Zack Davisson, author of the “extremely diverting” Kaibyo: The Supernatural Cats of Japan (Scot D. Ryersson and Michael Orlando Yaccarino), has won the ‘Best Short Story Award’ at the Eisner Awards 2026.

Zack won for his translation of the short story ‘Blood Harvest’ in Shintaro Kago’s manga collection Brain Damage.

This is Zack’s third Eisner win; congratulations, Zack!

Read about the full list of winners here.

Drawing on centuries of legends, woodblock prints, ghost stories, and theatrical traditions, Zack Davisson’s Kaibyo uncovers the many forms that Japan’s enchanted felines take, from shapeshifting tricksters to loyal guardians and vengeful spirits. Beautifully illustrated and meticulously researched, the book celebrates both the eerie and the endearing sides of Japan’s legendary cats, showing how the mysterious felines became enduring symbols of luck, protection, and uncanny power in Japanese life through vivid storytelling and rich cultural context. Whether you’re a lover of folklore, a fan of Japanese art, or simply enchanted by the strange charisma of cats, Kaibyo offers a spellbinding journey into a world where the line between the natural and supernatural is always shifting.

Zack Davisson’s Kaibyo: The Supernatural Cats of Japan will be published in November 2026.

Pre-order your copy here or, better, via Bookshop.org.

Follow Zack Davisson on Bluesky @zackdavisson.com.