The Manga Mavericks podcast announced today that it is launching Manga Mavericks Books — a new manga publisher that will work directly with Japanese creators to license, localize, and distribute their stories worldwide.
The initial slate of titles includes three manga licensed by Manga Mavericks Books and three manga acquired by localization partner Red String, for which the former will help support the marketing and print distribution in the United States.
All six titles will be released in English in both digital and print formats in July 2025, and will be available on the newly launched Manga Mavericks Books Store. Pre-orders for all titles are now available and will be shipped to customers worldwide.
Here are the details for the six new manga series:
BONDS
Story and Art: ZENZO
Release Date: July 2025 (Print/Digital)
Originally published in 2019, BONDS is the first original full-length manga created by ZENZO, a talented manga artist who studied under Beyblade: Metal Fusion creator Takafumi Adachi. The manga was the winner of both the Japan Representative Selection and Candidate Award in the Featured Manga category for the 2019 Goku Cup manga contest.
Synopsis:
In an alternate take on Journey to the West, Son Goku and Sanzo have only just begun their long journey, and trust doesn’t come easily. Their already shaky bond is tested further when Sanzo’s misgivings lead to a rift between the two. Is the journey over before it even begins, or is it true that adversity is what forges unshakable bonds?
ALTERNATIVE[SELF LINER NOTE]
Story and Art: Chiaki Yagura
Release Date: July 2025 (Print/Digital)
Originally released at COMITIA 130 in 2019, ALTERNATIVE[SELF LINER NOTE] is a story about music, creative slumps, and letting it all out.
Synopsis:
“The good die young.” There’s a whole movement of entertainers who by 27 years old had left their mark on the world, including my God. At 28, what have I done? Am I worthy to stand on the same stage? Why does my gospel stay unwritten?
Zigoku’s Foreman
Story and Art: 9banta
Co-planning: Hiroki Kamishiro
Release Date for Volume 1: July 2025 (Print/Digital)
Zigoku’s Foreman is an ongoing manga series that currently has two volumes. Originally self-published in 2019, the manga is now being widely published on e-book platforms in Japan by COMPASS Comics. For the upcoming Manga Mavericks Books release, the English logo and cover were personally designed by 9banta.
Synopsis:
Meet the literal boss from hell. Mizuchi, once a human, died, went to hell, and became an unruly demon. Though he’s not just any demon: he’s a foreman with underlings who make up a motley crew. With a magic sword and super strength, some hellish construction work should be a snap, but Mizuchi and his crew are hellbent on doing anything aside from their work.
Now No One Lurks Beneath the Snow (Red String)
Story and Art: Aneido
Release Date: July 2025 (Print/Digital)
The mature release will include a special cover hidden under French flaps, bonus content, and limited goods on the Manga Mavericks Books Store.
Synopsis:
No one ever wanted to make the journey. And so, the role fell to me to go and visit the manor located deep in the mountains. I was to deliver carrots, of all things, to this residence that everyone was reluctant to visit. And there, a mysterious, beautiful, and wise individual, who called the snowy manor their home, awaited me.
The Murderer and Her Runaway Desire (Red String)
Story and Art: Aneido
Release Date: July 2025 (Print/Digital)
Aneido’s breakout mature Kickstarter success title. Prints have embossed lettering on the cover and include a bookmark.
Synopsis:
At a certain school, students are being killed one after another. The culprit is the teacher. The other students are completely unaware. Only “DESIRE” knows the teacher is the murderer. In order to protect her secret, the teacher surrenders her body to “DESIRE”. Although “DESIRE” is mercilessly brutal, her cunning words and “cunning” actions push the teacher towards hedonism.
Senpai no Kohai (Red String)
Story and Art: Hanakage Alt
Release Date: July 2025 (Print/Digital)
The workplace yuri romance series concludes in the third part of Senpai no Kohai. Previously released in English, this version includes a new translation of Parts 1 and 2 of the manga, as well as a newly-drawn Part 3. Prints will also include bookmarks.
Synopsis:
One day, on her way to work, Sayuri Terazono, suddenly spots an all too familiar back in the crowd of people before her. Though many years had passed since she last saw Risa, there’s no way Sayuri would be able to forget her precious Kouhai. After all, Risa wasn’t just any Kouhai for Sayuri, she was special. But, there’s no way Risa would remember her after all this time, right?
Source: press release
