During their industry panel at the 2025 Anime Expo, Kodansha announced twenty new licenses. Below are the licenses they announced:
Coming to print in Spring ’26 Shugo Chara! 20th Anniversary Edition By PEACH-PIT Shugo Chara! returns in a refreshed edition with new covers, updated translation, and a color art gallery! Follow Amu as she unlocks her true self with help from magical Guardian Characters. Rated: 13+
Coming to print in Spring ’26 Shugo Chara! Jewel Joker By PEACH-PIT The magical girl classic continues! Now in middle school, Amu transfers to Arcana Academy to stop a crisis and hunt down the powerful Arcana Jewels in this Shugo Chara! sequel. Rated: All ages 8+
Coming to print in Spring ’26 The Ghost in the Shell Legacy Edition Manga Box Set By Shirow Masamune The definitive cyberpunk manga returns in an uncensored box set featuring new art by Shirow Masamune, 11 exclusive posters, and Fuchikoma stickers. Rated: 18+
Coming to print in Spring ’26 GALAXIAS By Ao Hatesaka A country girl longing for adventure and a kid with a dragon tail set off on a rip-roaring adventure in this hot new fantasy shonen manga perfect for fans of One Piece, Soul Eater, Fairy Tail, and Gachiakuta. Rated: 13+
Coming to print in Spring ’26 OMORI By OMOCAT and Nui Konoito Teenage shut-in Sunny is forced out of isolation when his friend Kel shows up suddenly, sparking twin journeys as Sunny and his dream-world alter ego, Omori, must overcome their grief to find a missing friend. BASED ON THE HIT INDIE RPG!
Coming to print in Spring ’26 Fruit of the Underworld By Aya Kanno After a deadly crash, Seiji must journey into Hades’ underworld to save his best friend—and his own soul—in this dark action-fantasy perfect for fans of Jujutsu Kaisen and Demon Slayer. Rated: 13+
Coming to print in Spring ’26 Wicked Spot By Sal Jiang After a century in hiding, sorceress Sadako goes viral on social media—then shocks fans by revealing she’s a real witch. When skeptic Hanako pushes back, their feud sparks a chaotic, magical journey…and maybe even love! Rated: 16+
Coming to print in Spring ’26 Drawing From Your Memory By Shiki Kawabata A heartfelt time-travel manga about grief and redemption. Mahoro stole the idea for her hit manga series from a late classmate—now she’s back in the past with a chance to make things right. Rated: 13+
Coming to print in Spring ’26 Love at First Memory By Narumi Hasegaki After a car accident leaves heiress Mia with amnesia, four charming suitors claim to be her chosen fiancé! In this fun, self-aware reverse harem romcom, Mia must piece together her past—and maybe fall in love all over again. Rated: 16+
Coming to print in Spring ’26 Kirio Fan Club By Chikyuu no Sakana Ponchan What if your crush’s farts were so loud you could hear them miles away? For Aimi and Nami, it’d be a dream come true. These best friends—and rivals in love—are obsessed with the same boy, and nothing (not even dignity) will stop them from proving it. A bizarre, laugh-out-loud romcom perfect for fans of Nichijou and City! Rated: 13+
Coming to print in Spring ’26 Hitting Rewind With You By Hanamaru Kira Two college students longing for the high school experiences they missed fall for each other in this nostalgic, silly-sweet romcom—perfect for fans of Yamada-kun at Lv 999 and In the Clear Moonlit Dusk! Rated: 13+
Coming to print in Spring ’26 Love Out on a Limb By Yoko Nogiri Yui returns home to find herself caught between her charming stepbrother and her childhood friend—who suggests they date to stop her growing feelings for her brother. Rated: 16+
Coming to print in Spring ’26 Perfectly Fine on My Own, So My Fiancé Can Twist in the Wind By Jun Hareta, Original Story by Yahiro Arase Tired of being overlooked by her fiancé Keios, noblewoman Nicole decides to give up on love and live for herself. But as she begins to shine on her own terms, even the oblivious Keios starts to take notice… Rated: 16+
Coming to print in Spring ’26 Marrying the Dark Knight (For Her Money) By Sometime Suoh Noble Clarice marries the fearsome Dark Knight to save her sick sister—but soon discovers the Knight is secretly a woman. In this dark fantasy yuri rom-com, Clarice faces forbidden secrets, household chaos, and monster battles in an unexpected marriage. Rated: 16+
Coming to print in Spring ’26 Voices in the Sea Foam By Kotaro Aito thought he was a normal kid—until the day he fell for a boy and recalled his past life as the tragic little mermaid. Left voiceless and in pain around his crush by a mysterious power, Aito swears off love…until a charming college classmate named Toru changes everything. Rated: 16+
Coming to print in Summer ’26 Blue Summer Haze By Dondon A love triangle heats up on the baseball field when Makoto’s childhood catcher—and first crush—transfers to his school, throwing his all-star partnership and feelings into turmoil. A summer BL perfect for fans of Nagisa Furuya! Rated: 16+
Coming to print in Summer ’26 What If I Said, “I Love You”? By Kumosoku Childhood friends Kazuho and Tokio have drifted apart—but when hidden feelings come to light, will it end their bond or spark first love? A tender friends-to-lovers BL perfect for fans of My Summer of You and My Ultramarine Sky! Rated: 16+
Coming to print in Spring ’26 Smells Like Green Spirit By Saburo Nagai Bullied and isolated, Mishima only feels like himself when wearing his mom’s lipstick—and is shocked when he catches his tormentor Kirino secretly doing the same. Their unlikely bond sparks a bittersweet summer of self-discovery and exploration, but the key to Pandora’s Box opens the door to much more than they bargained for… Rated: 16+
Coming to print in Spring ’26 Honey Bee & Lemon Balm By Jil Hashikura A former yakuza finds new purpose—and unexpected love—after a chance encounter with a kind florist in this quirky, heartfelt BL romance. Rated: 16+
Coming to print in Summer ’26 MARS 30th Anniversary Edition By Fuyumi Soryo The beloved shojo classic MARS returns in metallic hardcover 2-in-1s! A quiet artist and a troubled model find love and healing in this powerful story of pain, trust, and connection. Rated: 16+
Source: Kodansha Twitter
