Sachi Miyabe, the creator of the popular manga Mame Coordinate, is set to launch a brand new manga series titled Bocchi ga Atsumatte Viking Ittemita (ぼっちが集まってバイキング行ってみた), which translates to “Us Loners Got Together and Went to the Buffet”. The series will debut in the upcoming March 7 issue of Houbunsha’s Weekly Manga Times magazine, hitting shelves on February 28th.
A Story About Connection and Food
Bocchi ga Atsumatte Viking Ittemita centers around Ritsu, an office lady who tends to overthink what others think of her. She discovers that two people she met through an online game, Mo and Rune, are also her “lonely meal comrades”. Driven by this surprising connection, she takes a leap of faith and decides to embark on a buffet trip with them. The manga promises a heartwarming and humorous exploration of friendship, social anxiety, and the simple joys of shared meals.
Themes of Loneliness and Togetherness
The title itself, “Us Loners Got Together and Went to the Buffet,” speaks volumes about the manga’s core themes. It touches upon the pervasive feeling of loneliness in modern society, even amidst digital connections. The act of going to a buffet, typically a social event, becomes a bold step for these characters, highlighting their desire for connection and shared experiences.
Miyabe’s Artistic Style
While details about the specific art style of Bocchi ga Atsumatte Viking Ittemita are still emerging, Sachi Miyabe is generally known for her charming and expressive characters. Her previous work, Mame Coordinate, showcased a delightful blend of humor and slice-of-life storytelling, with relatable characters and heartwarming interactions. Miyabe is also recognized as an illustrator and artist who primarily works in watercolors.
Sachi Miyabe: A Profile
Sachi Miyabe is a Japanese manga artist and illustrator known for her slice-of-life stories and relatable characters. She debuted with Yuri Confit in Comic Ryu in 2012.
Previous Works
Miyabe gained recognition for Mame Coordinate, which was serialized in Tokuma Shoten’s Monthly Comic Ryū magazine from March 2016 to February 2018. Tokuma Shoten published four compiled book volumes of the manga. Tokyopop released Mame Coordinate in English, bringing Miyabe’s work to a wider audience.
Some of Sachi Miyabe’s notable works include:
- Mame Coordinate
- Delay
- Tomodachi 100-nin Kireru Ka Na
- Manpuku Yuri
- Rodriguez to Tacowasa
- 32-sai Shufu, Oshi to 100 Manen de Date suru – Men Chika Concafe-numa
- Lily Confit
Mame Coordinate: A Look Back
Mame Coordinate follows the story of Mame, a girl from Tottori prefecture struggling with extreme social anxiety. Discovered by a determined manager, Mame embarks on a journey to become a top model, facing numerous challenges and learning to overcome her insecurities along the way. The manga resonated with readers due to its relatable portrayal of social anxiety and its heartwarming message of self-acceptance.
Weekly Manga Times: The Publication
Weekly Manga Times is a Japanese manga magazine published by Houbunsha. It is known for featuring a diverse range of manga, including slice-of-life, comedy, and drama. The magazine has a long history of showcasing talented manga artists and launching successful series.
What to Expect from Bocchi ga Atsumatte Viking Ittemita
With Bocchi ga Atsumatte Viking Ittemita, Sachi Miyabe seems to be continuing her exploration of relatable characters and everyday struggles, infused with her signature warmth and humor. The manga’s focus on loneliness, connection, and the shared experience of food promises a story that will resonate with many readers. The series is poised to offer a lighthearted yet poignant look at the challenges of modern life and the importance of finding connection, even in unexpected places. Fans of Miyabe’s previous work, as well as those who enjoy slice-of-life manga with relatable characters, will likely find much to enjoy in this new series.
Release Details
- Title: Bocchi ga Atsumatte Viking Ittemita (ぼっちが集まってバイキング行ってみた)
- English Translation: Us Loners Got Together and Went to the Buffet
- Author: Sachi Miyabe
- Magazine: Weekly Manga Times (Houbunsha)
- Debut Date: February 28, 2025 (in the March 7 issue)
The manga community is eagerly awaiting the release of Bocchi ga Atsumatte Viking Ittemita, anticipating another heartwarming and relatable story from the talented Sachi Miyabe.
