Anime Buzz

PAX Kōfuku Kanri Kyoku: Maki Marukido’s New Manga Tackles a Future of State‑Managed Happiness Maki Marukido, known for emotionally charged works like Pornographer and The End of the World, With You, is set to launch a brand‑new manga titled PAX Kōfuku Kanri Kyoku (PAX — Happiness Management Bureau). According to the April issue of Afternoon magazine, the series will begin in the magazine’s next issue on March 25. This new title moves Marukido into a near‑future, policy‑driven thriller premise that explores how a government system designed to enforce happiness collides with human complexity. Image via Afternoon's website © Kodansha Premise: What Is the PAX System? PAX Kōfuku Kanri Kyoku is set in a future Japan governed under the National Happiness Management Act, commonly called the “PAX System.” Under that law, companies and public organizations adopt a centralized framework that trains and evaluates citizens on prescribed concepts of happiness. The story follow...

Great news for fans of quiet, heartfelt romance: Suu Morishita’s A Sign of Affection (Yubisaki to Renren) has surpassed 7.8 million copies in circulation worldwide. The milestone underscores the series’ growing appeal thanks to its delicate portrayal of young love, communication barriers, and the everyday moments that make relationships meaningful. Below we break down what this achievement means for the manga and anime, where to read and watch it, and why the story continues to resonate with readers around the globe. © Suu Morishita, Kodansha Recent Milestone: 7.8 Million Copies in Circulation Kodansha’s Dessert magazine announced that A Sign of Affection has exceeded 7.8 million copies in circulation worldwide. This figure reflects cumulative copies across print and digital formats, demonstrating strong international demand since the manga’s debut in July 2019. The news also arrives shortly after the release of the series’ 14th compiled volume on May 13, furthe...

Episode 8 of Wash It All Away serves up a breezy, seaside installment that leans into character-driven warmth more than plot progression. The episode trims the momentum from last week’s social media angle quickly, but compensates with an easygoing new friendship, scenic montages, and the carefree vibes that make this series an amiable watch. It isn’t a showstopper, but it’s a pleasant, low-effort episode that reinforces what the series does best: mood, chemistry, and a sun-soaked slice-of-life rhythm. © Mitsuru Hattori/SQUARE ENIX,Kinishite Committee. Quick recap: Where Episode 8 picks up The episode opens by undercutting the previous episode’s social media triumph: Kinme’s brief moment of online popularity evaporates within days. That narrative beat is handled quickly and with little fanfare, effectively rendering the whole social media subplot ephemeral. From that pivot, the episode introduces a new supporting character and focuses on a day-off in Hatsushima, ...

Yen Press has quietly curated an eclectic November slate packed with fresh manga and light novels that span dystopian cyberpunk, cozy rom-coms, spine-tingling horror, and sweeping fantasy epics. From a Cold War that never ended in Moscow 2160 to heartwarming height-gap romance in My Girlfriend is a Colossal Cutie, this license drop gives readers a little of everything. Below we break down the key titles, what makes them worth your attention, and where to keep an eye for pre-orders and more details. Overview: Yen Press' November Licensing Drop This announcement brings 11 manga and 7 light novel series to Yen Press' upcoming lineup, plus an audiobook release for Keiichi Hikami's Elden Ring–inspired novel See You at That Site of Grace After Work. The selection highlights niche gems and broad-appeal properties—perfect for collectors, casual readers, and genre-hoppers alike. Standout Manga Picks Moscow 2160 Image courtesy of Yen Press © Kumo Kagyu, Kōtarō Sekine ...

Episode 8 of Go For It, Nakamura-kun!! starts off on familiar ground but quickly veers into territory that many viewers will find uncomfortable rather than funny. What begins with a relatable, awkward moment—Nakamura failing to say a simple "hello"—soon escalates into scenes that blur the line between cringe comedy and outright unpleasantness. This review breaks down what worked, what didn't, and why this episode left a sour aftertaste despite a few genuine laughs. ©Nakamura-kun!! Animation Project Episode overview: awkward beats and a tonal misstep The episode opens with a small, effective beat: Nakamura’s social anxiety manifests in a failed greeting, something many viewers can empathize with. That early moment is the highlight—sharp, character-based humor that lands because it’s specific and human. But after that bright start the script leans back into Nakamura’s more invasive insecurities. A skit about gym clothes and a moment where Nakamura s...

MANGA MIRAI has expanded its U.S. digital lineup with a fresh batch of Futabasha manga — a welcome addition for fans of isekai, cooking-centric fantasy, and underdog power-ups. The new titles include adaptations of popular web novels and light novels that have already drawn anime attention or cultivated strong manga runs. Below you’ll find an overview of each series, creator credits, quick summaries, publication status, and what makes each one worth checking out on the MANGA MIRAI platform. New Futabasha Additions on MANGA MIRAI — At a Glance Media Do, NTT Docomo, Akatsuki Group, and MyAnimeList launched MANGA MIRAI in the United States in March 2025 as a digital manga distribution service focused on bridging anime and manga discovery. These recent Futabasha additions expand the platform’s selection of light‑novel adaptations, bringing English readers more isekai, culinary fantasy, and unconventional protagonists to explore. The titles added There Was a Cute Girl in the Hero...