Book lovers and manga enthusiasts at Wing Nerima manga cafe were treated to a delightful surprise this Wednesday. The cafe’s official X (once known as Twitter) account revealed a sneak peek at the freshest manga volumes now gracing their shelves. Among these, Kuzushiro’s ninth manga installment of Egao no Taenai Shokuba Desu (A Smile in an Unbearable Workplace) stood out, adorned with an obi that teased, “2025 TV anime adaptation is green-lit!” Fans will eagerly await tomorrow, as the volume officially becomes available for purchase.
新刊コミック入荷いたしました！[…] pic.twitter.com/kosRFTIke2
— wing練馬店 ウイング練馬店 (@NerimaWing) January 17, 2024
Inside the Pages: A Look into “A Smile in an Unbearable Workplace”
“A Smile in an Unbearable Workplace” offers an engaging narrative centered around Nana Futami, an up-and-coming shōjo manga artist. Her journey through the competitive artistic landscape is bolstered by the support of her insightful editor, Kaede Satō, and her dedicated assistant, Mizuki Hazama. Despite the challenges and “occupational illness” induced delusions she faces, Nana remains resolved, forging her path one day at a time with a team that stands firmly by her side.
The Artistic Evolution of Kuzushiro
Kuzushiro’s journey with manga began with a one-shot feature in Kodansha’s Kiss magazine back in February 2019. Shortly after, “Egao no Taenai Shokuba Desu” found a home for serialization on Kodansha’s Comic Days app and website in May 2019. These achievements are among several milestones in the author’s illustrious career.
Prior to this, Kuzushiro had concluded the endearing series Inugami-san to Nekoyama-san in 2017, following its six-year run in Ichijinsha’s Comic Yuri Hime magazine. Its popularity secured a television anime adaptation of 13 episodes that captivated viewers on Crunchyroll during its Japanese broadcast.
Further enriching the manga landscape, Kuzushiro concluded the relatable Chihaya-san wa Sono Mama de Ii manga in May 2018, wrapping up the series she had started in December 2014 within Shueisha’s prestigious Jump SQ. magazine.
Moreover, Kuzushiro graced readers with the ongoing saga of Living With My Brother’s Wife, which chronicles life’s complexities and family ties. Originally a one-shot, its serialization commenced in Square Enix’s Young Gangan magazine by the end of 2015. As of September, 14 volumes have been released, with Manga UP! Global providing an English digital version and the BookWalker Global Store bringing it to an even wider audience.
In addition to this, the artist launched Tobaku Senpai Nani Kakeru? and Akuma no Mama in Manga Action magazine and Gangan Online respectively, continuing to enthrall fans with her creative storytelling.
Forging Ahead
The news of Kuzushiro’s work transitioning to the small screen is a testament to the vibrant and diverse world of manga, where stories from the page continually find new life and audiences in the form of anime adaptations.
Source: Wing Nerima X/Twitter account
Final Thoughts
The realm of manga and anime teems with tales that resonate with avid readers and viewers alike, and Kuzushiro’s works are no exception. The anticipation for the anime adaptation of “A Smile in an Unbearable Workplace” speaks volumes about the universal appeal of her storytelling.
It’s a thrilling period for fans and newcomers, as they can witness these artistic creations spring to animated life in 2025. Until then, these freshly printed manga volumes beckon from the shelves, inviting everyone to explore the worlds crafted by the indomitable spirit and creativity of manga artists like Kuzushiro.
