New Manga Discovering the Joy of Eating Alone: 'Lunch Bancho Hitomi' Arrives with its First Volume!
The highly anticipated new manga 'Lunch Bancho Hitomi' (ランチ番長 瞳) by Masayuki Qusumi (久住昌之), master of food-themed manga, is preparing to meet readers in Japan with its first volume. The first volume of the work, to be published by Square Enix, will be released on May 25, 2026. To celebrate this exciting development, a special event will be held in Tokyo on June 6, 2026, with the participation of author Masayuki Qusumi and artist Ryo Amei (飴井涼).
'Lunch Bancho Hitomi' tells the story of Hitomi Shinousaka, who has a unique passion for lunch and has thus earned the nickname 'Lunch Bancho' (Lunch Boss). Hitomi pursues perfect 'delicious lunch' experiences every day, guided by her own 'lunch antenna'. The manga stands out as a gourmet story that presents the art of solo dining and the joy these experiences bring, with Qusumi's distinctive narrative style.
The author of the manga's original story, Masayuki Qusumi, is particularly known for popular food manga such as 'Kodoku no Gourmet' (Solitary Gourmet) and 'Hana no Zubora Meshi'. 'Kodoku no Gourmet', illustrated by Jiro Taniguchi, and 'Hana no Zubora Meshi', illustrated by Etsuko Mizusawa, both reached wide audiences after being adapted into successful television series. Qusumi is not only a manga author but also a versatile artist, working as an illustrator, essayist, book designer, and even a composer. Known for often focusing on food and the simple pleasures of daily life in his works, Qusumi,
