Naoki Urasawa's Legendary Manga Billy Bat Finally Published in English
Billy Bat, a collaboration between one of the biggest names in the manga world, Naoki Urasawa (Monster, 20th Century Boys, Pluto) and Takashi Nagasaki, has finally been released in English for readers. Published by Viz Media, the first volume of the series is officially on sale, and special preview pages of the early chapters have also been shared. This marks the first official English translation of the series, a full 17 years after it began in Japan in 2008.
Urasawa's longest-running work, Billy Bat, was first serialized in Kodansha's Morning magazine from 2008 to 2016, totaling 20 volumes. The story follows Kevin Yamagata, a comic book artist living in 1940s America, as his detective mouse character Billy Bat mysteriously begins to infiltrate the real world. Blending intriguing elements such as history, conspiracy theories, ninjas, and UFOs, the series quickly achieved cult status thanks to Urasawa's unique storytelling.
The journey to an English release was not easy. For years, fans wondered why the series wasn't being published in the West, until July 2024 when Viz Media announced the license at Anime Expo, creating great joy. The first volume was released both physically and digitally on April 8, 2025. The company also announced that the second volume will be released on June 10, 2025, and that the series will be published regularly.
This launch is more than just a translation announcement; it is a milestone for fans of Urasawa's universe in the West. Because unlike previously published works such as Monster and 20th Century Boys, Billy Bat was considered one of the most difficult Urasawa mangas to translate due to its dense historical and cultural references. Now readers are ready to follow the trail of the mysterious bat that Kevin Yamagata is after. While the entire series is expected to be translated into English in the coming months, there is no announcement yet for an official Turkish release in Turkey. However, the English edition may also attract the attention of local publishers.
