Hold onto your pants! Captain Underpants fans will be thrilled to hear that a new manga adaptation of the iconic series is on its way. Scholastic recently announced that ‘Captain Underpants: The First Epic Manga’ will be hitting bookshelves on April 7, 2026, offering a fresh take on the beloved story. This exciting news has stirred up anticipation among readers, as the manga format promises to bring a unique perspective to the adventures of George Beard, Harold Hutchins, and their superhero creation, Captain Underpants.
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The upcoming manga will follow the original story arc from the 1997 book ‘The Adventures of Captain Underpants’. However, this time, the illustrations will be done by Japanese manga artist Motojiro, adding a fresh and dynamic visual element to the series. Unlike traditional manga that reads from right to left, this adaptation will maintain the Western reading style, giving fans a new way to experience the classic tale.
Dav Pilkey, the mastermind behind Captain Underpants, expressed his excitement about seeing his characters reimagined in manga form. Collaborating with Motojiro has allowed Pilkey to delve deeper into the story, adding new dialogue and expanding the narrative. The author shared his gratitude for Motojiro’s contribution in elevating Captain Underpants to a new level, hoping to captivate a new generation of readers with this exciting format.
Motojiro, known for creating educational manga for children, was honoured to work on the Captain Underpants adaptation. Meeting Dav Pilkey in Japan and immersing himself in the reimagined text was a fulfilling experience for the Tokyo-based illustrator. He expressed his joy in bringing the beloved characters to life in a new medium and hoped that more families would enjoy the manga version of Captain Underpants.
The manga release comes at a time when fans are eagerly awaiting the next book from Pilkey. The Dog Man series, a spinoff of Captain Underpants, continues to captivate readers, with the upcoming installment, ‘Dog Man: Big Jim Believes’, set to hit bookshelves in November. Pilkey’s creative genius has garnered immense popularity, with Dog Man making its mark on the big screen earlier this year, delighting audiences with its superhero adventures.
As the countdown begins for the release of ‘Captain Underpants: The First Epic Manga’ on April 7, 2026, fans are buzzing with excitement over what promises to be a refreshing take on a childhood classic. The fusion of Pilkey’s storytelling and Motojiro’s artistic flair is set to breathe new life into the world of Captain Underpants, opening doors to a whole new realm of creativity for readers of all ages.
In a world where nostalgia meets innovation, the arrival of this manga adaptation serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of Captain Underpants and the boundless imagination of its creators. With its release just around the corner, fans can look forward to embarking on a thrilling new chapter in the adventures of George, Harold, and their fearless waistband warrior, Captain Underpants. So, get ready to dive into a world where heroes wear underpants on the outside and the power of friendship triumphs over evil, one epic manga at a time.