Manga Mania: The Top Manga Publishers in the US

Manga has been a global phenomenon for decades, and the United States is arguably the second biggest market outside of Japan. What was once a niche interest in the 90s has blossomed into a thriving industry, with manga sales outpacing traditional American comics in recent years. This phenomenal growth is largely due to the tireless efforts of several key publishers who have made it their mission to bring the most popular and exciting Japanese titles to English-speaking audiences. In this comprehensive look at the manga publishing landscape in America, we'll explore the major players, their unique approaches, and the impact they've had on the industry.

The Rise of Manga in America

Before diving into the publishers themselves, it's worth taking a moment to appreciate the journey manga has taken in the United States. The roots of manga in America can be traced back to the 1980s when a few pioneering companies began translating and publishing Japanese comics in North America. However, it wasn't until the late 1990s and early 2000s that manga truly began to take off. This boom coincided with the increasing popularity of anime like Pokemon, Dragon Ball Z, and Sailor Moon. The pioneering series introduced a generation of viewers to Japanese storytelling and art styles. 

Today, manga is a dominant force in the American comic book market. According to recent industry reports, manga sales in North America reached over $250 million in 2020, and have continued to grow since then. This success has led to increased diversity in the types of manga being published, from action-packed shonen series to romance-focused shojo titles, and everything in between.

Now, let's take a closer look at the publishers who have been instrumental in bringing manga to English-speaking readers.

Viz Media: The Manga Powerhouse

When it comes to manga in America, Viz Media stands at the forefront. Founded in 1986, Viz has grown to become the largest publisher of manga in the United States. Their success is largely because they are co-owned by Japanese publishing giants Shueisha and Shogakukan, giving them access to a vast library of popular titles.

Viz

Demon Slayer

One Piece

Viz has been responsible for bringing many of the most iconic manga series to US readers. Their catalog reads like a who's who of anime and manga hits:

• Dragon Ball
• Naruto
• One Piece
• Death Note
• My Hero Academia
• Demon Slayer
• Chainsaw Man

These series have not only been commercial successes but are also considered cultural touchstones within the anime and manga fandom throughout the world. Viz's commitment to maintaining a steady release schedule for ongoing series has helped build and maintain dedicated fanbases for these titles.

Viz has also been at the forefront of adapting to changes in the publishing industry. They were one of the first manga publishers to embrace digital distribution, launching their Shonen Jump digital magazine in 2012. The platform gave readers access to the latest chapters the same day they were released in Japan, a model known as "simulpub" that has since been adopted by other publishers.

Kodansha USA: A Cultural Bridge

Since its founding in 2008, Kodansha USA has served as one of the biggest publishers of books related to Japan, Japanese culture, and manga in America. As the US branch of Kodansha - one of Japan's oldest and largest publishing companies - Kodansha USA has access to an incredible library of titles.

Kodansha USA

Attack on Titan

Blue Lock

Vinland Saga

Kodansha's history in Japan dates back to 1909, making it one of the most venerable names in Japanese publishing. This legacy gives Kodansha USA a unique position in the American market. They're not just publishing manga; they're acting as a cultural bridge, bringing over a century of Japanese literary tradition to English-speaking readers. Some of Kodansha's most popular manga titles include:

• Attack on Titan
• Tokyo Revengers
• Blue Lock
• The Seven Deadly Sins
• Fairy Tail
• Vinland Saga

One area where Kodansha USA has particularly excelled is in the quality of their localizations. They put a strong emphasis on maintaining the original intent and flavor of the Japanese text while making it accessible to English-speaking readers. This commitment to quality has earned them a loyal following among manga enthusiasts.

Kodansha has also been proactive in the digital space. They've partnered with digital manga platforms like Crunchyroll and have their own app, K Manga, which allows readers to purchase and read digital manga. 

Seven Seas Entertainment: Diverse Offerings

Seven Seas Entertainment has a unique origin story among major US manga publishers. Founded in 2004, they initially focused on original English-language manga (OEL manga) before transitioning to licensing Japanese manga and light novels. Today, they're known for their diverse catalog and willingness to take chances on unique or niche titles.

Seven Seas

Mushoko Tensei

Made in Abyss

Skip and Loafer

Seven Seas has made a name for itself by picking up titles overlooked by larger publishers. This strategy has allowed them to build a loyal fanbase among readers looking for something different from the mainstream shonen and shojo titles that dominate the market. Seven Seas has been particularly successful in the isekai genre, capitalizing on its growing popularity among manga and light novel readers. Some of Seven Seas' most popular series include:

• Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation
• Made in Abyss
• Skip and Loafer
• The Ancient Magus' Bride
• My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!

In addition to manga, Seven Seas has become one of the leading publishers of light novels in English. Light novels - prose works often accompanied by manga-style illustrations - have become increasingly popular, and Seven Seas was one of the first publishers to recognize and capitalize on this trend.

Yen Press: Light Novels and Beyond

Co-owned by Kadokawa Corporation and Hachette Book Group, Yen Press has carved out a significant place in the US manga market since its founding in 2006. They're particularly known for their strong presence in the light novel market, but their manga offerings have also grown significantly over the years.

Yen Press

Solo Leveling

Sword Art Online

Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint

Yen Press has been at the forefront of bringing light novels to English-speaking audiences. Some of their most successful light novel series include:

• Sword Art Online
• The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
• Spice and Wolf
• Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World

These titles have not only been successful in their own right but have also helped to grow the overall market for light novels in the US.

On the manga front, Yen Press has published several popular titles:

• Toilet-bound Hanako-kun
• Delicious in Dungeon
• Horimiya

Yen Press has made a strong push to publish popular Webtoons and Tapas titles through their imprint Ize Press. Their current lineup of licenses include: 

• Solo Leveling
• Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint
• Unholy Blood

Dark Horse: Deluxe Editions and Classics

While primarily known for American comics, Dark Horse has become a significant player in the manga world as well. Founded in 1986, Dark Horse began publishing manga in the 90s, making them one of the pioneers of manga localization in the US.

Dark Horse Comics

Berserk

Gantz

Hellsing

Dark Horse has carved out a niche for themselves by focusing on more mature, seinen-oriented titles. Some of their most notable manga series include:

• Berserk
• Hellsing
• Trigun
• Blade of the Immortal
• Gantz

One area where Dark Horse has truly excelled is in their production of deluxe editions of classic manga series. The larger page sizes and high-quality paper and binding have made their books highly sought after by collectors. This focus on premium editions has helped Dark Horse stand out in a crowded market and has allowed them to breathe new life into older series.

Titan Manga: The New Kid on the Block

In 2022, Titan Publishing Group launched Titan Manga as an imprint focused purely on licensing manga. Though new to the scene, they've already made waves with some exciting acquisitions. Titan Manga's growing catalog includes:

• Afro Samurai
• Ryuko
• Speed Grapher
• Kamen Rider Kuuga

Titan Manga

Afro Samurai

Ryuko

Speed Grapher

As you can see, many of Titan Manga's early acquisitions have been titles with popular anime adaptations. This strategy allows them to capitalize on existing fanbases and cross-promote with anime releases.

As a newcomer to the manga publishing scene, Titan Manga is one to watch. Their connection to the larger Titan Publishing Group gives them resources and experience in the comics industry, which could help them grow in the manga market.

Tokyopop: Manga Pioneers

No discussion of manga publishing in America would be complete without mentioning Tokyopop. Founded in 1997, Tokyopop played a crucial role in the early days of manga's popularity in the US. Tokyopop was instrumental in establishing many of the practices that are now standard in the US manga industry:

• They were one of the first publishers to release manga in its original right-to-left format, preserving the original artwork and reading experience.
• They popularized the practice of releasing manga in the smaller, Japanese-style tankobon format, rather than in the larger sizes typical of American comics.
• They were pioneers in marketing manga specifically to teenage girls, helping to expand the manga readership beyond the traditional male-dominated comic book audience.

Tokyopop

Fruits Basket

Initial D

Sailor Moon

Over the years, Tokyopop has published many popular series, including:

• Sailor Moon
• Fruits Basket
• Chobits
• Love Hina
• Initial D

However, Tokyopop faced significant challenges in the late 2000s and early 2010s, including the loss of their Kodansha licenses and financial difficulties that led to a restructuring of the company. They've since reinvented themselves, focusing on:

• Original English-language manga
• Manga-inspired graphic novels
• Disney manga adaptations

Why You Should Explore US Manga Publishers

For manga fans and newcomers alike, exploring the offerings of these US publishers can be a rewarding experience:

• Access to a huge variety of manga genres and styles
• High-quality translations and localizations that maintain the spirit of the original works
• Collector's editions and special releases that enhance the reading experience
• Officially licensed content that supports manga creators and the industry as a whole

Whether you're a long-time manga enthusiast or just curious about this unique art form, the diverse offerings of US manga publishers ensure that there's something for everyone. As the industry continues to evolve and grow, it's an exciting time to be a manga reader in America.