Monthly Comic Flapper Renewed: New Manga Series and Big Transfers
There is some very big news for manga fans today. Monthly Comic Flapper, published by KADOKAWA, has just been newly published with a fresh look. The May issue, which hit the stands today on April 3rd, is actually a special renewal issue. To celebrate this new start, the cover is looking really beautiful with So Nagimizu’s artwork for "Izumi and Dragon Illustrated Encyclopedia." It is definitely a collector's item for those who follow the magazine regularly.
This renewal isn't just about a new cover though; there are a lot of new stories starting. The biggest highlight is the serialization of Magical Girl Witch Trial. This series is originally by Acacia and illustrated by Tsuna. Interestingly, this work, also known as Mahou Shoujo no witch trial, was transferred from Comic Aruna because that magazine is sadly being discontinued. If you are wondering why this dark fantasy is a must-watch for anime and manga fans, this new serialization is the perfect place to start. Along with it, we have Nichijo Rock by Matsunami Kaya (original by Torazo) and Karaji by Nokurajire (originally written by Mutsu) also joining the lineup. Fans will also be happy to know that a special clear file for Magical Girl Witch Trial is included as an appendix in this issue.
Exciting Original Series and Interviews
Another major thing to look out for is Hiroyuki’s new series. He is already quite famous for his work on THE IDOLM@STER CINDERELLA GIRLS U149, and now he has started his very first original series titled 5 am Record. The plot sounds quite unique; it follows Hino Shinonome, who discovers that Man Kurakata has ears that can hear much better than any normal human. Hino ends up approaching Man to help out with producing an anime. It is a very fresh concept that many are excited to see unfold.
To make this renewal even more special, Comic Natalie has done a deep-dive interview. They spoke with Tokito, the person handling the comic adaptation of Magical Girl Witch Trial, and Nana Mikitani. Nana is the voice actress who played Emma Sakuraba in the original game version. They shared a lot of interesting behind-the-scenes details about the production and their deep love for these characters. It’s a great read if you want to understand the Magical Girl Witch Trial universe better and see how manga-specific expressions are used to bring the story to life.
Feature article
Summary of Recent Changes
The manga world is seeing a lot of shifts lately. Here is a quick look at what’s happening with these publications:
- Monthly Comic Flapper Renewal: The magazine has officially relaunched today, April 3, 2026, with a brand new vision.
- Magical Girl Witch Trial Transfer: Following the closure of Comic Aruna, this popular series has found a new home in Flapper.
- New Creators: Famous artists like Hiroyuki are bringing original content that hasn't been seen before.
- Comic Aruna Status: It was confirmed on March 17, 2026, that Comic Aruna would cease publication, leading to these major transfers.
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It is always a bit sad when a magazine like Comic Aruna stops, but seeing the works being cared for and moved to Flapper and Kadokomi is a relief. The interview with Tsuna Tokimaki and Nana Mikitani really shows how much heart is being put into these stories. Make sure to check out the May issue for all the full details and the cool appendix!
