Manga Recon @ NYCC 2008: Day Three

Like Yen, Tokyopop handled its biggest announcement in a press release, rather than an industry panel. As numerous sites have reported, Tokyopop will be getting into the graphic novel business, publishing full-color comics from around the world. Read on for the full scoop, as well as a quick run-down of upcoming Tokyopop releases.

Tokyopop announced on Friday that it will launch a new line of graphic novels with a distinctively different look than their licensed and original manga. The books will be in full color with a larger trim size of 7.25″ x 10″. Expect the first series to arrive on store shelves in February 2009. Those titles include:

• Orange (Benjamin): A one-volume drama from China. February 2009.
• Pixie (Mathieu Mariolle and Aurore): A three-volume fantasy-adventure from France. February 2009.
• Luuna (Didier Crisse, Nicolas Keramidas): A three-volume coming-of-age story about a Native American girl. March 2009.

For further details, visit MangaBlog.

Tokyopop’s other big announcement was its new original manga initiative. In lieu of the more expensive three-book development deals it initially offered artists, Tokyopop will be moving to a web-based approach. Artists will be paid by the chapter; new chapters will be commissioned based on reader response, with the most successful series eventually making the transition to print. Senior Editor Lillian Diaz-Pryzbyl noted that this approach has two benefits: first, it gives artists more time to build a fan base for their stories, and second, it provides readers an opportunity to share their suggestions with the artist early in the story’s development. Look for the Pilot Program when the new Tokyopop site goes live in May.

The rest of the panel focused on previously announced titles, including:

• Bizenghast: The Novel: A novelization of the series’ first volume. August 2008.
• Castlevania: Curse Of Darkness: A two-volume series based on the video game franchise. September 2008.
• Demonium: An angsty drama with bishies and demons galore. July 2008.
• Dramacon Ultimate Edition: A deluxe repackaging of the first three volumes, with fan art and a bonus story about Matt and Christy’s first date. October 2008.
• Fate Stay Night: Another adaptation of a popular anime/video game francise. October 2008.
• Goth (novel): A violent, suspenseful thriller about two teens obsessed with gruesome murders. Tokyopop has also licensed the manga, which Diaz-Pryzbyl characterized as “super gory.”
• I Luv Halloween Ultimate Twisted Edition: A full color omnibus edition of the three-volume series. September 2008.
• Jyu-Oh-Sei: A three-volume sci-fi series from influential shojo artist Natsumi Itsaki. The only title that really caught my attention, as the cover looked gorgeous, and the story promised plenty of angst and social commentary, a la Moto Hagio and Keiko Takemiya. July 2008.
• Phantom Dream: Geneimuso: The first series by Fruits Basket creator Natsuki Takaya. December 2008.
• Princess Ai: Encounters: An anthology of cross-over stories linking Princess Ai to characters in such Tokyopop series as Tarot Café and Rhysmyth. September 2008.
• Princess Ai: Prism Of The Midnight Dawn: A new trilogy, with art from original manga-ka Misaho Kujiradou. December 2008.
• Silver Diamond: A fantasy-adventure with shonen-ai overtones and some truly bizarre plot elements.
• Starcraft: Tokyopop renewed its contract with Blizzard to develop a new series of Warcraft and Starcraft manga. August 2008.
• Star Trek: The Next Generation: An anthology of short stories based on the popular 1980s sci-fi series, with contributions from some of the show’s writers. November 2008.
• Vassalord: A violent, sexy drama about vampires. From the creator of Peacemaker and Peacemaker Kurogane.
• Warriors: Two new installments in this popular children’s franchise, arriving in stores in May and September, respectively.

One final note for Fruits Basket fans: Tokyopop will be releasing an eighteen-month planner and a sticker book this summer, the first available exclusively through Barnes and Noble.