Tag: manga

Ms. Koizumi Loves Ramen Noodles, a flavorful manga translation coming up

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For the food lovers out there, Dark Horse Comics is importing some fresh translation of an awesome manga series of Japan culture, cooking life, and ramen. It’s Koizumi Loves Ramen Noodles, starting off with Volume 1, piping hot in the late summer this year.

In Ms. Koizumi Loves Ramen Noodles the cool, mysterious high school student Ms. Koizumi and her friends show you around the authentic ramen culture of everyday Japan in this fun food manga written by Naru Narumi…and translated by an authentic Japanese chef, Portland’s Ayumi Kato Blystone!

Ms. Koizumi Loves Ramen Noodles is Dark Horse’s first foray into the popular genre of food manga, and includes bonus ramen recipes! The popular Ms. Koizumi manga has been turned into both a Japanese live-action mini-series and an anime series on Crunchyoll. Since its debut in 2013, the story has been filling the hearts (and stomachs) of Japanese audiences, and Dark Horse is thrilled to publish the original manga series in English for the very first time!

The 136-page Ms. Koizumi Loves Ramen Noodles Volume 1 arrives in comic shops September 11th and bookstores September 24th, and available for $10.99.

Rumiko Takahashi’s earliest manga Urusei Yatsura, set for new deluxe reprint editions

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VIZ Media, LLC recently announced all-new deluxe editions of famed manga creator legend Rumiko Takahashi’s (perhaps best known for Inuyasha)  classic work, Urusei Yatsura.

Urusei Yatsura was originally serialized in Weekly Shonen Sunday (1978-1987), about the hilarious misadventures of an unlucky human boy who meets a beautiful alien princess. The successful manga series was adapted into anime format and spawned a TV series and half a dozen theatrical-release movies. All were well-received and propelled creator Rumiko Takahashi towards more acclaimed manga hits including Maison Ikkoku (1980-1987), Ranma 1/2 (1987 to 1996), and Inuyasha (1996-2008).

The deluxe volumes will publish under the Viz Signature imprint. Each volume will have 400 pages of content, for English publication by VIZ Media on a quarterly basis. The series is rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens; Volume 1 will carry a print MSRP of $19.99 U.S. / $26.99 CAN.

“Urusei Yatsura is an iconic manga series, and until now, has never been fully published in English,” said Amy Yu, Editor in a recent press release. “Our new VIZ Signature editions allow readers to enjoy the complete URUSEI YATSURA for the first time ever. We hope new and veteran manga fans will add this legendary series to their collections!”

For more information on Urusei Yatsura and other Rumiko Takahashi anime and manga titles distributed and published by VIZ Media, please visit viz.com.

Viz Media starts the new year with Kakuriyo: Bed and Breakfast for Spirits

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VIZ Media, LLC recently announced the upcoming release date of Kakuriyo: Bed and Breakfast for Spirits shojo manga series, starting on January 1st.

Kakuriyo: Bed and Breakfast for Spirits is illustrated by Waco Ioka and features character designs by Laruha. The series, which is based on a collection of popular Japanese light novels by Midori Yuma.

In the series, Aoi Tsubaki inherited her grandfather’s ability to see spirits – and his massive debt to them! Now she’s been kidnapped and taken to Kakuriyo, the spirit world, to make good on his bill. Her options: marry the head of the inn her grandfather trashed or get eaten by demons. But Aoi isn’t the type to let spirits push her around, and she’s determined to redeem her grandfather’s IOU on her own terms!

“The stakes are high for Aoi Tsubaki in Kakuriyo: Bed and Breakfast for Spirits as she attempts to pay off her grandfather’s massive debt while avoiding being consumed by demons or giving into the pressure of marrying one of them,” says Pancha Diaz, Editor. “We look forward readers discovering how this determined and resourceful young woman rolls up her sleeves and saves herself with plenty of surprises for her captors at every turn.”

Kakuriyo: Bed and Breakfast for Spirits will be published on a quarterly basis, under VIZ Media’s Shojo Beat imprint. The new series will be launching on January 1, 2019 on print and popular manga direct digital apps.

For additional information on Kakuriyo: Bed and Breakfast for Spirits and other manga titles published by VIZ Media, please visit viz.com.

Naoki Urasawa’s hit manga 20th Century Boys, set for new Perfect Edition deluxe volumes

From a recent Viz Media press release:

VIZ Media recently announced the re-release of Naoki Urasawa’s award-winning manga 20th Century Boys as a deluxe new omnibus edition, arriving in stores on September 18th as 20th Century Boys: The Perfect Edition Volume 1.

20th Century Boys: The Perfect Edition, Volume 1 will publish exclusively in print and includes two complete volumes of the original 22-volume epic manga series in a deluxe omnibus edition featuring new cover art and select pages in their original color presentation. Volume 1 will carry a print MSRP of $19.99 U.S. / $26.99 CAN. Future Perfect Edition releases of the 20th Century Boys: series will publish quarterly.

As 20th Century Boys begins, humanity, having faced extinction at the end of the 20th century, would not have entered the new millennium if it weren’t for them. In 1969, during their youth, they created a symbol. In 1997, as the coming disaster slowly starts to unfold, that symbol returns. This is the story of a group of boys who try to save the world.

“20TH CENTURY BOYS is one of Naoki Urasawa’s best known and most beloved works,” says Mark de Vera, Editor. “Urasawa has become one of the most respected creators not only among manga fans but also among a widespread comics and graphic novel fanbase around the world. We invite new and longstanding fans to enjoy the Perfect Editions of this extraordinary manga series.”

Naoki Urasawa’s career as a manga artist spans more than twenty years and has firmly established him as one of the true manga masters of Japan. Born in Tokyo in 1960, Urasawa debuted with BETA! in 1983 and hasn’t stopped his impressive output since. Well-versed in a variety of genres, Urasawa’s oeuvre encompasses a multitude of different subjects, such as a romantic comedy (Yawara! A Fashionable Judo Girl), a suspenseful human drama about a former mercenary (Pineapple Army; story by Kazuya Kudo), a captivating psychological suspense story (Monster; also published by VIZ Media), a sci-fi adventure manga (20th Century Boys), and a modern reinterpretation of the work of the God of Manga, Osamu Tezuka (Pluto: Urasawa X Tezuka; co-authored with Takashi Nagasaki, supervised by Macoto Tezka, and with the cooperation of Tezuka Productions; published in English by VIZ Media). Many of his books have spawned popular animated and live-action TV programs and films, and 2008 saw the theatrical release of the first of three live-action Japanese films based on 20th Century Boys.

For more information on 20th Century Boys and other manga titles published by VIZ Media, please visit viz.com.

Udon brings video game fantasy to manga shelves with ‘Dragon’s Crown’

Udon Entertainment recently announced its upcoming new video game based manga, Dragon’s Crown; with an invitation for new readers to “join an epic journey through catacombs, castles, and labyrinths.”

An adventure is now set for “The Fighter, the Sorceress, the Elf, the Wizard, the Amazon, and the Dwarf! These six heroes have come together to a quest for riches, for glory, and for the honor of the kingdom of Hydeland! (Though really, it’s mostly for the riches…)!”

Dragon’s Crown is adapted and drawn by artist Yuztan (Valkyrie Drive: Mermaid), the Dragon’s Crown manga captures all the hard-hitting action, sexiness and silliness of the beat-em-up RPG. Created by George Kamitani and Vanillaware, the game is known for its gorgeous artwork and designs, and the manga certainly lives up to that visual legacy.

Dragon’s Crown: Volume 1 arrives in stores everywhere October 2017. A second and final volume of the series will follow in 2018.

Seven Seas set to release Cutie Honey: The Classic Collection manga, next summer

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Seven Seas Entertainment recently acquired new rights to reprint the original Cutie Honey classic manga into one hardcover omnibus as Cutie Honey: The Classic Collection, set to release in the summer of 2018.

Cutie  Honey is the original magical transforming heroine from Japan, with a history going back to 1973. The original manga became an instant cult classic, leading to multiple TV shows and a live-action movie.

Cutie Honey is also the creative work of legendary manga cartoonist, Go Nagai. With a career spanning 50 years, Go Nagai created many immensely popular series including Devilman and Getter Robo, and Cutie Honey–his edgy magical girl aimed at boys–remains one of his most influential works to this day.

The North American release for Cutie Honey: The Classic Collection, in one complete hardcover, will flash on July 3, 2018, for $24.99 US.

CAPTAIN’s NOTE: I am a huge fan of Cutie (or Cutey) Honey from the various anime series of her. I am excited about the news of the manga. Soon, I hope the classic 70’s anime series will eventually see the light on local DVD and Blu-Ray releases.

Viz announces new 4 manga title acquisitions for 2018 release

Viz Media recently announced the addition of new manga properties this past weekend during its panel at the 2017 San Diego Comic-Con.

New titles to be published in print and digital under the Shonen Jump imprint include:

BLACK TORCH, Vol. 1
Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens · Debuts Summer 2018
Jiro Azuma is descended from of a long line of shinobi, and he also can talk to animals. Although he may appear rough and tumble, his compassionate side emerges when it comes to furry critters. But Jiro’s soft spot for animals gets him in major trouble when a suspicious stray cat fuses with him, granting him exceptional power but also dragging him into humanity’s hidden battle against powerful, menacing spirits.

DEMON SLAYER: KIMETSU NO YAIBA, Vol. 1
Rated ‘T’ for Teens · Debuts Summer 2018
Since ancient times, rumors have abounded of man-eating demons lurking in the woods. Because of this, the local townsfolk never venture outside at night. Legend has it that a demon slayer also roams the night, hunting down these bloodthirsty demons. For young Tanjiro, these rumors will soon to become his harsh reality.

KAGUYA-SAMA: LOVE IS WAR, Vol. 1
Rated ‘T’ for Teens · Debuts Late Spring 2018
Kaguya Shinomiya and Miyuki Shirogane are two geniuses who stand atop their prestigious academy’s student council, making them the elite among elite. But it’s lonely at the top and each has fallen for the other. There’s just one huge problem standing in the way of lovey-dovey bliss – they’re both too prideful to be the first to confess their romantic feelings and in doing so become the “loser” in the competition of love! And so begins their daily schemes to force the other to confess first!

DEAD DEAD DEMONS DEDEDEDE DESTRUCTION, Vol. 1
Rated ‘M’ for Mature · Debuts Spring 2018
Three years ago the aliens invaded Tokyo. Nothing is ever the same. But after a while, even impending doom starts feeling ordinary. The Japanese Self Defense Forces are still looking for a way to combat the looming alien threat, but so far conventional weapons have had no effect on the mothership. Maybe it’s time to try something unconventional. Meanwhile, Kadode Koyama is in high school. She and her best friend avidly track the aliens’ movements on social media and less enthusiastically study for college entrance exams. When the end of the world is overhead, you learn to take things one step at a time.

Additional information on each of these titles will be announced in the near future, visit viz.com for more info and updates.

New DAIGO THE BEAST manga immortalizes pro-gaming legend

Japanese pro-gamer Daigo Umehara is a real-life an arcade fighting game player and holds a Guinness World Record as the most successful competitor in major tournaments for his Street Fighter fighting game skills. Daigo is regarded as Japan’s first pro gamer, among many players battling their way through Japanese arcades during the golden age of fighting games.

Now, UDON Entertainment will release the English version of Daigo The Beast, a manga centering on the legend of Daigo Umehara and his world of pro-gaming competition.

Daigo Umehara is best known for his aggressive play and nearly psychic ability to predict and counter his opponent’s next move. This power not only paralyzes world-class opponents but has also led to many unforgettable comebacks from the brink of defeat. His many victories and bloodthirsty style have earned him the nickname “The Beast.”

The Daigo the Beast manga explores the real-life events that built the fighting game community, and the strategies and play styles developed by Daigo and his fellow gamers. In Volume 1, Shinya Ohnuki, a gamer with prodigious talent, is drawn into the wild and wonderful world of fighting games after a chance meeting with Daigo. As they face off in iconic games like Street Fighter II, Street Fighter Alpha, and Darkstalkers, an enduring rivalry between Daigo and “Nuki” is born!

UDON will be premiering the book at EVO 2017 (Jul 14-16) the world’s largest fighting game event held in Las Vegas, NV. Those attending the event can head over to the UDON/NSURGO booth to be the first to purchase and read Daigo the Beast.

Daigo the Beast: Volume 1 arrives in stores everywhere, December 2017.

Book Reading Review: Manga in Theory and Practice by Hirohiko Araki

Manga in Theory and Practice: The Craft of Creating Manga

  • Author, Illustrator: Hirohiko Araki
  • Published by: Viz Media Publish Date: June 6, 2017
  • Pages: 280 Format: Hardcover
  • Retail price: 19.95

Having created one of the longest-running series of all time, Hirohiko Araki has now decided to lend audiences and manga fans a helping hand in honing their own skills, with Manga in Theory and Practice: The Craft of Creating Manga.

Within this guide, Araki reveals his balance of characters, setting, story, and themes, combined with his “golden ratio” for character design. Considering manga consists of both story and visual artistry, he offers many tips and encouragements for striving mangaka (or manga creators) as well as general comic fans and hobbyists (despite the Manga title, there is really no difference between the mediums when it comes to applying Araki’s ideals).

Manga in Theory is an entertaining read, though it may benefit to already be familiar with some of Araki’s work beforehand, even though the book is riddled with lovely panels to exemplify his practices and teachings. Though he encourages practicing to better one’s artistic talents, it would have been appreciative if he were to show how his work was when he first started, or even earlier. True, he includes examples from earlier publications, but I believe it would benefit readers to see how a rough draft looks before all of the polish – or even how his art evolved over time.

Regardless, Manga in Theory and Practice is a must-read for manga fans: not only does it inspire creative endeavors, but also allows a glimpse at the machinations behind the madness. Additionally, the hardcover design of the book reflects the recent re-issuance of the Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure collection (also released by Viz), a making this a fitting addition for current fans of Hirohiko Araki’s work.

The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords – Legendary Edition manga set for summer release

Viz Media recently announced its fifth deluxe edition of the Legend of Zelda manga series, based on the Nintendo property franchise, set for this summer. This latest edition shall come forth on July 11th, as The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords – Legendary Edition.

In Four Swords, Link finds himself broken into four different versions of himself – Green, Red, Blue and Violet Link – and pitted against a fifth, the malevolent Shadow Link who has kidnapped Princess Zelda. The Links must find the Four Sword, the only thing that can combine them so that they are strong enough to stop Shadow Link and save the princess – and the world!

The Legendary Editions adapt Akira Himekawa’s 10-volume manga series based on the classic Nintendo role-playing, puzzle-solving, action video game into a line of deluxe omnibus 2-in-1 editions that each feature new cover art and color illustrations. The earlier Legend of Zelda legendary edition includes the Ocarina of Time, Oracle of Seasons/Oracle of Ages, Majora’s Mask/A Link to the Past, Minish Cap/Phantom Hourglass. The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords – Legendary Edition is the fifth release in the Legendary Edition series.

The Legend of Zelda manga series is created by Akira Himekawa, which is the pen name of two women known simply as A. Honda and S. Nagano. The pair created the manga series, inspired by several games and story arcs in the Zelda video game series. Currently, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess is the latest and ongoing manga series based on the beloved Nintendo video game, with story and artwork also by Akira Himekawa.

The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords: Legendary Edition manga is rated ‘A’ for All Ages and will carry with a MSRP of $17.99 U.S. / $24.99 CAN.