What to Expect in December 2023
With the year coming to an end, Viz Media has announced a list of major releases for the month of December 2023. This includes new manga series along with the return of beloved stories. At the same time, there are several tie-ins to your favorite anime and video game.
All works can be purchased through Viz Media or authorized vendors. Here is a breakdown of all the major releases from Viz Media during December 2023.
Series Debut
Neighborhood Story, Vol. 1 – Peppy and Mikako want nothing more than to make it as a fashion designer. When she enters art school alongside her lifelong friend Tsutomu, she becomes distracted by his sudden popularity. Despite her feelings, Mikako forms a club with Tsutomu as a means to sell their creations at a local flea market. While the group is out scouting, discord arises between members, and things quickly turn sour.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu Academy, Vol. 1 – A comedy spin-off to the acclaimed series follows Tanjro, Inosuke, and Zenitsu having to endure life at school.
Protect Me, Shugomaru!, Vol. 1, 2, and 3* – Sanagi is ready for a fresh start at a new school, but her status as a famous heiress makes this difficult. Thus, she is assigned an unlikely bodyguard, a ten-year-old named Shugomaru. Not only does his presence make it hard for Sanagi to be a regular student, but he’s also a danger to himself and anyone in his path.
*All three volumes will be released as Digital Only.
Anime Tie-Ins
Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, Vol. 18 – Boruto may have survived his dance with death, but the trouble is just beginning. When Code and Eida show up at the Konoha Village, even Naruto and Sasuke may be outclassed.
Kaguya-sama: Love Is War, Vol. 27 – Kaguya is racing to get to the airport in time to say goodbye to Miyuki. First, she must make one last attempt to repair the rift between the Shinomiya and Shijo families. Meanwhile, Miyuki plots what to do with the leftover money, Miko tries to bridge the distance between her and Yu, and Chika leads everyone in one of her signature games.
Chainsaw Man, Vol. 13 – Denji is desperate to tell the world that he’s Chainsaw Man. Meanwhile, Asa has made a friend, but this new friend may be hiding a dark secret.
My Hero Academia, Vol. 36 – The plan to engage the villains on the heroes’ terms has mostly succeeded. Todoroki squares off against Dabi with terrifying intensity. Endeavor and Hawks hope to turn the tables on All For One, but the villain mastermind has one last trick.
Call of the Night, Vol. 14 – Ko is forced to return to school just to sign up for a class trip to Hokkaido. Mahiru also decides to travel to the island along with an unwelcome companion. Things only get worse when Ko’s fanged followers join him and Akira on the train ride.
Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon, Vol. 4 – As the trio continues westward, they run into a beast that kidnaps princesses. Coming to their aid is Tokichiro Kinoshita, a cunning peasant who will one day become a legend. He devises a plan to lure the monster out of hiding.
Insomniacs After School, Vol. 4 – After discovering the source of Magari’s insomnia, Nakami implements a new nighttime routine. With the Perseid meteor shower viewing party still to come, it’s shaping up to be an eventful summer.
Fist of the North Star, Vol. 11 – Years after the fall of Raoh, Rin and Bat have grown to young adulthood and are wandering the wasteland defending the defenseless. Meanwhile, Kenshiro seeks peace by hiding himself away in an isolated settlement.
Video Game Tie-Ins
Pokémon: Sword & Shield, Vol. 8 – During a confrontation with the two Trainers, Henry and Casey receive assistance from Piers, the Gym Leader of Spikemuth. After discovering that someone they already know is working behind-the-scenes with the two rivals, they head to Rose Tower to discover the truth.
Persona 5, Vol. 11 – The Phantom Thives dive into the palace of Kunikazu Okumura, who is Haru’s father and the CEO of the Okumura Foods megacorp. Haru joins them as the battle reaches its climax. Will Haru’s father be able to escape the chains of greed that bind him?
New Releases
Blade of the Moon Princess, Vol. 2 – Stranded on the Tainted, Princess Kaguya strives to find a way to honor her promise. Alongside Imperial Guard cadet Mikuni, she travels to a base that is supposed to offer salvation.
Ima Koi: Now I’m in Love, Vol. 8 – Miria is staying overnight at Noda’s place. She wonders if she’s ready for what might come next in their relationship. Meanwhile, Yagyu and Satomi are feeling a little awkward after a big fight.
Rainbow Days, Vol. 7 – Ever since Natsuki kissed Anna and collapsed with a fever, she’s been anxious to find out what was on his mind. When she finally hears from him, she’s shocked to learn that he can’t remember anything.
Sakamoto Days, Vol. 10 – As Sakamoto hunts for the database at the JCC, he has to deal with Amane, a boy with a connection to X. Meanwhile, Shin winds up in a serious duel with a teacher who might have information.
Yona of the Dawn, Vol. 40 – Things look dire for Kohka as the Dromos have infiltrated the Hiryuu Palace. General Val gets a taste of the old days as he fights alongside Meinyan, but the biggest surprise is who appears before them amid the battle.
Akane-banashi, Vol. 3 – The Karaku Cup is about to begin and Akane immediately draws the attention of the crowd. With Koguma’s advice in her back pocket and her own amazing rakugo skills, she figures out the key to winning the competition. But she’ll have to deal with impressive rivals with unique styles of their own.
Mashle: Magic and Muscles, Vol. 14 – Rayne is driven into a corner by Delisaster. Finn tries to help, but Rayne stubbornly refuses his aid. Meanwhile, Lance and Dot run into Epidem but ignore him and start fighting each other instead.
Yakuza Lover, Vol. 11 – Yuri is back with Oya once more, but their blissful reunion is soured when his family discovers their forbidden love. Even in the face of Yuri’s father’s fury, Oya refuses to back down or run away.
Alice in Borderland, Vol. 8 – Not every visitor to Borderland struggles to survive. Some are hunting for the truth behind the world they’ve landed in.
Love’s in Sight!, Vol. 5 – Yukiko is adapting to her part-time job when she bumps into Kurisu, her shy and noncommunicative coworker. Because her daily life relies on spoken communication, Yukiko struggles to connect with him.
Mission: Yozakura Family, Vol. 8 – Preparation to capture Kawashita is underway, and the family is getting help from all its allies. While the rest of the family is at work, Taiyo receives special training from Grandpa Ban to unlock the Yozakura family’s secret power.
Novels
Spy x Family: Family Portrait – A collection of stories that follows the adventure of the Forger family. Anya attempts to make friends with her target Damian during an Eden Academy camping trip. Yuri spends his day off babysitting his niece. Franky seeks Loid’s help in winning the heart of a blind opera singer. Then, when the family sits for a portrait painting, Yor is terrified that her secret could be exposed.
More to Come
VIZ Media is the largest publisher and distributor of manga in North America. They are also the biggest distributor of anime on home media. Besides their business, they are also active in the fandom community with their support for anime conventions.
8Bit/Digi is an independent media outlet that provides insight into the gamer community of the San Francisco Bay Area.