Seven Seas Licenses ‘Qualia The Purple’ Yuri Light Novel and Complete Manga Collection
by Tito W. James
Through the uncanny purple eyes of Yukari, all people appear to her as robots. Her talent is both a blessing and a curse. She is able to assist the police in sizing up threats, since her “skill” allows her to evaluate humans’ quirks and physical capabilities like cataloging the parts of a machine–yet her strange sight has cost her the friendship of her peers. She does have one friend in her corner: Hatou “Gaku” Manabu, a girl at school who cares deeply for Yukari. When Yukari is recruited into a secret organization, the real trouble begins. Gaku is thrust into a realm of mystery, quantum experimentation, and alternate universes, with only her wits–and her love for Yukari–to guide her along the way.
Qualia the Purple is a romantic yuri science fiction thriller by Hisamitsu Ueo and Sirou Tsunasima. The light novel and complete manga collection are being licensed by Seven Seas Entertainment and will release to American audiences in the coming years.
Qualia the Purple is like the Donnie Darko of manga, in that simply describing it won’t do the story justice, and once you’ve read it you’ll be bugging your friends to check it out. Fans of darker Yuri stories like Happy Sugar Life or the bizarre premises of Shintaro Kago will have their mind blown by Qualia the Purple. Hatou Manabu is one of the most complex characters I’ve ever encountered in a manga. To this day I don’t know whether her actions are good or evil. I don’t want to spoil the ride but I will say that you’re going to get more than you bargained for.
Qualia the Purple (Light Novel) will be released for the first time in North America in November 2022 for $14.99 USA / $18.99 CAN, available in print and on digital platforms in a single large-trim edition.
Qualia the Purple: The Complete Manga Collection will be released for the first time in North America in June 2023 for $21.99 USA / $26.99 CAN, available in print and on digital platforms in a large-trim omnibus edition that contains all three volumes of the series.
