September brings eight new exclusive series to emaqi — all available digitally in English for the very first time. Seven of them are coming to emaqi Premium, and over 70 new volumes of existing series are joining the catalog too. 

From fantasy and rom-com to survival cooking and a cat who accidentally saves the world, this month's lineup has range.

Dropping September 4

Misato Is a Little Too Strict with Her Pushover Boss [Premium]
By Kurotama | HOUBUNSHA | Rom-Com | 16+

Misato is gorgeous, hyper-competent, and impossibly strict — but only with her middle-aged boss, Mr. Konishikawa, who's way too soft on everyone around him. What's hiding behind all that sternness? The more you find out, the harder it is not to root for them. 

As the story unfolds, you realize Konishikawa isn't just a pushover — he genuinely pays attention to the people around him, and it's easy to see why Misato is drawn to him. Her feelings are so barely contained that the only thing she's really strict about might be… everything except her boss. Has he noticed? Hasn't he? If you love a slow-burn, frustratingly sweet romance, don't miss this one.

Bloody Sugar Laughs at the Night [Premium]
By Matsuri Mido | COAMIX | Horror | 16+

In the town of Dusky Dusk, a mysterious affliction called "negativirus" feeds on people's darkest emotions. Cool-headed Church and his hotheaded brother Jed fight to save patients by diving into their minds — but their true mission is to restore the lost emotions of their beloved younger sister, Basil. 

The art evokes the eerie elegance of Edward Gorey's picture books, and the premise of entering patients' minds to battle the source of their illness comes to life in a way only manga can deliver. If the visual style pulls you in, you won't want to stop turning pages. And yes — this is the second month in a row we're featuring a Matsuri Mido title, right after Black Terror in August!

Dropping September 11

The Witch's Soup [Premium]
By Masayasu Fukushima | SHONENGAHOSHA | Isekai, Cooking & Gourmet | 16+

Chapter one is titled "Soup of Human Extinction." The cover looks ominous. A witch descends from the Demon Realm armed with a poisoned soup designed to wipe out humanity — and then she tastes a bowl of human-made soup and is completely captivated. 

What sounds like a dark isekai is actually a school rom-com filled with delicious Japanese soups… and a cat. Humans, demons, and cats are all equal before a great meal. Settle in for warm bowls of soup, charming relationships, and gentle romance.

Do Women Really Need Plastic Surgery? The Chaos Behind Cosmetic Surgery
By Pachimi, Bera Kaneko | SHINCHOSHA | Drama | 16+

Satomi Akagi has just started working as a nurse aide at a beauty clinic. Day one greets her with a senior colleague still in a facial cast, a patient determined to look like an anime character, and a request for hymen restoration surgery. This workplace comedy takes a bright, pop-art approach to the realities of cosmetic surgery — the struggles that lead people to the operating table, and the peace of mind a procedure can bring. You might come away seeing cosmetic surgery a little differently than before.

Note: This title is not included in emaqi Premium but is available for purchase in the emaqi app.

Thursdays with Furutto [Premium] 
By Masakazu Ishiguro | AKITASHOTEN | Comedy | 13+

A semi-stray cat named Furutto. A hopeless owner named Kujirai-senpai. Life at a very gentle pace. This short-form comedy loves to replay the same moment from a different angle, dropping a fresh punchline or revealing an unexpected side of a character you thought you knew. 

Perfect for when you only have a few minutes — or for binge-reading to catch all the little details you missed the first time. Keep an eye out for the English translation, which has been carefully crafted to preserve the wordplay of the original.

Dropping September 18

CAT : The Heroic Warrior [Premium]
By Hikaru Kusunoki | COAMIX | Isekai, Pets & Animals | 13+

The Demon King has risen. Humanity summons a hero from another world. The smoke clears, and standing there is… a perfectly ordinary cat. No special powers. No hidden abilities. Just a cat. And yet, the simple fact that "the cat is cute" makes everyone around it a little kinder — and somehow, that kindness keeps solving problems. Cat lovers, your time has come. Enjoy the beautifully drawn feline charm and the people who are absolutely powerless against it.

Midori's Kitchen [Premium]
By Yoshika Aki | HOUBUNSHA | Survival | 16+ 

The world has been overtaken by carnivorous meat-plants. Sisters Midori and Sakura survive in the logistics warehouse of "Jungle," a major mail-order company, making the most of whatever limited ingredients they can find. Each time they recreate a dish from memory using substitute foods, a piece of what happened to the world falls into place. 

The gentle art style makes the cruel moments cut even deeper. If you're a fan of post-apocalyptic stories, this one deserves a spot on your list.

Dropping September 25

A Chef of Nobunaga [Premium]
By Mitsuru Nishimura, Takuro Kajikawa | HOUBUNSHA | Historical Japan | 16+

Modern-day chef Ken wakes up in Japan's Warring States period and is promptly conscripted as Oda Nobunaga's personal cook. Time-slip stories set in the Sengoku era are nothing new, but this one stands apart by putting food at the center. No flashy superpowers, no over-the-top drama — just the compelling question of how modern culinary knowledge works with the ingredients and tools of 16th-century Japan. 

Historical fact and clever fiction are woven together so naturally that the era's major events and everyday life become easy to understand. A great entry point for anyone curious about Japanese history.

So, Which One Are You Reading First?

September's lineup in a nutshell: food, cats, and the unexpected.

Three cooking series. Two cat series. Feed yourself first and then hang out with the cats, or cuddle the cats and then eat — the reading order is up to you!

About the Author

Amber

Thanks for reading! I'm Amber, Head of Community at emaqi. My job is to help manga fans discover great series, connect with fellow readers, and occasionally convince you that your reading list can always be just one title longer. I'll see you in the next emaqi Express!