Glacier Bay Books licenses Oedo-chan, A Vase of Life and more manga
Glacier Bay Books expands its manga catalogue with Oedo-chan of Moguraya, A Vase of Life, Faraway Blue and several more unusual titles.
Glacier Bay Books has announced a new batch of manga licences, led by Oedo-chan of Moguraya, A Vase of Life and Faraway Blue. The publisher’s announcement was reported by Anime News Network, which also identified several additional titles headed for release.1
The new licences
Oedo-chan of Moguraya, by Serata Naminami, follows a stray cat working at Moguraya alongside a mole named Captain. Glacier Bay describes it as a fable-like story set in an old Edo, with a hard-working lead carrying a tragic backstory.1
A Vase of Life collects early science-fiction-flavoured work by Aoi Mukoubi, while Faraway Blue is a debut collection by Akino Kogomi built around two stories of love and what comes after.1
The announcement also includes All I Can Do by Aoi Ikebe and The Dovecote Express by Ikuko Hatoyama. Glacier Bay says Ding Pao-Yen’s Future Unfolding is also joining the publishing line-up.1
Pre-orders for the newly announced books, alongside Codomopaper’s Juji and Aichi and Courtney Loberg’s We Don’t Go Through the Angelgrass, are scheduled to open through Kickstarter the following week.1
Why it matters
Glacier Bay’s announcement extends the publisher’s growing catalogue while continuing the Star Fruit Books line. The company previously said it was taking on Star Fruit Books’ publishing line and inventory after the death of founder Matt Haasch, and has since received most of that inventory.1
Our opinion
This is a useful announcement for readers who follow small-press manga because it offers more than a single headline licence: the books span fable, science fiction, literary short stories and surreal journeys. Oedo-chan of Moguraya is the obvious lead because its character premise is immediately distinctive, but the breadth of the list is the more interesting development. Glacier Bay is building a recognisable home for unusual work rather than relying only on familiar catalogue names.
The publisher’s Kickstarter timing means readers should watch its official channels for ordering details rather than treating the announcement as a general retail release.1