Shueisha is walking away from its Marvel manga partnership with Disney. The publisher confirmed the licensing agreement covering manga adaptations of Marvel characters will officially end on September 30, 2026, closing the door on a partnership that dates back to 2019 and putting several ongoing manga titles on a countdown to disappearing from shelves and digital storefronts.
How the Announcement Happened
Shueisha disclosed the decision on July 1 through the official Shonen Jump+ account on X, formerly known as Twitter. The announcement was notably brief. Shueisha has not offered a public explanation for why the deal is ending, leaving the decision open to speculation even though licensing agreements between publishers lapse or get renegotiated on a fairly routine basis.
Which Titles Are Affected
The termination hits several titles built specifically around the Shueisha-Disney partnership, including MARVEL x Shonen Jump+ SUPER COLLABORATION, SECRET REVERSE, Spider-Man: Octopus Girl, Spider-Man: Kizuna, and Deadpool: Samurai. These series represented a notable experiment in adapting Marvel's characters into Japanese manga formats and art styles rather than simply translating existing American comics, giving Japanese manga creators a chance to put their own spin on heroes like Spider-Man and Deadpool.
What Happens to the Manga After September 30
Print editions of the affected titles will remain available only while existing retailer stock lasts, meaning physical copies could dry up well before the official cutoff date depending on demand. Digital versions will stay purchasable through the end of September 30 in Japan Standard Time, after which they'll be pulled from Shueisha's ebook storefronts entirely. The removal process actually begins a couple of days earlier, with digital titles starting to disappear from sale on September 28 ahead of the final cutoff.
That means readers who want to preserve access to titles like Deadpool: Samurai or Spider-Man: Kizuna have a hard deadline to buy digital copies before they vanish from storefronts for good.
The Bigger Picture
The Shueisha-Disney partnership launched in March 2019 with the crossover title Secret Reverse, marking one of the more unusual crossovers in Marvel's licensing history: a direct collaboration with one of Japan's largest manga publishers rather than a Western comics imprint. Its end doesn't affect Marvel's core American comics output, but it does close a specific chapter in how Marvel characters have been reimagined for Japanese audiences, and it raises questions about whether a similar manga collaboration could return under different terms down the line.
Conclusion
Shueisha's exit from its Marvel manga deal with Disney brings a quiet end to a five-plus-year partnership that gave Spider-Man, Deadpool, and other Marvel characters a distinctly manga makeover. With no explanation given and a hard September 30 cutoff for digital purchases, fans of titles like Deadpool: Samurai have a limited window to grab copies before they disappear.
FAQ
When does the Shueisha-Disney Marvel manga deal end?
The agreement officially terminates on September 30, 2026.
Why is Shueisha ending the partnership?
Shueisha has not publicly explained the reason for ending the deal.
Which manga titles are affected?
MARVEL x Shonen Jump+ SUPER COLLABORATION, SECRET REVERSE, Spider-Man: Octopus Girl, Spider-Man: Kizuna, and Deadpool: Samurai.
Can I still buy these titles digitally?
Digital versions remain available through September 30, with removal from storefronts beginning around September 28.
What about print copies?
Print editions will only be available while existing retailer stock lasts.
When did the Shueisha-Disney partnership start?
The deal began in March 2019 with the launch of the crossover title Secret Reverse.
