In an exciting development for manga enthusiasts, Graphix, the graphic novel imprint of Scholastic, has announced that it will publish the highly anticipated Mecha-Ude: Mechanical Arms manga in 2025. The manga is scheduled for release on April 15, 2025, much to the delight of fans eager to enjoy a tangible copy alongside the anime.
The anime adaptation of Mecha-Ude: Mechanical Arms premiered in October 2024 and recently released a thrilling climax trailer designed to elevate excitement among viewers. For those who prefer reading manga, Graphix’s decision to partner with Azuki, a digital manga service, has brought good news as they’ve secured the licensing for this title.
Originally launched in 2022 by Yoshino Koyoka, the manga quickly gained traction on digital platforms such as LINE Manga and ebookjapan. Azuki added the series to its offerings less than a year after its debut, reflecting the growing popularity of the franchise.
The franchise’s journey kicked off in 2019, when a pilot anime video was successfully funded through crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter and Campfire. Initial buzz surrounding the series intensified when a full-fledged anime adaptation was announced in 2022, culminating in the anime’s October release. The adaptation is being developed by TriF Studio, with Sae Okamoto as the director. Yasuhiro Nakanishi, known for his work on popular series like My Love Story With Yamada-kun at Lv999 and Kaguya-sama: Love is War, is responsible for the scripts, while the character designs have been crafted by Terumi Nishii and Yoko Uchida.
The anime adaptation is now streaming on Crunchyroll, drawing attention from fans and newcomers alike. Graphix is actively expanding its portfolio in the manga space, as evidenced by recent publications such as Unico: The Awakening, inspired by Osamu Tezuka’s original work.
Graphix has provided a captivating description for Mecha-Ude: Mechanical Arms that sets the stage for its intriguing storyline:
Mecha-Ude: Mechanical Arms Plot
Kita-Kagami City is a pretty normal town… except that some people have gotten their hands on Mecha-Ude: powerful, sentient, mechanical beings that attach themselves to their human hosts and have awesome capabilities. When middle-school kid Hikaru accidentally activates Alma, a Mecha-Ude with no memory of its past, they must team up to uncover the mystery of Alma’s identity and prevent the powerful Mecha-Ude from ending up in the wrong hands.
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Danica Davidson is the author of the bestselling Manga Art for Beginners with artist Melanie Westin, plus its sequel, Manga Art for Everyone, and the first-of-its-kind manga chalk book Chalk Art Manga, both illustrated by professional Japanese mangaka Rena Saiya. Check out her other comics and books at www.danicadavidson.com.
**Interview with Emma Johansen, Senior Editor at Graphix, on the Upcoming Release of *Mecha-Ude: Mechanical Arms***
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Emma. The announcement of *Mecha-Ude: Mechanical Arms* scheduled for release on April 15, 2025, has the manga community buzzing with excitement. Can you share what made Graphix decide to publish this title?
**Emma Johansen:** Thank you for having me! We’re thrilled to be bringing *Mecha-Ude: Mechanical Arms* to print. We noticed the incredible response to the manga’s digital release, especially its rise on platforms like LINE Manga and ebookjapan. It quickly became clear that there was a strong demand for a physical copy, especially as the anime adaptation is capturing so many new fans.
**Interviewer:** Speaking of the anime, it premiered recently and has been generating quite a bit of excitement. How do you see the relationship between the anime and the manga impacting its reception?
**Emma Johansen:** That synergy is crucial! *Mecha-Ude* has a lot to offer both as a manga and an anime, and we believe that the release of the manga will complement the anime’s success. Fans who watch the series often seek the source material for deeper context or additional storylines, enhancing their overall experience with the franchise.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned the partnership with Azuki for the licensing. How does collaborating with a digital service change the way you approach publishing?
**Emma Johansen:** Working with Azuki allows us to reach a broader audience, especially those who prefer digital over print. It provides a way for readers to engage with the series early on before the physical release. Plus, it helps us to keep pace with the rapidly evolving manga landscape, ensuring fans can access *Mecha-Ude* wherever they choose to read.
**Interviewer:** The journey of this franchise has been quite remarkable, starting from its crowdfunding success in 2019. What do you think has contributed to its rapid growth since then?
**Emma Johansen:** It’s a combination of factors! The innovative storytelling by Yoshino Koyoka resonates with audiences, and the dedication of the team behind the anime—like director Sae Okamoto and scriptwriter Yasuhiro Nakanishi—has turned it into a visually stunning series. Additionally, the community support through crowdfunding really helped kickstart interest and engagement, which has just continued to build.
**Interviewer:** what are you most looking forward to about the upcoming release?
**Emma Johansen:** I can’t wait for fans to hold this beautiful volume in their hands! We’re excited about the quality of the print edition and hope it captures the vibrant essence of the story. It’s a joy to see the community engaged and excited, and we believe this will be a must-have for both old fans and newcomers.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Emma, for sharing these insights! We’re looking forward to the release of *Mecha-Ude: Mechanical Arms* in 2025.
**Emma Johansen:** Thank you! It was a pleasure to chat about it. We hope fans enjoy this journey as much as we have!
