As Fish to Water: Where the Forest Meets the Sea Vol. 1

In this moving Boys’ Love manga, a merman far from home, stuck working in a mansion, meets a young man who could change his life for the better. But the first step to freeing the merman? They need to fall in love! From the author of City Lights Birthday and Setagaya Synchronicity.

Van is a mermaid who has lost everything—his voice, his family, his very place in the world. Forced to work as a slave in a mansion located in town by the sea, he dreams of the day when he can return to the water. One day he meets Jens, the sole inhabitant of the cursed island of Fiska, a young man who proves to be kinder than any human Van has ever met. As the two grow closer, Jens is determined to buy Van’s freedom and bring him to his island home. But in order for this to happen, Van and Jens need to become more than just good friends...they need to fall in love. 

Witness the beginning of their romance in volume one of this moving Boys’ Love fantasy!

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs