New Manga Publisher Mahjong Pros Announces Major Distribution Partnerships for Western Market
Bringing a fresh breath to the world of manga publishing, Mahjong Pros has made a strategic move to deliver its physical prints to readers worldwide. The company announced that it has established official distribution partnerships with Pathway Book Service for the North American market and Gazelle Book Services Ltd. for the European and UK markets. Thanks to this collaboration, works in the publisher's catalog will take their place on the shelves of retail giants such as Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Kinokuniya, and Waterstones.
In fact, the name Mahjong Pros is no stranger to board game enthusiasts. The company was previously known for the high-quality mahjong sets it produced in collaboration with popular brands like Persona 5 Royal and hololive. However, under the leadership of publishing director Harrison Doan, the team has shifted its focus to publishing, aiming to bring not only gaming equipment but also niche manga series that have become cult classics in Japan but are underrepresented in the West to readers. Doan emphasizes that these partnerships are a vital step in getting their books into the hands of readers in "real-world locations."
The initial four-title list prepared by the publisher for the spring 2026 season is quite remarkable. At the top of the list is The Legend of Koizumi (Mudazumo Naki Kaikaku), a cult satire series where former Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi fights diplomatic battles with world leaders at the mahjong table. Additionally, works inspired by the world of the legendary Go Nagai such as Getter Robo High, Crybaby Mermaid: Illustrated Memoir of Yuumi Uotani, which tells the inner journey of a professional mahjong player, and Vermilion Stella will be on shelves between April and June.
This development is proof of the great diversity the manga industry has reached in the West. Thanks to boutique publishers like Mahjong Pros, not only mainstream shonen series but also memoirs with high artistic value that cater to more specific interests will now be able to enter collections with physical print quality. In particular, the inclusion of the Ingram Content Group network in this process will ensure that independent bookstores and libraries can easily access these niche works. For manga lovers, this means more options and a richer physical library.
