Exciting news for manga fans in the United States as Japanese publisher Kodansha is set to launch Young Magazine, a popular weekly anthology magazine, in the country. The inaugural issue will feature 19 new chapters created exclusively for American audiences, with the most popular titles selected through fan votes to be serialized as tankobon volumes under the YoungKC imprint every couple of months. The cover of the first volume has been revealed.
Hidemi Shiraki, Editor in Chief of Young Magazine, expressed his enthusiasm for the selection process, stating, “For our selection, we held an open call and received submissions from over 100 manga creators. Ultimately, 19 titles were carefully chosen for your enjoyment. We aim to introduce the potential of Seinen manga to a wider audience in North America, known for being the largest manga audience outside Japan, by exploring themes beyond the scope of Shonen manga.”
The Weekly Young Magazine, originally launched in 1980, is known for providing seinen fiction and has been the starting point for iconic series such as AKIRA and Ghost in the Shell. The publication delves into themes of violence, drugs, and sexuality, offering a different experience from traditional shonen manga aimed at young boys.
Debuting alongside the established authors are new titles eligible for voting, including “BOYS RUN THE RIOT: IN TRANSITION” by Keito Gaku and “The Silent Forest” by Masaaki Nakayama. Fans attending Anime NYC will have the opportunity to grab a free print copy of the debut issue of Young Magazine USA, available at Kinokuniya stores across the country.
