Abrams ComicArts’ dedicated manga imprint, Kana, has announced that it will release Minetaro Mochizuki’s acclaimed manga series, Chiisakobee, with the first volume slated to hit shelves on June 23, 2026. This marks a significant addition to Kana’s growing catalog, which focuses on delivering mature and high-quality manga to English-speaking audiences.
The announcement brings a celebrated work to a broader readership, highlighting Kana’s mission to introduce compelling narratives and artistic excellence from both Japanese and French comics markets.
Diving into Chiisakobee: A Story of Rebuilding and Found Family
Chiisakobee is a modern adaptation of Shūgorō Yamamoto’s classic historical novel, reimagining the Edo-era narrative in a contemporary setting. The story centers on Shigetsugu, a young heir and master carpenter whose life is upended after a devastating fire destroys his family business and claims the lives of his parents.
Driven by his late father’s words—”No matter how much the times change, what’s important is for our kind to have compassion and dedication”—Shigetsugu vows to rebuild the struggling venture. His journey takes an unexpected turn with the arrival of Ritsu, a housemaid with no other relatives, who is accompanied by a group of children from an orphanage that also lost its home in the fire. This forms the core of a poignant drama filled with human kindness, as the unconventional group navigates the challenges of rebuilding not just a business, but a new family.
Acclaimed Recognition for Chiisakobee
Minetaro Mochizuki’s Chiisakobee has garnered significant critical acclaim since its serialization in Shogakukan’s Weekly Big Comic Spirits from September 2012 to February 2015. The series was recognized with an Excellence Award at the 17th Japan Media Arts Festival in 2013. Furthermore, it received the prestigious Fauve D’Angoulême – Prix de la Série at the Angoulême International Comics Festival in 2017, underscoring its artistic merit and storytelling prowess on an international stage.
Kana Imprint: Cultivating Mature Manga for the U.S. Market
Abrams ComicArts launched its Kana imprint to specifically cater to the growing demand for mature and diverse manga in the United States. Led by Rodolphe Lachat, vice president and publisher of Abrams ComicArts, Kana aims to publish 40 to 60 paperback titles annually, drawing from both Japanese and select French original works.
A Focus on Quality and Content
The imprint distinguishes itself by prioritizing high-quality production, taking inspiration from Japanese publishing traditions with features like dust jackets, initial color signatures, and premium paper. Kana’s editorial strategy is not to chase fleeting trends but to “celebrate the art of manga,” including republishing classic series and art books.
Rodolphe Lachat emphasized that Kana targets an older demographic, publishing works that “focus on more emotionally mature subjects, characters whose ages are older, or genres that are not usually suitable for children,” such as horror and thrillers. This approach aims to serve the evolving tastes of millennial and Gen Z readers who seek more sophisticated and varied narratives beyond traditional shōnen and shōjo categories. Chiisakobee, with its themes of resilience, community, and personal growth, aligns perfectly with Kana’s vision of offering deeply resonant stories to a discerning adult audience.
