Yu Tomofuji, known for Sacrificial Princess & the King of Beasts, is officially launching a brand-new manga series later this year.
The new work, titled Kimi o Norowaba (If I Curse You), is scheduled to begin serialization on July 27 in the next issue of Hakusensha’s The Hana to Yume magazine. The series was originally introduced earlier this year as a one-shot, giving readers a first look at its premise before evolving into a full serialization.
A Dark Story Built Around Curses
The story follows Yachimaru Shijō, a mysterious young boy who ends up working under Tsubaki Tsukumo, the head of the Tsukumo family. The family makes a living through curse-related work, and Yachimaru becomes deeply involved in this unusual and dangerous environment.
Despite constantly being pushed around and treated harshly by Tsubaki, Yachimaru chooses to stay, continuing to follow every order given to him. His reason for enduring all of this remains unclear, but it is tied to a personal objective he must fulfill, something that adds an underlying tension to the narrative.
From One-Shot to Full Series
The concept for Kimi o Norowaba first appeared as a one-shot story published in January in Hana to Yume. Its reception was strong enough to lead to a full serialization, allowing the story and its characters to be explored in much greater depth.
This transition suggests that the series has potential to expand beyond its initial premise, possibly diving deeper into the mechanics of curses, the dynamics within the Tsukumo family and Yachimaru’s true motivations.
Yu Tomofuji’s Previous Success
Tomofuji gained recognition with Sacrificial Princess & the King of Beasts, which ran from 2015 to 2020 and concluded with 15 volumes. The series achieved solid success, reaching over 2 million copies in circulation and later receiving an anime adaptation that aired in 2023.
The franchise continued to expand even after the main story ended, including a spin-off manga and a stage play adaptation, reinforcing its popularity across different media formats.
A New Direction for the Author
With Kimi o Norowaba, Tomofuji appears to be shifting toward a darker and more mysterious tone compared to previous works. The focus on curses, control and hidden motives hints at a story that leans more heavily into psychological tension while still maintaining strong character-driven elements.
As the July release approaches, the new series stands out as one to watch, especially for readers familiar with Tomofuji’s previous storytelling style and curious to see how it evolves in this new setting.
