MANGA MIRAI has expanded its U.S. digital lineup with a fresh batch of Futabasha manga — a welcome addition for fans of isekai, cooking-centric fantasy, and underdog power-ups. The new titles include adaptations of popular web novels and light novels that have already drawn anime attention or cultivated strong manga runs. Below you’ll find an overview of each series, creator credits, quick summaries, publication status, and what makes each one worth checking out on the MANGA MIRAI platform.
Table of Contents
New Futabasha Additions on MANGA MIRAI — At a Glance
Media Do, NTT Docomo, Akatsuki Group, and MyAnimeList launched MANGA MIRAI in the United States in March 2025 as a digital manga distribution service focused on bridging anime and manga discovery. These recent Futabasha additions expand the platform’s selection of light‑novel adaptations, bringing English readers more isekai, culinary fantasy, and unconventional protagonists to explore.
The titles added
There Was a Cute Girl in the Hero’s Party, So I Tried Confessing to Her
Creators: Kairi (art), Suisei (original story), La-na (character design)
Summary: Youki dies in a traffic accident and is reborn in a fantasy world — not as the hero, but as an overpowered demon. Uninterested in conquering the world, he lounges around the Demon Lord’s castle as a low‑rank guardian until the Hero’s party attacks. After knocking them out, he heals the party and is struck by love at first sight for the female priest. What follows balances comedy, romantic tension, and the absurdity of a demon falling for a member of the opposing side.
Publication notes: The manga adaptation launched on Futabasha’s Gaugau Monster website in 2021. Futabasha published the 13th compiled volume on December 26 (publisher release schedule applies).
Why read it? If you enjoy romantic comedy layered on top of isekai role reversals — a demon protagonist who’s more interested in love than conquest — this series delivers charming character interactions and a lighthearted take on the “opposites” trope.
The Supposedly Useless Potion Turned Out to Be Soy Sauce, So I Started Cooking With It
Creators: Risuno (art), Fuji Tomato (original story), Yuiichi Murakami (character design)
Summary: Yuuri is a 30‑year‑old housewife who is abruptly transported to another world. Trained by an S‑class adventurer in potion harvesting, she discovers that the “useless” potion she found is actually soy sauce — and dishes cooked with it grant bonus correction effects. As Yuuri’s culinary experiments ripple through the new world, familiar fantasy tropes collide with cozy cooking scenes and heartwarming character growth.
Publication notes: The manga started in Futabasha’s Mecha Comics in February 2019; the 13th volume shipped on October 24 (publisher dates). The original light novel began as a web serial on Shōsetsuka ni Narō in January 2018.
Why read it? This series is ideal for readers who like food-focused isekai with practical, uplifting stakes — think delicious recipes as a form of worldbuilding and character change.
Cheat Magician Life That Started From Being Judged Useless
Creators: Chūni Ikei (art), Chira Shinoura (original story), Ogipote (character design)
Summary: Kento is labeled “useless” after an isekai summoning — abandoned and left to die in a monster‑infested forest. However, his so‑called uselessness was a misjudgment: he possesses cheat‑tier magic and survives, determined to rescue his classmates with his skeleton minions. Expect chuuni humor, self‑aware protagonist antics, and the classic “underdog turns out OP” progression.
Publication notes: The manga began in Futabasha’s Gaugau Monster magazine in March 2020. Futabasha shipped the 11th volume on September 12 and scheduled the 12th volume for March 13. The original web novel launched on Shōsetsuka ni Narō in April 2017.
Why read it? Fans of overpowered protagonists, tongue‑in‑cheek narration, and a blend of action and harem/romcom beats will find this series satisfying.
The Healer Who Was Banished From His Party, Is, in Fact, the Strongest
Creators: Miwa Narumi (art), Kagekinoko (original story), Kakao Hantan (character design)
Summary: After being booted from his party for not appearing useful, a healer sets out to form a new team and—surprise—reveals he’s actually a potent close‑combat fighter. This is a story of misperception and hidden strengths: a support character who’s secretly DPS, navigating new relationships and the fallout of being underestimated.
Publication & adaptation: The manga began in Futabasha’s Gaugau Monster magazine in February 2020. The original web novel started on Shōsetsuka ni Narō in May 2018 (latest update noted December 2022). The anime adaptation debuted in October 2024.
Why read it? Readers who appreciate role‑reversal narratives and characters who defy party archetypes will enjoy the blend of action, character drama, and the gradual reveal of a protagonist’s true capacity.
Where to Read and What to Expect from MANGA MIRAI
MANGA MIRAI’s U.S. release (March 2025) aims to give anime fans a place to discover manga tied to anime adaptations and hidden web novel gems. The service offers single‑volume purchases (and in some cases by‑chapter buys) that you can read on the site or in its iOS/Android reader apps. NTT Docomo operates the service, MyAnimeList supports marketing integration, Akatsuki Group handles development and operations, and Media Do collaborates with publishers and translation partners to bring new manga titles and English editions to the platform.
Useful references
For readers interested in the original web serials, you can view the source works on the Shōsetsuka ni Narō site (Japanese web novel platform):
- Original light novel for “There Was a Cute Girl in the Hero’s Party” (Shōsetsuka ni Narō)
- Original web novel for “The Healer Who Was Banished From His Party” (Shōsetsuka ni Narō)
Final thoughts
MANGA MIRAI’s addition of these Futabasha titles brings a strong mix of isekai staples and fresh twists to English readers: romantic comedy with demon‑protagonists, culinary magic that transforms worlds, chuuni‑flavored overpowered adventures, and role‑subverting party dynamics. Whether you’re drawn to food‑based worldbuilding, comedy romance, or the satisfying payoff of “misjudged protagonist gets the last laugh,” these series are solid picks to explore on the platform. If you’re looking to sample new manga tied to ongoing anime or want to read the source material behind recent adaptations, MANGA MIRAI’s expanding catalog is worth checking out.
