Dark Horse Comics is set to bring the imaginative world of Takaya Imamura, the veteran Nintendo designer behind iconic characters and worlds from Star Fox, F-Zero, and The Legend of Zelda, to English-speaking audiences this October. The company announced today that it will publish the complete manga adaptation of Imamura’s Omega 6: The Triangle Stars in a single volume.
A Retro-Futuristic Bounty Hunting Adventure
Omega 6 plunges readers into a vibrant, retro-futuristic universe where android bounty hunters navigate treacherous landscapes and face formidable foes. The story follows Thunder and Kyla, two androids who awaken from a months-long stasis ready to resume their bounty-hunting careers. They possess a unique ability: by consuming peculiar magic fruits, they can enter a nearly invincible berserker state. However, this power comes at a cost – once the effect wears off, they rapidly age and weaken until they can return to their recovery pods.
Their latest target is Petrogaze, a deadly assassin with a hefty $300 million credit bounty on his head. What seems like a straightforward mission quickly turns into a desperate race against time as Thunder and Kyla are forced to use their magic fruits early, putting them on a life-or-death timer.
The English edition of Omega 6 will be available in bookstores and comic shops on October 21, 2025. The 216-page paperback volume will be translated by award-winning manga translator Zack Davisson, known for his work on H.P. Lovecraft’s The Colour out of Space and Cat + Gamer. The manga will be presented in a left-to-right reading format. The suggested retail price is $14.99.
Imamura’s Vision Extends Beyond the Page
Omega 6 isn’t just a manga; it’s a multimedia project that includes a 16-bit-styled pixel-art adventure game of the same name. The game is slated for release on February 28, 2025, on Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam.
According to Junji Seki, game director and president of the game’s development studio Happymeal, the video game tells a different story than the manga, while set in the same universe. This allows fans to experience the world of Omega 6 through different perspectives and narratives. “The video game version is a totally different story, set in the same world as the Omega 6 comic, full of drama-infused encounters and battles with the 100 plus unique aliens created by Imamura-san,” Seki stated. He hopes fans will enjoy both versions and discover characters making appearances in both the comic and the game.
Imamura himself expressed his excitement about bringing his creation to a wider audience. “I sincerely hope that my manga and games can be enjoyed by people regardless of where they live, and it would make me very happy if my work delivers an exciting and thrilling experience,” he said.
A Story Years in the Making
The Omega 6 manga was initially published in France by Omaké Books in October 2022. Imamura conceived the project after leaving Nintendo in 2021, using his free time while teaching at the International Professional University of Technology in Osaka to secretly work on the manga during breaks.
A Career Defining Games and Manga
Takaya Imamura is a celebrated figure in the video game industry, with a career spanning over three decades at Nintendo. He joined the company in 1989 and contributed significantly to some of its most beloved franchises.
Key Contributions to Nintendo’s Iconic Franchises
- Star Fox: Imamura is credited with designing many of the supporting characters in the Star Fox series. He also served as co-producer for Star Fox Assault (2005) and producer for Star Fox Command (2006). He was also a supervisor for Star Fox 64 3D (2011).
- F-Zero: Imamura is responsible for the characters and story of F-Zero, including the iconic Captain Falcon. He also served as supervising producer for F-Zero GX.
- The Legend of Zelda: Imamura’s contributions to The Legend of Zelda series are particularly noteworthy. He worked as a pixel artist and dungeon map designer on The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. Perhaps his most memorable creation is Tingle, the quirky map-making character from The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask. He was the Art Director for Majora’s Mask. He also designed Majora’s Mask itself.
A New Chapter: Manga Artist and Educator
After leaving Nintendo in 2021, Imamura embarked on new creative and professional paths. He began teaching at the International Professional University of Technology in Osaka while simultaneously pursuing his passion for manga. Omega 6 represents his first major manga project, showcasing his talents as both a writer and artist.
Zack Davisson: Bringing Japanese Stories to the World
Zack Davisson is an award-winning translator specializing in manga and Japanese culture. He has translated numerous works, including H.P. Lovecraft’s The Colour out of Space, Cat + Gamer, and Demon Days. Davisson’s expertise in Japanese language and culture ensures that the English edition of Omega 6 will accurately capture the nuances and spirit of Imamura’s original work.
Dark Horse Comics: A Champion of Diverse Voices
Dark Horse Comics is a well-known publisher in the comic book industry, recognized for its diverse range of titles and its commitment to supporting independent creators. Founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson, Dark Horse has published numerous critically acclaimed and commercially successful comics, graphic novels, and manga. Some of their notable publications include Sin City by Frank Miller, Hellboy by Mike Mignola, and various licensed properties such as Star Wars and Alien.
Dark Horse has a long history of publishing manga in English, introducing many Japanese creators to Western audiences. Their decision to publish Omega 6 reflects their ongoing dedication to bringing unique and compelling stories to readers.
Get Ready for October
With its captivating blend of retro aesthetics, sci-fi action, and compelling characters, Omega 6 promises to be a must-read for fans of manga, video games, and Takaya Imamura’s work. Mark your calendars for October 21, 2025, and prepare to embark on an unforgettable bounty-hunting adventure.
