Glacier Bay Books, a North American independent publisher specializing in alternative and indie manga, has launched a new Kickstarter campaign to fund its Fall 2025 manga releases. The campaign, which features five new titles, aims to bring a diverse selection of unique comics to English-speaking audiences.
Highlighting the Fall 2025 Collection
The Fall 2025 lineup from Glacier Bay Books introduces five distinct manga titles, showcasing a range of genres and artistic styles:
- True Blue Never Fades (True Blue wa Kesshite Iroasenai) by Yumi Tada: This story follows Bonny and Mickey, a couple grappling with the challenges of their relationship as Mickey, a long-haul trucker, is frequently absent, leaving behind only mementos and memories. The dynamic changes with the introduction of a naive young man. Originally published in 1995 by Shodensha, this manga delves into themes of love, distance, and the passage of time.
- Universe from the Balcony (Veranda kara Uchū) by Konomi Oumi: A collection of mind-expanding stories, this title features ethereal beings, plant spirits, impossible love, and a mermaid who has forgotten how to swim, offering a unique and delightful reading experience. Oumi originally released this manga at COMITIA 145 in September 2023.
- Box Garden Beetle (Hako Niwa Mushi) by Akino Kondoh: Details on this title are still emerging, but it promises to be another compelling addition to the collection, maintaining Glacier Bay Books’ reputation for thought-provoking works.
- The Cursed Body by Tokushige Kawakatsu: This manga will be printed in A5 size with a special textured paper dust jacket and lay-flat sewn binding, featuring deluxe cream stock interiors with a spot color ink. It also includes an interview with the author by Ryan Holmberg. Glacier Bay Books had initially announced its release in 2022 for 2023.
- Baku Chan by Jūshichi Masumura: Described as a “devastatingly beautiful short comic,” this work follows Baku Chan, a young tapir who has emigrated to Tokyo, Earth, from their home planet, the Star of the Tapirs. Masumura is also the author of Children of Mu-Town, previously published by Glacier Bay Books.
These titles span various themes, from political works and dramas to new collections from acclaimed alt-manga artists.
Kickstarter Campaign Details and Goals
The Kickstarter campaign for the Fall 2025 titles launched recently, with a funding goal that, if met, will allow Glacier Bay Books to proceed with the printing of these works. The campaign is set to conclude on Thursday, September 11, 2025, at 2:59 PM PDT.
Backers can choose from various reward tiers, including individual titles, bundles of all new books, and retail tiers for shops and libraries. Additionally, many titles from Glacier Bay Books’ existing catalogue are available as add-ons. The publisher aims to finalize lettering, editing, and design work, with a goal to send these books to print in the summer, and tentatively expects backers to receive their copies by November 2025.
About Glacier Bay Books
Founded in 2019/2020, Glacier Bay Books is an Ignatz Award-winning small press comics publisher based in North America. The company is highly active in the arts comics space and specializes in contemporary indie and alternative manga. With over 30 published works, Glacier Bay Books is committed to bringing artistic, original, thoughtful, and compelling works from the world of contemporary comics to English readers. Notable past releases include Glaeolia, F, Children of Mu-Town, and Invisible Parade.
The publisher frequently utilizes Kickstarter to fund its projects, demonstrating a successful model for independent publishing in the manga industry. A previous campaign for “Three New Fall 2024 Titles,” which included Flash Point and a reprint of F by Imai Arata, alongside Spring Tides by Andrew White, successfully reached and exceeded its US$27,000 goal, raising over $33,000 from 421 backers. This past success underscores the strong community support for Glacier Bay Books’ curatorial vision.
