Kiiro Yumi is set to launch a manga adaptation of Hiro Arikawa’s Sora no Naka (In the Sky) SDF novel. The manga is scheduled to premiere in the June issue of Hakusensha’s LaLa magazine, hitting stands on May 23, 2025. This marks the second adaptation from Arikawa’s SDF Trilogy novels.
A Sky-High Mystery Unfolds
Sora no Naka presents a captivating narrative that blends mystery with elements of science fiction. The story begins with a series of inexplicable aircraft accidents that prompt an investigation into their cause. A pilot from the Self-Defense Forces and an aircraft mechanic embark on a journey to the skies, soaring to an altitude of 20,000 meters to uncover the truth.
Meanwhile, on the ground in Tosa province, high school students Shun and Kanae stumble upon a mysterious living creature near the beach. As they decide to care for it, the mysterious aircraft accidents and the enigmatic creature become intertwined, leading to an unprecedented crisis that threatens humanity.
The Creative Team
Kiiro Yumi, the artist behind the manga adaptation, is known for their previous work on the Library Wars: Love & War manga, which was also based on a series of science-fiction novels by Hiro Arikawa. Yumi serialized the Toshokan Sensō shōjo manga adaptation in LaLa from 2007 to 2014. Viz Media published all 15 volumes in English. Yumi then launched the Library Wars: Love & War Bessatsu-hen manga in March 2015, which concluded in August 2020.
Hiro Arikawa is the author of the SDF Trilogy, which includes Shio no Machi (City of Salt), Sora no Naka (In the Sky), and Umi no Soko (Bottom of the Sea).
Arikawa’s SDF Trilogy
Arikawa’s SDF Trilogy explores themes related to the Japanese Self-Defense Forces. LaLa magazine had announced the manga adaptation of these novels in August 2020. The Shio no Machi manga adaptation, the first in the trilogy, launched in August 2021 and concluded on September 24. Hakusensha published the manga’s sixth and final compiled book volume on January 4.
Other Adaptations
Arikawa’s Library Wars light novels have also inspired a television anime series and anime film. A live-action film version opened in theaters in Japan in 2013 and was screened at festivals in the United States. A film sequel opened in Japan in 2015.
