Nakama Press Ignites Manga Market with High-Octane Debuts Diablomachia, Aperture, and Casshan

Independent manga publishing is hitting a fever pitch this summer as Nakama Press, the dynamic imprint of Mad Cave Studios, unveils its Volume 1 releases. Featuring a compelling mix of dark fantasy, sci-fi, and legendary retro revivals, the powerful lineup positions Nakama as a formidable force within the modern graphic novel landscape.

Diablomachia – Vol. 1

Leading the charge on August 18, 2026, is Diablomachia – Vol. 1 (ISBN: 978-1545827628), written and illustrated by the visionary creator Da Hosoi (pseudonym Daniele Magrì). A spellbinding dark fantasy where friendship ultimately prevails fate, the story follows a summoner who defies societal standards by treating his summoned demons as companions rather than tools; together, they traverse an unrelenting world where humanity battles malevolent entities. With striking artistic direction and visceral high-stakes combat, Diablomachia stands out as an emotion-driven must-read for the imprint.

Aperture – Vol. 1

Stepping into the realm of speculative fiction on August 25, 2026, Aperture – Vol. 1 (ISBN: 978-1545827284) offers a cerebral YA time-slip romance. Crafted by writer Kirsten Thompson and illustrated by Brazilian artist Huenito (João Gabriel), the narrative centers on Sage, a first-year university student who discovers a forgotten camera in a library archive. The device mysteriously links her to August, a student walking the same halls—albeit a century prior, just ahead of WWI. Huenito’s expressive artwork is a perfect parallel to Thompson’s philosophical undercurrents as history threatens to tear the two apart.

Casshan – Vol. 1

Rounding out the trio on September 8, 2026, is Casshan – Vol. 1 (ISBN: 978-1545832448), a triumphant return for the legendary cybernetic hero produced in partnership with Tatsunoko Production in 1973. Writer Mario B. Long and award-winning, Tokyo-based mangaka Kusanagi breathe explosive new life into the franchise over 50 years later. When two young girls vanish into a dangerous subterranean mine run by rogue machines, Casshan is reawakened. Having lain dormant for decades, he now possesses wiped memories but still retains his human heart, leaving him as the sole cybernetic savior who can rescue them from destruction. Caught in a brutal conflict between humans, robots, and a radical new species called Neoroiders, he must reconcile with his past to forge his identity in a world fast wasting away.