of coworkers to lovers to new heights within a winter wonderland of emotions!

Square already has an anime deal in place for this one, and it actually beat the manga to a US release (Crunchyroll has it). The manga won’t be out in America until October 10.

Mr. Villain’s Day Off (English translated edition) Vol. 1
Most of the time, an evil supervillain spends his days hatching nefarious plots to take over the world – but on his days off, nothing gets between him and the cute pandas he adores! This fresh, charming comedy series answers the age-old question of what a villain does off the clock!

There is also an anime for this one, but it is not out yet. Maybe the manga can make it here first if it hurries. It has an August 15 release date.

FINAL FANTASY XIV: Eorzea Academy, The Ice Guy and the Cool Girl, and Mr. Villain’s Day Off are available for preorder now.