Anime NYC 2025 brought more than cosplay, panels, and exclusive announcements – it also hosted the second annual American Manga Awards, a growing tradition that honors the best manga releases available to English-speaking readers. With new titles, long-running series, and even classic reprints competing for recognition, this year’s winners highlight just how diverse and thriving the manga publishing landscape has become.
Best New Manga: The Guy She Was Interested in Wasn’t a Guy at All
Taking the spotlight for fresh debuts, Sumiko Arai’s The Guy She Was Interested in Wasn’t a Guy at All (published by Yen Press) won Best New Manga. The series stood out for its heartfelt storytelling, strong character design, and unique premise, beating out nominees like Hikaru in the Light! and Dragon and Chameleon. It’s clear this romantic comedy struck a chord with both fans and judges, making it one of the must-reads of 2025.
Best Continuing Series: The Apothecary Diaries
For ongoing titles, the Best Continuing Series Award went to The Apothecary Diaries Volumes 12–13 by Natsu Hyuuga and Nekokurage, published by Square Enix Manga & Books. This historical drama continues to captivate readers with its sharp blend of mystery, political intrigue, and richly drawn characters. Its victory over strong contenders like The Summer Hikaru Died and Hirayasumi proves that the series has staying power and remains a cornerstone of today’s manga scene.
Best One-Shot Manga: Tamaki and Amane
Fumi Yoshinaga, already well-loved in the manga world, took home Best One-Shot Manga with Tamaki and Amane, published by Yen Press. One-shots often have to do the heavy lifting of engaging readers in a single volume, and Yoshinaga’s work excelled at delivering emotional depth and beautiful storytelling in a compact form.
Best New Edition of a Classic: Ashita no Joe: Fighting for Tomorrow
The revival of classic manga also had its place in the spotlight. Kodansha’s release of Ashita no Joe: Fighting for Tomorrow Volumes 1–2 earned the Best New Edition of Classic Manga award. This reintroduction of the legendary boxing saga not only catered to nostalgic fans but also invited new readers to discover one of the most influential series in manga history. Impressively, this edition also won Best Lettering, with Evan Hayden recognized for his stellar adaptation of the series’ unique style for English readers.
Best Translation: Otaku Love Connection
Translation plays a massive role in shaping how fans outside Japan experience manga, and this year’s Best Translation Award went to Otaku Love Connection Volume 1, translated by minami and published by Square Enix Manga & Books. The award reflects how carefully considered translations can capture humor, emotion, and nuance without losing the authenticity of the original work.
Best Publication Design: Planetes Deluxe Edition
Makoto Yukimura’s Planetes Deluxe Edition Book 1 from Dark Horse won Best Publication Design, thanks to its sleek, modern aesthetic crafted by Riley VanDyke and Carl Gustav Horn. The deluxe edition highlights the enduring popularity of Planetes, an introspective sci-fi manga about space exploration and humanity’s place in the cosmos.
Manga Publishing Hall of Fame: Studio Proteus
This year’s Manga Publishing Hall of Fame honor went to Studio Proteus, recognized for its pioneering role in bringing manga to American audiences during the late 1980s and 1990s. Their work paved the way for the massive international success that manga enjoys today.
Why These Awards Matter
The American Manga Awards are still young, but they are quickly becoming an important annual event that highlights the growing influence of manga in the U.S. market. With categories that recognize not only stories and artwork but also behind-the-scenes work like translation, lettering, and design, the awards shine a light on the entire ecosystem that brings manga to fans worldwide.
From heartfelt new romances to re-releases of classics that defined generations, this year’s winners demonstrate how manga continues to evolve while honoring its roots. For fans, the awards serve as both recognition of beloved titles and a reading list of the best manga currently available.
