Shueisha is taking one of its biggest steps yet toward making Japanese manga accessible to readers around the world with MANGA MILLION, a limited-time digital platform offering approximately 400 titles across more than 100 languages. Launched as part of Shueisha’s 100th-anniversary celebrations, the initiative brings together one million pages of manga, including globally recognized works such as One Piece, Naruto, Bleach, Demon Slayer, Jujutsu Kaisen, SPY×FAMILY, Chainsaw Man, Nana, and Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You. Shueisha says nearly 300 titles are receiving translations for the first time.
For Shuhei Hosono, Editor-in-Chief of MANGA Plus by SHUEISHA and the project’s initiator, the idea started with a straightforward question: what could Shueisha do to celebrate its centenary on an unprecedented scale? The answer became a translation project spanning one million pages and more than 100 languages.
In an exclusive written interview provided to OtakuKart, Hosono explains how MANGA MILLION came together, why language accessibility remains important to manga’s global growth, and what he hopes Shueisha can learn from readers discovering unexpected titles across different markets.
Shuhei Hosono on the Idea Behind MANGA MILLION
OtakuKart: MANGA MILLION represents an enormous translation undertaking. Where did the idea for one million pages and 100 languages come from?
Shuhei Hosono: The project began with a simple question: what if we marked Shueisha’s 100th anniversary by translating one million pages of manga into 100 languages? As we developed the concept, we also saw it as a way to address the language barriers that still prevent many readers around the world from accessing manga.
Hosono believes the project can do more than simply make established Japanese hits available internationally. He hopes MANGA MILLION can introduce readers to stories they might never have encountered otherwise and create new connections between manga creators and audiences.
OtakuKart: How did Shueisha approach the enormous translation workload, particularly for languages that have historically received less manga localization?
Shuhei Hosono: We have commissioned multiple translation agencies, through which we are conducting new translations of one million pages. Furthermore, we are utilizing existing translations in various languages provided by our licensing partners.
The platform currently reaches readers through languages including English, Chinese, Hindi, Arabic, Spanish, French, Turkish, Tagalog, Korean and Polish. The official MANGA MILLION platform also lists more than 100 available languages across its global service.
Why Unexpected Manga Discoveries Could Define Success
OtakuKart: Could MANGA MILLION help readers who previously relied on unofficial translations move toward official releases?
Shuhei Hosono: It would be ideal if MANGA MILLION encourages more people to read official translations. However, what I am truly looking forward to seeing is the discovery of new readers and markets—for instance, finding out that an unexpected series is being widely read in an unexpected language.
For Hosono, that discovery process could become one of the most valuable outcomes of the project. Rather than measuring success only through established franchises, he wants to see whether lesser-known works can find entirely new audiences.
OtakuKart: What happens to the nearly 300 titles receiving first-time translations after the limited-time campaign ends?
Shuhei Hosono: We will, of course, connect this to future developments. We are currently considering whether to make these titles available on MANGA Plus by SHUEISHA or to explore other formats. Naturally, we would be delighted to receive offers from local licensees.
Shueisha has previously indicated that MANGA MILLION is intended as a limited-time initiative, while the company is considering future possibilities for titles introduced through the project.
What Makes Manga Cross Language Barriers?
Hosono has worked on major Shueisha titles across different editorial eras, including Gintama, Haikyu!!, Kuroko’s Basketball, Chainsaw Man, SPY×FAMILY, and DAN DA DAN. His experience has given him a long view of how manga develops from domestic serialization into international phenomena.
OtakuKart: What do you believe makes a manga capable of becoming a global hit?
Shuhei Hosono: Many Jump series are born from the partnership between a “rookie manga artist” and a “rookie editor.” Instead of perfectly calculated techniques, the creator’s deeply personal “initial impulse” is thrown directly into the work.
He believes that raw creative energy can capture the spirit of a particular era and connect with readers beyond Japan. Hosono also points to character appeal as another crucial factor, describing it as a form of “non-verbal appeal” capable of crossing language barriers.
The Manga Hosono Wants Global Readers to Discover
MANGA MILLION also provides an opportunity to introduce international audiences to works that may not have the same global recognition as Shueisha’s biggest franchises.
OtakuKart: Which first-time translated titles would you personally recommend to international readers?
Shuhei Hosono: For fans of titles such as Black Clover, Haikyu!!, and My Hero Academia, we recommend checking out the creators’ early serialized works: Hungry Joker, Yotsuya Senpai no Kaidan, and Witching Hour Zoo.
Hosono also encourages readers to explore classic shojo works including Hime-chan’s Ribbon, Kodocha: Sana’s Stage, and Chibi Maruko-chan. One title he is particularly interested in seeing international audiences discover is KochiKame, the long-running comedy classic from Weekly Shonen Jump.
With MANGA MILLION, Shueisha is effectively using its centenary as an opportunity to test how far manga can travel when one of its biggest remaining barriers, language, is dramatically reduced. For Hosono, the most exciting outcome may not be confirming the popularity of familiar franchises, but discovering entirely new connections between readers, languages, creators, and stories.
MANGA MILLION is currently available worldwide for a limited time through Shueisha’s official platform.
