Global publishing giant HarperCollins is entering the domestic manga market with the launch of its KAZÉ imprint. This expansion follows the company’s 2025 acquisition of manga operations in France and Germany, where they successfully transitioned the former Crunchyroll Manga brand to the KAZÉ name. The U.S. division is preparing an inaugural slate of seven titles, with full details and specific series announcements scheduled for later this year.
Industry professionals and readers will receive their first look at the imprint's direction during a dedicated panel at Anime NYC on August 22. Editors Josh Sippie and Emilia Sowersby are slated to host the presentation, which promises a preview of the 2027 release schedule. The imprint intends to curate a broad catalog, aiming to serve a demographic range that spans from children to adult audiences.
This move builds upon HarperCollins' existing engagement with Japanese literature through its HarperVia imprint. That division has previously brought titles like Run with the Wind and The Tatami Galaxy to English-speaking readers, with the novel Ocean Waves already on the docket for March 2027. By leveraging the KAZÉ brand—which has roots in the European market dating back to 1994—HarperCollins is positioning itself to compete within the U.S. manga space.
