Atsu Benino, recognized for the manga adaptation of “A Misanthrope Teaches a Class for Demi-Humans,” is poised to unveil a new series titled “Hōkago Voca-Ken de!” (Afterschool at the Vocaloid Research Club) in Shogakukan’s Weekly Shonen Sunday magazine. The manga is scheduled to debut in the magazine’s sixth issue, which will be released on January 7, 2026. The exciting announcement was made in the combined fourth and fifth issue of Weekly Shonen Sunday.
Diving into “Hōkago Voca-Ken de!”
The upcoming series, “Hōkago Voca-Ken de!”, promises a fresh narrative centered around Mira Sasaki, a first-year high school student. Despite her unfamiliarity with the singing voice synthesizer Vocaloid, Mira finds herself unexpectedly joining a Vocaloid research club alongside her enthusiastic upperclassmen. This premise suggests a story exploring themes of discovery, new experiences, and the unique world of Vocaloid culture through the eyes of a newcomer.
Atsu Benino’s Recent Works and Transition
This new launch follows the recent conclusion of Benino’s manga adaptation of Natsume Kurusu’s light novel series, “A Misanthrope Teaches a Class for Demi-Humans.” That adaptation was serialized in Kadokawa Shoten’s Monthly Shōnen Ace from August 2022 to July 2025, compiling into four tankōbon volumes. The successful run of “A Misanthrope Teaches a Class for Demi-Humans” manga, which also saw its light novel original published in English by Yen Press, establishes a strong foundation for Benino’s next venture. Fans of Benino’s previous work, particularly its character-driven storytelling, will likely be eager to see how their style translates to the world of “Hōkago Voca-Ken de!”.
