Manga UP! Global added Satsuki Yoshino's Handa-kun manga to its catalog this week, with English translations from Yen Press available in both digital and print formats.

The series is a prequel to Yoshino's popular Barakamon manga, following Sei Handa, a teenage calligrapher who captures the admiration of his entire school. The twist: Handa's deep-seated negativity prevents him from believing the attention is genuine, convinced instead that everyone secretly dislikes him. The result is a comedy built on misunderstandings and unexpected warmth.

Yoshino originally serialized Handa-kun in Square Enix's Monthly Shonen Gangan magazine starting in October 2013, with the complete run ending in September 2016. The manga's success led to a 2016 television anime adaptation that aired in Japan with simultaneous streaming on Funimation. The studio also produced an English dub that premiered in August 2016.

For fans already familiar with Barakamon, Handa-kun offers a chance to see how the protagonist's journey began—exploring the formative experiences that shaped his worldview. Those new to the universe can jump in with Handa-kun as a standalone entry point into Yoshino's comedy style.

Yen Press's addition to Manga UP! Global expands the platform's English-language catalog, which specializes in making manga accessible to international audiences. The simultaneous print and digital release means readers can choose their preferred format, whether they want physical volumes on their shelf or instant access through the app.

Both Handa-kun and Barakamon showcase Yoshino's talent for character-driven comedy rooted in genuine emotional growth, making this prequel a natural fit for fans of the original series or anyone looking for a lighthearted manga that doesn't sacrifice heart for humor.