Los Angeles, CA – Noir Caesar Entertainment, in collaboration with TOKYOPOP, has officially announced the North American release of the highly anticipated basketball manga series, Deep3, set for March 2026. This move expands the relationship between the two publishers and brings a critically acclaimed Japanese series to English-speaking audiences.
Diving into Deep3: A Story of Resilience
Deep3, originally serialized in Japan’s Big Comic magazine, follows the compelling journey of Demian Kawai, a young Japanese basketball player with aspirations of becoming the top scorer in the National Basketball Organization (NBO). Despite his promising talent, Demian is afflicted by a debilitating condition known as “the yips,” which causes his arms to stiffen unexpectedly during play, particularly when near the basket. The manga chronicles his struggle to overcome this mental and physical hurdle, forcing him to “dig deep” and adapt his game, specifically by focusing on three-point shots (deep threes) from further away. The narrative explores both his on-court challenges and off-court dramas as he navigates his quest for greatness.
The series is a creation of writer Mitsuhiro Mizuno and artist Ryōsuke Tobimatsu. It has garnered attention for its intense storyline, relatable characters, and memorable dialogue, resonating with fans of sports manga.
Noir Caesar’s Mission to Elevate Diverse Voices
Noir Caesar Entertainment, founded by professional basketball player and former NBA star Johnny O’Bryant III, is an indie creative company dedicated to supporting and nurturing content from marginalized communities across various media, including animation, film, TV, and comics. The company aims to provide a platform for Black, POC, and LGBTQA+ creators to tell their stories authentically, addressing a historical lack of proper representation in popular media. O’Bryant himself is a long-time fan of Deep3, having discovered the series on Twitter and researching it extensively before an English translation was available. His passion for the manga led him to bring the possibility of its North American release to TOKYOPOP.
Noir Caesar prides itself on being a fast-growing entertainment and publishing company, driven by diverse creative talents. They have established partnerships with major Japanese companies like Kodansha and Tezuka Productions, further solidifying their commitment to diverse storytelling.
The Collaboration with TOKYOPOP
This upcoming release signifies an expansion of the collaborative partnership between Noir Caesar and TOKYOPOP. TOKYOPOP, established in 1997, has been a significant force in introducing and expanding the market for manga in North America and beyond, with core values focused on multiculturalism and diversity. Their collaboration with Noir Caesar demonstrates a shared commitment to diversifying creators and audiences within Japanese entertainment. TOKYOPOP will handle the print and digital distribution of Deep3 in North America.
Anticipation for the March 2026 Release
The announcement of Deep3‘s North American debut in March 2026 has already generated excitement among manga enthusiasts and basketball fans alike. The series is expected to join other notable manga and novels slated for release in early 2026 by various publishers. With its compelling narrative of overcoming adversity and the strong backing of Noir Caesar and TOKYOPOP, Deep3 is poised to make a significant impact on the North American manga market.
