New Kodansha Manga Coming in April 2025
Next month’s Kodansha manga releases are full of fearsome foes. From vampires to kaiju to a recent horror movie heroine, these titles should be fully fearful. But this trio of new releases runs the gamut from horror to wholesome! Join us as we review this trio of new releases, available in print and digital editions next month!
Toxic Daughter: Chi-chan
Before the 2024 thriller Toxic Daughter premiered, there was Toxic Daughter: Chi-chan. Now, Kodansha Manga is releasing this single volume, penned by Shuzo Ozumi. Across the chapters, we learn the harrowing backstory of the film’s scissor-wielding star. The manga follows a pair of schoolkids: shy artist Yua and her crush Koudai. When Koudai decides they should team up to encourage prodigal classmate Chi to return to school, things come unspooled. Chi is bug-obsessed and weirdly violent, and takes a pair of scissors to any she deems her foe. But when her actions begin to harm others, it becomes apparent that the real villain may be hidden in plain sight.
You don’t need to have seen Toxic Daughter to appreciate the prequel manga. It’s chilling, gory, and unsettling. But it’s also a stunning piece of work, all about the horrors that lie under the surface of everyday life. Thriller lovers will want this on their shelves.
Toxic Daughter: Chi-chan goes on sale April 22.
A Vampire in the Bathhouse
Before you ask—no, this isn’t Baban Baban Ban Vampire. But this new Kodansha manga does, as the title says, follow A Vampire in the Bathhouse. The bloodsucker du jour is Luka Edelmondt Finsternis, a creature of the night who visits the human world to heal his aches and pains. In order to use his vampire magic, he bonds with Sakura, the eldest son of the Full Moon Bathhouse. And wacky hijinks ensue… including clarity on what being a vampire’s bond actually requires!
This single-volume story fills a Japanese bathhouse with paranormal creatures, yes. But it also highlights the simple pleasures of modern Japanese life. From summer festivals to sports days to (of course) bathhouses, this manga covers it all. It’s a sweet, gentle story accented by beautiful art. If you want a cozy paranormal read, this is a must.
A Vampire in the Bathhouse goes on sale April 29.
GAEA-TIMA the Gigantis Vol. 1
Ten years ago, Miyako barely survived a kaiju attack. Now, the creature has become something of a local mascot. Dubbed GAEA-TIMA, the monster brough plentiful seafood and tourism to the town. But, despite designing GAEA-TIMA’s corporate image, Miyako finds herself less enthusiastic about the creature’s influence. When a new kaiju invades, GAEA-TIMA returns… now as an active hero! And it seems that this reborn beast has a very real link to Miyako.
Kaiju films, at their best, can explore difficult and daunting aspects of life. GAEA-TIMA the Gigantis does this in spades, examining the internal conflict that comes when tragedy and benefit go hand-in-hand. The monster designs are fantastic, with many of them bearing similarities to creatures across both the Godzilla and Gamera franchises. And one of those designs is weirdly, surprisingly cute. This is a title with a lot of promise, both in terms of awesome action and its deeper story. If you enjoyed Godzilla Minus One, this is a must-have.
