India-Based Winner of Kadokawa's International Manga Contest Makes Professional Debut in Japan Action-comedy 'Kung Fu Kung Fool' Begins Serialization on Kadocomi
Tokyo, Japan — KADOKAWA CORPORATION has announced that India-based manga creator masterlynx, winner of the company's international contest “Wordless World Manga Contest” [*1] held last year, will make their professional debut in Japan with KUNG FU KUNG FOOL. Serialization begins on May 15, 2026, at 11:00 AM (JST) on KadoComi, KADOKAWA's manga portal site.
This professional debut is the first result of KADOKAWA's creative support project “KADOKAWA WORLD MANGA ATELIER”, which is dedicated to discovering and nurturing overseas talent through to professional debut. Preparations for other award winners' professional debut in Japan are also underway.
KUNG FU KUNG FOOL is an action-comedy blending elements of Japanese culture and other Asian influences, such as kung fu and the legendary outlaw Goemon, through the creator's unique sensibility. The series was developed with the author writing the original text in English, while KADOKAWA's World Manga Editorial Team [*2] adapted the Japanese dialogue and sound effects, collaborating remotely to bring the series to life.
■ About "KUNG FU KUNG FOOL"
Goemon, a notorious thief who's been causing a stir in town, clashes with the Whiskers, a gang of villains, over the treasure held by a young boy named Bao. Just when he's cornered and desperate, Goemon's second personality awakens — unleashing instinctive kung fu attacks that take down his enemies... What awaits Goemon and Bao on their goofy adventure?! A nonstop action comedy begins!
■ Author masterlynx's Comment
We, who grew up with Dragon Ball, are now stepping into the manga industry built by the legend Akira Toriyama... This journey feels like a dream to us, and it's hard to believe. We, who come from a small town in India, never imagined that the day would come when we could serialize a manga in Japan. We are truly grateful for this wonderful opportunity. We hope you enjoy Kung Fu Kung Fool and join us on this adventure!
■masterlynx Profile (X Account: https://x.com/masterlynx0)
A creative unit formed by India-based brothers Jivan and Yash. They began working under the name masterlynx in 2022, creating works inspired by Japanese manga. In 2025, they won the Silver Prize at the KADOKAWA- hosted international manga contest, "Wordless World Manga Contest," for their work Heartsteel.
▶URL for Heartsteel, the Silver Prize-winning work at the "Wordless World Manga Contest": https://comic-walker.com/detail/KC_006577_S?episodeType=first
■Editor's Comment
“Incredible talent.” That was my first impression. Japanese manga culture reached India and inspired an extraordinary creator. Now, that talent is about to make its debut in Japan. As a manga fan myself, I'm deeply moved. I hope this work finds its way to as many manga fans as possible.
The full story is available on KadoComi.
■Work Overview
・Title: KUNG FU KUNG FOOL
・Author: masterlynx
・Kadokomi URL: https://comic-walker.com/detail/KC_008716_S
・Nico Nico Manga URL: https://manga.nicovideo.jp/comic/77645
・Release Date: Serialization begins on Friday, May 15, 2026, at 11:00 AM (JST) on "Kadokomi".
・Release Schedule: One chapter will be released on the third Friday of every month.
*Chapters 1-3 will remain free to read at all times. From chapter 4 onwards, the latest chapter will be available for free.
* Copyright Notice: ©masterlynx 2026
■Overview of KADOKAWA WORLD MANGA ATELIER
KADOKAWA continues to support overseas creators through its creative support project, KADOKAWA WORLD MANGA ATELIER (KWMA), which includes initiatives such as the international manga contest “KADOKAWA WORLD MANGA CONTEST,” the online submission site “Online Portfolio Review MOCHIKOMI,” and “OnSITE Portfolio Review,” where editors provide hands-on feedback on manga works.
Guided by its corporate mission — “To become a creative platform that connects the world's talent with the power to move people” — KADOKAWA will continue to collaborate with talented overseas creators, driving the creation of new IP and accelerating the development of content that transcends borders and languages.
Website URL : https://kadokawaworldmanga.com/
Notes：
[*1] Wordless World Manga Contest
First held in 2024–2025 under the theme of "storytelling beyond language" without dialogue or text, the contest received a significant response. Building on that success, this year's contest has been scaled up as the "KADOKAWA WORLD MANGA CONTEST," now accepting both wordless entries and works featuring dialogue in five languages. The website has been expanded into five languages — Japanese, English, Spanish, French, and Traditional Chinese — enabling participation from a wider range of countries and regions.
▶ "KADOKAWA WORLD MANGA CONTEST" Official Website: https://kadokawaworldmanga.com/contest/
[*2] KADOKAWA's World Manga Editorial Team
Established in 2025, this editorial department is dedicated to nurturing manga award winners and supporting the development and global rollout of their work. It maintains an ongoing framework to support the creative activities of overseas creators.
This professional debut is the first result of KADOKAWA's creative support project “KADOKAWA WORLD MANGA ATELIER”, which is dedicated to discovering and nurturing overseas talent through to professional debut. Preparations for other award winners' professional debut in Japan are also underway.
KUNG FU KUNG FOOL is an action-comedy blending elements of Japanese culture and other Asian influences, such as kung fu and the legendary outlaw Goemon, through the creator's unique sensibility. The series was developed with the author writing the original text in English, while KADOKAWA's World Manga Editorial Team [*2] adapted the Japanese dialogue and sound effects, collaborating remotely to bring the series to life.
■ About "KUNG FU KUNG FOOL"
Goemon, a notorious thief who's been causing a stir in town, clashes with the Whiskers, a gang of villains, over the treasure held by a young boy named Bao. Just when he's cornered and desperate, Goemon's second personality awakens — unleashing instinctive kung fu attacks that take down his enemies... What awaits Goemon and Bao on their goofy adventure?! A nonstop action comedy begins!
■ Author masterlynx's Comment
We, who grew up with Dragon Ball, are now stepping into the manga industry built by the legend Akira Toriyama... This journey feels like a dream to us, and it's hard to believe. We, who come from a small town in India, never imagined that the day would come when we could serialize a manga in Japan. We are truly grateful for this wonderful opportunity. We hope you enjoy Kung Fu Kung Fool and join us on this adventure!
■masterlynx Profile (X Account: https://x.com/masterlynx0)
A creative unit formed by India-based brothers Jivan and Yash. They began working under the name masterlynx in 2022, creating works inspired by Japanese manga. In 2025, they won the Silver Prize at the KADOKAWA- hosted international manga contest, "Wordless World Manga Contest," for their work Heartsteel.
▶URL for Heartsteel, the Silver Prize-winning work at the "Wordless World Manga Contest": https://comic-walker.com/detail/KC_006577_S?episodeType=first
■Editor's Comment
“Incredible talent.” That was my first impression. Japanese manga culture reached India and inspired an extraordinary creator. Now, that talent is about to make its debut in Japan. As a manga fan myself, I'm deeply moved. I hope this work finds its way to as many manga fans as possible.
The full story is available on KadoComi.
■Work Overview
・Title: KUNG FU KUNG FOOL
・Author: masterlynx
・Kadokomi URL: https://comic-walker.com/detail/KC_008716_S
・Nico Nico Manga URL: https://manga.nicovideo.jp/comic/77645
・Release Date: Serialization begins on Friday, May 15, 2026, at 11:00 AM (JST) on "Kadokomi".
・Release Schedule: One chapter will be released on the third Friday of every month.
*Chapters 1-3 will remain free to read at all times. From chapter 4 onwards, the latest chapter will be available for free.
* Copyright Notice: ©masterlynx 2026
■Overview of KADOKAWA WORLD MANGA ATELIER
KADOKAWA continues to support overseas creators through its creative support project, KADOKAWA WORLD MANGA ATELIER (KWMA), which includes initiatives such as the international manga contest “KADOKAWA WORLD MANGA CONTEST,” the online submission site “Online Portfolio Review MOCHIKOMI,” and “OnSITE Portfolio Review,” where editors provide hands-on feedback on manga works.
Guided by its corporate mission — “To become a creative platform that connects the world's talent with the power to move people” — KADOKAWA will continue to collaborate with talented overseas creators, driving the creation of new IP and accelerating the development of content that transcends borders and languages.
Website URL : https://kadokawaworldmanga.com/
Notes：
[*1] Wordless World Manga Contest
First held in 2024–2025 under the theme of "storytelling beyond language" without dialogue or text, the contest received a significant response. Building on that success, this year's contest has been scaled up as the "KADOKAWA WORLD MANGA CONTEST," now accepting both wordless entries and works featuring dialogue in five languages. The website has been expanded into five languages — Japanese, English, Spanish, French, and Traditional Chinese — enabling participation from a wider range of countries and regions.
▶ "KADOKAWA WORLD MANGA CONTEST" Official Website: https://kadokawaworldmanga.com/contest/
[*2] KADOKAWA's World Manga Editorial Team
Established in 2025, this editorial department is dedicated to nurturing manga award winners and supporting the development and global rollout of their work. It maintains an ongoing framework to support the creative activities of overseas creators.
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