Mahjong Pros Becomes a Giant in the Manga World: Expanding into European and American Markets with New Distribution Deals
The rising name in the world of mahjong, Mahjong Pros, has made a strategic move to increase its influence in the publishing sector by announcing new distribution partnerships for North America and Europe. The company has shaken hands with Pathway Book Service for the North American market and Gazelle Book Services Ltd. for the European Union market. This agreement, which became official on April 14, 2026, will significantly facilitate access to physical copies of the first manga series the publisher will release in the spring for fans worldwide.
Under the agreement, printed works under the Mahjong Pros label will be available for sale through major retail chains such as Barnes & Noble, Books A Million, and Waterstones, as well as through Amazon and Walmart. Harrison Doan, Head of Partnerships at Mahjong Pros, stated that these partnerships are a critical step in bringing their books to readers in "real-world locations." In his statement, Doan said, "Pathway and Gazelle will help us get these books and more mahjong products into the hands of readers quickly and help us secure placement at key locations like Kinokuniya."
The four major titles the publisher will release in the first phase have already created excitement among manga lovers. This list includes Crybaby Mermaid (April 28), which covers the life of professional mahjong player Yuumi Uotani; the cult political satire Reform with No Wasted Draws: The Legend of Koizumi (May 5); Getter Robo High (May 30), which carries the influences of the legendary Go Nagai; and Vermilion Stella, which contains the memoirs of Arisa Date. The Legend of Koizumi, where world leaders solve diplomatic crises at the mahjong table, is particularly on the radar of collectors due to its absurd premise.
The entry into publishing by Mahjong Pros, a company originally producing high-quality mahjong tiles and equipment, serves as an important example of how a niche area in the industry can be filled professionally. Known previously for its licensed mahjong sets themed around Persona 5 Royal and hololive, the firm is now bringing the culture of this strategy game to the West through manga. This move symbolizes the beginning of a new era not only for mahjong enthusiasts but also for all manga fans looking for different and profound sports/strategy manga.
