In 15th-century France, in the midst of the Hundred Years' War, a peasant woman named Claude bears a striking resemblance to Joan of Arc, who was burned at the stake. Claude acts as the resurrected Holy Maid, but deep in her heart burns a hidden rage... (Source: MANGA Plus)

Ten years ago, the mysterious Hell’s Gate suddenly materialized in the middle of Tokyo, and the stars of the night sky were obscured in darkness. In their place, new stars emerged, each corresponding to an individual endowed with supernatural abilities. Devoid of emotion and conscience, these powerful killers have come to be known as Contractors. But most people know nothing of the Contractors in their midst, and high-schooler Kana Shinoh is no exception. Still struggling to pick up the pieces after her father’s death last year, Kana has never troubled herself with the rumors about Hell’s Gate. That is, until she spots her father in the street one day. Determined to prove her father is still alive, Kana begins her search, but her mission is attracting some rather dangerous attention. Fortunately, she is rescued from the clutches of death by Hei, the most wanted Contractor in Tokyo. Though he is unsympathetic to her situation, Hei agrees to protect her as she searches for her father. But just how much should she trust the Contractor known as the Black Reaper? (Source: Yen Press)

**A slightly creepy Christmas comedy! You better watch out: this tale about Santa’s workshop for kids on the naughty list is coming to town.** Hino Miharu spends Christmas the same way every year, working alone at a dead-end part-time job at a convenience store. He’d do just about anything to land a full-time gig, but when he runs into a shadowy Santa Claus dressed all in black, he has no idea he’s encountered the real deal. Well, almost. While the normal Santa Claus who dresses in red and white oversees Christmas for all the good boys and girls, his dark counterpart is in charge of handling the bad children—and Miharu just wound up on the naughty list. Gobbled up by a slavering, talking sack, he’s spirited away to the Arctic, where he finds himself the newest employee of a massive Christmas operation. Yeah, the pay and benefits are great, and his coworkers sure are cute, but is this the dream job he’s been hoping for, or the beginning of a Christmas nightmare?! *Source: Seven Seas Entertainment, Vol. 1*

After living in Transylvania for several years, "Earl Dracula" (as Osamu Tezuka's official website calls him in English) has moved to Japan. In the Nerima Ward of Tokyo, he and his daughter, Chocola, and faithful servant Igor have taken up residence in an old-Western style house. While Chocola attends Junior High School, Earl Dracula is desperate to drink the blood of beautiful virgin women; an appropriate meal for a vampire of his stature. However, each night that Earl Dracula goes out on the prowl he finds himself getting involved in some kind of disturbance which leads to him causing various trouble for the local residents. With nobody in Japan believing in vampires, his very presence causes trouble amongst the people in town. (Source: Wikipedia)

These stories are told with the same bold, kinetic art style and brilliantly paced storytelling that Samura's Blade of the Immortal epic is famous for. The main offering, "Ohikkoshi," follows the turbulent paths of several twenty-something art students as they fall in love, fall in lust, play in rock bands, ride motorbikes, eat, sleep (together), and try to avoid making life decisions while drunk. This romantic comedy is a "Japanese art school confidential" packed with absurd humor, obscure death metal references, and some expertly placed, dramatic revelations. "Luncheon of Tears Diary" is a vibrant, genre-busting tale that also peppers its humor with sharp, dramatic moments. Natsumi Funabashi, a virgin, is an aspiring manga creator on a quest for love and a fulfilling career. Along the way, she has to cope with overzealous men, gang warfare, a mahjong addiction, and a lascivious manga editor. This collection is rounded off by Samura's hilarious "Kyoto Super Barhopping Journal: Bloodbath at Midorogaike," a rare, autobiographical travel piece. (Source: Dark Horse) **Included one-shots:** Shoujo Mangaka Mushuku: Namida no Luncheon Nikki, Midorogaike ni Shura wo Mita

Miyuki Sanada had just been going through the motions until one night she came across a certain late-night anime that made her feel true passion for the first time in her life. She was so impressed by the production that she decided to become an animator herself! But was that really such a good idea? Harsh lessons and even harsher financial realities await as Miyuki strives to make her dream come true. (Source: J-Novel Club)

In the year 2022, gamers rejoice as Sword Art Online - a VRMMORPG (Virtual Reality Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game) like no other - debuts, allowing players to take full advantage of the ultimate in gaming technology: NerveGear, a system that allows users to completely immerse themselves in a wholly realistic gaming experience. But when the game goes live, the elation of the players quickly turns to horror as they discover that, for all its amazing features, SAO is missing one of the most basic functions of any MMORPG - a log-out button. Now trapped in the virtual world of Aincrad, their bodies held captive by NerveGear in the real world, users are issued a chilling ultimatum: conquer all one hundred floors of Aincrad to regain your freedom. But in the warped world of SAO, "Game Over" means certain death - both virtual and real... (Source: Yen Press) *Notes: \- Covers the Aincrad Arc from Volume 1 and some side stories in Volume 2 of the light novel series. \- The American version of this manga published all 12 chapters in one volume.*

A prosecutor-turned-royal must race against the clock to solve a string of serial murders… before she becomes the next victim! When an overworked criminal justice employee is suddenly reborn into a novel as the rebellious Princess Charlotte, she also finds herself engaged to the handsome Duke Adler. However, there’s one big problem: according to the novel’s synopsis, Charlotte is doomed to be killed on her wedding night, and the duke is the prime suspect. Now this princess must go undercover to capture the culprit behind the series of sinister crimes… and maybe capture some hearts along the way! (Source: Tappytoon) *Note: Includes five extra chapters.*

Princess of the Underworld and Goddess of Resurrection, Lucalis, comes into being from the peculiar union of Hades and Persephone. Despite her divine nature, Lucalis finds herself facing a challenge beyond her years: she’s never felt love! This has slowed her growth, both in body and heart. With this handicap, how can Lucalis face the jealousies, power struggles, and divas of Olympus’s divine world? (Source: Tapas)

For those who devote themselves to their careers, love sometimes has to take a back seat. Yet, it can strike when you least expect it, whether it's with a coworker or a kindred soul at the bar after hours. What will tomorrow bring? Whether it's romance, loss, regret, or just another day at the office, these are the stories of women who find love as they follow their dreams. 1) "Masking Lady" by Harukawa Haru 2) "The Women at a Certain Company" by Mikanuji 3) "Everyone's Missing Out" by irua 4) "Fish and Water" by Kanarashi 5) "Stopped Meter" by Seta Seta 6) "Waiting at the Blue Bells" by Kuwabara 7) "You did Well" by Saya Fuyume 8) "Head-to-ead Reunion! Flirty Battle" by Esu Esu 9) "Rainy Day-dream" by Tamamushi Oku 10) "Oblivious You" by Mizu Aso 11) "In My Studio-Apartment Palace" by Satsumaage 12) "Saccharine Beauty" by Suzuki Senpai 13) "I Want to Make my Workplace Senpai Moan!" by Kurukuruhime 14) "Hand-delivered Love Letter" by Yuki Yukiko (Source: Yen Press, edited)

Prince Club and the female slave Dia, who both gained 3,000 years of life by taking the lifeblood of the Phoenix, meet and part over and over again as different reincarnations in different places and times. Meanwhile, the rabbit Popo, the tortoise Noro, and the fox Yota take care of a baby Phoenix, and all gain perennial youth and immortality by also taking the lifeblood of a Phoenix. (Source: Tezuka Osamu Official, edited)

A more modern version of Astro Boy