On the one night in who-knows-how-long that I decide to go to bed a few hours early, Digital Manga goes and finally drops the F-word! You know the one, boys’ love fans. But I can’t complain about having good news to wake up to. Fans rejoice – Ayano Yamane’s popular Finders series is no longer in English-license limbo!

Digital Manga has announced that they will be releasing the Finders Series under their June boys’ love imprint. It looks like it’ll be printed at their 801Media cut-size. Digital Manga has  set up a website specific for the release at FinderSeries.com. Along with the press release, the site has short character bios and the series’ synopsis.

“While our on assignment trying to document the illegal activities of the Japanese underworld, the photographer Takaba crosses paths with the dark and mysterious leader Asami. Asami  takes Takaba captive, in an attempt to subjugate and possess him. But when the son of the Chinese mafia enters demanding evidence that Takaba may have, will Takaba be able to survive being caught in the crosshairs of a deadly underworld feud?”

The first volume of June’s edition of Finders will be in summer 2010 – which isn’t that far off from right now. It’s almost as if they were conveniently timing it for some event with overlapping interest…

Though the excitement over this news is already apparent, it’s been long-anticipated along with the concern from fans that by being published under the June imprint could mean that the Finder Series will face minor edits and censoring of the original work. Many assumed that because of the graphic nature of Finder Series it would be published under their 801Media imprint to avoid this (myself included admittedly), as they have with other of Ayano Yamane’s series. While Digital Manga has censored some of its June imprint work in the past, these edits were very minimal and this does not mean that the Finder Series will have changes.

Those interested in the news can check out Digital Manga’s complete press release which also includes word directly from Libre Shuppan, Japanese license-holders of the series.

As a short history lesson, the Finder Series was previously licensed by the now-defunct BeBeautiful which released three volumes of the 5-book series, all of which have spent years selling for inordinate amounts of money after they went out of print. Those who couldn’t afford $200 a book need weep no longer.

During their webinar this evening, Tokyopop officially announced their acquisition of Kenji Sonishi’s Neko Ramen. The first volume of the English edition, Neko Ramen: Order Up!, was initially spotted on Amazon this past November.

Coming on the heels of a lengthy bout of pre-announcement hints and related media via their newsletters, Tokyopop is launching Neko Ramen with a hefty campaign including its own website, contests and Facebook page complete with the series’ trailer. Tokyopop has also already posted several preview strips on its website with future comics strips accessible to those who subscribe to their weekly newsletter.

The first of the currently-three Neko Ramen books (the series is still on-going) is scheduled for June 2010 and will be priced at $10.99/US. The books are rated for youth so readers young and old can enjoy some hairballs in this 4-koma style series about a cat who runs a ramen shop.

Along with news about Neko Ramen, Tokyopop staffers confirmed they’ll be speeding up Gakuen Alice to bi-monthly starting in June of this year. They also responded with a “no comment” to questions regarding their recent Twitter-teases about the license for the Hetalia 4-koma series.

Yen Press has officially announced a handful of new 2010 titles on their website this week, including a Fumi Yoshinaga title (yay!) and another Haruhi Suzumiya property:

The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi-Chan
“The first volume of the highly anticipated yon koma featuring all new adventures from Haruhi and the rest of the S.O.S. Brigade will debut in October 2010 to the cheers of Haruhi fans everywhere!”

K-ON – kakifly
“The four girls who make up their high school music club have set Japan on fire, and their fame is only going to grow when they take the stage for the first time in the states this fall!”

Book Girl and the Suicidal Mime – Mizuki Nomura
“BOOK GIRL AND THE SUICIDAL MIME is the story of Konoha Inoue, a gifted writer who’s lost his passion, who’s inducted into his school’s literature club by it’s only other member, the beautiful Touko Amano – a book goblin who literally devours the printed word! Trust us, you’ll want to eat this one up!”

Not Love But Delicious Food – Fumi Yoshinaga
“Yoshinaga Fumi fans are in for a rare delicacy in November 2010 when Yen publishes NOT LOVE BUT DELICIOUS FOODS, a manga chronicling Y-Naga’s love of food and eateries in Japan. There are some hardcore Yoshinaga Fumi fans on staff at Yen Press, and they are salivating in anticipation of this book’s release!”

Golidlocks and the Seven Squat Bears – Émile Bravo
“Readers young and old alike will delight in the misadventures of these dwarf bruins as they attempt to rid their home of the giant lady who’s fallen asleep in their beds. Expect to see lots of cameo appearances by some of your favorite fairy tale figures from your youth!”

Also, a thank you to all of my readers who e-mailed me regarding these new titles when they popped up on Amazon a couple weeks ago – you’re super eagle-eyed and very considerate! Though I had found the titles when they initially went live on retail sites I chose not to post about them by request from the publisher. Your e-mails were much appreciated and I hope noone feels slighted by the delay in the news posting. It’s more fun to hear from the publisher directly, officially and confirmed I think :)

Vertical Inc is adding another Osamu Tezuka title to their growing catalog, this time with their license of, Ayako.

Originally published in 1972, ANN has the following synopsis:

“Jiro Tenge, the second son of what used to be an influential Japanese family, returns home after being a POW in an American camp during the Second World War. He finds his family corrupted by the terrible social aftereffects of the war. His elder brother, determined to keep what remains of the family patrimony after the Government’s forced land reallocation, has prostituted his wife to his father to secure his blessing, while other members of Jiro’s family have been drawn into similar corruption, and he himself is being forced to spy for the Americans after being broken as a POW. Now the family’s youngest daughter Ayako will have to bear the brunt of the family’s sins.”

In the past week Vertical has posted several hints on Twitter to eager eyes including “It’s gonna be a whopper! 704 pages. Great female lead. Cover design by P Mendelsund!!”. Though the license was repeatedly said to have an embargo on it, the book never-the-less appeared on Amazon late-Tuesday afternoon with the newly designed cover (the cover is actually for a previously released book, not Ayako – thanks for the correction, calaggie!).

(Editor note: Out of respect for the initial intended-surprise, I personally made the choice to withhold this information until Vertical confirmed it at their recent event Wednesday evening. Vertical representatives have yet to publicly speak about this title online.)

At 704 pages, this release of Ayako is likely a single omnibus collection of the original three books. Ayako is scheduled for tentative release in October 2010.

Lives of Butterfly Puzzles on Amazon? … so to speak. Fellow Kuriousity reviewer Andre has spotted some new books on Amazon.ca early this week from Tokyopop:

Lives (Vol. 01) – Masayuki Taguchi [Nov 29 2010]

“The peaceful lives of many are taken away as a freak meteor shower destroys the Kanto area of Japan. However, the lives of the victims aren’t lost, as they start to awaken one by one into a strange pre-historic world…”

Butterfly (Vol. 01) – Yu Aikawa [Jan 3 2011]

Puzzle+ (Vol. 01) – Manami Sugano (unconfirmed) [Jan 3 2011]

Please keep in mind that until titles are officially annouced by the company, all listings found on retail sites remain purely speculative.

It may not be a season known for its manga title announcements, but Digital Manga has ensured that boys’ love fans got themselves a holiday treat by announcing yesterday their official acquistion of Mika Sadamoto’s Under Ground Grand Hotel.

Undergrand Hotel has for years been one of the most talked about, downloaded, shared and safe-to-say drooled over boys’ love stories on the internet. With Digital Manga’s widely published press release yesterday, it didn’t take long for fans to take notice with much enthusiasm – some surprised, others expectant and almost all very pleased. It’s also being cheered as a manga that feels like it truely fits in 801Media’s self-proclaimed catelouge of more hardcore titles when many of their recent releases haven’t felt much different from the selections published under the June imprint.

Often compared to HBO’s Oz , Under Grand Hotel takes place in a prison housing the dangerous, crazed and convicted. Society may be safe from these men but they’re certainly not safe from eachother – it’s a dark story of bargains, loyalty, betrayal, violence and sex all behind the last bars these characters will likely ever see. The lead characters are Sen and Swordfish, both of whom are featured on the new edition covers. Specifics of the plot are best read from the books themselves but in all fair warning, this is not a book for the faint of heart. Rape and psychological attacks are practically currency in this undeniably shady story that’s compelling in the way only a guilty pleasure can be.

Interestingly the series will be released in the combined-volume form as it was last released in Japan. Called a bunko edition (short for bunkobon), the two volumes are a combination of the original three, bringing the page count of each to around 320. What will be most notable however is the smaller trim size. While 801Media books are published at about 5 x 8, Under Grand Hotel will be around 4 x 6. I made a rough ratio comparison that you can see.

Edit: In response to questions regarding the smaller trim size, Digital Manga responded via their Twitter account with the following:

“We licensed a deluxe bunko edition of UGH-so we’re preserving the licensed size. This isn’t a new size direction for 801. It’s only for UGH.”

Still, while it would’ve been great to have Under Grand Hotel in the same large trim size that fans were treated to with the artist’s Pathos series (as published under June), there’s still little complaint to be had when a series long anticipated but always questioned has finally found its home in the hands of an English manga publisher. I’d certainly be lying if I said I’m not looking forward to it and joining those thrilled at the sudden – but wholely welcome – announcement. Congrats, Digital Manga!

For those who missed the initial press release, you can be read it in its entirety here (and if you’d like to send your thanks, thoughts and/or excitement to Digital Manga, head over to their blog post to leave a comment).

Gardena, CA (December 7, 2009) – 801 Media, Digital Manga Publishing’s adult yaoi imprint, is excited to announce the acquisition of the heavily fan-requested title: Under Grand Hotel by Mika Sadahiro (creator of Pathos)! Controversial, explicit, yet ultimately fascinating, Under Grand Hotel takes place in a prison that the prisoners have nicknamed the “Under Grand Hotel”. A two-part series, the story revolves around two inmates, Sen and Swordfish, and the power politics involved to survive a prison that houses the most dangerous inmates around!

In a new first, 801 Media will preserve the special trim size of this title (4 1/8″ x 5 7/8″), and it will hold a special price of $24.95 for each volume for their large volume count (over 320 pages for each book!)

————
UNDER GRAND HOTEL VOL. 1, Rated M+ (for ages 18+), MSRP: $24.95, Available: June 2010, 4 1/8″x 5 7/8″, Over 300 pages!, 801 Media

After killing the husband of his lover, Sen is sent to a prison nicknamed the “Under Grand Hotel”, which houses some of the most violent and corrupt offenders. Good-looking and rather soft for prison, Sen is forced to seek protection from Swordfish, the proclaimed leader of the prison. But when their relationship turns from one of convenience to one that may be more involved, can they protect each other in a place where the law has no bearing? Mika Sadahiro’s (Pathos) controversial and fan-favorite title is finally available for the first time in print in English!

Read more…

With convention season behind us, it’s always fun to know there’s still new manga licenses coming our way! Granted new listings on Amazon aren’t as exciting or confirmed, but they do manage to sate the eagerness somewhat.

Note: While I have contacted Tokyopop regarding these new titles, there has been no confirmation as to the licenses. As with all Amazon listings, they remain speculation until confirmed by the publisher.

Neko Ramen Volume 1: Hey! Order Up! – Kenji Sonishi
Calling – Miu Ootsuki (BLU)
Scarlet – Hiro Madarame (BLU)

Neko Ramen sounds ripe with humour potential, the story of a cat who also happens to sell ramen. It’s another series from the artist of Viz’s Leave It To PET!. In regards to Scarlet and Calling, I’m really eager to see more of them because they both sport some fantasticlooking cover artwork – I hope the interior is just as eye-pleasing!

And though I don’t believe this is a new title, fans of Fruits Basket will be happy to see the next fan book, Fruits Basket Fanbook: Banquet, coming their way in May 2010.

Easily the most anticipated panel of this year’s Yaoi Con, Digital Manga brought out the big guns as promised in recent weeks to deliver to the eager audience. Deb Aoki and The Yaoi Review were both present and live-updating the panels so thanks to them both for the information.

You can read all about it under the cut -

Read more…

Amazon.ca brings us a handful of new boys’ love titles this Tuesday from yaoi-behemoth, Digital Manga. All these titles are from artists that readers will likely recognize from previous releases.

Drunken Love – Haruka Minami
(801Media, artist of My Paranoid Next Door Neighbour)

Mamiya Doll House – Kazuhiko Mishima
(June, artist of You Make My Head Spin)

Intense Rain – Shinri Fuwa
(June, artist of A Gentleman’s Kiss)

Alice the 101st – Chigusa Kawai
(June, artist of La Esperanca)

How To Control A Sidebar – Makoto Tateno
(June, spin-off of How To Capture A Martini, artist of Yellow and Steal Moon)

As with all Amazon listings, no series or releases are official until confirmed by the publishers themselves. While Digital Manga cannot confirm the licensing of these series, they did let me know that their big Yaoi Con license announcement is still under wraps and awaiting the eager ears of convention attendees. In the meantime there’s been lots of speculation on forums and blogs on what the title(s) will be, including potential license rescues from the yet-to-be-officially-bankrupt DramaQueen to the recently confirmed shutdown BeBeautiful.

For now fingers crossed we have these titles to look forward to, a great array of returning artists for some new works. I know I for one am really excited for another Chigusa Kawai title after a great finale to her previously June-released series, La Esperanca.

And remember boys’ love fans still have plenty to look forward to during Yaoi Con at the end of the month! Any titles you’ve got your hopes on?

With the swiftly approaching release date for Kodansha’s first English-foray as Kodansha Comics, Publishers Weekly has official word that they’ve set up camp in their New York City headquarters (popular manga publisher base it seems) and are preparing to get the ball rolling on their upcoming releases.

While confirming their release plans (or re-re-release plans) for Akira and Ghost in the Shell, the article also establishes that Kodansha is not looking to hold a publishing-monopoly on their properties, one possible theory that arose after Kodansha recently put a halt to their license renewals with Tokyopop. Del Rey is still releasing a number of Kodansha series and their parent company Random House will act as Kodansha Comics’ distributer.

Representatives of Kodansha Comics also acknowledged that they will be focusing on older titles for now, instead of publishing any new/original content. While this spells promising news for those looking for shiny new editions of popular classics, it also bolsters the hopes of those of us looking for some resurrections of series long since out of print and eager to see a crisp unflipped edition. Yes even at risk of sounding repetitive: Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon, please. Or Codename Sailor V? They seem safer bets at least than my crossed fingers for the rest of Kilala Princess. Those are the titles that call to me loudest but with such a huge library behind them, there’s no end to the wish lists that will likely surface from many manga readers.

While there’s no website or further information from Kodansha Comics themselves as of yet, we’ll hopefully see some later in the month with the first volume of Akira and Ghost in the Shell scheduled for release next week.

(Credit for the news goes to the many on-the-ball bloggers of Twitter)

Wrapping up the manga-centric news of this past weekend’s New York Anime Fest, Sunday saw Viz Media staff take the panel stand with some fun new announcements.

New Licenses:

Gente ~Ristorante no Hitobito~ by Natsume Ono
What’s the Answer by Tondabayashi
Grand Guignol Orchestra by Kaori Yuki
Nice to Meet You, Kamisama by Julietta Suzuki
Library Wars by Kiiro Yumi
What’s the Answer? (Creator unknown)
Bob and His Funky Crew (Creator unknown)

The previously announced series Bakuman (by the same creators as Death Note which premiere in the May 2010 issue of Shonen Jump, and before that in February Shonen Jump readers will get to read the first chapter of Toriko with its first volume due out in June. A reminder also that the big One Piece speed-up will begin in January which will see a whopping 4 volumes a month until June. A big yikes to fans’ wallets but a yay to their eager eyes!

For Rumiko Takahashi fans, Rin-Ne volume one comes out on October 20th and Inu-Yasha anime fans can look forward to a simulcast of the upcoming Inu-Yasha anime finale. I have to admit, as much Rumiko Takahashi’s tendacy to overstretch her series gets a tad on my nerves, I still have a big soft spot for her stories and I think an anime adaptation of Inu-Yasha’s finale is pretty neat and all the more spiffy that we’ll get to watch it so soon.

Del Rey was up to proverbial bat yesterday for their panel at New York Anime Fest with some new titles and a well received title rescue from Tokyopop. (Source: AnimeNewsNetwork)

New Licenses:

Here I Am! – Ema Toyami
Arisa – Natsumi Ando
Yokai Navi Runa – Runa Rindo

The announcement of Yokai Navi Runa confirms Del Rey’s license of the series after a listing popped up on Amazon early this month. Nothing was said about the listings for upcoming omnibus of several of their other currently running serie,s but their choice of omnibus releases for their Tokyopop license rescues seems to prove a good indication of their growing preference for the format.

On that note, Del Rey also announced that they’ve picked up the license for the remaining unpublished volumes of Rave Master (previously released by Tokyopop) and they’ll be putting out the final volumes in one omnibus collection.

A piece of news for those who, like me, see everyone of these announcements as another reason to attend NYAF next year, this 2009 event marked the final incarnation of New York Anime Fest as it is now and next year it will return as a dual event with New York Comic Con. (Source: AnimeNewsNetwork)

Vertical Inc. took the panel stand yesterday at this weekend’s New York Anime Fest with first a handful of new licenses to share with the audience. Source: AnimeNewsNetwork

New Licenses:

Peepo Choo – Felipe Smith
Twin Spica – Kou Yaginuma
Needles – Nobuaki Tadano
Chi’s Sweet Home – Kanata Konami

Readers will likely recall the recent ‘leak’ of Chi’s Sweet Home on retail sites earlier in the month, which though soon met with denial of license by Vertical, was officially confirmed as an acquisition during their panel.  In a move causing a rift of opinion between fans, Chi’s Sweet Home will be released in full colour and flipped (everything mirrored so it would be read in English-format left-to-right).

During the panel’s Q&A, Black Jack was discussed as likely seeing release to 17 volumes, and that the license of Osamu Tezuka’s pioneering shoujo series, Princess Knight, is a strong candidate for license as well. Both fantastic news I’d say!

New York Anime Fest is happening this weekend and the mangaverse is ripe with all the newest info as it comes thanks to numerous dedicated bloggers and Twitter-folk. Anime News Network has its dedicated staff on hand to cover the big anime/manga news, and though sadly their servers aren’t holding up as well as their staff, they’re still the best up-to-date resource (past speedy Twitter-ers!) for all your NYAF goodies.

Tokyopop had its panel earlier today and had a bunch of announcement. Sadly their simulataneous broadcast was foiled by technical difficulties, but of course the show went on!

New licenses:

Songs and Laughter by Natsuki Takaya
.hack//Link by Megane Kikuya/CyberConnect2
Ratman by Inui Sekihiko
Qwasar Stigmata by Yoshino Hiroyuki/Satou Kenetsu

BLU Manga (TP’s yaoi imprint)

Croquis by Hinako Takanaga
Blood Honey by Yozakura Sakyou
Love Knot by Ichijou Lemon
Cute Demon by Madarame Hiro
Love Story in the Isolated Island by Duo Brand

Tokyopop staff were also greeted with positive response to repeated news that they’ll be returning to a higher quality paper print for their books and just in time for the return of some fan favourites, such as the fourth volume of Suppli and the eighth volume of V.B. Rose.

Along with an update on the upcoming movie-adaptation of the Tokypop released, Priest, they also shared word that they’ll be releasing graphic novels based on two Hollywood films, the recently debuted Shutter Island and the upcoming Joss Whedon written Cabin in the Woods.

Earlier this afternoon, Tokyopop also sent out a press release outlining their previously announced titles debuting in 2010. Lots of fun stuff on the horizon!