The realm of manga continues to expand, offering diverse narratives that captivate readers across various genres. Recently, several titles have garnered attention, including “Touched by Twilight,” “In the Twilight of Our Adolescence,” and “About a Love Song.” These works, encompassing themes of romance, drama, and personal growth, are set to enrich the English-speaking manga market through new licensing agreements.
Tokyopop Licenses New Manga for English Release
Tokyopop has announced the acquisition of licenses for “Touched by Twilight,” “In the Twilight of Our Adolescence,” and “About a Love Song” manga, indicating their upcoming release in English. This move allows a broader audience to engage with these stories.
“About a Love Song”: A Touching Yaoi Manga
“About a Love Song” (original title: アバウト ア ラブソング) is a yaoi manga by Natsuno Hiroko, known for its emotional depth and exploration of mature themes. First published in Japan in 2020, it is being released in English by Taifu Comics (Yaoi) in France and AMAK in Vietnam, with a forthcoming English release from Tokyopop.
Plot and Themes
The story centers on Mizuki (also referred to as Hoshina in some summaries), a guitarist and singer in a band called “And more,” who struggles to achieve success and write love songs. He works part-time at a convenience store where he meets Seto, a younger university student. Their connection deepens after a rainy night leads them to spend it together. However, Hoshina discovers the next morning that Seto is younger than he initially thought, leading to internal conflict and anxiety about their age difference and the responsibilities involved. Seto, despite Hoshina’s doubts, continues to pursue the relationship. The manga delves into topics such as age gaps in relationships, responsibilities, and consent, often with a musical backdrop that poetically expresses inexpressible feelings. Hoshina is eventually inspired to write a song about his feelings for Seto, leading to their reconciliation after Seto’s graduation.
Author and Publication Details
Hiroko Natsuno is the author and artist behind “About a Love Song.” The series was originally published in ShuCream’s “from RED” label in Japan. While initially released as a one-shot, its popularity led to the commissioning of a sequel. The English paperback release of “About a Love Song, Volume 1” is expected on December 9, 2025. It is rated for ages 16 and up due to moderate nudity.
“In the Twilight of Our Adolescence”: A Story of Growth and Self-Discovery
“In the Twilight of Our Adolescence” by Waka Hayashi is a manga that explores the intricate journey from boyhood to adulthood. It focuses on the worries, mistakes, and eventual self-acceptance that characterize the adolescent period.
Narrative Overview
The narrative introduces Tanahashi Yusei, a popular and academically gifted student who excels in sports and naturally draws people to him. Despite his outward success, Yusei harbors a secret admiration for Nakagawa, a quiet and seemingly unnoticed classmate. A specific incident brings the two boys closer, setting the stage for a story about navigating complex emotions and personal growth during a pivotal time in their lives. The English release for this title is scheduled for November 11.
“Touched by Twilight”: A Historical Boys’ Love Manga
“Touched by Twilight” by Yukiaki Uno is a historical Boys’ Love (BL) manga. This series delves into a dramatic reunion between a mentor and a student whose paths diverged due to family conflict.
Key Elements
The manga’s summary indicates a focus on a historical setting, adding a unique layer to the BL genre. The central conflict revolves around a mentor and student who are separated by familial strife but eventually find their way back to each other years later. The English release date for “Touched by Twilight” is set for December 2.
The Enduring Legacy of the Twilight Saga
While distinct from the aforementioned manga, the mention of “Twilight” in the user’s prompt also brings to mind Stephenie Meyer’s globally successful Twilight saga. This series of vampire romance novels, which began with the book Twilight in 2005, significantly impacted young adult fiction and popular culture.
Twilight Novels and Adaptations
The original Twilight series consists of four main books: Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn. These novels chart the love story between human Bella Swan and vampire Edward Cullen, a narrative that resonated with millions and led to five successful film adaptations. Stephenie Meyer has also expanded the universe with spin-off novels like Life and Death: Twilight Reimagined (a gender-swapped retelling of the first book) and Midnight Sun (which retells Twilight from Edward’s perspective). The author has teased the possibility of more stories within the Twilight universe, with outlines already prepared. In 2024, Netflix announced an animated series based on Midnight Sun, with Meyer serving as an executive producer.
These titles, whether new manga releases or classic supernatural romances, highlight the diverse and ever-evolving landscape of storytelling in popular media.
