Seven Seas Pubwatch: November 2022

November is here? WHEW. This year has tested me and I am TIRED. Sending everyone near the end of the semester and near the end of the year strength in a major way as we are moving towards the end (of 2022, not civilization!) Hoping everyone getting some con-action (I see you Anime NYC folks) is being safe and having fun! November is best known here in the states for Thanksgiving — so however you celebrate, I hope it is with good food, and a spirit of gratefulness as you gather with the ones you love! Jump in, and take a seat as we get into it!

Autobiographical Manga Lovers Behold:

I’m a Terminal Cancer Patient, but I’m Fine.
Story & Art by: Hilnama
Release Date: 2022/11/01
Format: Manga
Translation: Beni Axia Conrad
Adaptation: Carly Smith
Lettering: Brendon Hull

Seven Seas is good for isekai for sure. *wink* #isekaiispossible Seven Seas has also been nailing it with the auto-bio manga. Between Nagata Kabi’s manga (My Lesbian Experience With Loneliness, My Solo Exchange Diary, and more) and Akiko Higashimura’s series of her journey to becoming a mangaka (Blank Canvas: My So-Called Artist’s Journey) I am sold on this publisher continuing to bring the heat via auto-biographcal manga. Seven Seas has the range. My current new read is another entry in their auto-bio genre offerings: I’m a Terminal Cancer Patient, but I’m Fine. This manga follows a erotic manga artist (specializes in BL) who ends up with a terminal colon cancer diagnosis. Hilnama goes to the doctor originally with a terrible stomach ache that she also contributes to something related to her menstrual cramps.

Dismissed with the quickness from the doctor she goes to and still very much in pain, she visits a nearby clinic and meets the doctor who hears her concerns and ends up helping her acquire the correct diagnosis. The first chapter alone is a great opener to the manga and the book itself is a powerful manga memoir that I want more people to read. Filled with humor and such emotional depth, I’m a Terminal Cancer Patient, but I’m Fine really turned out to be a heartwarming and touching read. I’d totally recommend it for manga readers who enjoy auto-bio works, memoirs and manga by female mangaka. I continue to be enraged by how women are ignored, belittled and ignored by doctors and healthcare workers as shown in this manga’s intro chapter. I hope this manga helps bring attention to that and why folks with uteri need advocates and more autonomy in every country, including developed ones.

A Slice of Isekai, Anyone?

The Savior’s Book Café Story in Another World
Story & Art by: Kyouka Izumi, Oumiya & Reiko Sakurada
Release Date: 11/01/2022
Format: Manga
Translation: Alexa Frank
Adaptation: Rebecca Schneidereit
Lettering: Jennifer Skarupa

On the topic of the Isekai genre, this manga here is my current ongoing fave from Seven Seas. The Savior’s Book Cafe’ Story in Another World has done so much in just a few volumes: developed a soft and wholesome romance and crafted a world with magic, consequences, and choices. Most importantly, it has given us a  female protagonist living the life that I want!  On a more serious note, The Savior’s Book Cafe’ Story in Another World is a well-loved series of mine that I recommend for its intricate world-building and fun characters. Tsukina, a woman who has been whisked away to another world cherishes being a homebody who own and operates a book cafe filled with good food, tea, and pure coziness for reading. She bagged a hottie named Il who is a noble guy serving the royal family and the people as head of the knights. She’s actually a “savior” of this world but has been keeping her magical powers under wraps, letting others do their jobs as the natural balance of this place means new saviors come and go.

A new savior from her old world joins the kingdom and his unfortunate crush on Tsukina adds to her plate of problems. This earnest young man’s name is Youta and he’s become a romantic rival for Il and unwanted pressure on our main character as she struggles to cheer him on but also keep her abilities a secret. This volume was a great one for showing what foils Tsukina and Youta are to each other but also ramping up the action before the fourth and final volume. Yes, you read that right–sadly, there is just one more volume left in this short but wholesome series I’ve come to adore. I feel like one of the biggest narrative threads has been about where responsibility and obligation intersect in the case of the saviors and the land–the good and bad they can do. I’ve really leaned into the love affair of Tsukina and her agency in having the life she’s wanted which is the best story ever–I’ll be sad to see Seven Seas bring us the final volume next year.

The Titan’s Bride
Story & Art by: ITKZ
Release Date: 11/15/2022
Translation: Katrina Leonoudakis
Lettering: Ray Steeves

This was another hit that I missed the train on–this Mature-rated BL fantasy isekai also apparently inspired an anime. The Titan’s Bride follows Kouichi Mizuki who is about to take his final exams and graduate from high school and finds himself far, far away from home. He finds himself in a world of titans and one of these giants, Prince Caius, has claimed Kouichi as his bride! Throw in a disturbing, world-ending prophecy that claims that the prince’s upcoming nuptials cannot be with anyone of his (own) world. Expect some romance, drama, and everything above in epic proportions and then some! For the mature readers who like their BL with a bigger twist, literally, with a little more spice, this manga may be your next purchase.

Fantasy Lovers Watchlist:

Steam Reverie in Amber
Story & Art by: Kuroimori
Release Date: 11/22/22
Format: Reference Guide

This book popped up on my TL and while I wasn’t familiar with the artist, I was still very much intrigued as someone who loves fantasy and steampunk-related media. Kuroimori, an award-winning artist who contributed to artwork for the Final Fantasy franchise has this gorgeous full-color hardcover art book that also includes removable tarot cards! The Seven Seas website details that “In a world wedged somewhere between past and future, an airship drifts gently among pillow-soft clouds. This is the Tomeship—purveyor of used books and fresh coffee across the skies. It can only be seen by those who bear the Gearform Scar on their hearts.” If you love steampunk visual motifs, detailed illustrations, and a possible coffee table addition, consider this beauty. I looked online for a review and the internet did not disappoint, check this one out here.

WRAP UP:

Important news for the Danmei fandom with the upcoming news of the final book in a series.

For the Danmei lovers for the upcoming gifting season, here’s a sweet gift idea if you shop at B& N:

Other than that, that wraps up this month’s pub watch! See you next month!

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Carrie McClain

Carrie McClain

Carrie McClain is a Southern Californian native who navigates the world as writer, editor and media scholar who firmly believes that we can and we should critique the media we consume. The X-Men were some of her first best friends. She is forever chasing the nostalgic high of attending school book fairs. As a retired magical girl, you can usually find her buried under a pile of Josei manga.

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