Manga UP! Global added the following four manga: The Apothecary Diaries: Xiaolan’s Story on Thursday, Dimension W on Friday, The Magic Swordsmith on Saturday, and A Starlit Darkness on Sunday.
Manga UP! describes The Apothecary Diaries: Xiaolan’s Story:
The story of “The Apothecary Diaries” from Xiaolan’s perspective, written by series author Hyuganatsu and adapted by Itsuki Nanao!
The Apothecary Diaries: Xiaolan’s Story (Kusuriya no Hitorigoto Gaiden: Xiaolan Kaisōroku) launched on Square Enix‘s Manga UP! website on March 23. Itsuki Nanao, who draws one of the manga adaptations of The Apothecary Diaries, is also drawing the new manga.
Nanao and Nekokurage launched the manga adaptation of The Apothecary Diaries (Kusuriya no Hitorigoto) in Square Enix‘s Monthly Big Gangan magazine in May 2017. Square Enix published the manga’s 15th compiled book volume on March 25.
Natsu Hyūga began serializing the original story on the “Shōsetsuka ni Narō” (Let’s Become Novelists) website in October 2011. Shufunotomo began publishing the novels in print volume with illustrations by Touko Shino in August 2014.
The light novel series inspired an anime that premiered in October 2023 with the first three episodes, and aired for two cours (quarters of a year). The anime has a second season that premiered on January 10. A sequel has been green-lit.
Manga UP! describes Dimension W:
AD 2072. With the invention of cross-dimensional electromagnetic inductors known as Coils, the world’s energy crisis has long been solved. Kyouma Mabuchi is a “Collector,” someone who makes his living by recovering illegal Coils for the powers that be. When on his latest gig he crosses paths with a mysterious girl named Mira, little does he know that their meeting will bring them both closer to the secrets behind “Dimension W,” the fourth dimension–beyond X, Y, and Z–that powers the world…So begins this progressive sci-fi tale, where the future of science and humanity may very well hang in the balance!
Yuji Iwahara (Darker Than Black character designer and King of Thorn manga creator) launched the manga series in Young Gangan magazine in 2011, although it moved to Monthly Big Gangan in December 2015. The manga ended in June 2019. Square Enix published the manga’s 16th and final compiled book volume in August 2019. Yen Press published the manga in English.
The manga inspired a television anime that premiered in January 2016. Funimation streamed the English-subtitled version as it aired in Japan. An English-dubbed version premiered on Toonami in February 2016, with Funimation streaming the dub two weeks after every episode. Funimation released the series on Blu-ray Disc and DVD in May 2017.
Manga UP! describes The Magic Swordsmith:
One fateful day, unknown blacksmith Lutz accidentally forges a truly exceptional katana: his life’s magnum opus.
However, a certain incident forces him to give up the blade. To make matters worse, he forgot to stamp his maker’s mark on it, making it impossible to prove that he crafted it.
Meanwhile, the katana falls into the hands of Gerhardt, the local lord’s personal spellforger. The moment he picks it up, he is enchanted by its beauty…
In this sword-making tale, an obscure blacksmith and a nameless katana move the hearts and fates of people!
MotoKiyo launched The Magic Swordsmith (Isekai Tōshō no Maken Seisaku-gurashi), based on the original novel series by Kazuma Ogiwara with original character design by Carimarica, on Square Enix‘s Gangan Online in January 2024. Square Enix published the manga’s third volume on March 12.
Manga UP! describes A Starlit Darkness:
Japan, early 20th century. Subaru Karasuma, an aspiring writer with dashed ambitions, neck-deep in loans he has no hope of paying back, decides it’s time to draw the curtain on his miserable life. Before he can follow through on his dark intent, he’s diverted by the spectacle of a neighbor working frenetically with his literary group to meet the deadline for a work commissioned by Geppo Yagira, a rich and famous novelist. When the devilishly handsome, fiercely talented Geppo lays his eyes on Subaru, the latter’s life is set on a new course. But the new path he’s now treading seems to lead ever deeper into the darkness…
Yū Toyota (Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?!) debuted A Starlit Darkness (Naraku no Hoshi) on Square Enix‘s Gangan pixiv website on December 28. Square Enix released the manga’s second volume last Tuesday.
Square Enix Manga & Books is publishing the manga in English in print in May 2026.
Source: Email correspondence
Hi, I’m Raju Rastogi, and I run RJ BLOG. Here, I share anime reviews, news, and explainer articles in Hindi. It’s a fun space for anime lovers!