Newly-formed Independent Manga Alliance aims to “provide resources” to indie creators and publishers

A new industry coalition wants to connect indie creators and small manga publishers to the "resources" necessary to reach “a wider range of readers, globally.” Announced on July 23, 2026, via newly created social media profiles, the newly launched venture, the Independent Manga Alliance, abbreviated as "IMA," aims to support manga creators as well as small, indie publishers by offering marketing, translation, distribution, and sales support.

The IMA coalistion is founded by the indie publisher Manga Mavericks; Strict Algorithm LLC, a manga news outlet and localization company; localization studio and micro-publisher Red String Manga; Curation Entertainment Partners Inc., the company behind the platform, B!JuKu; and Mahjong Pros, a startup publishing manga that’s tied to its broader mahjong-branded catalog.

In IMA’s first PR blast, the creation of the initiative is framed as a response to the brutality of the manga industry, especially for creators who work outside of the traditional publishing infrastructure. Varun Gupta, co-founder and CEO of Manga Mavericks Books, says, “Manga is a global movement that has captivated millions, and there are legions of vibrant independent creators and publishers whose work is vital and deserves a global audience. No one should go into the manga industry expecting it to be easy to navigate, let alone succeed in, but we think there are ways to help people power through the challenges so that they have the best chance possible.

How to get involved

The IMA is actively recruiting new members. Creators and publishers interested in joining can fill out the group's intake form (by clicking here) or through a link on its website and social channels.