Manga Mavericks Books Announces a New License and Variant Cover for 2027

The North American publisher announces Gago Hunters and a variant cover for Brothers of Japan

Culver City, CA – Manga Mavericks Books, a manga publisher serving the English market from Manga Mavericks LLC, announced a new manga license and a variant during its October 2026 Manga Mavericks Monday online event.

The announcements featured the supernatural comedy manga Gago Hunters: Greetings from Amatsumizu City's Gago Suppression Squad, by Sho Yunoko, which is scheduled for release in print and digital formats in July 2027. Manga Mavericks Books will also release a variant cover of Brother of Japan, by Taiyo Matsumoto, which will be exclusively available on the Manga Mavericks Store upon the manga's release in February 2027.

GAGO HUNTERS: GREETINGS FROM AMATSUMIZU CITY'S GAGO SUPPRESSION SQUAD, VOLUME 1 by Sho Yunoko ∙ Print SRP: $16.99 / Digital SRP: $6.99 ∙ 196 pages ∙ ISBN: 9781968054977 ∙ For Readers 13+ ∙ Available July 2027 

 Greetings from Amatsumizu City! Come for the sights, stay for the…Gago?

At first glance, Amatsumizu is a normal-looking town, but mysterious creatures known as the Gago outnumber the people who call the city home.

The mayor calls in a crack-team of Gago busters to deal with the supernatural menace – except the team doesn't exist yet! The mayor's on a tight budget, leaving him no choice but to volun-tell a team of ordinary citizens to take on the job. Hair stylist Umeko, cashier Mii, high school student Hiromi, and Umeko's apprentice Yuuri become the Gago Hunters against their will. It sounds like an easy score for the supernatural, but each girl has something…off about them.

The Gago had better relocate fast, before they're hunted down by the real monsters of Amatsumizu!

Print pre-orders are now live on the Manga Mavericks Store!
https://store.mangamavericks.com/products/gago-hunters-greetings-from-amatsumizu-citys-gago-suppression-squad-volume-1

GAGO HUNTERS: GREETINGS FROM AMATSUMIZU CITY'S GAGO SUPPRESSION SQUAD is an ongoing manga that began serialization in 2023 on HERO'S Web.

Manga Mavericks Books will be releasing the print edition of the manga at A5 (5.83" x 8.27") size.

GAGO HUNTERS manga creator Sho Yunoko is a manga artist based in Japan who specializes in drawing gag comedy manga. Their other notable work includes the manga adaptation of Kinki Spiritual Affairs Bureau.

Sho Yunoko provided the following message for readers:
“This manga is based on and set in a specific prefecture in Japan. The word “Gago” is a term in that local dialect that means something like “ghosts” or “monsters.” I'm positive you've never heard this word before, and it's no wonder. This particular dialect is virtually unknown to the locals. Heck, even most Japanese people aren't aware it exists, as written records are nonexistent.

So the fact that a manga based on this relatively unknown dialect even exists is bizarre enough, talk less of it soon being available to read overseas.

Also, I've been watching American sitcoms and movies since I was a kid, so I get the feeling I might have been influenced by them in one way or another. However, that may just be my imagination.”

BROTHERS OF JAPAN (VARIANT COVER EDITION) by Taiyo Matsumoto ∙ Print SRP: $14.99 ∙ 216 pages ∙ ISBN: 9798907660014 ∙ For Readers 13+ ∙ Available February 2027

An essential collection from manga maestro Taiyo Matsumoto, the acclaimed creator of Ping Pong and Tekkonkinkreet!

Created back when Taiyo Matsumoto was in his 20's, this never-before-released collection contains 11 stories that embody the foundational cornerstones of Taiyo Matsumoto's artistic universe.

The titular short story centers on two brothers who dig a hole in their dreams to reach the other side of the world.

Whether this is your first foray into Matsumoto's body of work or you are a veteran manga lover, Brothers of Japan is crucial reading, demonstrating the simplicity and rawness of manga as a storytelling art form.

Pre-orders are now live on the Manga Mavericks Store:
https://store.mangamavericks.com/products/brothers-of-japan

About Manga Mavericks LLC
Originally launched as a manga news podcast in 2016, Manga Mavericks has grown into a multimedia company anchored by a successful podcast network and a team of journalists and reviewers dedicated to exploring manga as both a medium and as an industry across the world. With the launch of Manga Mavericks Books, the company seeks to expand further into the manga industry, highlighting the eclectic storytelling, artistry, and creativity of Japanese creators and comics.

Follow Manga Mavericks online:
https://store.mangamavericks.com/
https://www.instagram.com/mangamavericks_official
https://bsky.app/profile/mangamavericks.bsky.social
https://x.com/mangamavericks
https://mangamavericks.substack.com