Fans of Cells at Work! and its creative spinoffs have something fresh to look forward to. Acclaimed manga creator Moe Sugimoto, known for the hit spinoff Cells NOT at Work!, is launching a brand-new manga series. Titled Gaku Shoku Girl (School Cafeteria Girl), the new series will debut in Kodansha’s Monthly Shonen Sirius magazine on June 26, 2025.
Food Meets Friendship in Gaku Shoku Girl
Gaku Shoku Girl centers on Meimei Kisaragi, a spirited high school girl who loves experimenting with her school cafeteria meals. What begins as a simple curiosity about flavors soon transforms into a journey that impacts not just her own lunchtime but the lives of her classmates as well. Through food, Meimei forms unexpected connections and inspires others to explore creativity and joy in everyday moments.
The series promises a heartwarming blend of slice-of-life storytelling and culinary exploration, ideal for fans of food-themed manga or those seeking a light, feel-good read.
Sugimoto’s Acclaimed Work Continues
Moe Sugimoto previously made waves with the spinoff Cells NOT at Work!, based on Akane Shimizu’s bestselling manga Cells at Work! (Hataraku Saibō). Launched in Monthly Shonen Sirius in July 2017, the spinoff humorously portrayed the daily struggles of “unmotivated” cells inside the human body. The series concluded in 2021, with five compiled volumes published in Japan by Kodansha and in English digitally via Kodansha USA Publishing.
Sugimoto’s knack for blending humor, education, and heartfelt storytelling makes Gaku Shoku Girl one of the season’s most anticipated new manga.
Characters
Meimei Kisaragi
A curious and lively high school student, Meimei loves food and isn’t afraid to try new combinations. Her inventive spirit turns the school cafeteria into her playground, and her enthusiasm soon draws others into her culinary adventures.
Supporting Classmates (to be introduced)
While full details of supporting characters are yet to be revealed, early hints suggest that Meimei’s classmates will each bring their own quirks and reactions to her unique take on school lunch. The manga will explore how these relationships evolve through shared meals.
Did You Know?
- Gaku Shoku Girl launches on June 26, 2025, in Monthly Shonen Sirius.
- The manga combines slice-of-life with culinary exploration.
- Creator Moe Sugimoto is known for Cells NOT at Work!, a popular spinoff of Cells at Work!.
- Cells NOT at Work! ran from 2017 to 2021 and concluded with five volumes.
- The new series focuses on how food can create connections and change relationships.
With Gaku Shoku Girl, Moe Sugimoto returns to manga with a story that celebrates the simple joys of food, friendship, and curiosity. As June 26 approaches, fans of Cells at Work! and lovers of slice-of-life stories will want to keep an eye on this promising new series.
