From Our TBR Pile… May 2026

Our TBR piles might not be shrinking at Anime UK News, rather the opposite…but that’s good news because we’ve always something interesting to read at hand – and to recommend!

A Returner’s Magic Should Be Special Volume 6 by Usonan (story) and Wookjakga (illustrations) (Ize Press) reviewed by Noemi10

Desir’s party is on a break from Hebrion Academy, and they decide to join Romantica in her home country, the Prilecha Kingdom. The group can finally rest in-between the continuous training sessions to become stronger, a fighting competition, and politics involving multiple kingdoms before the Outers—a group of terrorists—attack. Romantica fights to protect her home, and Desir, Azest and Pram are right on her side. However, when a demon makes its appearance, it seems all hope is lost and escaping might be their only chance of survival… if they can even escape! This volume introduces more characters from Desir’s past and it’s the start of the change that Desir made by influencing the future events, thanks to his travelling back to the past. With each volume, Desir’s party grows in strength, but from what the readers can see, it’s still not enough to guarantee their survival. The only downside with this series at the moment, is that there is only one volume coming out each year, more or less. Score: 7/10

See You in My 19th Life Volume 10 by Lee Hye (Ize Press) reviewed by Noemi10

Jieum’s and Doyun’s past seems to have put a strain on her relationship with Seoha, but there is more that Jieum needs to remember to leave the past in the past, and a dive into her first life seems to be the key to stop all misunderstandings and finally get her ‘happy ever after’ with Seoha. The series continues to grip thanks to its mysteries while also allowing a good story pace that doesn’t bore the readers when dealing with the characters’ day-to-day lives. I can’t wait to read the final volume of the series. Score: 9/10.

The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten Volume 3 by Saekisan (Original Story), Wan Shibata (Art), Suzu Yuki (Adapted By), Hanekoto (Original Character Designs) (Square Enix Manga) reviewed by Demelza

We might be approaching the warmer months here in reality, but in the world of The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten, it’s Christmas time! Amane has promised to spend Christmas Day with Mahiru since neither of them have plans otherwise, but that has left Christmas Eve open. And that’s for the best since Itsuki and his girlfriend Chitose want to hold a party at Amane’s place, but will Amane be able to keep his friendship with Mahiru a secret from them when they’ll be in such close proximity? With Season 2 of the anime now airing, this is a great time to return to the manga adaptation, which continues to impress with its charming artwork and attention to detail. Enjoying this extremely sweet story still feels like it’s best experienced in these short chunks, allowing us just enough of a glimpse at the lives of our protagonist and his beloved angelic neighbour. Score: 8/10

Villainess Level 99 Volume 2 by Nocomi (Manga), Tanabata Satori (Original Story), Tea (Original Character Design) (One Peace Books) reviewed by Demelza

Heroine Eumiella is still concerned about the rise of the Demon Lord set to happen in two years’ time, but now the academy’s newly appointed headmaster has decided that their best path forward is for Eumiella to oversee field training for the students in preparation (despite being a student herself). She has no idea where to start, given her training methods are regarded as extremely unusual and the students can’t help but panic. So Patrick arrives on the scene, a love interest for Eumiella who isn’t afraid of her and vows to help her in training. Like the first volume, this is an entertaining second instalment that goes all in on showing the discrepancies between Eumiella’s inner thoughts and the reactions of everyone around her. It’s still largely your average isekai fare, but if you liked Volume 1, then it’s worth carrying on with. Particularly now we have a voice of reason in Patrick. Score: 6.5/10

On and Off: Work-Life Imbalance Volume 3 by Shinnosuke Kanazawa (Square Enix Manga) reviewed by Ian Wolf 

The last volume of this fashionable manga ended on a cliffhanger, with secret Lolita Sotaro discovering that his workmate Akira is also his out-of-office punk friend. Worried about coming out to her, it turns out Akira had already figured out Sotaro’s identity, and that she is perfectly fine to carry on their friendship. They continue working together and hanging out, and Akira even asks Sotaro to help take in the stray cat that ultimately revealed the truth about their identities to them. As with the previous volumes, the production from Square Enix and the artwork from Shinnosuke Kanazawa are top-notch, and once more the theme of the fear of coming out appears, because while Sotaro and Akira are fine with each other, they still worry about co-workers and family members finding out about their tastes. How the outside world treats them will no doubt be the forthcoming theme. Score: 9/10

Yotsuba&! Volume 16 by Kiyohiko Azuma (Yen Press) reviewed by Ian Wolf

The long-running comedy (over 20 years!) about the daily adventures of a five-year-old girl continues to delight. Yotsuba Koiwai is still as inquisitive as ever. In this volume she helps decorate a Christmas tree, has to be friends with prankster Yanda when, along with Yotsuba’s dad Yousuke, they go on a hiking trip together, and she visits a nearby school with a notable teacher – not in the sense that she is famous in the world of this story, but because the school’s PE teacher is Ayumu Kasuga, aka Osaka, from Kiyohiko Asuma’s previous hit Azumanga Daioh. It appears both manga are set in the same world – which is arguably a problem what with Daioh’s infamous character Kimura (sorry for putting that image in your heads). Yotsuba&! still remains as charming as ever, with some highly enjoyable laugh-out-loud moments combined with great artwork. Score: 8/10

Semantic Error Volume 1 (novel) by J. Soory, Angy (illustration) (Ize Press) reviewed by Sarah

If you’re a fan of the manhwa of Semantic Error (like me) you’ll be keen to read the original BL novels by J. Soory. Ize Press is now bringing them out in satisfyingly chunky volumes. The first novel introduces us to computer science major Sangwoo Choo who tries to live his life with the logic and order of a computer programme. After being let down by the other students for their class presentation, his complaint to the professors spoils the plans of one Jaeyoung Jang (a talented designer) who has to repeat the year. Jaeyoung sets out to take his revenge on the strait-laced Sangwoo in all kinds of subtle and unsubtle ways – no wonder Sangwoo calls him a semantic error! He needs Jaeyoung to be the designer for the video game he’s developing too… and slowly, the two begin to get along and maybe even develop feelings…? Volume 2 is out in June, #3 in October. The translation by PUBLANG reads well, there are sexy scenes and my only disappointment is that there are merely two internal illustrations by Angy and I’d hoped for more! Score: 8/10

With our thanks to Yen Press, Ize Press, Square Enix Manga, One Peace Books and Turnaround Comics (Turnaround Publisher Services).