Manga creator Saburō Nagai, best known for Smells Like Green Spirit, has launched a brand-new boys-love manga series titled Iei ga Nai!.
The new manga began serialization on September 29, 2026, in Shinchosha’s Kurage Bunch digital magazine. The series marks Nagai’s return with a new project following the success and continued recognition of Smells Like Green Spirit.
A New Series From Saburō Nagai
Iei ga Nai! is Nagai’s latest manga project and is being published through Kurage Bunch. Further story details about the new series are still limited, giving readers plenty to discover as the manga continues its serialization.
Nagai previously gained attention for Smells Like Green Spirit, which originally ran from 2011 to 2012 in Fusion Product’s Comic Be. The manga was collected into two volumes, titled Side and Side. It also received a five-volume spin-off titled Shintan Kairō.
Smells Like Green Spirit's Growing International Presence
Smells Like Green Spirit has continued to reach new audiences internationally. Kodansha USA has released the manga in English, while the complete English edition is also available as a 346-page omnibus from Vertical Comics.
The story follows Futoshi Mishima, a teenager struggling with bullying in his rural hometown. His secret hobby of using his mother's lipstick leads to an unexpected connection with one of his tormentors, Kirino. Their experiences become the beginning of a complicated journey toward understanding themselves and finding a place where they can live honestly.
The manga was also adapted into a live-action television series that premiered in September 2024, followed by a compilation film in June 2025.
What's Next for Iei ga Nai!?
With Iei ga Nai! now underway, fans of Saburō Nagai can look forward to another original story from the creator. More information about the manga's characters, plot, and future releases is expected as serialization continues.
For readers who discovered Nagai through Smells Like Green Spirit, the new series offers another opportunity to follow the creator's work as his manga career continues to develop.
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