AX 2025: Kodansha unveils massive Spring 2026 manga lineup at Anime Expo

At this year’s Anime Expo, Kodansha made waves by revealing its highly anticipated Spring 2026 manga slate. From long-awaited anniversary editions to exciting new debuts, the publisher’s upcoming lineup delivers a powerful mix of fan favorites, innovative storytelling, and collector-worthy editions.

Headlining the announcements are brand-new manga adaptations and original titles, including Omori, a haunting yet heartfelt journey based on the cult-favorite video game, Wicked Spot, a whimsical yuri tale of a witch-turned-social media influencer, and Kirio Fan Club, an irreverent romcom that promises laughs and love triangles galore.

Kodansha also thrilled longtime fans by resurrecting beloved classics. Shugo Chara! celebrates its 20th anniversary with a refreshed edition complete with new covers and updated translations, while Fuyumi Soryo’s deeply emotional shojo drama MARS returns in a deluxe hardcover 30th Anniversary Edition. Perhaps the crown jewel of the announcement is The Ghost in the Shell Legacy Edition Manga Box Set, which brings together the entire uncensored trilogy in a definitive collection packed with exclusive art, posters, and collector’s items.

Spring 2026 Highlights

Anniversary Editions & Collector’s Sets

• Shugo Chara! 20th Anniversary Edition by PEACH-PIT: Revisits the magical girl classic with new packaging and bonus material.

• MARS 30th Anniversary Edition by Fuyumi Soryo: The emotionally charged shojo staple returns in 2-in-1 hardcovers featuring all-new art and translation.

• The Ghost in the Shell Legacy Edition by Shirow Masamune: A must-have box set including all three major series entries, rare posters, and stickers, all in restored, uncensored form.

Major New Series Debuts

• Omori by OMOCAT and Nui Konoito: A surreal psychological adventure following Sunny and his alter ego as they confront trauma and loss.

• Wicked Spot by Sal Jiang: A spellcasting sorceress goes viral—and sparks a magical clash with a mysterious fan.

• Fruit of the Underworld by Aya Kanno: A chilling twist on Greek mythology where a cursed boy dives into the literal underworld to save a friend.

• GALAXIAS by Ao Hatesaka: A shonen fantasy brimming with whimsy and action, tailor-made for fans of One Piece and Fairy Tail.

Romantic Comedies & Slice of Life

• Kirio Fan Club by Chikyuu no Sakana Ponchan: Two girls battle for the attention of a boy with flatulence strong enough to spark devotion.

• Hitting Rewind With You by Hanamaru Kira: Two college students relive high school romance in this light-hearted age-gap tale.

• Perfectly Fine on My Own, So My Fiancé Can Twist in the Wind by Jun Hareta & Yahiro Arase: A defiant noblewoman discovers freedom—and possibly love—after rejecting her inattentive fiancé.

Yuri & BL Standouts

• Marrying the Dark Knight (For Her Money) by Sometime Suoh: A comedic enemies-to-lovers yuri tale set in a monster-ridden world.

• Voices in the Sea Foam by Kotaro: A haunting BL romance where a boy rediscovers a tragic past life as the Little Mermaid.

• Blue Summer Haze by Dondon: A steamy baseball love triangle between two catchers and their ace pitcher.

• Smells Like Green Spirit by Saburo Nagai: A powerful coming-of-age story tackling queerness, bullying, and unexpected companionship in a rural town.

Print editions will roll out in Spring 2026 through major retailers like Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, and Amazon, while digital versions will be available simultaneously through platforms such as Bookwalker, Kindle, Apple Books, Google Play, and more. Fans can also purchase directly through Kodansha’s official website, kodansha.us.

Source: Kodansha