Two New Manga Series Launch in Big Comic Superior in December and Early 2026

Shogakukan’s Big Comic Superior magazine has announced two new manga series coming in the near future. Taro Nogizaka will launch a new manga tentatively titled Manazashi Tamako no Jiyuu Kenkyu, which translates roughly as Tamako Manazashi’s Independent Research, in the magazine’s first 2026 issue on December 12. Daisuke Watanabe will follow with a new series titled Uchujin wa Iranai, or No Need for Aliens, launching in early spring.

Nogizaka is best known for the Iryu Team Medical Dragon manga, which inspired four live action television series in 2006, 2007, 2010, and 2014. Crunchyroll has streamed content from the franchise. Watanabe previously created Gedo no Uta.

Big Comic Superior has a long history of hosting ambitious and mature manga aimed at adult readers, and two new series from experienced creators launching in close succession is a meaningful programming statement from the magazine heading into 2026.

My take: Both of these are worth keeping an eye on. Nogizaka’s work has real craft behind it and the medical drama space always has room for something done well. Watanabe’s new title has an intriguing name. December 12 is not far off for the first new series, so readers of Big Comic Superior will not have long to wait.