Great news for sci-fi manga fans! Mamoru Nagano’s legendary series The Five Star Stories is officially getting an English release. Titan Manga announced that the first volume will hit shelves on July 7, bringing this beloved classic to a whole new audience.
If you’re already excited, you won’t have to wait to secure a copy. Volume one is up for pre-order at major retailers in North America, including Amazon and Barnes & Noble, while readers in the UK and Europe can find it through Forbidden Planet.
Japanese cover / Titan Comics
© Mamoru Nagano
The story takes place in the massive Joker Star Cluster, a universe filled with ancient royal families, beautifully complex politics, and enormous mechs called Mortar Headds. These machines are piloted by elite warriors and their genetically engineered partners, known as Fatimas. In the opening volume, readers meet Amaterasu, the immortal emperor of the Grees Kingdom, and Lachesis, his fated companion, as their lives become tangled in secrets, battles, and a looming galactic war.
Originally launched in 1986 in Newtype magazine, The Five Star Stories has had a long and unique journey, with breaks along the way and special re-releases that included brand-new artwork. Despite its intermittent schedule, the series has remained a cult favorite for decades.
The manga returned from its latest hiatus in 2016 and continues to expand its universe. The newest volume, number 18, was released in Japan on March 10, reminding fans that this epic story is far from over.