Kana, the dedicated manga imprint of Abrams ComicArts, has announced the highly anticipated English-language publication of acclaimed manga creator Naoki Urasawa and collaborator Takashi Nagasaki‘s historical conspiracy thriller, Billy Bat. Beginning in June 2026, Kana will publish Volume 1, kicking off an ambitious schedule of four volumes per year, ultimately releasing all 20 volumes.
Billy Bat is an enthralling, genre-defying series that combines mystery, historical fiction, conspiracy theory, and metafiction, unfolding across multiple eras and continents. Set initially in America in 1949, it follows Japanese-American comics artist Kevin Yamagata, who returns home after serving under the Allied Forces in World War II. Kevin quickly becomes famous for his detective comic character, Billy Bat. However, his newfound success is soon overshadowed by a disturbing revelation—Billy Bat already exists in Japan. Fearing unintentional plagiarism, Kevin embarks on a journey to Japan to uncover the truth, only to find himself ensnared in a tangled web of murders, secret societies, and prophetic mysteries spanning millennia.
Naoki Urasawa, widely recognized as a transformative force in contemporary manga, has been honored with numerous awards including three Shogakukan Manga Awards, two Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prizes, and a Kodansha Manga Award. His highly acclaimed series include Monster, 20th Century Boys, and Pluto (recently adapted by Netflix). South Korean filmmaker Bong Joon-ho (Snowpiercer, Parasite) hailed Urasawa as “the greatest storyteller of our time,” while Pulitzer Prize-winning author Junot Díaz described him as a “national treasure in Japan.”
Co-creator Takashi Nagasaki is an accomplished author and manga writer known for his collaboration with Urasawa on Monster, 20th Century Boys, and Pluto. Nagasaki brings his expertise in storytelling and deep knowledge of the manga industry, having previously served as an editor at Shogakukan before transitioning into freelance writing.
Billy Bat is celebrated for its riveting narrative, which blends historical events with surreal, suspenseful twists and a sharp sense of humor. The series features prominent historical figures including Albert Einstein, Walt Disney (reimagined as “Chuck Culkin”), John F. Kennedy, Neil Armstrong, Adolf Hitler, and even Oda Nobunaga. The series’ innovative approach places it perfectly alongside today’s popular historical fiction and speculative drama series like Bridgerton, Outlander, and All the Light We Cannot See, appealing to both dedicated manga enthusiasts and new readers eager to explore the medium.
A perennial fan-favorite often listed among manga readers’ “Top 10 Manga That Need an English Release,” Billy Bat has achieved widespread success and critical acclaim internationally. Kana’s forthcoming publication ensures that English-speaking audiences will finally experience the full scope of Urasawa and Nagasaki’s ambitious storytelling.
Look for Billy Bat Vol. 1 in bookstores and comic shops everywhere in June 2026.
