San Diego Comic-Con witnessed a significant announcement from Manga Mavericks Books, the newly established publishing arm of the Manga Mavericks website and podcast, as it revealed the licensing of two new manga titles: Takuji Umihara’s Pipe Machine and Shinkuro Koma’s Path From Tanuki Temple. These acquisitions mark a notable expansion for the nascent publisher, with plans to release both series digitally and in print, offering early access to paid subscribers of their Substack newsletter.
Delving into “Pipe Machine”
Pipe Machine, created by Takuji Umihara, is set to be released in English in March 2026. The series, which is ongoing in Japan with six volumes currently, will be published by Manga Mavericks in five A5-sized volumes (5.83″ x 8.27″).
The Quirky Premise of “Pipe Machine”
The story follows Saburo, a seemingly normal boy whose life takes a bizarre turn when peculiar events find him with alarming precision. His eccentric grandfather constructs a time machine that remarkably resembles a giant metal smoking pipe. A test run of this “pipe time machine” thrusts Saburo into the far reaches of space, where he encounters robots, space captains, and a girl strikingly similar to a friend from home. The manga promises a humorous, fast-paced, and highly unusual adventure.
Creator’s Inspiration and Hopes
Takuji Umihara shared that he drew Pipe Machine as both a study and a way to revisit the excitement he felt for Osamu Tezuka’s works as a child. While initially a means to becoming a professional mangaka, the story has captivated him. Umihara expressed immense gratitude to Varun Gupta, CEO of Manga Mavericks, and the company for producing the English version, hoping that American readers will enjoy the work.
Unveiling “Path From Tanuki Temple”
Alongside Pipe Machine, Manga Mavericks also announced the licensing of Shinkuro Koma’s Path From Tanuki Temple. While fewer details regarding its release date or volume count were immediately available, its inclusion in the publisher’s growing catalog signals a commitment to bringing diverse manga to North American audiences.
Manga Mavericks Books: A New Force in Publishing
Manga Mavericks Books is the publishing division of the Manga Mavericks website and podcast, an entity dedicated to discussing manga as both a medium and an industry. The company has been actively licensing and releasing titles, with previous announcements including FIRST TIME IN TAIWAN: A DELICIOUS ADVENTURE, GREAT METAL GOD, and PRINCESS DA HUANG & OTHER TALES for Fall 2025. They have also partnered with Japan-based localization company Red String for titles like I’LL SEE YOU AT EBISU STUDIOS, Now No One Lurks Beneath the Snow, The Murderer and Her Runaway Desire, and Senpai no Kohai. Their initial launch titles in July 2025 included BONDS, ALTERNATIVE [SELF LINER NOTE], and ZIGOKU’S FOREMAN. This latest announcement at San Diego Comic-Con further solidifies Manga Mavericks Books’ presence as a new and expanding player in the North American manga market.
