Kodama Tales Announces Chilling New Horror Title Smile! at San Diego Comic-Con

Santa Monica, California – July 26 - Kodama Tales Inc., the fierce new manga publisher that made headlines with the English debut of Baki The Grappler, is proud to announce the acquisition and upcoming release of its second licensed title, Smile! by Mitei Hattori, revealed during their panel “The Legacy of Baki” at San Diego Comic-Con. This psychological horror mystery marks a striking tonal shift from Kodama's action-packed debut, hinting at a bold expansion into diverse genres.

Smile! will be available in English for the first time starting January 2026, with preorders set to open soon.

Originally published in Japan by Nihon Bungeisha, Smile! has sold over 1.4 million copies and is celebrated for its chilling atmosphere and gripping suspense. The story follows Yuushi Kamome, a grieving journalist whose life unravels after the death of his daughter and the disappearance of his wife. When two women from a cult-like group called the Smiling Hearts Society show up at his door with a flyer featuring his missing wife's smiling face, Yuushi goes undercover to investigate. What begins with a slammed door and a disturbingly joyful scream spirals into a twisted descent filled with manufactured joy, cult manipulation, and psychological torment.

Combining sharp storytelling with unnerving suspense, Smile! offers fans of the macabre an unforgettable manga experience that explores the fragility of the human mind and the sinister edges of belief systems. It's the kind of story that lingers long after the last page.

With this announcement, Kodama reinforces its mission to publish a wide range of titles that reflect the richness of Japanese manga from high-octane martial arts to deeply psychological horror. With their first title, Baki The Grappler, set to launch in October 2025 to eager anticipation, the company is now turning heads once more with a dramatic genre pivot. What's next? Readers can only speculate.

We invite everyone to stay tuned for more details on preorder dates and exclusive release information, which will be announced soon on the official Kodama website.

About Kodama Tales Inc. Kodama is a U.S.-based manga publisher headquartered in Santa Monica, California. Led by representative Kiyotaka Hirai, Kodama is dedicated to bringing compelling stories from Japan to readers worldwide. With a small but passionate team of seven, the company strives to deliver high-quality manga that celebrates both creators and fans. Learn more at https://www.kodama-tales.com.