Strawberry Cake: Ayu Kitazato's New Manga Hits Shelves with Its First Volume!
The highly anticipated new series Strawberry Cake by Ayu Kitazato, one of the elegant pens of the manga world, was released to readers in Japan as of June 25, 2026. Serialized under the Shueisha umbrella in the popular shoujo magazine Bessatsu Margaret, the work centers on themes of self-confidence and self-acceptance, which are among the biggest issues facing modern youth.
The protagonist of the story, 15-year-old Natsume Endo, believes that she can never be the lead (princess) of her own life due to a "curse" she has carried since childhood. Seeking refuge in her favorite fashion style to feel stronger and to escape this feeling, Natsume is labeled as a "rebel" or a "troublemaker" at school because of this choice. However, the life of Natsume, whom no one dares to approach, takes a completely different turn when she meets Gaku Saiki, a mysterious and unpredictable young man. The series inspires readers with the motto, "by loving the things you love, you become the person you love."
Author Ayu Kitazato is a name who has proven her success in reflecting the inner worlds of characters with works such as Tsuki no Moegara and Handmade Romantic. In this new series, it is evident that Kitazato masterfully balances emotional depth with the contrast between the characters' outward appearances and their internal conflicts. In particular, the visual language of Strawberry Cake brings a fresh breath to the shoujo genre by blending fashion elements with character development.
Beyond being just a romantic story, this new series addresses the process of an individual building their own identity and their stance against societal labels. Strawberry Cake is considered a successful example of the "self-discovery" and "healing" (iyashikei) narratives that have been on the rise in the manga world in recent years. If you are looking for a character-driven, emotional, and visually satisfying story, you should definitely give this sweet yet profound journey of Natsume and Gaku a chance.
