Manga Mavericks Books announced that it has acquired two new manga titles during its panel at New York Comic Con 2025: the 1980s manga series Sinbad and the indie manga Horon of the Closed Country. Both titles are set to join its print and digital catalog in 2026.
Here are the details on the new licenses:
Horon of the Closed Country
Story and Art: Sen
Release Date: Early Winter 2026 (digital) and Summer 2026 (print)
Horon of the Closed Country is a complete indie manga series that published four volumes in Japan, each of which will be released in A5 (5.83″ x 8.27″) size.
Synopsis:
What the Forest Deity takes will never return.
A forest deity conceals and safeguards an ancient land from foreign invaders, but sacrifices are necessary for this protection. Recently, the forest deity has encroached more upon humanity, with only individuals possessing special powers, known as diviners, capable of repelling them. One child bears the abilities of these diviners, but their memory has been erased, leaving only the warning mentioned. An unexpected trio, each carrying their own loss, embarks on a journey to uncover the mysteries of the forest deity. They remain unaware that their losses, the deity’s frequent appearances, and the need for sacrifices are all interconnected…
Manga creator Sen shared the following message with NYCC attendees:
Horon of the Closed Country stemmed from my aspiration to create the kind of fantasy story that I would have adored as a child. It is an extraordinary feeling to know that an English version will be available, allowing readers worldwide to enjoy it! It feels like the world is expanding right before my eyes! I eagerly anticipate seeing this story, a dedication from my childhood, find new life and new readers through translation! I hope everyone enjoys it!
Sinbad
Story and Art: Atsuji Yamamoto
Release Date: Summer 2026 (Digital and Print)
The manga series was originally published in Japan in 1989 and was compiled into four volumes, also set to be released in A5 (5.83″ x 8.27″) size.
Synopsis:
Sinbad is a courageous young man, possessing agility and a strong sense of justice. Nevertheless, his appearance not only makes it challenging for him to attract romantic interest but also sets him apart from his fellow villagers and even his family. He’s long recognized his differences, but it is only after aiding a girl in retrieving her lost crystal ball that he glimpses his past and realizes his feelings are valid. To uncover the full scope of his history, he must embark on a transformative journey where adversaries and perils await. Join this legendary time-spanning adventure brought to life by esteemed manga artist Atsuji Yamamoto.
Yamamoto conveyed the following message to NYCC attendees:
“I’m Atsuji Yamamoto, a Japanese manga artist. It’s an honor to meet all of you. If I may briefly introduce myself, my manga teacher was the legendary artist of Lone Wolf and Cub, Mr. Kazuo Koike. I was among the first students to join his art technique school in 1977, alongside Rumiko Takahashi. I was just a teenager back then, and now I’m 66 years old.
Having an English edition of my manga Sinbad announced at New York Comic Con is a tremendous honor. Sinbad is set within the Arabian Nights framework that everyone likely knows. In Arabian Nights, there is a tale of Aladdin and the Magic Lamp, with Aladdin being portrayed as Chinese. This differs from the representations seen in movies, haha.
This manga emerged from my curiosity about what would transpire if the character Sinbad were actually portrayed as Asian as well. For research, I read a Japanese translation of Arabian Nights, but ultimately, the narrative and characters transformed into my own distinctive concepts, entirely separate from the original. I genuinely hope everyone enjoys this story, and I wish you all the very best. Thank you. ♪”
- Used Book in Good Condition
- George Trombley (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 376 Pages - 08/22/2014 (Publication Date) - Learn From Zero (Publisher)
Source: press release
