Mattel is taking the iconic Barbie into the world of manga. In a new partnership with TOKYOPOP, the global toy giant is set to release original manga-style graphic novels featuring Barbie and her friends, starting in 2026. This collaboration aims to introduce the beloved doll to a new generation through an innovative storytelling medium.
A Fresh Take on Barbie
The upcoming manga will reimagine Barbie’s world with fresh artwork and engaging stories, designed specifically for children aged 8-12. This move signals Mattel’s interest in expanding its storytelling approach across various platforms, blending the classic Barbie charm with TOKYOPOP’s unique creative style.
What is Manga?
Manga refers to Japanese comic books and graphic novels. It is known for its distinctive art style characterized by expressive characters with large eyes, dynamic panel layouts, and often exaggerated facial expressions. Manga is not just a comic book, but a significant part of Japanese culture with global appeal. Stories are typically serialized in magazines and then collected into graphic novels.
The Partnership
TOKYOPOP, a renowned publisher known for its best-selling titles, will develop and publish the new Barbie manga. This partnership is a strategic move by Mattel to leverage the popularity of manga and anime, introducing Barbie to a new audience.
Expanding Barbie’s Universe
The Barbie manga will feature original storylines, exploring themes of friendship, creativity, and ambition. These are all qualities that have defined Barbie since her debut in 1959. The new series aims to attract fans of Japanese pop culture while staying true to the doll’s roots.
Hot Wheels Joins the Manga Universe
In addition to Barbie, Mattel is also partnering with TOKYOPOP to create manga-style graphic novels based on the Hot Wheels brand. These novels will bring original stories and artwork, engaging young readers with action-packed adventures inspired by the iconic toy cars.
A Dual Launch
The first graphic novels from this collaboration are set to debut in print in 2026. Both the Barbie and Hot Wheels series will feature new characters and adventures, targeting children ages 8-12. Penguin Random House will handle the distribution of the titles globally.
Barbie’s History with Comics
While the upcoming manga is a significant step for Barbie, it isn’t her first foray into the world of comics. Barbie has a rich history of appearing in various comic formats.
Marvel’s Barbie Comics
In the early 1990s, Marvel Comics published two ongoing Barbie series: Barbie and Barbie Fashion. These comics ran for 63 and 53 issues, respectively. They focused on Barbie’s career as a fashion designer, model, musician, and actor. The comics featured contributions from notable creators, including John Romita, Sr.
Other Barbie Comics Ventures
Before the new 2026 run, TOKYOPOP had previously released several Barbie Cine-Manga, which were storybook comics made from screenshots of TV cartoons. In 2016, Papercutz also released a series of Barbie graphic novels, penned by Sarah Kuhn and Tini Howard, that targeted young adults. These modern stories explored Barbie’s journey to finding her career in the fashion industry and her various adventures with friends.
Early Barbie Comics
Barbie’s comic book history stretches back to the early 1960’s, with stories in Barbie and Ken comic series, where Barbie would take on different career roles, like a nurse or a flight attendant. This was a progressive approach for the time period, even if Barbie was often portrayed as having supporting roles to Ken.
What to Expect from the Manga
The new Barbie manga is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the beloved character, using the dynamic style of manga to tell engaging stories. These graphic novels will likely explore themes of empowerment, creativity, and the importance of friendship. The Barbie series will introduce new characters while staying true to Barbie’s legacy.
Original Stories and Artwork
The manga series is set to feature original stories and fresh artwork. TOKYOPOP aims to deliver bold new adventures that resonate with a global audience. The books will be designed in the traditional Japanese manga format, with panels that read from right to left.
Why Manga?
The decision to create Barbie manga is a strategic move to capture the growing popularity of Japanese-style comics. Manga has a massive fan base around the world, particularly among younger audiences. By embracing this style, Mattel hopes to introduce Barbie to new fans, while providing a new avenue for existing fans to enjoy her stories.
A New Medium for Storytelling
Manga offers a unique approach to storytelling with its distinctive visual style and emphasis on character development. It is an ideal medium to showcase Barbie’s adventures and connect with a younger, diverse audience.
The Future of Barbie
This new manga series is just one example of how Mattel is continually reimagining Barbie for new audiences. From movies to comic books, Barbie continues to evolve with the times, remaining a cultural icon. The collaboration with TOKYOPOP marks a significant step in this ongoing evolution.
Expanding the Brand
Mattel is actively expanding its brand through various media. The company’s publishing imprint has been releasing several books, reinforcing its presence in the literary world. This manga partnership is part of this larger effort to tell stories across different formats and strengthen its overall publishing strategy.
A Bold New Chapter
The announcement of the Barbie manga has generated excitement among fans. It signals a bold new chapter for Barbie, as she moves into the world of manga. By partnering with TOKYOPOP, Mattel is embracing a dynamic medium that is sure to captivate both long-time fans and new readers alike.
Release Date
The first Barbie manga graphic novels are set to be released in print in 2026.
