Aokishi

Launched on April 20, 2021, Aokishi emerged as a bi-monthly seinen manga magazine under the Enterbrain imprint of Kadokawa Corporation. The publication distinguished itself immediately with a unique B5 variable size format featuring perfect binding. This physical structure allowed editors to tailor page layouts for each series rather than forcing content into rigid standard sizes. The magazine was born from an unusual editorial merger that combined four distinct teams: Haruta, Asuka, Dengeki Maoh, and Kitra. While the first three groups were foundational, the Kitra team officially joined the project starting with the third issue.

Aokishi quickly became a sanctuary for major serialized works that had previously appeared in other magazines. Kaoru Mori's Otoyomegatari continued its run within these pages alongside Aki Irie's Go with the Clouds, North by Northwest. The magazine 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.

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]