Kadokawa has revealed fresh details regarding its major partnership with Marvel Comics, offering readers a closer look at the concept art and narrative direction for the upcoming lineup of manga adaptations. The initiative brings iconic Western superheroes into distinctive Japanese storytelling formats through specialized creators.
Tokitokoro, known for Jeff the Land Shark, is steering the Spider-Man project. The narrative centers on Haruto Hachidori, a Shibuya high schooler who inherits spider abilities and navigates the urban skyline while confronting a hidden threat beneath the city. Meanwhile, Ryūsei Yamada is spearheading the Spider-Gwen series, following Gwen Stacy as a drummer in the band Mary Janes who gains superhuman traits after a radioactive spider bite.
Alongside the spider-themed titles, Kadokawa showcased early promotional concept art for Daredevil and Punisher. The overarching five-title publishing initiative is scheduled to launch across Kadokawa's KadoComi digital service before the conclusion of the year.
This transition follows Shueisha's conclusion of its Marvel manga contract earlier in the year, which led to the digital and physical removal of previous titles such as Deadpool: Samurai and Secret Reverse. With Marvel establishing an dedicated Asia Originals editorial division under Stephen Wacker and C.B. Cebulski, this new Kadokawa venture marks a fresh chapter for American comic icons in the Japanese manga market.
