North American manga publisher Manga Mavericks LLC announced during its New York Comic Con 2025 panel that it licensed the classic 1980s fantasy adventure series Sinbad by Atsuji Yamamoto (Elf 17, Saber Cats, Ultimate Teacher) and indie manga Horon of the Closed Country by Sen. Both titles will be added to the publisher’s print and digital catalog in 2026.
Horon of the Closed Country
The first volume of Horon of the Closed Country is scheduled for digital release in early Winter 2026 and in print in Summer 2026. The Japanese language version of the indie manga series is four volumes, each of which will eventually be released by Manga Mavericks Books in the A5 (5.83″ x 8.27″) size.
“Horon of the Closed Country came from my desire to draw the kind of fantasy story that I would have loved to read as a child,” Sen shared with NYCC attendees. “It’s an incredible feeling to know that an English version is coming and that people worldwide will be able to read it! It’s as if the world is expanding right before my eyes! I can’t wait to see the story that I dedicated to myself as a child gain a new life and new readers through the translation! I hope everyone enjoys it!”
Courtesy of Manga MavericksLearn more about the series below:
Horon of the Closed Country, Volume 1 by Sen ∙ Print SRP: $14.99 / Digital SRP: $6.99 ∙ 148 pages ∙ ISBN: 9781968054298 ∙ For Readers 13+ ∙ Available Early Winter 2026 (Digital), Summer 2026 (Print)
What the Forest Deity takes will never return.
A forest deity hides and protects an ancient land from foreign enemies, but in order to do so, sacrifices must be made. In recent times, the forest deity has been encroaching more on humankind, with only people with special powers, diviners, able to drive them back. One child has the power of these diviners, but their memory has been stolen from them, leaving only the aforementioned warning. An unlikely trio, each of whom has lost something dear to them, find themselves journeying to unravel the secrets of the forest deity. Little do they know that what they have lost, the frequent appearance of the deity, and the need for sacrifices are all connected…
Vol. 1 Print Pre-order:
https://store.mangamavericks.com/products/horon-of-the-closed-country-volume-1
Vol. 1 Digital Pre-order:
https://store.mangamavericks.com/products/horon-of-the-closed-country-volume-1-digital
Sinbad
Meanwhile, Sinbad is scheduled for release in Summer 2026 in both print and digital. Melding classic shonen storytelling and art with a tale as old as time, Sinbad was originally published in Japan in 1989 and eventually collected into four volumes. Each of the volumes will be released by Manga Mavericks in the A5 (5.83″ x 8.27″) size.
“To have an English version of my manga Sinbad announced at New York Comic Con is a huge honor. Sinbad takes place within the Arabian Nightsstoryline that I’m sure everyone is familiar with,” Yamamoto shared with NYCC attendees. “In Arabian Nights, there’s a tale of Aladdin and the Magic Lamp, and Aladdin is Chinese. Though this isn’t the case in the movies, haha.”
He continued, “This manga is the result of me wondering what would happen if the character Sinbad were actually Asian as well. I read a Japanese translation of the Arabian Nights for research purposes, but in the end, the story and characters in the story became my own original concepts, wholly different from the original. I truly hope that everyone will enjoy this story, and I wish for nothing but the best for all of you. Thank you.”
Courtesy of Manga MavericksLearn more about the series below:
Sinbad, Volume 1, by Atsuji Yamamoto ∙ Print SRP: $14.99 / Digital SRP: $6.99 ∙ 222 pages ∙ ISBN: 9781968054304 ∙ For Readers 13+ ∙ Available Summer 2026 (Digital and Print)
Chart a course for adventure with Sinbad!
Sinbad is a young man with bravery, agility, and a strong sense of justice. Despite this, his looks not only make it impossible for him to get a date, but also cause him to stand out from his fellow villagers and even his family. He’s long known that he’s different from everyone else, but it’s only after he helps a girl recover her lost crystal ball that he gets a peek into his past and learns his feelings are true. To get the whole picture of his past, he’ll need to set out on a life-changing journey, where foes and danger await. Join in this legendary time-spanning adventure crafted by storied manga creator Atsuji Yamamoto.
Vol. 1 Print Pre-order:
https://store.mangamavericks.com/products/sinbad-volume-1
Vol. 1 Digital Pre-order:
https://store.mangamavericks.com/products/sinbad-volume-1-digital
Source: Press Release
Stay tuned to The Beat for more coverage from NYCC ’25.
English (US) · 