Kodansha Celebrates 45th Anniversary with Landmark U.S. Launch of 'Young Magazine,' Featuring New Unfiltered Manga

Manga enthusiasts, prepare for a significant event! Kodansha is poised to make a monumental impact on the U.S. market with the highly anticipated launch of a special American edition of its revered Young Magazine in August 2025. This historic release coincides with the 45th anniversary of the iconic Japanese publication, which first introduced groundbreaking series such as Akira, Ghost in the Shell, Initial D, and Dragon Head to the world.

The U.S. iteration promises to captivate readers with 19 brand-new manga series, meticulously crafted for American audiences. Embracing a bold vision of "unfiltered manga," this special edition delves deep into the realms of Sci-Fi, dark horror, and cyberpunk. It offers raw, gritty narratives that explore the profound realities faced by ordinary individuals thrust into extraordinary circumstances. This strategic expansion by Kodansha signals a significant shift, aiming to deliver mature, complex manga narratives to an international readership, moving beyond traditional shonen themes to embrace more adult-oriented content.

Featured Creators and Series

The stellar lineup of contributing creators underscores the magazine's prestige. It features luminaries like Shuzo Oshimi, celebrated for his intense works such as The Flowers of Evil and Blood on the Tracks. Also joining the ranks are Masaaki Nakayama, known for his unsettling tales like Fuan no Tane, and Shuichi Shigeno, the legendary author behind Initial D, whose work continues to command a passionate following across North America.

Fans will also recognize UNDER NINJA, a high-profile series currently serialized in the Japanese edition, further bridging the global manga community.

Engage and Vote for Your Favorites

Adding an exciting layer of reader engagement, the magazine will host an exclusive fan voting event. Enthusiasts will have the power to choose their favorite titles from a curated selection of 16 eligible manga, with the winning series guaranteed full serialization on Kodansha’s popular K MANGA app. Participation is seamless, available via Kodansha's official website and their X (formerly Twitter) account, ensuring real-time updates keep fans connected.

As part of the grand launch and distribution efforts, a limited-edition booklet will be exclusively given away at the Kinokuniya booth during Anime NYC, running from August 21 to 24, 2025.

This groundbreaking venture not only pays homage to Young Magazine's enduring legacy of pioneering adult-themed manga but also paves an exciting path for fresh voices and innovative storytelling to flourish within the vibrant U.S. manga landscape, enriching the dynamic cultural exchange across the global anime and manga community.