SDCC ’25: Manga Mavericks licenses two new indie manga for early 2026 release

During their panel at Comic Con International, Manga Mavericks Books announced two exciting new titles joining their growing catalog of indie manga: Pipe Machine by Takuji Umihara and Path From Tanuki Temple by Shinkuro Koma. Both series are slated for English-language print and digital release in early 2026 and will also be available in advance for paid subscribers to the Manga Mavericks Substack newsletter.

Courtesy of Manga Mavericks

Launching in March 2026, Pipe Machine follows a seemingly ordinary boy named Saburo whose life takes a turn for the absurd when his grandfather builds a pipe-shaped time machine. After a wild test flight, Saburo is launched into the cosmos, where he meets robots, strange aliens, and a mysterious girl who looks oddly familiar. This offbeat sci-fi romp has been described as fast-paced, funny, and deeply nostalgic—an intentional nod to the wild energy of Osamu Tezuka’s classics.

Creator Takuji Umihara shared a personal note with fans at Comic Con, saying,

“I drew this work both as a study and a means to relive what had excited me about Osamu Tezuka’s works as a child. It was at first a means to an end of becoming a pro mangaka, but now the story has grasped me and I can’t let it go.”

The series is currently ongoing in Japan and will be released in five A5-size volumes by Manga Mavericks Books.

Preorder Volume 1 now: Print | Digital

Courtesy of Manga Mavericks

Coming in April 2026, Path From Tanuki Temple is a lush, full-color fantasy adventure that follows Princess Kikyo, a tanuki shapeshifter bored with palace life. Disguised as a traveler, she leaves her hidden village in search of excitement—and quickly discovers that the outside world is far more dangerous than she expected.

With hand-drawn watercolor-style art and an all-ages story full of charm and heart, creator Shinkuro Koma offered this message to new readers:

“There aren’t many full-color hand-drawn manga out there… I hope you’ll enjoy the strength and warmth that one can only get from drawing the old-fashioned way.”

Manga Mavericks will collect the six-volume Japanese release into three large-format B5 volumes for the English edition.

Preorder Volume 1 now: Print | Digital

Manga Mavericks began in 2016 as a podcast exploring the art and business of manga around the world. Since then, it has grown into a multimedia platform for manga journalism, reviews, and commentary. With the launch of their publishing arm, the company aims to bring unique, under-the-radar manga titles to English-speaking readers, focusing on indie creators and distinctive voices in the medium.

For updates and early access to upcoming releases, visit: store.mangamavericks.com