Manga Mavericks Books announced on Monday that it has licensed Taiyo Matsumoto's Brothers of Japan (Nihon no Kyoudai), the acclaimed manga artist's early short story collection, for physical and digital release in February 2027. The announcement includes a personal message from Matsumoto expressing his excitement about reaching English-speaking readers.
Details
The anthology's title story, "Brothers of Japan," follows two brothers who dig a hole to reach the other side of the world. The collection also includes other short works by Matsumoto, offering readers a glimpse into the early creative development of one of manga's most distinctive artistic voices.
Matsumoto shared the following message with the announcement:
"I'm very happy that English speakers will now be able to read Brothers of Japan."
Brothers of Japan was originally published in Japan by Magazine House in 1995. An updated edition released in 2010, and Manga Maverick's English release will be based on this expanded version.
Taiyo Matsumoto is widely regarded as one of manga's most innovative creators, known for his experimental art style and emotionally resonant storytelling. His major works include Ping Pong (adapted into a live-action film and anime), Tekkonkinkreet (winner of multiple awards and adapted into an acclaimed animated film by Studio 4°C), Sunny (awarded the Eisner Award and Japan Media Arts Festival Excellence Prize), and Cats of the Louvre (set in the famous Parisian museum). In 2007, Matsumoto became the youngest manga artist ever inducted into Japan's Geijutsuin (Japan Art Academy).
Community Reception
The license announcement has been met with enthusiasm from English-language manga collectors and Matsumoto fans. On ANN's forums, readers expressed excitement about having access to Matsumoto's early work, which has historically been difficult to find in English. The r/MangaCollectors community on Reddit noted the announcement as a significant license acquisition, with Matsumoto's oeuvre being highly sought after by collectors. The release fills a gap in Matsumoto's English catalog, as most of his celebrated works have been licensed but this early anthology has remained unavailable until now.
Availability
The English edition of Brothers of Japan is scheduled for a print and digital release in February 2027 through Manga Mavericks Books. The company's previous releases have focused on bringing artistically significant and critically acclaimed manga to English audiences, making this acquisition a natural fit for their catalog.