SAN FRANCISCO, CA—Digital manga app Azuki is adding six new titles: four comic series from Japanese publisher YUZU Comics and distributed by Media Do International, Inc., and two one-shots from independent manga publisher Star Fruit Books. The six titles are now available worldwide on the Azuki website and iOS and Android apps, with select free chapters available.
The two Star Fruit Books one-shots — Handyman Quincy and To White — are Azuki digital exclusives, part of a new partnership between Azuki and Star Fruit Books that will bring new Star Fruit Books titles to Azuki before they’re available anywhere else.
A full list of the series with synopses from the publishers is provided below:
The Light Conjurer by Gene, published by YUZU Comics and distributed by MD-i: Robin, a seemingly useless summoner whose conjuring attempts are comically futile, secretly dreams of defeating a dragon. Fate has a sense of humor when Robin summons a mysterious prince who coerces him into going to an abandoned castle… where a dragon lives. Can a useless conjurer face the challenge of confronting a legendary beast? Creator Gene is a comic artist/illustrator who was born and raised in Tainan, Taiwan. She was the Bronze Prize-winner in the BL category at the first Ever Glory Original Comic Competition. An active figure in various doujin communities. Gene’s works come in diverse styles, and she loves to add a touch of humor to stories. Her work “Wanted Magic Girl!” was selected to the 10th Golden Comic Best New Artist Award in 2019 and she also has won two top prizes at the 2020 Kyoto International Manga Anime Awards.
Loving You When the World Ended by Gene, published by YUZU Comics and distributed by MD-i: An apocalyptic event forces two strangers to navigate a world where the old order is shattered. Is it survival of the fittest or survival of the richest? Spoiled Nuowan can’t stay alive in this new reality without the help of skilled hotel worker Yu Seng, whom he met only moments before the world ended. Yu’s former military training comes in handy but is kissing out of the blue a survival tactic?
Three Seconds After Our Eyes Met by Rancha, published by YUZU Comics and distributed by MD-i: The friendly, kind Student Union Event Division President Hezhan has a carefully maintained image but when fellow student Shunwen witnesses Hezhan’s outburst in a meeting room, he inadvertently becomes the keeper of Hezhan’s hidden side. Worried his secret will be revealed, Hezhan approaches Shunwen but every time their eyes lock, it feels like Shunwen sees right through him and he must “never lock eyes for more than three seconds.” Will Hezhan be able to protect his secret or will Shunwen reshape Hezhan’s life and his own? The creator of THREE SECONDS AFTER OUR EYES MET, Rancha, was a Gold Prize-winner in the BL category at the second Ever Glory Original Comic Competition. Rancha is one of Taiwan’s most popular BL comic creators and renowned for delicate storytelling and for realistically presenting the emotions of his characters.
Confessions of a 35 Year Old by TEI, published by YUZU Comics and distributed by MD-i: Thirty-five-year-old, single office worker Jason normally finds love to be elusive. He doesn’t give much thought to his new coworker Frank when he joins the company. But when a chance encounter evolves into a series of shared moments, an unanticipated twist in their relationship finds Jason and Frank being roommates. Will Jason find his new normal is love?
Handyman Quincy by Stephan Lapin with art by Naoto Tsushima, published by Star Fruit Books: Quincy, a boy with prosthetic limbs, starts as a handyman to support his family. But buying a second-hand phone from a thrift shop accidentally connects him to hitman requests. Can the kind-hearted Quincy fulfill these requests for murder?
To White by Dei Saito, published by Star Fruit Books: A young girl living in a strange black-and-white world fights her way past a creature guarding a door that leads to somewhere else.
Azuki is available on the web at www.azuki.co and in the iOS App Store and Google Play Store. The app features over 300 manga series, including international hits like Attack on Titan, Fire Force, and A Silent Voice. Azuki also publishes acclaimed new series like Our Aimless Nights, Mecha-Ude: Mechanical Arms, and My Dear Detective: Mitsuko’s Case Files, with weekly new chapters available exclusively via the Azuki app and ebooks available via the Azuki app and third-party ebook stores.
Manga fans can start reading for free with advertisements today, or upgrade to Premium and access the full Premium catalog featuring thousands of chapters for just $4.99 a month. A 14-day free trial and discounted annual plan are also available, and additional volumes outside the subscription can be purchased via direct volume sales. Premium members get 20% off all volumes. Most titles are available worldwide (except Japan). Stay up to date on the latest announcements by following Azuki at x.com/ReadAzuki, facebook.com/ReadAzuki, and instagram.com/readazuki.
About Azuki and KiraKira Media Inc.
Azuki is created by KiraKira Media Inc., a company dedicated to improving access to legally licensed manga, led by a small team of passionate manga fans and tech experts in San Francisco, CA.