Kana (Abrams ComicArts' Kana imprint in English territories) has quietly expanded its English-language manga lineup with four distinctive releases that stretch across horror, memoir, slice-of-life, and art instruction. From Masasumi Kakizaki’s atmospheric thriller Hideout to Chiharu Yumenouchi’s professional-level How to Draw Chibi guidebook, these licenses offer something for collectors, casual readers, and aspiring artists alike. Below we break down each title, what makes it notable, and why fans should be excited.
Kana's New Licenses — At a Glance
In a single announcement, Kana confirmed English-language releases for:
- Masasumi Kakizaki — Hideout (single-volume horror manga)
- Kazuyoshi Takeda — Bye-Bye Beanbag (Sayonara Tamachan) (memoir, single volume)
- Molico Ross — The Gentleman, the Cat, and the Tearoom (Neko to Shinshi no Tea Room) (ongoing slice-of-life series)
- Chiharu Yumenouchi — How to Draw Chibi (Mini-Chara no Egakikata) (art guidebook)
Masasumi Kakizaki — Hideout: Psychological Horror with a Razor Edge
Hideout is a compact, unnerving manga first serialized in Big Comic Spirits. Kakizaki’s art is cinematic, using stark composition and dense inking to intensify dread. The story — centered on a grieving couple drawn into a strange waterfall legend on a southern resort island — leans into psychological tension and slow-burn terror rather than jump scares. Kakizaki’s prior works (including Rainbow and Kansen Rettō) have proven his range across realism and horror, and Hideout is an excellent single-volume entry for readers who like literary horror with haunting imagery.
Why Hideout matters
As a one-volume manga, Hideout is accessible for new readers and collectors who want a complete, self-contained horror experience. Its praise stems from a strong authorial voice and compelling visuals, making it ideal for fans of psychological and atmospheric manga.
Kazuyoshi Takeda — Bye-Bye Beanbag: A Raw, Tender Memoir
Bye-Bye Beanbag is Takeda’s intimate manga memoir about a testicular cancer diagnosis at 35. Instead of dwelling only on medical details, the volume highlights the human moments that sustain someone through illness: the kindness of nurses, the small rituals of hospital life, and forming bonds with fellow patients. Nominated for the Manga Taisho and the Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize reader award, this one-volume story is recognized for both its honesty and narrative craft.
Why readers should pick it up
Memoir manga often connects deeply because of their vulnerability — Bye-Bye Beanbag adds perspective on illness, creativity, and resilience. For readers who appreciate real-life stories told with heart and nuance, this title is essential.
Molico Ross — The Gentleman, the Cat, and the Tearoom: Gentle Slice-of-Life Comfort
Molico Ross’s Neko to Shinshi no Tea Room is a warm, episodic series about Taki, a shy tearoom owner, and his companion cat Keemun. The manga blends hospitality, low-key romance, and small-good-deed storytelling; each chapter feels like a brief, restorative visit to a cozy café. Launched in Comic Zenon and continuing across multiple volumes, this series is ideal for readers who prefer atmosphere, character-driven vignettes, and slice-of-life comfort reads.
Who will love this series
Fans of café-set stories, gentle romances, and character-focused slice-of-life manga will find this series a perfect fit. Its approachable tone and steady worldbuilding make it excellent for weekend reading or casual serialization in translated volumes.
Chiharu Yumenouchi — How to Draw Chibi: Pro Techniques for Tiny, Adorable Characters
How to Draw Chibi is a professional-level guide to crafting “mini” or chibi characters — a deceptively simple style where tiny shifts in line and proportion change the whole expression. Yumenouchi brings real commercial experience (from licensed merch, figure design, and pop-culture projects) and focuses on demonstrative visuals and habit-forming exercises. For aspiring illustrators or established artists who want to refine their cute-character toolkit, this guidebook offers practical techniques and industry-grade tips.
Practical value for artists
The book emphasizes foundational techniques that translate to character design, merchandise art, and social media illustration. Its visual-first approach makes it friendly for beginners while still containing nuanced pointers for pros seeking polish.
Availability, Editions, and Collecting Tips
Each title is being prepared for English-language release through Kana/Abrams distribution. Hideout and the memoir-style Bye-Bye Beanbag are single-volume works — great for readers who prefer complete arcs — while The Gentleman, the Cat, and the Tearoom will likely see multiple volumes as the series continues in Japan. How to Draw Chibi is targeted at both hobbyists and professionals, and its format makes it a good gift for artists.
If you want official publisher details or to preorder, the Abrams product pages for these titles are a reliable source. For background reporting on original Japanese serializations (where available), Japanese outlets like Natalie.mu have contemporaneous coverage. (Publisher pages linked for reference with nofollow.)
Who Should Read These New Kana Titles?
- Horror fans who favor atmosphere and psychological dread — pick up Hideout.
- Readers who seek honest life narratives and memoirs — Bye-Bye Beanbag will resonate.
- Slice-of-life and café-romance lovers — The Gentleman, the Cat, and the Tearoom offers soothing installments.
- Artists and character designers — How to Draw Chibi provides industry tricks and step-by-step demos.
Final thoughts
Kana’s latest slate demonstrates a smart mix of tone and format: a haunting single-volume horror, a frank and moving memoir, a comforting multi-volume slice-of-life, and a hands-on art manual. This blend broadens Kana’s appeal across readers who collect complete stories, follow ongoing series, or practice illustration. Whether you’re hunting for a late-night psychological read, a tender true-life manga, a café-based slow burn, or a professional chibi primer, these releases deliver quality and variety. Keep an eye on publisher announcements and preorders so you can add these thoughtfully produced volumes to your shelf as they become available.
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