Manga Mavericks is continuing their mission to bring indie and unique manga to North America, and their latest announcements at Anime Los Angeles 2026 look genuinely interesting. Divine Messengers and Demonic Guardians by KOUKOKU BROTHERS promises a mystery-adventure about angels discovering that their demonic bodyguards might have more in common with them than expected - that's the kind of premise that immediately makes me want to know more. Meanwhile, Vegetable Sandwich by Banjo Saitou brings 80s shonen vibes with a twist: a weakling high schooler teaming up with a crazy strong elementary school girl. Both titles showcase exactly why indie publishers matter in the manga space.

As revealed during Anime Los Angeles 2026 on Saturday, North American publisher Manga Mavericks has two more titles ready to launch this year. The new additions include mystery-adventure series Divine Messengers and Demonic Guardians by indie duo KOUKOKU BROTHERS and action-comedy Vegetable Sandwich by Banjo Saitou.

Divine Messengers and Demonic Guardians

Mystery-Adventure Manga by KOUKOKU BROTHERS April 2026 76 pages ($2.99 digital) Synopsis: What lurks beneath? The land is split between a heavenly realm where angels dwell and a lower realm made of wastelands. A band of angels is chosen to journey to the lower realm as an envoy from heaven, but the lower realm is fraught with danger. Luckily, they have masked demonic bodyguards to protect them. The two sides have a purely transactional relationship until one angel, Dori, curiously peeks under a demon guard’s mask to find that demons have feelings, dreams, desires, and the same visage as the angels. Could the demons they have been told not to fraternize with have more in common with them than they thought? And if so, what is preventing them from creating relationships in the first place and why? As their journey commences, they find that the danger of the lower realm may come from a source close to them…

Vegetable Sandwich

Action-Comedy Manga by Banjo Saitou September 2026 192 pages ($14.99 print / $6.99 digital) Synopsis: High school student Tsukushi has got the look of a thug, but he has one pressing issue: he’s a weakling through and through. Sure, he has the earnestness to learn, but that can only take a person so far. Warabi, on the other hand, is a crazy strong elementary school student, but doesn’t have anyone she considers a friend. A chance encounter with a lion escaping from a zoo brings the two together, where they realize, despite their myriad of differences, they have plenty in common too. If anyone can be a student in the pursuit of strength, can anyone also be a teacher? With art inspired by 80s shonen manga, this is a vegetable you’ll not only want to enjoy first but all the way till the last bite!