Aokishi

Aokishi launched in April 2021 as a bi-monthly manga magazine published by Kadokawa under its Enterbrain imprint. The publication arrives in a distinctive B5 variable format with perfect binding. What sets this title apart is its unique origin story. A group of editors from four separate Kadokawa divisions came together to create it. These teams include the former Haruta, Asuka, Dengeki Maoh, and Kitra editorial groups, each with different corporate roots before merging into this shared project. The Kitra team joined starting with the third issue.

The magazine became a home for major serialized works that had previously appeared in other magazines. Kaoru Mori's Brides Stories continued its run within these pages alongside Aki Irie's Go with the Clouds, North by Northwest. It also served as an international bridge by hosting the Japanese release of the American manga Devil's Candy in August 2022. This move expanded the scope beyond domestic creators and signaled a willingness to blend global stories with local talent.

However, the trajectory of Aokishi shifted dramatically in early 2025. In February 2025, Mori and Irie announced they were moving their titles away from the magazine. By October 2025, both artists officially transitioned their works to a new independent publishing venture called Yukiwariso, established by Mori. Concurrently, the magazine faced a structural overhaul starting with issue 25 on April 20, 2025, following a change in the editor-in-chief. Reports from mid-2025 suggested the publication frequency might be drastically reduced or suspended indefinitely.

The magazine also became a venue for notable creative events and tragedies. It published the work of Ryoichiro Kezuka, creator of Record Journey, which gained attention for its unique premise involving a record-breaking journey. Tragically, news reports from July 2026 confirm the death of Ryoichiro Kezuka at the age of 36. Additionally, another manga artist, Iichiro Motsuka, passed away at the same age in July 2026. These events cast a somber note over the magazine's later years. [edit]