Manga UP! Global has recently expanded its English-language catalog with the addition of two new manga series: The Quest for the Luxury Liner: Seize the Rich Life with a Ship-Summoning Skill in Another World and The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten: After the Rain. This update brings fresh stories and perspectives to fans of isekai adventures and heartwarming romance.
“The Quest for the Luxury Liner”: Isekai Adventure on the High Seas (or Lack Thereof)
The Quest for the Luxury Liner: Seize the Rich Life with a Ship-Summoning Skill in Another World (めざせ豪華客船!! ～船召喚スキルで異世界リッチライフを手に入れろ～, Mezase Gōka Kyakusen!! Fune Shōkan Sukiru de Isekai Ricchi Raifu o Te ni Irero) is a manga series written by Tamutamu and illustrated by Anan Zazaron. The series began serialization in Square Enix’s G Fantasy magazine in November 2020.
Synopsis
The story follows Wataru Toyoumi, an ordinary college student who suddenly finds himself transported to another world. Initially lost and confused, Wataru discovers he possesses a unique ability: the power to summon ships. His newfound skill offers a glimmer of hope, as he realizes that with enough experience points (EXP) and money, he could potentially summon an unsinkable luxury cruise liner.
However, there’s a significant problem: the new world has no sea in sight. Wataru must navigate this unfamiliar land, overcoming various challenges and finding creative ways to utilize his ship-summoning abilities. His goal is to amass the resources needed to fulfill his dream of building a luxurious life for himself in this strange, new world.
Themes and Tropes
- Isekai: The series falls into the popular isekai genre, where the protagonist is transported to another world.
- Cheat Skill: Wataru’s ship-summoning ability provides him with a significant advantage, a common trope in isekai stories.
- Adventure and Comedy: The manga blends adventure elements with comedic situations as Wataru adapts to his new life and tries to make the most of his unusual power.
- Fantasy World: The story unfolds in a fantasy setting filled with monsters and other challenges.
- Game Elements: The mention of EXP suggests the presence of game-like mechanics in the world, which is another frequent element in isekai manga.
Reception and Community
- On MangaUpdates, The Quest for the Luxury Liner has an average rating of 6.6 / 10.0 based on 68 votes
- The series is ongoing with 6 volumes.
“The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten: After the Rain”: A Sweet Spin-Off
The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten: After the Rain (お隣の天使様にいつの間にか駄目人間にされていた件 after the rain, Otonari no Tenshi-sama ni Itsu no Ma ni ka Dame Ningen ni Sareteita Ken after the rain) is a spin-off manga of the popular The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten series. The spin-off is written by Saekisan and illustrated by Puyo. It launched on Manga UP! in December 2023.
Synopsis
After the Rain explores events from the past and present, adapting content from the original light novel series’ Volume 5.5, including stories from the special edition. The series continues to focus on the evolving relationship between Amane Fujimiya and Mahiru Shiina. Amane, a high schooler living alone, finds his life intertwined with his beautiful neighbor, Mahiru, the “angel” of their school.
Their relationship began on a rainy day when Amane lent Mahiru his umbrella. In return, Mahiru starts helping Amane with household tasks, leading to a gradual deepening of their bond. This spin-off delves into the sweet and tender moments of their everyday life, portraying the subtle shifts in their feelings as they grow closer.
Themes and Tropes
- Romantic Comedy: After the Rain is firmly rooted in the romantic comedy genre, offering lighthearted and heartwarming moments between the two protagonists.
- Slice of Life: The series emphasizes the everyday interactions and experiences of Amane and Mahiru, providing a glimpse into their developing relationship.
- Neighbors: The “neighbors” dynamic is central to the story, creating opportunities for both proximity and personal growth.
- High School Romance: The characters are high school students, adding a youthful and innocent charm to their interactions.
- Spin-Off: As a spin-off, the series expands upon the established world and characters of the original The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten, providing fans with additional content to enjoy.
Background of “The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten”
The original The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten began as a web novel series written by Saekisan on the “Shōsetsuka ni Narō” (Let’s Become Novelists) website in December 2018. SB Creative’s GA Bunko imprint began publishing the story in print volumes with illustrations by Hanekoto in June 2019.
A manga adaptation by Suzu Yūki launched on the Manga UP! service in January 2022. The light novel series has achieved significant popularity, topping multiple categories in the 2024 edition of Takarajimasha’s Kono Light Novel ga Sugoi! guidebook, including:
- Bunkobon
- Illustrator
- Female Character (Mahiru Shiina)
- Male Character (Amane Fujimiya)
- Web Survey rankings
An anime television series adaptation produced by Project No.9 aired from January to March 2023, and a second season has been announced. Yen Press is publishing the light novel series in English, while Square Enix Manga & Books is publishing the manga adaptation.
Where to Read
Both The Quest for the Luxury Liner: Seize the Rich Life with a Ship-Summoning Skill in Another World and The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten: After the Rain are available for reading on the Manga UP! Global service. Manga UP! is the official digital comic reading application by Square Enix. The service features over 100 series.
