After years of anticipation, Naoki Urasawa and Takashi Nagasaki's acclaimed mystery-thriller manga Billy Bat is finally receiving an official English release through Abrams ComicArts' Kana imprint, with the first volume arriving on June 2, 2026.
The 20-volume series, which originally ran in Kodansha's Morning magazine from October 2008 to August 2016, follows Japanese-American comic book artist Kevin Yamagata in 1949. While drawing his popular "Billy Bat" comic, Kevin begins to suspect he may have unconsciously copied the bat-like character from something he saw while serving in occupied Japan. He returns to Japan seeking permission from the original creator, only to become entangled in a complex web of murder, conspiracy, cover-ups, and prophecy — all connected to the mysterious image of Billy Bat.
Kana plans to release four volumes per year, bringing readers the complete story by acclaimed creator Naoki Urasawa (Pluto, 20th Century Boys, Monster) and co-writer Takashi Nagasaki. The publisher shared exclusive preview pages alongside the announcement, showcasing the high-quality production readers can expect.
Why Billy Bat Matters
Billy Bat represents one of the last major works from the legendary Urasawa to receive a complete English translation. While his other masterpieces — Monster, 20th Century Boys, Pluto, and more recently Asadora! — have all been available in English for years, Billy Bat's English release has been hotly anticipated by international fans who have long awaited an official translation of this sprawling, genre-bending epic.
The series is notable for its ambitious scope, weaving together real historical figures and events with supernatural mystery across multiple time periods and locations, from post-war Japan and America to the moon landing and beyond.
Community Reception
The announcement has been met with widespread excitement across the manga community, with fans on forums and social media celebrating the long-awaited English release. The exclusive preview pages shared by Abrams ComicArts' Kana have generated particular buzz, with readers praising the production quality. Many fans who previously read fan translations have expressed eagerness to purchase the official release to support the creators and experience the series in high-quality print.