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)

It is the middle of the 21st century and Tokyo is expanding more and more, filling Tokyo Bay with landfill to make room for the bursting population. But suddenly Tokyo suffers one of its greatest earthquakes, and the landfill liquefies, creating untold damage in the newly-made urban area. The members of Self-Defense Force Rescue Squad Four are sent to help. But what they dig up is a plot of murder and destruction--one that wipes out nearly the entire squad and leaves its two surviving members, the fierce Rei and her cool, handsome partner Uozumi, in a fight for their lives. There is only one place where they can find the work that keeps them alive, and the support so they can start uncovering the mystery that killed their squad: that's in the south-Shinjuku bar called Chicago. As the earthquake levels Japan's largest city and capital and leaves countless dead, rescue workers, Rei and Uozumi, search for survivors amidst the rubble of Bay District D only to find a mysterious string of dead bodies--bodies with bullet holes. Without warning, the pair is under fire from the air as a hail of gunfire rains down. Are these the killers, and if so, what is their purpose? Barely escaping with their lives, Rei and Uozumi discover that their squad is listed only as "collateral damage" and their records wiped clean. (Source: VIZ Media)

**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*

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)

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)

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.*

This is a collection of short stories depicting the beginnings of love by Nakamura Hinata. Four cute and tender stories to bring a smile to your face. 1. Kedaruge na Kimi no Kirakira to 2. Kocchi Muite, Shiomi-kun 3. Amatou-kun to Koi no Aji 4. Kimi no Seal wo Atsumetai (Source: Batoto)

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

The hit manga The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You gets its first-ever spin-off novel! Rentaro loses his memory, Nano gets possessed by an alien, everybody gets isekai’d into Shizuka’s favorite book, the cast pilots a giant robot—what on earth is going on?! Includes brand-new illustrations from series artist Yukiko Nozawa! (Source: Seven Seas Entertainment)