海月姫 [Kuragehime] #1

The opening volume of Akiko Higashimura's beloved Kuragehime sets its tone immediately on this charming pink cover: a dreamy, soft-featured young woman with voluminous lavender hair and a jellyfish crown floats alongside an actual jellyfish, while a group of enthusiastic characters cluster above her holding a "We are AMARS" flag. It's a wonderfully expressive introduction to what promises to be a story about oddballs finding their people, rendered in Higashimura's distinctively warm and playful linework. A great starting point for readers drawn to slice-of-life manga with genuine heart and a sense of humor.