Manga Up! Global Adds Two New English Series to Its Library: My Classmate James and Princess of Desert Rain
Square Enix's popular digital manga platform Manga Up! Global has announced the expansion of its English library with two exciting new series. With the announcement made on April 11, 2026, My Classmate James and Princess of Desert Rain: Once a Mage, Now a Farmer's Daughter became available to readers worldwide. This move is seen as part of the platform's strategy to bring current series from Japan to a global audience.
The first of the newly added series, My Classmate James (known in Japanese as Tonari no Seki no James-kun), is written by yutaka. The series presents a heartwarming school life story revolving around a young girl who has great difficulty communicating and speaking. Dealing with themes of social anxiety and friendship, this work offers a fresh and emotional alternative, especially for readers who enjoy series like Komi Can't Communicate.
Fantasy lovers are greeted by Princess of Desert Rain: Once a Mage, Now a Farmer's Daughter (Sabaku no Kuni no Amefurashi-hime), written by Syuu and illustrated by Umi to Shima. The story follows a powerful mage who was unjustly executed in her past life and is reincarnated as a farmer's daughter in an arid land. The adventure of Alesia, who tries to hide her secret powers but draws attention with her ability to make it rain while sleeping, promises a world-building experience full of drama and magic.
Launched in 2022, Manga Up! Global has reached over 160 titles by including such new and original series alongside giants like Fullmetal Alchemist, Soul Eater, and The Apothecary Diaries. This move by Square Enix proves once again how critical the "simulpub" (simultaneous publication) model has become in digital publishing. Readers can access the first chapters of these new series for free on the platform and use the platform's point system for subsequent chapters.
