So at this year's New York Comic Con, manga was once again the Prom Queen—decked out in her best goth-loli gown and sky-high platforms, of course. With so many devoted manga fans/noble courtiers in attendance, dressed for the occasion in their finest cosplay couture, manga completely ruled the show! Thanks to everyone who stopped by the Del Rey Manga booth and came to our panel. And for everyone else whose civic duties prevented them from paying their respects to the throne, Del Rey Manga's court historian has recorded the latest royal edicts from the belle of the ball—our Fall 2007 releases.
NEW LICENSES FOR FALL 2007!
Shiki Tsukai
We'll start by introducing manga's latest adorable princeling—Akira, the hero of Toru Zeku and Yuna Takanagi's Shiki Tsukai. Akira is a shiki tsukai, or "Keeper of the Seasons," a warrior sworn to defend the universe's natural order. Prince William is cute and all, but can he summon the North Wind with a few magic words? Tsubasa fans will be totally swept away by this series' mix of romance, fantasy, and magic.
Pumpkin Scissors
And now for her majesty's secret service: the Pumpkin Scissors. This elite special forces unit is at the center of Ryou Iwanaga's seriously cool series Pumpkin Scissors. Already the inspiration for an amazing anime from GDH, the Pumpkin Scissors are something like manga's A-Team, except with better clothes and a bigger tank.
And take a look at the Pumpkin Scissors logo, just because it's so ridiculously cool:
I wish I could wear this patch on the back of my leather jacket—truly punk rock.
Psycho Busters
There's a rebel army amassing at the borders of the kingdom…and they're armed with psychic powers! The teen heroes of Yuya Aoka and Akinari Nao's Psycho Busters have dazzling psychic talents, but unlike those lucky kids in X-Men, they don't have a Professor X or a School for Gifted Youngsters. They're on the run from shadowy government agents…and readers of Yuya Aoka's previous series Get-Backers know they're in for one heckuva wild ride!
Aventura
Camelot had Merlin, and now the kingdom of manga has its very own official wizard: Lewin, the star of Shin Midorikawa's amazing series Aventura. Del Rey Manga has high hopes for our very own boy wizard. We think it's one of the best manga we've seen in a while, and, no, it's not just the similarities to that other, more famous (but decidedly inferior) boy wizard.
For a special treat—an animated trailer showing off the gorgeous art from this marvelous new series!—click here or here! Like what you see? Tell your friends, and tell us what you think!
NODAME CANTABILE—THE VIDEO GAME!
Nodame Cantabile—a charming manga series about music school students—is one of the most sensationally popular manga in Japan, and a star on the Del Rey Manga list. It's inspired a live-action TV series, a manga, an anime, and a theme café—and singlehandedly made Beethoven CD sales skyrocket. Now it's going to be a Nintendo DS game (available only in Japan!). But you can get a little preview at the Japanese site. Hit all the notes in rhythm or earn conductor Chiaki's wrath!
DEL REY MANGA AT MOCCA
This Monday, March 12th, at 7 p.m. New York City's Museum of Cartoon and Comic Art is hosting a special event. Special, that is, because your very own manga correspondent, Tricia Narwani, is appearing on a panel on "Women in the Comics Industry!" (if this were a manga, I'd draw in a couple of sweat drops here). But special, too, because I'm really proud to be representing manga in this discussion—after all, manga has brought so many female readers and creators in America to comics. If you happen to be in New York on Monday, stop by!
DEL REY MANGA IN IRVINE
But let's say you're not in New York. OK. Are you going to be in Irvine, California in early April? Do you want to hear Del Rey Manga Associate Publisher Dallas Middaugh give a lecture? No, we don't either, but that's why we sent him 3000 miles away to do it. As it is, he just won't shut up about it. But if you're interested, Dallas will be at the first class of UC Irvine's extension course, Manga & Anime Explosion. Intriged? Of course you are! Details on the course are as follows:
Anime Courses at University of California, Irvine
Are you interested in learning more about a career in anime / manga? Do you have a great idea for a story but don’t know how to get started? Have you considered naming your firstborn Naruto? If you answered "yes!" to the above questions, UC Irvine extension has two classes perfect for you!
Manga & Anime Explosion: What, Why, How and Wow!
Tuesdays, April 3 - May 01
Learn More!
Manga & Anime Explosion: Story Development, Marketing and Adaptation
Tuesdays, May 8 - June 5
Learn More!
KITCHEN PRINCESS COOKING CONTEST WINNERS
Our contest winners all cooked up a feast truly fit for a king. Using one of the recipes from Del Rey Manga's Kitchen Princess (in stores now!), they baked up some truly tempting flan and sent us pictures of the results. Take a look, and try not to lick the screen:
Brian Papp, San Jose, CA.
(I like the giant dollop of whipped cream!)
Kathryn DiSalvo, Alexandria, VA.
(Kathryn gave hers a manga-worthy title:
Candy Cane Forest Souvenir.)
Kathryn DiSalvo, Alexandria, VA.
(Kathryn sent us a quite few pictures, but we couldn't resist including this one, too. Pocky Sticks = Pure Genius.)
Kiaraly Iglesias, Buffalo, NY.
(This one's minimalist like a Bauhaus chair. Beautiful.)
Anna Prothero, Mendon, NY.
(Bananas on a cute plate. Super-kawaii!!!)
SHUGO CHARA!—IN STORES MARCH 27, 2007!
Shugo Chara! 1 by Peach-Pit
March 27, 2007 sees the release of a new series from true manga royalty, PEACH-PIT! PEACH-PIT makes another grab at the crown of GREATEST MANGA-KA IN THE WORLD with Shugo Chara!, and readers, after editing the first volume, I'm fully prepared to swear them in at Westminster Abbey. These glamorous princesses have penned a super-cute book full of romance, sweet style, and madcap magic.
Be among the aristocratic elite—be one of the first to read Shugo Chara! E-mail us, and if you're selected, we'll send you an advance copy of the book to read. We only ask one thing: Write back to us and give us your opinion! (Mad cookie points for the use of the "royal we.")
Send your emails to delreymanga@randomhouse.com with SHUGO CHARA in the subject line, including your full name and address in the body of the e-mail (NOTE: your personal information will not be used for any purpose other than this contest). Ten (10) lucky winners will be selected at random and will receive a copy of the book when it is published. All submissions must be received by Wednesday, March 28, 2007.
Now that I'm done dictating this newsletter to the royal scribe, it's off to tea and a cup of flan with the other crowned heads of Europe. Queen Elizabeth tells me she's a big Negima fan.
Tricia Narwani
delreymanga@randomhouse.com
NEW IN STORES
BASILISK 4
by Masaki Segawa and Futaro Yamada
Basilisk: The Kouga Ninja Scrolls, Volume 4 by Masaki Segawa, Futaro Yamada
The titanic battle between the clans rages on. Akeginu and the blinded Oboro of the Iga clan encounter a powerful aristocrat named Ofuku, who will do whatever it takes to make her godson, Takechiyo, the next Shogun. If Ofuku and her troops join forces with the Iga, will the Kouga still have a chance at victory?
ES 4
by Fuyumi Soryo
ES Vol. 4: Eternal Sabbath by Fuyumi Soryo
Dr. Mine Kujyou, the scientist researching the genetically-engineered Issac and Shuro, knows that they were created with the superhuman ability to control people's minds, and that Isaac has been using his powers to commit a series of strange and brutal murders. But the brilliant doctor's analytical skills are truly being tested, for Mine cannot understand why Shuro, Isaac's clone, has promised to help her save humankind from Isaac.
LOVE ROMA 5
by Minoru Toyoda
Love Roma 5 by Minoru Toyoda
Love at first sight doesn't always last. But it has for Hoshino and Negishi. They've made it to their senior year of high school as a couple, and their relationship has only gotten stronger. But with graduation approaching, some big changes are ahead.
NEGIMA 13
by Ken Akamatsu
Negima!: Magister Negi Magi, Volume 13 by Ken Akamatsu
As the Budokai Martial–Arts Tournament draws to a close, Negi finds himself facing one of his own students in battle. After all the strange goings-on at the tournament, will Negi pull it together to emerge victorious?
SUZUKA 3
by Kouji Seo
Suzuka 3 by Kouji Seo
Everything was going just fine between Yamato and his gorgeous neighbor Suzuka…until Yamato opened his big mouth and said the three most dangerous words a guy can utter: "I love you." Now Suzuka is giving him the silent treatment. So he joins the track team to get back on her good side, but will this desperate bid work?
