Manga Publisher Kadokawa to Start Looking For Overseas Manga Artists Due to Labor Shortage: Should We Be Worried?

Disclaimer: This article is expressed with full politically neutrality and is simply reporting the ongoing issues in Japan

Kadokawa is one of the most well known Manga publishers in Japan. The publishing giants are known for publishing well known manga and light novel hits like The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Konosuba, and recently, Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian. Kadokawa has also published countless other pieces of media that involves anime and manga.

Lately, the company has been rocked with ownership change. Specifically with Sony, that has left many anime and manga fans including myself on the edge. Especially since Sony has been under hot water lately with some controversial decisions by the higher ups. Ranging from corporate greed, controversial hiring, changes, and the fears of inserting progressively themed concepts that have plagued western entertainment lately. The trend that has many audiences fatigued and tired.

Now, however, it seems like Kadokawa is about to do something even more controversial. This time, it involves their manga. The topic of globalization in Japan has been a very spicy one lately. With numerous intense debates in regard to Japanese identity and its differences with foreign influence. Some believe and want Japan to be Japan and must remain Japanese, while others saying it’s time for Japan to embrace foreign coexistence. This, ironically, relates to what Kadokawa is about to do and how this issue will cause a massive division for manga fans. The question is, should we be worried?

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Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury gets a Side Story Manga For Spring

Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury is certainly enjoying its run of famed popularity. Not since Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans has there been such strong hype for an AU Gundam title. As you know, a second season is set to be released later this spring, but guess what else is being released along the way?

Kadokawa’s Gundam Ace has announced a manga side story for the latest Gundam installment. According to the announcement, the side story will take place several years after the Vanadis incident. It also follows a surviving witch named Vilda Miren, who wanders the earth with a curse. Ko Yoneyama is credited for the scenario and HISADAKE for planning cooperation, while Mogmo will handle character designs and Chika Tojo will handle the art. It is planned to launch in spring 2023.

Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury is the Gundam franchise’s latest installment and the first AU Gundam title in 7 years, the last one being 2015’s Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans. The anime was recently released in the fall season of 2022 as a TV show and will have a second season released in the spring of 2023. It ran for 12 episodes and is set to have another 12 episodes for its second season, making a total of 24 episodes. The latest Gundam installment has received both praise and criticism from Gundam fans new and old.

Have you watched Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury? Are you excited for the manga? Let me know in the comments!

Sources: Anime News Network