Captain Underpants Manga Adaptation Expected in US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand 2026

Scholastic is set to release Captain Underpants: The First Epic Manga on April 7, 2026, adapting Dav Pilkey's original Captain Underpants book into a manga format with art by Japanese manga artist Motojiro. This new version will feature full-color illustrations, read left to right, and include Pilkey's signature Flip-o-Rama animations, aiming to attract both existing fans and new manga readers. The release will be simultaneous across the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, expanding the series' reach globally. Pilkey praised Motojiro's vibrant and dynamic art for inspiring new dialogue and story depth, while Motojiro expressed excitement about bringing the beloved series to manga audiences. The Captain Underpants series has sold over 90 million copies worldwide and remains a dominant force in children's literature, with this manga adaptation representing Scholastic's strategic move to capitalize on manga's growing popularity in Western markets. This adaptation is expected to bridge traditional children's book readers and anime/manga enthusiasts, potentially creating a new generation of readers.