Abrams ComicArts’ Kana imprint has announced its acquisition of the supernatural horror manga Jagaan by storywriter Muneyuki Kaneshiro and artist Kensuke Nishida, with the first volume slated for release in September 2026. This licensing brings the completed 14-volume series, known for its dark and thrilling narrative, to English-speaking audiences.
Introducing Jagaan: A Dive into Supernatural Horror
Jagaan is a supernatural horror manga that combines elements of action and drama, often featuring body horror. The series centers on Shintarō Jagasaki, a disillusioned police officer bored with his mundane job and domestic life. His uneventful existence is dramatically upended when a mysterious monster appears on a train, granting him the inexplicable power to transform his right hand into a weapon.
As Jagasaki navigates his newfound abilities, he discovers a world infected by “frenzied frogs,” which transform humans into monstrous “fractured humans” driven by their twisted desires. He becomes a “fractured human warrior” himself after being forced to kill his transformed girlfriend, leading him on a mission to hunt down and eliminate these corrupted individuals. The narrative delves into themes of desire, justice, and the moral complexities of wielding power.
The Creative Minds Behind Jagaan
The manga is the collaborative effort of writer Muneyuki Kaneshiro and artist Kensuke Nishida.
- Muneyuki Kaneshiro (Writer): Kaneshiro is recognized for his work on several other notable manga series. He penned As the Gods Will (Kami-sama no Iu Toori) with artist Akeji Fujimura, which received a live-action film adaptation. He is also the writer for the popular, ongoing Blue Lock manga, illustrated by Yūsuke Nomura, which has an anime adaptation.
- Kensuke Nishida (Artist): Nishida’s distinct art style brings the visceral and terrifying elements of Jagaan to life. He previously worked on the I Am a Hero in Nagasaki spinoff manga, connected to Kengo Hanazawa’s I Am a Hero series.
Publication History and English Release
Jagaan originally ran in Shogakukan’s Weekly Big Comic Spirits magazine from February 2017 to November 2021, concluding with 14 compiled volumes. The series entered its “final battle” in November 2020.
The upcoming English release by Kana, an imprint of Abrams ComicArts, marks a significant step in making the series accessible to a broader international audience.
About Kana: Abrams ComicArts’ Manga Imprint
Kana is the dedicated manga imprint of Abrams ComicArts, a division of Abrams Books. Launched in April 2023 as a full division, Abrams ComicArts established Kana to focus on translating and publishing Japanese manga and select French comics for the U.S. market.
The imprint aims to cater primarily to an adult audience, focusing on “emotionally mature subjects, characters whose ages are older, or genres that are not usually suitable for children,” including horror and thrillers. Kana distinguishes itself by taking inspiration from Japanese publishing traditions, aiming for high-quality paperback releases that feature dust jackets, color signature pages, and premium paper. Rodolphe Lachat, vice president and publisher of Abrams ComicArts, leads the Kana imprint. The imprint has ambitious plans to publish between 40 to 60 paperback titles annually.
Jagaan joins a growing list of titles licensed by Kana, including Naoki Urasawa and Takashi Nagasaki’s Billy Bat manga, which is set to begin its English release in June 2026. Other initial titles announced by Kana include Scars by Brandon Arias, Leviathan by Shiro Kuroi, Manhole by Tetsuya Tsutsui, Silence by Yoann Vorniere, Eden of Witches by Yumeji, and Space Punch by ZD. The imprint plans to leverage its relationship with its parent company Média-Participations, which also owns French publisher Kana, though the editorial lines are separate.
