Tag: akira

Need gift ideas for the manga fans in your life? Check out the Kodansha Comics Holiday Gift Guide 2020!

It’s time to get those gift ideas flowing, and we’re here to help!

Well, we (finally) made it to the 2020 Holiday Season, but if you haven’t had the time or energy, to figure out what to get, and who to get it for, you’re not along! It’s been a harrowing slide into the end of the year and so to help you become the excellent gift-giver we know you to be we’re spotlighting some of Kodansha Comics & VERTICAL’s finest offerings to get those brain bulbs blinking!

Featured Gift Ideas!

   

Cardcaptor Sakura Collector’s Editions

Who will love it?: Created with young girls in mind (but really meant for any fan of the “Magical Girl” genre), Card Captor Sakura Collector’s Editions bring the exciting classic magical heroine adventure to your home in definitive hardcover collector’s editions, that even come with recreations of the Clow Cards, Sakura has been entrusted to track down! Created by the renown and award-winning artist collective, CLAMP – this story is as exiting as it is emotional and something amazing to share with younger readers!

What’s it about?: Cardcaptor Sakura is one of the all-time classics of the magical girl genre, and the Collector’s Edition will be the definitive version of the story, for both long-time fans and readers new to the story. The adventures of the plucky Sakura Kinomoto are as adorably thrilling as ever, as she tracks down the magical Clow Cards and plunges headlong into a world of sorcery beyond anything she could’ve imagined.

Where can you order?: Cardcaptor Sakura Collector’s Edition 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5

   

Chobits 20th Anniversary Editions

Who will love it?: This cute more-than-meets-the-eye sci-fi romance is perfect for thoughtful sci-movies like HER, full of heart and beautiful emotional imagery – as you would expect from the legendary creators CLAMP. These hardcover premium collector’s editions, of the classic shoujo manga feature a larger-than-normal manga size, premium paper, color pages, and more! A wonderful and beautiful addition to any bookshelf!

What’s it about?: After moving from the countryside into the big city, poor college student Hideki Motosuwa finds himself down on his luck. All he wants is a good job, a girlfriend, and his very own “persocom” – the latest and greatest in humanoid computer technology. Hideki’s luck changes one night when he finds Chi – an adorable, but seemingly broken, persocom thrown out in a pile of trash. After taking her home, Hideki discovers that Chi is more responsibility than he expected – and that there’s much more to his cute new persocom than meets the eye.

Where can you order?: Chobits 20th Anniversary Edition 1 // 2

   

CLOVER (Hardcover Collector’s Edition)

Who will love it?: More in the vein of a dystopian sci-fi story and another classic from CLAMP – CLOVER is said to be part AKIRA, part Metropolis with elements of intrigue, adventure, and even some romance. Going beyond the simple classification

What’s it about?: Su was born into a bleak future, where the military keeps tight control over the few children born with magical abilities — known as “Clovers.” The Clovers are forcibly tattooed with a symbol that indicates their potential power, and Su is the only four-leaf Clover in the world. Kept locked away in isolation her whole life, Su longs to find happiness in the outside world. An agent named Kazuhiko appears to help grant Su’s wish, but he soon realizes that there is more to the mysterious girl than meets the eye…

CLAMP’s most daring science-fiction work, CLOVER’s art-deco cyberpunk aesthetic is just as fresh and exciting today as it was twenty years ago. Featuring the entire story in a newly-revised translation; remastered art and lettering; a striking cover; and over 20 pages of color art, this is a great collectible for CLAMP fans, and the perfect way to get to know CLOVER for the first time.

Where can you order?: CLOVER (Hardcover Collector’s Edition)

   

Magic Knight Rayearth 25th Anniversary Manga Box Sets

Who will love it?: An originator in the genre Magic Knight Rayearth created an opening salvo to the “isekai” or “otherworld” storyline, while also throwing in some deeply beautiful and exciting “magical girl” elements combining into an action fantasy no anime or manga fan can resist. Not only that but the 25th Anniversary box sets volumes come with new translation, new designs, color art books, all at large-sized printing with gold foil.

What’s it about?:The tale of three Tokyo teenagers who cross through a magical portal and become the champions of another world is a modern manga classic. This box set includes three volumes of manga covering the entire first series of Magic Knight Rayearth, plus the series’s super-rare full-color art book companion, all printed at a larger size than ever before, on premium paper featuring a newly-revised translation and lettering, and exquisite foil-stamped covers. A strictly limited edition, this will be gone in a flash!

Where can you order?: Magic Knight Rayearth 25th Anniversary Manga Box Set 1 // 2 (Box Set 2 Debuts December 15, 2020)

  .

MONOGATARI Series Box Sets

Who will love it?: What? You thought we only carried manga? These box sets are for the avid reader (not just manga) in your life. A wide reaching and ongoing series of books, the MONOGATARI series is an urban supernatural adventure, that’s as surprising and exciting as it is hilarious. This series has also spawned a hit anime, as well as an ongoing manga series, BAKEMONOGATARI. With stunning box and novel art by stellar artist VOFAN these box sets are an amazing way to start up a new literary love, that’s nearly coming to an end.

What’s it about?: There’s a girl at their school who is always ill. She routinely arrives late, leaves early, or doesn’t show up at all, and skips gym as a matter of course. She’s pretty, and the boys take to whispering that she’s a cloistered princess. As the self-described worst loser in her class soon finds out, they just don’t know what a monster she is.

So begins a tale of mysterious maladies that are supernatural in origin yet deeply revealing of the human psyche, a set of case files as given to unexpected feeling as it is to irreverent humor. So begins the legendary novel that kicked off the MONOGATARI series, whose anime adaptations have enjoyed international popularity and critical acclaim.

MONOGATARI Series Box Set Season 2 contains NEKOMONOGATARI (White), KABUKIMONOGATARI, HANAMONOGATARI, OTORIMONOGATARI, ONIMONOGATARI, KOIMONOGATARI (Note: Box Set Season 1 is currently out of stock)

Where can you order?: MONOGATARI Series Box Set Season 2

More Gift Ideas from Kodansha Comics

AKIRA 35th Anniversary Box Set

Who will love it?: For fans of mind-bending sci-fi AKIRA is the gold standard artistic, yet thought provoking storytelling. From acclaimed mangaka / director / storyteller Katsuhiro Otomo, comes the multi-Eisner Award-winning modern manga classic presented in a stunning edition with hardcover editions of the series’ 6 volumes, as well as a hardcover of the AKIRA Club art book and an exclusive patch with the iconic pill design!

What’s it about?: In 1982, Kodansha published the first chapter of Akira, a dystopian saga set in Neo-Tokyo, a city recovering from thermonuclear attack where the streets have been ceded to motorcycle gangs and the rich and powerful run dangerous experiments on destructive, supernatural powers that they cannot control. In 1988, the manga was adapted into what was at the time the most expensive animated film ever made, which brought Akira’s influence out of the manga world and onto the global stage. Today, it remains a touchstone for artists, writers, filmmakers, and fans, retaining all the brutal impact and narrative intensity it had when Otomo first unleashed it onto the world.

Where can you order?: AKIRA 35th Anniversary Box Set (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, RightStuf Anime)

Attack on Titan: Season 1 – 3 Season Manga Box Sets

Who will love it?: For fans of heart-breaking post-apocalyptic stories, Attack on Titan this is the saga of humanity at the brink with brave soldiers trying to fight against the destructive forces of colossal cannibals. The different sets available make it easy for fans of the hit Anime to know exactly which volumes correspond to each season. Catch up to the most recent season and get ready for the FINAL season beginning in December! These sets even come with exclusive sticker sheets and extras!

What’s it about?: Humanity has been devastated by the bizarre, giant humanoids known as the Titans. Little is known about where they came from or why they are bent on consuming humanity. Seemingly unintelligent, they have roamed the world killing off humankind for years. For the past century, what’s left of mankind has hidden in a giant, three-walled city. People believe their 100-meter-high walls will protect them from the Titans, which are 10 to 20 meters tall. But the sudden appearance of of an immense Titan is about to change everything.

Attack on Titan: Season 1 (Part 1) contains vols. 1-4, (Part 2) contains vols. 5-8, Season 2 contains vols. 9-12, Season 3 (Part 1) contains vols. 13-17, (Part 2) contains vols. 18-22.

Where can you order?: Attack on Titan: Season 1 (Part 1 // Part 2), Season 2, Season 3, (Part 1 // Part 2)

   

Battle Angel Alita Deluxe Complete Series Box Set

Who will love it?: For fans of sci-fi / action films comes another classic cyberpunk manga that is now a major motion picture from director Robert Rodrigues & James Cameron! This unique box set collects the entire Battle Angel Alita saga – not seen in print, until recently, in over a decade. This set also collects a series of short stories set in the trash future sci-fi world of Battle Angel Alita, as well as special prints with metallic coding and more!

What’s it about?: In a dump in the lawless settlement of Scrapyard, far beneath the mysterious space city of Zalem, disgraced cyber-doctor Daisuke Ido makes a strange find: the detached head of a cyborg woman who has lost all her memories. He names her Alita and equips her with a powerful new body, the Berserker. While Alita remembers no details of her former life, a moment of desperation reawakens in her nerves the legendary school of martial arts known as Panzer Kunst. In a place where there is no justice but what people make for themselves, Alita decides to become a hunter-killer, tracking down and taking out those who prey on the weak. But can she hold onto her humanity as she begins to revel in her own bloodlust?

Where can you order?: Battle Angel Alita Deluxe Complete Series Box Set

FAIRY TAIL Manga Box Sets

Who will love it?: For the fantasy fan in your life the FAIRY TAIL box sets are a beautiful way to display 33 volumes of the anime-inspiring fantasy battle manga. This series also has a number of spinoffs like Fairy Girls, Fairy Tail S, Fairy Tail Zero, and more, to expand the world and give you even more of the story!  Created by Hiro Mashima – the storied creator of Monster Soul, Rave Master, and EDENS ZERO – FAIRY TAIL is a pivotal story in the Hiro Mashima universe, and these handsome box sets are a great way to jump in head first!

What’s it about?: Lucy is a young, rebellious celestial wizard with a dream: to join Fairy Tail, the world’s most rambunctious and powerful magical guild! When she happens to meet one of Fairy Tail’s top wizards, he turns out to be not quite what she expected: a slob traveling with a flying cat. But the promise of adventure is real, and together they escape from pirates and a devious magician! Their next task: to steal a book from the evil wizard-killing Duke Everlue, and outsmart his death trap. Eccentric new friends join along the way in this lushly-drawn modern classic!

FAIRY TAIL Manga Box Set 1 contains Vol. 1-11, Box Set 2 contains Vol. 12-22, Box Set 3 contains Vol. 23-33

Where can you order?: FAIRY TAIL Manga Box Set 1, Box Set 2, Box Set 3

   

The Ghost in the Shell Deluxe Complete Box Set

Who will love it?: The evergreen cyberpunk manga that visually inspired such films as The Matrix, and even garnering its own animated AND live-action film adaptation – The Ghost in the Shell Deluxe Complete Box Set is for the completionism sci-fi fan. Rendered in stunning oversized hardcover, this edition collects not only the original The Ghost in the Shell, but also the sequels by Shirow Masamune and even a collectable lithograph print from the creator!

What’s it about?: Deep into the twenty-first century, the line between man and machine has been blurred as humans rely on the enhancement of mechanical implants and robots are upgraded with human tissue. In this rapidly converging landscape, cyborg superagent Major Motoko Kusanagi is charged to track down the craftiest and most dangerous terrorists and cybercriminals, including “ghost hackers” who are capable of exploiting the human/machine interface and reprogramming humans to become puppets to carry out the hackers’ criminal ends.

Where can you order?: The Ghost in the Shell Deluxe Complete Box Set

Princess Jellyfish Complete Manga Box Set

Who will love it?: One part late-bloomer coming of age tale, one part rom com, and all heart, Princess Jellyfish is for anyone who ever considered themselves a freak or a geek. Not only does this box set collect the entire hilarious and touching romantic comedy but also includes an exclusive series keychain and poster!

What’s it about?: The complete story of Tsukimi, a girl obsessed with jellyfish, and her geeky friends. This massive set includes a bonus “Clara” jellyfish keychain and a huge poster with the Amars’ motto, “A Life With No Use for Men,” in English on one side and Japanese on the other. The box contains all nine volumes of the Princess Jellyfish manga, including a full-color illustration gallery, author interviews, extensive cultural annotations, and a look inside the creator’s studio. Experience the full story that became the hit anime and made Akiko Higashimura the patron saint of modern josei manga!

Where can you order?: Princess Jellyfish Complete Manga Box Set

   

Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Eternal Edition

Who will love it?: Another staple in the anime / manga lexicon the Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Eternal Editions are THE definitive versions of Naoko Takeuchi ground breaking magical girl series that’s spawned animated series, movies, live-action adaptations of film and stage, and countless cultural reverberations we might not even know about! A perfect series for the anime / manga newbie in your life, Sailor Moon is the template so many have and continue to follow. And these over-sized hardcover editions, with a glittering holographic coating, French flaps, and a newly-revised translation, make it the BEST way to display the series in your home if you’re a long-time fan!

What’s it about?: Teenager Usagi is not the best athlete, she’s never gotten good grades, and, well, she’s a bit of a crybaby. But when she meets a talking cat, she begins a journey that will teach her she has a well of great strength just beneath the surface and the heart to inspire and stand up for her friends as Sailor Moon! Experience the Sailor Moon manga as never before in these extra-long editions (about 300 pages each).

Where can you order?: Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Eternal Edition 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 // 10

Even MORE Gift Ideas from VERTICAL.

   

The Complete Chi’s Sweet Home Box Set

Who will love it?: A tremendously cute and touching work for readers of ANY age, The Complete Chi’s Sweet Home Box Set, collects the entire furry feline series in a cutely designed box set that’s purrrfect for the younger readers in your life! Come for the hilarious and heart-warming stories and stay for the sweet bonus items inside!

What’s it about?:Chi is a michievous newborn kitten who, while on a leisurely stroll with her family, finds herself lost. Seperated from the warmth and protection of her mother, feels distraught. Overcome with loneliness she breaks into tears in a large urban park meadow., when she is suddenly rescued by a young boy named Yohei and his mother. The kitty is then quickly and quietly whisked away into the warm and inviting Yamada family apartment…where pets are strictly not permitted.

Where can you order?: The Complete Chi’s Sweet Home Box Set

Save on all Kodansha titles at RightStufAnime.com (Ends 5/23)

All Kodansha Titles on Sale for a limited time only!

Right now you can take advantage of the Right Stuf Anime sale pricing all Kodansha Comics titles up to 33% off! Whether you’ve been eying to buy a highly anticipated pre-order like The Ghost In The Shell The Human Algorithm Vol. 1, a big ticket item like the FAIRY TAIL Manga Box Set 1, or you just wanted to start reading the manga of fan-favorite anime like Gleipnir, and Wave, Listen to Me!, this sale will help you stock-up your home library with some of the hottest manga being published today! Even perennial favorites like AKIRA and Sailor Moon Eternal Edition are on discount. But hurry, this sale ends Saturday, May 23!

Visit rightstuffanime.com to see how much you can save!

AX2019 recap: all of our new licensing announcements and more!

 July 17 UPDATE: Atsushi Ohkubo Q&A at Anime Expo 2019 + autograph giveaway!

During Anime Expo 2019, Atsushi Ohkubo, creator of Fire Force, shared his thoughts behind the creation of the hit animated series! 

Q. First question I’d like to ask: is this your first time in the U.S.?

Atsushi Ohkubo (AO): Yes, it’s the first time for me to be in the U.S.

Q. What did you do during your break between Soul Eater and Fire Force?

AO: I was playing video games.

Q. What inspired Fire Force?

AO: Firefighters are the closest things to heroes in our real lives, but there aren’t that many fictional or fantasy works that touch on the subject of their work. So I got interested in making a manga about it. Ever since I was little, I always thought firefighters in uniforms were really cool, riding around fire engines with sirens blaring, heading off to put out fires. There are a few existing stories about firefighters in realistic settings, but nothing about firefighters in a fantasy world. So I wanted to give it a shot. I was also inspired by those firefighters who were working hard to save people’s lives during disasters like 911 in the U.S. and 311 in Japan. 

Q. Soul Eater and Fire Force both have supernatural overtones. What is it that you love about the supernatural genre?

AO: The biggest thing for me is I’m trying to bring out expressions unique to manga, that aren’t possible in any other medium. When I was working on Soul Eater, I was trying to bring out the best work possible at that time. If some of those attempts went well, I remembered them, so I could use them again in new work but in different ways. Those aspects might appear again in Fire Force, as similar motifs.

Q. Which character in Fire Force do you feel closest to?

AO: Haumea and Arther. Haumea is an evil character, and I could be evil. Arther is an idiot, and I could also be an idiot.

Q. For the fans here that want to become a manga artist, what advice would you like to give them?

AO: First, you should try to draw whatever you want. Then show your work—let’s say to ten people—to get some feedback. If ten out of ten people say, “I don’t understand what’s going on here,” then it’ll become very clear what you have to fix.

Q. Any message you’d like to give the fans?

AO: In Fire Force, Shinra and Company 8 are the main characters of the series, but many more unique and tricky firefighters are going to enter the story later on. I’ve worked very hard on this manga, and the animation staff has worked very hard on the anime. So I hope you’ll enjoy them!

Thank you!

July 17 UPDATE: Atsushi Ohkubo autograph giveaway!

For those of you wanted to meet Ohkubo-sensei, but weren’t at Anime Expo, here’s good news! Ohkubo-sensei created an autographed Fire Force shikishi for a lucky Kodansha Comics fan—and we’re giving it away as a part of #KC10YRS July Spotlight: Fire Force Survey Sweepstakes!

All you have to do is take this survey before July 31 to enter for a chance to win this special Fire Force shikishi autographed by Atsushi Ohkubo himself!

Our original July 6 recap:

‘Twas extra-hot at Anime Expo this year—well, not so much the actual temperature (it was sweltering last year), but with the brand-new anime Fire Force world premiere and our special Fire Force guests making Hollywood-style appearances at the show! Plus we had a ton of new manga and anime projects revealed for the first time! Here’s the action-packed rundown:

July 4 (Thursday) Fire Force creator Atsushi Ohkubo  made his first-ever appearance in the U.S. with his editor Megumu Tsuchiya at the Live Drawing Panel hosted by Funimation and Kodansha Comics. Both guests shared behind-the-scenes stories of making the hit manga series and turning it into the most anticipated anime of the season. When Ohkubo-sensei finished three amazing sketches, the entire crowd played rock-paper-scissors with him to determine who gets to take it home. Congratulations to the lucky winners!

Meanwhile, the legendary creator Katsuhiro Otomo of Akira fame emerged to reveal he is directing his third animated feature, Orbital Era. Akira itself is also getting a reboot with a new anime adaptation project underway. And finally—great news for true manga fans—Kodansha, Ltd. (our Japanese parent company) will be publishing a retrospective collection, Otomo: The Complete Works, in Japan. More details coming soon!


Hey! We’re also releasing a very limited quantity of our Akira 35th Anniversary Box Set, one last time, this summer.

July 5 (Friday)  Fans watched the amazingly animated and fully dubbed first episode of Fire Force anime at the exact same day as its debut in Japan. Not only that, fans got to enjoy it together with original creator Atsushi Ohkubo himself sitting in the audience! Ohkubo-sensei shared his excitement to share the special moment with the fans and what to look forward to in upcoming episodes. 

July 6 (Saturday) Kodansha Comics and Vertical made new licensing announcements for 2019 and 2020!

Coming (very) soon as digital-firsts!


The Great Cleric By Broccoli Lion and Hiiro Akikaze (character designs by sime) The manga based on the hit light novel series (Japanese title: Seija musou), about an ordinary salaryman who cheats death and now must find his way in another world—as a great healer. Coming July 23!


The Slime Diaries: That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime By Shiba (based on story and character designs by Fuse and Mitz Vah) Gut-busting 4-panel gag comix based on the smash-hit isekai saga about that guy who got reincarnated as a slime! Coming July 30!


Goodbye! I’m Being Reincarnated! By Kenji Saito and Parabora From Trinity Seven creator Kenji Saito comes a new manga series (Japanese title: Goodbye! Isekai tensei) about an ordinary high school guy’s big chance to become the one true great hero when one day he’s greeted by a princess from another world! Coming August 6!


The Knight Cartoonist and Her Orc Editor By Indo So and Takafumi Sato Reverse otherworld-incarnation hijinx about an orc reborn in this world as … a manga editor! And the knight who becomes a … manga artist! If you’re looking for a unique insider look into the manga industry, this is it (maybe)! Coming August 13! 

Coming soon in print!

 


Saint Young Men By Hikaru Nakamura One of the most-anticipated manga of all time, now available digitally, comes to print! On sale just in time for Christmas!


Beyond the Clouds By Nicke The lush science-fiction fantasy taking Japan and Europe by storm! Coming 2020!


Knight of the Ice By Yayoi Ogawa A figure-skating romantic comedy perfect for fans of shojo such as OTOMEN and Princess Jellyfish, from the creator of You’re My Pet! Coming 2020!


Farewell, My Dear Cramer By Naoshi Arakawa The digital-first soccer manga from the creator of Your Lie in April comes to print! On sale in 2020!


Rent-A-Girlfriend By Reiji Miyajima In Japan, the lonely have a new way out—online services that rent out dads, children, and, yes, even girlfriends! Coming 2020!


Living-Room Matsunaga-san By Keiko Iwashita The bestselling digital-first boarding-house love story becomes available in print! Coming 2020!

Perfect World By Rie Aruga The digital-first hit about the moving love story between a woman who reunites with her childhood crush, who now uses a wheelchair, will be available in print! Coming 2020!

Sue and Tai-chan By Kanata Konami The adorable new odd-couple cat comedy from the creator of Chi’s Sweet Home and Chi’s Sweet Adventures! Coming 2020!

Sweat and Soap By Kintetsu Yamada A startlingly fresh story about loving and leaving shame behind! Coming 2020!

Something’s Wrong With Us By Natsumi Ando From the creator of Kitchen Princess and Arisa, this suspense story about a man and woman who are connected by the world of traditional Japanese sweets will have readers dying to know what happens next. Perfect for fans of shojo with an edge! Coming 2020!


Yuzu the Pet Vet By Mingo Itou Ready your sweet tooth, it’s time to visit the Woof-Meow Animal Hospital! Your doctor today will be expert pet vet Yuzu-chan! Coming 2020! 


Saiyuki By Kazuya Minekura The original bishies are back, in 400-page hardcovers featuring new translations! Coming 2020!

Chobits and Clover By CLAMP  Two more masterworks from the manga supergroup come to our Kodansha Classics line!  Details to come!

Coming soon from Vertical!

A Trail of Blood By Shuzo Oshimi From the creator of The Flowers of Evil and Happiness, comes a new suspense drama of a mother’s love that has gone too far … Coming Spring 2020!

The Daily Lives of High School Boys By Yasunobu Yamauchi High school boys, be fools! Follow the bizarre adventures of Tadakuni, Hidenori and Yoshitake at the all boys, Sanada North High School. This is a high school slice of life comedy that will keep you laughing. Coming Spring 2020!


Owarimonogatari By NISIOISIN (illustrations by VOFAN) The new artwork for the part 1 of the novel revealed! Coming in October 2019!

Well, that’s it, for now!

Next stop: San Diego Comic Con!

 

 

 

 

What’s Happening at AX? Special guests, con exclusives, panels, activities, & MORE!

 

 

Heya! It’s me, Kacey the intern mascot at Kodansha Comics! Going to Anime Expo this year? Kodansha Comics and Vertical Comics will be, on July 4-7 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, for lots of fun activities, big announcements for the upcoming year, and exciting chances to meet the living legends behind your favorite manga and anime! Sounds awesome, huh? I’ve been running around and around working on this crazy rundown of all things Kodansha at the biggest anime convention of the year. So, here ya go!

 

 

 

Special Guests!

Special Guest #1: Atsushi Ohkubo

Atsushi Ohkubo, creator of Fire Force and Soul Eater is the must-see guest at AX this year! He’s coming to join the Fire Force Anime Panel & Premiere by Funimation and making appearances at the autograph sessions and manga drawing panel co-hosted by Kodansha Comics! 

Atsushi Ohkubo Live Drawing Panel
When? Thursday, July 4, 4:30-5:30 pm
Where? LP1 (Petree Hall)
Come see the creator of Soul Eater and Fire Force draw original illustrations—live! This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see one of shonen manga’s top talents work up close. You’ll also have a chance to win prizes and ask your questions. …More Details

Fans who attend the panel will also receive a special paper Fire Force “helmet,” with a download code for a free digital Fire Force Volume 1 manga on the back!

 

Funimation Presents Fire Force Anime Panel & Premiere
When? Friday, July 5, 1:00-2:30 pm 
Where? LP3 (408AB) 
Funimation is coming in hot to Anime Expo with a Fire Force Panel and SimulDub premiere! Meet the original creator of Soul Eater and Fire Force, Atsushi Ohkubo, and Fire Force manga editor Megumu Tsuchiya, while they discuss the new anime adaptation. Also, experience the SimulDub™ Premiere and receive an exclusive giveaway item! …More Details

Atsushi Ohkubo / Fire Force Autograph Session
Come and get an autograph from Atsushi Ohkubo himself! It’ll be a high profile autograph session for sure, but there will three chances. Be there or (com)bust! 

Autograph Session 1
When?  Thursday, July 4, 2:30-3:30 pm
Where? AX Industry Autograph Table 1

Autograph Session 2
When? Friday, July 5, 3:10-4:10 pm
Where? AX Industry Autograph Table 5

Autograph Session 3
When? Saturday, July 6, 10:30-11:30 am
Where? AX Industry Autograph Table 4

Stay tuned for more information about ticketing for the autograph sessions! 

 

Special Guest 2: Kanae Yumemiya 

Don’t miss your chance to be part of a group selfie—with Sailor Moon herself! Star of the Sailor Moon Super Live stage show, actress Kanae Yumemiya will attend our massive Sailor Moon panel on Saturday, July 6th, and we’re planning a BIG photo at the end that you won’t want to miss. 

Official Sailor Moon Panel Presented by Kodansha Comics
When? Saturday, July 6, 1:30-2:30 pm
Where? LP2 (JW – Platinum Ballroom)

Join the original Sailor Moon editor himself, Fumio Osano (affectionately known to creator Naoko Takeuchi and to fans as “Osabu”), and staff from Kodansha Comics as they discuss the new Eternal Edition of the manga, followed by a very special guest: one of the stars of the new Sailor Moon Super Live show, which had its U.S. debut in Washington, DC and New York City this March! Freebies and prizes, too! …More Details

Special Guest 3: Katsuhiro Otomo

Wait, what!? Yes, Katsuhiro Otomo—legendary creator of Steamboy, Roujin Z, and, of course, Akira—will have a panel on Thursday, July 4th at 5:00 pm to discuss his latest projects. Find more details about the panel here.

We’re releasing a very limited quantity of our Akira 35th Anniversary Box Set, one last time, this summer. Be the first to order your set at Kodansha Comics booth #806 and get an exclusive pin button. And once these babies are gone, this two-time Eisner Award-winning collection is gone … forever! 

More panels and booth activities!

Kodansha Comics & Vertical Comics Manga Panel
When? Saturday, July 6, 3:00-4:00 pm
Where? LP5
Come meet the folks behind the publishers of Sailor Moon, BAKEMONOGATARI, Attack on Titan, Chi’s Sweet Home, and many more, as they unveil brand-new manga releases for hte coming year and pull back the curtain on Japanese comics in general. Ask all your questions, get free stuff, win prizes, and more!

Come, play, buy at Booth #806

Attack on Titan and Fire Force Manuscript Replica Gallery
Big thanks to all who participated in our “You Decide AOT at AX” fan vote. Come see the manuscript replica you chose, hanging at our booth along with a variety of other bee-yoo-tiful selections from the Attack on Titan and Fire Force manga! Replicas of the posters on display will be available for purchase.

Attack on Titan game
Whoa! Come play the latest Attack on Titan videogame, set to launch July 5th from Koei Tecmo America!

Fire Force shooting game
Shoot the inferno and win a prize!

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime photo-op and stamp rally
Take a photo with Rimuru at the Kodansha Comics booth, then collect stamps from the Bandai Namco, Crunchyroll, and Yen Press booths to receive a signed art card!

EXCLUSIVE MERCHANDISE!

Sailor Moon Official Store items
Attack on Titan poster set
Pop Team Epic items

BOOKS ON SALE!
These books are on sale at our booth—don’t miss ’em!

After the Rain
Akira 35th Anniversary Box Set — Reprint coming soon! Preorder at our booth!
Attack on Titan
Cardcaptor Sakura Collector’s Edition — NEW!
Cells at Work!
Fire Force
KOYOMIMONOGATARI, Part 1
O Maidens in Your Savage Season
Pop Team Epic
Sailor Moon Eternal Edition
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime
To the Abandoned Sacred Beasts
Vinland Saga
Voices of a Distant Star: Words of Love/ Across the Stars — PRESTREET!

GIFT WITH PURCHASE!
Get an exclusive item when you purchase a manga at our booth!

Fire Force Company 8 iron-on patch
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime hot/cold gel pack
KATANAGATARI bookmark set #2
Pop Team Epic sticker sheet
AKIRA pin button
Sailor Moon pin button
Attack on Titan pin button
Kodansha Comics intern Kacey pin buttons

FREEBIES!

Come get a 200+ page Kodansha Comics manga sampler!
Sign up for our newsletter and get an EDENS ZERO pin button!

And here are the announcements from Anime Expo 2019!

 

 

 

Kodansha Comics Gift Guide Part 1: Black Friday Buying Guide

Kodansha Comics Gift Guide Part 1: Black Friday Buying Guide

If you’re looking to save big bucks this Black Friday on the latest and greatest manga sets, we’ve got you covered. From extravagant collector’s editions to limited edition box sets of your favorite classic series, whether you’re looking to complete your own manga collection, or to find a great set to gift someone special, you won’t want to miss stacking up on our top picks for Black Friday buys.


Akira 35th Anniversary Box Set

If you missed your chance to snag your copy of the Akira 35th Anniversary Box Set when it crashed into stores last year, you’ll definitely want to put this box set on the top of your “To Buy” list. After winning not one, but two Eisner Awards this year (Best Publication Design and Best Archival Collection/Project—Comic Books), we’ve brought the behemoth box set back—but not for long. Not only is the set a limited edition, but it’s also the only way to experience Akira as the author originally intended. With the original Japanese art and right-to-left reading format preserved, along with Otomo’s hand-drawn sound effects, this limited edition box set houses all six-volumes of Akira, plus the Akira Club artbook, in beautifully bound hardcover editions in a premium collector’s box—and also includes a limited-edition patch with the Akira iconic pill design. Whether you’ve been a longtime fan of Akira, or have just been waiting for the right time to delve into this classic series, this is one box set you don’t want to miss. (And you’ll be sure to save big if you make it a Black Friday buy!).

Attack on Titan Season Manga Box Sets 

The only thing more fun that binge-watching Attack on Titan is binge-reading Attack on Titan to get hyped for a brand new season—and our brand new manga “season” box sets are not only great for playing catch up, but also make the perfect gift for the Attack on Titan die-hard fan in your life. Not only do they look terrifying when lined up next to each other, but each box set also contains exclusive bonus items— from tech sticker sheets, to an epic double-sided poster, and short story collections—that can’t be found anywhere else. The Attack on Titan Season 1 Part 1 through Season 3 Part 1 Manga Box Sets are available now—collect them all before the Season 3 Part 2 anime season returns in April 2019!

Want to stack up even more Titan? The colossal epic continues in the Attack on Titan Colossal Editions – Volumes 1 through 4 available now! 


A Silent Voice Complete Series Box Set 

Whether you’re looking for the perfect gift for someone who’s brand new to manga—or you’re searching for a new series to tug on the heartstrings—look no further than the A Silent Voice Complete Series Box Set.This emotional drama, about a girl who can’t hear and the boy who strives to make amends after bullying her, has become one of the most critically-acclaimed manga of the decade—earning an Eisner nomination and accolades from teachers and the American Library Association—and is perfect for manga readers young and old. Housed in a beautiful box featuring gorgeous color artwork from creator Yoshitoki Oima, this box set includes all seven volumes of A Silent Voice, plus an exclusive, double-sided 10-by-15-inch poster, a replica of Shoko’s communication notebook, and a preview of Yoshitoki Oima’s latest series, To Your Eternity.

 

Battle Angel Alita Deluxe Edition Box Set

ICYM grabbing the individual Battle Angel Alita Deluxe Editions this year, this box set is the perfect way to complete your Alita collection – or to introduce a friend to the sci-fi cyberpunk classic in a beautiful, deluxe edition box set. Not only does this box set bring the original Alita back bigger and better than ever—with glorious 400-page, 2-in-1 hardcover deluxe editions featuring an all-new translation and color pages—but it also includes Battle Angel Alita: Holy Night and Other Stories, an all-new Alita short story collection, plus three holographic, premium art prints signed by Alita creator Yukito Kishiro exclusively for this set. Catch up—or discover—Alita now before Alita: Battle Angel hits theaters in February 2019!

 

 

 

 The Ghost in the Shell Deluxe Edition Box Set

The Ghost in the Shell Deluxe Editions gave international The Ghost in the Shell fans the opportunity to read the series in its original, right-to-left format with Japanese sound effects for the first time ever, and now those beautiful hardcover, definitive editions are available in one complete set. If you missed out on getting your Deluxe Editions before, don’t miss your chance to get this complete collector’s box set—which includes a collectible lithograph by creator Shirow Masamune.

 

 

 

 

 


Need more The Ghost in the Shell? Be sure to check out The Ghost in the Shell: Global Neural Network—a historic collaboration by some of the world’s most innovative comics writers and artists featuring four brand new stories inspired by The Ghost in the Shell universe.

 

 

Sailor Moon Eternal Edition

There’s no better way to enjoy the greatest magical girl manga of all time than in a definitive, premium edition—fit for a moon princess (or prince!)! Sailor Moon Eternal Edition is perfect for Sailor Moon fans old and new alike, and features a brand-new translation, a glittery holographic cover, an enlarged trim size, and—for the first time ever in English—includes all original color pages. Whether you want to help complete a lifelong Sailor Moon fan’s collection—or inspire a magical someone by introducing them to the series – the Sailor Moon Eternal Edition is a must-have.

Sailor Moon Eternal Edition Volumes 1 & 2 are available now!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Want to save big before Black Friday? Have some other series you need to pick up? Head on over to Books a Million for their Graphic Novels and Manga: Buy 2, Get 3rd Free Sale!

Stay tuned next week for our next installment of our gift guide, featuring the latest series and spin offs from fan favorite manga creators!

Click here for MORE KC Gift Guide for 2018 Holiday Season!

Announcements from San Diego Comic Con (July 19-22)!

Psssst! Going to San Diego Comic Con July 19-22? 

We’re going to have some exciting new announcements for Battle Angel Alita and The Ghost in the Shell—as well as other new licensing announcements for 2018 and beyond!. Plus, join the Q&A for a chance to win special giveaway items!

So come check out the Kodansha Comics panel on Saturday July 21, 2018 at 11:30am-12:30pm in Room 8!

“Do I have to be there?” For giveaways and fun—yes! But for the info, just check back here at kodanshacomics.com for breaking updates on our panel announcements!

Eisner Winner update!

 Congratulations to Katsuhiro Otomo and the designers and editors behind our Akira 35th Anniversary Edition box set, which won in two categories on July 20 at San Diego Comic-Con’s  2018 Will Eisner Comic Book Industry Awards!

Best Publication Design
Product design by Phil Balsman, Akira Saito (Veia), NORMA Editorial, and MASH•ROOM

Best Archival Collection/Project—Comic Books
By Katsuhiro Otomo, edited by Haruko Hashimoto, Ajani Oloye, and Lauren Scanlan

BIG kudos to all of you!

July 21 update!

Meanwhile, at our San Diego Comic Con panel, besides having special guest Shu Hashimoto, the editor of Boarding School Juliet, share behind-the-scenes process for making hit manga, we here at Kodansha Comics also made several new announcements—including new art reveal for the Battle Angel Alita box set (coming November 2018), and several August digital-first titles, including five yaoi titles launching August 21! Here’s the rundown:

Battle Angel Alita 
Coming November 2018, the  Battle Angel Alita Deluxe Edition Box Set includes Volumes 1-5 of the Battle Angel Alita Deluxe Edition, plus the Holy Night and Other Stories collection and a huge poster featuring brand new color art by Yukito Kishiro, created exclusively for this set!

Check it out! Here’s a first look at the poster art! 

The Ghost in the Shell: Global Neural Network 
The Ghost in the Shell: Global Neural Network, the anthology of The Ghost in the Shell  is coming this fall. The full creator credit and synopsis for the four stories had been revealed!

Story 1: “Automatic Behavior” by Max Gladstone & David López 
In this story by Max Gladstone, author of the Hugo-nominated Craft Sequence novels, and David López, the star artist of All-New Wolverine, Kusanagi and Aramaki are visiting Shanghai under cover as trade attachés when Aramaki is abducted in a sudden attack. Kusanagi recognizes the kidnappers as an elite American squadron she faced years earlier in Laos. But something is wrong – these soldiers should all be dead. Aramaki awakens inside a simulated world where his captors use repetition and pain to wear him down. Cut off from support, Kusanagi will have to reunite with an old friend to discover who has taken Aramaki and recover him before they break his ICE and access his ghost.

Story 2: “Redbloods” by Alex de Campi & Giannis Milonogiannis
From legendary writer Alex de Campi (Twisted Romance, Grindhouse) and Giannis Milonogiannis of Image Comics’s acclaimed Prophet. A raid on a pleasure cruise off the coast of Yokohama unveils an international gang of smugglers trading illegally in the cyber-bodies of children. The trail leads to a dank corner of what was once Louisiana, where Togusa and Saito find themselves alone and outgunned. Meanwhile, Chief Aramaki and Major Kusanagi clash over a difference in philosophy with major implications for one little girl.

Story 3: “After the Ball Is Over” by Genevieve Valentine & Brent Schoonover
By Genevieve Valentine (Catwoman) and Brent Schoonover (Ant-Man), this story is set amid the aftermath of the war that divided the United States into three separate entities now at an uneasy peace. A woman has lived without augmentations, making a living by smuggling information the analog way. But an encounter with a man she never thought to see again drives her to stick her neck out one last time, and brave the checkpoints and suspicion that now pock what was once the land of the free.

Story 4: “Star Gardens” by Brenden Fletcher & LRNZ
From the explosive combination of Brenden Fletcher (Batgirl, Motor Crush) and LRNZ (Golem) comes an exploration of the nature of identity and imagination, punctuated by stylized fights and homages to every past incarnation of Section 9. A mind-blowing, kinetic descent into the mind of Major Motoko Kusanagi concludes The Ghost in the Shell: Global Neural Network.

 Digital-First New Releases: August 2018 

Debuts August 7th! My Boy in Blue By Maki Miyoshi 
Kako gets tangled up when she lies about her age in order to attend a company-mixer party for singles and ends up totally infatuated with her young local policeman! And it looks like it’s mutual with Kota… until he finds out Kako’s still in high school. Read on to see if straight-arrow Kota manages to find a way to do the right thing as our story unfolds in the first volume of this upbeat new romantic comedy from Maki Miyoshi!

Debuts August 14th! Back Street Girls By Jasmine Gyuh 
Tough gangland retribution takes a disturbingly bright, shiny turn in this insanely guilty pleasure about 3 yakuzas who, as repayment for their failures, must undergo major surgery and become … a hot female idol trio! So what happens when they become the next big pop sensation!?     

Debuts August 28th! Peach Girl by Miwa Ueda  
Yes! The complete 18-volume run of Miwa Ueda’s ‘90s shojo megahit Peach Girl is back! Suntans and bleached hair were never quite so problematic, and high school drama was never quite so …. dramatic! This digital reissued edition combines the original Tokyopop run of Peach Girl and Peach Girl: Change of Heart.

… and last but not least! In addition to the print yaoi and yuri manga announcements we made at Anime Expo, we announced five new yaoi titles from Kodansha’s Honey Milk imprint for release on August 21! Behold:

Stray Bullet Baby by Kei Ichikawa 
Chihiro Murakami works at a film advertising firm and looks up to Kiyoharu Honna, the stylish editor of the trendy magazine his company does business with. He’s cool, his smile is beautiful, and he’s good at his job. But Chihiro hasn’t had a chance yet to get close to him. However, one day he ends up looking after a dead-drunk Honna and goes home with him and … !? A selfish beauty and the man wrapped around his finger.

Keeping His Whims in Check by Pi
Proclaimed handsome elite businessman, Yuto Shinonome, falls in love at first sight with Tamaki, a beauty who’s exactly his type. It hits him like a ton of bricks when he finds out Tamaki is actually a guy!! Nevertheless, Yuto still acts like a kid with a crush and teases Tamaki like there’s no tomorrow … How can perverse Yuto handle love!?

Intertwining Lives by KAZU
Yoshiya thinks it’s fate when he’s reunited with his first love; however, he learns they can never be together … For middle-aged scriptwriter Makoto and beautiful actor-in-the-making Yuu, it’s a chance meeting in which admiration turns to love, and love turns to doubt …?! A young and heartrending adolescent love story and a bittersweet mature romance. The stories of a group of men who mingle, intertwine, and change.

Key Ring Lock by ymz
Permanent part-timer, Yui, discovers a worn-out man fallen on the street. Unable to leave the strangely charming Toshiki alone, Yui helps him back home and then accepts Toshiki while being manipulated by him. However, when Yui gets up in the morning, he finds himself locked in and unable to leave. “Confinement is my hobby,” says a smiling Toshiki. Is this confinement, or is it … Their sensitive love flickers in the space between the normal and abnormal!

Trap in a Skirt by Puruchome
Androgynous Aoi has a traumatic past that makes it difficult for him to get the true satisfaction he desires. Meanwhile, Aoi’s classmate, Takano, the rough class outsider, makes a move on Aoi whenever he has the chance. Aoi doesn’t take him seriously in the beginning, however …

July 17 update!

Special guest appearance: Shu Hashimoto
At this year’s Kodansha Comics panel, we have special guest Shu Hashimoto—manga editor extraordinaire from Kodansha Japan. Shu’s worked closely behind-the-scenes with the creators of hit series you love like Fairy Tail, Yamada-kun and the Seven Witches … and he’s also the founding editor of the up-and-coming manga-to-anime series, Boarding School Juliet! Mr. Hashimoto will share the creative process and behind-the-scenes of the making of our next hit manga!



Wanna know what’s like to be a manga editor? 
You can also follow Mr. Hashimoto on Twitter at @wmhashimoto 

Panel Exclusive: BECK Stickers!
To celebrate the launch of Harold Sakuishi’s ye olde schoole and ye newe schoole manga, i.e., BECK and Seven Shakespeares on comiXology Originals, we’ve got these here panel-exclusive BECK stickers! Be sure to come to Kodansha Comics panel early and grab one to decorate your laptop, drum set, ukulele, or whatever instruments of thy choice! 

Kodansha Comics Gift Guide 2017 Part 1: Classic Crusaders

Kodansha Comics Gift Guide 2017

Are  you  looking  for  the  perfect  gift  for  your  manga  loving  friends  and  family  this  holiday  season? Or perhaps you’re looking for the perfect series for someone who’s new to manga? With so many series to choose  from –from  shonen  to  shojo,  from  action-packed  series  to  drama-driven  ones,  from  series  for younger  readers  to  the  experienced fan –it  can  be hard to  choose  just  one  title  in  what  seems  like  an overwhelming sea of stories.

But never fear – Kodansha Comics’s got your back! Our Gift Guide is in full swing once again this year, and from classic tales to new fan favorites, we’ll help guide you to the perfect manga that’s sure to put a smile on someone’s –or your own –face!

Part 1: Classic Crusaders
The first part of our Gift Guide is: Classic Crusaders! Wherever your favorite manga genre or series may lie, it’s hard to go wrong with a good classic. Complete your classic manga collection or find a great gift for a friend who’s a first time manga reader with these five definitive series!

 

Akira 35th Anniversary Box Set

What’s it About? In a not-so distant future, Tokyo has been annihilated by a blast of unknown origin that triggered World War III, and the city has been rebuilt as Neo-Tokyo. The lives of two streetwise teenage friends, Tetsuo and Kaneda, change forever when paranormal abilities begin to waken in Tetsuo, making him a target for a shadowy agency that will stop at nothing to prevent another catastrophe like the one that leveled Tokyo. At the core of the agency’s motivation is a raw, all-consuming fear of an unthinkable, monstrous power known only as Akira.

Why’s it Good? Akira has become a definitive, cult manga classic for readers in both Japan and abroad – and for good reason. When the series was first released in English, the pages were presented in a flipped, left-to-right reading format and fully colored to appeal to an American, comics-reading audience – introducing manga to the foreign reader in ways in which no one had seen before. The stunning science fiction masterpiece has since become to be considered the finest work of graphic fiction ever produced, and the animated film version is regarded worldwide as a classic.

The Akira 35th Anniversary Box Set gives English-language readers, for the first-time, the opportunity to experience Akira as the author originally intended. With the original Japanese art and right-to-left reading format preserved, along with Otomo’s hand-drawn sound effects, this limited edition boxset houses all six-volumes of Akira, plus the Akira Club artbook, in beautifully bound hardcover editions. Whether you’ve been a longtime fan of Akira, or have just been waiting for the right time to delve into this classic series, this is one boxset you don’t want to miss.

The Akira 35th Anniversary Box Set is available now!

 

 

Battle Angel Alita Deluxe Edition

What’s it About? Far beneath the shimmering space-city of Zalem lie the trash-heaps of The Scrapyard. Here, cyber-doctor and bounty hunter Daisuke Ido finds the head and torso of an amnesiac cyborg girl. He names her Alita and vows to fill her life with beauty, but in a moment of desperation, a fragment of Alita’s mysterious past awakens in her. She discovers that she possesses uncanny prowess in the legendary martial art known as panzerkunst. With her newfound skills, Alita decides to become a hunter-warrior – tracking down and taking out those who prey on the weak. But can she hold onto her humanity in the dark and gritty world of The Scrapyard?

Why’s it Good? Renowned as a cyberpunk classic, Battle Angel Alita made waves when it was first released in English over ten years ago (Brendan Fletcher, creator of Motor Crush, writes the introduction for Volume 1, and even discusses the pivotal role Alita and Yukito Kishiro played in influencing his career).  After more than a decade out of print, this action classic returns in glorious 400-page, 2-in-1 hardcover deluxe editions, featuring an all-new translation, color pages, an extended trim size, and new cover designs. Whether you want to revisit or complete your collection for the first time, or if you’re looking for an epic sci-fi series for a friend, Battle Angel Alita will give you a unique science fiction world you’ll want to explore.

Battle Angel Alita Deluxe 1 is available now! Be sure to collect all volumes before the theatrical movie release next summer!

 

 

 

Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card

What’s it About? Sakura Kinomoto’s about to start middle school, and everything’s coming up cherry blossoms. Not only has she managed to recapture the scattered Clow Cards and make them her own Sakura Cards, but her sweetheart Syaoran Li has moved from Hong Kong to Tokyo and is going to be in her class! But her joy is interrupted by a troubling dream in which the cards turn transparent, and when Sakura awakens to discover her dream has become reality, it’s clear that her magical adventures are far from over…

Why’s it Good? If you got into manga reading in the 90s, chances are you read CLAMP’s classic Cardcaptor Sakura. The series had a little bit of everything – fantasy, action, adventure, romance, and was praised by Anime News Network for “taking what had become an incredibly stale and repetitive genre and turned it on its ear, providing something fun, clever, beautifully animated, touching and exciting all at once.” Clear Card picks up exactly where Cardcaptor Sakura left off, and naturally reintroduces us back into the series and its beloved characters. If you’re looking for some nostalgia this holiday season, you’ll definitely want to revisit this sweet, magical classic.

Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card 1 is out December 19 – preorder your copy today!

 

 

 

Ghost in the Shell READ ME: 1995 –2017

What’s it About? The definitive history of the most influential cyberpunk anime of all time! This beautiful, color hardcover guide begins with the seminal feature that inspired The Matrix and many other films, comics, and novels, and ends with the live-action Hollywood adaptation starring Scarlett Johansson. Follow the franchise that made manga master Shirow Masamune, legendary director Mamoru Oshii, and the studio Production I.G the legends they are today.

Why’s it Good? If you’re looking for the perfect gift for a Ghost in the Shell fan, then look no further than Ghost in the Shell READ ME. Featuring In-depth interviews, stunning concept art, and tales of behind-the-scenes triumphs and near-tragedies from the 22-year history of The Ghost in the Shell, README covers everything from the original anime through the award-winning sequel Innocence and the global smash hit TV adaptation Stand Alone Complex, all the way up to 2017, with the release of the new live-action film from Paramount Pictures.

Ghost in the Shell READ ME: 1995 –2017 is available now!

 

 

 

 

 

Neo Parasyte m

What’s it About? They look like us. They feed on us. They’re parasites – alien creatures with one directive: take human form via a host and destroy the human race from within. First seen in Hiroshi Iwaaki’s classic science fiction horror manga Parasyte, these terrifying creatures are revisited and reinvented in 12 brand-new stories drawn by some of today’s greatest shonen and seinen manga artists. But no matter who they choose as their hosts—from militia men to the seemingly sweet elderly—one thing is for certain: no one is safe from the parasites …

Why’s it Good? Whether you’re a veteran fan of Hiroshi Iwaaki’s original manga, or you’re just looking for an exciting, new manga anthology to dive into, Neo Parasyte m is the perfect fit. The collection starts out strong with a piece by classic manga artist Moto Hagio, and features Kodansha Comics fan favorite artists such as Hiro Mashima, PEACH-PIT, Hiroki Endo, and more. Neo Parasyte m provides a fantastic introduction to the world of the parasites, even for first time fans, and is a collection you won’t be able to help sinking your teeth into.

Neo Parasyte m is available now!

 

 

 

 

Kodansha Comics Gift Guide will update every Friday until the end of holiday season!

If your Akira 35th Anniversary Box Set arrived damaged

On Tuesday, October 31, the Akira 35th Anniversary Box Set was loosed upon the world. We’ve been thrilled to see how many people have enjoyed the set since its release, in online reviews, videos, social media posts, and more.
 
However, we have also heard from some of you who received boxes that had been damaged in shipping. We apologize to anyone who received the box damaged. We want every reader to have the best possible experience with this set for years to come, and that doesn’t include letting a torn or dented box sit on your shelf.
 
If your outer box containing the books arrived damaged in any way, we are offering a free replacement. Please send your full name, mailing address, and photo(s) of any damage on the box to Penguin Random House Customer Service at

customerservice@penguinrandomhouse.com

and we will send you a new box free of charge in the next 6-8 weeks. (We are requesting photos so that we can see exactly how the box was damaged and hopefully prevent similar problems in the future.)
 
Our thanks go out to each of you who ordered this new edition of one of the greatest comics of all time.
 
Sincerely,
Kodansha Comics
 

Kodansha Comics at New York Comic Con: events, exclusives, free stuff!

No question: Hiro Mashima is the anime/manga headliner at New York Comic Con this year. But celebrating the finale of Fairy Tail, one of the great manga epics, isn't all Kodansha Comics is about—we've got a lot else going on too!

Come see us at Booth #2109 at Javits Convention Center in NYC October 5-8, and one of us will give you the NYCC lowdown! But if you want a quick preview and/or you can't be there but are dyin' to know what's happening anyway … here's your cheatsheet:

WHAT TO DO? EVENTS!


Click here for a complete list of Hiro Mashiima's personal appearances and signings in New York City October 5-8. Check for updates!

"The World of Fairy Tail" Art Exhibition
October 5-8, New York Comic Con, Javits Center, Kodansha Comics Booth #2109
We'll be celebrating Hiro Mashima and his completion of Fairy Tail throughout New York Comic Con with a special “The World of Fairy Tail” art gallery exhibition at the Kodansha Comics booth (#2109). The exhibition will display curated manga art from throughout Mashima’s legendary Fairy Tail run, with a second display in NYCC’s Artist Alley (table C14). 

Classic SF Manga featuring Akira 35th Anniversary Edition, Ghost in the Shell, & Battle Angel Alita
Friday October 6 at 5:15pm, Room 1A24
The holy trinity of cyberpunk manga are all back and better than ever from Kodansha Comics! Be the first ever to see the Akira 35th Anniversary Edition Box Set in person. Meet big-name contributors to the upcoming original graphic novel The Ghost in the Shell: Global Neural Network. And exciting news for fans of the cyber-martial arts epic Battle Angel Alita! Plus free books and exclusive promo items straight from Japan.

Kodansha Comics featuring Fairy Tail and Sailor Moon
Sunday October 8 at 4:00pm, Room 1A06
The U.S. arm of Japan's largest book publisher reveals new art and new manga licenses and gives away a slew of free stuff! Plus a tribute to Fairy Tail upon its final chapter and more information about the major new releases Land of the Lustrous and the Sailor Moon Eternal Edition, plus a chance to speak with the editorial and publishing team face-to-face.

WHAT'S FOR FREE? FREE NYCC EXCLUSIVES!
Where: Kodasha Comics/Vertical Booth #2109


NYCC 2017 Commemorative Fairy Tail tote bag 
free with any Kodansha Comics email signup


Fairy Tail mini-shikishi featuring a new illo by Hiro Mashima 
free with any purchase


The Art of Fairy Tail mini-artbook 
free with any purchase over $50

Happy pin 
Available at Funimation booth (#542)!

Manga Samplers

8×11 artcards

WHAT'S FOR SALE? NYCC EXCLUSIVES!
Where: Kodasha Comics/Vertical Booth #2109

Enamel Pin limited-edition sets: Fairy Tail — 2 different designs

Limited-edition ​Fairy Tail genga replicas — 2 designs

Limited-edition Fairy Tail deluxe poster

Fairy Tail mini-poster set

Fairy Tail Ultimate Exclusives Bundle 
You can get ALL the Fairy Tail NYCC exclusives
PLUS bundle exclusives:
Fairy Tail Lanyard and pin!

Pre-street books from Kodansha Comics
Ghost in the Shell README: 1995-2017
Attack on Titan: No Regrets Complete Color Edition
Battle Angel Alita Deluxe Edition, Volume 1
Fairy Tail Master Edition, Volume 5
Fairy Tail S, Volume 1
Inuyashiki, Volume 9
To Your Eternity, Volume 1

Pre-street books from Vertical Comics
Ajin: Demi-Human, Volume 10
Devils' Line, Volume 9
Imperfect Girl, Volume 1
Helvetica Standard Bold, Volume 1
The Flowers of Evil—Complete, Volume 1

 

SDCC: exclusives, freebies, events

Hey, what's that out by the water? It's San Diego Comic-Con! Come see us at the Kodansha Comics / Vertical Booth #1631 in the San Diego Convention Center July 19-23. 

CON EXCLUSIVES! 

 

Mondo X Kodansha Comics Attack on Titan limited-edition posters
Just announced! Mondo unveiled their series of SDCC-exclusive posters today and one of 'em is this horrifying Attack on Titan 18" x 36" screen-print poster by Matt Taylor! The variant version (former depicted) goes on sale at the Mondo SDCC booth (#835) and the regular version (latter) releases online at mondotees.com during the con. Very limited—variant version limited to  an edition of 150, regular version limited to 225.

 

Kodansha Comics Attack on Titan T-shirts and enamel pins 
Come get 'em at the Kodansha Comics booth (#1631), available nowhere else!

Akira 35th Anniversary Box Set pre-order
Yes, we will be taking preorders at the Kodansha Comics booth (#1631) for the hotly anticipated Akira 35th Anniversary Box Set (to be fulfilled by the good guys at RightStuf). That ain't all: everyone who preorders at SDCC will be getting this killer con-exclusive Akira enamel pin set* (above)!
*Limited to 500

More exclusives: available at Kodansha Comics / Vertical Booth (#1631)
The Ghost in the Shell T-shirts featuring illustration by Shirow Masamune
Chi's Sweet Home enamel pins from Vertical 
Monogatari mini 5-poster set from Vertical

Pre-streets
These books will be on sale at our booth (#1631) before they hit stores!

Attack on Titan volume 22 (streets August 1)
She and Her Cat (streets August 1) 
Love and Lies volume 1 (streets August 22)
Devils' Line volume 8 (streets August 15) 
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime volume 1 (streets August 22) 
Queen Emeraldas volume 2 (streets July 25) 

FREE STUFF!

Mini-shikishi Gift with Purchase
1 of 2 different shikishi with every purchase, while supplies last.

Princess Jellyfish FTW!
Akiko Higashimura's Princess Jellyfish is up for an Eisner Award!  Support Princess Jellyfish by repping this cool tote bag, available for 5 bucks or as a gift with purchase of any Princess Jellyfish manga at our booth.

STUFF TO DO!

And speaking of Princess Jellyfish, the estimable Yumi Sukemune, Japanese editor of the series, will joining us on the Kodansha Comics Panel to share an in-depth look into the creative process between manga artist and editor.

Kodansha Comics Panel
Saturday, July 22 
11:30-12:30
Room 8

 The Attack on Titan Quest #AoTQuest 
And back by popular demand, this time the Attack on Titan Quest takes place in the exhibitor hall of San Diego Comic-Con. Visit Kodansha Comics Booth #1631 to join the quest. 

Starting prize: exclusive Attack on Titan bag
Finishing prize: exclusive Attack on Titan Quest medal