The third annual American Manga Awards, hosted by the Japan Society and Anime NYC, have recognized the creative teams and editors responsible for the most impactful manga releases in North America. The awards stand out for being determined by a panel of industry professionals working directly in the editorial space, ensuring the recognition reflects the technical and narrative standards of the publishing world.
Naoki Urasawa and Takashi Nagasaki’s Billy Bat claimed the top prize for Best New Manga, while the atmospheric supernatural hit The Summer Hikaru Died by Mokumokuren was named Best Continuing Manga Series. The latter has become a critical darling, boasting an 8.02 rating on MyAnimeList from over 100,000 voters. The series, which explores the chilling relationship between a boy and a creature mimicking his missing friend, recently expanded its reach with a 12-episode anime adaptation from CygamesPictures that aired in the summer of 2025.
Technical craftsmanship also took center stage, with awards for Best Lettering going to Madeleine Jose for Maid to Skate and Best Translation to Jan Mitsuko Cash for MAGICA. The ceremony further acknowledged the legacy of the industry by inducting Ioannis Mentzas, co-founder of Vertical, and Tuttle-Mori Agency’s Chigusa Ogino into the Manga Publishing Hall of Fame. Acclaimed creator Akiko Higashimura, known for Princess Jellyfish, was honored with the American Manga Award of Distinction.
Led by the Planning Committee under Deb Aoki, the awards continue to spotlight the collaborative nature of manga localization. By honoring specific editors and designers alongside authors, the event provides a nuanced look at the labor behind the books that dominate shelves across the continent.
