Nominees for the 2025 American Manga Awards
The 29 manga nominated for the 2025 American Manga Awards were selected by judges who are experts in their respective fields. Eligible professionals registered to vote in the American Manga Awards are encouraged to click the covers and titles below to see comments from the judges about each manga, along with preview pages and photos as they fill out their ballots.
Winners were announced at the American Manga Awards ceremony on August 21, 2025 at the Japan Society in New York City.
Here are the nominees for the second annual American Manga Awards:
BEST NEW MANGA
- Dragon and Chameleon, vol. 1
- The Guy She Was Interested In Wasn’t a Guy at All, vol. 1
- Hikaru in the Light!, vol. 1
- Spacewalking With You, vol. 1
- A Witch’s Life in Mongol, vol. 1
BEST CONTINUING MANGA SERIES
- The Apothecary Diaries (Manga), vol. 12 – 13
- Hirayasumi, vol. 3 – 5
- Innocent, Omnibus Edition, vol. 3
- Search and Destroy, vol. 2
- The Summer Hikaru Died, vol. 5
BEST ONE-SHOT MANGA
- Brain Damage
- H.P. Lovecraft’s The Colour Out of Space
- A Smart and Courageous Child
- Stardust Family
- Tamaki & Amane
BEST NEW EDITION OF CLASSIC MANGA
- Ashita no Joe: Fighting for Tomorrow, vol. 1 – 2
- The Legend of Kamui, vol. 1
- Mansect
- Short Game
- They Were 11!
BEST TRANSLATION
- Ryan Holmberg – Face Meat
- minami – The Otaku Love Connection, vol. 1
- Ben Applegate – Search and Destroy, vol. 2
- Andreas Kronberg Danielsen – The Tale of Jiraiya the Gallant, vol. 1
- Ajani Oloye – Ultra Heaven, vol. 1
BEST LETTERING
- Evan Hayden – Ashita no Joe: Fighting for Tomorrow, vol. 1 – 2
- Rebecca Sze – Cat Man
- Robert Harkins – Love Laid Bare
- Joven Voon – My Tiny Senpai, vol. 1
- Phil Christie – Search and Destroy, vol. 2
BEST PUBLICATION DESIGN
- Adam Grano – JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure – Part 7: Steel Ball Run, vol. 1
- Lucia Gargiulo & Tom Devlin – The Legend of Kamui, vol. 1
- Riley VanDyke & Carl Gustav Horn – Planetes Deluxe Edition, Book 1
- emuh ruh – Seaside Beta
- Kohei Nawata Design Office – Veil, vol. 1 – Temperature of Orange
NOMINEES BY CATEGORY
NOMINEES BY TITLE
Our manga judges for 2025 (Shige CJ Suzuki, Ashley Hawkins, Katy Castillo, Lynzee Loveridge, and Varun Gupta) were tasked with choosing five nominees for four categories, including a new category this year, Best One-Shot Manga for single volume stories or short story collections. By clicking on each title’s cover, you’ll find the judges commentary, as well as sample pages from each work.
BEST NEW MANGA
Dragon and Chameleon, Volume 1
Ryo Ishiyama
Editor: Edward Hong
Translator: Kevin Yuan
Letterer: Phil Christie
Cover Designer: Phil Balsman
Square Enix Manga & Books
© Ryo Ishiyama/SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD.
Judge’s Comments
“As an educator, I have increasingly encountered young people who love manga and are interested in the process of creating it. Dragon and Chameleon manages to lift the veil on the process in an outstandingly entertaining way. Taking the body-swap trope and utilizing it to break through to what makes manga truly great, Ryo Ishiyama manages to create a thrilling narrative. With precise illustrations and a pace that keeps the reader anxiously awaiting each turn of the page, this manga is a fantastic representation of manga.”
– Ashley Hawkins
“What happens when a renowned mangaka accidentally switches bodies with his jealousy-driven assistant? A new shonen series for fans to rave about. Dragon and Chameleon is a body-swapping shonen series that masterfully sets up the power dynamics between two of its main characters. Ryo Ishiyama’s bold art style is so highly expressive that you can’t resist staying on the pages longer to admire. Each panel encapsulates the utmost care and attention to every detail. It would be no surprise if this becomes a fan favorite in the shonen manga community.”
– Katy Castillo
Square Enix Manga & Books
The Guy She Was Interested In Wasn't a Guy at All, Volume 1
Sumiko Arai
Editors: Shalini Arimilli, Carl Li
Translator: Ajani Oloye
Lettering: Brandon Bovia
Yen Press
KINI NATTERU HITO GA OTOKO JA NAKATTA © Sumiko Arai 2023 / KADOKAWA CORPORATION
Judge’s Comments
“A charming and character-driven story of young sapphic love with a distinct signature aesthetic. Sumiko Arai should be applauded for knocking it out of the park in capturing the essence of the awkward, palm-sweating anxiety of young love. Fans everywhere have fallen in love with this charming, well-recognized series and they have a good reason to with its stunning, eye-catching lettering & highly saturated, monochromatic green and black art style. The cherry on top of it all is the usage of classic rock music references. Aya and Miyuki are incredibly relatable, expressive, and well-rounded characters whose story you find yourself completely invested in and loudly rooting for.
– Katy Castillo
“There are plenty of manga depicting young love, but The Guy She Was Interested In Wasn’t a Guy at All excels at depicting the sheer awkwardness, anxiety, and elation that comes from a truly heart-stopping crush… and all of the confusion that can come along with it. Sumiko Arai uses incredibly stylish illustration and a distinctive green hue to capture the teenage experiences of crushes, missteps, friendship, gender identity, and so much more, while also delving into the rock scene.”
– Ashley Hawkins
Yen Press
Hikaru in the Light! Volume 1
Mai Matsuda
Editor: Emily Clement
Scholastic Graphix
© 2021 by Mai Matsuda, Translation © 2022 by Azuki
Judge’s Comments
“Heartwarming, inspiring idol-centric story of friendship, overcoming challenges, and believing in one’s self . This charming, feel-good series is perfect for all ages and recommended for fans of K-On and LoveLive! An uplifting story of a young girl who dreams to one day become an idol with her best friend. Mai Matsuda’s art style and storytelling brings life to the characters, and in full color, each page is a stunning art piece.”
– Katy Castillo
“With the author’s skillful storytelling techniques, this manga effortlessly draws readers into the protagonist’s dream of becoming a teen idol. It’s a compelling and heartfelt read for young readers—and for those who once were teens chasing dreams—even in the face of adversity.”
– Shige (CJ) Suzuki
Scholastic Graphix
Spacewalking With You, Volume 1
Inuhiko Doronoda
Editor: Andres Oliver
KODANSHA
Spacewalking With You © Doronoda Inuhiko / KODANSHA LTD.
Judge’s Comments
“A brilliant, heartwarming, tear-jerking story of an unexpected friendship & accepting yourself. ‘Sometimes people just need a little something extra so they can live like everyone else.’ This beautiful series is one of the more accurate & well-handled depictions of folks on the neurodivergence and autism spectrum. Inuhiko Doronoda managed to capture a budding friendship between two students as they learn to accept themselves and to cherish their new found friendship.”
– Katy Castillo
“This award-winning manga by a promising mangaka raises questions about what it means to be ‘normal’ through the story of two unlikely friends—an ‘unconventional’ transfer student who struggles to fit in and a rebellious youth grappling with his own challenges. Their genuine friendship underscores the importance of empathy and mutual support in facing personal struggles and embracing neurodiversity.”
– Shige (CJ) Suzuki
Kodansha
A Witch’s Life in Mongol, Volume 1
Tomato Soup
Editors: Rory Nevins, Danielle Niederkorn
Translator: Amanda Haley
Lettering: Aila Nagamine
YEN PRESS
© Tomato Soup (AKITASHOTEN) 2022
Judge’s Comments
“Manga creator Tomato Soup opens up the historic world of 13th century Iran and Mongolia with enthralling detail. Sitara (later, Fatima) navigates slavery and violence as she’s presented to the soon-to-be empress of the Mongolian empire. A stunning first volume as she starts her journey to become one of history’s most influential female figures.”
– Lynzee Loveridge
“Tomato Soup’s unique art style and premise have made A Witch’s Life in Mongol truly stand out. Fatima’s struggles in the face of the Mongolian Empire are a gripping yet tragic read, making this a new manga that should not be ignored.”
– Varun Gupta
Yen Press
BEST CONTINUING MANGA SERIES
The Apothecary Diaries (Manga), Volumes 12 - 13
Story by: Natsu Hyuuga
Art by: Nekokurage
Compiled by: Itsuki Nanao
Editor: Tania Biswas
Translator: Julie Goniwich
Letterer: Lys Blakeslee
Cover Designer: Andrea Miller
Square Enix Manga & Books
© 2024 Hyuganatsu/Imagica Infos Co.,Ltd. © 2024 Nekokurage/SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD. © 2024 Itsuki Nanao/SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD.
Judge’s Comments
“A suspenseful, page-turning, and wildly entertaining series with a strong female lead. Natsu Hyuuga made such a captivating story with layers of depth that takes hold of the reader’s attention and doesn’t let go. This must-read & well-loved series is highly entertaining with a balance of humorous moments and suspenseful mystery. It features a headstrong, intelligent young woman that draws the reader in and catapults them into a world of fictional ancient China.
– Katy Castillo
“This manga continues to be an addictive read that carefully blends its elements of drama, mystery, and suspense to a level that few series can equally match. Nekokurage’s beautiful artwork captures the feel of Natsu Hyuuga’s original novels, while also conveying the narrative in a way that best fits the manga format.”
– Varun Gupta
Hirayasumi, Volumes 3 - 5
Keigo Shinzo
Translation: Jan Mitsuko Cash
Lettering: Elena Diaz
Editor: Holly Fisher
VIZ Media
© 2025 Keigo SHINZO/SHOGAKUKAN
Judge’s Comments
“Hirayasumi is one of the best slice-of-life manga on the market right now, with a fantastic illustration style and writing that is breezy and effortless to read. There is an intense relatability in the lives of cousins Hiroto and Natsumi, as well as the various friends and acquaintances who orbit around them. Each volume gives the sensation of catching up with friends, making for a welcome continuation.”
– Ashley Hawkins
“No giant monsters, aliens, or robots appear in this manga. Instead, it quietly follows the everyday life of a 29-year-old part-timer living with his 18-year-old cousin in a small inherited house in the Tokyo suburbs. The series continues to gently reveal the beauty of ordinary life and the personal struggles of those around them, highlighting the small moments that quietly enrich daily existence. It is a tender, contemplative read for anyone feeling a little lost in their own lives.”
– Shige (CJ) Suzuki
Innocent, Omnibus Edition, Volume 3
Shin’ichi Sakamoto
Translator: Michael Gombos
Editor: Judy Khuu
Dark Horse
© 2013 by Shin-ichi Sakamoto. All rights reserved. First published in 2013 by SHUEISHA Inc., Tokyo. English translation rights arranged by SHUEISHA Inc. through Tuttle-Mori Agency, Inc., Tokyo.
Judge’s Comments
“Innocent is a masterwork of historical fiction manga centering primarily around the life of Charles-Henri Sanson, the terrifyingly prolific executioner of eighteenth-century France. As with many works by Shin’ichi Sakamoto, this manga is a fever dream of history, horror, eroticism, and brutality. This manga is not for the faint of heart, but it absolutely delivers as a building crescendo to a revolution.”
– Ashley Hawkins
“Shin’ichi Sakamoto is a one-of-a-kind talent, blending 18th century French politics, death, and arousal into a single historical series. Nothing else looks like Innocent, and anyone with a passing interest in the French Revolution should pick up a copy immediately.”
– Lynzee Loveridge
Search and Destroy, Volume 2
Atsushi Kaneko, based on Dororo by Osamu Tezuka
Editor: Christopher Woodrow-Butcher
Fantagraphics / MSX
SEARCH AND DESTROY is © 2019 by Tezuka Productions & © 2019 Kaneko Atsushi. All rights reserved. Produced by MICRO MAGAZINE. English translation rights arranged with Tezuka Productions.
Judge’s Comments
“Atsushi Kaneko’s Search and Destroy is a science fiction thriller with startling prescience in its exacting commentary on class, autonomy, and humanity. Hyaku’s journey to literally reclaim herself from those who have taken every piece of her is an invigorating act of defiant independence. Kaneko’s stark and arresting art style is a luxury to the eyes, sharply defining the tale being told. This manga is one that readers will want to read to the conclusion.”
– Ashley Hawkins
“Atsushi Kaneko has crafted a breathtaking manga that reimagines the classic story of Osamu Tezuka’s Dororo through the lens of a dystopian future thriller. The manga pays deep respect to its origins, while also having its own identity that is accessible to new readers.”
– Varun Gupta
The Summer Hikaru Died, vol. 5
Mokumokuren
Editors: Abigail Blackman, Jacquelyn Li
Translator: Ajani Oloye
Lettering: Abigail Blackman
Yen Press
HIKARU GA SHINDA NATSU © Mokumokuren 2024 / KADOKAWA CORPORATION
Judge’s Comments
“In each volume of The Summer Hikaru Died, the lore of the town deepens and the suspense tightens. It’s an incredible accomplishment to keep a horror series on such a tightrope, and to keep emotions running as deep as they are as this story progresses. Mokumokuren’s art remains terrifyingly compelling, with an ethereally eerie style that only serves to deepen the tale. This manga is truly one that readers cannot help coming back to.”
– Ashley Hawkins
“The series has moved past its initial treatise on grief to the larger world of its rural setting, injecting fear of the other in its wake. Mokumokuren has crafted a lore-rich world of horror that will stick with you long after the last page.”
– Lynzee Loveridge
BEST ONE-SHOT MANGA
Brain Damage
Shintaro Kago
Editor: Conrad Groth
Fantagraphics
Brain Damage © Shintaro Kago, 2017. All rights reserved. Original Japanese edition published by Wani Books Co., Ltd., in 2017. © Fantagraphics, 2025 for the English language edition.
Judge’s Comments
“Shintaro Kago continues to prove why his name is synonymous with eroguro art. This volume is not for the faint-of-heart, but those looking for grindhouse gore will find it delicious.”
– Lynzee Loveridge
“Shintaro Kago’s manga are usually a visually stunning yet chilling experience, and Brain Damage is no exception. This collection will be unforgettable for even veteran readers of gore.”
– Varun Gupta
H.P. Lovecraft’s The Colour Out of Space
Gou Tanabe
Translator: Zack Davisson
Editor: Carl Gustav Horn
Dark Horse
ISEKAI NO SHIKISAI LOVECRAFT KESSAKUSHU ©Tanabe Gou 2015. First published in Japan in 2015 by KADOKAWA CORPORATION, Tokyo. English translation rights arranged with KADOKAWA CORPORATION, Tokyo through TOHAN CORPORATION, Tokyo.
Judge’s Comments
“Gou Tanabe improves on Lovecraft’s source material in this adaptation of The Colour Out of Space, with his tight and cinematic illustration style serving to build into a crescendo of dread. Tanabe’s mastery of expression and his encapsulation of the encroachment of terror into the mundane, as a simple farm into a scene of cosmic horror. This is an accomplishment in adaptation, well worth noting.
– Ashley Hawkins
“The Colour Out of Space is a harrowing story unlike any other. Gou Tanabe draws rural Massachusetts’ downfall into a cursed pestilence with horrible, beautiful detail. I couldn’t look away from the Gardners’ plight, even as the body count continued to rise. Tanabe’s best work since he began adapting Lovecraft’s oeuvre.
– Lynzee Loveridge
A Smart and Courageous Child
Miki Yamamoto
Editor: Becca Grace, Lena Atanassova
TOKYOPOP
KASHIKOKUTE YUUKI ARU KODOMO © 2020 by MIKI YAMAMOTO / LEED Publishing Co., Ltd.
Judge’s Comments
“A Smart and Courageous Child tapped into the very real anxieties of motherhood, from raising a child to be “the best” to the harsh realities of bringing up a girl in a world that devalues and commits violence against them. As a mother of two, I had not encountered a book that so accurately reflected my own experiences back to me, especially the struggle of wanting to provide a loving world to a life that will inevitably experience hardships due to my choice to create it.”
– Lynzee Loveridge
“A Smart and Courageous Child stood out almost immediately because of its prescience and relatability. As the parent protagonists of this manga work through their anxieties, both regarding providing the best for their child and the dangers of a world that can cause so much harm, the reader cannot help but empathize and connect with them. Miki Yamamoto’s soft illustration style captures the delicacy of the moment as well as the tender anxiety that is ever-present in our world. This manga is an excellent representation of manga as a transcendently empathic experience and is a work that has the potential to be utilized in restorative contexts.”
– Ashley Hawkins
Stardust Family
Aki Poroyama
Editor: Mark Gallucci
Translator: David Quina
Lettering: Rachel J. Pierce
Yen Press
HOSHIKUZU KAZOKU ©Aki Poroyama 2023 / KADOKAWA CORPORATION
Judge’s Comments
“A heartbreaking, bittersweet story that captivates you from the get go. A character-driven sci-fi story taking place in a world where couples need a license to have children that leaves you celebrating and grieving with the characters. Aki Horoyama created an emotional whirlwind inside a thought-provoking environment that captivates and truly sticks with you long after the story ends.”
– Katy Castillo
“What truly makes someone fit to be a parent? Aki Horoyama takes the age-old argument that individuals should need license to raise a child to its extreme through the eyes of Hikari, a child and inspector empowered by the government. Stardust Family makes us confront the power parents have over their children and in turn what role the government could play in regulating family and society at large. Thought-provoking, emotional, and feels deeply personal.”
– Lynzee Loveridge
Tamaki & Amane
Fumi Yoshinaga
Editors: Anna McClain-Sims, JuYoun Lee
Translator: Taylor Engel
Lettering: Adnazeer Mcalangcom
Yen Press
TAMAKI TO AMANE © 2023 by Fumi Yoshinaga/SHUEISHA Inc.
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- Screenshot
Judge’s Comments
“A beautiful, heart aching, and profound series of short stories that tie up in a satisfying bow. Fumi Yoshinaga has written a beautiful masterpiece of star-crossed lovers and their stories. Each tale, while short, manages to pull you in and sweep you away until you find yourself cheering and crying with the characters as you watch their stories unfold.”
– Katy Castillo
“Widely celebrated manga creator Fumi Yoshinaga weaves multiple stories featuring two titular characters reincarnated as different individuals across various historical periods. The manga explores diverse forms of love, family, friendship, and more, gently unveiling the characters’ complex emotions, desires, and regrets through nuanced, careful storytelling—leading readers to a profound realization by the end.”
– Shige (CJ) Suzuki
BEST NEW EDITION OF CLASSIC MANGA
Ashita no Joe: Fighting for Tomorrow, vol. 1 – 2
Asao Takamori, Tetsuya Chiba
Editor: Daniel Joseph
Kodansha
Ashita no Joe: Fighting for Tomorrow © Asao Takamori / Tetsuya Chiba / KODANSHA LTD.
Judge’s Comments
“Ashita no Joe: Fighting for Tomorrow has cemented itself as one of the most important shonen sports manga in history for a reason. The manga’s compelling underdog story and the iconic rivalry between Joe Yabuki and Toru Rikiishi make this a must-read series and deserving of its title as a classic.”
– Varun Gupta
“When originally serialized in the late 1960s, this sports manga captivated not only young readers but also university students, working adults, intellectuals, and artists across diverse fields. It became a social phenomenon, demonstrating manga’s profound influence beyond the confines of Japan’s traditional manga community—a welcome addition to the must-read list for any devoted manga fans.”
– Shige (CJ) Suzuki
The Legend of Kamui, Vol.1
Sanpei Shirato
Editor: Tom Devlin
Drawn & Quarterly
KAMUI-DEN Act One © Shirato Sanpei/Okamoto Tetsuji 1964. English translation rights arranged with Haruko Okamoto and Kiyoko Okamoto through Japan UNI Agency, Inc., Tokyo. Translation copyright © 2025 Richard Rubinger and Noriko Rubinger. Additional translation copyright ©2025 Alexa Frank. Lettering © 2025 Michael DeForge.
Judge’s Comments
“A timeless classic that continues to deserve honor and recognition. 60 years after its first publication, this thought-provoking, influential classic manga is finally available in English for the first time. Shirato Sanpei, through drawing and writing, weaves a harsh & realistic story that leaves you pondering long after you finish reading.”
– Katy Castillo
“This epic gekiga, long overdue for English publication, has finally arrived. Acclaimed as one of the most significant works in manga history, it is essential reading for dedicated fans, educators, and scholars alike.”
– Shige (CJ) Suzuki
Mansect
Koga Shinichi
Editor: Ryan Holmberg
Living the Line / Smudge
© 1974 Koga Shinichi English edition © 2025 Smudge
Judge’s Comments
“Shinichi Koga’s masterfully grotesque imagery makes this manga both a chilling and engrossing read. Lovers of vintage horror will have a tough time putting this down.”
– Varun Gupta
“Like a B-horror movie come to life, Koga doesn’t shy away from the grotesque transformation of his insect-enthused protagonist. Wildly entertaining, unique, and Ryan Holmberg’s translation injects campy humor into this page-turner.”
– Lynzee Loveridge
Short Game
Mitsuru Adachi
Denpa Books
© 2024 Mitsuru Adachi
Judge’s Comments
“This manga is a prime example of creating engaging character writing while using sports as an overarching theme. Mitsuru Adachi is no stranger to creating incredible sports manga, and Short Game is yet another showcase of his amazing talents that should be celebrated.”
– Varun Gupta
“A gift from a true artist of short stories, Adachi’s pen captures the unspoken emotional landscapes of characters. Make no mistake—this is far more than just a baseball manga.”
– Shige (CJ) Suzuki
They Were 11!
Denpa Books
© 2019 Moto Hagio
Judge’s Comments
“Eisner Hall of Fame manga creator Moto Hagio’s pivotal sci-fi series combines the anxiety of the ‘other’ with the need for acceptance and camaraderie. It is unabashedly queer, highlighting gender fluidity and self-determination that remains pertinent to this day.”
– Lynzee Loveridge
“Moto Hagio’s sci-fi classic They Were 11! has seen multiple adaptations in Japan, and it is truly exciting to see the entirety of this space epic available in a new edition. This thriller is set in a spaceship full of space academy hopefuls working against extreme odds while attempting to figure out who among them doesn’t belong is an exciting read. Hagio’s distinctive illustration style is gorgeous and flowing.”
– Ashley Hawkins
BEST TRANSLATION
Returning for their second year as Best Translation judges, translators and authors Hiroko Yoda and Matt Alt paid close attention to works that tackled “the most difficult aspects of translation,” including honorifics, regional accents and “concepts that don’t have simple equivalents in English.” They also looked at how translators handled sound effects, humor/puns and song lyrics or poetry, which require special attention in manga translation. By clicking on each title’s cover, you’ll find the judges commentary, as well as sample pages from each work.
Face Meat
for Face Meat by Bonten Taro
Editor: Ryan Holmberg
Living the Line / Smudge
© 2024 Bonten Taro Office English edition © 2025 Smudge
Judge’s Comments
“We were impressed with how well the translator adapted their English to the wildly varying styles of short stories included in this volume. A deft localization.”
– Matt Alt and Hiroko Yoda
Face Meat
The Otaku Love Connection, Volume 1
minami
for The Otaku Love Connection, Volume 1 by Chu Amairo
Editor: Sarah Tangney
Letterer: Brandon Bovia, Dietrich Premier
Cover Designer: Yang Kim
Square Enix Manga & Books
© Chu Amairo/SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD.
Judge’s Comments
“This looks simple on the surface, but in fact is very challenging content, because it is chock full of otaku/stan jargon from page one. The translation is deft, accurate, and — equally if not more important! — as funny as the Japanese original. That is really key for a title like this, and deserves special consideration from the final judges. The translator did an amazing job capturing both the characters and the jokes they were making.”
– Matt Alt and Hiroko Yoda
The Otaku Love Connection, vol. 1
Search and Destroy, vol. 2
Ben Applegate
for Search & Destroy, Volume 2 by Atsushi Kaneko
based on Dororo by Osamu Tezuka
Editor: Christopher Woodrow-Butcher
Fantagraphics / MSX
SEARCH AND DESTROY is © 2019 by Tezuka Productions & © 2019 Kaneko Atsushi. All rights reserved. Produced by MICRO MAGAZINE. English translation rights arranged with Tezuka Productions.
Judge’s Comments
“An excellent translation that did a good job of capturing the atmosphere, the characters, and also the sound effects — a really tricky thing for localizations. The content itself, however, is pretty straightforward, without much jargon or anything like jokes or poetry, and should be judged with that in mind as well.”
– Matt Alt and Hiroko Yoda
Search and Destroy, vol. 2
The Tale of Jiraiya the Gallant, vol. 1
Andreas Kronborg Danielsen
for The Tale of Jiraiya the Gallant, Volume 1
by Mizugaki Egao, Eisen Keitai (Ippitsuan), Ryūkatei Tanekazu, and Ryōsuitei Tanekiyo
Editor: Josh Smyser
Blue Feathered Quill Publishing
Copyright ©2025 Andreas Kronborg Danielsen
Judge’s Comments
“Hats off to the translator for tackling this incredibly challenging work, which is written in Edo-era Japanese. And being of the era, there isn’t much contextual help from the illustrations; things like sound effects and panels had yet to be invented when this came out in the 19th century. The world needs to see more of this sort of work translated. However, the English could have stood to have been edited more closely, as the language is often stilted, and some opportunities for more poetic expressions missed. Still, an A for effort, and we can’t understate how important it is for historical material like this to be localized. Naruto would literally not exist without the groundwork laid by the 19th century Tale of Jiraiya.”
– Matt Alt and Hiroko Yoda
The Tale of Jiraiya the Gallant, vol. 1
Ultra Heaven, vol. 1
Ajani Oloye
for Ultra Heaven, vol. 1
by: Keiichi Koike
Editor: Colin Turner
Last Gasp
ULTRA HEAVEN Volume 1 © Keiichi Koike 2002. First published in Japan in 2002 by KADOKAWA CORPORATION, Tokyo. English translation rights arranged with KADOKAWA CORPORATION, Tokyo through TUTTLE-MORI AGENCY, INC., Tokyo. English Translation © Last Gasp 2024
Judge’s Comments
“A nimble translation that perfectly captures the dystopian psychedelia of this classic title. If we had any criticism, it was that the sound effects left something to be desired. They were often descriptive rather than onomatopoeic (“shut” for the sound of a door slamming, for instance). Were it not for that it might have been our top pick.”
– Matt Alt and Hiroko Yoda
Ultra Heaven, vol. 1
BEST LETTERING
This year, the tough job of selecting the five nominees for the Best Lettering category was taken on by Aditya Bidikar and Ariana Maher, two award-winning comics lettering professionals, who have done work for US comics publishers including Marvel, DC, Image Comics and Dark Horse. In their judges’ statements, Bidikar and Maher both mentioned that they looked for work that incorporated typesetting, retouching and hand-drawn lettering, while “navigating the constraints laid out by the panels and dialogue, while keeping the reader immersed.” Here are their picks for Best Lettering:
Ashita no Joe: Fighting for Tomorrow (Volumes 1-2)
Evan Hayden
for Ashita No Joe: Fighting for Tomorrow, Volumes 1-2 by Asao Takamori & Tetsuya Chiba
Editor: Daniel Joseph
Kodansha
Ashita no Joe: Fighting for Tomorrow © Asao Takamori / Tetsuya Chiba / KODANSHA LTD.
Judge’s Comments
“How does one adapt a classic manga from Japanese into English without diminishing the depth of creativity and the expressiveness of the sound effects? Does one erase and replace them with English, reshaping a classic? Should the Japanese text be retained with small translations crammed into the corners? This book tackled this particular problem the best way I’ve ever seen: by retaining the original sound effects and adding the English in a stylized way that makes it a natural addition to the work and yet not adding clutter to the panels. Instead of a small note, the English sound effects are impactful without taking away the energy of the original text. The effects within the dialogue were also fantastic, retaining the expressiveness of the original.”
– Ariana Maher
“Most modern manga translations go the path of erasing the original sound effects and replacing them with English ones. This book makes the decision not to, which might seem lazy at first glance, but which makes sense both in terms of trying to communicate the experience of reading a classic of the genre by not changing too much about it, but also in terms of translating a long work that will require a solution that can sustain for thousands of pages. But the lettering here goes further – making judicious use of space and replicating the feel of the original effects in the English. Combined with the deft balloon work, the result feels like standing in front of a cathedral in the company of a guide who means to wring every feeling of awe out of you.”
– Aditya Bidikar
Ashita no Joe: Fighting for Tomorrow, vols. 1-2
Cat Man
Rebecca Sze
for Cat Man by Parari
Editor: MK Anderson
Translation: Nicole Frasik
Production Designer: George Panella
Seven Seas Entertainment
©PARARI 2020 / Libre Inc.
Judge’s Comments
“In a tale about microaggressions and discrimination within societal norms, the environment must tell the story as well as the dialogue between characters. The details in the signage, the various book covers, and other clever details scattered throughout the world highlighted the various social pressures the characters felt throughout but couldn’t fully express. The deft hand the letterer had in designing these elements for the English audience was both exceptional and essential for telling a complete story.”
– Ariana Maher
“This was one of the most organic experiences of reading a manga I’ve had when it comes to lettering – if it didn’t read right-to-left, you could’ve convinced me this book was originally created in English. The font selection plays a big part in this, matching the line of the art and the balloons, but so do the sound effects, and the way the letterer has handled in-universe text has me feeling jealous as a letterer. The lettering here doesn’t simply communicate text, it ports the experience of this book into English seamlessly and artfully.”
– Aditya Bidikar
Cat Man
Love Laid Bare
Robert Harkins
for Love Laid Bare by Ouchi Kaeru
Editor: Brittany Elise
FAKKU
Ouchi Kaeru/WANIMAGAZINE Co., LTD 2024, FAKKU, LLC
Judge’s Comments
“It is difficult to judge erotica because the professional letterers in this genre work at such a high degree of technical skill that it is difficult to narrow down the selection. The sound effects splash over the more intense scenes, so the letterer must problem-solve constantly to draw out the same impact with the English translation. This story stood out both for how skillfully the letterer emulated the original hand-drawn sound effects throughout the book, but also for how the quieter moments in each of the stories did not feel too busy, allowing the intensity of the lettering to rise and fall with the storytelling.”
– Ariana Maher
“This book is a contender for the sheer amount of work necessary for the letterer to do – the original is awash in sound effects that are meant to accentuate the experience – and this is handled with aplomb. This book reads like its letterer never took a chance to phone it in, instead creating a homogenous style combining the balloon work and the sound effects, and continually tuned it to each scene, to each page, to give it an artisanal feel.”
– Aditya Bidikar
Love Laid Bare
My Tiny Senpai, Volume 1
Joven Voon
for My Tiny Senpai, Volume 1 by Saisou
Editor: Adam Haffen
Translator: bedi
Production: Samuel Pinansky, David Prileszky, Mikey N., Rebecca Scoble, Stephanie Hii
J-Novel Club
© Saisou / TAKESHOBO
Judge’s Comments
“Sound effects in comedy romances often do a great deal to help tell the story, so when the English lettering doesn’t convey the same impact, the flow could get disrupted and jokes may not land as well as they did in the original language. The letterer in this translation emulated the original look and feel of each sound effect, as well as the shifts of tone within the expressive dialogue. Every page of this book shows the experience and skill of the letterer adapting this story.”
– Ariana Maher
“Translating comedy is hard enough without taking into account the task of designing the text that delivers the joke – this book has a considered selection of text styles to communicate different modes of speech, and sound effects that blend with both the art style and the text styles. In other hands, this could easily have become a loud, difficult-to-read book, but the artfulness of the lettering elevates the experience.”
– Aditya Bidikar
My Tiny Senpai, vol. 1
Search and Destroy, vol. 2
Phil Christie
for Search and Destroy, Volume 2 by Atsushi Kaneko, based on Dororo by Osamu Tezuka
Editor: Christopher Woodrow-Butcher
Fantagraphics / MSX
SEARCH AND DESTROY is © 2019 by Tezuka Productions & © 2019 Kaneko Atsushi. All rights reserved. Produced by MICRO MAGAZINE. English translation rights arranged with Tezuka Productions.
Judge’s Comments
“In Search and Destroy, Kaneko takes a unique approach to sound effects, often confining them in rectangular speech bubbles throughout the book. It may appear off-putting, but the effect is both clear and subtle while reading. Subtlety through sound effects and text placements are often overlooked in lettering, but the consistency of it allows for the bigger moments, such as waves crashing at a pivotal scene, to strongly impact the reader when the sound effect is no longer confined but bursting across the page. The original work chose a fresh approach, and the English adaption emulated this perfectly.”
– Ariana Maher
“This book is innovative in its storytelling and presentation, and this extends to its lettering. This would be a hard job for any letterer, since they are confined by the boxes from the original, but here, the letterer found ways to communicate the feeling evoked by the original by replicating the calligraphic style of the Japanese work. Combining this with the variety they’ve added to the balloon lettering makes this a strong book while retaining a unified feel.”
– Aditya Bidikar
Search and Destroy, vol. 2
BEST PUBLICATION DESIGN
Judges Shigekazu Watanabe (East Coast Regional Manager & Division Head of Anime Related Merchandising, Kinokuniya USA) and Carina Taylor (Sr. Graphic Designer, Scholastic Graphix, and Art Director, Silver Sprocket) reviewed this year’s manga, art book and boxed sets entries, looking for “how the design complements and enhances the manga’s storytelling,” and “immediately communicate(s) the feeling of the story to readers as soon as they pick up the book and flip through the initial pages.” Here are their five selections for Best Publication Design:
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure – Part 7: Steel Ball Run, Vol. 1
for JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure – Part 7: Steel Ball Run, Volume 1 by Hirohito Araki
Lettering: Mark McMurray
Translation: Nathan A. Collins
Editor: Holly Fisher
VIZ Media
JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE PART 7 STEEL BALL RUN © 2004 by LUCKY LAND COMMUNICATIONS/SHUEISHA Inc.
Judge’s Comments
“The cover captures immediate attention with Gyro Zeppeli’s striking green eyes and lips, set against the powerful image of horses racing through the American frontier. The back of the cover cleverly features horse hoofprints—an unexpected detail that enhances the sense of motion and drama. Inside, the expressive typography and explosive sound effects create a kinetic rhythm that mirrors the intense energy of the race. This volume opens Part 7 of the legendary JoJo series with bold visual flair and attention to physical design, celebrating its enduring popularity with style and impact.”
– Shigekazu Watanabe
“VIZ’s challenge with every JoJo’s series is to make each part feel visually distinct while referencing the overall aesthetics of JoJo’s. This initial volume of Steel Ball Run revels in its lack of stringent adherence to the specifics of the “old west” and embellishes on American western aesthetics with signature flair. All colors on this hardcover are deeply saturated and dizzying with knowingly clashing cutouts sweeping the reader into the world of the story before they even turn the page. The full package is glossy and exuberant with spot gloss used cleverly to lend texture to the pattern of the design. Horseshoes act well as Part 7’s repeating design element and accomplishes a feeling of western cool wonderfully. I also appreciate the series’ continued inclusion of Araki’s loose ink sketches between chapters as a reminder of how artful and stylish the series is at its core. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure continues to be the king of wonderfully garish maximalism.”
– Carina Taylor
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure – Part 7: Steel Ball Run, vol. 1
The Legend of Kamui, Vol.1
for The Legend of Kamui, Volume 1 by Sanpei Shirato
Lettering: Michael DeForge
Editor: Tom Devlin
Drawn & Quarterly
Judge’s Comments
“The resurgence of classic manga is an ongoing trend, but this edition distinguishes itself through inventive visual storytelling. The obi band, fastened slightly below the center of the cover with a subtle strip of tape, highlights the title and endorsements while partially concealing portions of the cover art beneath it—inviting the reader into a layered visual experience. The deliberate choice of colors and understated graphic elements imbue the volume with a singular identity. Though the paperback is physically weighty, its soft, pliable paper ensures ease of reading. Structured panel layouts are punctuated by moments of unframed narration, adding variety and emphasis. A definitive classic is given new life through a thoughtfully modern design.”
– Shigekazu Watanabe
“This is a really lovely and contemporary package. Relying on saturated blue and orange complimentary colors to modernize the cover art selection is a thoughtful trick to update the classic black and white art. The belly band wrapping around the cover is cleverly placed on the front image to divide the art thematically between the main character and his enemies emphasizing their emotional divide with gold foil placements that are unconventional and add sophistication and texture. While I often deride the belly band for how it slips around and hinders the reading experience, D&Q have fastened it with tape which rectifies my pet peeve. The considered details continue on the inside as well with key art used in smart ways to make the reading experience feel smooth through the title pages, table of contents, copyright page, and even a ‘warning: you’re reading the wrong way’ page that doesn’t feel juvenile. All these choices on the physical package help emphasize the story’s tone of simultaneous melancholy and rage.”
– Carina Taylor
KAMUI-DEN Act One © Shirato Sanpei/Okamoto Tetsuji 1964. English translation rights arranged with Haruko Okamoto and Kiyoko Okamoto through Japan UNI Agency, Inc., Tokyo. Translation copyright © 2025 Richard Rubinger and Noriko Rubinger. Additional translation copyright © 2025 Alexa Frank. Lettering © 2025 Michael DeForge. This edition copyright © 2025 Drawn & Quarterly. All rights reserved. No part of this book (except small portions for review purposes) may be reproduced in any form without written permission from Shirato Sanpei/Okamoto Tetsuji or Drawn & Quarterly. Originally serialized in Garo (ガロ) from December 1964 to July 1971.
The Legend of Kamui, vol. 1
Planetes Deluxe Edition Book 1
Riley VanDyke and Carl Gustav Horn
for Planetes Deluxe Edition Book 1 by Makoto Yukimura
Editor: Carl Gustav Horn
Translator: Yuki Johnson
Director of Print Production: Jessica Clark
Dark Horse
PLANETES DELUXE EDITION BOOK ONE © 2025 Makoto Yukimura. First published in Japan in 2001 by Kodansha Ltd., Tokyo. Publication rights for this Dark Horse Manga edition arranged through Kodansha Ltd., Tokyo.
Judge’s Comments
“This deluxe edition is a feast for the senses. The rose-gold stained page edges and deeply embossed cover immediately evoke a sense of luxury and thematic cohesion, perfectly mirroring the sensation of peering out into space from within a spacecraft. From the endpaper selection to the geometric interior illustrations, and from the opening spread to the final colophon and reading guide, every aspect of this book has been executed with meticulous attention to detail. A tactile and aesthetic triumph that feels as much like an artifact as a manga volume—one that invites frequent return visits.”
– Shigekazu Watanabe
“This is a deluxe hardcover that I think sits at the platonic ideal of form and theme. Using a metallic paper as a base renders the entire book in a shiny chrome which the designer then cleverly cuts out to highlight details for emboss opportunities. This in addition to the foil stained edges make the entire package end up feeling like an object from a spaceship. The rotating cover image between volumes is simple, with only the planet changing, but it provides a sense of distance – like the reader is one of the main characters traveling through space on the journey with them. Often deluxe hardcovers tend to have very minimal design that lack some of the character of the story, but here even the inside endsheets and copyright pages use a simple but effective orbital path design element to retain the grounded science fiction feeling through the reading experience. I appreciate the consistency in this package that is a fantastic example of extremely evocative and effective bookmaking.”
– Carina Taylor
Planetes Deluxe Edition Book 1
Seaside Beta
emuh ruh
for Seaside Beta by ohuton
Editor and Print Production: emuh ruh
Lettering: Lauren Eldon
Translation: rkp
Glacier Bay Books
Seaside Beta is copyright ohuton and Glacier Bay Books
Judge’s Comments
“With its cryptic cover of binary digits—zeroes and ones—interwoven with hidden words, Seaside Beta creates a sense of intimate discovery right from the outset. This meticulous layering extends throughout the work, with a finely tuned interplay between illustration, color schemes, lettering, and panel composition. Every element aligns harmoniously with the narrative’s tone, creating a holistic design that feels personally tailored to the reader. It’s a subtle yet emotionally resonant piece—compact in scale, but expansive in depth.”
– Shigekazu Watanabe
“This is truly an achievement in minimalist book design. Although mainly a stark white cover with a small art panel broken with clouds and empty speech balloons, all parts of the design hint at the metanarrative present in the story. Art inside the panel is black and white while art outside the panel is bright blue. Speech balloons are physical objects which are cleverly referenced in the design of the author’s bio in the back french flap. Best of all however is the rain of binary ones and zeros which cover the entire cover but only in spot gloss. This subtle effect is delicious and gives a lovely shine to the book while referencing the central mystery of the “black and white world” hidden in the binary. An edition that champions the physical object with subtle details you can only appreciate while holding the book in-person.”
– Carina Taylor
Seaside Beta
Veil, vol. 1 - Temperature of Orange
Kohei Nawata Design Office
for Veil, vol. 1 – Temperature of Orange by Kotteri!
Lettering: Kevin Druelle / Oshino Studio
Translator: Jocelyne Allen
Editor: Andrew Woodrow-Butcher
Udon Entertainment / MSX
© 2019 KOTTERI!
Judge’s Comments
“A visually arresting, full-color volume that reads like a cinematic journey, Veil draws on the aesthetics of classic European cinema to create a stylish, romantic world brimming with elegance and atmosphere. The artwork—lush, refined, and evocative—invites the reader into an almost dreamlike space. With its vivid palette and nuanced visual language, the book succeeds in crafting a world that feels distant yet strangely familiar, transporting the viewer into a poetic and immersive realm. An exquisite balance of storytelling and graphic refinement.”
– Shigekazu Watanabe
“This one is a delightful treat for the fashion girlies with a tendency for dreamy aesthetics. The beautiful cover illustration has a stylish and editorial design that suits the vignettes of the story using a textured stock. I appreciate the inclusion of a patterned, transparent vellum page right at the start, which lends an art-book flavor while also referencing the thematic ‘veil’ of connection between the two leads. Throughout the full-color volume, the design of the package feels alive, typically referencing high-fashion editorial but not afraid to waver into more organic and sketchy modalities like a personal journal. Smartly, the volume is printed in coated matte paper, so the color used throughout is printed richly and vividly. Every design choice is in deference to the duality of the main couple and is an exquisite reward for the romantic soul.”
– Carina Taylor
Veil, vol. 1 – Temperature of Orange
