Kodansha India to Print Manga Locally in English and Hindi
Kodansha Sets Up First Indian Publishing Arm Kodansha India
One of Japan's largest publishers will print manga locally in India, aiming to cut import costs of titles like Attack on Titan.
Highlights
- Kodansha will launch a local publishing arm in July 2026, becoming the first major Japanese publisher to do so in India.
- The new company, Kodansha India, plans to publish around 200 manga titles annually in English and Hindi.
- The move reflects the rapid growth of India’s manga and anime market, with publishers increasingly adopting localized strategies.
Kodansha is setting up its first Indian subsidiary, Kodansha India, in July 2026, to print manga locally, Nikkei Asia reported on June 13, 2026. Kodansha’s effort marks the first time a major Japanese publishing house has established a company in India for this purpose.
Kodansha is partnering with Dai Nippon Printing (DNP) and India’s IJ Kakehashi Services to establish Kodansha India, with Kodansha holding the largest share of 81% and DNP, 14%. The establishment is aiming to publish 200 titles per year in English and Hindi, including popular manga properties such as Attack on Titan and Blue Lock.
Until now, English-language Kodansha volumes sold in India have been exported from the United States, pushing retail prices to reach significantly higher for the Indian market. India is one of the rising manga markets with a projection to grow to $1.35 billion USD by 2030, according to Grand View Research.
Kodansha India Will Shift Manga Distribution From Exports to Localized Publishing
Kodansha India’s establishment reflects a shift in international manga distribution, which is gradually moving towards localized print tailored to regional pricing and demand. The company already operates similar overseas operations, including Kodansha USA (2009) and Kodansha Europe (1990).
Localized printing would let Kodansha set prices according to Indian buyers, a strategy that has helped publishers gain traction in other emerging markets. VIZ has been a key manga exporter in India; despite its strong presence in the Indian manga market, VIZ primarily relies on imported editions. Speaking at Comic Con Kolkata 2026, Storyteller Bookstore's Mayura Mishra noted that the publisher has not yet conceived a localized distribution and publishing pipeline for India.
Kodansha, DNP, and IJ Kakehashi’s effort comes as localized anime and manga increases engagement across regional markets, including India and other South Asian territories. Following Crunchyroll’s initiative to introduce Hindi and other Indian language dubs in the country, anime gained mass popularity.
2025’s breakout hit Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle also had a successful theatrical run across tier-2 and tier-3 cities due to Crunchyroll and Sony’s effort to include regional dubs. The movie generated INR 83.10 Cr in 31 days by October 2025.
Kodansha India's introduction of Hindi-language manga could help replicate the growth anime has experienced in the country. The effort also reflects the maturation of the country’s manga market, now needing localized publishing. Manga creation is similarly rising in India; KADOKAWA is publishing Indian action-comedy manga Kung Fu Kung Fool created by the duo masterlynx.
Author
Kamalikaa Biswas is a content writer at Outlook Respawn specializing in pop culture. She holds a Master's in English Literature from University of Delhi and leverages her media industry experience to deliver insightful content on the latest youth culture trends.
