From Our TBR Pile… March 2026

We’ve reached the Spring Equinox – but even if the night are getting shorter, there’s always time to pick up on the next volume in a favourite series or try something new! Looking for inspiration? We’ve got some March suggestions for you right here!

The God-Slaying Demon King Volume 3 by Ezogingitune (Story), PIG3rd (Art), TEDDY (Character Designs) (Square Enix Manga) reviewed by Demelza

Still in the Kingdom of Orteville, Hiram took down a zombie elder dragon and is now on his way to revealing the conspiracy the chancellor is responsible for. Unfortunately for all involved, the chancellor was simply a pawn for an old enemy of Hiram’s who is keen to face our protagonist in battle with no thought to the damage this will all cause to the kingdom! Lumiere and trusty dragon companion Jorm are largely sidelined in this volume as we focus on Hiram’s fight. Although it’s hard to complain too much when the enemy is tied to Hiram’s past, we do get some interesting information from that, in between them punching each other. Generally, this series still seems to be style over substance, but the story is slowly moving along, and I find myself looking forward to reading more just for the impressive artwork by PIG3rd. Score: 7/10

Akira Failing in Love Volume 1 by Shinta Harekawa (VIZ Media) reviewed by Demelza

Akira returns to her hometown for high school, where she’s reunited with her childhood crush, Hajime. Akira is still very much in love with him, but she’s too shy to talk to him, so she comes up with elaborate schemes to get his attention and break the ice. What she doesn’t realise is that Hajime also has feelings for and wants to talk to her! This is a great romantic comedy for fans of the miscommunication trope. You have two characters who want to become friends but are completely oblivious to what the other is thinking. But their earnest approach makes you want to cheer for them. Shinta Harekawa’s (Senpai, This Can’t Be Love!, Three Exorcism Siblings) art brings their everyday lives to life wonderfully, with a variety of expressions and a gentle style that suits the story’s lively nature. Highly recommended for fans of the genre. Translated by John Werry with lettering by Evan Waldinger. Score: 9/10

It’s All Your Fault Volume 3 by merryhachi (Yen Press) reviewed by Darkstorm

Goodbye Summer Comiket, hello college beauty pageant! The SM Society has several members competing, all of them with their own cosplay to show off, but who will win? This volume is a lot more balanced and engaging than the previous one, as we focus more on the main girls, Shiho and Kanon, who both compete with their own ideas and challenges. The deeper look into Kanon’s character, when her abusive mum suddenly shows up, is emotional but also cathartic when Shiho comforts Kanon, with a good development in their working relationship and friendship as well. A satisfying read, out March 24th. Score 8/10

Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun: IruMafia Edition, Volume 3 (Vertical) by Hiroja Original Series by Osamu Nishi 16+  reviewed by Sarah

Iruma, now the fourteen-year-old underboss to his adoptive grandfather Sullivan, the don of the Babel family, learns that there’s a project underway to revitalize the slums where he used to live. And who should he meet there but Lady Ameri, his childhood friend (sweetheart) who’s all grown up and the leader of the gang cleaning up their old home territory. But she wants nothing to do with the Babel family – although she’s been planning the perfect date with Iruma for the last nine years! However, a certain Ocho (one of the Six Fingers) has been planning to build a factory in the slums and Iruma’s arrival comes just at the wrong time. While Ameri sets up an ‘Annihilation Cannonball’ match between her gang and Babel (its’s paintball) Ocho is up to no good behind the scenes. Who will win – and will Ameri get her long-desired date with Iruma? The third volume of Hiroja’s accomplished spin-off of Osamu Nishi’s Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun is faithfully drawn and fun to read for Iruma fans and beginners alike. (An anime series has recently been announced.) Volume 4 is due out in May. Score: 8/10

Stitch! Best Food Forever by Tom Mason, Nao Kodaka (illustration) (Panini Manga) reviewed by Noemi10

In this anthology of short stories, we follow Stitch and his friend Yuna while they decide to grow vegetables. And of course, a little bit of mayhem as Stitch is involved! From a grocery trolley race downhill to a giant daikon dancing robot, Stitch, Yuna and their friends are ready for amazing and funny adventures. This is a cute series for children and is treated almost like a fable as it tries to teach children a moral, in this case about how yummy and funny vegetables can be, if even Stitch can enjoy them! Score: 7/10

Jungle Juice Volume 3 by Hyeong Eun, Juder (art) (Ize Press) reviewed by Noemi10

Suchan and his classmates found one of the Breeder’s hidden labs, but the fight that awaits them is about to change their lives… Suchan can’t help but get into a berserk state to win, but he’s not able to not differentiate between friend and foe… If NEST will let him live is still to be seen, but Suchan is ready to prove the higher-ups how strong his willpower is, which is needed when he has to fight against his natural enemy and a terrorist attack at NEST! This volume is full of action and fights from start to finish. The readers see the characters grow (not just Suchan) throughout their fighting and how they spur each other on to improve. The volume is violent but not necessarily gory, and it highlights how cut-throat insects are, even without the intervention of humans… if then you add humans to the mix, only violence can be expected! Score: 7/10

Dead Rock Volume 4 by Hiro Mashima, (Kodansha) reviewed by Ian Wolf

Hiro Mashima’s underworldly manga continues with the school for demons organising a field day. However, it involves the students trying to kill each other and their teachers. This starts off interestingly enough, with the motivations of character Mikoto being revealed – she is actually a secret service agent investigating a teacher who has been trafficking students for money. However, things then become significantly less intriguing when the second half of the field day sees the top eight students battling it out to the death in a knock-out contest. Yep, it’s a bog-standard tournament arc. Indeed, the fact that two of the characters from the main class are in this contest makes me think that we are going to see the said students reach the final in their “emotional” battle to the death. While Dead Rock is well produced and Erin Subramanian’s translation holds, this manga runs the risk of being too predictable. Score: 6/10

With our thanks to Kodansha, VIZ Media, Yen Press, Ize Press, Square Enix Manga, Panini Manga, Vertical (Kodansha) Diamond Book Distributors and Turnaround Comics (Turnaround Publisher Services).