manga

Battle Angel Alita: Mars Chronicle Manga to Take a Two-Month Break

Posted on by Lesley Aeschliman

This year’s 23rd issue of Kodansha’s Evening magazine has announced that Yukito Kishiro’s Battle Angel Alita: Mars Chronicle (Gunnm: Kasei Senki) manga series is taking a two-month break. The manga will return in the magazine’s fourth 2020 issue on January 28, 2020.

The manga recently returned from a one month break from September 3 to October 8, 2019. The chapter that Kishiro serialized on August 27, 2019 also had a reduced page count due to his illness.

Kodansha Comics began releasing Battle Angel Alita: Mars Chronicle in English in February 2018. The company published the sixth volume on April 30, 2019. Kishiro launched the manga in Kodansha’s Evening magazine in April 2014, and Kodansha published the manga’s sixth volume in Japan in November 2018.

Source: ANN

MANGA Plus Adds The Vertical World and East, Into the Night Manga

Posted on by Lesley Aeschliman

Shueisha’s MANGA Plus website added Kuu Tanaka’s The Vertical World (Tate no Sekai) manga on November 6, 2019. The site also added ANGYAMAN’s East, Into the Night (Yoru o Higashi ni) manga on October 30, 2019.

Shueisha describes The Vertical World:

A world stretching down from the heavens: the Vertical World. There lives a boy named Ruska, who finds himself fascinated by the world below. One day he sees a girl falling from the sky above, straight towards the bottom… And so begins his adventure surrounding the mystery of the Fallen Maiden!

Tanaka launched The Verical World on Shueisha’s Shonen Jump+ website on January 10, 2019.

Shueisha describes East, Into the Night:

The eternal darkness which people call “night”. Long long ago, there was an opposite to this “night”. Something far brighter than the light of their lamps, the light of hope for humanity. Seek out the forgotten “morning”.

ANGYAMAN launched the manga on Shonen Jump+ on October 31, 2019. Previously, a one-shot version of the manga was published on Shonen Jump+ in August 2017.

Source: ANN

VIZ Media Presents an Exciting Selection of Anime and Publishing Titles for the Holidays

Posted on by Lesley Aeschliman

VIZ Media offers fans a diverse collection of titles to add to their wish lists this holiday season. Featured anime titles include Season 2 of the acclaimed Netflix Original Anime Series Castlevania as well as the series finale of Sailor Moon, available for the first time ever on home video in the U.S. Fans can also enjoy a limited edition of Transformers: A Visual HistoryY celebrating the franchise’s 35th anniversary, and a deluxe Dragon Ball art book. Additional offerings come from fan-favorite series including Bleach, Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, One Piece, RWBY and much more.

Anime Gift Selections:

CASTLEVANIA SEASON 2
Blu-ray MSRP: $29.98 U.S. / $34.99 CAN
DVD MSRP: $24.98 U.S. / $29.99 CAN

Trevor Belmont, last survivor of his house, is no longer alone, and he and his misfit comrades, Sypha Belnades and Alucard race to find a way to save humanity from extinction at the hands of the grief-maddened Dracula and his sinister vampire war council.

Season 2’s special features include production animatics, storyboards, art gallery and more.

SAILOR MOON SAILOR STARS PART 2
Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack MSRP: $69.99 U.S. / $81.99 CAN
DVD MSRP: $39.99 U.S. / $51.99 CAN
Available November 12, 2019 (Part 1 Available Now)

Although the popularity of the Idol group Three Lights is off the charts, Usagi hasn’t realized that Seiya, Yaten and Taiki are the Sailor Star Lights. But with the number of Phage growing in the city, the purpose of star seeds is the biggest mystery that needs to be solved. Could the mysterious Chibi-Chibi hold the answer? The tide is turning, but not in Usagi’s favor. Her allies are being overpowered, and altered timelines are confusing the fate she knows to be true: Mamoru is her true love, Neo Crystal Tokyo is her future kingdom and her fellow Guardians will be her eternal protectors…right? The ultimate battle with the chaotic Sailor Galaxia lies ahead, and the fate of all existence lies in the balance.

Special features include cast interviews, trailers, opening & ending songs, and art gallery.

JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE: DIAMOND IS UNBREAKABLE Part 1
Blu-ray MSRP: $69.99 U.S. / $81.99 CAN
DVD MSRP: $39.99 U.S. / $51.99 CAN

It’s 1999, and Jotaro Kujo has just arrived in the idyllic Japanese town of Morioh—only this time, he’s not hunting DIO and his henchmen. His search for the illegitimate child of Joseph Joestar has brought him face-to-face with Josuke Higashikata, a Stand-wielding, butt-kicking high schooler who happens to be afraid of turtles. But behind Morioh’s tranquil facade is an invisible evil slowly eating away at the peace and well-being of its residents. Bizarre happenings are becoming commonplace, and the Joestar clan must rise to the occasion if they and the town of Morioh are to survive.

MEGALOBOX Limited Edition Blu-ray
MSRP: $69.99 U.S. / $81.99 CAN

Bored, resigned, and unfulfilled, a young man with neither name nor past survives by fighting in underground matches of a sport called “Megalobox,” a form of boxing that utilizes powered exoskeletons. Calling himself JNK.DOG, he feels trapped in a world of crime, poverty, and ecological collapse. All that changes when he has a chance encounter with Yuri, the reigning king of Megalobox. Now, obsessed with proving himself, JNK.DOG becomes a man driven to do whatever it takes to fight his way to the top of the rankings and take on the champion.

Also available:

BLEACH 1-4 Blu-ray Sets; Set 5 available December 3rd, 2019
MSRP: $54.97 U.S. / $63.99 CAN

BORUTO: NARUTO NEXT GENERATIONS 1-3 Blu-ray & DVD Sets
Blu-ray MSRP: $44.98 U.S. / $52.99 CAN · DVD MSRP: $39.99 U.S. / $51.99 CAN

Deluxe Book Gift Selections:

DRAGON BALL: A VISUAL HISTORY by Akira Toriyama
MSRP: $34.99 U.S. / $46.99 CAN
Available November 12, 2019

A comprehensive art book showcasing manga art, additional promotional material, creator commentary and notes/sketches/posters, from throughout the history of the original Dragon Ball series. This hardcover book with dust jacket comes protected in an upscale slipcase.

TRANSFORMERS: A VISUAL HISTORY by Jim Sorenson
Limited Edition MSRP: $99.99 U.S. / $125.00 CAN
Available November 12, 2019

The deluxe limited edition comes packaged in a beautiful collector’s box with an exclusive variant cover design and five gorgeous and frame-ready prints.

One of the world’s most popular franchises, Transformers has been delighting fans since 1984. Now, in this deluxe hardcover celebration, Hasbro reveals behind-the-scenes production sketches, beautifully polished final art, and everything in-between. From the obscure to the iconic, this book features packaging artwork, animation models, video game designs, comic pages, and, for the first time ever, production artwork from all six Paramount live-action films. Lovingly curated by Transformers expert Jim Sorenson, this is the most comprehensive collection of Transformers imagery ever assembled.

THE WORLD OF RWBY by Daniel Wallace
MSRP: $39.99 U.S. / $53.99 CAN

The definitive companion to the hit animated series, The World of RWBY is the ultimate celebration of a pop-culture phenomenon. Go behind the scenes with exclusive commentary from Rooster Teeth and explore the show’s creation through in-depth interviews with the writers, animators and voice artists. With comprehensive analysis of key characters and iconic episodes, and showcasing stunning visuals from the series, this is the must-have book for RWBY fans around the world.

Also Available

ONE PIECE COLOR WALK COMPENDIUM: WATER SEVEN TO PARAMOUNT WAR by Eiichiro Oda
MSRP: $39.99 U.S. / $53.99 CAN

EVANGELION ILLUSTRATIONS 2007-2017
MSRP: $34.99 U.S. / $46.99 CAN

Manga Box Set Gift Selections:

ASSASSINATION CLASSROOM COMPLETE BOX SET by Yusei Matsui
MSRP: $189.99 U.S. / $249.99 CAN
Rated “T+” for Older Teens

The complete bestselling Assassination Classroom series is now available in a boldly designed, value-priced box set. Includes all 21 volumes of this unique tale of a mysterious, smiley-faced, tentacled, superpowered teacher who guides a group of misfit students to find themselves—while doing their best to assassinate him. Action-packed, hilarious, and heartwarming, this title is famous for moving fans to tears through their laughter. Includes an exclusive, full-color, mini “yearbook” filled with images of favorite characters in different art styles and contexts (previously unreleased in the English editions).

DRAGON BALL COMPLETE BOX SET by Akira Toriyama
MSRP: $139.99 U.S. / $179.99 CAN
Rated “T” For Teens

The Dragon Ball Complete Box Set contains all 16 volumes of the original manga that kicked off the global phenomenon. Also includes an exclusive double-sided poster and collector’s booklet featuring fun Dragon Ball trivia and guides as well as an interview with its legendary creator.

DRAGON BALL Z COMPLETE BOX SET by Akira Toriyama
MSRP: $219.99 U.S. / $279.99 CAN
Rated “A” For All Ages

The Dragon Ball Z Complete Box Set contains all 26 volumes of the manga that propelled the global phenomenon that started with Dragon Ball into one of the world’s most recognizable and best-selling manga. Also includes an exclusive double-sided poster and collector’s booklet featuring fun Dragon Ball Z trivia and guides as well as an interview with Akira Toriyama.

Oresama Teacher Manga to End Its Serialization on February 5, 2020

Posted on by Lesley Aeschliman

This year’s 23rd issue of Hakusensha’s Hana to Yume magazine has announced that Izumi Tsubaki’s Oresama Teacher manga will end serialization in the fifth 2020 issue of the same magazine, which will be released on February 5, 2020.

Tsubaki launched the manga in Hakusensha’s Hana to Yume magazine in 2007. VIZ Media licensed the series in 2010 and began releasing it in 2011.

Source: ANN

Osamu Akimoto Wins Japan’s Medal with Purple Ribbon

Posted on by Lesley Aeschliman

The Japanese government has announced that manga creator Osamu Akimoto is receiving the Fall 2019 Medal with Purple Ribbon. The medal is awarded to “individuals who have contributed to academic and artistic developments, improvements and accomplishments.” A total of 17 people were selected to receive the award.

Akimoto launched the Kochira Katsushika-ku Kamearikouen-mae Hashutsujo police comedy manga in 1976, and he ended the series in September 2016 after 40 years of serialization. The manga is Weekly Shonen Jump‘s longest-running manga series.

Source: ANN

The Rose of Versailles Volume 1 To Be Released By Udon Entertainment

Posted on by Lesley Aeschliman

Udon Entertainment is thrilled to announce the hardcover release of The Rose of Versailles Volume 1. Set during the French Revolution, The Rose of Versailles follows the story of Oscar François de Jarjeyes. Oscar, a young noblewoman raised as a son by her father, ascends to commander of Marie Antoinette’s palace guard. Oscar is brought face-to-face with the luxury of King Louis XVI’s court at Versailles. Joined by her servant André, Oscar is privy to the intrigue and deceit of France’s last great royal regime.

Heralded as one of the greatest examples of shoujo manga, The Rose of Versailles was adapted as an anime in 1979, and released in North America through Nozomi Entertainment. Udon Entertainment has translated the original manga and given The Rose of Versailles a spectacular hardcover treatment that fans of the series will not want to miss.

“The Rose of Versailles is a jewel of the manga world and never has it been so polished. This is the definitive edition of this influential series, with its emotional and honest look at gender presentation and expectations. It makes a fantastic cap to the 100th anniversary year of the Yuri genre and will make a glorious addition to any manga collector’s shelves,” says Erica Friedman, founder of Yuricon.

“It has been a very long process for us because of how important this book is to UDON as a publisher, and to myself as a manga reader,” says Udon Entertainment Chief Erik Ko. “We decided to actually finish the translation and localization work and lettered the whole series, so we can can cross-check all the details in the 82 chapters and side stories to make sure a lot of historical character and location’s names are correct, before we start planning on the release. What it means is that we will be sure that we can stick to a release schedule, and also ensure that there is no mistake or back tracking on the localization. We are very proud of the end results.”

The Rose of Versailles Volume 1 will be available at a limited number of specialty stores in December 2019 with a mass market release to follow in January 2020. Subsequent hardcover, deluxe volumes will be released quarterly with covers that feature soft touch matte lamination with high grade spot gloss and metallic foil stamping. The Rose of Versailles Volume 1 contains the first 22 chapters of Riyoko Ikeda’s historical fiction masterwork and features over 30 newly colorized story pages, fully restored original title pages, and bonus illustrations gallery.

THE ROSE OF VERSAILLES VOLUME 1
DETAILS: 496 pg, 5.75 x 8.25”, Hardcover, B&W
MSRP: $38.99 USD
ISBN: 978-1927925935
DIAMOND CODE : OCT192283

World Trigger to Take a One Month Break

Posted on by Lesley Aeschliman

The official Twitter account for Daisuke Ashihara’s World Trigger manga has announced that a new chapter of the manga will not appear in the December 2019 issue of Shueisha’s Jump SQ. magazine on November 2, 2019 due to Ashihara’s poor physical health. The manga will resume in the magazine’s next issue on December 4, 2019.

The manga took a one-month break in June 2019 due to Ashihara recovering from intestinal obstruction complications that arose from his cholecystectomy (gall bladder removal surgery).

The manga had resumed in October 2018 after being on hiatus since November 2016 due to Ashihara’s poor physical health. When it resumed, the manga ran for five issues in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump magazine before moving to Jump SQ. in December 2018.

Ashihara took a one week break in September 2014 to treat the nerve roots affected by cervical spondylosis (wear and tear on neck area of spinal column), and had also taken several one-week breaks due to sudden illness before the long hiatus in 2016-2018.

Ashihara debuted World Trigger in Weekly Shonen Jump magazine in 2013.

Source: ANN