Kodansha USA Publishing has announced its Fall 2026 lineup, revealing a range of new licenses during its New York Comic Con panel. The upcoming releases include a comprehensive artbook celebrating Masamune Shirow’s extensive career, a new Cells at Work! spin-off, and an educational picture book series based on the popular manga, among other titles.
Spotlight on Fall 2026’s Key Releases
The Fall 2026 slate promises a mix of art, educational content, and highly anticipated manga, catering to a broad audience of fans.
Masamune Shirow: Artwork in the Shell
A significant highlight for fans of cyberpunk and legendary creator Masamune Shirow is the release of Masamune Shirow: Artwork in the Shell (Shirow Masamune no Sekai-ten – Kōshiki Genga-shū). This impressive 288-page hardcover collection serves as a definitive capstone to Shirow’s more than 40-year career. It spans his iconic works such as Dominion, The Ghost in the Shell, Appleseed, and Intron Depot, tracing his artistic evolution from analog to early digital tools and his current techniques. The artbook, nearly a foot long, features a spectacular presentation of his color works, including dozens of rare and uncollected pieces, and two double-folded gatefold artworks. It was originally assembled for a career retrospective exhibition in Tokyo.
Expanding the Cells at Work! Universe
The ever-popular Cells at Work! franchise is set to expand its reach with two new additions:
Cells at Work! Picture Books
Kodansha USA is launching a series of Cells at Work! Picture Books (Ehon Hataraku Saibō), transforming the mega-hit anime and manga into an edutainment series for young readers. Authored by Kumi Makimura with original work by Akane Shimizu, these books will feature beloved characters like Red Blood Cell and White Blood Cell (Neutrophil) guiding children through the intricate workings of the human body. Designed with adorable characters, clear diagrams, and simple language, the series aims to make scientific concepts fun and accessible. Five titles in the series have been announced:
- Cells at Work! Picture Book 1: The Great Bacteria Vs. White Blood Cell Battle!
- Cells at Work! Picture Book 2: The Dastardly Duo of Flu and Food Poisoning!
- Cells at Work! Picture Book 3: I’m Not Scared of Shots!
- Cells at Work! Picture Book 4: Just a Cold? Just a Bump?
- Cells at Work! Picture Book 5: Busy, Busy Gut Bug Buddies!
Cells at Work! Cat
Adding another spin-off to the burgeoning franchise, Kodansha USA also licensed Cells at Work! Cat. Further details about this feline-focused take on the body’s microscopic world are anticipated.
Other Notable Fall 2026 Manga Licenses
Beyond the New York Comic Con announcements, Kodansha also unveiled additional titles at Anime NYC, further diversifying its Fall 2026 slate.
My Journey to Her and Luca the Dragon Vet
Award-winning mangaka Yuna Hirasawa will see two of her works debut in Fall 2026. My Journey to Her (Boku ga Watashi ni Naru Tame ni) is a standalone memoir manga where Hirasawa shares her personal experiences with gender dysphoria, including her journey to Thailand for gender-affirming surgery in 2015. The manga delves into topics such as coming out to family and the emotional challenges of transitioning. Additionally, fans can look forward to Luca the Dragon Vet, an all-ages fantasy adventure from the same author.
BECK Returns
For long-time manga enthusiasts, the 2000s indie-rock coming-of-age saga, BECK, is making a highly anticipated return to print. It will be released in a new 2-in-1 paperback omnibus edition, allowing a new generation of readers, and old fans alike, to experience the musical journey of Koyuki and his band.
These new print titles are slated for release starting Fall 2026 and will be available through various physical and online book retailers, with digital editions also being made available upon release across multiple platforms.
