In response to the growing popularity of manga int he U.S., a group of small manga publishers have joined together to form the Independent Manga Alliance, in the hopes of competing with well-established industry giants. The association’s founding members are Manga Mavericks Books, Mahjong Pros, Strict Algorithm, Red String Manga, and Curation <a href="https://comicvibe.com/penn-entertainment-nasdaqpenn-posts-q2-cy2026-sales-in-line-with-estimates/” title=”PENN Entertainment (NASDAQ:PENN) Posts Q2 CY2026 Sales In Line With Estimates”>Entertainment—and they say they’re looking to grow their ranks.
“We are very excited to launch the IMA,” Manga Mavericks CEO Varun Gupta said in a statement. “Manga is a global movement that has captivated millions, and there are legions of vibrant independent creators and publishers whose work is vital and deserves a global audience. No one should go into the manga industry expecting it to be easy to navigate, let alone succeed in, but we think there are ways to help people power through the challenges so that they have the best chance possible.”
The organization was officially launched on July 24, the day after the founding members’ panel at San Diego Comic-Con, called “Inside Indie Manga Publishing.” It’s still early days, but the Independent Manga Alliance’s nascent website promises upcoming programs including an “Indie Manga Futures Lab” and “community spotlights” on members.
Both the website and the organization’s initial social media posts link to a Google form meant for “anyone interested in joining, contributing, or learning more about the Alliance.” Sample questions include “what challenges are you currently facing that the Alliance could help address?” and “what experience, re
Red String Manga is a Japan-based localization service and micro-publisher that specializes in manga translation. Mahjong Pros is the publishing division of a brand that focuses on that game, and aims to tie its stories into the company’s other offerings including mahjong tiles, strategy guides, and classes. Manga Mavericks started as a manga news podcast in 2016, has grown into a multimedia company anchored by its podcast network, and recently launched a publishing division to expand further into the manga industry. Strict Algorithm has covered manga news since 2017 by translating and conducting interviews with artists and industry professionals. And Curation Entertainment Partners is a U.S.-based media company that launched the website B!JuKu in 2024 to provide a space for creators and fans of manga to share their creations and earn money.
