Tag Archives: azure

Riviere and the Land of Prayer Vol. 1 is a cute intro to a world we want to spend more time in

Homeless, hungry, and with one foot in the grave, MacMillia was plucked from the streets by Riviere–enigmatic proprietor of a magical antiques shop and curse–dispelling service. After Riviere removed the curse that had condemned her to life on the street, MacMillia took up a job as Riviere’s new assistant. While helping Riviere buy, sell, and dispel for all manner of…eclectic patrons, MacMillia will learn about the true power of prayers–and the curses they become. Their first job: investigate an impossibly lucky, ashen-haired girl cleaning out everyone at the local casino…

Story: Jougi Shiraishi
Art: Neriume
Character design: Azure
Translation: Kevin Steinbach
Letterer: Katie Blakeslee

Get your copy now! To find a comic shop near you, visit http://www.comicshoplocator.com or call 1-888-comicbook or digitally and online with the links below.

Bookshop
Amazon


Yen Press provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
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Yen Press reveals ten new manga and light novel releases for August 2024!

Yen Press has announced the acquisition of ten new titles, including seven manga (The Dark History of the Reincarnated Villainess Short Story Collection; Rejected by the Hero’s Party, a Princess Decided to Live a Quiet Life in the Countryside; Riviere and the Land of Prayer; In Another World, My Sister Stole My Name; Strategic Lovers; The Hachioji Specialty: Tengu’s Love; The Magical Girl and the Evil Lieutenant Used to Be Archenemies) and three light novels (Sword Art Online Alternative Clover’s Regret; Hell Is Dark with No Flowers; My First Love’s Kiss).

The Dark History of the Reincarnated Villainess Short Story Collection

By Akiharu Touka

In a world of her own creation, the lives of Konoha’s many characters are filled with the kind of cringey doom and gloom that only an adolescent mind can produce. But where’s the fun in that? Throwing in a pinch of crossdressing, a dabble of sickfics, and oh—a date with a fellow bookworm—really spices up the story! From ninjas to assassin butlers and yanderes, there’s never a dull moment in the many alternate universes Konoha Satou lives through as the most despicable villainess, Iana Magnolia!

The Dark History of the Reincarnated Villainess Short Story Collection

Sword Art Online Alternative Clover’s Regret

Story by Soitiro Watase
Illustration by Ginta
Supervised by Reki Kawahara

Sword Art Online, as reimagined by famed fantasy author Soitiro Watase!

Asuka Empire. A Japanese-style VRMMO created by Akihiko Kayaba from a VR engine entitled “The Seed”—a game once played by Yuuki, Ran, and Merida of the Sleeping Knights that hides many stories. Two young women—warrior priestess Nayuta and ninja Koyomi, who became friends in-game—come across a mysterious priest named Yanagi. The elderly man tells them that he’s looking for a detective to solve a riddle with a one-million-yen reward. The girls are shocked by the outlandish sum for this peculiar request, and then they meet an equally peculiar young man, who claims to be able to do this job as well as any other detective. With all his stat points invested in Luck, the man is useless in battle, but he does still seem to have some tricks up his sleeve, like that unbeatable drop rate for rare items… The mystery unfolds as two young girls and their dubious detective partner try to solve the case in this cutting-edge VRMMO world!

Sword Art Online Alternative Clover’s Regret

Rejected by the Hero’s Party, a Princess Decided to Live a Quiet Life in the Countryside

Story by Zappon
Art by Mutsuki Higashioji
Character Design by Yasumo

Before she reunited with Red in the frontier town of Zoltan, Rit was renowned as the brave warrior who helped the Hero’s party save her country from the demon king’s forces and the second princess of the Duchy of Loggervia, Rizlet. But after being suddenly exiled, Rit must embrace her new, untethered life as an adventurer traveling wherever the wind blows…though who knows where that journey will take her?! This is the story of Rit’s exploits across the continent of Avalon prior to finding Red!!

Rejected by the Hero’s Party, a Princess Decided to Live a Quiet Life in the Countryside

Riviere and the Land of Prayer

Story by Jougi Shiraishi
Art by Neriume
Character Design by Azure

After Riviere saved her from dying on the street, MacMillia chose to start working as her new assistant! The enigmatic Riviere runs an antique shop, where she specializes in dispelling troublesome (and sometimes dangerous) curses. Magic, witches, prayers (and the curses they turn into) mean there’s never a dull day for these two!

Riviere and the Land of Prayer

In Another World, My Sister Stole My Name

Story by Kotoko
Art by NiKrome

Through a handheld mirror connected to another world, college student Ichika befriends a boy named Cecil. But when the mirror disappears one day along with her older sister, Karen, Ichika thinks she’ll never see the two of them again…until a year later, when the mirror suddenly turns up and sends Ichika to the world on the other side! There, she finds a grown-up Cecil and her sister, who, for some reason, has become a saint named Ichika—?! After Karen has stolen her name and life, Ichika must forge her own destiny in this otherworldly, doting fantasy! 

In Another World, My Sister Stole My Name

Strategic Lovers

By Sanshokuamido

Kouta Higashiyama’s father is the enormously wealthy founder of a corporate behemoth—but his mother was the man’s twenty-third mistress! He thought the issue of succession and inheritance had nothing to do with him. And it didn’t—until he was suddenly kidnapped as a candidate to be the next chairman and dropped in front of five beautiful girls, who are all in contention to become his lover…But is his whole life really about choosing whatever and whoever he wants? Or will Kouta himself be the one to be chosen…?

Strategic Lovers

The Hachioji Specialty: Tengu’s Love

By Tomo Nanao

Upon his return to his hometown near Mt. Takao, the lonely youth Kotarou reunites with a tengu girl he used to know, Hime. To his shock, Hime decrees that they must wed! Intent on marrying Kotarou, will Hime be able to break down his walls and build a happily-ever-after with him?!

The Hachioji Specialty: Tengu’s Love

Hell Is Dark with No Flowers

Story by Yoru Michio
Illustration by Ruka Todo

Seiji Tohno sometimes sees the people around him as monsters. It is a curse that had driven him to a life of despair, living out of internet cafés with nowhere to call home…but all that changes one twilit evening when he stumbles across a huge European mansion. There, Seiji meets a bewitchingly beautiful boy dressed in a kimono with a white peony motif on the shoulder, who introduces himself as Shiroshi Saijou. This mysterious young man seems to know more about Seiji than he does himself, and before he knows it, Seiji has agreed to become Shiroshi’s assistant in exchange for room and board. Little does he know, however, this “proxy service,”’ as Shiroshi puts it, is none other than outsourced death! Sending monster-possessed sinners to Hell, will bring Seiji face-to-face with terrifying new creatures each and every day!

Hell Is Dark with No Flowers

The Magical Girl and the Evil Lieutenant Used to Be Archenemies

By Cocoa Fujiwara

She’s a magical girl, sworn to fight for peace, love, and justice. He’s a lieutenant, born into a military family that serves an evil empire. And yet, it was love at first sight…From Inu x Boku SS creator Cocoa Fujiwara comes a four-panel comic about hostile enemies who won’t kill (and love) each other!

The Magical Girl and the Evil Lieutenant Used to Be Archenemies

My First Love’s Kiss

Story by Hitoma Iruma
Illustration by Fly

Takasora Hoshi’s life is upended when a girl from her class named Umi Mizuike and her mother temporarily move into her family’s cramped apartment. From the outset of this arrangement, Takasora finds herself annoyed by Umi’s behavior…and her good looks. And though the two girls initially agree to avoid interfering with each other’s lives, Takasora can’t help but start to wonder where Umi keeps wandering off to at night…

From the author of Adachi and Shimamura comes the bittersweet tale of two high school girls whose lives are thrust together under the same roof.

My First Love’s Kiss

NYCC 2023: Yen Press announces fifteen new licenses

Yen Press held a panel on the last day of New York Comic Con 2023, at which they announced fifteen new acquisitions. With titles releasing in March and April 2024, this lineup includes eight manga (Sword Art Online Progressive Canon of the Golden Rule; Trinity Seven Revision; The Tiger Hasn’t Eaten the Dragon Yet; My Gemini; All or Nothing; Fox-Colored Jealousy; I Want a Gal Gamer to Praise Me; Adults’ Picture Book) andfive novels (Amalgam Hound; Classroom for Heroes, Riviere and the Land of Prayer; Once Upon a Witch’s Death: The Tale of the One Thousand Tears of Joy; You Can’t See the Snow). Along with the eight new manga series listed were a couple more manga announcements tied to familiar properties, which include a new manga adaptation of The Alchemist Who Survived Now Dreams of a Quiet City Life with art by Aya Obara, and the print publication of the Black Summoner manga under Yen Press’s JNC imprint.

Black Summoner (manga)

Story by Doufu Mayoi
Art by Gin Ammo
Character Design by Kurogin (DIGS)

While being transmigrated to another world, Kelvin gave up his memories for powerful new abilities. Setting out on the ultimate adventure as the world’s strongest Summoner—his first Follower the very goddess who brought him over!—he soon discovers his true calling as a battle junkie. Faced with one formidable foe after another, Kelvin can hardly contain his exhilaration! The curtain rises on this epic saga as the black-clad warrior and his allies carve their way into the annals of history!!

Black Summoner

The Alchemist Who Survived Now Dreams of a Quiet City Life (manga)

Story by Usata Nonohara
Art by Aya Obara
Character Design by ox

For an alchemist like Mariela, performing incredible feats of magic are just part of the job. So when a stampeding horde of monsters threatens to devour the kingdom of Endalsia, she decides to put herself in a brief state of suspended animation to survive. Luckily, she awakens safe and sound—200 years in the future… Now, all Mariela really wants is a quiet, laid-back life in this land she barely recognizes. It’s too bad potions have become a luxury good, and she’s the only girl in town with the skills to make them. 

The Alchemist Who Survived Now Dreams of a Quiet City Life

Sword Art Online Progressive Canon of the Golden Rule

Story by Reki Kawahara
Art by Mugetsu
Character Design by abec

The SAO Progressive series continues, following Asuna and Kirito to the sixth floor of Aincrad, where puzzles and brainteasers galore await them! Will our sword-swinging pair burn out on a mental challenge, or will the frightening gang of player-killers catch up with them first…?

Sword Art Online Progressive Canon of the Golden Rule

Trinity Seven Revision

Art by Youichi Nishio
Story by Kenji Saito
Character Design by Akinari Nao

From the world of Trinity Seven comes a sizzling new spinoff!

High schooler Mitsunari Miyazawa had aspirations of becoming a writer until a run-in with a demonic creature turns deadly. Now, Mitsunari has been reborn with the power of the Magus of Envy, fighting with the help of the living grimoire Lydia!

Trinity Seven Revision

The Tiger Hasn’t Eaten the Dragon Yet

By Hachi Inaba

“Make me think it’s okay if you’re the one who eats me…”

In the mountains somewhere, a tiger catches its prey: a lone dragon, the kind that is hardly ever seen. Eating the dragon’s meat extracts the ultimate flavor, drinking its blood heals all injuries, and devouring its heart grants immortality…And yet, upon seeing the dragon’s undeveloped stature, the tiger refuses to eat it. Dragon and tiger, predator and prey—is what ties them together simply natural hunting instincts or something more…?

The Tiger Hasn’t Eaten the Dragon Yet

Amalgam Hound

Story by Midori Komai
Illustration by Domino Ozaki

Theo, a young investigator, crosses paths with Eleven, an amalgam perfectly mimicking the form of a girl. In a strange twist of fate, the two become partners on a special mission to track down other amalgams on the run after the war. However, Eleven only looks like a young girl. She’s a living weapon who doesn’t understand what it means to be human. Theo has no love for amalgams, but he’ll have to deal with it, because a terrorist attack has rocked the nation to its core…and someone needs to get to the bottom of it!

Amalgam Hound

Classroom for Heroes

Story by Shin Araki
Illustration by Haruyuki Morisawa

When the hero Blade defeated the demon king, he lost all his powers. For him, this should have been a dream come true—finally, life as a normal student without fighting or adventuring. That is, until he discovers his school is a school for heroes. He just wants to get by with a solid average, but as a hero with real experience, it turns out his idea of average is a little off…!

Classroom for Heroes

My Gemini

By Yuu Morikawa

Plain, redheaded, and freckled John has nothing going for him, except his two friends who are incredibly popular at school—twins Jekyll and Hyde. The twins, indistinguishable, have always enjoyed taking each other’s places for fun. But when the pair is fragmented by an untimely death, it’s up to John to find out…which twin is left? 

My Gemini

All or Nothing

By Shikke

When Kadoi and Hasumoto reveal that they’ve been dating for a whole month, Oka and Sawada are more jealous that their friends have lovers than anything else. So when the change in their friends’ relationship causes them to be more conscious of each other, they can’t help but wonder what it’d be like to be together—in more ways than one…

All or Nothing

Fox-Colored Jealousy

By Machi Suehiro

They first met on the train. While Akiha Konno was on his way to his first day of school in Tokyo, some creep just had to touch his butt… Thankfully, the nice college guy saved him, but—uhhh…Akiha really didn’t mean to just glomp him like that! Worse, he called the fox ears that appear when he’s all worked up “cute”! Welp, it’s not like he’ll ever see him again…

Fox-Colored Jealousy

I Want a Gal Gamer to Praise Me

By Geshumaro

When high school shut-in Raito Sasaki hires a pro gamer coach to help hone his FPS skills, he never expected that the one knocking on his door would be Rion Suzuki—a cute and fashionable beauty the same age as him! With such a charming and supportive gamer gal cheering him on, can Raito take his game to the next level, or will the pressure of being up close and personal with a bombshell like Rion lead him to throw?

I Want a Gal Gamer to Praise Me

Riviere and the Land of Prayer

Story by Jougi Shiraishi
Illustration by Azure

Return to the world of the Wandering Witch in a brand-new spin-off! 

The stage is set for two girls in a land where prayers have become curses. In a small island nation, there is a mysterious town where people’s prayers are answered by a mysterious force. I, Makmilia, assist the enigmatic Riviere in our shop, where we deal with the dangerous items borne of those prayers. We’ve got a fate-changing perfume, a talking vase, and a bag containing strange creatures, just to name a few. Yes, indeed, the deeds of the marvelous duo, Makmilia and Riviere, will overshadow even the Ashen Witch Elaina!

Riviere and the Land of Prayer

Once Upon a Witch’s Death: The Tale of the One Thousand Tears of Joy

Story by Saka
Illustration by Chorefuji

On her seventeenth birthday, the apprentice witch Meg learns that she only has one year left to live. Her teacher, the long-lived witch Faust, explains that the only way to undo the death curse is to collect tears of joy and grow the seed of life. To find them, Meg will have to leave the sheltered life she’s always known and head out into the world. There will be meetings, partings, and friendships aplenty, and of course many tears. Meg will learn that the most important lessons for a witch are bright, sweet, and somewhat heart-wrenching.

Once Upon a Witch's Death: The Tale of the One Thousand Tears of Joy

Adults’ Picture Book

By Kei Itoi

Erotic manga author Kudou’s friend Haruki passes away, leaving behind his young daughter, Kiki, and a note bequeathing her to Kudou. Strange as the situation is, Kudou commits to making a real family with the girl—so when he meets a woman who reminds him of his late friend, he fires off a marriage proposal on the spot! By blood, friendship, love, or circumstance, family is family…

Adults’ Picture Book

You Can’t See the Snow

By Rokudo Ningen

College freshman Natsuki and sophomore Yuki meet and fall in love one summer night—the first of many they spend together. But as autumn approaches, Yuki suddenly tells Natsuki she wants him to be happy and find a cute girlfriend, then disappears from campus. Hoping to see Yuki one final time, Natsuki visits her home and learns she suffers from an unknown illness that forces her to sleep through the winter. This modern-day version of Sleeping Beauty explores the miracle of love.

You Can’t See the Snow

VIZ Media To Release Art For Hope Digital Art Anthology In December

Official Press Release

Innovative Art Book Created In Partnership With Autodesk To Benefit Japanese Disaster Recovery; Exhibit Of Artwork Also Takes Place In Las Vegas At Autodesk University

VIZ Media has announced the upcoming debut of ART FOR HOPE, a limited edition digital art book anthology created in partnership with Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK) to benefit Architecture for Humanity. The anthology will be available for a limited time, from December 1, 2011 to May 31, 2012, for $4.99 through VIZManga.com and the VIZ Manga App for iPad®, iPhone® and iPod® touch. 100% of VIZ Media’s net proceeds will support Architecture for Humanity’s ongoing disaster reconstruction efforts in Japan. To learn more about these rebuilding projects, please visit: www.ArchitectureForHumanity.org.

Each of the 40 artists participating in the ART FOR HOPE anthology used Autodesk® SketchBook® digital paint and drawing software applications in some way to create original pieces for the anthology. The artists, both professional and amateur, hail from around the world and from diverse fields, and range in style from the realistic to the fantastic, each illustrating the theme of “Hope.” Notable contributors include Eisner Award and Harvey Award winner Rob Guillory, Harvey Award winner Lark Pien, muralist Sirron Norris, and MAMESHIBA artists Jorge Monlongo and Gemma Correll.

Selections from ART FOR HOPE will also be exhibited at the Autodesk annual user conference, Autodesk University, taking place at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas, NV from November 29th to December 1st. Access to the exhibit is free to the public within the Creative Studio a unique hands-on space to celebrate the creative spirit and showcasing a variety of Autodesk software and products. More information on the exhibit and conference is available at:

http://www.sketchbooknews.com/news/creative-studio-art-exhibit.html.

VIZ Media and Autodesk are very proud of and grateful to the following artists for their contributions to the ART FOR HOPE digital art anthology:

Janet Alvarado                                   Don’t Lose Hope

Asuka 111 (Patipat Asavasena)          Hope

Azure                                                 Untitled

Greg Baldwin of CreatureBox              Sheltered

Alan Bay                                            A Little Piece of Hope

Drew Blom                                         Calvin Hedge and the Iron Golem

Steve Boura                                       Bright Future

Carsten Bradley                                 A Wish for You

Matthew Britton                                 Regrowth

Veronica Casson                                 The Guest Room

Geikou Chen                                      Rainbow Bridge to Tomorrow

Gemma Correll                                   Pierre, le Chat Français

Kalii Delarosa                                     The Rainbow in the Rain

Conrado Hernan Villa Gil                     Untitled

Dave Guertin                                     First Flight

Rob Guillory                                       Hope

Rodolpho Langhi                                A New Sunrise

C. Lijewski                                          Light Side of Dark

Chris Lui                                            Birds of a Feather

Holly Mongi                                        Good Morning, Friend

Jorge Monlongo                                  The Sprout and the Bean

Brian Muelhaupt                                 Ojizo-sama

Shaun Mullen                                     Kodama (Tree Spirits)

Susan Murtaugh                                Enduring Beauty

Ray N.                                                Deliverance

Joe Ng                                               Rise Above the Storm

Sirron Norris                             Kibou

Jacques Pena                                     Love

Luis Peso                                            Gathering Hope

Lark Pien                                            Wishes, Dreams

Kyle Runciman                                   Ready to Roll

Francesco Salvati                               DEAR HOPE

Janet Shaw                                        The Hope of Japan

Brad Silverman                                   Dancing Dragon

Joseph Strachan                                 Flight of the Phoenix

James Turner                                     Never Give Up

Colie Wertz                                        Sea Turtle

Pinar Yalcin                                        Beam of Light

John Yandall                                                One Little Sign

Jim Zub                                              Seed Starter

For more information on the ART FOR HOPE project, please visit www.VIZ.com/artforhope.

For more information on VIZ Media digital initiatives, please visit VIZManga.com or www.VIZ.com/apps/.