Kodansha U.S.A. is introducing Young Magazine in America
Kodansha Launches "Young Magazine USA" - A Landmark Event for English-speaking Manga Fans
Kodansha, a leading Japanese publisher, has announced the launch of a special North American edition of its renowned seinen manga magazine, "Young Magazine USA". This edition, distributed for free at Anime NYC 2025 and at Kinokuniya bookstores across the US, marks a significant milestone for English-speaking manga enthusiasts.
The Content and Theme
The magazine, which boasts over 1,000 pages, features 19-20 new works by popular and legendary manga creators such as Shuichi Shigeno ("Initial D"), Shuzo Oshimi ("Flowers of Evil"), Masaaki Nakayama ("Fuan no Tane"), and a cover illustration by Masamune Shirow ("Ghost in the Shell"). The theme is "UN-filtered MANGA," showcasing mature, gritty stories consistent with the magazine's history of complex morality and depictions of violence and sexuality.
Unfiltered Manga
The focus is on unfiltered manga, spanning genres like science fiction, dark horror, and cyberpunk, aiming to depict raw human realities without lies or exaggeration.
Reader Participation
A reader participation general election is also a key feature of the magazine. Fans can vote for their favourite among 16 eligible new works via "Likes" and "Reposts" on X (formerly Twitter) and a special website. The top five voted series will be simultaneously serialized in Japan and the US in "Young Magazine" and the manga app "KMANGA."
Availability
The free special issue will be available exclusively at the Kinokuniya booth at Anime NYC 2025 and at all 17 Kinokuniya bookstores in the US from August 21 to November 10, 2025, while stocks last.
Notable Contributions
Michael Kozlowski, a writer who specializes in audiobooks, e-books, and e-readers, resides in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Kozlowski has been active in his field for eighteen years.
In addition to the new works, "UNDER NINJA", a manga currently serialized in the Japanese version of Young Magazine, will also be included in the US edition.
Fan Voting Event
The magazine will also feature a fan voting event where readers can choose their favourites from among 16 eligible titles. The winning manga from the fan vote will be serialized on Kodansha's official manga app, K MANGA.
For more information, visit our website and stay tuned for the website's scheduled launch in late August.
[1] Kodansha USA Publishing. (2025). Young Magazine USA Launches in August 2025. [Press Release] [2] Anime NYC. (2025). Young Magazine USA to be Distributed at Anime NYC 2025 and Kinokuniya Bookstores. [Press Release] [4] Kinokuniya USA. (2025). Young Magazine USA Available at Kinokuniya Bookstores. [Press Release]
The launch of "Young Magazine USA" by Kodansha promises to revolutionize the entertainment landscape for English-speaking manga fans, as it delves into gritty, unfiltered stories from renowned manga creators. This technology-driven pop-culture event encourages reader participation through a fan voting event, with the winner being serialized on the KMANGA app, an e-reader-friendly platform.
