One of Marvel’s most significant publishing partnerships in Japan is coming to a close. Shueisha, the renowned manga publisher behind Weekly Shonen Jump and blockbuster series including One Piece, Dragon Ball, and Naruto, has officially announced that it will end its agreement with Walt Disney Japan for publishing Marvel manga adaptations later this year.
The decision, confirmed through the official Shonen Jump+ X (formerly Twitter) account, means that several licensed Marvel manga released by Shueisha will soon disappear from both print and digital storefronts. Although the publisher has outlined how the transition will affect readers, it has not disclosed why the licensing agreement is ending. The announcement comes during Shueisha’s 100th anniversary celebrations and just weeks before Marvel launches its highly anticipated Mangaverse revival, ensuring that manga-inspired Marvel stories will continue through a different publishing initiative.
Marvel manga distribution will end after September 30
Shueisha confirmed that its publishing agreement with Walt Disney Japan covering Marvel comic adaptations will officially expire on September 30, 2026.
In its statement, the publisher said:
“Shueisha Inc. will terminate its contract with Walt Disney Japan Co., Ltd. regarding the publication of comic adaptations of MARVEL characters, effective September 30, 2026… We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause to our customers. We kindly ask for your understanding and cooperation in this matter.”
The announcement was accompanied by a schedule explaining how the affected books will be phased out.
While licensing agreements often expire before being renewed or transferred, Shueisha has not shared any details explaining why this partnership is ending. Disney has also not issued a separate statement regarding the announcement.
Which Marvel manga will no longer be available?
Several officially licensed Marvel manga published by Shueisha will be impacted once the agreement concludes.
Physical editions of Marvel × Shonen Jump+ Super Collaboration, Secret Reverse, Spider-Man: Octopus Girl, Spider-Man: Kizuna, and Deadpool: SAMURAI will remain available only until current inventory sells out. Readers can continue placing orders, but the publisher has warned that demand may exceed remaining stock before the September deadline.
Digital versions of these titles will remain on participating platforms until 11:59 p.m. JST on September 30. After that date, new purchases will no longer be possible.
However, Shueisha confirmed that readers who already own digital editions will continue to access those purchases through their existing digital libraries, even after the titles are removed from sale.
The partnership produced several unique Marvel manga projects
The collaboration between Marvel and Shueisha introduced several memorable manga adaptations that reimagined iconic superheroes through the lens of Japanese storytelling.
Among the best-known releases was Deadpool: SAMURAI, created by Sanshirō Kasama and Hikaru Uesugi, which became popular with readers both inside and outside Japan. The partnership also produced Spider-Man: Octopus Girl, an original story centered on Doctor Octopus, and Secret Reverse, written by Yu-Gi-Oh! creator Kazuki Takahashi.
Another notable project was Marvel × Shonen Jump+ Super Collaboration, which invited multiple manga creators to reinterpret Marvel heroes in standalone stories. The initiative demonstrated Marvel’s growing collaboration with Japanese artists while introducing familiar superheroes to manga audiences in a new format.
Marvel’s Mangaverse revival continues despite the publishing change
Although Shueisha’s Marvel publishing era is ending, Marvel’s manga-inspired storytelling will continue.
Earlier this year, Marvel Comics announced the return of the Marvel Mangaverse, celebrating the imprint’s 25th anniversary with five interconnected one-shot comics releasing throughout September.
The lineup begins with Marvel Mangaverse: Web of Blood on September 2, followed by Iron Knight, Arcane Avengers, Ghostlocke, and concluding with Web of Destiny on September 30. The new series introduces fresh interpretations of Marvel characters while imagining how the Mangaverse might have evolved if it had continued uninterrupted for the past quarter-century.
While the conclusion of Shueisha’s licensing agreement marks the end of an important chapter for officially published Marvel manga in Japan, readers still have several months to purchase affected titles before they leave stores. At the same time, Marvel’s upcoming Mangaverse revival signals that the publisher remains committed to exploring manga-inspired stories through new creative teams and original projects.
