Manga writer Shigemitsu Harada and artist Takumi Kobayashi are joining forces for a new series called Ijime to Kaeru to Mama to Fukushū (Bullying, Frogs, Mama, and Revenge), debuting June 18 on Kodansha's YanMaga Web platform.

The story centers on Makoto, a man dismissed as a "frog"—someone stuck in a dead-end factory job with no direction. His life shifts when he finds comfort in Miyuki, the mother of Kazuya, his childhood bully. The tension builds when Kazuya returns to town and Miyuki makes an unexpected proposal that promises to upend everything.

This collaboration marks a notable pairing of experienced creators. Harada brings a track record of acclaimed manga work, including the Cells at Work! spinoffs Code Black and Lady, both of which ran in Kodansha publications. His most recent project with artist Hachi Sendō, Hikaru to Hikaru, launched in Kadokawa's Dragon Age magazine in 2023 and reached its third volume in April 2025. He's also known for adapting Shinyaku Kani Kōsen (The Crab Cannery Ship: New Testament), which ran from June 2021 to November 2022.

Kobayashi brings international experience to the partnership. His work An Innocent Relationship received an English release through Digital Manga's Project H back in 2012, giving him a foothold in English-speaking markets.

The new series launching on YanMaga Web suggests a digital-first approach, aligning with how many publishers are experimenting with serialization strategies. For fans who've followed Harada's diverse portfolio—from Cells at Work! adaptations to original comedies and dramas—this project represents another intriguing direction for the writer.

June 18 marks the official premiere date for Ijime to Kaeru to Mama to Fukushū on Kodansha's YanMaga Web platform.