Manga Mavericks Acquires Pipe Machine and Tanuki Temple Manga Rights
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Exciting New Manga Titles Announced by Manga Mavericks Books at San Diego Comic-Con
Manga Mavericks Books, the newly launched publishing division of the Manga Mavericks website and podcast, revealed two upcoming licensed manga series during their panel at San Diego Comic-Con. Fans can look forward to both series being available in digital and print formats, with early access for paid subscribers of their Substack newsletter.
New Series Highlights
Pipe Machine
Creator: Takuji Umihara
Release Date: March 2026
Summary: Saburo is an ordinary kid—or at least he tries to be. But strange things keep happening around him. First, a peculiar man with a samurai haircut in just his underwear appears in town. Then, his grandfather builds a bizarre time machine that looks like a giant metal pipe. A quick test sends Saburo hurtling into outer space, where he encounters robots, space captains, and a girl who resembles a friend from home.
Prepare for a funny, fast-paced, and bizarre adventure in Pipe Machine!
Umihara shared his thoughts on the English release:
"I drew this work both as a study and to relive what excited me about Osamu Tezuka's works as a child. It was initially a way to become a professional mangaka, but now the story has truly captivated me. Thanks to Varun Gupta and Manga Mavericks, an English version is coming. I hope American readers enjoy it even just a little."
The series currently has six volumes in Japan, and Manga Mavericks will release five volumes in a compact A5 size.
Path From Tanuki Temple
Creator: Shinkuro Koma
Release Date: April 2026
Summary: In Kinuta Village, the princess is the hero!
Tanuki are magical creatures capable of transforming into humans. In a hidden tanuki village, Princess Kikyo lives a peaceful life. But bored with luxury, she sets out on an adventure with a dancer named Yugao. However, the human world proves to be more challenging than expected, and Kikyo will need all her wit and courage to survive.
Koma expressed his excitement about the English release:
"Hello to everyone at Comic-Con. I'm Shinkuro Koma. I can't express how happy I am that Manga Mavericks will publish my work in English. There aren't many full-color, hand-drawn manga like this, and I hope you enjoy the warmth and strength that come from traditional drawing. I hope English readers will love this series."
This full-color manga currently has six volumes in Japan. Manga Mavericks will release it in three volumes in B5 size.
Source: Press release
Stay tuned for more updates on these exciting manga titles!**