Fantagraphics introduces Takumigraphics, a new imprint for East Asian comics

Fantagraphics, one of the most prominent indie comics publishers in the US, has announced their new East Asian comics imprint, Takumigraphics.

Fantagraphics‘ entry into publishing East Asian comics was with Moto Hagio’s short story collection A Drunken Dream and Other Stories in 2010. Since then, it has continued to bring many influential works from groundbreaking artists, such as Gengoroh Tagame and Susumu Higa, among others.

2026 will mark Fantagraphics’ 50th year. To celebrate, the publisher has announced Takumigraphics, an imprint solely dedicated to East Asian comics that spans manga, manhwa, manhua and more from the countries in the region.

Conrad Groth, Eric Reynolds, and Gary Groth explain the meaning behind their choice of name for the imprint as:

We chose Takumi from the Japanese because it’s double-bottomed meaning encapsulates the imprint’s editorial goals: it refers to “excellence,” skillfulness,” “adroitness,” “ingeniousness” — as well as a person who embodies those qualities. It’s a term we feel exemplifies the aesthetic caliber of the books that will comprise this imprint — works of mastery and vision.

Fantagraphics also emphasize that, while its initial focus will be on Japanese manga, its library will soon include works from Korea, China, Singapore, Taiwan, the Philippines, and other Asian countries. It also teased more in store for the 50th anniversary! You can follow Takumigraphics’ Instagram account for more updates.

Below are the initial releases will under the new imprint.

Wandering Cat’s Cage

Series by Akane Torikai

An elegiac manga about gender, community, family, control, class, love, and what makes life worth living at the end of the world.

On Their Frontlines: The Lives of Japanese War Brides

Series by Marina Lisa Komiya

In this sensitive and affecting manga debut, this story follows the lives of two Japanese war brides following WWII, and the simmering tensions around identity, sexuality, and cultural change as their country rebuilds from the devastation.

Wandering Son

Series by Shimura Takako

A sensitive masterpiece from Japan’s most prominent creator of LGBTQ+ manga — the acclaimed series in a newly designed paperback edition.

Lovers of the Empire

Series by Yudori

Set in the atmospheric Korean capital in the 1920s, this dynamic manhwa period piece follows two teenagers from different social strata thrown together — and their unlikely connection leads to comedic, emotional, and eye-opening experiences of discovery.

Source: Fantagraphics