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Archive for June, 2011

PR: DMP and IDW bring twenty new titles to eManga.com!

By Lissa Pattillo on Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Digital Manga Publishing and IDW bring twenty new titles to eManga.com

Partnership brings first American Comics to eManga.com

Gardena, CA (June 29, 2011) – Digital Manga, one of the manga industry’s most unique and creative publishers, is proud to announce another online collaboration with IDW Publishing, a leading and award-winning publisher of American comics, graphic novels and trade paperbacks, based in San Diego, California. This evolving partnership will launch with twenty new titles from IDW’s backlist catalog to eManga’s online library.

This is the first time a mainstream American comics publisher will be showcasing their titles to what was previously a manga only online reading storefront. Digital Manga’s eManga.com will be expanding their library to reach out to manga fans who are also fans of American comics and to those who would like to try something new.

The IDW titles will be available for purchase through eManga’s online manga service, emanga.com, which streams content through an Adobe Flash player, allowing readers to access their library wherever they have an internet connection. Originally sold as comics and as a full graphic novels with an average price ranging from $3.99 to $19.99 in print, IDW’s titles will be available on eManga.com varying from $1.99 to $14.99.

The first batch of IDW titles will launch with the following titles: Army of Two, Astro Boy: The Official Movie Adaptation, Astro Boy: Underground – the Official Movie Prequel, Danger Girl, Deep Space: Salvage, Doctor Who: Agent Provocateur, Doctor Who: The Forgotten, Dragon Age, The Last Unicorn, Locke & Key: Welcome to Lovecraft, Locke & Key: Head Games, Locke & Key: Crown of Shadows, Silent Hill: Sinner’s Reward, Silent Hill: Past Life, Star Trek: Movie Adaptation, Tribes: The Dog Years, True Blood, Witch and Wizard, Zombies vs. Robots, and Zombies vs. Robots Aventure.

For more information about our eManga system and to begin reading right away, visit www.emanga.com .

Digital Manga invites partnerships with other manga and American publishers to showcase their titles to eManga’s online storefront. If interested please contact fred@emanga.com for inquires.

Digital Manga and IDW’s first partnership began back in April 2010 where both companies teamed up to bring the first manga into Sony’s PSP Digital Comics storefront—Hideyuki Kikuchi’s Vampire Hunter D.

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About Digital Manga Publishing

Located in Gardena, CA, Digital Manga Publishing is one of the industry’s most unconventional and innovative companies, specializing in building corporate and cultural bridges from Japan to the Western Hemisphere – specifically through the licensing, importation and preparation of anime (Japanese animation), manga (Japanese comic books) and related merchandise for the North American mainstream and subculture markets. In this capacity, DMI serves as a catalyst for the expansion of Japanese pop culture institutions into global arenas. The company’s imprint line includes DMP: its mainstream imprint, DMP PLATINUM: its classic manga imprint, JUNE´: its boys love imprint, 801 MEDIA: its adult boys love imprint, and DokiDoki: its exclusive co-publishing imprint with Shinshokan Publishing.

For more information about Digital Manga Publishing, visit www.digitalmanga.com as well as:

www.emanga.com

http://twitter.com/digitalmanga

http://www.youtube.com/user/junemanga

http://www.youtube.com/user/801media

http://www.youtube.com/user/digitalmanga

http://www.facebook.com/DigitalMangaInc

Fred Lui

fred@emanga.com

Vice President

Production

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Digital Manga, Inc.- www.digitalmanga.com

1487 West 178th St. #300

Gardena, CA 90248

Tel: 310.817.8010 x105

Fax: 310.817.8018

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About IDW Publishing

IDW, Idea Design Works, LLC., is an award-winning publisher of comic books, graphic novels and trade paperbacks, based in San Diego, California. Renowned for its diverse catalog of licensed and independent titles, IDW publishes some of the most successful and popular titles in the industry, including: Hasbro’s The Transformers and G.I. JOE, Paramount’s Star Trek; HBO’s True Blood; the BBC’s Doctor Who; Toho’s Godzilla; and comics and trade collections based on novels by worldwide bestselling author, James Patterson. IDW is also home to the Library of American Comics imprint, which publishes classic comic reprints; Yoe! Books, a partnership with Yoe! Studios; and is the print publisher for EA Comics.

IDW’s original horror series, 30 Days of Night, was launched as a major motion picture in October 2007 by Sony Pictures and was the #1 film in its first week of release. More information about the company can be found at IDWPublishing.com.

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PR: Viz Media Brings The Cute & Fun Characters of Mameshiba

By Lissa Pattillo on Monday, June 27, 2011

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IT’S A BEAN! IT’S A DOG! IT’S BOTH?!!
VIZ MEDIA BRINGS THE CUTE AND FUN CHARACTERS OF MAMESHIBA TO NORTH AMERICA

Adorable Japanese Character Sensations Make Their Debut In New Graphic Novel Adventure And Character Guide This Summer

San Francisco, CA, June 27, 2011 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, has announced the release of its first titles for MAMESHIBA. The cute Japanese sensations will be introduced in a character guide called MEET MAMESHIBA! and star in their first-ever graphic novel, MAMESHIBA: ON THE LOOSE!, both to be released in July in the U.S. and Canada under the company’s VIZ Kids imprint.

It’s a BEAN! It’s a DOG! It’s… BOTH?! Are they beans? Are they dogs? Not quite either one – they’re Mameshiba! Though they all love to share weird facts, each has its own quirky personality.

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Review: 20th Century Boys (Vol. 15)

By Lissa Pattillo on Saturday, June 25, 2011

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Manga-ka: Naoki Urasawa
Publisher: Viz Media
Rating: Older Teen (16+)
Release Date: June 2011

Synopsis: “Around the globe, the mysterious and deadly virus continues to spread as the death toll mounts. However, Kanna, Otcho and Yoshitsune have another concern: despite what is being reported in the media, several people have claimed to see the Friend alive and walking the streets of Tokyo. But what does this bode for the pope’s visit to Japan and the 2015 World Exposition in Tokyo? “

One of my favourite parts of 20th Century Boys is how it comes at the plot from numerous different angles. The opening chapter of this fifteenth volume follows a priest in mourning over the death of his mentor. What begins as the task of going through the deceased Priest’s research, turns into Brother Luciano uncovering the new book of a prophecy and a plot to assassinate the Pope. How this brings the story full-circle back to Kanna and the others in Japan is another example of what makes this series such an addicting read.

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Categories: Reviews
Tags: 20th Century Boys, Manga, Naoki Urasawa, Viz Media, Viz Signature

PR: Gen Manga Announces Release of Gen 1 in June

By Lissa Pattillo on Saturday, June 25, 2011

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GEN Manga Entertainment, Inc. Announces the Release of GEN

GEN will be available nationwide June, 2011

NEW YORK, NY – GEN Manga Entertainment, Inc. announces the upcoming release of GEN. GEN 1 (ISBN: 978-0-9836134-0-4, Trade Paper, 136 pages, black and white, $9.95, Category: Graphic Fiction) will be available where fine books are sold June, 2011.

GEN 1 is presently available in digital format for FREE on the official website (www.genmanga.com).

Indie manga from the Tokyo Underground released in North America, GEN, marks a shift in manga publishing strategy. This original work of graphic fiction boldly challenges the industry while breaking new ground. It presents what manga readers are hungry for, the release of fresh underground work from Japan. GEN marks the release of a new serial publication that will continue to introduce a variety of new underground stories to readers as it progresses.

GEN stories are published no where else in the world. They come straight from the artists in Japan to readers in America. GEN presents this rough yet vibrant work as “seinen” the next step up from “shonen” for the maturing manga reader.

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Categories: Press Releases
Tags: Manga

PR: Viz Media Captures A Snapshot of Life in La Quinta Camera

By Lissa Pattillo on Thursday, June 23, 2011

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NATSUME ONO CAPTURES A SNAPSHOT OF LIFE IN NEW MANGA RELEASE LA QUINTA CAMERA FROM VIZ MEDIA

Fast-Rising Manga Star Offers A Collection Of Slice-Of-Life Short Stories About The Unique Tenants Of An Italian Apartment

San Francisco, CA, June 22, 2011 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, will delight fans and readers with the release of Natsume Ono’s single-volume manga (graphic novel), LA QUINTA CAMERA, on July 19th. The title is highly anticipated as accolades for Ono’s works continues to grow across North America. LA QUINTA CAMERA will be published under VIZ Media’s Signature imprint, is rated ‘T’ for Teens, and will carry an MSRP of $12.99 U.S. / $14.99 CAN.

LA QUINTA CAMERA revolves around the tenants of an apartment in Italy. In four of the rooms live four single men with singular personalities. Into this peculiar ménage steps an exchange student, the new tenant of the fifth room. Brought together by chance, friends by choice, they pursue their dreams together as the days drift gently by.

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Categories: Press Releases
Tags: Viz Media

PR: Viz Media Premieres New Yi-Gi-Oh! 5D Series

By Lissa Pattillo on Thursday, June 23, 2011

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VIZ MEDIA TO PREMIERE THE TENSE HIGH-SPEED ACTION OF NEW YU-GI-OH! 5D’S MANGA SERIES

High Stakes, High Drama And High Speed Turbo Duels Await Readers In The Latest Saga Of Classic Fantasy Action Franchise

San Francisco, CA, June 21, 2011 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, will release the next exciting chapter of the venerable YU-GI-OH! franchise as the company launches the brand new YU-GI-OH! 5D’S manga (graphic novel) series on July 5th.

The new series, written by Masahiro Hikokubo with artwork created by Masashi Sato, will be published under the company’s popular Shonen Jump imprint, is rated ‘T’ for Teens and will carry an MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN. First editions of the premiere volume will also include a special YU-GI-OH! Dark Highlander collectible trading card.

In New Domino City, the hottest game in town is the Turbo Duel, fought from blazingly fast motorcycles called Duel Runners. On the outskirts of New Domino City, in a district known as Satellite, a new Turbo Duel hero emerges – Yusei Fudo! On his custom-built Duel Runner, Yusei takes on all challengers, fighting for his friends and the future of Satellite! In the opening volume of the new YU-GI-OH! 5D’S series, a high-speed Turbo Duel through the streets of Satellite brings Yusei Fudo and his friend Sect face-to-face with an urban legend incarnate! Will Yusei lose Sect to the Skeleton Knight? And what sinister plans does Jack Atlas, master of New Domino City, have in store for Yusei?

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Categories: Press Releases
Tags: Viz Media

PR: Animate USA Adds New BL to Kindle Store June 2011

By Lissa Pattillo on Thursday, June 23, 2011

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ANIMATE USA – NEW RELEASES IN AMAZON KINDLE STORE

TOKYO, JAPAN – June 22 – Animate U.S.A., Inc. announces three brand new releases this June for the Kindle!
Coming to the fans this month are the continuations of three popular series. Youka Nitta’s “Kiss Ariki” Episode 5, Naduki Koujima’s “Selfish Love” Part 3, and Shiuko Kano’s Play Boy Blues Act 8 are all hitting the digital shelves this month in the Kindle store. You can’t get them anywhere else so be sure to download your copy ASAP!

Check out www.animate-world.com and www.libre-pub.co.jp for more information. For everything Youka Nitta pay a visit to website, nittayouka.com . Ayano Yamane fans will be pleased to know that, yamaneayano.com, has updates, wallpapers, and comments from Yamane herself! Be sure to check them out!!

June 2011:
Youka Nitta – “Kiss Ariki – Episode 5” KINDLE EXCLUSIVE!!!
Naduki Koujima – “Selfish Love Vol.1 Part 3”
Shiuko Kano – “P.B.B. Play Boy Blues – Act 8”　KINDLE EXCLUSIVE!!!

Read more…

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Categories: Press Releases
Tags: Boys' Love/Yaoi

Swag Bag – Avatar and Attorneys

By Lissa Pattillo on Thursday, June 23, 2011

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It’s swag bag time! Purchases have been light these past couple weeks after an enjoyably hefty purchase stack last time but there’s still some highly recommendable goodies!

First up are two of my top favourite running series – 20th Century Boys (Vol. 15) and Black Jack (Vol. 14). I can always count on both to be consistantly entertaining and these new volumes were no exceptions. 20th Century Boys in particular always make me want a manga book-group or something of the sort here in Halifax – this is a series that demands discussion! And darn that Urasawa, the man can make a cliffhanger.

From Viz Media I picked up the newest volume of Bakuman (Vol. 05) which continues to be excessively wordy and flounders on decent main character interaction BUT manages to be fun and educational all the same. I find myself actually excited for the new volumes, especially since they’ve been getting better with each book (granted volume one definitely wasn’t hard to top).

Looking to start something new, I bought the first volume of Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney by Kodansha Comics. I’ve never played the games and my knowledge of the story ends at people yelling ‘Objection!’, so it’ll be interesting to see how I find the manga edition.

Next, though not manga it definitely has it’s share of crossover interest: Dark Horse has released a huge collection of short Avatar: The Last Airbender comics in a full-colour book called Avatar: The Lost Adventures. I’ve been waiting a long time for something like this to come out so I literally ran to Strange Adventures to buy my copy – worth every penny and then some! Both the art and the writing is fantastic, very true to the original story with lots of humour – highly recommended!

And last but certainly not least, something else not manga related but still awesome – a Tardis Cookie Jar! Oh yes. I’ve recently gotten hooked to the new seasons of Doctor Who and after marathoning all six new seasons in two weeks, I couldn’t resist buying this when I saw it. It’s big, it’s blue and it lights up and makes that Tardis sound, you know the one. It’s so cute, I love it :)

So what was in your swag bag this week?

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Categories: Features, Swag Bag
Tags: 20th Century Boys, Bakuman, Black Jack, Dark Horse, Kodansha Comics, Manga, Naoki Urasawa, Osamu Tezuka, Vertical Inc, Viz Media, Viz Signature

Cover Watch: Wild Adapter

By Lissa Pattillo on Tuesday, June 21, 2011

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Welcome to the first edition of Cover Watch – a new feature I’m starting here on Kuriousity. These posts will be write-ups about one of my favourite aspects of the manga industry: the graphic design! And most specifically, the covers. Sometimes I’ll be sharing older titles with designs I really like and remember; other times I’ll just be showing off some of the new covers posted online. One cover, two cover, eight covers – who knows!

As they say, you can’t judge a book by its cover, but you can definitely be turned on or away by it. Personally I love oogling the artwork and layouts of manga covers as they’re posted online. Even more so when I get the physical copies in hand to see how it all looks on the front, back and spine together.

This first post will be about Wild Adapter as it coincides with the currently running Manga Moveable Feast theme. The MMF is a collaboration between bloggers who want to get involved where all the participants share discussion and reviews about the month’s chosen series. I highly recommend checking these out for some really interesting and in-depth looks at different manga, often times for series that haven’t gotten as much attention as they deserve.

That said – onto the covers!

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Categories: Cover Watch, Features
Tags: Manga, MMF, Tokyopop

Viz Media with BL, Birthdays and a Baked-Good Puppy

By Lissa Pattillo on Monday, June 20, 2011

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Some Viz Media news of note today including, well, just as the title suggests – some BL, birthdays and a baked-good puppy!

Viz Media is celebrating its 25th birthday this year (proving that awesome people and things were indeed born in 1986 – completely irrelevant it’s my birth year also). They have a mini-hub set up that’s updated with news relevant to the milestone – Viz Media: 25 Years! News so far on the site includes, among other things, their 2011 summer convention schedule:

April 22-24	Sakura-Con	Seattle, WA
May 27-30	Fanimecon	San Jose, CA
June 10–12	A-kon	Dallas, TXA
July 1-4	Anime Expo	Los Angeles, CA
July 21-24	San Diego Comic Con	San Diego, CA
July 29-31	Otakon	Baltimore, MD

Congrats on the birthday, Viz Media! May you have many more – and any chance we’ll see you on the East Coast at NYAF for well-wishes in person?

Noted by Viz Media staffer, Alexis Kirsch, on their Twitter page (and caught by eagle-eyed, Andre!) – Viz Media has licensed the manga series Cinnamoroll starring the character of the same name. Cinnamoroll is a Sanrio (company responsible for iconic characters such as Hello Kitty) character: a white puppy with long ears (that he uses to fly) and a little cinnamon bun shaped tail. No doubt the manga will be adorable and as sugary sweet as the baked goods that apparently drew Cinnamoroll from… wherever he came from.

Viz Media’s Job page has updated with four new job listings, but one in particular immediately caught the eyes of many – Editor (Yaoi/BL).

“The Editor (Yaoi/BL) is responsible for property acquisitions, executing print and digital publication production, and managing relationships with licensors and business partners in order to establish and grow VIZ Media’s line of mature content titles. …Knowledge of yaoi/BL genre and market, and ability to work on adult-oriented materials A MUST”

With Viz Media seeking an editor for the genre, it seems fairly safe to assume the manga-mecha company will be delving into some BL publishing. It’s exciting news and bears a lot of promise for boys’ love fans. It could do well filling the little gap that BLU’s demise has left by adding back some more BL titles on the shelves. Plus Viz Media’s wide distribution, which TP was always very similar to, means they may be easier to find than similar niche titles often are.

What boys’love titles would you like to see Viz Media license? The first that came to my mind was Sakuragari – a dark, boys’ love story by Yuu Watase (since they’re released almost everything else of hers). Ideas anyone? And don’t hesitate to let Viz Media know through Twitter – they’re always listening!

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Categories: Licensing, News
Tags: Boys' Love/Yaoi, Manga, Viz Media, Yuu Watase