In a move that furthers its expansion into new categories beyond its manga roots, TOKYOPOP has announced the launch of a new kids book imprint with seven initial acquisitions. TOKYOPOP Kids will publish manga, graphic novels, picture books, chapter books, middle-grade novels, and Spanish language titles, all targeting children up to 12 years old.
The new imprint will focus on “celebrating cultural diversity with global stories and inclusive characters, and promoting literacy and age-appropriate narratives through engaging visual formats,” the announcement said.
TOKYOPOP COO and Publisher Marc Visnick described the plan. “TOKYOPOP has been bringing manga to readers of all-ages for nearly 30 years and this new imprint will deliver engaging, age-appropriate content that combines the visual appeal of manga with storytelling themes relevant to today’s early and middle-grade readers,” he said in a statement accompanying the announcement.
The seven titles announced for Fall include two graphic novels (plus a Spanish version of one of the titles), two picture books, a chapter book, and another Spanish-language title. The graphic novels are:
As Yubooh Slumbers, by Paulina Palacios, the first volume of a four-volume manga-style series originally published in Spanish by Planeta and available in English on WEBTOON. The story revolves around a new student at a prestigious boarding school who fellow students must protect with their magical powers until they know whether she possesses magic. The 164-page digest-sized paperback for readers 10 and up will be released October 20, 2026 at $15.99 MSRP. TOKYOPOP will also publish a Spanish edition in the U.S.
Wild Paws, by Victor Nordahl, the first volume of a two-volume series from Norway, takes a fox’s point of view in a story in which a fox that feels different from the rest of the foxes in his clan ends up getting caught on a fox farm, finds a friend, and has to plan an escape. Winner of the Norwegian Ministry of Culture’s Comic Prize. Wild Paws, Vol. 1: The Fox Farm, a 184-page title for readers 8-12 will be released November 10 at $14.99 MSRP.
TOKYOPOP has been on a tear recently, partnering with 247 Comics (see “Tokyopop Partners with 247 Comics”), and expanding into the tabletop games business (see “Tokyopop Reveals ‘Spy x Family: The Card Game’”).
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