At its panel on Thursday at Anime Expo 2026, North American manga publisher Manga Mavericks announced three newly-licensed titles slated to hit shelves in the first half of 2027, including omnibus editions of the seminal manga The Sword of Paros and Hero Company.
In February, the publisher will release Motionless by Quick Obake, the mangaka credited with pioneering GIF manga (depicting characters who move between panels). Motionless is a short story collection originally published in Japan by Two Virgins.
“I can’t express how overjoyed I am that my manga is being translated and published in English,” said Obake in a statement for AX attendees. “This manga is made up of little oddities and emotions I’ve experienced in my everyday life. I’m euphoric at the thought that this English version will be read by people who have a different worldview and culture from my own! I’m looking forward to hearing everyone’s feedback from the publisher. Thank you, and I hope you’ll enjoy the manga.”
Motionless will be published in color in A5 (5.83″ x 8.27″) size. The book will be available for $9.99 digitally and $19.99 in print, and pre-orders are available now.
In April, Manga Mavericks will publish The Sword of Paros, written by Kaoru Kurimoto and illustrated by Yumiko Igarashi, in a deluxe hardcover omnibus, collecting the entire 1986 three-volume manga in one book. In addition to a spot gloss cover and sprayed edges, the special edition will include previously lost color pages from the manga that have been recovered and restored by Igarashi, Japanese publisher Fairbell, and the Manga Mavericks team.
The legends that speak of the Sword of Paros say that it can bestow either prosperity or ruin on its kingdom…depending on the heart of its wielder.
The kingdom’s current princess, the beautiful yet resentful Elminia, laments being treated as a soulless tool simply for being born in a woman’s body.
Accompanied by Count Yulias, Elminia rides as far away from the kingdom’s politics as possible. One day, Eliminia meets a beautiful young girl named Fiona, and their lives and the kingdom are changed forever.
This will mark the first time Igarashi’s work is published in print in English.
“I’m very happy to see one of my manga get an English release. Even to me, The Sword of Paros remains an unforgettable, precious creation,” said Igarashi in a statement for AX attendees. “I hope you’ll all give it a read and enjoy your trip through my world.”
The Sword of Paros omnibus edition will be published in a JIS B5 (7.2″ x 10.1″) size for $13.99 digitally and $54.99 in print. Pre-orders are available now.
Finally, in June, Manga Mavericks will publish Hero Company Omnibus, Vol. 1 by Kazuhiko Shimamoto. Hero Company originally began serialization in 2011 and has been previously published in print by Hero’s Inc in Japan. The Manga Mavericks edition will mark the first time in over 20 years that any of Shimamoto’s manga has been released in English.
At a time where heroism has become no different than any other day at the office, one young man stands for the people…
The year is 20XX, and a global recession has swept through the lands. One company, however, has seemingly remained unaffected by the sinking economy. Namely, Hero Company Inc.! They’re an organization that works by night to protect the lives of ordinary civilians…as long as their missions remain within tight profit margins and fit within their strict business guidelines.
Enter Ginga Amano, a passionate rookie who still holds strong to the ideals of heroism despite them being completely at odds with the strict office culture that’s come to dominate the field. He dreams of following in his father’s footsteps at Hero Company Inc., but can he truly uphold his sense of justice when reality demands that he ignore the people’s pleas to make it to his interview on time?
Find out in this exciting chronicle of the adventures and struggles of the Hero Company! Illustrated by legendary artist Kazuhiko Shimamoto and filled with his unique brand of polished artwork and hot-blooded storytelling!
“Nowadays, there’s an abundance of series with heroes as central characters, but this is a unique take where fantasy meets typical Japanese corporate culture that prioritizes profits and efficiency above all else,” said Shimamoto in a statement for AX attendees. “And yet, despite it all, the protagonist desperately tries to be a superhero! I hope you’ll come to love the lighthearted and entertaining exploits and struggles of the heroes in this story.”
Hero Company Omnibus, Vol. 1 will be released in 2-in-1 omnibus format (meaning it contains the first two volumes of the series) in A5 (5.83″ x 8.27″) with a dust jacket. The book will be available for $9.99 digitally and $24.99 in print, and pre-orders are available now.
