September FOC's are starting off with some GEMS!
Hello fellow manga readers,
my name is Daniel and I am able to present to you a special type of FOC newsletter for this week!
Some of you may know me from our "Beyond the Panels"-Blog, where I write about all things manga, which is something that takes up a huge space in my heart! A few days ago, I browsed through our manga Pre-Orders and noticed that the FOC's for September are STAAACKED with huge books!
Thus, I saddled my horse, and now I am running through the town to spread the news...
Everybody... I present to you: THE MANGA FOC NEWSLETTER for September, 3rd, 2025!
Basically me right now!
Land of the Lustrous - Final Volume!
Land Of The Lustrous 13 *PRE-ORDER*
€10,99
€12,99
An elegant new action manga, Land of the Lustrous is set in a far future Earth, where humanity's distant descendants live on in a small group of sexless crystalline beings who must fight off an invasion from the Moon.Having inherited… read more
It is finally happening! One of the biggest hidden gems in manga is getting its final volume!
Land of the Lustrous is one of my all-time favorite manga and a series that hasn't gotten the attention it deserved. So, let me tell you what it is about. Because on November 4th, when this final volume drops, you can dive right into this story and enjoy it in one go!
Tens of thousands of years after humanity ceased to exist, the earth is only inhabited by a few immortal beings that are made out of gems, called the Lustrous. Their shared goal is to fend off the Lunarians - mysterious invaders who arrive from the sky to collect the shattered fragments of the wounded Lustrous. Phos (Phosphophyllite), one of the most fragile gems ever born, is tasked with writing a natural history encyclopedia. However, this role is an unsatisfying role for someone who is desperate to prove their worth. But after a fateful day, Phos undergoes transformations that challenge not only their body and mind but also the very beliefs of the Lustrous.
The mangaka Haruko Ichikawa is able to create a unique story where she blends plot twists, action, philosophy and aspects of Buddhism into one thrilling story, which is able to rival Attack on Titan and Fullmetal Alchemist in terms of plot twists, mystery and worldbuilding! (So if you liked those, you should check this one out!) While this mystery is unfolding, the story explores themes like identity, change, belonging, and even the cycle of destruction through the incredible main character, Phos, and through an art style that shows that art is far more than just a visual extra.
If you want to know what I mean by that, you should check out my Beyond the Panels article on Land of the Lustrous, where I take a closer look at the art and the themes of this hidden gem (get it? hehe!).
Or you can find out yourself by getting the previous 12 volumes right now!
Mushishi Collector's Edition
Mushishi Collector's Edition 1 HC *PRE-ORDER*
€24,99
€29,99
The beloved fantasy manga returns in a hardcover omnibus edition featuring a completely original translation and new cover designs.Before life as we know it, there existed entities that don't obey the laws of our reality—primordial beings known as mushi. In… read more
Another incredible entry for this weeks FOC (I told you, the September FOC's are crazy!), which also releases on November 4th, is Mushishi.
We are getting a well-deserved hardcover Collectors Edition for it, which is just the perfect opportunity for everyone who wants to see what this masterpiece is all about. In my opinion, every collection that is filled with philosophical and deep stories should also include this series.
It is one manga that I keep recommending to my friends and that brings in the most praise for me whenever someone finishes it.
But what is it about?
Ginko is a mysterious man that wanders the Japanese countryside, always following rumors that seem unbelievable or even supernatural. While most people cannot see the reason for these occurrences, Ginko is not your average person, but a Mushishi.
Mushishi's are experts for tiny creatures known as mushi - primitive, ethereal lifeforms existing next to us but in their own dimension. Although most humans cannot see them, they can be the source of supernatural phenomena and illnesses. But do not confuse them with ghosts or demons, because they are more closely related to us than one might assume.
To help people affected by mushi's and to keep the world of the mushi's safe, Ginko, who can see these beings, tries to look for rumors to protect the balance between these worlds and save innocent beings from both sides.
The stories in this manga are told in a short-story format, where each chapter (sometimes two or three) is a different rumor that Ginko solves with his experience and wit. Some are tragic, some are happy, and some are just outright life-changing.
The manga was globally acclaimed and received several awards in the years after its release in the early 2000's. Although it is such a masterpiece, it was out of print for 15 years in English and is finally back with an edition that just seems fitting!
The Apothecary Diaries
The Apothecary Diaries 14 (Manga) *PRE-ORDER*
€10,99
€12,99
After breaking a “curse” on the imperial heirs, a palace servant with training in herbal medicine is promoted up the ranks to food taster...and right into the thick of palace intrigue in this lushly illustrated historical mystery series!After tangling with a… read more
It has been a while since we last got a volume for this fan-favorite series! But on October 7th, the wait is finally over, and we receive the 14th volume of The Apothecary Diaries!
The Apothecary Diaries follows Maomao, an intelligent young woman with deep knowledge about all things herbs and poisons. After being kidnapped, she is forced to work in the imperial palace. At first she wants to stay unnoticed, but after witnessing medical mysteries and intrigues, she cannot keep her curiosity in check and uses her intellect to solve these problems. However, the imperial palace is not safe for someone snooping around and unraveling mysteries... Will Maomao be able to keep her curiosity in check and survive, or will the nobles and politicians get to her?
Find out in this incredible manga, which blends mystery, noble intrigues and history into a plot that is filled with witty moments that show the beauty and the dark side of life in a palace through the eyes of a unique and well-written heroine!
September is starting off good!
September's FOC's are off to a great start already, but we are nowhere near done!
Keep an eye out for the end of September, when I will present to you the other FOC's for this month. But if you cannot wait, you can always check out our Beyond The Panels-Blog, where I already talked about a lot of different manga that you can get right now! :D
Some good stuff is coming our way... some books that I personally waited years and years for!
GOSH! I AM SO EXCITED!!!!
You can check out everything for FOC this week, right here. All of our pre-orders run until Saturday at 4pm.
If you have any doubts or questions, you can message us, and we will gladly help you out.
See you soon,
Daniel
