NOMINEES
The 31 manga nominated for the 2026 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.
Already registered? Look in your email inbox for your eBallot invitation to vote, then browse the nominees to make your choices. New voter registration closes on Monday, July 20, at 5:00 pm EST. Voting closes on July 28, 2026, at 5:00 pm EST. Winners will be announced at the American Manga Awards ceremony on August 20, 2026, at Japan Society in New York City.
NOMINEES BY CATEGORY
BEST NEW MANGA
- Billy Bat Vol. 1
- Bug Ego Vol. 1
- The Credits Roll Into the Sea Vol. 1,
- The Horrors of Noroi Michiru Vol. 1
- Love Bullet Vol. 1
BEST CONTINUING MANGA SERIES
- The Climber Vols. 3 – 6
- March Comes in Like a Lion Vol. 4
- Our Not-So-Lonely Planet Travel Guide Vol. 7
- Search and Destroy Vol. 3
- The Summer Hikaru Died Vol. 6
BEST ONE-SHOT MANGA
- Akari
- Box Garden Beetle
- cocoon
- My Life in 24 Frames per Second
- The Strange Tale of Panorama Island
BEST NEW EDITION OF CLASSIC MANGA
- Ashita no Joe: Fighting for Tomorrow, vol. 3 – 5
- The Legend of Kamui, vol. 2-3
- Mushishi Collector’s Edition Vol. 1-2
- Stop!! Hibari-kun! Vol. 1
- Ultra Heaven Vol. 2
BEST TRANSLATION
- Jan Mitsuko Cash – Magica, Vol. 1
- Alexa Frank – Miss Ruki
- Andres Oliver – Mushishi Collectors Edition Vols. 1-2
- Kiki Piatkowska – A Starlit Darkness, Vol. 1
- Annelise Ogaard- Ashita no Joe: Fighting for Tomorrow Vols. 3-5
BEST LETTERING
- Brendon Hull – Cyberpunk: Edgerunners MADNESS Vol. 1
- Madeleine Jose – Maid to Skate
- Vadim K. – Don’t Feed the Trolls
- Vladyslav L. – Sweet and Spicy
- Vanessa Satone – One Piece Vol. 112
BEST PUBLICATION DESIGN
- Wendy Chan – Fruits Basket: The Complete Box Set
- chichols – Magica, Vol. 1
- Ti Collier – A Cat Is a Cat in Any Life
- Patrick Crotty – Stop!! Hibari-kun! Vol. 1
- emuh ruh – Baku-chan
NOMINEES BY TITLE
Our manga judges for 2026 were tasked with choosing five nominees for four categories. This year, our judges came from Belgium, Canada, England, and the United States, and they picked a fascinating array of titles from publishers big and small, including intriguing indie manga and fan-favorite bestsellers. They also picked a wide range of genres: from horror to romance, slice-of-life to science fiction, innovative indie comics to fan-favorite bestsellers – there is something for almost everyone here.
Learn more about the manga judges for the 2026 American Manga Awards
Frederico Anzalone, curator, designer, and journalist
Helen Chazan, archivist, comics critic, and zinemaker
Kyle Cardine, Global Editor-in-Chief, Crunchyroll News
Dani Kingston, content creator and graphic designer
Gigi Murakami, manga creator
BEST NEW MANGA
The Best New Manga category is almost always one of the most competitive categories in the American Manga Awards and this year is no different. Romance, suspense, action, and more – which newcomer will rise above the rest?
Here are the five nominees for Best New Manga:
Billy Bat Vol. 1
Billy Bat Volume 1
by Naoki Urasawa
Editor: Kristiina Korpus
Translation: Kristi Iwashiro
Lettering: Brendon Hull and Aidan Clarke
Kana / Abrams ComicArts (Kodansha)
https://www.abramsbooks.com/product/billy-bat-volume-1_9781419780080/
© Naoki Urasawa / N WOOD STUDIO, Takashi Nagasaki , 2009
Judge’s Comments
“Billy Bat is an incredibly compelling first volume that wastes no time pulling readers into its whirlpool of mystery, as Naoki Urasawa is so masterful at achieving. What begins as a cartoonist investigating the origins of his own character quickly spirals into a web of conspiracies and unanswered questions surrounding the enigmatic Billy Bat itself. Naoki Urasawa balances suspense and intrigue, constantly encouraging readers to turn the page in search of answers. His artstyle continues to be distinctive and his storytelling prowess knows no bounds. Few opening volumes have left me so eager to uncover the who, what, where, when and why at the heart of their mystery.“
– Dani Kingston
“As a massive Urasawa fan, I was so excited to read this! Billy Bat feels like an Alice in Wonderland-esque tumble into centuries long conspiracy theories, murder and mystery across nations.”
– Gigi Murakami
Kana / Abrams ComicArts (Kodansha)
The Credits Roll Into the Sea Vol. 1
The Credits Roll Into the Sea Vol. 1
By John Tarachine
Editor: Carl Gustav Horn
Translation: Jocelyne Allen
Lettering: John Clark
Dark Horse (Akita Shoten)
https://www.darkhorse.com/books/3015-761/credits-roll-into-the-sea-volume-1-tpb/
THE CREDITS ROLL INTO THE SEA Umi ga hashiru Endroll volume 1 © John Tarachine 2021. All rights reserved.
Judge’s Comments
“This volume closes with a perfect scene. An impassive youth bathes in the water under the benevolent gaze of an elderly woman recording the moment on her smartphone; both are film students. A crashing wave sends him plunging into the sea. Emerging, he erupts in laughter—a rare crack in his stoicism—as the camera, tilted by the lady’s emotion, keeps rolling. This encapsulates the work’s essence: characters unveiling their true nature through sudden shocks or quiet introspection, echoing their shared artistic struggle to define their personal visual language. Rarely has a manga achieved this so brilliantly.”
– Frederico Anzalone
“A very touching story about what it is like to find a new path later in life, alongside breathtaking visualizations of moving emotion. Simply a fantastic presentation showing the capabilities and horizons of storytelling in manga.”
– Kyle Cardine
“The Credits Roll Into the Sea is one of the most emotionally moving new manga I’ve read in recent years. Through the story of a widowed woman rediscovering her love of film and pursuing a new dream at sixty-five years old, the manga explores the fear of change and the courage required to take that first step into the unknown. Especially at an age where people deem dreams and goals as something pointless. But, as the manga insists, you’re never too old to try new things, and this story is but a reminder that it’s never too late to create a new path for yourself, either.”
-Dani Kingston
Dark Horse
Love Bullet Vol. 1
Love Bullet
By inee
Editor: Thomas McAlister
Translator: M Fukushima
Letterer: Aila Nagamine
Yen Press (Kadokawa)
LOVE BULLET ©inee 2024 / KADOKAWA CORPORATION
Judge’s Comments
“This manga has so much charm that it completely won me over from the beginning. A more explosive love story than you may imagine with appealing characters and heart.”
– Kyle Cardine
“Love Bullet has one of the most heartbreaking yet ingenious premises I’ve read in a while. Incredibly strong first volume! The series follows a cast of cupids, who are all charismatic in their own right, helping others find love while longing for a second chance at life themselves. The series balances humour and heartbreak incredibly well, becoming a touching story about connection and loss, while weaving in an engaging GL narrative that leaves a lasting impression long after the final page. Can’t wait to read more from Inee!”
– Dani Kingston
Yen Press
Bug Ego Vol. 1
バグエゴ
Bug Ego Vol. 1
by ONE and Kiyoto Shitara
Editor: Urian Brown
Translation: Jan Mitsuko Cash
Lettering: Finn K.
VIZ Media (Shueisha)
https://www.viz.com/bug-ego
BUG EGO © 2023 by ONE, Kiyoto Shitara/SHUEISHA Inc.
Judge’s Comments
“Once again, ONE showcases his ability to craft innovative, incredibly engaging stories. He is one of those rare authors who can pull off a narrative that’s simultaneously absurd and deeply moving—a feat perfectly backed up by Kiyoto Shitara’s impactful art.”
– Frederico Anzalone
“Bug Ego combines absurd humour with imaginative concepts that work impressively in drawing readers in within just one volume. It feels like a culmination of everything ONE has crafted and refined over the years, paired with Kiyoto Shitara’s incredible artwork. The series also places a strong emphasis on friendship and human connection, something ONE has always been exceptional at exploring and this series only leaves me wanting to read more.”
– Dani Kingston
VIZ Media
The Horrors of Noroi Michiru Vol. 1
By Noroi Michiru
Editor: Matt Hasch
Translation: Dan Luffey
Lettering: Abbassi Ameur
Star Fruit Books and Glacier Bay Books
https://glacierbaybooks.com/product/the-horrors-of-noroi-michiru-1/
Copyright Noroi Michiru, English edition: Glacier Bay Books
Judge’s Comments
“Horror manga is at its best at its most panicked, when the absurd and psychosexual is made viscerally real. Noroi Michiru is a master of the form. Filled to the brim with manic, bloodthirsty girls, leering monsters, and libidinal protrusions of gore, The Horrors of Noroi Michiru is the real deal. This first collection of Michiru’s short stories is sure to become an international cult classic, a testament both to the ingenuity of the artist’s own wicked craft and the dedicated vision of its international publisher, the late, great Matt Haasch of Starfruit Books.”
– Helen Chazan
“Noroi Michiru has incredible artwork throughout, with several images that linger in the mind and leave you feeling uneasy long after finishing each one-shot. Michiru brings a unique voice to horror manga, combining grotesque visuals with a distinctive style that makes this collection a standout addition to any horror fan’s collection”
– Dani Kingston
Glacier Bay Books
BEST CONTINUING MANGA SERIES
The Best Continuing Series includes titles that have had at least one new volume published between August 1, 2025, and July 31, 2026.
Here are the five nominees for Best Continuing Series Manga:
The Climber Vols. 3-6
孤高の人
The Climber Vols. 3 – 6
By Shin’ichi Sakamoto
Based on the novel by Jiro Nitta
Editor: Pancha Diaz
Translation: John Werry
Lettering: Joanna Estep
VIZ Media (Shueisha)
https://www.viz.com/climber
KOKOH NO HITO © 2007 by Shin-ichi Sakamoto, Jiro Nitta/SHUEISHA Inc.
Judge’s Comments
“Reminds me of the kind of seinen manga that got published in English in single issues in the 90s that I find bits and pieces of in the fifty-cent bin from time to time in the best possible way. I may be a lesbian, but I know beautiful men when I see them, and they get so ANGRY and SWEATY in this!”
– Helen Chazan
“It is the epic tale of a modern-day Sisyphus. The vertical escape of a social phobic toward his sanctuary, the mountain, to flee the realities of the mundane realm. This ode to self-transcendence reflects the perfectionist quest of an author who relentlessly conquers a style that is both breathtaking and unique. Sakamoto ends up silencing the onomatopoeia to reveal the symphony of his panel composition and summons majestic graphic allegories. To my mind, The Climber remains today the masterpiece of its author.”
– Frederico Anzalone
March Comes in Like a Lion Vol. 4
By Chica Umino
Editor: Ed Chavez
Translation: Jocelyne Allen
Lettering: Risa Cho
Production: Glen Isip, Nicole Dochych
Proofreading: Varrick Robinson
DENPA (Hakusensha)
https://www.denpa.pub/book/march-comes-in-like-a-lion-volume-4
SANGATSU NO LION by CHICA UMINO © Chica Umino 2010
All rights reserved. First published in Japan in 2010 by HAKUSENSHA, INC., Tokyo.
Judge’s Comments
“An all-time classic that truly gains its momentum in this volume. A perfect encapsulation of showing the full human experience professionals bring to their game, especially with this volume’s focus on Kai Shimada. I never expected a series about Shogi to capture me so much.”
– Kyle Cardine
“I had not read this series before judging these awards and came into this volume blind, but the spectacular art and layouts did a lot to ensure that I was whisked away into the deep sentimental mood of this story. Some page compositions in this took my breath away in the same way that seeing one of the dance sequences in Kyoko Ariyoshi’s Swan for the first time took my breath away. A masterclass in craft.”
– Helen Chazan
“March Comes in Like a Lion continues to impress with its deeply compassionate storytelling that feels so genuine – with volume four being one of its strongest entries. Simultaneously heartwarming and devastating, the volume’s focus on Shimada provides an emotional turning point for both the shogi narrative and some of the series’ most resonant personal struggles. Especially for those who come from rural areas. Even if you’re not familiar with shogi, Umino understands something most readers are familiar with: love. Whether through family, friendship, romance, or the passion that drives someone to dedicate their life to a craft, she understands the emotions that bind people together and draws it with remarkable care.”
– Dani Kingston
Search and Destroy Vol. 3
サーチアンドデストロイ
By Atsushi Kaneko, based on “Dororo” by Osamu Tezuka
Editor: Christopher Woodrow-Butcher
Translator: Ben Applegate
Letterer: Phil Christie
Fantagraphics / Mangasplaining Extra
SEARCH AND DESTROY Volume 3 is ©2020 by Tezuka Productions & ©2020 Kaneko Atsushi. All rights reserved. Produced by MICRO MAGAZINE
Judge’s Comments
“The best reimagining of a Tezuka manga since Pluto comes to a combustive and meditative conclusion. Kaneko’s art has a spectacular graphical severity that lends itself to thrilling action sequences. Hyaku’s embrace of an imperfect bodily autonomy recalls the gender play of the original story’s climax without being nearly as squeamish. Search and Destroy picks up on one of the most underrated elements of Tezuka’s works — his anger and his nihilism — and runs with it in a truly original direction.”
– Helen Chazan
“Early in Search and Destroy Volume 3, a moving scene unfolds in the exact same setting and framing as the final pages of Volume 1, underscoring Hyaku’s reclamation of her body. Similarly, a panoramic shot at the end of Volume 3 echoes the very beginning of Volume 1—the iconic image of the wolf facing the metropolis. In all of his work, Atsushi Kaneko has never been as emotionally resonant and as optimistic as he is in the excellent Search and Destroy when exploring the possibility of healing the world and intimate wounds. It is as though he were channeling the luminous spirit of Osamu Tezuka, blending it seamlessly with his own rage.”
– Frederico Anzalone
Our Not-So-Lonely Planet Travel Guide Vol. 7
Our Not-So-Lonely Planet Travel Guide Vol. 7
By Mone Sorai
Editor: Becca Chen
Translation: Katie Kimura
TOKYOPOP (MAG Garden)
© Mone Sorai 2025
Judge’s Comments
“Our Not-So-Lonely Planet Travel Guide is a series that could easily become repetitive, yet it continues to feel fresh and engaging with each new destination – often leaving me adding more locations to my own future travel list. Through Asahi and Mitsuki’s travels, readers are introduced to a wide range of cultures and traditions, all brought to life through Mone Sorai’s unique art style. This bittersweet final volume is just as educational and heartfelt as those that came before it, delivering a fulfilling and hopeful conclusion to a journey that has been a joy to follow.”
– Dani Kingston
“Even just hopping into the final volume, this was a sweet enough travelogue that wrapped up smoothly. As custom with these sorts of stories, the local trivia and food highlights are always fun. If the rest of the series is like this, I’d be happy to start from the beginning.”
– Kyle Cardine
The Summer Hikaru Died Vol. 6
The Summer Hikaru Died Vol. 6
By mokumokuren
Editor: Jacquelyn Li
Translator: Ajani Oloye
Letterer: Abigail Blackman
Yen Press
HIKARU GA SHINDA NATSU ©Mokumokuren 2024 / KADOKAWA CORPORATION
Judge’s Comments
“The Summer Hikaru Died continues to be an unsettling and atmospheric read. Mokumokuren masterfully balances supernatural horror with an emotionally captivating, if not unnerving, exploration of grief and human connection, creating a tension that lingers on every page. The series excels at making readers question the true nature of Hikaru while simultaneously understanding why Yoshiki struggles to let go. It’s as equally haunting as it is heartfelt, and volume six further solidifies the series as one of the most distinctive queer horror manga of recent years.”
– Dani Kingston
“A supernatural mystery in a sleepy little village is nothing new, and yet everything about The Summer Hikaru Died feels completely groundbreaking. While this volume deepens the tightening vice of mystery as the rules of its supernatural world come into focus, the heart of the story remains the not-quite-love story between Yoshiki and the being that is not Hikaru. There’s a deeply queer heart beating in the chest of this story – what does it mean to be someone you are not? Can you love someone whose very presence is a reminder of something lost?”
– Helen Chazan
“Picking up just about where the anime left off, The Summer Hikaru Died Vol. 6 continues building its unique style of creepy country atmosphere in this latest volume. Once the mystery expanded to encompass body horror the size of multiple municipalities, I knew I had to read more, and this volume didn’t disappoint.”
-Kyle Cardine
BEST ONE-SHOT MANGA
The nominees for this category are all single-volume stories or short-story collections that give readers a satisfying “one-and-done” experience.
Here are the five nominees for Best One-Shot Manga:
Akari
Akari
By Marco Kohinata
Editor: emuh ruh
Translation: Jan Mitsuko Cash
Lettering: Kyla Aiko
Glacier Bay Books
https://glacierbaybooks.com/product/akari/
Copyright Marco Kohinata, English edition: Glacier Bay Books
Judge’s Comments
“A beautiful, touching story rooted in place and memory, a love letter to the art and craft of stained glass reflected deftly through the comics form. And the drama!! Everything I want in a manga honestly.”
– Helen Chazan“An incredibly moving manga presented in such a succinct way. Even as the story focuses so much on color, the characters talk so lovingly about their craft in black and white that the feeling still came through the pages. This one-shot also features one of the most breathtaking two-page spread reveals I’ve ever read.”
– Kyle Cardine
cocoon
cocoon
By Machiko Kyo
Editor: Pancha Diaz
Translation: Jan Mitsuko Cash
Touch-up Art and Lettering: Elizabeth Conley
Publishers: VIZ Media (Akita Shoten)
https://www.viz.com/cocoon
© MACHIKO KYO (AKITASHOTEN) 2010
Judge’s Comments
“A heavy, but important read on the lives of the young women part of the Himeyuri Corps in Okinawa during World War II. Machiko Kyo’s work with Cocoon is able to stand among other works about the daily lives of those living through tragedy, such as Fumiyo Kono’s In This Corner of the World.”
– Kyle Cardine
“Kurt Vonnegut tells us in Slaughterhouse Five that the second world war was not fought by grizzled old men, but by boys, a children’s crusade. Machiko Kyo’s account of the Lily Corps shows us how girls, too, were brought into senseless violence on the colonized front of Okinawa. Kyo’s delicate, gentle artwork does not turn away from the horrors but emphasizes their cruelty by reminding us of our shared humanity. A beautiful and necessary addition to the antiwar manga canon.”
– Helen Chazan
“Cocoon follows the devastation caused by war and the lives it consumes, not just on the battlefield, but far beyond it as well. Cocoon follows a group of young girls forced to support a war they barely understand. They’re children asked to witness horrors no child should ever have to see, and Machiko Kyo never lets readers look away from that reality. Told with a dreamlike quality and brought to life through expressive artwork, it is a deeply affecting read that lingers long after the final page.”
-Dani Kingston
My Life in 24 Frames Per Second
My Life in 24 Frames Per Second
By Rintaro
Editor: Kristiina Korpus
Translation: Montana Kane
Lettering: Ti-Lala
Publisher: Kana / Abrams ComicArts (Kawade Shobo Shinsha / Kana)
https://www.abramsbooks.com/product/my-life-in-24-frames-per-second_9781419784040/
© Kana (Dargaud-Lombard S.A.), 2024, by Rintarô
Judge’s Comments
“The acclaimed director Rintaro delivered a quite enjoyable memoir from someone who truly saw the beginning of the anime industry as we know it, featuring many notable makers and shakers of the newfound medium. An absolute must-read for anyone interested in anime industry history.”
– Kyle Cardine
“Rintaro’s grasp of character and movement is of course the stuff of legend. While on the surface a career retrospective in a similar vein to A Drifting Life, I really appreciate the frequent depictions of exhaustion, deadlines, burnout and fatigue. One of Rintaro’s many great legacies in animation is as a labor activist and his interest in the physical toll of animation is what really sets this biography apart as a story.”
– Helen Chazan
Box Garden Beetle
Box Garden Beetle
By Akino Kondoh
Editors: emuh ruh and Ryan Holmberg
Translation: Ryan Holmberg
Letterering: Tim Sun
Publisher: Glacier Bay Books
https://glacierbaybooks.com/product/box-garden-beetle/
Copyright Kondoh Akino, English edition: Glacier Bay Books
Judge’s Comments
“Akino Kondoh’s elusive visual poetry strikes me as a sophisticated synthesis of Fumiko Takano’s manga craft and Toshio Saeki’s illustrative daring. The short stories collected in Box Garden Beetle rank, in my view, among the finest works of alternative manga of the 2000s—a hidden gem for readers willing to explore beyond conventional boundaries.”
– Frederico Anzalone
“A cozy anthology of whimsical daydreaming and unlimited imagination. Kondoh Akino’s Box Garden Beetle strikes a delicate balance between nostalgia and dreams.”
– Gigi Murakami
The Strange Tale of Panorama Island
パノラマ島綺譚
The Strange Tale of Panorama Island
By Suehiro Maruo
Editor: Colin Turner
Translator: Ajani Oloye
Letterer: Evan Hayden
Publisher: Last Gasp (Enterbrain)
©HIRAI Ryutaro, MARUO Suehiro 2008. First published in Japan in 2008 by ENTERBRAIN INC., Tokyo.
-
- Black
Judge’s Comments
“After a decade and change in the purgatory of enthusiast’s collections, this reprint of Maruo’s late career masterwork is long overdue. A decompressed retelling of one of Edogawa Ranpo’s finest short stories, The Strange Tale of Panorama Island takes us on a decadent tour of violence, eroticism, and truly beautiful excess. A must read for any aficionado of ero guro nansensu, Maruo looks with a nostalgic eye at the beautiful possibilities and fascist rot that coalesced in the late Taisho Era, the brief window between world wars.”
– Helen Chazan“Few manga left a stronger visual impression on me than The Strange Tale of Panorama Island, which is to be expected with Suehiro Maruo’s works. The artwork is stunning, transforming every page into a showcase of meticulous craftsmanship, presented in a beautiful oversized edition. The story depicts desire and obsession with an atmosphere of unease that steadily grows throughout the narrative. A classic deserving of such a beautiful physical.”
-Dani Kingston
BEST NEW EDITION OF CLASSIC MANGA
To qualify for Best New Edition of Classic Manga, the nominated titles must have been originally published in Japan at least 20 years ago, before December 31, 2026. Both new and continuing series qualify for consideration, as long as at least one volume was published in English between August 1, 2025 and July 31, 2026.
Here are the five nominees for Best New Edition of Classic Manga:
Ashita no Joe: Fighting for Tomorrow Vol. 3-5
Ashita no Joe: Fighting for Tomorrow Vol. 3-5
By Asao Takamori, Tetsuya Chiba
Editor: Daniel Joseph
Translation: Annelise Ogaard
Production: Risa Cho, Pei Ann Yeap
Letterer: Evan Hayden
Proofreading: Kevin Luo
Kodansha
Ashita no Joe: Fighting for Tomorrow © Asao Takamori / Tetsuya Chiba / KODANSHA LTD.
Judge’s Comments
“The cultural significance and stellar qualities of Ashita no Joe require little introduction—it is arguably the most iconic title in the entire history of manga. What deserves particular attention, however, is this trio of volumes contains the crucial juncture of the series: the death of a certain character. This event resonated so profoundly with its time that on March 24, 1970, a funeral—orchestrated by theatre director Shuji Terayama—was held at Kodansha’s HQ to mourn the passing of this fictional figure. A moment of history finally within reach of English-speaking audiences.“
– Frederico Anzalone
“Much ink has been spilled on Joe’s historic and cultural significance as a turning point in sports manga, an indelible influence on Japanese pop culture, and a favorite of the Japanese student movement. It is also an incredibly gripping drama. These most recent volumes show us Joe wracked with guilt upon the death of his greatest rival, battling his ghosts, his regrets and his fears as he struggles to regain his footing as an athlete. It is a remarkable, exciting story, and also a profoundly human one. There is no comic, manga or otherwise, I look forward to reading more at the moment than Ashita no Joe.”
– Helen Chazan
The Legend of Kamui Vols. 2-3
カムイ伝
The Legend of Kamui Vols. 2-3
By Sanpei Shirato
Editor: Ryan Holmberg
Translator: Richard Rubinger
Letterer: Michael DeForge
Drawn & Quarterly
KAMUI-DEN Act Three © 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. Lettering © 2025 Michael DeForge.
Judge’s Comments
“I was quite impressed by how Sanpei Shirato was able to instill direct calls to action on collectivism and class struggle in this story of ninja and samurai. Between some stylish action scenes, what really kept me going was Shirato’s extended commentary on Edo-era politics, and its application to the modern day.”
– Kyle Cardine
“To say that Kamui is a thrilling work of gekiga as well as an influential one would be an understatement. Shirato’s calligraphic, elemental illustrations chart a drama of class struggle which remains relevant today, a sprawling conflict between castes paralleled by conflicts between wolves in the animal world. Sprawling is certainly the word — the folks at D&Q have mercifully included an illustrated character glossary and, in the third volume, a summary of prior volumes, both of which I referred to often. The farmer revolts which punctuate these volumes contain some of the most thrilling drama we’ve seen thus far, eruptions of iniquity into battles not only between the elite and working classes but also between strategy and pure rage. Shirato never neglects to depict how class prejudice is carried out even among the lower castes.”
– Helen Chazan
Mushishi Collector's Edition Vol. 1-2
Mushishi Collector’s Edition Vol. 1-2
By Yuki Urushibara
Editor: Maggie Le
Translator: Andres Oliver
Letterer: Phil Christie
Managing Editor: Grace Chen
Production Manager: Claire Kerker
Kodansha USA Publishing edition cover design by Matt Akuginow
Kodansha
Mushishi © Yuki Urushibara/KODANSHA LTD.
Judge’s Comments
“Years after its original publication, Mushishi remains just as captivating as ever. It’s a series I continue to adore, and one that has lost none of its magic with time. In fact, this newer collector’s edition only further emphasizes its staying-power. Its blend of melancholic supernatural storytelling, beautiful artwork, and unmatched atmosphere still places it among the best the genre has to offer. The larger pages of this collector’s edition give Yuki Urushibara’s artwork the space it deserves, not to mention a much improved presentation of typesetting that makes revisiting Ginko’s journey an even more rewarding experience with far better flow.”
– Dani Kingston
“Mushishi is a quiet and mystical wandering into what happens when the supernatural world spills into the human world. The art is charming with stories that comment on human nature in a unique and subtle way.”
– Gigi Murakami
Stop!! Hibari-Kun Vol. 1
Stop!! Hibari-kun! Vol. 1
ストップ!! ひばりくん!
By Hisashi Eguchi
Editor: Patrick Crotty & Hazel M
Translator: Jocelyne Allen
Letterer: J. Mai
Peow2 (Freestyle Inc.)
©Hisashi Eguchi
Judge’s Comments
“As a trans woman, it is a huge relief to finally have this series in print, which so many of my trans siblings have bonded with over the years. An absurd comedy with moments of incredible style that, at its core, is the story of a “boy” who just wants to be the cute girl she thrives as. While dated at times, it nonetheless remains relevant and cathartic.“
– Helen Chazan
“Stop!! Hibari-kun! is a wonderful reminder of why preserving and licensing classic manga remains so important. While some aspects and topics covered within the series inevitably reflect the era in which it was created, its treatment of gender identity remains momentous, even now in modern times. Interestingly, new readers will likely take away different interpretations than those who first experienced the series in the eighties, creating an ongoing conversation between past and present, making it an important piece of queer manga history. Not to mention its influence on the generations that followed.”
-Dani Kingston
Ultra Heaven Vol. 2
Ultra Heaven Vol. 2
Keiichi Koike
Editor: Colin Turner
Translator: Ajani Oloye
Letterer: Evan Hayden
Last Gasp (Kadokawa)
ULTRA HEAVEN Volume 2 © Keiichi Koike 2005. First published in Japan in 2005 by Kadokawa Corporation, Tokyo.
Judge’s Comments
“Like its predecessor, the second volume of Ultra Heaven is a singular, labyrinthine experience; a fractal journey rendered in a graphic style of manic precision heavily influenced by Katsuhiro Otomo and Moebius. Keiichi Koike serves as a true custodian of the counter-cultural authors who preceded and shaped the cyberpunk genre. He is a worthy heir to the legacies of William Burroughs, Philip K. Dick, or Thomas Pynchon, and the pioneers of Métal Hurlant / Heavy Metal. In short, the radical Ultra Heaven stands in stark contrast to the fetishized, sanitized version cyberpunk has become. This is the real thing.”
– Frederico Anzalone
“This was an absolutely mind-bending, unreal reading experience (incredibly positive). I don’t think I’ve ever read anything like it, and Keiichi Koike’s art brought me on a journey I’ll never forget”
– Kyle Cardine
“One of my favorite nominees this year. I read volume 1 last year and I was hooked. Koike sensei’s artwork is not of this reality and Last Gasps does the manga justice with its larger size print and bright dust jacket. Ultra Heaven is a work that sticks with you long after you finish. It’s a manga that you don’t read—it’s one that you experience.”
– Gigi Murakami
“Ultra Heaven continues to feel like one of the most visually ambitious manga ever created, continuing volume one with an even more bombastic experience. Keiichi Koike’s artwork is nothing short of astonishing, using intricate page layouts and experimental paneling to immerse readers in a psychedelic world unlike anything else in the medium. Every page demonstrates a remarkable understanding of visual storytelling, constantly pushing the boundaries of what manga can achieve as an artistic form. In the most complimentary way possible, Ultra Heaven reads like the best acid trip ever put to paper.”
-Dani Kingston
BEST TRANSLATION
Our judges for Best Translation are award-winning manga experts with years of experience in Japanese-English translation. Andrea Horbinski is the author of Eisner Award-nominated Manga’s First Century: How Creators and Fans Made Japanese Comics, 1905-1989 (University of California Press). Nicole Coolidge Rousmaniere is the curator of “The Art of Manga” exhibit, which wowed crowds at the DeYoung Museum in San Francisco and is coming to the Brooklyn Museum in October 2026. Both drew on their deep knowledge of the Japanese language, culture, and art as they selected this year’s five Best Translation nominees.
Here are their five nominees for Best Translation:
Magica, Vol. 1
Jan Mitsuko Cash
for Magica, Vol. 1 by Yuzuko Hoshimi
Editor: Haize
Lettering: Jeanthrix Andres
Kodama Tales (Daiwashobo Publishing)
https://kodama-tales.com/products/magica-vol-1/
© 2020 Yuzuko Hoshimi / Daiwashobo Publishing
Judge’s Comments
“Ooh, I liked this one. The English translation was accurate, gentle, and well-paced.”
– Nicole Coolidge Rousmaniere
“This fluid translation switches very smoothly between different moods in the Japanese, and makes the dialogue sound extremely natural even within the fantastical setting.”
-Andrea Horbinski
Magica, Vol. 1
Miss Ruki
Alexa Frank
for Miss Ruki by Fumiko Takano
Editor: Lucas Adams
New York Review Comics (Chikumashobo Ltd.)
©Fumiko Takano 2015. Original Japanese edition published by Chikumashobo Ltd.
Translation and essay copyright © 2025 Alexa Frank
Judge’s Comments
“I loved this translation. The handwriting and the translated Japanese are all wonderful, beautifully done. The words are well-chosen and read very well. Excellent“
– Nicole Coolidge Rousmaniere
“This gem of a translation is wonderfully subtle and never over-explains anything, but still manages to convey perfectly the humor and tone of the original.“
-Andrea Horbinski
Miss Ruki
Mushishi Collectors Edition Vol. 1-2
Andres Oliver
for Mushishi Collectors Edition Vol. 1-2 by Yuki Urushibara
Editor: Maggie Le
Kodansha
Mushishi © Yuki Urushibara/KODANSHA LTD.
Judge’s Comments
“This was a great translation back in the day and it’s a great one now. It reads very smoothly and explains the various complicated mushi concepts very well, while also sensitively modernizing premodern concepts like the 12-hour day, supplemented with informative endnotes.”
– Andrea Horbinski
“I loved the translation of the first two volumes. The pacing, text, placement, and flow all worked together and had me gripped. The translation managed to capture each of the character’s personality and thought patterns. I do not think they could have done a better job.”
– Nicole Coolidge Rousmaniere
Mushishi Collectors Edition Vol. 1-2
A Starlit Darkness, Vol. 1
for A Starlit Darkness, Vol. 1 by Yuu Toyota
English edition editor: Sarah Tangney
Japanese edition editors: Terumitsu Ito, Mitsuha Kawai
Lettering: Rebecca Sze and Arbash Mughal
Square Enix Manga & Books (Square Enix)
© Yuu Toyota/SQUARE ENIX, CO., LTD.
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Judge’s Comments
“This one was very well-translated, easy and enjoyable to read.”
– Nicole Coolidge Rousmaniere.
“This translation makes a very complicated topic (literary dōjinshi in the 1920s) quite easy to understand, with very natural dialogue that conveys the characters’ enthusiasm for their niche passion as well as the period setting.”
– Andrea Horbinski
A Starlit Darkness, Vol. 1
Ashita no Joe: Fighting for Tomorrow, vol. 3-5
for Ashita no Joe: Fighting for Tomorrow, vol. 3-5
by Asao Takamori, Tetsuya Chiba
Editor: Daniel Joseph
Lettering: Evan Hayden
Kodansha
Ashita no Joe: Fighting for Tomorrow © Asao Takamori / Tetsuya Chiba / KODANSHA LTD.
Judge’s Comments
“This translation does a really good job of making slightly old-fashioned language sound natural in English while also handling the boxing terminology very well. Ultimately it just reads very smoothly, which is what you want for a classic manga.”
– Andrea Horbinski
“I enjoyed this translation and felt it was appropriate for a classic work that was created 50 years ago but completely accessible. The pacing and the text layout was very good. I think it captured what Chiba and Takamori attempted to create – Yabuki Joe’s inner tension played out both within and outside the boxing ring.”
– Nicole Coolidge Rousmaniere
Ashita no Joe: Fighting for Tomorrow, vol. 3-5
BEST LETTERING
Taylor Esposito and Patrick Brosseau, our two judges for the Best Lettering category, are award-winning, respected pros in the comics lettering biz, with credits at all the major comics publishers, including Marvel, DC, and Dark Horse Comics. They brought their eye for great lettering design to the American Manga Awards and found these five standout nominees.
Here are their five nominees for Best Lettering:
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners MADNESS Volume 1
Brendon Hull
for Cyberpunk: Edgerunners MADNESS Volume 1 by Bartosz Sztybor and Asano
Editor: Judy Khuu
Dark Horse (Kadokawa)
https://www.darkhorse.com/books/3015-353/cyberpunk-edgerunners-madness-volume-1-tpb/
CYBERPUNK: EDGERUNNERS MADNESS VOLUME 1 ©Asano ©2026 CD PROJEKT S.A. All rights reserved.
Judge’s Comments
“A great mix of different font styles which serves the story really well. Sound effects are wonderful too, especially the hand drawn ones.“
– Pat Brosseau
“Love the sound effects.“
– Taylor Esposito
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners MADNESS Volume 1
Maid to Skate
Madeleine Jose
for Maid to Skate by Suzushiro
Editor: Jack Carrillo Concordia
VIZ Media (EAST PRESS CO., LTD.)
https://www.viz.com/maid-to-skate
© Suzushiro 2024 / EAST PRESS CO., LTD.
Judge’s Comments
“Particularly enjoyable and well-done lettering.“
– Pat Brosseau
“Great lettering throughout the whole book. Some really well-done hand-drawn sound effects, which blend well with all the action.”
– Taylor Esposito
Maid to Skate
Don't Feed the Trolls
Vadim K.
for Don’t Feed the Trolls by Karasu Chan
Editors: Dave Adams, David Goldberg
J18 Publishing
https://hmarket.io/shop/dont-feed-the-trolls/
Text and artwork © 2025 Karasu Chan
English translation and artwork © 2025 J18®
Judge’s Comments
“Great lettering in the whole book.”
-Pat Brosseau“Great use of different font styles throughout the whole book. Some really fun and well-thought-out sound effects make the lettering in this book really stand out.”
-Taylor Esposito
Don’t Feed the Trolls
Sweet and Spicy
Vladyslav L.
for Sweet and Spicy by Shimimaru
Editors: Dave Adams, David Goldberg
J18 Publishing
https://hmarket.io/shop/sweet-and-spicy
English translation and artwork © 2025 J18®
Judge’s Comments
“More great sound effects.”
-Pat Brosseau
“Although the book is adult in nature the lettering and sound effects work wonderfully with the erotic art. The sound effects are incredibly inventive and move the story right along.”
-Taylor Esposito
Sweet and Spicy
One Piece, Vol. 112
Vanessa Satone
for One Piece, Vol. 112 by Eiichiro Oda
Editor: Alexis Kirsch
VIZ Media / Shonen Jump (Shueisha)
https://www.viz.com/manga-books/manga/one-piece-volume-112-0/product/8909
ONE PIECE © 1997 by Eiichiro Oda/SHUEISHA Inc..
Judge’s Comments
“Really fun lettering in the whole book. All the different font styles and sound effects integrate well with the wonderful art.”
– Taylor Esposito
One Piece, Vol. 112
BEST PUBLICATION DESIGN
Andres Juarez, Creative Director, Editorial at Skybound Entertainment and Amanda Chung, co-founder of lucky risograph, art director, illustrator, and fabricator were sent copies of the entries for the Best Publication Design category, and got to see these exceptional examples of book design and typography up close. Photos can’t do these works justice, so the AMA voters are encouraged to check out the nominated books and box sets at a book or comics shop near you.
Learn more about the publication design judges for the 2026 American Manga Awards
Andres Juarez – Creative Director, Editorial, Skybound Entertainment
Amanda Chung – co-founder, lucky risograph, art director, illustrator and instructor, School of Visual Arts, NYC
Here are their five nominees for Best Publication Design:
Fruits Basket: The Complete Box Set
Wendy Chan
for Fruits Basket: The Complete Box Set by Natsuki Takaya
Editors: Danielle Niederkorn, JuYoun Lee
Lettering: Lys Blakeslee
Yen Press (Hakusensha)
Fruits Basket The Complete Box Set © Natsuki Takaya 2015 / HAKUSENSHA Inc.
Judge’s Comments
“This set is too much fun! All of the bells and whistles from the box to the books all work in harmony with each other, and were selected with intention. Nothing used felt forced.”
– Andres Juarez
“This deluxe box set is wild; they went alllll out! This is like a shoujo dream in a box and pays such a good homage to a classic. The lenticular treatment on the box of each character and their zodiac is such a fun detail. Even though it’s a huge box, the pink metallic faux-leather handle is actually very sturdy. It was quite nice to carry because it felt like a really cute suitcase.
The execution doesn’t just end at the casing– the books themselves are also meticulously and elegantly designed and hold up on their own. The gold foiling on the cover is very subtle and elegant, and the soft-touch finish, paired with the spot UV gloss, provides excellent legibility and contrast. Honestly, the covers are so beautifully designed and not over-the-top, adding a nice contrast to the box itself. ”
– Amanda Chung
Fruits Basket: The Complete Box Set
Magica, Vol. 1,
chichols
for Magica, Vol. 1, by Yuzuko Hoshimi
Editor: Haize
Lettering: Jeanthrix Andres
Kodama Tales (Daiwashobo Publishing)
https://kodama-tales.com/products/magica-vol-1/
© 2020 Yuzuko Hoshimi / Daiwashobo Publishing
Judge’s Comments
“Love the kraft/natural cover stock, and the feel of the dustjacket. Hot foil can easily be a last-minute decision to make a cover pop, but the foil here is clearly intentional to the overall design/composition of the cover design. Though I wish the bellyband didn’t obscure Yuzuko’s name.”
– Andres Juarez
“Extremely high quality design and printing all around. As per the mangaka’s intention to create an enchanting experience for the reader, all the design and printing elements support this 100%. The subtle but full use of gold foil on the dust jacket and the pastel color pallette of the cover illustration provides an elegant contrast to the natural kraft texture of the cover. The interior full color pages are printed beautifully.”
– Amanda Chung
Magica, Vol. 1
A Cat Is a Cat in Any Life
Ti Collier
for A Cat Is a Cat in Any Life, by Ema Tohyama
Japanese edition designer: AFTERGLOW
Editor: Jennifer Sherman
Lettering: Arbash Mughal
Publisher: Square Enix Manga & Books (Square Enix)
© Ema Tohyama/SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD.
Judge’s Comments
“So impressed by all the design and print elements in this publication. The edge printing looks like a cat walking across the book, and is so fun and cute. The spot gloss on the cover and the spot color printing on the inside is very high quality. This is a soft cover book that is still sturdy by intentional design and deluxe in hand feel and is superior to a lot of hard cover books I’ve come across.”– Amanda Chung
“Such a fun book with design & production decisions to match. More books should have cat paw prints along the edges.”– Andres Juarez
A Cat Is a Cat in Any Life
Stop!! Hibari-kun! Vol. 1,
Patrick Crotty
for Stop!! Hibari-kun! Vol. 1, by Hisashi Eguchi
Editor: Patrick Crotty & Hazel M
Lettering: J. Mai
Peow2 (Freestyle Inc.)
©Hisashi Eguchi
Judge’s Comments
“Incredible publication design all around, with careful consideration of the original JP version while bringing a current touch that is true to PEOW. The english title treatment is such a good homage to the original JP title, and the overall spot color of all the design elements compliment the full color illustration slip jacket cover. I love how the belly band contains the all info of the book and when removed it reveals a (beautiful) full illustration. The subtle laid texture of the paper used for the cover feels really high quality.”“I also want to highlight the thoughtful and necessary inclusion of the publisher/mangaka’s notes that serves as a content warning in the beginning of the book. More publishers need to do this!”
“Type Design: A+”
– Amanda Chung
“Peow’s books are some of the most well-executed book out there right now, and this title is no exception. In complete agreement with Amanda’s assessment.”
– Andres Juarez
Stop!! Hibari-kun! Vol. 1
Baku-chan
emuh ruh
for Baku-chan by Masumura Jushichi
Editor: emuh ruh
Translation: Masumura Jūshichi
Lettering: emuh ruh
Glacier Bay Books
https://glacierbaybooks.com/product/baku-chan/
Copyright Masumura Jūshichi, English edition: Glacier Bay Books
Judge’s Comments
“Where do I even begin! I loved the design and printing of Baku-chan. The overall design approach is unassuming and humble from first glance but the subtle details and design choices linger with the audience, just as the story does. The Holo-glitter foil paired with the pastel paper used for the cover is reminiscent of dreams, which is a strong theme throughout the book. The color pages are executed carefully and nicely– it’s very hard to balance and print pastel colors.”
– Amanda Chu
“They somehow found a way to make glitter foil subtle and quiet, which is no easy feat. Love the binding on this. Was completely surprised by this title.”
– Andres Juarez
Baku-chan
