TOKYOPOP Adds More to its Manga Lineup
On March 25, 2003, TOKYOPOP announced that it would be releasing six new manga series starting in June. The company plans to bring The Kindaichi Case Files, Under the Glass Moon, Gravitation, Brain Powerd, Pet Shop of Horrors, and Vampire Game to
American shores beginning in June. TOKYOPOP describes its first title, The Kindaichi Case Files, as "A cross between Sherlock Holmes and The Hardy Boys." The series has already spawned two feature films and a full-length anime series. The story follows Kindaichi, a teenage detective that uses his ingenuity and even some magic to solve his cases as he travels from one unsolved murder scene to another.
Under the Glass Moon takes manga in a completely different direction, being a gothic horror rather than a detective story. TOKYOPOP describes the series as a "supernatural gothic fantasy features highly detailed artwork and the addictive appeal of a soap opera. Enter the world of Luka Reinhardt, the 21st Century's greatest Dark Wizard... and a fashion connoisseur! When he and his bookish brother Luel become involved with their lusty neighbors -- a pair of mother and daughter witches - it's a love pentagram, especially when Luel's ex shows up! Things continue to heat up after Luka's overzealous apprentice unleashes Efreet, a wrathful fire spirit!"
Next up on TOKYOPOP's release list is the eagerly awaited shounen ai series, Gravitation. TOKYOPOP describes the series as follows:
Created by Maki Murakami, Gravitation delivers a colorful depiction of the music biz with edgy shonen-ai flair. Shuichi Shindou is determined to be the next rock star. He hopes to astound the world with his powerful lyrics in spite of the harsh criticism of the handsome and enigmatic romance writer, Eiri Yuki. Shuichi forces himself into Yuki's life and the two men find their futures inexorably and mantically intertwined on a rock-and-roll roller coaster ride!
The next title on TOKYOPOP's list is Yoshiyuki Tomino's Brain Powerd. the series is identified as a "story about Orphan, an oceanic base that holds the key to planetary destruction. Leading the fight against Orphan is U.N. agent Hime Utsumiya, the pilot of a living alien Brain Powerd mecha. In a chance encounter, Hime meets Yu Isami, a pilot working for Orphan. Will she be able to convince Yu to rebel against the mysterious base and go rogue? Mankind's fate hangs in the balance."
Moving back to the goth scene, TOKYOPOP will be releasing Pet Shop of Horrors. TOKYOPOP used the following to detail its the acquisition:
Reminiscent of The Twilight Zone, each volume from manga-ka Mari Akino contains four stories of terror and wonder that expose the core of human nature. A smoke-filled alley in Chinatown harbors Count D's Pet Shop. The Count prides himself on selling Love and Dreams in the form of magical creatures that come with an exclusive contract. But buyers beware: if the contract is broken, Count D cannot be held accountable for what happens.
The final announced title, Vampire Game, is a fantasy adventure title that is sure to keep readers looking for more. According to TOKYOPOP, "this is the dramatic story of ancient rivalries that explode when the soul of a vampire is reincarnated. Centuries ago, the King of Saint Pheliosta and the Vampire King, Dusel, had a monumental duel. Dusel was defeated and swore that he would return to seek revenge in his next life. Reborn as a wildcat, Dusel is picked up from the wild by Ishtar, the great-granddaughter of his nemesis, Phelios. The fate of ages is reawakened, and now a new vampire game begins."
The six series will all find a June release, with The Kindaichi Case Files and Under the Glass Moon seeing a June 10 release, while the others hit stores on the seventeenth.
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