A Lost Hero. A Buried Past. A Brutal Conflict Between Humans, Machines—and Something New
MARCH 13, 2026, (PORTLAND, OR) — He was forgotten for fifty years. Now he’s the only one who can save them.
Mad Cave Studios’ imprint Nakama Press, in partnership with Tatsunoko Production, presents CASSHAN VOL. 1 from Detroit-born manga creator, game producer, and writer Mario B. Long (God Tier) and award-winning, Tokyo-based mangaka Kusanagi. Featuring the legendary Tatsunoko hero Casshan, this bold new manga inspired by the classic anime blends timeless science fiction with modern storytelling to explore identity, memory, and what it means to remain human in a world designed to forget you.
A forgotten cybernetic hero awakens with no memories and is thrust into a brutal conflict between humans, robots, and a rising new species—forcing him to confront the truth of his own creation as he fights to save two kidnapped children trapped deep below a dying wasteland.
When two girls vanish into a deadly mine run by rogue machines, a dying old man awakens Casshan—a lost cybernetic hero with no memory and a human heart buried inside metal. But underground lies more than hostages: a hidden robot refuge, a radical new species, and the truth about Casshan’s own creation. Caught between humans, robots, and a new species called Neoroiders, Casshan must confront the past he’s forgotten before the world destroys itself again!
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Mario B. Long brings decades of experience living and working in Japan, while artist Kusanagi’s expressive, cinematic artwork grounds the series in both emotional intimacy and large-scale sci-fi spectacle.
“Casshan, the animated series from 1973, was decades ahead of its time,” said Mario B. Long. “Dealing with artificial intelligence and robots in a way that few series have done before or since. Its heroes were tragic in that they often paid the ultimate price for their altruism, while its robotic villains could sometimes show moments of introspection and human-like qualities. This new manga series builds upon the legacy of Casshan while also welcoming a new generation of readers who have never watched the original animated series before. The concepts covered in are more relevant today than ever as we stand on the precipice of A.I. and robots being fully integrated into the workforce and our own personal lives. If the future has already started, then what comes next? Join Casshan on his journey to understand what it truly means to be human and his place in a future world where the remnants of humanity and robots both desperately fight to survive.”
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At 180 pages, Casshan Vol. 1 reflects a deeply cross-cultural approach to storytelling, offering an accessible entry point for new manga readers while delivering layered worldbuilding and character-driven stakes for longtime fans of classic and contemporary sci-fi alike.
Casshan Vol. 1 hits shelves September 15, 2026, in paperback (ISBN: 9781545832448 | $10.99), which can be ordered from your favorite comic shop, bookstore, or from Nakama Press.
Nakama Press celebrates timeless traditions while embracing bold innovation, building bridges between cultures, and fostering a worldwide community of creators and fans.
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