Angel Heart

The Many Flavors of Kumika

Kumika is an alien from the impoverished planet Chlorodium #2, living and working on an Earth where humans and extraterrestrials coexist. Unlike humans, she sustains herself not by eating, but by absorbing nutrients from the air. This, coupled with her austere background, leads her to reject all social invitations and dedicate herself solely to work, causing her colleagues to see her as distant and cold. Her strictly regulated life is upended when she collapses from exhaustion at work. Her concerned coworker, Chihiro, intervenes by offering Kumika her first-ever meal: a simple bowl of hot udon. The experience is a revelation, instantly revitalizing her body and awakening a primal hunger she

The Works of Ichikawa Haruko

This collection brings together the early short stories of Haruko Ichikawa. Across two volumes, characters navigate surreal and intimate realities: a boy discovers his uncle has a mysterious 'daughter,' a youth awakens in a strange land guided by an ethereal companion, and an injured athlete finds solace with a robotic sibling. Other tales delve into quiet mysteries, from a marine biologist's reunion with her brother that masks a deeper scientific pursuit, to a delinquent's encounter with a peculiar transfer student at a college on a moon of Saturn. Each story explores themes of isolation, connection, and the subtle, often supernatural, boundaries of the human experience.

Twin Spica

In a near-future Tokyo, Asumi Kamogawa is a young girl whose life has always been tied to the stars. Inspired since childhood by a mysterious, friendly ghost she calls Lion-san, she holds a burning passion for space. Despite a difficult family life, she decides to pursue her dream by enrolling in the elite Tokyo Space School, aiming to join Japan's first manned space mission. Asumi must prove herself by overcoming numerous physical and mental trials to earn a rare spot at the school. There, she forms bonds with a group of fellow students, each with their own dreams and secrets, as they navigate the challenges of growing up and training for a future among the stars. The story is set against

Space Ship EE

In the year 2038 CE, Noshi Hyoda is a 23-year-old office worker trapped in a life of profound existential despair. Her daily reality is one of apathetic oppression, a monotonous cycle that offers no escape from her growing sense of isolation and meaninglessness. Her inner turmoil manifests in a vivid, recurring vision: she finds herself aboard the Space Ship EE, adrift in the vast emptiness of deep space. This psychological refuge becomes the central conflict of her existence, posing a desperate question about the nature of freedom and purpose. Caught between the crushing weight of her mundane world and the silent, infinite promise of the cosmos, Noshi must confront where she can truly go

The Distant Dawn

A collection of sixteen short stories by Yukinobu Hoshino, spanning genres from science fiction and fantasy to psychological drama and romance. The tales explore a wide range of themes, including adventure, mystery, and the supernatural, often set in imaginative and thought-provoking scenarios. From a distant dawn and a steel queen to escape from wastelands and a funeral convoy, each story presents a unique conflict. Characters face challenges such as a call from afar, a whiteout, amazons of the river, and the Carneades plan, navigating through algae, lightning strikes, and the emperor of winter.

Toume Kei Works Collection: People of the Hanging Gardens

A collection of six oneshots by Kei Toume, created between 2011 and 2016. Each story stands alone, exploring different characters and settings. From a mysterious element to fairy affairs, from a zombie-filled apartment to a twilight antique book market, and from heaven's door to a blue secret flower, the volume presents a diverse range of tales. The stories blend genres like science fiction, comedy, drama, slice of life, supernatural, and horror. Toume's signature style weaves together everyday moments with the bizarre, creating narratives that are both grounded and surreal. The collection offers a glimpse into her creative range during this period.