Seven Seas to Publish Kazuo Umezz's 1966 Ultraman Manga Series in 2027
Great news! Seven Seas Entertainment is preparing to bring another cult classic of Japanese comic history to readers. The publisher announced that it will release Kazuo Umezz's (Umezu) 1966 Ultraman manga adaptation in a deluxe edition in July 2027. This means that although the series has been published in limited quantities in English before, it will be presented as a comprehensive and high-quality collection for the first time.
Kazuo Umezz is a manga master known especially for his suspense and horror works such as "The Drifting Classroom" and "Kami no Kodomo". The Ultraman manga, published in Weekly Shonen Sunday magazine in 1966, holds the distinction of being the first manga adaptation of the Tokusatsu (special effects live-action) television series of the same name. The series premiered in Japan in the summer of 1966 and quickly became a phenomenon. Umezz's adaptation reinterprets the show's iconic monster designs and heroic story with his unique comic book language.
According to Seven Seas' announcement, this new edition will come in a "large-trim hardcover" format. While the exact page count and price have not yet been announced, given the publisher's past classic manga collections (such as "Rose of Versailles" or "Devilman"), this edition is expected to be visually rich and highly collectible. Furthermore, Seven Seas will include all pages from the original Japanese edition and likely additional material from that era.
This news is significant for both Ultraman fans and classic manga enthusiasts. Ultraman is a cultural icon that has gained millions of fans worldwide since the 1960s. However, its manga adaptation had not received the attention it deserved in the West for a long time. This move by Seven Seas is an unmissable opportunity for those who want to explore both the art style of the period and the early works of Umezz's career. The publisher has also reprinted other Umezz classics such as "The Drifting Classroom" and "Cat-Eyed Boy" in recent years.
In the coming period, Seven Seas is expected to announce pre-order details for this collection and whether it will include a new translation or a special foreword. Although the official release date of July 2027 seems quite far off, preparing such large collections and finalizing licensing agreements takes time. This is a date that everyone interested in the Ultraman universe should mark on their calendars. Do you think this edition can revive interest in Ultraman comics in the West?
