A Lost Hero. A Buried Past. A Brutal Conflict Between Humans, Machines—and Something New
After fifty years in the shadows, one of the most iconic cybernetic warriors in anime history is waking up — and Comic Crusaders readers, this one is about to hit hard.
Mad Cave Studios’ manga imprint Nakama Press, in partnership with legendary Japanese studio Tatsunoko Production, is unleashing CASSHAN VOL. 1, a bold reimagining of the classic sci-fi hero. The new manga comes from Detroit-born manga creator, game producer, and writer Mario B. Long (God Tier) alongside award-winning Tokyo-based mangaka Kusanagi, bringing a fresh, modern edge to one of anime’s most influential cybernetic characters.
And trust us… this story is not just a nostalgia trip. This is a full-on rebirth.
Casshan awakens in a shattered world with no memory of who he is or why he exists. Humanity is fractured, rogue machines dominate the wastelands, and a mysterious new species is rising from the chaos. Somewhere in the middle of it all, two kidnapped girls are trapped deep inside a deadly mining complex controlled by rogue robots.
Enter Casshan.
An old man on the brink of death activates the dormant cybernetic warrior, unleashing a forgotten hero with a human heart buried beneath metal armor. But the deeper Casshan ventures underground to rescue the girls, the stranger things become. Hidden within the mines lies more than a machine stronghold. There’s a secret robot sanctuary, a dangerous evolutionary shift in artificial life, and the emergence of a mysterious new race known as Neoroiders. Suddenly the mission becomes something much bigger than a rescue.
Casshan finds himself caught in the middle of a three-way conflict between humans, machines, and a new evolving species, all while struggling to uncover the truth about his own origins. Every battle brings him closer to answers he may not want to face — because the secret of Casshan’s creation could be the very spark that ignites the next extinction-level war.
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.”
Classic science fiction thrives when it asks uncomfortable questions, and CASSHAN VOL. 1 dives straight into them. Identity. Memory. Evolution. What makes someone human when their body is made of steel and circuits? And what happens when the world that created you has already moved on?
With powerful storytelling from Mario B. Long and stunning manga artwork from Kusanagi, this new chapter in the Casshan legacy blends the spirit of the classic Tatsunoko hero with modern sci-fi storytelling that feels both epic and deeply personal.
For longtime anime fans, this is the return of a legendary character. For new readers, this is the perfect entry point into a story about humanity, technology, and survival in a world that no longer remembers its heroes.
One thing is certain — the world may have forgotten Casshan…
…but Casshan hasn’t forgotten how to fight.
And if the fate of humanity is hanging by a wire, a cybernetic legend might be exactly what this broken world needs.
Author Profile
- I'm Al Mega the CEO of Comic Crusaders, CEO of the Undercover Capes Podcast Network, CEO of Geekery Magazine & Owner of Splintered Press (coming soon). I'm a fan of comics, cartoons and old school video games. Make sure to check out our podcasts/vidcasts and more!
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