Meet Manga Quest

Where Adventure Meets Real-World Learning

Cartoon character of a man dressed as an explorer or tourist, wearing a yellow outfit, sunglasses, and a backpack.

Our Story

Manga Quest is a groundbreaking U.S. imprint from TOKYOPOP, the pioneering publisher that introduced Manga to North America in 1997, and Gakken, Japan's leading educational publisher with over 75 years of expertise.

Together, we're bringing the proven power of educational manga to American classrooms, libraries, and homes. Each title integrates curriculum-aligned content with authentic Manga storytelling creating literacy-rich experiences that spark curiosity, deepen understanding, and build lasting skills.

Colorful illustration of a group of cartoon characters facing a giant shark and a crocodile. The group includes a boy with brown hair, a girl with purple hair, a tiger, and small creatures, all appearing surprised or frightened.

Manga Quest gives every student a reason to love reading and every educator a tool they can trust. Each story blends adventure with academic content, engaging learners through compelling visuals, dynamic dialogue, and hands-on discovery. Rooted in educational research and cultural authenticity, Manga Quest helps students think critically, read confidently, and see the world in new ways.

Our mission is simple: Give students a learning adventure that inspires confidence, builds skills, and fosters a lifelong love of learning, reading, and creating.

Cartoon boy wearing a big straw hat, blue shirt, and gray vest, smiling and pointing at a pink camping lantern.

It's a more engaging way to learn and it works.

Cartoon illustration of a young boy with brown hair, wearing an orange and black jacket, surrounded by two humanoid robots, a yellow bunny-like creature, and a pink robot with a round head. All characters look excited, with stars in their eyes and wide open mouths.
A digital illustration of green plants with a bright blue sky in the background.

Meet Manga Quest

Where Adventure Meets Real-World Learning

Manga Quest gives every student a reason to love reading and every educator a tool they can trust. Each story blends adventure with academic content, engaging learners through compelling visuals, dynamic dialogue, and hands-on discovery. Rooted in educational research and cultural authenticity, Manga Quest helps students think critically, read confidently, and see the world in new ways.

It's a more engaging way to learn and it works.

Our Story

Colorful illustration of a group of cartoon characters facing a giant shark and a crocodile. The group includes a boy with brown hair, a girl with purple hair, a tiger, and small creatures, all appearing surprised or frightened.

Manga Quest is a groundbreaking U.S. imprint from TOKYOPOP, the pioneering publisher that introduced Manga to North America in 1997, and Gakken, Japan's leading educational publisher with over 75 years of expertise.

Together, we're bringing the proven power of educational manga to American classrooms, libraries, and homes. Each title integrates curriculum-aligned content with authentic Manga storytelling creating literacy-rich experiences that spark curiosity, deepen understanding, and build lasting skills.

Our mission is simple:
Give students a learning adventure that inspires confidence, builds skills, and fosters a lifelong love of learning, reading,
and creating.

Our Partners

The logo of Gakken baker in bold green letters.

Japan's #1 Educational Publisher

Since 1946, Gakken has set the standard for educational excellence in Japan. As the nation's leading publisher of textbooks, reference materials, and supplemental learning resources for students from preschool through high school, Gakken has received numerous awards for innovation and educational impact.

Founded by Hideto Furuoka with a commitment to engaging, accurate content, Gakken brings decades of expertise in educational manga to every Manga Quest book. Their content specialists work directly with our team to ensure each story delivers authentic learning value.

The logo of the Penguin Random House features a stylized penguin inside an orange oval.

World's Largest Trade Publisher

Manga Quest has partnered with Penguin Random House to bring our titles to classrooms, libraries, and homes across the United States. This collaboration leverages their trusted distribution network and industry-leading reach, making Manga Quest books widely accessible to schools, educators, retailers, and families nationwide.

With Penguin Random House, we're ensuring that high-quality educational manga reaches every community.

Our Partners

The logo of Gakken baker in bold green letters.

Since 1946, Gakken has set the standard for educational excellence in Japan. As the nation's leading publisher of textbooks, reference materials, and supplemental learning resources for students from preschool through high school, Gakken has received numerous awards for innovation and educational impact.

Founded by Hideto Furuoka with a commitment to engaging, accurate content, Gakken brings decades of expertise in educational manga to every Manga Quest book. Their content specialists work directly with our team to ensure each story delivers authentic learning value.

Japan's #1 Educational Publisher

The logo of the Penguin Random House features a stylized penguin inside an orange oval.

World's Largest Trade Publisher

Manga Quest has partnered with Penguin Random House to bring our titles to classrooms, libraries, and homes across the United States. This collaboration leverages their trusted distribution network and industry-leading reach, making Manga Quest books widely accessible to schools, educators, retailers, and families nationwide.

With Penguin Random House, we're ensuring that high-quality educational manga reaches every community.

Picture of Tomotaka Takahashi: Roboticist, Kyoto University's

Tomotaka Takahashi

Roboticist, Kyoto
University

Accredited Authors and Educators

Picture of  Dr. Yoshiro Kobayashi, Department of Biomolecular Science, Toho University

Dr. Yoshiro Kobayashi

Department of Biomolecular
Science, Toho University

Picture of Yoshitsugu kobayash

Paleontology

Yoshitsugu kobayash

Paleontology

Picture of Dr. Michiyoshi Sanuki
Associate Professor
Hiroshima University

Dr. Michiyoshi Sanuki

Associate Professor
Hiroshima University

Picture of Kosaku Moteki

Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology

Kosaku Moteki

Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology

Picture of Sadanori Okamura

Professor
Hosei University

Sadanori Okamura

Professor
Hosei University

Picture of Tadaaki Imaizumi

Director of the Nippon Institute for Biological Science

Tadaaki Imaizumi

Director of the Nippon Institute for Biological Science

Picture of Marc Honorof

Vice President of Education Publishing, TOKYOPOP

Meet The Team

Marc Honorof

Vice President of Education Publishing, TOKYOPOP

Marc brings over 30 years of publishing experience to Manga Quest, including extensive work producing and distributing educational software, games, and multimedia resources. His vision drives Manga Quest's mission to make learning more accessible and engaging for all students.


A woman smiling at the camera with shoulder-length brown hair, wearing a patterned top, against a plain white background.

Sara Johnson

Editor, Manga Quest

Sara is a former classroom teacher, experienced curriculum developer, and past editor at Teacher Created Materials (TCM). With deep expertise in literacy and mathematics education, she ensures every Manga Quest book meets rigorous educational standards while supporting both student learning and teacher practice.

Sara's classroom experience informs every editorial decision from vocabulary selection to pedagogical alignment.


Headshot of a man with dark hair and a beard, wearing a suit and tie, smiling against a light background.
A woman with red hair and glasses smiling indoors, with sunlight coming through a window behind her.
Close-up of a woman with blonde hair, glasses, smiling, with water and a boat in the background.

David Bove

Middle School Teacher & Translator

David serves as both a translator and subject matter expert for Manga Quest. As a practicing middle school educator and expert Japanese translator, he bridges cultural and linguistic gaps ensuring complex concepts are rendered in clear, accessible English while remaining true to the original educational intent.

David's dual expertise in education and translation ensures authenticity and accuracy in every page.


Juliann Brown

Creative Director

Juliann Brown is a Creative Director who’s shaped visual worlds from TOKYOPOP magazine, the Official Xbox Magazine, and Saban Entertainment to Make: magazine, Maker Faire, and Make: Books blending imagination, storytelling, and design into every project she tackles.


Jodie Buenning

Marketing and Communications Advisor

Jodie is a marketing and PR expert with 30 years in education. She's worked directly with educators through ISTE and ASCD, building communities and elevating the voices of influencers. With expertise in brand storytelling and strategic communications, she helps education organizations clarify their value and reach their audiences with messaging that resonates with educators, parents, and decision-makers. Jodie is the founder of J. Buenning Strategies.

Accredited Authors and Educators

Picture of Tomotaka Takahashi: Roboticist, Kyoto University's
Picture of  Dr. Yoshiro Kobayashi, Department of Biomolecular Science, Toho University

Tomotaka
Takahashi

Roboticist, Kyoto
University

Dr. Yoshiro Kobayashi

Department of Biomolecular Science

Picture of Yoshitsugu kobayash

Paleontology
Picture of Dr. Michiyoshi Sanuki
Associate Professor
Hiroshima University

Yoshitsugu
kobayash

Paleontology

Dr. Michiyoshi
Sanuki

Associate Professor
Hiroshima University

Picture of Kosaku Moteki

Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology
Picture of Sadanori Okamura

Professor
Hosei University

Kosaku Moteki

Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology

Sadanori Okamura

Professor
Hosei University

Picture of Tadaaki Imaizumi

Director of the Nippon Institute for Biological Science

Tadaaki Imaizumi

Director of the Nippon Institute for Biological Science

Meet The Team

Picture of Marc Honorof

Vice President of Education Publishing, TOKYOPOP

Marc Honorof

Vice President of Education Publishing, TOKYOPOP

Marc brings over 30 years of publishing experience to Manga Quest, including extensive work producing and distributing educational software, games, and multimedia resources. His vision drives Manga Quest's mission to make learning more accessible and engaging for all students.


A woman smiling at the camera with shoulder-length brown hair, wearing a patterned top, against a plain white background.

Sara Johnson

Editor, Manga Quest

Sara is a former classroom teacher, experienced curriculum developer, and past editor at Teacher Created Materials (TCM). With deep expertise in literacy and mathematics education, she ensures every Manga Quest book meets rigorous educational standards while supporting both student learning and teacher practice.

Sara's classroom experience informs every editorial decision from vocabulary selection to pedagogical alignment.


Headshot of a man with dark hair and a beard, wearing a suit and tie, smiling against a light background.

David Bove

Middle School Teacher & Translator

David serves as both a translator and subject matter expert for Manga Quest. As a practicing middle school educator and expert Japanese translator, he bridges cultural and linguistic gaps ensuring complex concepts are rendered in clear, accessible English while remaining true to the original educational intent.

David's dual expertise in education and translation ensures authenticity and accuracy in every page.


A woman with red hair and glasses smiling indoors, with sunlight coming through a window behind her.

Juliann

Creative Director

Juliann Brown is a Creative Director who’s shaped visual worlds from TOKYOPOP magazine, the Official Xbox Magazine, and Saban Entertainment to Make: magazine, Maker Faire, and Make: Books blending imagination, storytelling, and design into every project she tackles.


Close-up of a woman with blonde hair, glasses, smiling, with water and a boat in the background.

Jodie Buenning

Marketing and Communications Advisor

Jodie is a marketing and PR expert with 30 years in education. She's worked directly with educators through ISTE and ASCD, building communities and elevating the voices of influencers. With expertise in brand storytelling and strategic communications, she helps education organizations clarify their value and reach their audiences with messaging that resonates with educators, parents, and decision-makers. Jodie is the founder of J. Buenning Strategies.