Abrams ComicArts’ newly established Kana imprint has officially listed Minetarō Mochizuki’s acclaimed manga series, Chiisakobee, for an English release, with the first volume set to ship on June 23, 2026. This marks a significant addition to Kana’s catalog, bringing a critically recognized modern adaptation of a classic Japanese novel to North American readers.
Understanding Chiisakobee: A Modern Reinterpretation
Chiisakobee is a four-volume manga series by Minetarō Mochizuki, which offers a contemporary reimagining of Shūgorō Yamamoto’s historical novel of the same name. The original novel focused on a young carpenter in Edo-era Japan, and Mochizuki’s adaptation skillfully transplants this narrative into a modern setting.
The Poignant Plot and Characters
The story follows Shigeji, a young, gruff carpenter who inherits his father’s building company, Daitome, after a devastating fire claims both the business and his parents’ lives. Determined to rebuild Daitome, he lives by his late father’s words: “No matter how much the times change, what’s important is for our kind to have compassion and dedication.”
His life takes an unexpected turn with the arrival of Ritsu, a housemaid with no family, and a group of children from a welfare facility who are also displaced. Together, this unlikely group embarks on a “dramatic last-ditch way-of-life story,” exploring themes of humanity, resilience, and found family.
Critical Acclaim for the Series
Minetarō Mochizuki’s Chiisakobee has garnered significant critical recognition. It received an Excellence Award at the 17th Japan Media Arts Festival in 2013. Furthermore, the manga went on to win the prestigious Fauve D’Angoulême – Prix de la Série at the Angoulême International Comics Festival in 2017, highlighting its international appeal and artistic merit. Mochizuki himself is a celebrated manga author-illustrator, known for works like Dragon Head and his manga adaptation of Wes Anderson’s Isle of Dogs.
Kana Imprint: A New Home for Mature Manga
Abrams ComicArts launched Kana as a new imprint dedicated to publishing manga series in English for the North American market, primarily targeting an adult audience. Announced in April 2024, Kana aims to release 40-60 paperback titles annually, drawing inspiration from Japanese publication aesthetics, including dust jackets and quality paper.
Kana’s Editorial Vision
Led by Rodolphe Lachat, VP and publisher of Abrams ComicArts, Kana seeks to “celebrate the art of manga” by publishing emotionally mature subjects and stories that resonate with older readers, including classic manga series and art books. The imprint intends to fill a niche by focusing on genres and themes often overlooked by publishers concentrating on shōnen or shōjo categories. While sharing a name with a French-language manga publisher, the new Kana imprint operates independently, though both are owned by the Belgian media conglomerate Média-Participations.
The addition of Chiisakobee to Kana’s upcoming releases underscores the imprint’s commitment to delivering diverse and critically acclaimed manga to a discerning English-speaking readership.
