Wayward – Jim Zub and Steven Cummings’ ongoing Tokyo-set comic-book series – has been optioned by Manga Entertainment UK for development as a Japanese animated or live-action TV series.

Zub (Avengers, Dungeons & Dragons, Samurai Jack, Figment) and Cummings (Deadshot, Legends Of The Dark Knight, Street Fighter, Forager) will act as creative consultants on the project, including the development of the initial story treatment and character and creature designs.

“As soon as Jerome [Mazandarani, COO of Manga Entertainment] and I started talking about a collaboration, I had a good feeling Manga Entertainment would be the right place to develop Wayward,” Zub said of the UK-based distributor. “The crew at Manga intimately understand the anime market and have helped popularise some of the biggest brands in that space. As Japanese art and animation continues to go global, co-producing Wayward at a Japanese studio with Manga taking the lead is a natural choice.”

The action-drama sees Yokai – Japanese creatures and spirits of legend – battle against teenagers imbued with newfound supernatural power in modern Tokyo. The Image Comics series launched to critical acclaim in August 2014 and is currently available in monthly comic format and four collected trade paperbacks, with a new deluxe hardcover collection arriving in July.