Kodansha Confirms Future K Manga Plans for Fans to Decide on New Content: “Just the First Step”

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To celebrate a new issue of *Young Magazine USA*, Kodansha is letting fans decide which manga series will be available in English on its K Manga platform. A public vote on the magazine’s website and X (formerly Twitter) will determine which series get officially translated and released for readers outside of Japan. This special 45th anniversary issue features diverse stories, and the poll gives fans a chance to ensure more of their favorite series are continued in English.

J.R. Waugh of egmr.ru interviewed Hidemi Shiraki, Editor-in-Chief of Young Magazine USA, to discuss the possibility of continuing fan-selected content beyond the current project. Shiraki confirmed this poll is just the beginning, stating they plan to build a system that lets readers directly influence which series are published. This shows Kodansha is testing a new approach where audience feedback shapes its publishing decisions.

Kodansha Wants Even Greater Collaborations With Its Readership

The manga industry typically relies on editorial teams to decide which series get published, making K Manga’s new voting system quite unique, especially in Western markets. Shiraki suggests this isn’t a one-time thing, but a planned effort to regularly include fan opinions in how K Manga chooses and supports new manga titles, possibly changing the process for years to come.

This approach fits well with Young Magazine USA’s commitment to publishing a wide variety of genres, including cyberpunk, racing stories, LGBTQ+ narratives, and crime dramas. By letting readers help choose what gets published, the magazine could become even more diverse. The current online poll showcases both well-known and up-and-coming creators, giving the magazine a chance to see what North American readers enjoy most. The results will determine which stories are serialized, and could also influence future publishing decisions, fostering a closer relationship between Kodansha and its audience.

The anniversary edition of Young Magazine USA is now available to read for free in English on Book Walker and the K Manga app, giving fans instant access to a variety of one-shot stories. Readers can vote for their favorite titles on the magazine’s website and X (formerly Twitter) account, and the most popular series will be added to K Manga in English for international audiences. Voting ends on September 2nd, 2025. This is the first time Kodansha has linked a U.S. magazine release directly to future content on K Manga – it’s a new marketing approach and a way to find out what international readers enjoy most.

This poll isn’t just about getting attention; it marks a new, more engaging approach for Kodansha. As Shiraki explained, they plan to continually improve ways for fans to help shape the content they enjoy. If this system works well, it could be used across other Kodansha publications or even encourage competitors to try similar fan-focused projects. No matter what kind of stories readers prefer-fast-paced action, futuristic worlds, or emotional narratives-their votes will now directly influence what gets published, changing the relationship between publishers and readers worldwide.

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2025-09-15 18:31