Building a Manga Empire for the Culture: A Conversation with Frederick L. Jones of Saturday AM

By Braheim Gibbs

In a world where manga has long been defined by Japanese creators and filtered through Western gatekeeping, Frederick L. Jones is rewriting the rules. As the founder of Saturday AM, the world’s most diverse manga anthology, Jones has built a global movement that fuses anime-inspired storytelling with unapologetically Black creativity.

When he sat down with the Amerime Junkies Podcast, the conversation wasn’t just about manga—it was about power, purpose, and the business of culture.

“We are a Black-owned manga company. Let’s start there,” Jones said plainly. “We are a Shonen Jump-type experience for the world. But the difference is, we’re Black-owned. That matters.”

From flagship titles like Apple Black, Clock Striker, and Hammer, to a growing roster of international artists from Brazil, Nigeria, and New Zealand, Saturday AM is proof that diversity in manga isn’t a trend—it’s the future.

Authenticity Over Appropriation

Jones has no interest in mimicry. For him, authenticity is the foundation of creativity.

“Authenticity is always the goal. Appropriation is the easy slip.”

He points to moments like the braiding scene in Clock Striker as examples of subtle, honest storytelling that reflects real experiences. “You wouldn’t believe how many women—Black, white, Asian—responded to that scene,” he said. “It’s about care, intimacy, and shared experience. That’s what authenticity looks like.”

Saturday AM’s strength lies in its ability to honor both the manga aesthetic and the lived experiences of creators around the world. “It’s not about copying Japan,” Jones emphasized. “It’s about creating something real.”

The Myth of Gatekeeping

Jones didn’t hold back when discussing the so-called “gatekeepers” of manga.

“The gatekeepers aren’t Japanese. They don’t make books. They don’t control retailers. They just control the conversation—and they make sure people like me don’t get invited to the panels.”

Despite that exclusion, Saturday AM has thrived—winning awards, landing in bookstores and libraries, and cultivating a passionate global fanbase. “We’ve won awards. We’ve got books in stores. They get reorders. That’s success in publishing. So what are they really mad at?” he asked.

From Marketing to Manga Mogul

Before founding Saturday AM, Jones helped launch PlayStation in North America and brought Yu-Gi-Oh! to the U.S. market through Blockbuster. That background gave him a rare perspective on how pop culture industries profit from Black consumers but exclude them from leadership.

“Video games were exploding, and Black people were the biggest users—but we weren’t in leadership. I saw the same thing in anime. That’s why I started Saturday AM.”

With that business acumen, he built a company that rivals major publishers in quality and vision—without corporate backing. “People think we licensed our content because it looks so good,” he said. “But we built this. From scratch.”

A Business, Not a Dream

Jones doesn’t sugarcoat the grind of running a creative company.

“This is entertainment. It’s a zero-sum game. You can give it everything and get nothing. If you’re not ready for that, this might not be for you.”

He’s quick to remind indie creators to think like entrepreneurs. “If you’re not thinking about how to sustain yourself, how to pay for Clip Studio or how your book gets printed and shipped, you’re not running a business—you’re playing.”

In a world obsessed with social media clout, Jones remains grounded: “Social media will gas you up and destroy you at the same time. You need to hear what you need to hear—not what you want to hear.”

What’s Next for Saturday AM

Saturday AM isn’t slowing down. Jones announced upcoming light novels for Clock Striker and Apple Black, a trading card game featuring the brand’s “Big 3,” and even a Saturday AM video game animated in each series’ unique art style.

And yes—an anime adaptation is on the horizon.

“We’ve had serious talks in Japan and Hollywood. Anime is expensive and takes time, but we’re deep into the process. You’ll hear an announcement within the next 18 months.”

Beyond the page and screen, Jones is also expanding into podcasting with the Saturday Essence Network, offering behind-the-scenes access to creators, game developers, and voice actors.

Representation Isn’t Optional—It’s Inevitable

As the conversation wound down, Jones summed up his mission in one powerful word: inevitable.

“We’ve outlasted the trolls, the gatekeepers, the doubters. Because this is inevitable. Young people around the world love anime. And they deserve to see themselves in it—not just as background characters, but as heroes.”

From business to representation, from struggle to success, Frederick L. Jones is building more than a company—he’s building a legacy.

You can read the full, uncut interview with Frederick L. Jones and explore more exclusive features in Amerime Wire Magazine | Issue 7, available now on Amazon.