The United States could have more manga readers than Japan within the next decade, according to Nobuhiko Muranaka, a representative of Square Enix’s digital manga platform Manga UP!. The prediction reflects the expanding international audience for Japanese comics and the growing role of digital platforms in connecting readers with new chapters and series.
Speaking during a panel at New York Comic Con, Muranaka joined representatives from MANGA Plus and K Manga to discuss the global manga market, changing reader habits, and opportunities for creators. The discussion was reported by Anime News Network in its October 13, 2026 feature, “The Importance and Influence of Global Manga is Not Slowing Down!”.
Muranaka’s prediction is based partly on the difference in population between the United States and Japan. It is a projection rather than a confirmed industry forecast, but it highlights the potential scale of manga’s international growth if publishers continue attracting readers outside their home market.
DIGITAL MANGA PLATFORMS ARE BRINGING GLOBAL FANS CLOSER TOGETHER
Services such as Manga UP!, MANGA Plus, and K Manga are helping reduce the distance between Japanese releases and international audiences.
Traditionally, overseas readers often had to wait for licensing arrangements, translations, and localized editions before accessing new chapters. Digital distribution has created more opportunities for publishers to release manga to international readers closer to its Japanese publication schedule.
The platforms also give fans ways to react to stories while they are still being published. According to the Anime News Network report, K Manga representative Yuta Hiraoka explained that readers previously had to rely on licensing teams to communicate their opinions to Japanese publishers. Online comment sections now allow readers to share their reactions directly, giving publishers and creators faster access to audience feedback.
Muranaka also noted that this immediate response can motivate manga creators and provide useful information about which series are attracting attention internationally.
MANGA CAN BUILD AN AUDIENCE BEFORE AN ANIME ADAPTATION
International manga popularity does not always depend on an anime adaptation. During the panel, MANGA Plus representative Yūta Momiyama pointed to SPY x FAMILY and Kaiju No. 8 as examples of manga that had already attracted significant attention before their anime adaptations premiered.
Digital platforms can strengthen this momentum by allowing readers from different countries to follow the same stories and discuss new developments together. The closer international releases are to Japanese publication dates, the easier it becomes for fans to participate in conversations without worrying about spoilers or falling behind.
The representatives also suggested that international audiences generally enjoy many of the same genres and series that succeed in Japan. However, some differences remain. K Manga’s Hiraoka noted that gag manga can be more difficult to translate for international audiences, while certain titles, including Black Torch, may find a stronger following in the United States than in Japan.
MANGA PUBLISHERS WANT TO DISCOVER CREATORS OUTSIDE JAPAN
The panel also addressed how digital platforms could help develop the next generation of manga creators. These services are not limited to distributing existing Japanese series. Publishers are also exploring ways to identify promising artists and writers from other countries.
Kodansha’s Manga Academy was highlighted as one initiative encouraging aspiring creators from around the world to submit their work. The representatives expressed interest in discovering original stories that can appeal to readers across different markets.
However, international creators still face challenges entering the traditional manga industry. Hiraoka explained that the industry has not yet reached a point where a series can routinely secure serialization without first demonstrating popularity in Japan. Even so, the panelists emphasized the importance of strong artwork and stories that connect with readers.
COULD AMERICA BECOME MANGA’S BIGGEST READING MARKET?
Muranaka’s prediction raises an important question about the future of manga publishing. The United States has a substantially larger population than Japan, giving publishers a considerable potential audience if reading habits continue to expand.
However, having a larger population does not automatically mean having more manga readers. The outcome will depend on readership growth, accessibility, localization, pricing, and the availability of titles across different platforms.
For now, the comments at New York Comic Con point to an industry increasingly focused on international audiences. If digital platforms continue reducing release delays and making manga easier to access, the United States could become an even more significant market for Japanese publishers over the next decade.
