For children aged 7 and up who are new to the Captain Underpants franchise, or who already love manga as a format, this adaptation is purposefully constructed for exactly that crossover audience. The combination of Pilkey's proven, fast-paced plot and Motojiro's all-new manga artwork represents a genuine creative reinvention — not merely a repackage — and the publisher's Graphix imprint brings specialist graphic novel publishing expertise to the format. Readers who already know the original 1997 chapter book, however, will find no new story here; the entire appeal rests on the manga format as a fresh experience. Parents or educators who have had reservations about the series' signature absurdist bathroom humor should note that the same core story is intact in this edition.

Best for ages 7 and up. The publisher specifically targets children aged 7 and up, and the manga format, fast-paced plot, and illustrated storytelling are well matched to early and developing readers in that range. The series' signature absurdist, bathroom-adjacent humor has made it one of the most frequently challenged books in American schools and libraries since 1997, which is a factor some families and educators weigh — but that same humor is central to its appeal for its core young audience.

Dav Pilkey

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Reviewed

April 29, 2026

Read Time

8 min read

Age & reading levelAges 7+

Reader rating

4.6 · 116 Amazon ratings

reader ratings, not a LuvemBooks score

$9.02 on Amazon Audiobook

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Captain Underpants: The First Epic Manga

Captain Underpants: The First Epic Manga by Dav Pilkey Review: A Bold, Manga-Reimagined Classic

by Dav Pilkey

Captain Underpants: The First Epic Manga is a manga adaptation of the original 1997 Captain Underpants chapter book, written and adapted by Dav Pilkey with all-new illustrations by manga artist Motojiro, published by Graphix on April 7, 2026. It reimagines the story of mischievous fourth-graders George Beard and Harold Hutchins — who accidentally hypnotize their tyrannical principal, Mr. Krupp, into becoming the superhero Captain Underpants — in a fresh format designed to introduce the globally bestselling series to a new generation of readers.

$9.02 on Amazon

Interior manga spread showing action sequences with colorful comic panels, explosions, and dynamic character movements in manga format.

Interior manga pages showing action sequences with robots, vehicles, and characters in dynamic comic panel layouts.

Tap to enlarge

Ages 7+bathroom humor and potty comedy throughout

LuvemBooks Verdict

Best for

Young manga fans aged 7 and up — especially reluctant readers already hooked on Dog Man — who want to experience the Captain Underpants origin story in a fresh visual format.

Worth it if

The format is the draw: it's worth picking up if your child loves manga or illustrated comedy and hasn't yet encountered George, Harold, and Mr. Krupp — or if you're looking for a high-energy bridge between Pilkey's Dog Man world and Japanese-style comics.

Skip if

Skip it if your reader already knows the original 1997 chapter book well and is hoping for new plot territory — this retells the same story with new artwork, not a new adventure — or if the series' trademark bathroom-adjacent absurdist humor has been a sticking point in your household before.

What readers & critics say

Publishers Weekly reports that the book is written and adapted by Pilkey and illustrated by Japanese manga artist Motojiro, follows the storyline of the first chapter book, and will incorporate Pilkey's signature Flip-o-Ramas with full-color art reading left to right — noting the title is part of Scholastic's Graphix manga line, with publication set for April 2026. Screenwiseapp.com describes it as "the ultimate reluctant reader bait" that "builds visual literacy and vocabulary through high-engagement comedy" and calls it "the perfect bridge for kids who love Dog Man but are starting to get into Japanese-style manga."

“The latest entry in Scholastic's Graphix manga line brings a familiar face to a new medium.”

— Publishers Weekly

Sources: Publishers Weekly, Screenwiseapp.com

4.6from 116 Amazon ratings— reader ratings, not a LuvemBooks score; an early, small sample

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Captain Underpants: The First Epic Manga reimagines Dav Pilkey's beloved 1997 children's chapter book — starring mischievous fourth-graders George Beard and Harold Hutchins, their hypnotized principal Mr. Krupp, and the villainous Dr. Diaper — in a fresh manga format with all-new artwork by dedicated manga artist Motojiro. This is a genuine creative reinvention for young manga readers, not a repackage, making it the strongest recommendation for children aged 7 and up who are new to the franchise or already devoted manga fans. Readers already familiar with the original 1997 story will find no new plot territory — the draw here is entirely the format, not a new narrative.

Is it worth reading?: For children aged 7 and up who are new to the Captain Underpants franchise, or who already love manga as a format, this adaptation is purposefully constructed for exactly that crossover audience. The combination of Pilkey's proven, fast-paced plot and Motojiro's all-new manga artwork represents a genuine creative reinvention — not merely a repackage — and the publisher's Graphix imprint brings specialist graphic novel publishing expertise to the format. Readers who already know the original 1997 chapter book, however, will find no new story here; the entire appeal rests on the manga format as a fresh experience. Parents or educators who have had reservations about the series' signature absurdist bathroom humor should note that the same core story is intact in this edition.
Similar books: Readers who enjoy the irreverent, illustrated humor of Captain Underpants will find natural companions in the curated titles below. Jeff Kinney's Diary of a Wimpy Kid shares the same comic-adjacent, illustrated format and mischievous-kid energy, and the latest entry Partypooper (Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book #20) keeps that series current. For younger readers drawn to absurdist, poo-adjacent comedy, HD Ronay's Magoo and His Magic Poo is a playful match. Roald Dahl's Matilda offers another story of a clever child triumphing over a tyrannical adult authority figure — a clear thematic parallel to George and Harold's battles with Mr. Krupp. For readers interested in classic stories reimagined for young audiences in an accessible format, the Kid Classics edition of Sherlock Holmes (The Hound of the Baskervilles) is also worth a look.
Who should read this?: This manga adaptation is designed for children aged 7 and up, with a particular focus on two overlapping groups: young readers new to the Captain Underpants franchise who are entering the story for the first time, and children who are already devoted fans of manga as a visual format. Reluctant readers drawn to illustrated storytelling are also a strong fit, given the proven, fast-paced plot and the 192-page manga format. Long-time Captain Underpants fans looking for a fresh visual experience with George, Harold, Mr. Krupp, and the rest of the cast will also find the adaptation purposefully constructed for them — as long as they are not expecting a new story.
What age is it for?: Best for ages 7 and up. The publisher specifically targets children aged 7 and up, and the manga format, fast-paced plot, and illustrated storytelling are well matched to early and developing readers in that range. The series' signature absurdist, bathroom-adjacent humor has made it one of the most frequently challenged books in American schools and libraries since 1997, which is a factor some families and educators weigh — but that same humor is central to its appeal for its core young audience.
About Dav Pilkey: The author's full name is David Murray "Dav" Pilkey Jr.
Tell me about the adaptation: The Captain Underpants franchise has expanded well beyond the original novels into multiple screen adaptations. A DreamWorks animated film was released in 2017, and the franchise also spawned a Netflix television series. This manga adaptation, published by Graphix on April 7, 2026, is itself a new form of adaptation — reimagining the original 1997 chapter book in a Japanese comics format with all-new artwork by manga artist Motojiro, rather than adapting it for screen.
Where does this fit in the Captain Underpants series?: This manga adaptation retells the story from the very first Captain Underpants novel, The Adventures of Captain Underpants, originally published in 1997. That debut novel launched a franchise that has grown to 12 main novels, numerous spin-offs including the wildly popular Dog Man series, a 2017 DreamWorks animated film, and a Netflix television series. With more than 90 million copies sold worldwide and translations into more than 37 languages, the original series is one of the most successful in children's publishing history — and this 2026 manga edition marks its latest format evolution.

Summarize this book

Is it worth reading?

Who should read this?

What age is it for?

About Dav Pilkey

Tell me about the adaptation

Where does this fit in the Captain Underpants series?

Summarize this book

Captain Underpants: The First Epic Manga is a manga reimagining of The Adventures of Captain Underpants, the original 1997 novel that launched Dav Pilkey's global franchise. Written and adapted by Pilkey and illustrated by manga artist Motojiro, it retells the story of George Beard and Harold Hutchins, two mischievous fourth-graders at Jerome Horwitz Elementary School in Piqua, Ohio, who accidentally hypnotize their cruel principal Mr. Krupp into believing he is the superhero Captain Underpants. The boys must then manage his crime-fighting escapades, including a showdown with the villainous Dr. Diaper, who plans to destroy the Moon with his crystal-powered Laser-Matic 2000. Published by Graphix on April 7, 2026, the book is billed as a complete reinvention with all-new manga artwork — not a reprint of Pilkey's original illustrations.

Follow up

Who is Dr. Diaper?

Who is Motojiro?

Is this the first in a series?

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The manga adaptation of a beloved 1997 children's chapter book, this title brings George Beard, Harold Hutchins, and Captain Underpants to life in an entirely new visual format — and it signals both the franchise's remarkable endurance and its willingness to reinvent itself for young audiences.

What the Book Is and What It Contains

Interior manga spread showing action sequences with colorful comic panels, explosions, and dynamic character movements in manga format.

Captain Underpants: The First Epic Manga is a manga reimagining of The Adventures of Captain Underpants, the original 1997 children's novel that launched Dav Pilkey's global franchise. Written and adapted by Pilkey and illustrated by manga artist Motojiro, the book retells the story of George Beard and Harold Hutchins, two mischievous fourth-graders at Jerome Horwitz Elementary School in Piqua, Ohio.

After their principal, the cruel and ill-tempered Mr. Krupp, catches them sabotaging the school's football game on camera, George orders a "3-D Hypno-Ring" to escape Krupp's punishment. The boys accidentally send Krupp — now convinced he is the superhero Captain Underpants — out into the world, where they must manage his crime-fighting antics, including a confrontation with the villainous Dr. Diaper, who plans to destroy the Moon using his crystal-powered Laser-Matic 2000.

The adaptation is billed by the publisher as a reimagined adventure "perfectly paired with all-new manga artwork," not merely a reprint of Pilkey's original illustrations.

The Franchise's Place and Significance

Few children's series can claim the cultural footprint of Captain Underpants. Since its debut in 1997, the series has sold more than 90 million copies worldwide — over 50 million in the United States alone — and has been translated into more than 37 languages, according to Wikipedia's series overview.

The original novel series was, as the publisher notes, instrumental in shaping the illustrated children's chapter book category. The franchise has expanded to 12 main novels, numerous spin-offs including the wildly popular Dog Man series, a 2017 DreamWorks animated film, and a Netflix television series.

The manga adaptation, arriving in 2026, marks yet another evolution: the introduction of a distinctly Japanese comics format to a story that has already proven its adaptability across film, television, and prose.

Interior manga pages showing action sequences with robots, vehicles, and characters in dynamic comic panel layouts.

What the Adaptation Is Designed to Do Well

The central creative proposition here is the pairing of Pilkey's story and adaptation with Motojiro's all-new manga artwork — a deliberate reinvention rather than a simple repackage. The publisher describes it as "totally reinvented for a new generation of readers," targeting children aged 7 and up who may be entering the Captain Underpants world for the first time, or who are already devoted fans of manga as a format.

The choice to bring in a dedicated manga artist rather than replicate Pilkey's original line-art style positions this as a genuine creative collaboration. Pilkey himself is no stranger to the illustrated, comic-adjacent form: his Dog Man and Cat Kid Comic Club series have made him one of the dominant forces in graphic novels for early readers, and the Captain Underpants franchise has always blended prose with comic-strip interludes.

The manga format extends that tradition into new visual territory.

Genuine Limitations and Audience Considerations

Because this is an adaptation of an existing story rather than a new narrative, readers who already know the original chapter book — or its many sequels — will find no new plot territory here. The appeal rests entirely on the manga format as a fresh experience, not on story novelty.

Additionally, Captain Underpants has been, since its 1997 debut, among the most frequently challenged books in American schools and libraries, with educators holding varied opinions about the series' humor and content. Pilkey himself has noted, with some irony, that he credits part of the franchise's commercial success to the publicity generated by those challenges.

Parents or educators who have had reservations about the series in its original form will find the same core story — complete with its signature absurdist, bathroom-adjacent humor — intact in this manga edition. That is a feature for its core audience and a known friction point for some adults in their lives.

Who This Book Is For

The manga format is a smart pivot for a franchise with this kind of reach. Children who have grown up reading manga — or who have come to Pilkey's work through Dog Man — are a natural audience for a book that combines the irreverence of Captain Underpants with the visual grammar of manga.

The publisher specifically frames the book as designed to "captivate a new generation of readers," and for reluctant readers drawn to illustrated formats, a 192-page manga retelling of a proven, fast-paced story has clear appeal. Long-time fans of the series seeking a new entry point into George and Harold's world — or parents and educators looking to meet manga-obsessed young readers where they are — will find this adaptation purposefully constructed for exactly that crossover moment.

Sources & Further Reading

The key facts and claims in this review are grounded in the retrieved, verified sources listed below.

Cited in this review
1
Captain Underpants: The First Epic Manga (from the Creator of Dog Man), by Dav Pilkey | Tertulia
tertulia.com
2
The Adventures of Captain Underpants - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
3
Dav Pilkey Books | Scholastic
scholastic.com
Further reading
4
Dav Pilkey — author profile
Dav Pilkey, LuvemBooks
5
Home | Dav Pilkey
pilkey.com
6
Captain Underpants: The First Epic Manga (From the Creator of Dog Man) | Schuler Books
schulerbooks.com
7
Captain Underpants: The First Epic Manga (From the Creator of Dog Man)
ebooks.com
8
Dog Man creator Dav Pilkey's original superhero Captain Underpants is coming back - as a manga hero | Popverse
thepopverse.com
9
Publishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly

Age & Reading Level

Recommended age

Ages 7+

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1 content note · who it suits

Content to know about

bathroom humor and potty comedy throughout

Best for: Ages 7+ — the manga format, fast-paced illustrated storytelling, and early chapter-book reading level are calibrated for independent readers aged 7 and up.

Skip if you want a brand-new Captain Underpants story rather than a manga retelling of the original 1997 book.

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Curated picks for readers who enjoyed Captain Underpants: The First Epic Manga, with our reasoning for each match.

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Dog Man

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Same creator, same anarchic energy — Pilkey's Dog Man series delivers identical mischief-driven comic storytelling in manga-influenced panels, for the same age range.

Dog Man shares Captain Underpants' DNA: a ridiculous hero, slapstick villains, and panels packed with visual gags that reward fast readers and reluctant ones alike. Where Captain Underpants stars a hypnotised principal, Dog Man stars a half-dog, half-cop crime-fighter — equally absurd, equally hard to put down. If the manga format is what hooked you here, Dog Man's panel-driven storytelling will feel immediately familiar.

If you liked Captain Underpants: The First Epic Manga

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Partypooper

Jeff Kinney

The newest Wimpy Kid instalment keeps the illustrated-diary chaos going — ideal next read for fans who finished Diary of a Wimpy Kid and want more of the same school-survival comedy.

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Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Jeff Kinney

Illustrated diary format, grade-school chaos, and a protagonist whose schemes always backfire — the closest tonal match for elementary readers who love George and Harold's brand of trouble.

In our catalogue

Matilda

Roald Dahl

A brilliant child outwitting a monstrous adult authority figure — Dahl's classic shares the same satisfying power-flip at the heart of every Captain Underpants story.

In our catalogue

Magoo and His Magic Poo

HD Ronay

Potty humour as a central plot device, not a background gag — this in-catalogue title matches the bathroom-comedy tone directly and suits the same 5–8 age band.

Not your thing?

In our catalogue

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Roald Dahl

If the manga panels felt too chaotic and the potty jokes wore thin, this Dahl classic delivers the same child-versus-absurd-adult comedy with a stronger story arc and no bathroom humour.