TOKYOPOP and NOIR CAESAR Prepare the Launch of the Basketball Manga Series DEEP 3
TOKYOPOP and Noir Caesar Entertainment, a Black-owned indie creative company that uplifts marginalized voices across multiple media formats, have announced the upcoming English-language debut of DEEP 3. Originally serialized in Japan’s iconic Big Comic magazine, the series is set to launch in English for the first time in March 2026.
The manga—written by Mizuno Mitsuhiro and illustrated by Ryosuke Tobimatsu—has been licensed for North American release by Noir Caesar, with both print and digital distribution managed by TOKYOPOP. DEEP 3 follows the intense on-court and off-court struggles of a young Japanese basketball player determined to rise to the top ranks of the National Basketball Organization.
This is the story of Demian Kawai, a passionate and driven athlete whose dream is to become the league’s top scorer. But despite his natural talent and early promise, Demian is derailed by a sudden onset of the yips—causing his arms to stiffen and threatening his entire basketball future. To reclaim his shot at greatness, Demian must confront his fears, push past his limits, and dig deep to find the strength required to succeed.
From Court to Page: A Personal Connection
“I’ve been a fan of Deep 3 for years,” says Johnny O’Bryant, Noir Caesar co-founder, professional basketball player, and former NBA athlete. “I first discovered it on Twitter, where the character designs instantly grabbed my attention. That curiosity led me down a rabbit hole—researching the series, studying the artwork, and digging through the Japanese editions since no English translation existed.”
O’Bryant recalls that while playing in Japan for the Ibaraki Robots in the B.League, he contacted the creator of Deep 3 via Instagram and arranged a meeting with a translator. “During our conversation, I learned that nobody had bid for the English rights yet. I knew how special the series was, so I reached out to my partners at TOKYOPOP about bringing it to English-speaking fans. I’m incredibly excited for its debut—both for manga readers and basketball lovers.”
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About Noir Caesar
Noir Caesar Entertainment is a rapidly expanding indie creative company dedicated to uplifting and supporting marginalized creators across animation, comics, film, TV, and more. The brand has grown into one of the U.S.’s fastest-rising entertainment and publishing collectives, uniting exceptional writers, illustrators, producers, and animators with passionate sales and community teams.
Learn more at NoirCaesar.com.
