Marvel Comics and Japanese publisher Kadokawa released five new manga series on the KadoComi website on Sunday in Japan, revealing project details during New York Comic Con [1]. The move gives Japanese creative teams room to build fresh stories around classic superhero figures [4]. Readers can already browse the opening chapter parts on the web platform, bringing the Marvel Kadokawa manga partnership into active release after months of preparation [6].
Five New Titles Arrive Under the Marvel Kadokawa Manga Banner
Marvel shared details about the line at its “Marvel Comics: House of Ideas” panel at New York Comic Con on Saturday, where editors gathered to discuss the books. Marvel’s executive editor of Asia originals C.B. Cebulski attended the presentation with Kadokawa chief editor Kenta Matsui and comics editor Naofumi Mashino [1]. The five debuts put Iron Man, Spider-Man, Deadpool, Spider-Gwen, and Venom under creative teams who build standalone adventures instead of simple translations of American comic scripts [6]. Each series launched its first chapter part on Sunday in Japan, giving fans a fast look at how the Marvel Kadokawa manga line adapts these figures [1].
The project didn’t start at New York Comic Con, since Marvel had teased concept designs during San Diego Comic-Con in July. During the Marvel Fanfare panel on July 25, editors from Kadokawa joined Cebulski on stage to preview five original manga volumes planned for Japanese readers. Bleeding Cool reported that the initiative connects to Cebulski’s post in Tokyo, where he oversees local creative talent working on new adaptations of popular comic characters [3].
Street-Level Tokyo Settings for Spider-Man and Daredevil
The headlining release is Spider-Man: Shibuya Cross Line, created by manga author tokitokoro, who previously drew Lynx, River in Me, and Marvel’s Jeff the Land Shark [2]. The story sets aside Peter Parker to follow Haruto Hachidori, a Tokyo high school student who gets bitten by a spider at a shrine and becomes Spider-Man. While investigating a serial murder case on the outskirts of Tokyo, Haruto crosses paths with Daredevil, a lawyer who fights evil that can’t be reached by regular law. A cruel foe bent on revenge soon attacks both vigilantes [1].
When tokitokoro revealed concept sketches on social media, she wrote: “It’s finally been announced! KADOKAWA × MARVEL !! What if there was a Spider-Man born in Shibuya, or a Daredevil in Shinjuku? Yakuza-style Punisher? It’s crazy, I know.” [2] Early reports said that Daredevil wears an Oni-style mask, while the Punisher carries a katana [3]. The Tokyo setting fits manga storytelling conventions, focusing on personal dilemmas and city streets rather than cosmic ensemble battles [5].
Everyday high school pressure also shapes Spider-Gwen: Her Big Debut The Manga, written and drawn by Ryūsei Yamada [1]. It isn’t Yamada’s first comic project, having previously worked on Revenger and Disney Twisted-Wonderland [4]. In this book, Gwen Stacy balances life as the drummer for the Mary Janes with superhero duties as Ghost Spider, clashing with her police officer father while protecting her neighborhood [1].
Solo Outings for Iron Man, Deadpool, and Venom
For Tony Stark, artist TERU created Iron Man: I Am Iron Man The Manga, revisiting Stark’s role as both an inventive scientist and the head of a weapons company. While testing weapons during an experiment in Afghanistan, a terrorist attack shatters his life and begins his path toward armor design [1]. It’s a story that stays close to familiar comic origins, but presents the action through the pacing and visual style of a serialized Japanese book [6].
Deadpool follows a far more comedic path in Deadpool: Millionaire With a Mouth The Manga, created by Hōsuke Momoi. In this series, Wade Wilson leaves his obscure mercenary days behind after joining the Avengers, becoming a superstar who enjoys massive popularity, full bank accounts, and sold-out merchandise. To handle the flood of job requests coming in from fans and clients worldwide, he sets up an agency called Deadpool Heroes For Hire [1].
The fifth release is Venom: Lethal Protector The Manga, written and illustrated by Peperon. Eddie Brock hits rock bottom after losing his reporting job and his public standing, but soon encounters an alien symbiote that shares his hatred for Spider-Man. The two fuse into Venom to seek revenge against their target, opening a dark horror story about monster vengeance and personal ruin [1].
Kadokawa Steps in as Shueisha Concludes Marvel Licensing
The arrival of the new manga line coincides with major changes in Japan’s publishing agreements [5]. In July, Shueisha revealed that its licensing deal with Walt Disney Japan to make comic adaptations of Marvel heroes would conclude on September 30. As that deadline arrived, Shueisha removed five manga titles from digital storefronts between September 28 and September 30, including Deadpool: Samurai, Secret Reverse, Spider-Man: Octo-Girl, Spider-Man: Kizuna, and the Marvel x Shonen Jump+ Super Collaboration. The publisher also halted physical book sales for all five series, ending its long run of serialized Marvel stories [1].
Licensing changes went beyond Shueisha, as Sho-Pro Books, run by Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, ended its agreement to publish Marvel comic books in Japanese on March 31 of this year [1]. That didn’t leave a long gap before Kadokawa stepped in to build its own line of books [3]. Readers who follow news like Kadokawa resuming More than a Married Couple serialization already know how quickly Kadokawa can roll out fresh manga across web and print channels [1].
Founded in 1945 by Genyoshi Kadokawa as Kadokawa Shoten, Kadokawa built its reputation on media mix strategies that link books, anime, films, and games under one roof [3]. It’s a broad media network that makes Kadokawa a natural fit for Marvel, giving the comic publisher a partner capable of growing character brands through manga and digital reading apps [5].
How the Kadokawa Marvel Comics Collaboration Fits Digital Plans
Launching the books on KadoComi fits into wider changes across Marvel’s publishing leadership in Asia [6]. Marvel announced on July 16 that C.B. Cebulski would step down as Editor-in-Chief to become editor of Asia Originals in Tokyo, while veteran editor Stephen Wacker took over the main Editor-in-Chief position [1]. Cebulski works directly with Japanese writers and editors to shape projects that appeal to local manga readers [3].
Digital reading platforms play a central role in Marvel’s plans, arriving alongside broader shifts in the company’s online catalog. That’s why Marvel is partnering with WEBTOON Entertainment to launch a new Marvel Comics mobile app on November 16, offering digital access to classic and current comics. At the same time, Marvel announced that its Marvel Unlimited subscription app, running since November 2007, will close in December [1]. Just as digital comic catalog additions change how readers find new series, Marvel wants to reach fans who prefer scrolling on phones rather than buying print issues [5].
Earlier digital projects like X-Men Korea and a Deadpool webtoon showed that localized comic runs can build solid audiences [5]. With first chapter parts available on KadoComi, the Kadokawa marvel comics collaboration has moved from preview art into weekly reading [1]. It won’t take long for readers to see whether Haruto Hachidori and his fellow Tokyo heroes find lasting success as Marvel expands its storytelling footprint in Japan [5].
- ONLINE NEWS Hodgkins, C. (2026, October 11). Marvel, Kadokawa launch 5 new manga as part of partnership. Anime News Network. [Article Link]
- ONLINE NEWS Anime News Network. (2026, July 26). Marvel partners with Kadokawa for upcoming manga projects. [Article Link]
- ONLINE NEWS Johnston, R. (2026, July 25). Marvel Comics launch a new manga line in Japan with Kadokawa for 2026. Bleeding Cool News. [Article Link]
- ONLINE NEWS Valdez, N. (2026, July 26). Marvel x Kadokawa team up for new Spider-Man manga & more with first look at major makeovers. ComicBook.com. [Article Link]
- ONLINE NEWS Boyd, C. (2026, October 3). Marvel taps Kadokawa for new Spider-Man manga line. Comloc. [Article Link]
- ONLINE NEWS Saini, A. (2026, October 11). Marvel x Kadokawa unveil 5 new manga: Iron Man, Venom and more. My Otaku World. [Article Link]
