January’s North American Anime & Manga Releases Are Here!
Start the new year by expanding your collection! January brings a fresh wave of anime Blu-rays, manga volumes, and light novels to shelves and digital stores across North America. Whether you’re catching up on recent hits or diving into classic series, there’s plenty to look forward. Let’s break down what’s coming each week.
Week 1: January 6 – 12
The first week of January is no slow start, kicking things off with a major anime release and a huge stack of new manga.
Anime Releases:
The spotlight is on Oshi no Ko 2nd Season, arriving on standard Blu-ray and also in a sleek Limited Edition SteelBook. Fans of the hit idol industry drama won’t want to miss adding this to their library.
Manga & Light Novel Releases:
This week is absolutely packed with new reads. The legendary Hunter x Hunter continues its long-awaited return with Volume 38. Popular series like Dark Gathering (Vol. 17), Wind Breaker (Vol. 18), and Sakamoto Days (Vol. 20) all have new volumes arriving.
Notable new entries include the first volume of Beatrice and Volume 1 of Choujun! Choujou-senpai (also known as Super Psychic Policeman Chojo). For light novel enthusiasts, Otonari no Tenshi-sama ni Itsunomanika Dame Ningen ni Sareteita Ken (The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten) reaches Volume 9, and the second year of Youkoso Jitsuryoku Shijou Shugi no Kyoushitsu e (Classroom of the Elite) gets a “.5” volume with 12.5.
Digital Highlights:
Digital readers can look forward to Blue Lock Vol. 35, Shangri-La Frontier: Kusoge Hunter, Kamige ni Idoman to su Vol. 23, and new volumes for series like Megami no Café Terrace and D Genesis: Dungeon ga Dekite 3-nen.
Week 2: January 13 – 19
Week two brings a fantastic mix of modern essentials and beloved classics to home video.
Anime Releases:
This is a big week for physical media. The iconic Ansatsu Kyoushitsu (Assassination Classroom) gets a complete series Blu-ray collection. The action continues with Bleach: Sennen Kessen-hen – Soukoku-tan (Thousand-Year Blood War – The Conflict) and the Blue Lock vs. U-20 Japan movie on Blu-ray. Classics like Elfen Lied and the Kimetsu no Yaiba Movie: Mugen Ressha-hen (Demon Slayer: Mugen Train) in 4K Ultra HD also make their way to collections.
Manga & Light Novel Releases:
The manga lineup is diverse. The epic Arifureta Shokugyou de Sekai Saikyou continues with Vol. 15, while mystery fans get Meitantei Conan (Case Closed) Vol. 97. New volumes for Mahou Shoujo ni Akogarete (Gushing over Magical Girls) and Medalist are also slated for release.
In light novels, Goblin Slayer Gaiden: Year One hits Vol. 4, and Mezametara Saikyou Soubi to Uchuusenmochi Datta node, Ikkodate Mezashite Youhei toshite Jiyuu ni Ikitai (Reborn as a Space Mercenary) reaches Vol. 14.
Digital Highlights:
Digital readers can catch up with Genjitsu Shugi Yuusha no Oukoku Saikenki (How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom) Vol. 13 and Honzuki no Gekokujou (Ascendance of a Bookworm) Part 3, Vol. 5.
Week 3: January 20 – 26
The third week offers some premium anime sets and another massive batch of manga.
Anime Releases:
Tanks roll out with Girls & Panzer: Saishuushou Part 4 (das Finale – Part 4) on Blu-ray. Also hitting shelves is the Limited Edition SteelBook for the supernatural action series Mato Seihei no Slave (Chained Soldier).
Manga & Light Novel Releases:
This is another huge week for manga readers. Major titles include Blue Lock Vol. 36, Bungou Stray Dogs Vol. 26, and Undead Unluck Vol. 23. Fans of Goblin Slayer can pick up Goblin Slayer Gaiden: Year One Vol. 13.
The light novel scene sees the release of Ore wa Seikan Kokka no Akutoku Ryoushu! (I’m the Evil Lord of an Intergalactic Empire!) Vol. 10, and the highly anticipated English release of Semantic Error Vol. 1.
Digital Highlights:
Digital offerings feature Shinigami ni Sodaterareta Shoujo wa Shikkoku no Ken wo Mune ni Idaku (Death’s Daughter and the Ebony Blade) Vol. 7 and new volumes for light novels like Kami-tachi ni Hirowareta Otoko (By the Grace of the Gods) and Maou no Ore ga Dorei Elf wo Yome ni Shitanda ga, Dou Medereba Ii? (An Archdemon’s Dilemma).
Week 4: January 27 – February 2
January closes out with a blast from the past and some heavyweight continuing series.
Anime Releases:
It’s a week for classics and long runners. Naruto: Shippuuden Set 9 and One Piece Season 14 Voyage 8 continue their Blu-ray journeys. A premium Oshi no Ko Box Set arrives for collectors. Anime history buffs will appreciate the 4K Ultra HD release of the complete Project A-Ko series and the Blu-ray for the iconic Space Adventure Cobra. The beloved film Summer Wars also gets a 4K Ultra HD Limited Edition SteelBook.
Manga & Light Novel Releases:
The final week’s manga highlights include Asadora! Vol. 9 by Naoki Urasawa and the deluxe edition of Battle Royale Vol. 1. JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken Part 7: Steel Ball Run continues with Vol. 5.
The light novel lineup is strong, featuring Seishun Buta Yarou wa Bunny Girl-senpai no Yume wo Minai Vol. 15, Shinsetsu Ookami to Koushinryou: Ookami to Youhishi (Wolf & Parchment) Vol. 11, and Tensei Oujo to Tensai Reijou no Mahou Kakumei (The Magical Revolution of the Reincarnated Princess…) Vol. 8.5.
Digital Highlights:
The month wraps digitally with new volumes for series like Oniichan wa Oshimai! (Onimai) Vol. 10, Tsue to Tsurugi no Wistoria Vol. 11, and light novels including Rakudai Kishi no Cavalry (Chivalry of a Failed Knight) Vol. 8.
Release information is sourced from major retailers and publishers including Amazon, Crunchyroll, Denpa, J-Novel Club, Kodansha USA, RightStuf, Sentai Filmworks, Seven Seas Entertainment, Square Enix, Tokyopop, Viz Media, and Yen Press.
