In a milestone moment for Indian manga creators, KADOKAWA Corporation has officially launched the professional debut of masterlynx, a creative duo of brothers from India, with their brand-new action-comedy series KUNG FU KUNG FOOL. The manga begins serialization today, Friday, May 15, 2026, at 11:00 AM (JST) on Kadocomi, KADOKAWA’s official manga portal.
This debut is a landmark not just for the creators but for KADOKAWA itself, as masterlynx becomes the first creator to make a professional debut through the publisher’s overseas talent initiative, the KADOKAWA WORLD MANGA ATELIER project. And from the looks of it, more international debuts are on the way.
Who Are masterlynx?
masterlynx is a creative unit formed by Indian brothers Jivan and Yash, who began producing manga-inspired works together back in 2022. Hailing from a small town in India, the duo grew up devouring Japanese manga, with Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball being a major influence on their style and storytelling.
Their journey to Japan began when they entered KADOKAWA’s international “Wordless Manga Contest” in 2025 with their entry Heartsteel, which won the Silver Prize and put them firmly on KADOKAWA’s radar.
What Is “KUNG FU KUNG FOOL” About?
KUNG FU KUNG FOOL is a high-energy action-comedy that fuses Japanese culture with broader Asian influences, most notably kung fu and the legendary Japanese outlaw Goemon.
The story follows Goemon, a notorious thief who’s been stirring up trouble in town. He soon finds himself clashing with the Whiskers, a gang of villains, over a treasure held by a young boy named Bao. Just when Goemon is cornered and at his wit’s end, his second personality suddenly awakens, unleashing wild, instinctive kung fu attacks that obliterate his enemies. What follows is a goofy, chaotic adventure between Goemon and Bao. a nonstop action-comedy with plenty of laughs along the way.
Interestingly, the manga was created through a fully remote international collaboration. masterlynx wrote the original script in English, while KADOKAWA’s editorial team adapted the Japanese dialogue and sound effects for Japanese readers, a fascinating glimpse at how cross-border manga production works in 2026.
A Dream Come True for the masterlynx Duo
In their official comment, the brothers shared just how surreal this moment feels:
“We, who grew up with Dragon Ball, are now stepping into the manga industry built by the legend Akira Toriyama… This journey feels like a dream to us, and it’s hard to believe. We, who come from a small town in India, never imagined that the day would come when we could serialize a manga in Japan. We are truly grateful for this wonderful opportunity. We hope you enjoy Kung Fu Kung Fool and join us on this adventure!”
The editor in charge of the project was just as enthusiastic, describing their first impression of masterlynx in two words: “Incredible talent.” They added that seeing Japanese manga culture reach India and inspire such an extraordinary creator, who is now debuting in Japan itself, is a deeply moving full-circle moment.
Where to Read “KUNG FU KUNG FOOL”?
Here’s everything you need to know about reading the new series:
- Title: KUNG FU KUNG FOOL
- Author: masterlynx
- Serialization Start: Friday, May 15, 2026, at 11:00 AM (JST)
- Release Schedule: New chapter every third Friday of the month
- Free Access: Chapters 1–3 will remain free to read at all times. From Chapter 4 onward, the latest chapter will be available for free.
Read it here:
- Kadocomi: https://comic-walker.com/detail/KC_008716_S
- Nico Nico Manga: https://manga.nicovideo.jp/comic/77645
A Big Moment for Global Manga
masterlynx’s debut is more than just a new series launch, it’s a signal that the manga industry is opening its doors wider than ever to international creators. With KADOKAWA actively preparing more overseas debuts in the pipeline, KUNG FU KUNG FOOL could very well be the start of a new global wave in manga.
If you’re a fan of action-packed comedies, quirky protagonists, and stories that wear their Dragon Ball-inspired heart on their sleeve, KUNG FU KUNG FOOL deserves a spot on your reading list starting today.
