Mono (manga)

Japanese manga series

Mono

First tankōbon volume cover

Genre| Comedy[1]
Manga
Written by| Afro
Published by| Houbunsha
English publisher|

* NA: Yen Press

Imprint| Manga Time KR Comics
Magazine|

* Manga Time Kirara Miracle! (May 16 – October 16, 2017)
* Manga Time Kirara Carat (December 28, 2017 – present)

Demographic| Seinen
Original run| May 16, 2017 – present
Volumes| 4
Anime television series
Directed by| Ryota Aikei
Written by| Yoko Yonaiyama
Music by| Hajime Hyakkoku
Studio| Soigne
Licensed by|

* NA: Aniplex of America

* SEA: Plus Media Networks Asia

Original network| Tokyo MX, GYT, GTV, BS11, MBS, YBS, AT-X
Original run|  April 13, 2025  – present
Episodes| 5

Mono (stylized in all lowercase) is a Japanese four-panel manga series written and illustrated by Afro. It began serialization in Houbunsha's Manga Time Kirara Miracle! magazine in May 2017, and was later transferred to the Manga Time Kirara Carat magazine in December 2017. An anime television series adaptation produced by Soigne premiered in April 2025.

## Plot

[edit]

The Photography Club and the Cinema Club are in danger of being closed down, but Satsuki, An, and Sakurako decide to join forces and form the Cinephoto Club! Together, they explore the natural beauty of Japan, try out various high-tech gadgets beyond photography and film equipment, and enjoy delicious local cuisine along the way.

## Characters

[edit]

Satsuki Amamiya (雨宮 さつき, Amamiya Satsuki)
Voiced by: Haruna Mikawa [ja][2] (Japanese); Abby Trott[3] (English)
The president of the Cinephoto Club, who uses a 360 camera. Initially having no interest with photography, she was inspired to take it up after joining the Photography Club and following its former club president, whom she highly regarded.
An Kiriyama (霧山 アン, Kiriyama An)
Voiced by: Aoi Koga[4] (Japanese); Michaela Jill Murphy[3] (English)
The overzealous best friend of Satsuki and another member of the Cinephoto Club, who uses an action camera. She joined the club to support Satsuki, despite also initially having no interest in photography.
Sakurako Shikishima (敷島 桜子, Shikishima Sakurako)
Voiced by: Hikaru Tono[5] (Japanese); Yolis Arroyo[3] (English)
The lackadaisical member of the Cinephoto Club. She was formerly the president of the Cinema Club, who eagerly joined Satsuki's Photography Club and led the effort to merge their clubs to avoid their dissolution.
Haruno Akiyama (秋山 春乃, Akiyama Haruno)
Voiced by: Reina Ueda[6] (Japanese); Kana Shimanuki[3] (English)
A manga artist who becomes acquainted with the Cinephoto Club as its sponsor and uses their experiences as inspiration for her manga. She lives with her grandmother and owns a cat named Taishou.
Kako Komada (駒田 華子, Komada Kako)
Voiced by: Maki Kawase[7] (Japanese); Hayden Bishop[3] (English)
Haruno's friend from high school who has been working as a motovlogger, often visiting her former classmates to shoot videos with them.
Torayo Kurokuma (玄熊虎代, Kurokuma Torayo) / Kurokuma-sensei (クロクマ先生)
Voiced by: Hina Yōmiya[8]
A friend of Haruno who works as a horror manga artist.

## Media

[edit]

### Manga

[edit]

Written and illustrated by Afro, Mono began serialization in Houbunsha's Manga Time Kirara Miracle! magazine on May 16, 2017.[9] After the final issue of Manga Time Kirara Miracle! was published on October 16, 2017, the series was transferred to the Manga Time Kirara Carat magazine on December 28 that same year.[10][11] The series' chapters have been collected into four tankōbon volumes as of April 2024.[12]

In June 2024, Yen Press announced that they licensed the series for English publication beginning in November 2024.[13]

Afro mentioned that this work is related to their other series Laid-Back Camp,[14] and its characters and scenes occasionally appear in this work.[15] A collaboration chapter with Laid-Back Camp was published in the March 2021 issue of Manga Time Kirara Carat on January 28, 2021.[16]

No. | Original release date  | Original ISBN  | English release date  | English ISBN

|
|
|
|

1|  October 25, 2018[12]| 978-4-8322-4989-9| November 19, 2024[17]| 979-8-8554-0942-0
2|  February 25, 2021[12]| 978-4-8322-7256-9| April 29, 2025[18]| 979-8-8554-0944-4
3|  October 27, 2022[12]| 978-4-8322-7411-2| August 26, 2025[19]| 979-8-8554-0946-8
4|  April 25, 2024[12]| 978-4-8322-9543-8| —| --
5|  June 26, 2025[12]| 978-4-8322-9643-5| —| --

### Anime

[edit]

An anime television series adaptation was announced on March 22, 2024. It is produced by Aniplex, animated by Soigne and directed by Ryota Aikei, with Yoko Yonaiyama writing series scripts, Takuya Miyahara designing the characters, and Hajime Hyakkoku composing the music.[20] The series premiered on April 13, 2025, on Tokyo MX and other networks.[2][7][a] The opening theme song is "Many Merry Memories!" (メニメリ・メモリーズ！), performed by Cinephoto-bu (a group consisting of Haruna Mikawa [ja], Aoi Koga, and Hikaru Tono as their respective characters), while the ending theme song is "Weekend Roll" (ウィークエンドロール), performed by Halca.[21] Aniplex of America licensed the series and streams it on Crunchyroll.[22][23] Plus Media Networks Asia licensed the series in Southeast Asia and broadcasts it on Aniplus Asia.[24]

#### Episodes

[edit]

No.| Title [25][26]| Directed by [25]| Written by [25]| Storyboarded by [25]| Original release date [27][a]

|
|
|
|
|

1| "mono Trip"
Transliteration: "mono no Tabi" (Japanese: monoの旅)| Ryota Aikei,
Naoya Morotomi
& Yuki Nakagami| Yoko Yonaiyama| Ryota Aikei &
Naoya Morotomi| April 13, 2025 (2025-04-13)

Satsuki Amamiya gains ownership of her school's Photography Club following the graduation of its club president, whom she looked up to highly. However, she is left aimless on the club's direction. Wanting to cheer Satsuki up, fellow club member and best friend An Kiriyama suggests they purchase new cameras to use. An purchases an action camera but Satsuki's 360 camera does not arrive, leading the two to confront its seller, who they learn also lives in Kōfu. They meet Haruno Akiyama, who works as a manga artist, and Satsuki and An test out their cameras. Haruno, observing the two students, decides to use their experiences for her new manga. Haruno later approaches them for further assistance in creating material, and they agree to help. The trio travels to Yamanashi Science Museum and record a time-lapse of the city. They are left impressed with the developed time-lapse, motivating Satsuki to take more photos with her new equipment.

2| "Making of Some Aerial Photography!"
Transliteration: "Meikingu Obu Kūsatsu!!" (Japanese: メイキング・オブ・空撮!!)| Akari Aizaki| Yoko Yonaiyama| Akari Aizaki| April 20, 2025 (2025-04-20)
"Visiting A Classmate, 3000 Leagues - Motovlog Part 12"
Transliteration: "Kurasumeito Tazunete Sanzenri ~Motoburogu Pāto 12~" (Japanese: クラスメイト訪ねて三千里～モトブログパート12～)

Satsuki and An learn to their shock that the Photography Club is being dissolved. After hearing that the Cinema Club is also being dissolved, An suggests they invite its members to avoid the club's dissolution. Cinema Club member Sakurako Shikishima agrees to join and assists them in taking kite aerial photography, surprising both Satsuki and An. Upon experiencing the joy she felt from her time in the active Cinema Club with Satsuki and An, Sakurako finalizes the merge between the Photography and Cinema Clubs, saving the clubs from dissolution and forming the Cinephoto Club as a result.

* * *

While thinking of new material for her manga, Haruno is surprised by the visit of her high school friend Kako Komada. They travel around Yamanashi and catch up on their careers, where Kako explains she has been motovlogging after being inspired by the freedom motorcycling offers and the opportunity of seeing new places. After enjoying her time with Kako, Haruno uses their sightseeing as inspiration for her manga.

3| "Right Before It Becomes an Anime!! The Manga Pilgrimage Stamp Rally with a Schedule from Hell!"
Transliteration: "Anime-ka chokuzen! ! Jigoku no dangan seichi junrei sutanpurarī! !" (Japanese: アニメ化直前!!地獄の弾丸聖地巡礼スタンプラリー!!)| Fumiyuki Uehara,
Kohei Kuratomi
& Naoya Murakawa| Natsu Yoshioka| Fumiyuki Uehara| April 27, 2025 (2025-04-27)

The Cinephoto Club decides their next course of action on what to shoot, as Haruno invites them to visit locations featured in a manga that is to be adapted into an anime. The club agrees to her offer, though they are surprised to learn they will be visiting numerous locations for two days without rest. During the trip around Lake Motosu where the Cinephoto Club takes photos of notable landmarks, they are unnerved with the atmosphere of Minami Alps and flee in terror. After taking a break, Haruno and the Cinephoto Club resume their trip and visit locations around Nagano. The group reaches the summit of Mount Hachibuse in the Chikuma mountains and are stunned with its view, prompting Satsuki to ask Haruno if they can stay longer. The group later heads home after a stopover at Mount Kirigamine, satisfied with the trip.

4| "A Comfy Manga Artist Goes on a Winery Tour - Motovlog Part 13"
Transliteration: "Iyashikei Mangaka Wainarī Meguri ~Motoburogu Pāto 13~" (Japanese: 癒し系マンガ家ワイナリー巡り～モトブログパート13～)| Hokuto Sadamoto| Yamashiro DL Yukitaka| Hokuto Sadamoto| May 4, 2025 (2025-05-04)
"Taking Pictures of Food and Getting Full Until We Explode"
Transliteration: "Manpuku Fotorarī: Manpuku Chuusuu Shinkei Kanzen Hakai" (Japanese: まんぷくフォトラリー～満腹中枢神経完全破壊～)

Kako invites Haruno to Kōshū to find a wine of her preference, with the Cinephoto Club tagging along. The group visits a winery, where Haruno volunteers to taste the wine on Kako's behalf, much to Kako's skepticism. Despite promising to drink in moderation, Haruno subsequently becomes drunk as the Cinephoto Club grows dizzy after visiting the hot springs. Kako takes the group home, and she learns to her dismay that the wine she was recommended can be easily bought in a supermarket.

* * *

As summer break begins, Haruno requests the Cinephoto Club to participate in a stamp rally around Kōfu focusing on food and photography. The club agrees to join, but they learn during the rally that they must also eat large servings of food. Satsuki and An reluctantly take up the challenge in order to win the rally, and they learn Sakurako can eat the large servings. When Sakurako is unable to continue, Satsuki also begins eating large servings on her behalf. Despite their efforts, they lose, prompting the club to turn down another stamp rally offered by Haruno.

5| "The Story of Dry-Cured Ham in Yamanashi"
Transliteration: "~Hahamu Yamanashi Monogatari~" (Japanese: ～生ハム山梨物語～)| Naoya Morotomi| Natsu Yoshioka| Naoya Morotomi| May 11, 2025 (2025-05-11)
"A Haunted Spot and Incident of Possession"
Transliteration: "Shinrei Supotto Hyōi Jiken" (Japanese: 心霊スポット憑依事件)

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ a b Tokyo MX lists the series premiere on April 12, 2025, at 24:00, which is effectively April 13 at midnight JST.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ 「ゆるキャン△」あfろ新作「mono」1巻、あのキャンプマンガの聖地巡礼編も収録. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. October 25, 2018. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
2. ^ a b Cayanan, Joanna (September 16, 2024). "mono Anime Casts Haruna Mikawa, Reveals 2025 Premiere". Anime News Network. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
3. ^ a b c d e Mateo, Alex (May 1, 2025). "mono Anime Reveals English Dub Cast, May 3 Premiere". Anime News Network. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
4. ^ Cayanan, Joanna (October 16, 2024). "Laid-Back Camp Creator Afro's mono Anime Casts Aoi Koga". Anime News Network. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
5. ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (November 15, 2024). "Laid-Back Camp Creator Afro's mono Anime Casts Hikaru Tohno". Anime News Network. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
6. ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (December 16, 2024). "Laid-Back Camp Creator Afro's mono Anime Casts Reina Ueda". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
7. ^ a b Hodgkins, Crystalyn (January 16, 2025). "Laid-Back Camp Creator Afro's mono Anime Reveals April Debut, More Cast". Anime News Network. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
8. ^ Tai, Anita (May 11, 2025). "mono Anime Casts Hina Yōmiya as Kurokuma-sensei". Anime News Network. Retrieved May 11, 2025.
9. ^ 「ゆるキャン△」のあfろがミラクで連載開始、写真部JKとマンガ家の日常. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. May 16, 2017. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
10. ^ まんがタイムきららミラク休刊「ダンデライオン」「うらら」など7作品は移籍. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. October 16, 2017. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
11. ^ 「ゆるキャン△」のあfろがミラクで連載した「mono」キャラットで移籍連載開始. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. December 28, 2017. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
12. ^ a b c d e f mono (in Japanese). Houbunsha. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
13. ^ Mateo, Alex (June 14, 2024). "Yen Press Licenses Agents of the Four Seasons: Dance of Spring, Brunhild the Dragonslayer, More Manga/Novels". Anime News Network. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
14. ^ @afro_2021 (2024-06-23). "『ゆるキャン△』と『mono』の世界はゆる〜くつながっています。" (Tweet) - via Twitter.
15. ^ 「ゆるキャン△」あfろ新作「mono」1巻、あのキャンプマンガの聖地巡礼編も収録. コミックナタリー. 2018-10-25. Archived from the original on 2021-04-16. Retrieved 2018-10-26.
16. ^ あfろ「mono」と「ゆるキャン△」のコラボマンガがキャラットに掲載. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. January 28, 2021. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
17. ^ "mono, Vol. 1". Yen Press. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
18. ^ "mono, Vol. 2". Yen Press. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
19. ^ "mono, Vol. 3". Yen Press. Retrieved March 7, 2025.
20. ^ Mateo, Alex (March 21, 2024). "Laid-Back Camp Creator Afro's mono Manga Gets TV Anime". Anime News Network. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
21. ^ Cayanan, Joanna (February 16, 2025). "Laid-Back Camp Creator Afro's mono Anime Unveils More Staff, Ending Song in 1st Promo Video". Anime News Network. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
22. ^ "Press Release: Aniplex of America acquires TV anime mono!" (PDF). Aniplex of America. March 1, 2025. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
23. ^ "Crunchyroll Spring 2025 Anime Season Lineup Announced!". Crunchyroll News (Crunchyroll, LLC). March 19, 2025. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
24. ^ "【𝗦𝗜𝗠𝗨𝗟𝗖𝗔𝗦𝗧 𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗖𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧】"mono" is premiering on ANIPLUS in Spring 2025!✨". Aniplus Asia. March 25, 2025. Retrieved March 25, 2025 - via Facebook.
25. ^ a b c d "Story | Terebi Anime「mono」Kōshiki Saito" STORY | TVアニメ「mono」公式サイト [Story | TV Anime「mono」Official Website]. mono-weekend.photo (in Japanese). Retrieved April 12, 2025.
26. ^ "Watch mono - Crunchyroll". Crunchyroll. Retrieved April 12, 2025.
27. ^ "On Air | Terebi Anime「mono」Kōshiki Saito" ON AIR | TVアニメ「mono」公式サイト [On Air | TV Anime「mono」Official Website]. mono-weekend.photo (in Japanese). Retrieved April 12, 2025.

## External links

[edit]

* Official anime website (in Japanese)
* Mono (manga) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia

* v
* t
* e

Manga Time Kirara Carat series

Current|

* Hidamari Sketch (2004)
* Kill Me Baby (2008)
* The Demon Girl Next Door (2014)
* Dropout Idol Fruit Tart (2014)
* Mono (2017)
* Bad Girl (2021)

Finished|

* Sansha San'yō (2003)
* The Last Uniform (2004)
* Dōjin Work (2004)
* S.S. Astro (2005) (on hiatus)
* GA Geijutsuka Art Design Class (2005)
* K-On! (2008)
* A Channel (2008)
* Puella Magi Kazumi Magica (2011)
* Gokicha (2011)
* New Game! (2013)
* Blend S (2013)
* Anima Yell! (2016)
* Asteroid in Love (2017)
* RPG Real Estate (2018)

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