You’ve never seen manga like this before! No annoying speed lines or sappy, neotenic eyeballs here — just pure Japanese counterculture. This anthology of contemporary underground comics from Japan features a wide variety of styles and topics ranging from the humorous to the profound. There’s a whole world of comics out there, and it’s not all Godzilla and schoolgirls! A great introduction to the other Japanese comics featuring Asia’s answers to Robert Crumb, Dan Clowes, and Chester Brown! List of included Oneshots: "Horse Horse Tiger Tiger" by Imiri Sakabashira "A Hooker's Room" by Naoto Yamakawa "Kisses" by Kiriko Nananan "Kitty Court Drama" by Nekojiru "What a Mixed Up World!" by Yasuji Tanioka "Million Dollars" by Yoshiharu Mitsumoto "The Abalone Cat" by Naoki and Shunichi Karasawa. *Source: Fantagraphics*

Hirono Yuusa always believed he was special and destined for greatness...until tragedy struck in his final year of middle school. Now, jaded and disillusioned, he's completely given up on ever trying to be anything more than ordinary. But when he starts to notice classmate Himekawa Ichigo struggling to do his best against all odds, he can't help but want to cheer him on. *Note: Includes the one-shot “Yorimichi (よりみち )” and one extra chapter.*

**“ALL WE NEED IS ONE GOAL-TO BE THE STRONGEST HEROES IN THE WORLD!”** In a land where treasure hunters scour vaults appearing from the past, Krai Andrey and his friends swore a childhood oath to become the mightiest heroes of all. There’s just one problem: While his old companions have become living legends, Krai is the poster child for mediocrity…and he knows it! But despite his best efforts to leave the treasure-hunting life, he has gained quite the reputation by association-and with it, enormous expectations. Can Krai pursue his dream of retirement, or is he destined to fail forever upwards? (Source: Yen Press)

Sherbert is a magical creature from another realm called Lylasia, where different species of magical creatures are locked in a Magical Beast War. Immature and infinitely curious, Sherbert accidentally triggers a portal and ends up in our world. Without any knowledge about our world and our ways, he vows to become a hero here...and battles other magical creatures who make their way across the rift. (Source: AnimeNewsNetwork)

Chitose can't take his eyes off the guy from the class next door, dozing off in class by the window. Each time Chitose leans out the window to sneak a look at him, he's always there, dozing off as expected. His name: Seno. He's a year older, but according to rumors, he was absent for a year because he was involved in a fight. Chitose is a friendly and sweet-hearted high-schooler and Seno is a mysterious guy. The two polar opposites gradually open their hearts to each other... A chaotic and heartwarming school-love between a cheery puppy and a questionable grade repeater. Note: Chapter counts include extra chapters.

The great sage Confucius and his beloved disciple Yan Hui got lost in the forest one day, and suddenly found themselves transported to the modern world!? Confucius is determined to continue to teach and promote his philosophies. But the world has changed, and people are not interested in listening to the words of an old man. Realizing that modern problems require modern solutions, Confucius decides to—? (Source: Creative Comic Collection, translated) *Note: Chapter count includes five bonus chapters.*

This is a comedy love story about a master and her disciple.

Class queen Kirara Fuwa has been gaining weight lately. To make matters worse, a rival girl is taunting her in class, calling her a "blonde meatball." When Taichi Utsuki accidentally made a comment about her weight, he's forced to accompany Fuwa on her diet! A romantic comedy about dieting with a violent, irrational, and selfish girl with no sense of emotional distance!

Rude, a magician belonging to an S-rank party, is expelled from the group due to the selfish actions of the hero, Tran. Betrayed by his comrades and heartbroken, Rude abandons the town he had been staying in and sets out on a journey to the neighboring Roland Empire in search of a new home. While on his journey, he defeats a band of thieves attacking a slave caravan. Then, unexpectedly, a beast girl who should have been freed pleads, “Please... I want you to be my master!”...? The strongest mage, abandoned by his comrades, becomes unstoppable in his new home! The Ultimate Heroic Fantasy! (Source: TO Books, translated)

Ragnus, who had been garnering attention as a child prodigy, turned 10 and was set to participate in the "Skill Awakening Ceremony" held for the nation's boys and girls. Though everyone expected him to be conferred a legendary skill, Ragnus received an unknown skill called "Level Reset." The fatal ability to reset his level to 1 everyday was deemed "junk," and all at once he was reduced to a life of slavery. However, while being treated like a slave by those around him, Ragnus realized the great potential of his skill and decided to run away from home. Vowing to prove to the world the value of his cheat-level skill, he set out on a journey, but... (Source: Bunkasha, translated)

Just before the battle against the demon god "Demiurge" that destroys the world, the hero Ares is hated by his friends and is left alone. In fact, it was because he couldn't make his friends to join him in the fight against the last boss who might not make it out alive, so he dared to play the role of the hated one to get them to leave him. Ares, who had to fight Demiurge alone, was supposed to restore to peace in exchange for his life... but somehow he is still alive, and next to him is the Last Boss. Before he knows it, she has fallen in love with him, and Ares begins to live his life trying to save the world! (Source: Hifumi Shobo)

Apothecary Shari Azrael's life turns upside down when she suddenly realizes she's actually an administrator trapped in the RPG game "Save the Earth." Her only shot at returning to reality before her real body expires is to finish the game... which could've been possible were it not for the fact that "Save the Earth" is notoriously difficult in every single way! Can Shari successfully manage to use the perks of knowing the plot and gameplay to reach the ending before her time runs out? (Source: Tapas)