Karuho Shiina — best known for the beloved shojo hit Kimi ni Todoke — is back with a fresh series, Gusts and Beats (Toppū to Beat), now available in English on MANGA Plus. Blending Shiina’s gentle character work with a slightly eerie, slice-of-life mystery setup, this new manga marks her first original serialized project in 18 years and a shift to an entirely digital production workflow. Below we break down everything fans need to know about the series, where to read it, and why it’s an essential pick-up for readers who loved Shiina’s previous work.
Table of Contents
About Gusts and Beats (Toppū to Beat)
Gusts and Beats follows Niike, a forgetful and helpful first-year high school student, who is asked to check in on a classmate named Nemoto who’s been absent from school. What begins as a simple house call quickly reveals an unsettling atmosphere: although Nemoto appears to be living alone, “something” seems to linger in the home. The story promises a slow-burn blend of character-driven drama and subtle supernatural tension, a tone that will likely appeal to both shojo readers and fans of understated mystery.
Where to Read: MANGA Plus (English)
MANGA Plus added Gusts and Beats to its English catalog, and at the time of publishing this post, 19 chapters are available to read. The series being accessible on MANGA Plus makes it easy for international readers to follow Shiina’s new work legally and in translation as chapters are released.
Why Gusts and Beats Matters
This series is notable for several reasons:
- Karuho Shiina’s return: Gusts and Beats is Shiina’s first new serialized manga since Kimi ni Todoke (launched 2006), making it a major comeback for a mangaka whose work has influenced an entire generation of shojo readers.
- New creative approach: Shiina is using a fully digital workflow for this title for the first time, which could influence her panel composition, line work, and pacing in interesting ways compared to her previous, traditionally drawn work.
- Genre blending: The series mixes everyday life, shy-yet-heartfelt character dynamics, and an undercurrent of mystery — a combination that broadens its appeal beyond classic shojo audiences.
Shiina’s Track Record and What Fans Can Expect
Kimi ni Todoke established Shiina as a major shojo creator: the original manga ran from 2006 to 2017 and reached 30 tankobon volumes, with more than 36 million copies in circulation (including digital copies). That series spawned multiple anime seasons, a live-action film, and a Netflix live-action adaptation in March 2023, demonstrating Shiina’s proven ability to create emotionally resonant romance and coming-of-age stories that translate across media. With Gusts and Beats, readers can expect the same quiet emotional intelligence and strong character focus that made Kimi ni Todoke so successful, but with new thematic beats and a slightly more mysterious tone.
Adaptations and Wider Reach
While Gusts and Beats is a fresh work and has not (as of this post) received any announced anime or live-action adaptations, Shiina’s history suggests the series could attract attention for adaptation if it builds a strong readership. For readers who prefer print editions or English releases, keep an eye on established publishers—Shiina’s past series were published in English by prominent licensors, making official English volumes a realistic possibility down the line. You can also follow updates on English licensing through major publishers and official platforms such as VIZ Media.
Tips for New Readers
- Start with MANGA Plus to read the early chapters legally and for free as they’re made available.
- Pay attention to Shiina’s character-driven storytelling—small, quiet moments often foreshadow larger emotional payoffs.
- Because the series leans into atmosphere and subtle tension, give each chapter time to breathe; pacing is part of the appeal.
How Gusts and Beats Fits into Today’s Manga Landscape
Modern manga readers have shown a growing appetite for series that combine realistic relationships with genre elements (mystery, supernatural, psychological). Gusts and Beats fits neatly into that trend: it provides the emotional beats shojo fans love while threading in an eerie premise that keeps readers curious. The move to a digital workflow also aligns with industry trends, and readers may notice stylistic shifts that reflect digital tools—sharper tones, different texturing, and possibly varied panel experimentation.
Final thoughts
Gusts and Beats (Toppū to Beat) is an exciting return for Karuho Shiina — a gentle but intriguing series that blends her trademark emotional storytelling with a hushed, suspenseful premise. Available in English on MANGA Plus, the manga is easy to access and worth checking out whether you’re a longtime Shiina fan or looking for a shojo series with a mysterious edge. Keep reading the official chapters, and watch for future announcements about English volume releases or possible adaptations.
