Our Mission: Bridging the Gap Between Manga and Children’s Literature, and Creating Stories That Reluctant Readers Can Get Lost in

In recent years, the world of manga and anime has taken the West by storm, with manga consistently dominating comic book sales. Between November 2021 and January 2022, the top 20 best-selling adult comic titles were all manga, except for Rachel Smythe’s “Lore Olympus,” which originated as a US-based webcomic.

Despite the undeniable popularity of manga and anime, the publishing industry has been slow to adapt. The question looms: When will publishers create comics and illustrated books for children and teens that capture the essence of manga?

That’s precisely why LumicPress was born!

Who We Are: LumicPress – A Pioneer in Manga-styled Books for Young Readers

LumicPress is an author-owned publishing press born out of a passion for bringing anime and manga to young readers. We observed an obvious gap in the market – while manga continues to captivate youth and adults alike, there was a scarcity of US-published comics that resemble manga in art style and storytelling form.

Regardless of age, readers want to be entertained and transported into captivating worlds. A well-loved story isn’t just about relatability; it’s about immersion into the lives, emotions, and adventures of the characters. These stories keep us turning page after page, eager to find out what comes next.

Our Unique Approach: Manga-styled Books with Children in Mind

While the sales of mid-grade and young adult comics have seen an upswing in the past five years, childhood literacy rates in the USA have been on a steady decline. Here at LumicPress, we aim to publish illustrated chapter books and comics that can resonate with the reluctant young readers of today’s youth that adore anime and manga. We create illustrated novels that push the boundaries of what a hybrid novel/comic can do for the reading experience, which is something that no other publisher is doing right now.

A Solution for Parents

As a parent, you may have found yourself navigating the internet, searching for anime or manga titles to determine their appropriateness for your child. You may have also noticed that your child prefers comics over traditional chapter books. At LumicPress, we understand your concerns, and we’re here to help.

We specialize in publishing illustrated chapter books that cater to reluctant young readers. Additionally, we produce comics that capture the spirit of manga, ensuring that your child’s reading experience is not only enjoyable but also enriching. With LumicPress, you can finally find that balance between your child’s love for comics and the need for engaging, age-appropriate reading materials.

A Solution for Artists and Creators

As a comic creator myself, over the years, I’ve been burnt out. I came to the realization that the prospects of publishing long form, manga styled comics seems like it can only be possible either through self publishing, or posting your comic online on places like Webtoon in hopes you’ll find some success somewhere. During the mid 2000s, Western art schools discouraged artists to draw in an anime and manga style, and told us if we drew like this, we would never find work in the industry. This is why a lot of us published our comics as webcomics, since our stories would not get published traditionally. I know I’m not the only one who thinks that making comics can feel hopeless. But, things can change, and I truly believe that we have to be the ones to make that change. When I realized that the next generation of our youth is just as obsessed with anime and manga as we once were, I realized that creators would have to be the ones to start our own publishing company, because I don’t think that publishers really understand the passion of comics as much as we do.

At the crossroads of my life, at a decision between passion and stability, I’ve decided to bet on the chance of possibly obtaining both. I want to invest my time and energy into something that I hope can benefit a lot of creators who are in the same predicament as me. I hope that in the future, LumicPress can grow to be a place of opportunity for many artists, and the starting point for some great stories who will inspire, entertain, and resonate with the children of our next generation. 

Join Us on This Exciting Journey

At LumicPress, we’re not just a publishing company; we’re a community of parents, educators, and young readers who share a passion for manga-inspired stories. Together, we aim to cultivate a love for reading and storytelling in the hearts of children and teenagers. Explore our collection today and discover the magic of manga-styled books designed with children and teens in mind.