[Trailer] Kodansha and Vinnie Hacker Join Forces for First U.S.-Made Manga ‘The Escape’
Kodansha, the legendary Japanese publisher behind hits like Akira, Attack on Titan, and Sailor Moon, is stepping into new territory with its first U.S.-created manga, The Escape. The series is co-written by social media star Vinnie Hacker and Shakira Pressley, with art by manga artist Hiroto Oishi.
According to Kodansha, The Escape will launch digitally on October 8. In Japan, it will be available on the Comic Days platform, while worldwide readers can access it for free on Kodansha’s KManga app.
The story follows Enkei, a prisoner trapped in a deadly underground world where captives are forced to fight to the death. Enkei, haunted by the lives he has taken, refuses to kill again, triggering a chain of events that could either bring him redemption or destroy him.
Timed with the manga’s release, an animated trailer for The Escape is being shared across Hacker’s YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok channels.
For Kodansha, the new manga represents part of a broader push to bring its stories and creators to global audiences. The company launched the KManga app in 2023 to deliver titles directly to English-language readers, reducing the wait time between Japanese releases and international availability.
Kodansha has also joined forces with platforms like Netflix, Lionsgate, Sega, and Roblox to expand its IP into interactive spaces, bringing series like Blue Lock and That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime to new audiences.
The Escape marks a major step for Kodansha as it explores creative projects outside Japan. With Hacker involved and the story already generating buzz, the manga could set a new standard for international collaborations. Personally, I think it’s exciting to see Kodansha supporting creators from outside Japan and bringing fresh stories to global readers.
What do you think about this first U.S.-created manga? Share your thoughts in the comments.