MediaOCD announced a sales deal with the Independent Manga Alliance to sell print editions from Manga Mavericks Books and Mahjong Pros through its online store. Under the retail arrangement, MediaOCD print manga offerings now give fans another way to find licensed English-language works from indie Japanese comic creators. Justin Sevakis, founder of MediaOCD, said both presses share the company’s independent spirit. He added that their book catalogs fit nicely with the anime releases already sold through the shop [1].
MediaOCD Print Manga Distribution Agreement
The partnership links the Los Angeles firm with the Independent Manga Alliance, an industry group that unites small graphic novel presses seeking wider retail reach across North America at a time when boutique titles struggle for shelf space. Bookstores rarely stock niche translations. For years, indie manga imprints faced steep hurdles in bookstore chains and massive digital marketplaces. Through this retail arrangement, the MediaOCD web shop brings paperbacks directly to readers, giving niche projects a reliable home instead of leaving them buried in giant wholesale listings where small creators rarely stand out. Big corporations regularly handle bulk book rollouts, as seen in recent coverage of Crunchyroll anime and manga releases, but smaller comic imprints rely on direct shop channels to get printed books into readers’ hands [1, 2].
Sevakis welcomed the two presses. He explained that their unusual catalogs fill a real gap for fans who want varied comic stories. “Both of these publishers share our independent spirit,” Sevakis said, noting that their books match the anime products already carried on the site. He said the new additions let the storefront offer printed reading material that complements its long-standing home video releases. It doesn’t take long to see why the tie-up makes sense for collectors who prefer real books over phone screens [2].
Opening the web store to outside presses gives MediaOCD a single checkout point where fans can buy Japanese comics together with boutique video discs on one order. The shop stocks volumes from creators who work outside Japan’s giant printing houses, so these imports are much simpler to order in North America without steep import fees. Crowdfunding campaigns take months to finish. Here, fans skip the long wait. It’s a clean retail model that gives indie books a lasting place next to anime releases [1, 2].
Manga Mavericks Books Brings Japanese Indie Titles
Manga Mavericks Books operates as an American publisher focused on bringing Japanese comics to English readers, with a lineup covering both print and digital books. The team picks works from standard channels and underground creative circles alike, focusing on distinctive art styles and personal tales that reflect different corners of Japanese culture. Several print books are live now. Buyers get fast access to this first run of indie releases without delays. These initial titles include ALTERNATIVE[SELF LINER NOTE], Great Metal God, FISHGOD, Horon of the Closed Country, The Pipe Machine, and Vegetable Sandwich [1].
Varun Gupta serves as CEO. He spoke warmly about joining the platform as a retail partner and expanding the reach of the company’s growing book roster. “As huge fans of MediaOCD ourselves, we are very excited to bring them on as a retail partner and further expand the reach of our rapidly growing catalog,” Gupta said. He explained that the publisher wants readers to discover books made by talented creators from Japan’s traditional and indie scenes, spanning classical manga, shojo and josei narratives, alternative storytelling, and LGBTQ+ perspectives [2].
That varied focus sets the press apart from giant manga houses that lean heavily on weekly action serials and fantasy light novel adaptations. Many authors work completely on their own, drawing short stories or self-published doujinshi before finding an audience in translation. It’s an approach that values personal visual craft over commercial trends, giving readers access to unique voices that rarely receive English print releases. The MediaOCD print manga catalog makes those distinct creative voices easier to browse and buy [1, 2].
Mahjong Pros Prepares Snap Call Kirinji
The second partner in the deal, Mahjong Pros, centers its book catalog on Japanese mahjong comics and niche tabletop tales that rarely get Western licensing. Mahjong manga has formed a thriving subgenre in Japan for decades. Yet few publishers have taken the time to translate these tactical board and tile games for international readers who might enjoy the deep strategic tension of tournament matches. The rules seem daunting at first. Through the MediaOCD partnership, Mahjong Pros gains a steady storefront to introduce these tabletop stories to fans who might not know the game’s long past [1].
Harrison Doan oversees partnerships. He explained that expanding discoverability was the main motive behind teaming up with the Los Angeles retailer. “We just want more people to be able to find mahjong and read the manga we’re putting out,” Doan said, adding that MediaOCD’s long history in the anime community made the storefront an ideal retail home. The company wants to make sure curious fans can easily purchase English editions without needing specialized knowledge about competitive Japanese tile games before picking up a volume [1, 2].
Mahjong Pros continues to build its translated book list, including licensed titles like Snap Call Kirinji, which is scheduled for English digital and print release in January 2027. The story follows tournament play and tile tactics, offering readers an inside look at Japanese table strategy. The drama stays on the tiles. Fans can already check out the publisher’s current print selections through the online store. It’s clear that niche gaming comics can find eager readers when distribution barriers drop [1].
MediaOCD Manga Store Complements Physical Media Catalog
MediaOCD built its name across North America through post-production services and home video distribution rather than paper book sales. Headquartered in Los Angeles, the firm handles Blu-ray and DVD authoring, audio restoration, video upscaling, subtitling, streaming asset preparation, and creative editing for film and television clients across the wider entertainment sector. It also acts as the parent company of AnimEigo, the oldest continually operating anime distributor in North America, as well as the independent film label Whole Grain Pictures [2].
Bringing print manga into the MediaOCD manga store builds on that archival background by connecting different preservation efforts under one roof. Fans who buy restored classic anime on disc often share a deep appreciation for artistic comics created during the same eras. Both formats attract the same collectors. Because MediaOCD runs its own store setup and shipping, adding paperbacks from indie presses is a natural step. It isn’t just about selling more goods; it’s about creating a unified hub where indie Japanese media of all formats can thrive [2].
Similar distribution partnerships have appeared elsewhere in the specialty comics market, such as the collaborative agreement that brought Glacier Bay Books indie manga distribution to Sweet Shop Comics. Small presses gain a lot when they can share tools or lean on established web shops instead of managing individual mail-order desks on their own. Orders ship from one place. For MediaOCD, stocking print editions broadens customer traffic and introduces home video buyers to graphic literature they might otherwise miss [1, 2].
Independent Publishing Reaches Physical Readers
The retail deal between MediaOCD and the Independent Manga Alliance comes at a time when paper graphic novels face shifting print and shipping costs. Even as digital reading apps expand their libraries, many fans continue to seek out paperbacks for their personal shelves. Paper still feels different. Indie Japanese artists often draw fine linework that looks best on paper, so physical editions stay vital for preserving their original visual intent. MediaOCD print manga sales offer a reliable outlet where those paper volumes can stay in stock without competing against corporate bestsellers [1, 2].
With titles like ALTERNATIVE[SELF LINER NOTE] and the upcoming Snap Call Kirinji now finding homes on MediaOCD, independent publishers have a practical path to reach new customers. Readers can visit the store directly at its dedicated shop URL to browse the growing selection of graphic novels alongside classic anime home video releases. Independent Manga Alliance members share the storefront. By working together through the Independent Manga Alliance, small imprints can keep printing the books they love while connecting with fans who value independent storytelling [1, 3, 4].
Both Manga Mavericks Books and Mahjong Pros plan to add more translated print volumes to the store as new production rounds finish. The tie-up proves that boutique distributors can help small presses by sharing store space, buyer reach, and physical shipping systems. New titles will follow soon. For manga fans looking past weekly shonen action, the MediaOCD store now offers an easy door into the rich world of Japanese independent comics [1, 2].
- ONLINE NEWS Jones, B. (2026, October 6). MediaOCD Expands Manga Store With Print Titles From Manga Mavericks Books and Mahjong Pros. OtakuKart. [Article Link]
- PRESS RELEASE Anime News Network. (2026, October 5). MediaOCD Details a Deal to Sell Manga Mavericks Books & Mahjong Pros Manga Titles. Anime News Network. [Article Link]
- PRESS RELEASE Anime News Network. (2026, October 6). MediaOCD Announces a Deal to Sell Print Manga Titles From Manga Mavericks Books and Mahjong Pros. Anime News Network. [Article Link]
- ONLINE NEWS Anime News Network. (2026, October 5). MediaOCD Announces Deal to Sell Physical Editions of Manga from Manga Mavericks Books, Mahjong Pros. Anime News Network. [Article Link]
