Tokyopop Announces New Publishing Imprint Tokyopop Kids for Children
One of the established publishers in the manga world, Tokyopop, has announced the launch of Tokyopop Kids, a brand new publishing imprint aimed at children aged 12 and under. This exciting initiative aims to introduce young readers to visual storytelling at an early age by offering manga, graphic novels, picture books, and middle-grade novels specifically designed for them. The first publications are expected to hit shelves in Fall 2026.
Founded in 1997, Tokyopop played a significant role in popularizing manga in North America and even introducing the term 'manga' into the English language. The company revolutionized the industry by adopting the original Japanese right-to-left reading format and standardizing book sizes. By 2004, Tokyopop held a large share, up to 50%, of the US manga market. Although it went through challenging periods, such as the closure of its North American publishing operations in 2011, it restructured in 2012, focusing on digital and print-on-demand, and has maintained its presence in the industry. With nearly 30 years of publishing legacy, Tokyopop's commitment to multiculturalism, diversity, and artistic integrity forms the foundation of the Tokyopop Kids brand.
The launch of Tokyopop Kids also aligns with the growing trend in the children's manga market. While the children and young adult segment is expected to lead the manga market with increasing revenue in 2024, it is projected to constitute 45.7% of the global manga market share by 2026. Parents believe that such books develop children's reading and critical thinking skills. Tokyopop COO and Publisher Marc Visnick, states that this new brand 'combines the visual appeal of manga with story themes relevant to today's early and middle-grade readers.
