NEW YORK, NY – Kodama Tales Inc., a subsidiary of Kyodo Printing Co., Ltd., officially announced at New York Comic Con on Sunday that it has licensed Boichi’s popular action-drama manga Sun-Ken Rock and Yuzuko Hoshimi’s fantasy series MAGICA. The announcement marks a significant expansion of Kodama Tales’ English-language manga catalog, bringing highly anticipated titles to a global audience.
Sun-Ken Rock is slated for an English debut in 2026, while MAGICA is set to launch in March 2026. These releases will be available in both print and digital formats, following Kodama Tales’ commitment to delivering high-quality manga editions.
Sun-Ken Rock: A Gritty Action Classic Returns
Sun-Ken Rock, created by renowned artist Boichi (known for Dr. Stone), is an action-drama that originally ran in Shōnen Gahosha’s Young King magazine from April 2006 to February 2016, spanning 25 tankōbon volumes. The series has garnered a cult following for its intense artwork, mature themes, and emotionally charged narrative.
The story centers on Ken Kitano, a Japanese delinquent who follows the girl he loves, Yumin, to Seoul, Korea, with the aim of becoming a police officer. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, his impressive fighting skills lead him to become the unexpected leader of a local gang, the “Sun-Ken Rock Group.” The manga delves into Ken’s struggles to balance his desire to do good with the dark realities of his new life, exploring themes of loyalty, ambition, and identity.
Previous English digital releases of Sun-Ken Rock were available through platforms like JManga, Crunchyroll, BookWalker, and Manga Planet, but a complete, dedicated physical English release has long been requested by fans. Kodama Tales will publish a “Perfect Edition” of Sun-Ken Rock, which will combine approximately two of the original Japanese volumes into an omnibus format. These editions will feature new, exclusive cover illustrations and will draw from both the original Japanese and a revised Korean Perfect Edition that includes updated dialogue by Boichi himself.
Discovering the Fantastical World of MAGICA
Alongside Sun-Ken Rock, Kodama Tales is also bringing Yuzuko Hoshimi’s MAGICA to English readers. Described as a multi-age fantasy series, MAGICA weaves together elements of action, magic, and tragedy across its two full-color volumes.
The narrative of MAGICA revolves around a beautiful mage who possesses a unique, albeit seemingly powerless, ability: transforming the “sparkle of life” into gemstones. Each gem is said to encapsulate the dramas and comedies witnessed by this mage throughout the universe, setting the stage for a collection of “fantastic fairy tales” that are both touching and amazing. Kodama Tales plans for the print editions of MAGICA to feature beautiful foil treatments, aiming to provide an immersive and emotionally rich reading experience.
Kodama Tales’ Growing Presence in the Manga Market
Kodama Tales, based in Santa Monica, California, and a subsidiary of Kyodo Printing Co., Ltd., has been actively expanding its catalog with a focus on bringing diverse Japanese manga to a worldwide audience. The company emphasizes preserving the authenticity and quality of original Japanese editions in both print and digital formats.
The recent acquisition of Sun-Ken Rock and MAGICA follows other notable licenses for Kodama Tales, including the highly anticipated English debut of Keisuke Itagaki’s Baki the Grappler series in October 2025 and Mitei Hattori’s Smile! (also known as Smiley) in January 2026. The publisher has also teased future titles from various Japanese publishers, signaling its intent to become a significant player in the English-language manga publishing landscape. These new licenses solidify Kodama Tales’ commitment to offering a broad range of compelling stories from Japan.
