Manga Mavericks Books revealed two newly licensed manga titles during its panel at Anime Boston 2026, expanding its upcoming catalog with releases scheduled for late 2026 and early 2027.
The North American publisher, operating under Manga Mavericks LLC, confirmed it will release ONI & DAWN: BAKUMATSU HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS by Hana Ikuta and BALL & CHAIN by Minami Q-ta, bringing both titles to English-language audiences in print and digital formats.
ONI & DAWN: BAKUMATSU HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS
ONI & DAWN: BAKUMATSU HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS, originally published in Japan by TWO VIRGINS, is a girls’ love school drama set to debut in October 2026. Meanwhile, BALL & CHAIN, a queer drama published by MAGAZINE HOUSE and nominated for the 30th Annual Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize, will be released as a 2-in-1 omnibus beginning in March 2027.
The first volume of ONI & DAWN: BAKUMATSU HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS will be priced at $14.99 in print and $6.99 digitally. The 176-page release, carrying ISBN 9781968054403, is recommended for readers aged 13 and up.
Set at Koharu Girls’ High School in Japan, the story centers on a group of students who carry the souls of legendary samurai from the Bakumatsu period, including figures such as Sakamoto, Takasugi, Katsura, Katsu, Hijikata, Okita, and Kondo.
Retaining memories of their past lives, these characters must adapt to modern teenage life while navigating unresolved historical burdens and a strict school rule prohibiting romance.
The series, which spans three volumes in its original Japanese release, will be published by Manga Mavericks Books in single-volume A5 editions.
Creator Hana Ikuta, who debuted in 2017 and has built a following of more than 370,000 on X, shared a message with attendees:
“It’s a pleasure to meet you all. I’m Hana Ikuta, a manga artist.
The Oni & Dawn series was the first manga that a publisher asked me to work on, so it’s very close to my heart.
Now, the series will cross the seas from Japan to America, a country I’ve yearned to visit.
There’d be no greater joy than if readers in this country that I’ve long admired enjoy my work. I hope you’ll support my beloved Oni & Dawn series.”
Pre-orders for the first volume are currently available through the Manga Mavericks Store.
BALL & CHAIN, OMNIBUS 1
The second title, BALL & CHAIN, OMNIBUS 1, will be priced at $19.99 in print and $9.99 digitally. The 320-page release, with ISBN 9781968054465, is also intended for readers aged 13 and older.
The story follows two individuals confronting questions of identity and societal expectations. Keito, a company employee in their late twenties, is preparing to marry as a “woman” despite not identifying strictly with a specific gender or sexuality. Aya, a woman in her fifties, remains in a long-standing marriage that has lost its emotional connection, continuing to perform the role of a wife.
“Maybe I could have chosen something different…”
Both characters grapple with identities assigned at birth and roles shaped by societal norms, as they attempt to reclaim a sense of authenticity.
The series is currently ongoing in Japan and will be released by Manga Mavericks Books in a 2-in-1 omnibus A5 format.
Minami Q-ta, a veteran manga creator with over two decades of experience in josei and seinen publications, also shared a message:
“Hello! I’m Minami Q-ta, a manga artist who lives in Tokyo.
I’m really excited about Manga Mavericks’ upcoming English release of Ball & Chain!
This manga has two main characters. One is Aya, a 50-something homemaker who has a husband and child. Aya’s life seems to be stable, but Aya also constantly wishes for an escape or the chance to travel somewhere far away.
The other main character is Keito, a 20-something, energetic company employee. Keito is planning to get married to her boyfriend. They met through their job, but recently they’ve been fighting a lot, which has created mixed feelings within Keito.
This is never clearly explained in the manga, but both of these characters are non-binary. This story is about two people who discover and free themselves. I hope you give it a try and ultimately enjoy it!
From Q-ta, who’s also non-binary.”
Pre-orders for the omnibus edition are also live via the Manga Mavericks Store.
With these additions, Manga Mavericks Books continues to broaden its lineup, bringing diverse stories and voices from Japan to English-speaking readers.
