Kodansha News & Updates for Direct Market Retailers
NEW UPDATES FOR COMICSPRO ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2026:
Hello comic shop and direct market retailer friends! It's that time again when we all gather at ComicsPRO annual to meet and mingle in person to swap ideas and info about how to bring amazing comics, graphic novels and, of course, MANGA, to fans and readers everywhere.
If you weren't able to get down all the information we presented during our ComicsPRO presentation on Friday, February 20th, 2026, we at Kodansha have gathered a number of the key points in a digestable format for you to share with your co-workers and read at our own leisure.
This page sees seasonal updates to help keep retailers informed of upcoming manga releases, anime, and other promotions. So be sure to book mark this page or sign up to Kodansha's email newsletter here.
Now on to the ComicsPRO Annual udpates!
KODANSHA'S LINE-WIDE COMICSPRO DISCOUNT SALE
Even if you didn't attend the ComicsPRO Annual Conference you can still take advantage of the Kodansha's BIGGEST retailer sale ever by ordering on PRHComics.com from now until February 27, 2026.
Elligible Titles: All Kodansha manga published before January 1, 2026.
Discount Terms:
- Ordering 1 - 9 copies = 3% Discount
- Ordering 10-20 copies = 5% Discount
- Ordering 21+ copies = 10% Discount
Beginner-friendly Cheat Sheet:
Not sure where to start on this line-wide Kodansha sale? We have some recommendations to get you started:
| Title | ISBNs |
| AKIRA 1 TPB | 9781935429005 |
| AKIRA Hardcover Collection 1 | 9781646511341 |
| Akira 35th Anniversary Box Set | 9781632364616 |
| Attack on Titan Omnibus 1 (Vol. 1-3) | 9781646513741 |
| Blue Lock 1 | 9781646516544 |
| Blue Lock 2 | 9781646516551 |
| Blue Lock Box Set 1 | 9798888773499 |
| Complete Chi's Sweet Home 1 | 9781942993162 |
| Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity 1 | 9798888771389 |
| Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir Complete Manga Omnibus | 9798888776599 |
| Sailor Moon 1 (Naoko Takeuchi Collection) | 9781646512010 |
| Sailor Moon 2 (Naoko Takeuchi Collection) | 9781646512140 |
| Sheeta's Little Big World 1 | 9798888775479 |
| Spacewalking With You 1 | 9798888774380 |
| Tower Dungeon 1 | 9781647294540 |
| Vinland Saga 1 | 9781612624204 |
| Vinland Saga Deluxe Edition 1 | 9781646519781 |
| Ghost in the Shell: Fully Compiled (Complete Hardcover Collection) | 9781646516315 |
| Initial D Omnibus 1 (Vol. 1-2) | 9798888770986 |
| Witch Hat Atelier 1 | 9781632367709 |
| Witch Hat Atelier 2 | 9781632368041 |
| The Moon on a Rainy Night | 9781646519415 |
| My Instructor Won't Yield | 9798888775059 |
| Gachiakuta 1 | 9798888770207 |
| Gachiakuta 2 | 9798888770948 |
KODANSHA'S TOP FIVE BESTELLERS AT COMIC SHOPS
Calculated by net units across comic shops in 2025 below is the list of Kodansha's Top Five bestsellers from last year. Kodansha also saw these series fluctuate in rank but ALWAYS remain in our Top 5 bestellers across ALL retail channels across the last half of 2025. This shows the lasting demand from manga fans for these Kodansha series.
| Rank | Covers | Title | ISBNs | Free Ch. 1 Preview |
| 1 |  |
Blue Lock 1 | 9781646516544 | LINK |
| 2 |  |
Gachiakuta 1 | 9798888770207 | LINK |
| 3 |  |
Gachiakuta 2 | 9798888770948 | LINK |
| 4 |  |
The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity 1 | 9798888771389 | LINK |
| 5 |  |
Blue Lock 2 | 9781646516551 | LINK |
KODANSHA OFFERINGS FOR COMICS GIVEAWAY DAY
When one day of comic giveaways ends another begins to take its place and so we are excited to participate in Penguin Random House's Comics Giveaway Day™ happening May 2, 2026! The response for our Blue Lock Full Color Selection and DRAGON CIRCUS 2-in-1 preview has been tremendous and we hope you were able to get your copy before they sold out!
SPOTLIGHT ON CELLS AT WORK!
ComicsPRO Annual attendees were treated to a preview of the first up a series of upcoming all-ages Cells at Work! picture books beginning with Cells at Works! The Great Bacteria Vs. White Blood Cell Battle!. But If you couldn't make it to the annual conference we are offering a limited preview below:
More info on: Cells at Work! Picture Book 1: The Great Bacteria Vs. White Blood Cell Battle!
By Kumi Makimura
Original work by Akane Shimizu
Debuts: Aug 25, 2026
Order ISBN: 9798888778401
Rated: All-ages 10+
The mega-hit anime and best-selling manga is now an edutainment picture book series! Red Blood Cell, White Blood Cell (Neutrophil), and their team guide young readers on an exciting behind the scenes exploration of all the hard work going on to keep the human body healthy. Adorable characters, diagrams, and simple language help make the scientific adventure fun.
Other Titles in the series:
- Cells at Work! Picture Book 2: The Dastardly Duo of Flu and Food Poisoning!
- Cells at Work! Picture Book 3: I'm Not Scared of Shots!
- Cells at Work! Picture Book 4: Just a Cold? Just a Bump?
- Cells at Work! Picture Book 5: Busy, Busy Gut Bug Buddies!
SPOTLIGHT ON MEDIA TIE-INS
One of the most anticpated anime of the spring season is nearly here! The Witch Hat Atelier anime from Studio BUG FILMS (Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead) premieres April 2026 streaming on Crunchyroll.
In celebration Kodansha is releasing a stunning deluxe edition of the Kamome Shirahama's Eisner and Harvey Award-winning magical fantasy advenure with the Witch Hat Atelier: Grimoire Edition in May 2026.
Witch Hat Atelier: Grimoire Edition
By Kamome Shirahama
Debuts: May 5, 2026
Order ISBN: 9798888777794
Age Rating: 10+
This deluxe, keepsake-quality hardcover edition includes three volumes of the acclaimed fantasy manga on which the enchanting anime was based. Experience the beautiful tale of a young witch who discovers her creativity and faces down a dangerous and thrilling world with her friends by her side in these extra-large books, printed on premium paper with intricate gold foil covers and exclusive bonus content. Includes Witch Hat Atelier Vols. 1–3.
Since the debut of the latest trailer for The Ghost in the Shell anime from Science Saru (DanDaDan) fan reaction and interest in the original The Ghost in the Shell manga has sky rocketed. And in anticipation Kodansha is debuting a new and updated edition of the original Ghost in the Shell series—from creator Shiro Masamune—in one exquisite box set, full of special never-before-released in the U.S. goodies sure to be a hot ticket item upon debut and for this year's holiday season!
The Ghost in the Shell Legacy Edition Manga Box Set
By Shirow Masamune
Available Now!
Order ISBN: 9798888776711
Age Rating: 18+
Every page of the defining work of modern cyberpunk returns in an ultimate, uncensored edition that matches the final Japanese manga, packaged in a box set featuring two brand-new illustrations by creator Shirow Masamune, 11 exclusive posters, and a set of multicolored Fuchikoma robot stickers.
Also included:
- A premium slipcase featuring two brand-new illustrations by original author Shirow Masamune, created specifically for this box.
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One new piece and ten posters from the rare, limited-edition 1997 Cyberdelics box set, never before released in English, reproduced in new versions featuring a staggering range of special print effects, including etched metallic paper, vinyl stock, and holographic spot gloss.
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The new, 10-inch-wide posters come rolled (not folded) and packed in a rigid box inside the slipcase for added protection.
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A set of multicolored Fuchikoma robot stickers, also from Cyberdelics.
-
A double-sided poster with Shirow-sensei's explanation of his artistic process and the poster art, never before translated into English.
Also check out below for the list of anime currently airing and debuting soon in Spring 2026.
Winter 2026 Anime Inspired by Kodansha Manga (Currently Airing)
- Fire Force (Season 3 Part 2 on Crunchyroll)
- In the Clear Moonlit Dusk (Debut Season on Crunchyroll)
- Tune In to the Midnight Heart (Debut Season on Crunchyroll)
- The Darwin Incident (Debut Season on Amazon Prime)
- Medalist (Season 2 on Huly / Disney+)
- MF Ghost (Season 3 on Crunchyroll)
- Anyway, I'm Falling in Love with You. (Season 2 on Crunchyroll)
- Blue Wolves of Mibu A.K.A Blue Miburo (Season 2 on Crunchyroll)
- To Your Eternity (Season 3 on Crunchyroll)
Spring 2026 Anime Inspired by Kodansha Manga (Premiering in April)
- That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime (Season 4)
- Witch Hat Atelier (Debut Season on Crunchyroll)
- Wistoria: Wand and Sword (Season 2)
- Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun (Season 4)
- Rent-a-Girlfriend (Season 5)
- The Food Diary of Miss Maid (Debut Season)
- Kirio Fanclub (Debut Season)
- The Drops of God (Debut Season)
SPOTLIGHT ON PREMIUM EDITIONS, CLASSICS & MORE
Cover First Revealed at ComicsPRO
Attack on Titan Definitive Edition
By Hajime Isayama
Debuts: Jun 16, 2026
Order ISBN: 9798888777930
Age Rating: 16+
- ATTACK ON TITAN FINALLY GETS THE DELUXE TREATMENT: Fans demanded it, and it's here—a collectible hardcover edition of the shonen hit, featuring debossed, gold foil–stamped covers on faux leather with library bands.
-
THREE VOLUMES IN ONE: This volume contains three volumes of the original manga, almost 600 pages of manga, on premium paper at a larger size.
-
BONUS CONTENT: Bonus material included in this edition will include color art galleries, interviews, sketches and rough layouts, and short stories previously available only in out-of-print box sets.
Special Box Set Call Out
Gachiakuta Dumpster Season 1 Manga Box Set
By Kei Urana and Hideyoshi Andou
Debuts: Oct 13, 2026
Order ISBN: 9798888778487
Age Rating: 16+
- MANGA NOW AVAILABLE IN A COLLECTOR'S BOX SET: Premium slipcase "Dumpster" design contains 10 volumes of the Gachiakuta manga with updated covers, along with an exclusive themed tote bag, perfect for new fans starting their collection or veterans looking for collectibles.
- ORGANIZED TO REACH FANS OF THE ANIME: Fans eager to relive their favorite heart-pounding moments of the anime can easily collect the first 10 volumes of the manga, corresponding to the first season of the anime.
- STUNNING GRAFFITI ART: See more of the fantastical and stunning graffiti art of Hideyoshi Andou and Kei Urana come to life in this premium box set design.
New and Upcoming Classics for 2026
During the ComicsPRO Annual presenatation we called out some of our latest classics and premium edition reprints that have been making a splash since their debut in 2025 continuing into 2026.
From recently release classics like Mushishi Collector's Edition, the high-quality return of the fan-favorite supernatural medical mystery saga; The Magnificent Bastard, the fantastical historical fiction featuring the "wildest samurai who ever lived", to Ashita no Joe: Fighting for Tomorrow, the class struggle boxing drama. As well as continuing favorites like Sailor Moon Naoko Takeuchi Collection, Vinland Saga Deluxe, Initial D Omnibus, Parasyte Full Color Edition and Parasyte Paperback Collection. New and premium edition give fans high quality versions of some of their favorite manga to own and proudly display on their shelves.
| Covers | Title | ISBNs | Free Ch. 1 Preview |
 |
Ashita no Joe: Fighting for Tomorrow | 9781647293871 | LINK |
 |
Mushishi Collector's Edition | 9798888776346 | LINK |
 |
Parasyte Full Color Edition | 9781646516391 | LINK |
 |
Parasyte Paperback Collection | 9798888776636 | LINK |
 |
Sailor Moon (Naoko Takeuchi Collection) | 9781646512010 | N/A |
 |
The Magnificent Bastard | 9781647295004 | LINK |
 |
Vinland Saga Deluxe Edition | 9781646519781 | LINK |
Mushishi Streaming Free on Anime Manga Official
Officially free from Kodansha the Anime Manga Official YouTube channel is currently streaming all 26 episodes of the Mushishi anime free for a limited time! Catch this and select officially licensed anime inspired by Kodansha-manga.
Upcoming Manga Classics
Kodansha continues to bring manga classics into the present with new editions of heavily saught after series like MARS 30th Anniversary Edition, dangerous but heartfelt romance, and BECK Omnibus, the indie-rock coming-of-age saga—both series which were massive hits of the 2000s. While also releasing a classic from the "god of manga" Osamu Tezuka with the Black Jack Deluxe editions.
| Covers | Title | ISBNs | On Sale Date |
 |
MARS 30th Anniversary Edition | 9798888777848 | Jun 16, 2026 |
 |
Black Jack Deluxe | 9781647296155 | Sep 01, 2026 |
 |
BECK Omnibus | 9798888778470 | Nov 17, 2026 |
SPOTLIGHT NOTABLE BL & YURI ON THE HORIZON
With both BL and Yuri continuing to be growing categories for Kodansha we wanted to share some notable upcoming BL that runs the gamut from heartwarming and wholesome romance to more serious coming-of-age tales, as well as light-hearted and comedic entanglements.
| Covers | Title | ISBNs | On Sale Date |
 |
Blue Summer Haze | 9798888778333 | Jul 7, 2026 |
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Honey Bee & Lemon Balm | 9798888777589 | Jul 21, 2026 |
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Smells Like Green Spirit | 9781647295585 | Jul 21, 2026 |
 |
Voices in the Sea Foam | 9781647295806 | May 5, 2026 |
 |
What If I Said "I Love You"? | 9798888778203 | Jun 30, 2026 |
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Kiss or Die Trying | 9798888779088 | Dec 8, 2026 |
Omegaverse Series
Recent surprise hits within the BL genre come from the often spicy, and sometimes cerebreal Omegaverse sub-category of BL! In a recent new license announcement, and to much fanfare online, a new series is set to take the stage this summer blending Omegaverse tropes with the workd of KPOP with, Comeback After Fate. This series joins two stand out hits amonst Kodansha's Omegaverse offerings with How to Deal When Your Intimidating Neighbor is Actually an Omega, the scary neighbors to spicy lovers sage, and Omega Megaera, the long-con succession-style Omegaverse drama.
| Covers | Title | ISBNs | On Sale Date |
 |
Comeback After Fate | 9798888778395 | Aug 18, 2026 |
 |
How to Deal When Your Intimidating Neighbor is Actually an Omega 1 | 9798888774274 | Available Now! |
 |
How to Deal When Your Intimidating Neighbor is Actually an Omega 2 | 9798888776629 | Mar 3, 2026 |
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Omega Megaera | 9798888775912 | Nov 25, 2025 |
Current Popular & Upcoming Yuri
Not to be outdone Kodansha is also continuing to invest in Yuri titles like the popular love on the magical battlefield romance, I Want to Love You Until Your Dying Day (which sees an anime begin Summer 2026), and two new series arriving soon with the fantastical enemies to lovers rom-com Marrying the Dark Knight for Her Money, and the wickedly sweet seduction of Wicket Spot.
| Covers | Title | ISBNs | On Sale Date |
 |
I Want to Love You Until Your Dying Day | 9798888773802 | Volumes 1-7 available now! Anime announced for Summer 2026 |
 |
Marrying the Dark Knight for Her Money | 9798888777596 | Mar 10, 2026 |
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Wicked Spot | 9781647295721 | May 26, 2026 |
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