Top 10 Must-Watch Anime of the Year So Far

Major manga publishers are joining forces to promote shōjo manga through a collaborative effort. Shueisha, Shogakukan, Kodansha, and Hakusensha have come together to launch \”Shōjo Manga Fair 2018,\” an e-book event where readers can explore each publisher’s top picks on a dedicated website until March 15.

The recommendations are curated by editorial teams. For example, Shueisha\’s Cocohana manga magazine editors have selected eight titles, with two from each participating publisher. In total, four editorial teams have provided their picks, resulting in 32 must-read shōjo manga for fans.

Synopsis

Yoshino Somei is the granddaughter of the head of a major yakuza clan in the Kansai region. When her grandfather arranges her marriage to Kirishima Miyama, the grandson of a powerful rival clan leader in Kanto, Yoshino is compelled to move to Tokyo. Though Kirishima appears warm and welcoming, almost making her forget his yakuza ties, a pivotal event will soon expose his true nature.

Editorial Team\’s I-san\’s Picks

• Kami-sama no Ekohiiki by Ayumi Komura (Shueisha): High schooler Yashiro, who has been visiting a shrine to gain the courage to confess to his crush, unexpectedly catches the attention of the shrine’s deity and fox attendant. After a rejected confession to another boy and a tragic accident, the supernatural beings resurrect Yashiro as a girl, allowing him to try and win his crush\’s heart anew.
• Kimi to Wonderland by Kana Watanabe (Shueisha): Fifteen-year-old Nobara, who gained the ability to hear animals’ voices after an accident three years ago, discovers a boy who can also hear her. This new connection opens up a world of possibilities and challenges.
• The Seven Knights of the Marronnier Kingdom (Marronnier Ōkoku no Shichinin no Kishi) by Nao Iwamoto (Shogakukan): This tale follows seven loyal knights serving their princess, led by the formidable female general Barbara, in a story of loyalty and valor.
• Cold Game by Kaneyoshi Izumi (Shogakukan): In a fantasy realm rife with political intrigue, Princess Aruna is betrothed to the king of a violent neighboring kingdom. Unwavering in her ambitions, she navigates a world of power struggles and personal goals.
• Namidaame to Serenade by Haruka Kawachi (Kodansha): High schooler Hina accidentally travels back to early 20th-century Japan, where she meets and falls for the melancholic Takaaki Hongo. Their romance defies the boundaries of time.