Manga Mavericks has acquired the license to release Brothers of Japan, a manga anthology that looks deeply into what makes Taiyo Matsumoto‘s art style and storytelling special. Whether it dives into fears or passions, some consider it essential reading, while for others it’s a portrait of a man.
This creator of Ping Pong and Tekkonkinkreet is beloved, and his work is finally being translated to English. For readers unfamiliar with those titles, the former follows two childhood friends navigating the competition circuit of the sport, and the latter concerns street gangs protecting their world from an organized syndicate.
The news broke during the publisher’s Monday licensing event. The volume will be available in both print and digital formats in February 2027.
Originally published by Magazine House in 1995, Brothers of Japan collects 11 short stories from early in Matsumoto’s career, including his very first manga, Dynamite Gon Gon. A revised edition followed, and this release reprints the latest version. What makes it special are the same motifs seen throughout his other work.
Here, instead of friends, two brothers are searching for meaning. They want to dig a hole to the other side of the world, and while readers know that’s realistically impossible, the desire usually points to something deeper: the need to escape. No spoilers here, as some of these tales are meant to be philosophical.
The title story is a good introduction to Matsumoto’s style, and the other stories are just as introspective.
Other notable works include Sunny and Cats of the Louvre. He’s experimented with many styles over the years, and his willingness to break through barriers is a big part of why he’s resonated so widely. He shared this message with English readers: “I’m very happy that English speakers will now be able to read Brothers of Japan. As I drew this when I was in my 20s, it contains a lot of my own immaturity, which is embarrassing. But at the same time, it also contains soft and painful expressions that only young people can draw, and I’m fond of it. I hope you all enjoy it as well.”
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