Kitchen Princess Sequel Manga Miniseries Announced
Exciting news for shōjo manga fans: Kodansha's Nakayoshi magazine has announced a brand-new sequel to the beloved Kitchen Princess manga. Titled Kitchen Princess: One More Plate, the follow-up will appear in the next issue dated April 3, bringing back the warm blend of food, friendship, and heartfelt storytelling that made the original series a favorite. Below we break down what we know, revisit the series' history, outline where English readers can find the manga, and look at creator highlights and legacy.
What the announcement tells us
Kodansha's April issue of Nakayoshi revealed that writer Miyuki Kobayashi and artist Natsumi Ando are returning to the Kitchen Princess universe with a new sequel titled Kitchen Princess: One More Plate. The sequel is slated to begin in the magazine issue dated April 3. While details such as the length of the run, story focus, and serialization cadence have not been released in the announcement excerpt, the title itself — One More Plate — hints at more culinary-driven episodes and emotional reunions for fans of the original series.
Kitchen Princess — quick refresher
Originally serialized in Kodansha’s Nakayoshi magazine from August 2004 through 2008, Kitchen Princess was collected into ten volumes. Praised for its sweet yet dramatic shōjo storytelling and its emphasis on cooking as both craft and emotional expression, the series blended episodic recipe sequences with a longer character-driven narrative. In addition to the manga, the franchise received a tie-in novel in March 2008 titled Search for the Angel Cake, written by Kobayashi and illustrated by Ando.
Why the series resonated
Kitchen Princess stood out in the mid-2000s shōjo field by combining heartwarming culinary set pieces with relatable coming-of-age themes: friendship, perseverance, and the search for connection. The use of recipes and food as story devices invited readers to taste the emotions on the page while rooting for the protagonists' personal growth. That emotional culinary core is likely what the new sequel intends to revisit and expand.
Where English readers can find the series
English-language distribution for Kitchen Princess has a history of multiple print editions. Del Rey Manga originally published the series volume-by-volume in English between 2007 and 2009. Later, Kodansha USA released an omnibus edition, publishing four omnibus volumes between June 2012 and 2013. Those omnibus editions are a good place for new readers to start if they want to catch up before the sequel begins. For ordering or product information, see Kodansha USA’s product page for the omnibus release. (Kodansha USA product page)
About the creators: Miyuki Kobayashi and Natsumi Ando
The creative team behind Kitchen Princess combines Kobayashi’s storytelling with Ando’s expressive artwork. Their collaboration originally produced the ten-volume run and the 2008 novel tie-in.
Natsumi Ando — recent works and adaptations
Artist Natsumi Ando continued to build a strong body of work after Kitchen Princess. She launched Something’s Wrong With Us (Japanese title: Watashi-tachi wa Dōka Shiteiru) in Kodansha’s Be Love magazine in December 2016 and concluded the main story in July 2021; Kodansha published the 16th and final main story volume in September 2021. That series also received side stories, including a newlywed arc, and it inspired a live-action television adaptation that premiered in July 2020. Ando’s other titles made available in English include Arisa and Let’s Dance a Waltz (Waltz no Ojikan), while earlier works like Zodiac P.I. and Wild @ Heart were published by Tokyopop and Del Rey in various regions.
What to expect from Kitchen Princess: One More Plate
While official plot details are limited, the sequel’s title and the creative team’s track record suggest a return to the emotional, food-centered storytelling that fans remember. Possibilities include episodic recipe-driven chapters, deeper looks at supporting characters, or a continuation of unresolved character arcs from the original series. Given Natsumi Ando’s experience with both dramatic storytelling and adaptations, readers can reasonably expect high-quality art and character work alongside the culinary focus.
Reading order and tips for returning fans
- Fresh readers: Start with the original ten-volume run (or the omnibus editions) to understand the characters and emotional beats that define the series.
- Returning fans: Revisit key volumes or chapters that focus on the main relationships and pivotal cooking moments to reacquaint yourself with the series’ tone before the sequel begins.
- Collectors: Keep an eye on Kodansha USA’s announcements for any new reprints or special editions tied to the sequel launch.
Legacy and cultural impact
Kitchen Princess is often cited as an influential title for blending culinary themes with shōjo romance and drama. Its approach encouraged a wave of manga that place food at the narrative center rather than as a backdrop, and its recipe pages helped cement the series as an accessible gateway for readers who enjoy both food culture and character-driven stories.
Final thoughts
The announcement of Kitchen Princess: One More Plate is a welcome moment for readers who grew up with the original series and for a new generation curious about culinary shōjo. With Miyuki Kobayashi and Natsumi Ando reuniting under the Nakayoshi banner, the sequel promises to serve familiar flavors with fresh twists — more recipes, more heart, and one more helping of the charm that made the series beloved. Keep an eye on Nakayoshi’s April issue dated April 3 for the first installment, and watch publisher pages for English reprint and distribution updates.
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