Kodama Tales, a subsidiary of Kyodo Printing Co., Ltd., has officially announced the acquisition of the English license for Hiroki Miyashita’s “Me and the Alien Mumu” (Uchūjin Mūmū) manga series. The first volume is scheduled to be released on February 1, 2026, and is already available for pre-order through major retailers such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Diving into “Me and the Alien Mumu”
The series, known for its unique blend of science fiction and surreal comedy, introduces readers to Mumu, an alien who arrives on Earth with a peculiar mission. Mumu is a survivor of a devastating civil war that eradicated the scientists of his home planet, leaving only its less intelligent inhabitants.
Plot Overview and Character Dynamics
To reclaim his people’s lost advanced technology, Mumu infiltrates Earth, a planet with a comparatively lower level of civilization, with the intent of studying “home appliances.” These everyday devices, he believes, hold the keys to all technological knowledge. His quest for understanding leads him to an unexpected alliance with Sakurako, a university freshman. Their accidental cohabitation quickly spirals into a series of wild and exciting campus adventures, forming the core of this “super mystery comedy” narrative.
The manga’s premise and the character’s name are also noted to be a homage to “Mū,” a magazine focused on paranormal matters, a reference seen in various other anime, manga, and games.
Publication History and Anime Adaptation
Hiroki Miyashita originally launched “Me and the Alien Mumu” as a one-shot story in Shonengahosha’s Young King Ours magazine in April 2019. Its serialization began two months later in the same magazine. As of April 2025, eight compiled book volumes have been published in Japan.
The manga’s popularity also led to a television anime adaptation, which premiered in April 2025, with its second cour debuting in July of the same year.
Kodama Tales’ Growing Manga Portfolio
Kodama Tales, founded in 2024 and launching officially in 2025, aims to bring a diverse range of Japanese manga, including both classics and new titles, to English-speaking audiences worldwide. The publisher has been actively expanding its catalog, having previously announced the worldwide English publication of Keisuke Itagaki’s “Baki The Grappler” manga, with 24 volumes starting in October, and Mitei Hattori’s psychological horror manga “Smile!” in January 2026. The company has also teased future titles from various Japanese publishers such as Asahi Shimbun Publications, Coamix, Daiwa Shobo, Hero’s Inc., Nihonbungeisha, Shodensha, and Shonengahosha. Independent Publishers Group (IPG) handles the worldwide sales and distribution for Kodama Tales, effective June 1, 2025.
