2026 American Manga Awards Nominees Include Billy Bat and Bug Ego

The American Manga Awards are set to make a grand return in 2026 for their third edition, promising to be the most exciting yet. Organized by Anime NYC and Japan Society, these awards honor not only exceptional manga titles but also the entire ecosystem that supports English-language releases. This includes the talented translators, letterers, and designers who bring Japanese comics to life for Western readers. The ceremony is scheduled for August 20, 2026, at Japan Society in New York City, just a day before Anime NYC kicks off at the Javits Center.

This year’s lineup features 35 nominees that showcase the diverse landscape of contemporary manga publishing. Renowned creators like Naoki Urasawa (Billy Bat) are featured alongside esteemed works such as Yuki Urushibara’s Mushishi Collector’s Edition. Meanwhile, Mokumokuren’s The Summer Hikaru Died continues to gain traction as one of the most discussed recent horror manga. Smaller publishers and indie labels also shine, with Glacier Bay Books and Star Fruit Books earning well-deserved nominations across various categories. Notably, these two publishers merged in February 2026 following the passing of Star Fruit Books’ founder last year.

The craft awards are equally competitive, spotlighting translators like Asa Yoneda and Alexa Frank alongside letterers and designers whose contributions often go unnoticed, despite being crucial to the English manga experience. The Publication Design category showcases a variety of creative approaches this year, from Wendy Chan’s work on the Fruits Basket complete box set to Patrick Crotty’s design for Peow2’s Stop!! Hibari-kun!— underscoring that presentation can be just as impactful as the content itself.

Winners will be selected by a jury of industry professionals, including editors, translators, letterers, librarians, and booksellers, making the American Manga Awards a true reflection of industry consensus rather than fan votes. The winners will be revealed live during the ceremony at Japan Society on August 20.

Here are all the nominees for the 2026 American Manga Awards: