The 2nd American Manga Awards have officially unveiled their nominees, spotlighting a diverse array of manga works that have captivated English-speaking audiences. Announced on June 16, 2025, this year's awards cover a broad spectrum of categories, from Best New Manga to Best Publication Design, reflecting the vibrant and evolving landscape of manga publishing in North America.
The ceremony is slated for August 21, 2025, at the Japan Society in New York City, coinciding with the kickoff of the Anime NYC convention, a major event expected to draw over 100,000 attendees to Manhattan's Jacob K. Javits Center from August 21 to 24. This timing underscores the growing significance of manga culture within the broader anime and pop culture community.
Deb Aoki, chair of the American Manga Awards Planning Committee, expressed enthusiasm about the event’s role in celebrating not just creators but the entire creative chain behind manga’s success in English-speaking markets. "It's exciting to see works from debut creators alongside new volumes from longtime fan favorites, all brought to life through the efforts of translators, editors, letterers, and designers, who win awards for their amazing work," she said. "These awards are our way of honoring that full creative chain and spotlighting the people who help manga resonate so deeply with English-language readers." This holistic approach highlights how manga’s impact extends beyond the original artists to include the dedicated professionals who help bring these stories to life for new audiences.
The nominees span seven categories, each showcasing unique facets of manga excellence. In the Best New Manga category, titles like Hikaru in the Light! by Mai Matsuda (Scholastic Graphix/Azuki), Dragon and Chameleon by Ryō Ishiyama (Square Enix Manga & Books), and The Guy She Was Interested In Wasn't a Guy at All by Sumiko Arai (Yen Press) stand out. These fresh voices promise to infuse the medium with new perspectives and storytelling styles.
Meanwhile, the Best Continuing Manga Series nominees include the returning The Summer Hikaru Died by Mokumokuren (Yen Press), which notably received its second consecutive nomination, along with other acclaimed series such as Innocent by Shin'ichi Sakamoto (Dark Horse), Search and Destroy by Atsushi Kaneko (Fantagraphics / MSX), The Apothecary Diaries by Natsu Hyūga, Nekokurage, and Itsuki Nanao (Square Enix Manga & Books), and Hirayasumi by Keigo Shinzō (Viz Media). The repeated nod for The Summer Hikaru Died signals its enduring resonance with readers and critics alike, having last year contended in the same category but narrowly missed the top prize.
In the Best One-Shot Manga category, the nominees showcase a range of storytelling from the eerie to the heartfelt, including Gou Tanabe’s adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft's The Colour Out of Space (Dark Horse), Shintaro Kago’s Brain Damage (Fantagraphics), and A Smart and Courageous Child by Miki Yamamoto (TokyoPop). These single-volume works often serve as powerful standalone narratives that can leave lasting impressions.
The Best New Edition of Classic Manga category honors the timelessness of manga’s history with nominees like They Were 11! by Moto Hagio (Denpa Books), Short Game by Mitsuru Adachi (Denpa Books), Mansect by Shinichi Koga (Living the Line/Smudge), The Legend of Kamui by Shirato Sanpei (Drawn & Quarterly), and Ashita no Joe: Fighting for Tomorrow by Asao Takamori and Tetsuya Chiba (Kodansha USA). These editions often introduce classic stories to new generations with updated translations and designs.
Lettering and translation, often unsung heroes in the manga production process, receive dedicated recognition. For Best Lettering, works like Ashita no Joe: Fighting for Tomorrow volumes 1–2, lettered by Evan Hayden, and Search and Destroy volume 2, lettered by Phil Christie, are among the nominees. The Best Translation category highlights the skill of translators such as minami for The Otaku Love Connection and Ben Applegate for Search and Destroy volume 2, emphasizing the importance of faithfully rendering manga’s nuances into English.
Best Publication Design features nominees like The Legend of Kamui volume 1, designed by Lucia Gargiulo and Tom Devlin, and JoJo's Bizarre Adventure—Part 7: Steel Ball Run volume 1, designed by Adam Grano. These design efforts shape the visual experience of manga readers, enhancing storytelling through layout and presentation.
Adding to the excitement, the 2025 Manga Publishing Hall of Fame will induct Studio Proteus, a San Francisco–based manga translation and publishing team credited with introducing seminal titles such as Blade of the Immortal, Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, and Ghost in the Shell to English-speaking audiences. The team includes founder and editor Toren Smith; translators Dana Lewis, Alan Gleason, and Frederik Schodt; manga artist and letterer Tomoko Saitō; comic creator Adam Warren; and comic letterers Tom Orzechowski and L. Lois Buhalis. Their collective contributions have been instrumental in shaping manga’s presence outside Japan.
Voting for the awards is open to professionals working in editorial roles at North American manga publishers, ensuring that winners are chosen by those deeply familiar with the industry. Voter registration remains open until July 21, with ballots accepted through July 24. This peer-driven selection process adds credibility and prestige to the awards.
Reflecting on last year’s inaugural ceremony, which also took place in New York City, the American Manga Awards have quickly established themselves as a significant event in the manga community. Last year’s winners included #DRCL midnight children by Shin'ichi Sakamoto, Delicious in Dungeon by Ryōko Kui, and Neighborhood Story by Ai Yazawa, among others. These awards not only celebrate artistic excellence but also encourage the continued growth and appreciation of manga in North America.
As the August ceremony approaches, anticipation builds among fans and creators alike. The 2nd American Manga Awards promise to highlight the vibrant creativity and collaborative spirit that define the manga industry today, honoring both fresh talent and the trailblazers who paved the way.
