Kodansha Announces Nine New Manga from American Readers' Votes

Kodansha's Groundbreaking Move in Manga Publishing

Kodansha, renowned for popular titles such as Attack on Titan and Vinland Saga, has just revealed a lineup of nine new manga series influenced by the results of a recent voter poll among American readers. This unprecedented initiative allows U.S. fans to impact the editorial direction of a prominent Japanese magazine, a significant development in the world of manga.

A First in Manga History

The voting campaign concluded on November 10, 2025 and was part of a special U.S. edition of Young Magazine launched to celebrate the magazine’s 45th anniversary. Out of 19 debut series, 16 were eligible for votes, garnering an impressive 281,461 votes, far surpassing the anticipated figures.

Series Revealed

• BOYS RUN THE RIOT – IN TRANSITION- by Keito Gaku
• Fasciation by OUGA
• Godmother by Rin Shimokawa
• GOUMA The Blade that Slaughters Gods by Hiroki Ishizawa
• Into the Dark by Anri Morikuma
• Is My Love Strange? by Hikari Azuma
• ΚΙΚΙΚΑΙΚΑΙ by Kyuri Yamada
• Pregnant, with story by Denchi Matsumoto and art by Keita Nishijima
• PROJECT METALLIA by Yukito Iwai
• Protocol Ryugu by Daisaku Tsuru
• Still You by Kami Nishio
• The Graveyard Shift by Yoshimi Sato
• The Journey of a Dark Elf with Fading Powers by Daisuke Itabashi
• The Knight of Blasphemy by Ray Kindo
• THE LAST TERRAN, with story by Hiroshi Takashige and art by Tatsumi Hitomoji
• To Dusk and Twilight by Robico
• ME AND BOB DYLAN (AND MY FATHER) by Shuzo Oshimi
• The Silent Forest by Masaaki Nakayama
• Subaru and Subaru by Shuichi Shigeno

These titles will enjoy simultaneous serialization in Japan through Weekly Young Magazine and Monthly Young Magazine, alongside their availability in the U.S. via the K-MANGA app.

Upcoming Releases

The Journey of a Dark Elf with Fading Powers has been marked as the first to receive a definitive release date, set to begin serialization in January 2026. The story follows an elf navigating life after losing her magical powers. Details regarding the other titles will be unveiled in the coming months.

Joyous Reception and Future Plans

Initially, Kodansha aimed to serialize the top five works based on votes, but the overwhelming participation led them to include four additional titles, totaling nine new series. Editor-in-Chief Mr. Shiraki expressed his amazement at the enthusiastic response from U.S. readers, highlighting the diverse interests of the audience.

Shiraki also mentioned that they are already preparing for a second "Yanmaga US" project, affirming their commitment to breaking storytelling barriers.

A Fresh Perspective

The special U.S. edition was fully curated in English and sought to explore themes that capture “unvarnished reality” across genres like sci-fi, horror, and cyberpunk. This project aims to identify Japanese manga creators who can resonate with international audiences.

Legacy of Young Magazine

First launched in 1980, Weekly Young Magazine is noted for its gritty and culturally significant stories. It has been home to iconic works such as AKIRA, Ghost in the Shell, and Initial D. This new U.S. experiment features contributions from notable industry veterans, showcasing a selection of stories ready to engage diverse readers.

Source: Anime News Network