There are two universal truths in today’s rapidly changing comics industry. The first is that Dog Man is the defining comic of our era. The second is that more people are reading manga and Webtoons (aka vertical scroll comics) than ever before. Therefore we at Comics Beat have chosen to embark on a new venture: Beat’s Bizarre Adventure. Every week, three writers will recommend some of their favorite books and series from Japan, Korea and elsewhere. This week we have food comics, restless spirits, and, of course, memes.
Not Love But Delicious Foods Make Me So Happy!
Writer/Artist: Fumi Yoshinaga
Translator: William Flanagan
Publisher: Yen Press
I generally don’t flock to food manga for entertainment, because I’m not really a foodie myself. But with Thanksgiving having recently been celebrated in the States, I figured it was a good opportunity to talk about a story that exists a bit out of my comfort zone; A story about food.
Fumi Yoshinaga‘s restaurant spotlight piece follows self-insert character ‘F-mi Y-naga’ and a rotating cast whose lives intersect around F-mi’s love for food. Whatever drama surrounds these characters is usually solved or discussed over lovingly detailed food dishes that then get broken down in incredible detail through mouth-watering dialogue.
Though the book espouses that likeness to real life characters are merely coincidental, Yoshinaga’s clear love of food is not. Every restaurant and every dish (served at each restaurant) is real and each chapter ends with the name of the restaurant, a map of its location and address, and information on their hours and even whether or not parking is available nearby. As well as additional comments by Yoshinaga herself about each restaurant.
Since this book was originally published in Japan about 20 years ago, I can’t guarantee every restaurant is still operational, but one can hope! I didn’t Google them. If you find yourself traveling to Japan, take a copy with you and seek out these spots. I bet it would make Yoshinaga happy.
This is a wonderful book, it’s only one volume as well. I recommend giving it a shot, especially if you enjoy food manga. — Derrick Crow
Oversleeping Takahashi
Writer/Artist: Aguro Kouki
Translator: Frank J/E Spinelli
Lettering: Christina Dela Cruz
Publisher: MANGA Plus
Oversleeping Takahashi is a new manga series by Koki Aguro, serialized in Shonen Jump+ since July 2024. The story stems from a wildly successful one-shot that garnered over 1.5 million views, now expanded into a full-fledged series. At its core, the manga blends romance, comedy, and action with a sprinkle of exorcist tropes, creating an engaging and unique narrative.
The plot follows Takahashi, a laid-back student with a reputation for always being late to school. But beneath his sleepy exterior lies a hidden identity tied to the supernatural world. Enter Megumi, a spirited classmate determined to give Takahashi a taste of a normal life while nudging him toward romance. As the pair navigate exorcist battles and budding feelings, the story balances its elements with an unusual charm.
What sets Oversleeping Takahashi apart is its fresh perspective on exorcist-themed manga. While many in the genre are deeply rooted in dark action and intense battles, this series feels more like a romantic comedy with exorcism as a backdrop. The lighthearted humor and relatable characters give it an accessible and refreshing vibe. I love the characters in this series, especially ghosts. My favorite is the cute and silly Argument Cat. Even those who aren’t typically drawn to exorcist manga will find something to love here.
The manga shines in its character dynamics. Megumi’s tsundere antics and motivation to help Takahashi add a unique layer to their interactions, making the romance feel central yet balanced. The second chapter especially does an excellent job of developing both leads, showcasing Megumi as independent yet endearingly dedicated to Takahashi.
Artistically, Koki Aguro delivers a mix of sketchy illustrations, chibi-inspired expressions and beautiful details. The villains especially exude coolness. Small gags, like a ghost’s mask flying off, and larger jokes scattered throughout, make the comedy a highlight.While the action sequences lack the dynamism of top-tier battle manga, the engaging humor and heartfelt moments more than compensate.
If you’re a fan of rom coms with a twist or just looking for a feel-good series with a supernatural edge, Oversleeping Takahashi is worth adding to your list. It’s a delightful mix of humor, romance, and quirky exorcism—perfect for anyone seeking a break from the usual. — Ilgın Side Soysal
The Ki Sisters
Writer/Artist: Bunbae
Platform: WEBTOON
Not often do WEBTOON memes go viral in the west. There have been some circling around like the “I have Armor Lock, you cannot possibly harm me” meme from The Skeleton Soldier Failed to Defend the Dungeon. But today we have the now infamous Queen Never Cry meme, which has taken on a life of its own thanks to a WEBTOON known as The Ki Sisters.
I began reading The Ki Sisters after finding the source of this meme. It alone set up some wild expectations for the story. Does it live up to said expectations? OH ABSOLUTELY AND MORE! The series is centered around the titular Ki sisters consisting of the eldest Jangnyeo, Salgyo the second eldest, Jaerim the third, and Jenny. They live in a home with muted colors and old furniture. They are also all goth girls with black hair, black lipstick, black clothing and eyeshadow to contrast their pale skin. The Ki sisters’ looks are heavily inspired by characters such as Wednesday Adams from The Addams Family as well as characters from Tim Burton’s works.
In each episode, the sisters tackle a new dilemma in their weird and quirky way. These include Jenny hunting for a boyfriend by starting off with intense eye contact; searching for their father who looks like The Crow; and Jenny attending school to be with her crush. Each scenario might sound simple but the sisters and their behavior lead to amusing and memorable panels.
Bunbae’s art is the standout. Despite the obvious use of 3D assets which at times don’t blend in well with their own artwork, and some easily recognizable Clip Studio Paint brushes, they know how to push the expressions of their characters to elicit the right emotions from the reader and sell the scene. I can’t put to words the way Bunbae gives the Ki sisters such a range of emotions. But it is their expressions paired with detailed line art and designs that pay off with memorable memes such as Queen Don’t Cry.
For those wondering, the viral meme occurs within episode 34 in the original version on Naver. As of writing, the official English WEBTOON version has reached episode 20. We are almost there guys! One thing I do wonder is why WEBTOON is not pushing and promoting this series. I saw a banner for it during launch weeks ago, and while the official WEBTOON X/Twitter account quoted the meme it did not address where it came from specifically. It would have been the perfect opportunity for WEBTOON’s marketing team to promote The Ki Sisters. But that hasn’t happened yet, so I will. — Justin Guerrero
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