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Posts Tagged Manhwa

PR: Discover the Terrifying Beginnings of the Deadly C-Virus in RESIDENT EVIL: THE MARHAWA DESIRE!

VIZ MEDIA UNLEASHES THE TERRIFYING
RESIDENT EVIL MANGA SERIES
AND OFFERS A SPECIAL FREE PREVIEW FOR
HALLOWEEN COMICFEST 2014

Discover The Source Of The Outbreak Of The Deadly C-Virus In The Gritty Manga Prequel To CAPCOM’s Popular
Resident Evil® 6 Game Property

San Francisco, CA, October 16, 2014 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, gives gamers and action fans a special FREE sneak preview of its forthcoming RESIDENT EVIL: THE MARHAWA DESIRE manga (graphic novel) series as part of the company’s participation in 2014 Halloween ComicFest.

The terrifying 5-volume apocalyptic action thriller was created by Naoki Serizawa and serves as a prequel to the storyline of CAPCOM’s bestselling Resident Evil® 6 game property. The manga series is rated ‘M’ for Mature Readers and will launch on November 18th under the VIZ Signature imprint. RESIDENT EVIL: THE MARHAWA DESIRE Vol. 1 will carry a print MSRP of $12.99 U.S. / $14.99 CAN.

Held each year, Halloween ComicFest is celebrated at scores of comic shops and retailers nationwide on the Saturday before Halloween. On this day, participating shops offer fans and visitors a special FREE Halloween ComicFest sampler filled with previews of scores of exciting upcoming titles. For additional information and a list of participating retailers, please visit: www.halloweencomicfest.com.

The highly virulent C-virus became a global disaster, but where did the outbreak start? In the series’ opening volume, at the prestigious and elite Marhawa Academy in Singapore, a female student suffers a horrifying transformation. Called in to investigate, Professor Doug Wright and his nephew Ricky find themselves caught up in a deadly and growing tragedy. As things get rapidly out of hand, Chris Redfield and his team from the Bioterrorism Security Assessment Alliance arrive on the scene, while behind it all a mysterious figure looms.

Read more…


NYCC 2013: Yen Press Team-Ups and Dishes Out New Manga Licenses

Yen Press at NYCC 2013

It’s time for the Yen Press edition of New York Comic Con! The manga publisher revealed a new relationship with the Japanese manga-mecha publisher, Kodansha, by announcing a handful of their titles a midst their mix of new licenses:

Ani-Imo – Haruko Kurumatani
Demon from a Foreign Land – Kaori Yuki
He’s My Only Vampire – Aya Shouoto
High School DxD – Ichiei Ishibumi & Hiroji Mishima
Void’s Enigmatic Mansion – JiEun Ha & HeeEun Kim

Ani-Imo is the kind of series I avoid due to the incest fetishism and underage characters. Not my thing! But it definitely floats people’s proverbial boat and is the first of Yen Press’s books from Kodansha. The series is about a pair of twins who switch bodies after a car accident and the caretaker brother loses his body to his once docile sister.

Demon From a Foreign Land is more up my alley. I’ll buy anything by Kaori Yuki! Yen Press seems to be counting on that fan sentiment as it’s releasing this title in special hardcover editions. After an earthquake leaves a young man homeless, he’s taken in by a rich baron, and though he finds friendship with the baron’s heir and his fiance, it doesn’t prepare him for the conspiracies and supernatural mystery that surround the home.

Then like Viz Media, Yen Press has its own new vampiric romance  to throw into the still hungry market. He’s My Only Vampire is about a young woman’s relationship with her childhood friend, who happens to be a vampire. One would call that a complication.

High School DxD is a series English readers may already be familiar with thanks to its anime adaptation. The original story was a light novel, while this license being the franchise’s manga version. When a perverted teen is murdered by his first date, he’s resurrected as demonic servant to the prettiest girl at his school. Loss-to-win situation?

And last up is a new manhwa series. I’m really glad to see Yen Press hasn’t dropped their manhwa licenses since the majority of their leftover ICE Kunion series’ ended. The artist, HeeEun Kim, had a work previously published in English by Infinity Studios. Void’s Enigmatic Mansion is also a unique case in that they’ll be releasing it digitally with a simultaneous release with Korea. The plot sounds episodic in nature and is just kind of series I find myself adoring. It focuses on those living in a strange house that grants their wishes, with unexpected twists to their requests.

Yen Press also announced Alice in the Country of Diamonds ~Wonderful Wonder World~ Official Visual Fan Book. As the very long name suggests, this will be a fanbook of artwork and bonus content for the Alice in the Country of… series, a franchise consisting of many manga adaptations based on the original sim games. Seven Seas and Yen Press have been sharing the market in English for a couple years with no sign of slowing.

There haven’t been any specific dates given for the release of these new licenses, but Yen Press says 2014 is the plan for all.


Otaku USA: On The Shelf – April 3, 2013

Otaku USA: On The Shelf - April 3, 2013

Incoming tidal wave of awesome manga! As the first shipping day of the month, this week’s title list does not disappoint. Viz Media takes home the prize for most titles, but my top picks go to Kodansha Comics and Vertical for their releases of Sailor Moon (Vol. 10) and Mobile Suit Gundam the Origin (Vol.01).

You can read all about this week’s new releases via my On The Shelf article for Otaku USA.

A Certain Scientific Railgun (Vol.07) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Attack on Titan (Vol.04) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Barrage (Vol.02) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Battle Angel Alita: Last Order Omnibus (Vol.01) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Bleach (Vol.56) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Blue Exorcist (Vol.09) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Dawn of the Arcana (Vol.09) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Devil & Her Love Song (Vol.08) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Fairy Tail (Vol.24) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
GTO: 14 Days in Shonan (Vol.08) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Hana Kimi 3-in-1 (Vol.04) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Jiu Jiu (Vol.04) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Kimi ni Todoke (Vol.16) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Library Wars: Love & War (Vol.09) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Love Hina Omnibus (Vol.05) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Mobile Suit Gundam Origin: Activation (Vol.01) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
My Boyfriend is a Vampire (Vol.04) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Nura Rise of the Yokai Clan (Vol.14) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Sailor Moon (Vol.10) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Slam Dunk (Vol.27) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Story of Saiunkoku (Vol.09) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
The Limit (Vol.04) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Toriko (Vol.15) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Yu-Gi-Oh 5DS (Vol.04) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US]


PR: GEN Manga Announces the launch of new Korean Comics Magazine, GEN Manhwa!


GEN Manga Announces the launch of new Korean Comics Magazine, GEN Manhwa!

GEN Manhwa, featuring Stone Collector, is available nationwide Feb. 2013!

NEW YORK, NY – GEN Manga Entertainment, Inc. announces the release of GEN Manhwa (GEN Manhwa, featuring Stone Collector, 54 pages, black and white) will be available Feb. 2013.

GEN Manga welcomes 2013 with exciting new publishing plans! GEN Manga will release monthly indie Korean GEN Mahnwa!

“It’s a non-stop full of action title full of monsters and zombies! Very high grade stuff!”

Stone Collector: Pieces of curse fall from the sky as if to mock the cruelty and evil of humanity. These stones create wretched beasts and the blood of these beasts turn human flesh into the undead. There is only one thing that can destroy these hellish fiends—Jade Stone. This is the story of a Stone Collector. One who wields Jade forged blades. A man whose family was murdered by these evil abominations and he has now vowed to rid the world of the foul presence. —Author: Kevin Han —Artist: Zom-J

This year GEN will also release a complete list of graphic novels. All new graphic novels with all new content along with the return of old stories with new artwork and new chapters! GEN Manga will release new content every month, this time, in the form of one-shot graphic novels, otherwise known in Japan as tankobon!

The second release 2013 in GEN Manga’s publishing schedule is the indie fan favorite Sorako!

The art of Sorako is fluid, quick, imprecise. Lines aren’t perfectly straight nor details entirely accurate, but the rough drafting style gives the frames energy and character, enhancing the impression that the artist’s goal is to tell Sorako’s story, blemishes and all. —AnimeNation

Sorako lives an ordinary life. And this is an ordinary story. She has friends and family, loves her dog, thinks about life, and occasionally looks for work (kinda). These are the adventures into a typical girl’s life.

—Author & Artist: Takayuki Fujimura

GEN Manga will also release its first Kickstarter to help promote print here: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1450575711/sorako-a-manga-about-nothing?ref=live

GEN stories are published nowhere else in the world. These stories are created by the elusive doujin creators in Tokyo’s secret underground circles, otherwise known in the west as independent creators and hard core fans.

Presenting new indie manga circles from Japan, GEN, a monthly publication, will be released in the US and Japan simultaneously. Digital format and print editions for GEN are available now. Based in New York, GEN Manga Entertainment (www.genmanga.com) endeavors to publish new and unseen graphic work from Japan, being in the unique position to bring readers work first, more original and untamed manga will be sure to come!

For more information, please contact: Robert McGuire– (646) 535-0090, editor@genmanga.com


Review: Raiders (Vol. 08)

Raiders (Vol. 08)

Manhwa-ga: JinJun Park
Publisher: Yen Press
Rating: Older Teen (16+)
Release Date: October 2012

Synopsis: “Chris succeeds in getting the information he needs about Crossline from Area 51, but he is trapped in an underground bunker when an EMP shuts down its electrical systems. While he struggles to escape before the oxygen runs out, Irel and Lamia dive deeper into their search of the Blood of Christ… but the answer they have been looking for might not bring the results they’d hoped.”

JinJun Park’s Raiders has reached its penultimate chapter, giving to readers a parcel that continues its mix of glossy action, impeccable line work and wacky religious plot lines. Combining Christian mythology with all manner of undead creatures and conspiracy-theory madness, Park’s Raiders is still a fairly light and fun action series that occasionally cuts a bit deeper than its polished surface. It’s been awhile since I last visited Irel and Lamia, but their mission to solve their undead reality continues to be a fascinating journey. Moving her pawns into their assorted places, Parker delivers an action packed volume that reveals more of what has caused this story’s world to be full of crazed would-be messiahs.

Read more…


Otaku USA: On The Shelf – December 12, 2012

Otaku USA: On The Shelf - December 12, 2012

My apartment has been a mess of plaster dust, missing amenities and awkwardly placed holes for the past two weeks – oh the joys of bathroom renovation! Thank goodness for new comics. They provide an added excuse for solace at my favourite local comic store and a stack of new books to keep me company as I cower from nail guns and busted plumbing.

There’s a bunch of neat new goodies out this week including a book of short stories from Kaoru Mori and an omnibus edition of the end to Yen Press‘s Chocolat. You can read the full list over at my On The Shelf article for Otaku USA.

A Certain Scientific Railgun (Vol.06) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Alice in the Country of Hearts: My Fanatic Rabbit (Vol.01) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Attack on Titan (Vol.03) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Battle Angel Alita: Last Order (Vol.16) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Blood Lad (Vol.01) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Captain Commando (Vol.02) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Chocolat (Vol.08) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Dance in the Vampire Bund Omnibus (Vol.01) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Higurashi When They Cry (Vol.20): Massacre Arc (Part 02) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
His Favorite (Vol.02) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Itsuwaribito (Vol.07) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Kaoru Mori’s Anything & Something [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Kekkaishi (Vol.35) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Mayo Chiki! (Vol.01) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya (Vol.14) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Pandora Hearts (Vol.13) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Puella Magi Madoka Magica (Vol.03) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Raiders (Vol.09) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
The Wallflower (Vol.29) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]


Review: The Innocent

The Innocent

Authors: Avi Arad & Junichi Fujisaku
Manga-ka: YaSung Ko
Publisher: Yen Press
Rating: Older Teen (16+)
Release Date: November 2011

Synopsis: “Wrongly executed for crimes he didn’t commit, a former detective is given a second chance at life. To earn that chance, though, the man now known as Ash must use the supernatural abilities with which he has been infused to prevent the deaths of other innocents. But is Ash willing to dedicate himself to helping others, or is his thirst for vengeance against those who destroyed his life and his loved ones too powerful to ignore?”

The Innocent is another of Yen Press’s collaborative pieces, taking the story of author Avi Arad and pairing it with the stylish artwork of Korean artist, Yasung Ko. While the two elements don’t mesh together without obvious seams, the final result ends up working better than many similar projects from the company to date, delivering plenty of action and eye-candy.

Read more…


Otaku USA: On The Shelf – October 10, 2012

Otaku USA: On The Shelf - October 10, 2012

So many good books out this week! More Bleach, Devil & Her Love Song, Toriko, Paradise Kiss, Arisa – the list goes on. Weirdly I was already able to buy a lot of these last week, but that’s Diamond Comics for you isn’t it?

You can read more of my specific thoughts and ponderings over at this week’s Otaku USA’s On The Shelf and view the hopefully handy list-only version below:

Arisa (Vol.09) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Bakuman. (Vol.15) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Bleach (Vol.48) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Bleach (Vol.49) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Cage of Eden (Vol.07) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Case Closed (Vol.44) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Dawn of the Arcana (Vol.06) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Devil & Her Love Song (Vol.05) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Drops of God (Vol.05) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Fairy Tail (Vol.21) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Ghost in the Shell (Vol.1.5) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
GTO: 14 Days in Shonan (Vol.05) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Jack the Ripper: Hell Blade (Vol.02) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Jiu Jiu (Vol.02) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Kekkaishi (Vol.34) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Loveless 2-in-1 (Vol.01) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan (Vol.11) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Paradise Kiss (Vol.01) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Pokémon Adventures Platinum (Vol.06) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Skip Beat (Vol.29) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Slam Dunk (Vol.24) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Stepping on Roses (Vol.08) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Story of Saiunkoku (Vol.08) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Toriko (Vol.12) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]


Otaku USA: On The Shelf – October 3rd, 2012

Otaku USA: On The Shelf - October 3rd, 2012

The first volume of Girl Friends is out! At last! I’ve been wanting to read this in English for a long time and I’m thrilled Seven Seas has given us the opportunity. The omnibus format is great too – can’t complain about nearly 500 pages of yuri now can we? Girl Friends is also a special manga for Kuriousity as well with the English adaptation written by our very own, Shannon Fay!

Seven Seas has the bulk of this week’s releases including two other omnibus volumes. You can check out the complete list with more of my stunning commentary at my On The Shelf article for Otaku USA.

Dance in the Vampire Bund (Vol.13) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Girl Friends: Complete Collection (Vol.01) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Pokémon Black & White Box Set [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Venus Versus Virus Omnibus (Vol.03) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Witch Hunter Omnibus (Vols.03-04) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]


Review: 13th Boy (Vol. 12)

13th Boy (Vol. 12)

Manhwa-ga: SangEun Lee
Publisher: Yen Press
Rating: Teen (13+)
Release Date: July 2012

Synopsis: “With the holidays finally upon Hee-So, the season of giving is in full swing! But as she gets ready for her Christmas Eve festivities, Beatrice takes generosity to a whole new level as he prepares to make the ultimate sacrifice to give the present of “destiny” to his beloved friend. But if Hee-So realizes the sacrifice her darling Beatrice plans to make in order to bring Whie-Young back among the living, will she be able to look her first love in the face ever again? Hee-So’s search for love concludes in this final volume of 13th Boy!”

(Final Volume Spoiler Warnings) Against all odds, a small part of me kept hoping that Beatrice would be the one that Hee-So ends up with at the end of 13th Boy. But how often do the kind, self-sacrificing, ever-loyal ones actually get the girl? It’s little surprise that fickle Hee-So needs her man to have a little bad boy attitude to him, and while the inevitability of the series’s result left me feeling a little cold, the execution also caught me off-guard enough to make it ultimately very satisfying.

Read more…


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