NYCC 2026 Manga Panels: Dark Horse, Junji Ito & Tokyo Revengers

New York Comic Con 2026 runs October 8-11 at the Javits Center, and manga fans have a packed schedule across all four days. From publisher deep-dives to exclusive horror premieres and anime arc screenings, here's what to prioritize if you're hunting down manga-specific programming.

Thursday, October 8: Dark Horse Manga & Manhwa Panel

Dark Horse Comics kicks off the con with "Dark Horse Manga and Manhwa: Unleash Your Collection" at 2:15-3:00 PM in Room 406.1. According to Comics Beat's coverage, Dark Horse's editorial, licensing, and marketing teams will discuss their manga and manhwa catalog, including the production work behind deluxe editions and what's coming next in their pipeline.

This is the rare behind-the-scenes panel for readers who want to understand how publishers decide what gets licensed, how special editions are designed, and what titles are in the works. If you're curious about the business side of manga localization—or just want hints about upcoming announcements—this is your chance.

Why attend: Publisher panels often drop surprise license announcements or hint at unannounced projects. Dark Horse has a strong track record with seinen titles and deluxe editions, so if you're a collector or a fan of mature manga, this is worth the hour.

Friday, October 9: Junji Ito's Face Thief U.S. Premiere

Horror manga legend Junji Ito's work takes center stage Friday evening with the U.S. premiere of "Face Thief" from Strange: Junji Ito's Tales for Sleepless Nights, a live-action anthology series adapting selected Ito stories. The event runs at 5:45 PM in Room 409 and includes an exclusive screening, a special video message from Junji Ito, and a live Q&A with director Yuta Shimotsu, moderated by U.S.-based horror manga artist Gigi Murakami. (Ito will appear via video message, not in person.)

Ito's manga—Uzumaki, Tomie, Gyo, and dozens of short stories—has terrified readers for decades with its body-horror imagery and existential dread. This live-action adaptation is part of a growing trend of J-horror directors tackling Ito's work, and the Q&A with Shimotsu should reveal how filmmakers translate those unforgettable panels to live action.

Why attend: If you're a fan of horror manga or Ito's visual storytelling, this is your chance to see how his work translates to a new medium and hear directly from the creators adapting it. Plus, Gigi Murakami—herself a working horror manga artist—moderating means the discussion should go deeper than surface-level adaptation talk.

Sunday, October 11: Tokyo Revengers Special Panel

The con closes with anime on Sunday, as Tokyo Revengers returns with a special panel at 3:30-4:30 PM on the Empire Stage. The event features Mariya Ise, the Japanese voice of Senju Kawaragi, and includes a screening of the first episode of the War of the Three Titans Arc (streaming this October) along with new season information and exclusive giveaways.

Tokyo Revengers—the time-traveling delinquent saga by Ken Wakui—wrapped its manga run in 2022, but the anime continues to adapt new arcs. The War of the Three Titans arc is one of the series' most intense, focusing on the power struggle between Tokyo's three major gangs as protagonist Takemichi Hanagaki tries to prevent another disaster in the timeline.

If you've been following the series, you can browse Tokyo Revengers (Omnibus) or the companion series Tokyo Revengers: A Letter from Keisuke Baji to catch up on the full story before the new arc drops.

Why attend: Voice actor panels tend to be fan-favorite events, and Ise's presence gives you a rare chance to hear from the Japanese cast. The exclusive first-episode screening and giveaways are solid perks if you're already invested in the series.

Other Manga-Adjacent Programming

While the three events above are the clearest manga highlights, NYCC 2026 also features broader anime and manga-adjacent programming across the weekend:

• Crunchyroll Showcase (Thursday, 3:30-4:30 PM, Room 405): Expect anime announcements, studio spotlights, and potential manga-related reveals. Crunchyroll panels often include news about upcoming anime adaptations, which means potential tie-ins to manga you're already reading.
• Naruto Panel (Friday, October 10, 5:00 PM): Viz Media is using NYCC to announce details about a new Naruto "limited" TV anime series. While not strictly manga news, Naruto fans who started with the manga will want to catch this.

What to Prioritize

If you can only hit one manga event, the Dark Horse panel (Thursday 2:15 PM) offers the most practical value for readers—license announcements and catalog hints affect what you'll be able to read in the next year. The Junji Ito premiere (Friday 5:45 PM) is the most unique experience, especially if you're a horror fan who wants to see how one of the genre's masters translates to live action. And the Tokyo Revengers panel (Sunday 3:30 PM) is the best choice if you're an active anime watcher who wants to stay current on fall 2026 releases.

All three span different genres and formats, which means there's something for every type of manga reader at NYCC this year. Whether you're a collector hunting for deluxe edition news, a horror devotee tracking Ito adaptations, or a shonen fan keeping up with Tokyo Revengers, the four-day convention delivers.

For broader NYCC planning, check the full 2026 schedule or consult coverage from TV Insider for the complete panel lineup.

New York Comic Con 2026 runs October 8-11, 2026 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in Manhattan.