Atsushi Kase, the creator of Kuro Ageha, is launching a brand new manga series on June 6th, 2025. The new series, titled YakuMan, will be published in the June issue of Kodansha’s Monthly Shonen Magazine. This comedy manga follows the double life of Kaede, a tough-looking yakuza member who secretly draws moe manga.
From Delinquents to Moe: Kase’s Career
Atsushi Kase is a well-known manga artist with a career spanning several decades. Here’s a look at some of his notable works:
Chameleon: Kase’s Chameleon was a gag manga series about junior delinquents that ran in Weekly Shōnen Magazine from 1990 to 2000. It was adapted into six OVA episodes released in Japan from 1992 to 1996.
Kuro Ageha: This manga is a spinoff of Chameleon and was serialized in Monthly Shonen Magazine beginning in 2013. The series concluded in 2023 with its 20th volume.
Jigoro Jigorou: Another manga by Kase, Jigoro Jigorou, started in 2002 and tells the story of Jigorou Ishikawa, who is described as a “wannabe cool guy”. The manga includes a variety of car cultures, like street racers and lowriders.
YakuMan: A Yakuza’s Secret Life
YakuMan tells the story of Kaede, a yakuza member with a secret passion. He’s tough and a skilled fighter, but he also leads a double life as Maple, a famous moe manga artist. The manga will follow Kaede as he navigates the challenges of the yakuza world and the demanding deadlines of the manga industry.
Where to Find It
YakuMan will debut in the June issue of Kodansha’s Monthly Shonen Magazine, which will be released on June 6th, 2025.
