Santa Monica, CA – Kodama Tales Inc., a subsidiary of Kyodo Printing Co., Ltd., announced at San Diego Comic-Con on Saturday that it will publish Mitei Hattori’s psychological horror manga Smile! (スマイリー, Smiley) in English. The English release is slated for January 2026, with preorders opening soon. This marks a notable expansion into diverse genres for Kodama Tales, which previously made headlines with the English debut of Baki The Grappler.
Diving into the Dark World of Smile!
Smile! offers a chilling and gripping narrative that has already captivated readers in Japan, selling over 1.4 million copies. The manga is celebrated for its unsettling atmosphere and intense suspense.
The Premise: A Journalist’s Anguished Search
The story centers on Yuushi Kamome, a struggling freelance journalist whose life has been shattered by the death of his daughter and the subsequent disappearance of his wife, Megumi. He spends his days in despair, a mere shadow of his former self. His life takes an ominous turn when two women, proselytizing for a mysterious cult-like group called the “Smiling Hearts Society” (also referred to as the “Heart Laughing Society” or “Église du Sourire Éternel”), visit his home. A detail on their flyer immediately grabs his attention: it features the smiling face of his missing wife.
A Descent into Psychological Torment
Compelled by this shocking discovery, Yuushi decides to go undercover to investigate the Smiling Hearts Society. What begins with a disturbing, joyful scream and a slammed door quickly spirals into a twisted journey filled with manufactured joy, intense cult manipulation, and profound psychological torment. The narrative explores the fragility of the human mind and the sinister edges of belief systems, promising an unforgettable experience for fans of the macabre. The manga combines sharp storytelling with unnerving suspense, leaving a lasting impression on readers.
Kodama Tales: Expanding Horizons in Manga Publishing
Kodama Tales Inc., headquartered in Santa Monica, California, was established to bring compelling Japanese manga to a global audience. Led by representative Kiyotaka Hirai, the company aims to deliver high-quality manga that respects both creators and fans.
From Martial Arts to Psychological Horror
The acquisition of Smile! by Mitei Hattori signifies a strategic shift in Kodama Tales’ publishing approach. While their inaugural English title, Baki The Grappler, is a high-octane martial arts series with over 100 million copies sold worldwide as of May 2024, Smile! ventures into the realm of psychological horror mystery. This pivot demonstrates Kodama Tales’ commitment to offering a wide range of titles that reflect the rich diversity of Japanese manga.
Future Prospects and Quality Assurance
Kodama Tales is dedicated to preserving the authenticity and quality of original Japanese editions. Their print editions are produced in Japan by Kyodo Printing, a company with over 120 years of history and the official printer of Weekly Shonen Jump. The company’s upcoming lineup will feature titles from a variety of respected Japanese publishers. Readers are encouraged to stay tuned for further details on preorder dates and exclusive release information, which will be announced on the official Kodama website.
