Kodansha USA Licenses Attack on Titan FLY, Last Samurai Standing, Manchuria Opium Squad and More – News

ANN’s coverage of Anime NYC 2024, sponsored by Yen Press and Ize Press!

Kodansha Publishing unveiled on its panel a new digital license for September and new print licenses for summer 2025 Anime NYC on Saturday.

Print licenses summer 2025:

Title: Last Samurai Standing (Ikusagami)
Authors: TATSUZ (based on novels by Shogo Imamura)
Summary: In a rapidly changing world, a dark game of life and death is brutally decimating Japan’s dwindling warrior class. Who will gather the few who still hold onto their swords and force them to fight? And who will be the last surviving samurai?

It is the 11th year of the Meiji era in Japan, and more than a decade since the samurai were stripped of their privileges and swords were banned on public streets. A mysterious poster is appearing in every corner of the country, luring martial arts experts to Kyoto with the promise of unimaginable riches. As the warriors stream aimlessly to the agreed place at the agreed time, they are faced with no ordinary task, but a bitter war – against each other!

Title: You are all mine tonight (Konya, Kimi to Nemuritai)
Authors: Takiba
Summary: A hot new BL One-shot about a businessman who longs to get back together with his former lover – and who wants nothing more than to leave his own problematic past behind.

Kanzaki is a typical businessman: he is stoic, reliable and respected by all his subordinates. But he has a secret that he cannot tell anyone: five years ago, he began an affair with a male sex worker named Nagi. The more nights they spent together, the more lust turned into love, and since then, Kanzaki has not been able to forget Nagi. After being sent abroad, Kanzaki returns to Japan and meets one of his new subordinates – a young man named Futagami who looks exactly like Nagi. As the part of Kanzaki’s past that was once frozen in time begins to thaw, can the two men find their way back to each other or will the passionate nights they spent together become a thing of the past?

Title: Light of my life
Authors: Takiba
Summary: Aki and Minagi were inseparable in high school until an incident tore their friendship apart. Years later, both men have given up on their high school dreams and each other. But when Minagi shows up at Aki’s door one night, is this just the push the two men need to confront their past and sort out their future?

Back in high school, best friends Aki and Minagi were inseparable. Aki dreamed of becoming a professional football player, while Minagi was considered a “genius” who was determined to pursue his dream of working as a doctor. Years later, Aki has taken over his grandfather’s barbershop, and Minagi has given up his interest in medicine to work in a sports club. Despite the growing tension between them after their fight in high school, Minagi shows up at Aki’s apartment one day and asks for a place to stay. Can the two men face their past to save their future?

Title: Attack on Titan FLY
Authors: Hajime Isayama
Summary: That wasn’t the end! This super premium collector’s set includes a huge art book with color illustrations and a new interview with the creator Hajime IsayamaReplicas of Eren’s key and Mikasa’s scarf and for the first time the exclusive manga booklet Volume 35.

The ultimate addition to any collection, Attack on Titan: FLY – previously only available in Japan in limited edition – is now also being released in English! This huge box set contains the last Attack on Titan Art book with every known AoT color illustration (or Titan!) and an exclusive new interview with Hajime Isayamahoused in a beautiful slipcase, along with bonuses that true Titan fans will love, such as a replica of the manuscript pages of the final chapter of Attack on Titan; the padlock and key that hide the secrets behind the basement of Eren’s family home; the scarf Eren gave to Mikasa; and, most exciting of all, the exclusive manga “Volume 35” – a new manga chapter focusing on fan-favorite Levi, as well as rough drafts of the final chapter, all presented in English for the first time!

Kodansha Publishing was asked on the panel whether it plans to release volume 35 of Attack on Titan separated from the Attack on Titan FLY collection, and the company stated that it could not share any further information at this time.

Digital License from September 2024:

Title: Manchurian Opium Troop
Authors: Tsukasa Monma, Shikako
Release date: September 10
Summary: In the corrupt, conflict-ridden Japanese puppet state of Manchukuo, the illegal opium trade is a dangerous path to quick riches – or a quick death. Desperate to save his doomed family, young Isamu Higata seizes a dangerous opportunity and uses his botanical knowledge to produce stunning opium in the hopes of making money. But when shadowy gangs and the oppressive state get wind of his schemes, Isamu is pushed deeper into an insidious world of deceit and depravity to protect himself and those he loves.

This series is fictional and contains graphic depictions of violence, drug abuse and other shocking images. The story and its content are not suitable for young or sensitive readers. The reader should take care of his own discretion.

Kodansha Publishing stated on his panel that his publication is separate from K MANGA release, and it will be uncensored.

Kodansha Publishing also unveiled a cover of a new edition of Yoshikawa‘S Musashi Novel, translated by Charles Terry. The cover features an illustration by rover Manga movies Creator Takehiko Inoue.

The company also unveiled a box set for Jyanome‘S Twilight blurred Manga that includes volumes 1-4 and a special booklet with exclusive art from the US edition, a new translated short story, and brand new color illustrations. The box set will be released in spring 2025.

Finally, Kodansha Publishing teased a “Kodansha House” project for Soho in New York City in October with the slogan “Where Manga Meets”.

Sources: Kodansha Publishing Industry panel at Anime NYC (Marion Peña), press release