2026 American Manga Awards Honor Shueisha, Higashimura and Translation Advocacy
The 2026 American Manga Awards took place at the Japan Society, with the ceremony filmed for YouTube distribution. Host Zack Davisson opened the event by emphasizing the importance of human talent in bringing manga to English audiences, a sentiment reinforced by discussions surrounding generative AI.
Shueisha received the Centennial Award for its 100th anniversary, accepted by editorial director Shuhei Hosono. Akiko Higashimura was honored with the American Manga Award of Distinction. Professional categories included Best Publication Design, won by Wendy Chan for Fruits Basket: The Complete Box Set, and Best Lettering, awarded to Madeleine Jose for Maid to Skate!. Jan Mitsuko Cash won Best Translation for Magica, using her acceptance speech to call for higher pay rates for translators.
The Hall of Fame inducted Chigusa Ogino for her role in introducing manga to Western markets and Ioannis Mentzas, who was recognized posthumously.
Summary written with AI assistance by the Hentaidude News Desk from the original report by Erica Friedman & Sean Gaffney at Anime Herald and checked by our automated quality rules. Details may change; see the source for the full story. How we write summaries
Original headline at Anime Herald: “An Evening Of Achievement, Praise, And Calls For Change: The 2026 American Manga Awards”
Key facts
- Event
- 2026 American Manga Awards
- Venue
- Japan Society
- Centennial Award Winner
- Shueisha
- Award of Distinction Winner
- Akiko Higashimura
- Best Publication Design Winner
- Wendy Chan
- Best Lettering Winner
- Madeleine Jose
Tags
- #Akiko Higashimura
- #American Manga Awards
- #Awards Ceremony
- #Localization
- #Manga Industry
- #Shueisha
Background
Earlier stories from our archive that give context to this one.
Related stories
More manga: Related stories
Noa Is My Senior, and My Friend TV Anime Reveals Cast and 2027 Premiere
Rina Kawaguchi, Tomoya Itō star in series from feel. animation studio
via Anime News Network
Boichi's The Marshal King Manga Concludes October 16
Manga resumed after 9-month hiatus on September 4
via Anime News Network
Kazu Kakazu Launches Yosuga Tagurite Manga on Jump Toon
Manga about half-yōkai boy launches on vertical Jump Toon service on Friday
via Anime News Network
Translator Discusses Sound Effects in How I Met My Healthy Hentai Neighbors
Hi there! It’s me, Jchah, the translator of How I Met My Healthy Hentai Neighbors. I’m back with more insight into my translation process—this time, focusing on the game’s use of sound effects (SFX).
via MangaGamer Staff Blog
Hunter x Hunter Creator Togashi to Limit Work Due to Health
Togashi to decline future work requests with deadlines in order to focus on his own manuscripts
via Anime News Network
Digimon Eggs and Noro-Noro Puku-Puku Launch on Shonen Jump
The two new manga under the Shonen Jump umbrella worldwide are Digimon Eggs and Noro-Noro Puku-Puku.
via Siliconera