Penguin Random House (PRH) and Disney Publishing are expanding their partnership, and it’s about to get a whole lot more animated! The new licensing agreements will include manga adaptations of beloved stories from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, 20th Century Studios, and National Geographic. This collaboration promises a fresh, exciting direction for fans of both Disney and manga.
A Powerful Partnership Grows Stronger
Penguin Random House and Disney have a relationship that spans over two decades. Since 2023, PRH has handled the sales and distribution of Disney’s print books for both adults and children. This expanded agreement, which went into effect on May 1, 2025, will see PRH licensing content from across Disney’s vast portfolio to create a variety of published works. These include children’s books, middle grade, young adult, and adult novels, reference books, and, excitingly, manga. The inclusion of manga in this deal signals a significant step towards blending Western storytelling with Japanese visual artistry.
Christopher Angelilli, SVP and Editor-in-Chief, Licensed Publishing, Random House Children’s Books, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating that the Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, and 20th Century Fox properties offer numerous opportunities to engage young readers with entertaining content. He also noted the excitement in working with National Geographic Kids to educate the next generation about the wonders of the world.
Tonya Agurto, SVP, Publisher, New IP & Global Business Development, Disney Publishing, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing Disney’s role as storytellers and the ability of this partnership with PRH to reach more fans and extend the adventures of beloved characters. Scott Shannon, President, Random House Worlds, added that they aim to appeal to lifelong Disney fans while also producing content that provides insights into the magic of The Walt Disney Company.
Manga Mania: What to Expect
The inclusion of manga in this licensing agreement is particularly noteworthy. Manga, with its unique art style and storytelling conventions, has exploded in popularity worldwide. This collaboration opens the door for new interpretations of classic Disney stories, potentially attracting a new audience while delighting existing fans.
Currently, other publishers such as Viz Media, Dark Horse Comics, and Tokyopop already hold licenses for Disney manga. Viz Media publishes manga titles including Ultraman: Along Came a Spider-Man, Spider-Man: Kizuna, Star Wars: Path of the Lightsaber, Star Wars: Visions: The Manga Anthology, and Star Wars: The Mandalorian: The Manga. Dark Horse Comics has published The Art of Star Wars: A New Hope – The Manga, based on Hisao Tamaki’s adaptation. Tokyopop has a large library of children’s titles based on Disney properties. It remains to be seen whether the new PRH licenses will affect these existing agreements or focus on previously unaddressed segments of the market.
Penguin Random House already has a pop-comics imprint called Inklore, which focuses on manga, manhua, manhwa, webcomics adaptations, and light novels. Inklore aims to connect storytellers and creators from around the world with a global community of readers. This imprint could be a key player in publishing the new Disney manga titles.
A Look at Currently Available Disney Manga
While fans eagerly await the new manga from the PRH and Disney partnership, a variety of Disney manga adaptations are already available. These include:
“Disney Twisted-Wonderland: The Manga”: This series brings the popular mobile game to life in manga form.
“Kingdom Hearts”: A long-running series adapting the popular video game franchise that merges Disney and Final Fantasy universes.
“The Disney Pixar Manga Collection”: Tokyopop is releasing a box set in June 2025 featuring manga adaptations of Toy Story, Finding Nemo, Wall-E, and Monsters, Inc..
“Stitch! Best Food Forever!”: A new Disney Manga title by Tom Mason is scheduled for release in May 2025.
These existing titles demonstrate the potential and appeal of adapting Disney properties into manga.
The Growing Popularity of Manga
The manga market is experiencing significant growth and is projected to continue its expansion in the coming years. Several factors are driving this trend:
- Digital Shift: The transition to digital platforms has made manga more accessible to readers worldwide. Digital platforms offer convenience and instant access to a vast library of titles.
- Global Demand: Manga has gained a significant following outside of Japan, with readers embracing its unique art style and storytelling.
- Transmedia Adaptations: Adaptations of manga into anime, live-action films, and video games have further increased its popularity.
- Diversity of Content: The manga market offers a wide range of genres and themes, catering to diverse interests and demographics.
- Social Media: Social media has played a crucial role in promoting manga and connecting readers with publishers and creators.
The U.S. manga market is estimated to reach $3.73 billion by 2030, registering a CAGR of 24.0% from 2025 to 2030. This growth is fueled by high consumer spending, the presence of retail stores, and increasing social media use. The inclusion of manga in education and academic libraries is also contributing to market growth.
Trends in Manga Art and Publishing
The manga industry is constantly evolving, with new trends emerging in both art and publishing. Some key trends include:
- Digital Advancements: Manga artists are increasingly incorporating digital technologies into their work.
- Webtoons: The rise of webtoons, digital comics optimized for mobile devices, has transformed how readers access and enjoy manga.
- Simulpubs: Platforms offering simulpubs, which deliver chapters simultaneously with their Japanese releases, are gaining popularity.
- AI: The use of AI in creating manga is also emerging, with AI tools being used to reduce production time and enhance the reading experience.
- Global Collaboration: Collaborations between Japanese manga creators and international artists, writers, and publishers have become more prevalent.
Disney+ and Anime
Disney is also expanding its presence in the anime streaming market through Disney+. The streaming service has acquired rights to several anime series, including Wandance and Medalist. This move further demonstrates Disney’s commitment to the anime and manga market.
What This Means for Fans
The partnership between Penguin Random House and Disney Publishing, with its focus on manga, promises exciting new opportunities for fans. Readers can look forward to:
- Fresh Interpretations of Classic Stories: Beloved Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic stories will be reimagined in the manga style.
- Expanded Accessibility: PRH’s distribution network will make these manga adaptations more widely available.
- New Content for All Ages: The licensing agreement covers a wide range of age groups, ensuring there will be something for everyone.
- Support for the Manga Market: This collaboration will contribute to the continued growth and popularity of manga worldwide.
As the manga market continues to flourish, this partnership between Penguin Random House and Disney is poised to deliver captivating stories and unique reading experiences to fans across the globe. Get ready for a magical fusion of Disney charm and manga artistry!
