Panini Comics has recently revealed exciting news for manga fans in the UK and Ireland. Two new manga series, EARTH EXPANSION and OUR DATING STORY, are set to be translated into English and released in print for the first time in December 2024. This announcement follows the success of Panini UK’s previous manga releases earlier this year, which included titles like Stitch and The Samurai and Kingdom Hearts III.
One of the upcoming series, EARTH EXPANSION, falls into the seinen fantasy genre. The story is written by Yosshaa! with art by Hajime Yamamoto. The plot revolves around a world devastated by a natural disaster that unleashed monstrous creatures. In this post-apocalyptic setting, certain individuals known as “first-class pioneers” have the ability to transform into powerful warriors using special crystals. Our protagonist, Kuroki, is a “second-class pioneer” who, along with his trusty companion Pomukichi, sets out to explore a monster-infested area outside of Tokyo. However, when faced with a formidable foe, Kuroki unexpectedly unlocks his true potential and transforms into a mighty dragon.
On the other hand, OUR DATING STORY: The Experienced You and The Inexperienced Me offers a different narrative focused on high school romance. Originally a popular anime series and light novel, the manga adaptation by Carpaccio Noyama brings Nagaoka Makiko’s story to a new audience. The story follows Ryuto Kashima, a socially awkward teenager with no dating experience, who musters the courage to ask out his crush, the beautiful Runa Shirakawa. Surprisingly, Runa accepts his invitation, leading to a series of comedic and heartwarming moments as the two navigate the ups and downs of their budding relationship while discovering their shared inexperience in matters of the heart.
Both manga titles will be distributed by Turnaround Publisher Services, making them exclusive releases for readers in the UK and Ireland. Fans can look forward to immersing themselves in these captivating and diverse stories that promise to offer a mix of action, fantasy, and romance. With unique characters, engaging plots, and stunning artwork, EARTH EXPANSION and OUR DATING STORY are sure to appeal to a wide range of manga enthusiasts eagerly awaiting their arrival on shelves this December.
