In October 2024, Kodansha’s Young Magazine held an open call for oneshot submissions with the aim of producing a new supplementary magazine for overseas markets, with a particular focus on an English release. Within that submission process, over 100 applicates submitted works, which after an internal review by the Young Magazine’s editors also extended the review to Kodansha USA for feedback. From those entries, a total of 18 works were selected to build the debut issue of Young Magazine USA. An additional two already existing series were then added to round out the total to 20 titles across over 1000 pages for the issue. This is a magazine separate from the main Japanese magazine and will have series that are more focused on genres like science fiction, dark horror, and cyberpunk that they expect to better connect with English-speaking fans.
This first issue of the new magazine will be distributed for free at Anime NYC 2025 on August 22nd. Based on the print date in the table of contents located at the end of the magazine, this was likely originally planned to launch at Otakon (August 8th). This was likely moved to Anime NYC to allow for better promotion with the guest Kengo Hanazawa who has the first chapter of his Under Ninja manga published in the issue. New York City is also the home of one of the Kodansha USA offices and will be having a panel at the convention. An estimated 4000 copies of the magazine will be given out for free at Anime NYC. The convention had around 100,000 attendees last year, and is expected to have a higher attendance this year.
The magazine will also be distributed at 17 Kinokuniya stores in North America, but the specifics of that have not been announce yet. They are also partnering with AnimeID, a “web3” company, to hold a giveaway for the magazine issue to international fans.
In addition to the print issue, all of the manga chapters in the issue will be available for reading on K Manga in English. The original Japanese chapters will also be distributed on Young Magazine’s websites in Japan around the same time. From the collection of the series, 16 of the titles will be part of a reader voting campaign. Fans can vote from August 21st through November 10th on the official website and Twitter (X). The winners will be announced on December 15th in the US and on the 16th in Japan. The 5 winning series will then be given a full serialization that will be published on K Manga and be published in Japan at the same time. If there are additional issues of Young Magazine USA created in 2026, they may be part of those issues.
With the magazine containing many new artists, English fans may not be familiar with their past works. Included below is the list of series as they are placed in the debut issue of Young Magazine USA. Following that is a short biography of each creator with what some of their past works listed in chronological order. If you want to gain a preview on each of the creator’s style, links to those past works and their social media accounts have been provided for reference. Some titles may have rough English translations as they have not had official English releases yet.
| Title | Author(s) | Starting page in issue |
|---|---|---|
| The Last Terran | Story: Hiroshi Takashige (たかしげ宙) Art: Tatsumi Hitomoji (巽一文字) | 3 |
| Boys Run the Riot – In Transition- | Keito Gaku (学慶人) | 59 |
| To Dusk and Twilight 夕闇とかたわれ | Robico (ろびこ) | 119 |
| Gouma – The Blade That Slaughters Gods 降魔ーGOUMAー | Hiroki Ishizawa (石澤寛伎) | 149 |
| Is My Love Strange? この恋は変ですか？ | Hikari Azuma (我妻ひかり) | 207 |
| Me and Bob Dylan (and My Father) ぼくとボブ・ディラン（と父） | Shuzo Oshimi (押見修造) | 263 |
| The Journey of a Dark Elf with Fading Powers 魔力枯れのダークエルフ | Daisuke Itabashi (板橋大祐) | 299 |
| The Silent Forest 静の杜 | Masaaki Nakayama (中山昌亮) | 349 |
| The Knight of Blasphemy 瀆神の騎士 | Ray Kindo (金藤澪) | 385 |
| KIKIKAIKAI 鬼鬼怪怪 | Kyuri Yamada (山田胡瓜) | 457 |
| Still You | Kami Nishio (西尾上) | 517 |
| Protocol Ryugu プロトコル・リュウグウ | Daisaku Tsuru (都留泰作) | 579 |
| The Graveyard Shift 夜勤 | Yoshimi Sato (里好) | 649 |
| Pregnant プレグナント | Story: Denchi Matsumoto (松本電池) Art: Keita Nishijima (西嶋慶大) | 687 |
| Project Metallia | Yukito Iwai (岩井敬人) | 735 |
| Godmother ゴッドマザー | Rin Shimokawa (下川林) | 793 |
| Fasciation 帯化 | OUGA | 839 |
| Into the Dark 闇へ | Anri Morikuma (守熊杏梨) | 923 |
| Under Ninja アンダーニンジャ | Kengo Hanazawa (花沢健吾) | 969 |
| Subaru and Subaru 昴と彗星 | Shuichi Shigeno (しげの秀一) | 1005 |
The Last Terran
Author: Hiroshi Takashige (たかしげ宙)
Social Media: Twitter (X)
Previous Works:
- Spriggan (スプリガン) (Author)
Serialized in Weekly Shonen Sunday and Shonen Sunday Zokan (renamed to Shonen Sunday Super) from 1989 through 1996. - Until Death Do Us Part (死がふたりを分かつまで) (Author)
Serialized in Young Gangan from 2005 through 2015.
Artist: Tatsumi Hitomoji (巽一文字)
Social Media: Twitter (X), Pixiv
Previous Works:
- Nine (ナイン)
Oneshot won Honorable Mention in 2014 Afternoon‘s Shiki Prize - Sea of Gale (烈風の海)
Oneshot won Honorable Mention in the 10th Meteor Polaris Comet Awards in 2018 - Dragon Hunter (竜狩り)
Oneshot published in May 2022 issue of Monthly Comic Alive
These 3 oneshots were published in a single Italian volume release by Toshokan under the penname “Tatsumi Aogu” on January 17, 2024. A preview of the release can be found here.
Boys Run the Riot – In Transition-
Author: Keito Gaku (学慶人)
Social Media: Twitter (X), Instagram
Previous Works:
- Boys Run the Riot (ボーイズ・ラン・ザ・ライオット)
Serialized in Weekly Young Magazine and Comic Days in 2020. Available in English from Kodansha. - Aoba no Basketball (アオバノバスケ)
An on-going biweekly digital serialization in Magazine Pocket that started in 2022
To Dusk and Twilight (夕闇とかたわれ)
Author: Robico (ろびこ)
Social Media: Instagram
Previous Works:
- Demekinikku (デメキンイック)
A oneshot in Dessert magazine in 2005 - Kanojo ga Inakunatta (彼女がいなくなった)
Serialized in Dessert in 2006 - Himikoi (ひみこい)
Serialized in Dessert from 2007 through 2008 - My Little Monster (となりの怪物くん)
Serialized in Dessert from 2008 through 2013. The series is published in English by Kodansha. - Skip! Yamada-kun (スキップ！山田くん) (Artist)
Oneshot in Weekly Young Jump in 2014 - Miracle☆Gift (ミラクル☆ギフト)
Oneshot in Weekly Shonen Magazine in 2015 - Our Precious Conversations (僕と君の大切な話)
Serialized in Dessert from 2015 through 2019. The series is published in English by Kodansha. - Wash Me Hug Me!
Oneshot in Dessert in 2020
Gouma – The Blade That Slaughters Gods (降魔ーGOUMAー)
Author: Hiroki Ishizawa (石澤寛伎)
Social Media: Twitter(X), Instagram
Previous Works:
- Kokuma Musō (黒魔無双)
Serialized on Cycomi from 2022 to 2024
Author Comment about the release:
[Announcement]
Heads up! Spread the word!
My latest manga “Kōma” is now available in the US! It’s featured in the Young Magazine North America Special Edition!!
I’ll update you soon on where you can get it, so stay tuned!
(Word is you might spot it at some huge comic cons…)
Is My Love Strange? (この恋は変ですか？)
Author: Hikari Azuma (我妻ひかり)
Social Media: Website
Previous Works:
- Ao to Zombie (あおとゾンビ)
Oneshot that won the 9th THE GATE Editorial Department Award in 2019 - Th-That’s it. (ただ、そんだけ。)
Oneshot that was a finalist in the 3rd Torch Manga Award in 2021 - Pako-chan (パコちゃん)
Serialized on Comic Ogyaaa!! from 2022 to 2024
Me and Bob Dylan (and My Father)
Author: Shuzo Oshimi (押見修造)
Social Media: Twitter (X), Instagram
Abbreviated List Previous Works:
- Avant-Garde Yumeko (アバンギャルド夢子)
Serialized in Bessatsu Young Magazine in 2003, which the volume includes his first oneshot Superfly (スーパーフライ) from 2001. Published in English by Kodansha. - Devil Ecstasy (デビルエクスタシー)
Serialization ran from 2005 through 2006 in Weekly Young Magazine. Published in English by Kodansha. - The Flowers of Evil (惡の華)
Serialization ran from 2009 through 2014 in Bessatsu Shonen Magazine. Published in English by Kodansha. - Inside Mari (ぼくは麻理のなか)
Serialized in Manga Action magazine from 2012 through 2016. Published in English by Denpa. - Blood on the Tracks (血の轍)
Serialized in Big Comic Superior from 2017 through 2023. Published in English by Kodansha. - Welcome Back, Alice (おかえりアリス)
Serialized in Bessatsu Shonen Magazine from 2020 through 2023. Published in English by Kodansha.
The Journey of a Dark Elf with Fading Powers (魔力枯れのダークエルフ)
Author: Daisuke Itabashi (板橋大祐)
Social Media: Twitter (X), Instagram
Previous Works:
- Miboujin Tozan (未亡人登山)
Serialized in Gekkan! Spirits in 2018 - Far East Chimera (極東キメラティカ)
Serialized in Tonari no Young Jump in 2023-2024
The Silent Forest (静の杜)
Author: Masaaki Nakayama (中山昌亮)
Social Media: Twitter (X), Instagram
Abbreviated list Previous Works:
- Office Hokkyokusei (オフィス北極星) (Artist)
Serialized in Weekly Morning from 1993 through 1998 - Police Station – Rashomon (PS -羅生門-)
Serialized in Big Comic Original from 2002 through 2005 - Fuan no Tane (不安の種)
Multiple serializations across Champion Red and Weekly Shonen Champion magazines starting in 2002 and is still ongoing - PTSD Radio (後遺症ラジオ)
Serialized in Nemesis magazine from 2010 though 2018. The series is available in English from Kodansha.
The Knight of Blasphemy (瀆神の騎士)
Author: Ray Kindo (金藤澪)
Social Media: Twitter (X), Tumblr, Note, Ko-fi
Previous Works:
- Eclipsed Oath: The Curse of the Maiden
Oneshot manga, Previously won August 2024 Newcomer Award for Weekly Shonen Sunday.
Has also been self-published in English
Author comments about the release:
Thank you so much for all the love for YOUNG MAGAZINE US! I’m honestly amazed by the passion you all have for Japanese manga. This is actually my debut work, so I guess that makes me a debuting manga artist in the US… How cool is that?
Thanks again for all your support!
KIKIKAIKAI (鬼鬼怪怪)
Author: Kyuri Yamada (山田胡瓜)
Social Media: Twitter (X)
Previous Works:
- Benkyo Rock (勉強ロック)
Oneshot that won the Afternoon Shiki Sho Award in 2012 - The Catcher in the Binary (バイナリ畑でつかまえて)
Serialized in ITmedia PC USER magazine in 2013 - The Gene of AI (AIの遺電子)
Originally serialized in Weekly Shonen Champion from 2015 through 2017 and had sequels in Bessatsu Shonen Champion from 2017 through 2024.
Still You
Author: Kami Nishio (西尾上)
No additional information is known about this author at this time.
Protocol Ryugu (プロトコル・リュウグウ)
Author: Daisaku Tsuru (都留泰作)
Social Media: Twitter (X)
Previous Works:
- Natchun (ナチュン)
Serialized in Monthly Afternoon from 2007 through 2010 - Mushinyun (ムシヌユン)
Serialized in Big Comic Superior from 2013 through 2018 - Dragon Girl Chronicles (竜女戦記)
An ongoing series started in 2020 that is released directly as volumes - Uichi Island (ういちの島)
Serialized in Kurage Bunch starting in 2023 and is on-going
The Graveyard Shift (夜勤)
Author: Yoshimi Sato (里好)
Social Media: Twitter (X), Pixiv
Abbreviated List of Previous Works:
- With Liz (うぃずりず)
Serialized in Manga Time Kirara from 2006 through 2011 - Transistor Tea Set ~Electric Street Map~ (トランジスタ・ティーセット〜電気街路図〜)
Serialized in Manga Time Kirara Forward from 2008 through 2011 - Crossing Time (踏切時間)
Serialized in Monthly Action from 2016 through 2021 - Makina-san’s a Love Bot?! (かくして!マキナさん!!)
Serialized in Monthly Action from 2022 through 2024. This series is being released in English by Seven Seas.
Pregnant (プレグナント)
Author: Denchi Matsumoto (松本電池)
Social Media: Twitter (X)
Previous Works:
- Tomabechi-kun Called a Delivery Health Service (苫米地くんはデリヘルを呼んだ)
Oneshot winning Young Magazine December 2019’s Monthly Encouragement Award and Top Award. Published in 2020. - Phantom Pain (幻肢痛)
Oneshot winning Young Magazine‘s Top WEBTOON Award. Published in 2021. - Scandal (スキャンダラ) (Author)
Serialized in Young Magazine from 2023 through 2024
Artist: Keita Nishijima (西嶋慶大)
Social Media: Twitter (X)
Previous Works:
- Kyuubi: Choujou Jiken Taisakuka (キュービ 超常事件対策課)
Serialized in Young Magazine Web from 2023 through 2024 - Ijime 0 no Gakkou (イジメ0の学校) (Artist)
Serialized in Young Magazine from 2024 through 2025
Project Metallia
Author: Yukito Iwai (岩井敬人)
Social Media: Twitter (X), Pixiv
Previous Works:
- Invaders Game (インベーダーゲーム)
Oneshot winning the 91st Chiba Tetsuya Award in the Young Division for the Promising Award. Published in 2025.
Godmother (ゴッドマザー)
Author: Rin Shimokawa (下川林)
Social Media: Twitter (X), Pixiv, Weibo
Previous Works:
- A collection of self-published short manga stories since 2021
- Rainbow (雨鎭)
An upcoming oneshot that will be published in Wings magazine on August 28th, 2025.
Fasciation (帯化)
Author: OUGA
Social Media: Twitter (X), Skeb
Previous Works:
- Inochi o Odoru. (命を踊る。)
Won the 2018 Niigata Manga Award and the 96th Tezuka Manga Award. Was published in the Jump SQ. Rise 2019 Spring issue. - Commissions for various Live2D Vtuber models
Into the Dark (闇へ)
Author: Anri Morikuma (守熊杏梨)
Social Media: Twitter (X)
Previous Works:
- Savior (救世主)
A two chapter full color oneshot submitted to Young Jump via Days Neo in 2021 and 2022 - The Two Braves (二人の勇者)
Oneshot submitted to Young Magazine Web in 2023 - Encounter (邂逅)
Oneshot submitted as part of a serialization competition for Young Magazine Web based on social media interactions in 2024
Under Ninja (アンダーニンジャ)
Author: Kengo Hanazawa (花沢健吾)
Social Media: Twitter (X), Instagram
Previous Works:
- Ressentiment (ルサンチマン)
Serialized in Big Comic Spirits from 2004 through 2005 - Boys on the Run (ボーイズ・オン・ザ・ラン)
Serialized in Big Comic Spirits from 2005 through 2008 - I Am a Hero (アイアムアヒーロー)
Serialized in Big Comic Spirits from 2009 through 2017. The entire series is available in English from Dark Horse. - Just Twilight (たかが黄昏れ)
Was serialized in Big Comic Superior since 2018, but only 1 volume has been published so far - Under Ninja (アンダーニンジャ)
Currently serialized in Weekly Young Magazine since 2018. The series is currently being published by Denpa in English.
Subaru and Subaru (昴と彗星)
Author: Shuichi Shigeno (しげの秀一)
Social Media: None
Abbreviated List of Previous Works:
- Bari Bari Densetsu (バリバリ伝説)
Serialized in Weekly Shonen Magazine from 1983 through 1991 - DO-P-KAN
Serialized in Weekly Young Magazine from 1993 through 1995 - Initial D (頭文字D)
Serialized in Weekly Young Magazine from 1995 through 2013. The series is available in English from Kodansha. - Sailor Ace (セーラーエース)
Serialized in Weekly Young Magazine from 2015 through 2017 - MF Ghost (MFゴースト)
Serialized in Weekly Young Magazine from 2017 through 2025. The series is available in English from Kodansha. - Subaru and Subaru (昴と彗星)
Ongoing serialization in Weekly Young Magazine starting in 2025
