The New Normal manga makes the leap to anime

It seems the world of New Normal, the manga by Akito Aihara, is about to expand beyond the panels. According to leaks from reliable sources on social media, the story set in a society where covering your mouth is the norm will be adapted into an anime. Although there is no official announcement yet, everything points to confirmation coming soon, which has generated great anticipation among fans of the manga and Japanese culture.

Published since December 2020 in Funguild's Comic Owl magazine, this pandemic-era romance manga has captured readers' attention with its intimate and reflective approach to social distance and human connection. The series is currently still ongoing in Japan with seven collected volumes.

In Spain, Arechi Manga is the publisher in charge of bringing New Normal to Spanish-speaking readers. Publication began in June 2022, although its release has been somewhat irregular. To date, the first five volumes have been released in Spanish, and fans of the work are waiting for the next volumes.

The story of New Normal takes us to a near future where wearing a mask has become an unbreakable custom. So much so that seeing another person's mouth is a real taboo. In this context, Natsuki and her classmate Hata begin to remember the world from before and, without planning it, end up sharing a secret that binds them in an unexpected way. Thus begins an unconventional romance story that explores closeness in a time when distance is the norm.

If the anime adaptation follows the melancholic and reflective tone of the manga, we can expect a work with great emotional impact. With the rise of adaptations of stories exploring new post-pandemic dynamics, New Normal has the potential to become one of the most standout titles in recent anime. Now we just have to wait for official confirmation and, hopefully, a first look at the animated series that will bring this story to the screen.