Kodama’s MAGICA Wins Best Translation at the 2026 American Manga Awards

Translator Jan Mitsuko Cash Receives the Award; MAGICA Also Nominated for Best Publication Design

SANTA MONICA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan Mitsuko Cash has received the Best Translation award at the 2026 American Manga Awards for her translation of MAGICA, published in English in North America by Kodama Tales Inc. (“Kodama”).

The English edition of MAGICA was also nominated for Best Publication Design, recognizing not only the quality of its translation but also the overall craftsmanship of the book, including its cover design, materials, printing, and production.

The award was announced at a ceremony held on August 20, 2026, at Japan Society in New York City.

Cash’s Best Translation win recognizes her ability to convey the original work’s distinctive world, character voices, and nuances of dialogue in English in a way that feels both natural and engaging to English-language readers.

The nomination for Best Publication Design reflects the quality and expression of the physical edition, including its cover design, materials, printing, and binding. Recognition in both translation and publication design represents Kodama’s commitment to communicating the appeal of the original work through both language and the physical form of the book.

About the American Manga Awards

The American Manga Awards recognize outstanding manga published in North America, as well as the creators and publishing professionals involved in bringing those works to readers.

In addition to categories honoring the works themselves, the awards recognize the fields that support English-language manga publishing, including translation, lettering, and publication design.

Winners are determined through voting by professionals working in editorial roles at North American manga publishers. A defining feature of the awards is that nominees are evaluated and selected by professionals with direct knowledge and experience of the North American manga publishing industry.

Comment from Jan Mitsuko Cash

“MAGICA’s strong vision and aesthetic made it a dream to translate, and I hope it feels just as dreamlike to read. Each book is a team effort, so I’m delighted to have been part of Kodama’s and overjoyed to know that everyone’s hard work has been acknowledged with an award.”

Comment from Kodama

“We are deeply honored that Jan Mitsuko Cash has received the Best Translation award at the American Manga Awards for her work on MAGICA.

Translation is one of the most important creative processes involved in bringing a work to readers in a new language. We are truly pleased that Cash’s work, which carefully preserves the appeal of the original while finding expressions that resonate naturally with English-language readers, has received this recognition.

This award is also a tremendous encouragement to the entire team involved in producing the English edition of MAGICA, including its translators, editors, letterers, and designers. Kodama will continue to respect the unique qualities of each original work while bringing high-quality English-language manga editions to readers around the world.”

About MAGICA

Created by Yuzuko Hoshimi, MAGICA is a full-color fantasy anthology that brings together magic, beauty, sorrow, and emotionally resonant storytelling through striking visual artwork.

The story follows a mysterious figure named MAGICA and their traveling companion as they journey through enchanted gems containing the preserved memories and stories of lives from the distant past. Each chapter presents a self-contained story, bringing together tragedy, warmth, and wonder through Hoshimi’s richly expressive full-color illustrations.

The series is presented entirely in full color, with gold foil embellishments on the covers. Each volume is designed to express the world of MAGICA through both its storytelling and its visual presentation.

MAGICA Publication Information

Title: MAGICA
Author: Yuzuko Hoshimi
Translator: Jan Mitsuko Cash
Original Japanese Publisher: Daiwashobo Publishing
English-Language Publisher: Kodama Tales Inc.

About Kodama

Kodama Tales Inc. is an English-language manga publisher based in Santa Monica, California. Kodama brings carefully selected Japanese manga to readers around the world through English-language print and digital editions. Every title is produced with a focus on faithful translation, strong editorial presentation, and high-quality printing in Japan, reflecting Kodama’s commitment to treating manga with the care and permanence it deserves.