#Kodansha USA Announces New Print & Digital Licenses at NYCC 2024, Plans Monthly Blue Lock Volume Releases

During its industry panel at New York Comic Con 2024, Kodansha USA announced its latest slate of eight new manga licenses coming to print in Fall 2025, as well as two new digital manga licenses set for release later this year. 

Some of the newest print manga licenses include Sheeta’s Little Big World, Nezumi’s First Love, Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun: IruMafia Edition, and You Can’t Bluff the Sharp-Eyed Sister, among others. The company also listed some new box sets and new manga editions that will be available for purchase. 

Meanwhile, the two new digital licenses are As the Gods Will (from the writer of Blue Lock) and India Calling Me Now. 

Here are the details for Kodansha USA’s newest licenses: 

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Fall 2025 Print Manga Licenses 

Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun: IruMafia Edition

Manga Story and Art: Hiroja 

Original Story: Osamu Nishi

Release Date: Fall 2025

Synopsis: 

In this brand-new spinoff of the runaway hit series, Iruma is a dirt-poor but unfailingly cheerful young boy who grows up in a ruthless city slum. One day, Iruma gives an injured old man his last loaf of bread and nurses the stranger back to health — only to find out that the elder gent is none other than Don Sullivan, head of the Babyl Mafia! Soon after, Don Sullivan comes back, whisks Iruma away, and begs the boy to become his grandson. And just like that, Iruma begins his new life as the next in line to lead a gigantic gang of — dare we say — demonic mafiosos!

Sheeta’s Little Big World

Story and Art: Yuki Kamba

Release Date: Fall 2025

Synopsis: 

Sheeta and Nala live happily inside a hollowed-out log with their fellow “littlefolk,” who stand no taller than a blade of grass. When Nala runs off one day to investigate a mysterious smoke signal, Sheeta must summon all his wit and courage as he sets off in pursuit. Rats, ants, weasels, giants… The wide world is full of dangers, but the plucky Sheeta will stop at nothing to find his friend. A charming new adventure manga for young readers and teens alike.

A Curtain Call for You

Story: Shiho Satou

Art: Kiki Emoda

Release Date: Fall 2025

Synopsis: 

Shy, mousy Sakura Akutsu is content to keep her adventures confined to the pages of her notebook — until the brash, outgoing new transfer student Tsubame Hiiragi gets her hands on it, that is. The two secretly share the stories Sakura spins, but soon that secret proves too big to keep, and Tsubame whisks Sakura into a glittering world she could never have imagined!

As Sakura learns to be confident in who she is and ignore what others think, Tsubame learns to go below the surface and dig deep for emotional truths that may have eluded her… Together they’ll learn about art, love, truth, and most of all, the theater…!

This creative and emotionally rich series uses every visual tool available to express the confusion and elation of adolescence.

You Can’t Bluff the Sharp-Eyed Sister

Story: Natsu Hyuuga

Art: Yo Asami

Original Character Designs: Chiho Shinishi

Release Date: Fall 2025

From the author of The Apothecary Diaries light novel series. 

Synopsis: 

In a sleepy countryside church, Chloe plays the part of a prim and naïve novice, studying to become a priestess. But when night falls, she sneaks out in disguise to win big money at cards!

Despite her best efforts, word gets around, and one day a handsome young holy knight named Heraldo—known as a rising star in the capital—arrives to enlist her help. A murder two years ago threatens the stability of the kingdom, and Heraldo thinks this card shark in sister’s clothes can solve it using her Gift—the rare blessing that allows someone to use magic. Little does Heraldo know, there’s nothing supernatural about Chloe’s winning streak. She’s just got a quick wit, and sharp eyes! Will that be enough to survive the den of devils that is the royal palace?

My Instructor Won’t Yield

Story and Art: Deme Kingyobachi

Release Date: Fall 2025

Synopsis: 

Chiba’s kind manner, clear guidance, and pretty face easily make him the favorite instructor of every female student at the driving school where he works. But, while he’ll play up his charms to get good reviews, Chiba is diligent about politely — but firmly — rejecting any romantic gestures or advances that may come his way. His well-crafted persona is put to the test when he is matched with the mysterious Yaotome, a new student gaining a reputation of his own as the “Sharp-Suited Prince.” Despite his cool looks and demeanor, Yaotome can hardly compose himself when Chiba begins their lesson. Is it just nerves, or is there something more to it…?

Shoot Juliet Down

Story and Art: Komachi Katsura

Release Date: Fall 2025

Synopsis: 

Love is a brutal battle between vanity and desire.

Amidst the dark glamor of host club Velvet Kiss, Juri—also called Juliet—commands a vice-like grip on the number one position. Impressed by this poker-faced beauty’s supreme reign, newbie and number-two host Akatsuki decides he must learn Juliet’s secrets—and shoot him down from the top of the pack. But Akatsuki’s first up-close taste of Juliet’s intoxicating charm leaves him craving more than he’d expected. And as he may soon learn, some secrets are better left in their bottles, and the bullet that shoots through one heart might take out more than it bargained for…

Nezumi’s First Love

Story and Art: Riku Oseto

Release Date: Fall 2025

Synopsis: 

Here’s the sweet, bloody yakuza love story we’ve all been waiting for! Nezumi was raised by the mob to be an emotionless killing machine, but a chance encounter in an arcade leads to a romance at total odds with everything she’s known. Equal parts ultraviolence and kawaii, Nezumi’s First Love turns both the hitman and love comedy genres on their heads!

Before You Go Extinct

Story: Takashi Ushiroyato

Art: Kanato Abiko

Release Date: Fall 2025

Synopsis: 

A darkly comic look at the meaning and meaninglessness of life, through the eyes of various adorable and occasionally psychopathic species facing extinction.

A humble rock is at the center of this transmigratory tale of two souls who take the form of penguins, otters, crows, and more as they learn about the the value of culture, the beauty of play in the face of capitalist pressure to produce and reproduce, and the power of love in the face of total annihilation.

New Digital Manga Licenses

As the Gods Will

Story: Muneyuki Kaneshiro

Art: Akeji Fujimura 

Release Date: November 12, 2024

Synopsis: 

Deep down inside, high school student Shun Takahata craves for some excitement in his boring life…but his teacher’s head randomly exploding isn’t exactly what he had in mind. And when some of his classmates suddenly suffer the same fate, he begins to realize he’s been thrust into a series of deadly supernatural children’s games. Shun and fellow survivors are completely in the dark, not knowing who’s responsible, why it’s happening, or when it will end. To have any hope of unraveling the mystery behind the gruesome games, they’ll first have to outlast the games…and each other.

India Calling Me Now 

Story and Art: Terako Shima

Release Date: December 10, 2024

Synopsis: 

After years of struggling to get her work published, 28-year old manga artist Natsume is on the brink of giving up. When her boyfriend gets transferred to India and asks her to come, she takes it as a sign to finally let go of the dreams she’d pursued her whole life. But when she arrives and realizes that he sees her as little more than a dutiful future housewife, she dumps him on the spot and finds herself all alone in an unfamiliar land. Through her encounters with the resilient and radiant women she meets there, Natsume slowly finds the strength to follow her dreams once again.

Kodansha also announced that it will be publishing new volumes of Blue Lock every month starting July 2025, in order to catch up with the original Japanese release. 

In addition, Tadashi Agi and Shu Okimoto’s The Drops of God returns to print, in commemoration of the Apple+ live-action drama series of the same name. The manga will be reprinted in its original 2-in-1 omnibus editions. 

Novels

Koji Suzuki’s Ring (Barnes & Noble Exclusive Edition)

Story: Koji Suzuki

Release Date: November 2024 

The major retailer is partnering with Kodansha to release an exclusive variant edition of Koji Suzuki’s horror novel. The book features an all new art cover of a mock VHS cover and contains sprayed page edges to mimic TV static. Each copy also comes with an insert of the original Ring cover with a printed Koji Suzuki signature

Totto-chan The Little Girl at the Window: The Sequel (Novel)

Story: Tetsuko Kuroyanagi

Debut Date: Fall 2025

Description: 

Over forty years ago, Japanese pop culture icon Testuko Kuroyanagi ended her childhood memoir shortly after her beloved school, Tomoe Gakuen, burned down beneath the American air raids of WWII. At last, she returns to continue little Totto’s tale, beginning with her family’s frantic effort to escape Tokyo and the worst of the war. Told with the same disarming charm that enamored over 25 million readers worldwide, this sequel invites us to see the harsh realities of war through the eyes of an ever-curious child who finds wonder in the darkest of places, and trace her path to becoming a trailblazing actress and philanthropist who forever changed the landscape of Japanese entertainment. 

Fall 2025 Box Sets & New Editions

Witch Hat Atelier Manga Box Set 1

Story and Art: Kamome Shirahama

Release Date: Fall 2025

This box set will include an exclusive set of art cards. 

AKIRA Hardcover Collection

Story and Art: Katsuhiro Otomo

Release Date: Fall 2025

This collection includes the original Japanese art and right-to-left reading format, which will now be available in single-volume, collectible hardcovers. 

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Source: press release