February brings new volumes of two of Viz’s top-selling series, Vol. 9 of Chainsaw Man and Vol. 14 of Jujutsu Kaisen. Yen Press has resolicited Vol. 0 of Toilet-Bound Hanako-Kun; this is a one-shot with the original story that was developed into the series. And Kodansha has Vol. 3 of Attack on Titan Omnibus, not new material but a reasonably priced way to binge on the series now that it’s over. 

And then there are a few interesting new titles…

Came the Mirror and Other Tales
Publisher: Viz
Release Date: February 16, 2022
Price: $17.99
Creator: Rumiko Takahashi
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 978-1-9747-2584-7
Age Rating: Teen Plus

What It’s About: This one-shot manga collects five magical-realist stories by the celebrated manga-ka Rumiko Takahashi, along with an autobiographical story about her love of manga and her friendship with Cross Game creator Mitsuru Adachi.

Why It’s a Pick Hit: Rumiko Takahashi is the creator of classic manga such as Ranma 1/2 and InuYasha, and she also has a new series, Mao, that just launched. This self-contained one-shot will be accessible to longtime fans and newcomers alike.

Deadpool: Samurai, Vol. 1
Publisher: Viz
Release Date: February 9, 2022
Price: $9.99
Creators: Sanshiro Kasama (writer) and Hikaru Uesugi (artist)
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 978-1974725311
Age Rating: Teen Plus

What It’s About: Deadpool moves to Tokyo to team up with the Avengers’ new Samurai Squad and soon finds himself embroiled in the usual nonsense. The series ran on the Shonen Jump+ website in Japan.     

Why It’s a Pick Hit: The mix of superhero action and shonen manga storytelling will appeal to both Deadpool and Shonen Jump fans.

Case Files of Jeweler Richard
Publisher: Seven Seas
Release Date: February 16, 2022
Price: $12.99
Creators: Mika Akatsuki (writer), Nanako Tsujimura and Utako Yukihiro (artists)
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 978-1648278372
Age Rating: Teen (13+)

What It’s About: A handsome, cold-blooded British jewelry appraiser and an idealistic college student solve mysteries together in this manga, which is based on a series of light novels and has already been adapted into an anime that streams on Crunchyroll.

Why It’s a Pick Hit: There’s definitely an audience for manga featuring handsome men, and sending them off to solve mysteries will attract genre fans. Plus there’s already an anime available in English.