Viz Media has added a chilling new suspense series to its English lineup: Kiss Me with Your Face (Kimi no Kao de Boku ni Kiss shite), written by Yukiaki Kurando and illustrated by WOOMA. Launched in Japan on June 15, 2026 in Akita Shoten’s Bessatsu Shōnen Champion, the manga is now available as a simulpub on Viz Media’s site — starting with the first chapter available to read for free. This post breaks down what the series is about, who’s behind it, where to read the English simulpub, and why thrill-seeking manga readers should add this to their watchlist.
Quick Overview: What Is Kiss Me with Your Face?
Kiss Me with Your Face is a suspense-driven shōnen manga that pits a top-ranked student named Shikimi against an unsettling threat: an envious classmate capable of taking over his body. The premise promises psychological tension, identity-based horror, and social-stakes drama — elements that make it a natural fit for readers who enjoy dark school mysteries with a supernatural twist.
Plot Snapshot
The central hook is simple and chilling. Shikimi is a highly regarded student whose status and future are jeopardized when a jealous peer begins to manipulate and possess him. That loss of control — both public reputation and private autonomy — creates fertile ground for suspense: who can Shikimi trust, how far will the enemy go, and what are the personal consequences when someone else can live as you?
Key themes to expect
- Identity and autonomy: the horror of being replaced or misrepresented in your own life.
- Social reputation: how school hierarchies and public perception influence characters’ choices.
- Psychological suspense over gore: tension built from personal betrayal, secrets, and social manipulation.
Creators: Yukiaki Kurando and WOOMA
The story is penned by Yukiaki Kurando with artwork by WOOMA. Kurando’s previous work includes the suspense series Then Shall I Kill in Your Stead? (Jaa, Kimi no Kawari ni Korosō ka?), which launched in 2018 and concluded with twelve compiled volumes plus a short epilogue. That earlier title demonstrated Kurando’s strength at combining dark themes with tense pacing — a style he brings to Kiss Me with Your Face. In terms of art, WOOMA’s visuals contribute to the unsettling atmosphere, using expressive character work and mood-driven panels to heighten psychological impact.
Notable past English publishers related to the creators
- Viz Media is simulpublishing Kiss Me with Your Face in English.
- Yen Press licensed Kurando’s Then Shall I Kill in Your Stead? for English release, showing international interest in Kurando’s catalog. (Yen Press information available on their site.)
- Kodansha USA has published Kurando’s earlier collaborations such as Dolly Kill Kill, indicating Western publishers’ recognition of his appeal.
Where to Read the English Simulpub
Viz Media is offering Kiss Me with Your Face as a simulpub, meaning English readers can access chapters online around the same time they appear in Japan. The first chapter is available to read for free on Viz Media’s website and social feeds. For convenience, you can view Viz Media’s announcement on their official X/Twitter account. Viz Media announcement.
Why This Series Matters (and Who Should Read It)
If you’re drawn to psychological thrillers set in seemingly ordinary environments, this series will likely appeal. The high-school setting makes the stakes relatable: losing standing among classmates, having your future plans derailed, and the fear of being misrepresented are universal anxieties amplified by a supernatural mechanism. Fans of dark shōnen suspense, identity-focused horror, and series that interrogate social hierarchies at school will find a lot to enjoy.
Comparative reads
Readers who enjoyed Kurando’s earlier, darker works — or who like suspense manga that emphasize mood and social ruin over outright violence — should give Kiss Me with Your Face a try. Additional context about Kurando’s previous titles and English release plans has been shared by publishers such as Yen Press. Yen Press has handled other Kurando-credited titles in English.
Publication Details & Timeline
Kiss Me with Your Face launched in the July issue of Bessatsu Shōnen Champion on June 15, 2026. Viz Media quickly moved to simulpublish the series for English-speaking fans, reflecting the growing momentum for immediate English access to new Japanese serializations. Keep an eye on Viz Media’s manga portal for new chapter releases as they arrive.
What to Watch for in Future Chapters
- Character development: how Shikimi copes with the loss of control and whether allies emerge.
- Unraveling mystery: hints about the envious classmate’s motives and the limits of their ability.
- Escalation of stakes: whether the possession affects only reputation or leads to more dangerous consequences.
Final thoughts
Kiss Me with Your Face arrives at a moment when English-language readers expect fast access to new Japanese series, and Viz Media’s simulpub makes that possible. With a premise that blends school drama, psychological suspense, and a supernatural twist, Yukiaki Kurando and WOOMA’s series looks poised to capture readers who enjoy tense, character-driven thrills. If you like stories where identity and reputation are battlegrounds, add this one to your reading queue and start with the free first chapter on Viz Media’s site.
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