Glacier Bay Books has announced its acquisition and forthcoming English-language release of Konomi Oumi’s manga collection, Universe From the Balcony (also known by its Japanese title, Veranda kara Uchū). The anticipated publication is set for later this year, bringing Oumi’s distinctive storytelling to a wider audience.
A New Collection from a Rising Talent
Universe From the Balcony is poised to offer readers a diverse range of Konomi Oumi’s signature “quiet, vividly beautiful stories,” which the publisher likens to the intricate and serendipitous patterns of seashells along a shoreline. The collection promises a “mind-expanding panorama” of narratives that explore themes ranging from ethereal beings venturing into the cosmos to the subtle scent of a goldfish bowl, wordless plant spirits, impossible love, and even a mermaid who has lost her ability to swim.
The manga, which will feature approximately 180 pages, originally debuted at the COMITIA 145 event in September 2023 in Japan. Its forthcoming English edition marks another step in Glacier Bay Books’ commitment to showcasing contemporary artistic comics and singular visions from the indie manga scene.
The Creative Team Behind the English Release
For the English adaptation of Universe From the Balcony, Glacier Bay Books has enlisted a talented team. The manga will be translated by Matthias Hirsh, while Tim Sun will be responsible for the lettering. This collaboration aims to faithfully bring Oumi’s unique aesthetic and poignant narratives to English-speaking readers.
Oumi’s Growing Presence in English
Konomi Oumi is not new to the Glacier Bay Books catalog. The publisher previously released Oumi’s From This Flame manga in 2021, a collection that garnered comparisons to “haunting, delicate modern fairy tales.” That earlier work collected eight stories by Oumi, establishing her as a notable voice in the indie manga landscape. Furthermore, Oumi contributed to the third volume of Glacier Bay Books’ Glaeolia indie manga anthology series, further cementing her relationship with the publisher and her growing recognition among fans of experimental and artistic comics. These prior collaborations highlight Glacier Bay Books’ ongoing effort to introduce unique and artistically daring Japanese creators to the North American market.
