Haruko Ichikawa is launching a new manga series titled Cosmic Mimimi in Kodansha's Monthly Afternoon magazine. This project marks the creator's first major serialization since the conclusion of her acclaimed series Land of the Lustrous in April 2024.
The announcement introduces a significant tonal shift for the author. The series is scheduled to debut on November 25, 2026, appearing in the magazine's January 2027 issue.
What We Know
The new series, stylized as COSMIC MIMIMI, is officially described as "neo kawaii sci-fi" and "cosmic kawaii cho-hapi-hapi SF." According to the initial details released by Kodansha, the story is set in a "cool" and "dreaming" city. The narrative follows a protagonist named Mimimi, alongside other confirmed characters including The Princess and The Representative of Science.
While Ichikawa's previous work often utilized experimental art styles, Kodansha has not confirmed if this series will follow any unconventional narrative formats. The launch on November 25 follows a two-year period where Ichikawa's previous work continued to receive high-profile industry recognition.
Why It Matters
This serialization is Ichikawa's first new project since ending her 12-year run on Land of the Lustrous. That series was a major critical success, winning the 45th Nihon SF Taisho Award Grand Prize in 2025 and the Sense of Gender Award in August 2025. The shift toward a "happy" and "kawaii" sci-fi concept represents a distinct change from the philosophical and dour themes explored in her earlier serialization.
Where to Watch or Read
As of October 26, 2026, no English-language license for Cosmic Mimimi has been announced. For those looking to catch up on Haruko Ichikawa's previous work, the Land of the Lustrous manga is published in English by Kodansha USA Publishing. The anime adaptation was released on home video by Sentai Filmworks and is currently available to stream on HIDIVE.
What Happens Next
Cosmic Mimimi will begin its run in Monthly Afternoon on November 25, 2026. No specific chapter count or intended series length has been announced as of late October.