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Sakura-Con 2024: Yen Press Licenses Ten Titles for September Release

Posted on March 31, 2024 by Graphic Policy Team

Along with its acquisition announcement of an award-winning manhua at Sakura-Con 2024 in Seattle, Yen Press, LLC announced the upcoming release of ten new titles, including six manga (Pink & Habanero; Tougen Anki: Dark Demon of Paradise; When the Villainess Seduces the Main Heroine; From Old Country Bumpkin to Master Swordsman: My Hotshot Disciples Are All Grown Up Now, and They Won’t Leave Me Alone; Detroit: Become Human -Tokyo Stories-; Spring Storm and Monster) and four novels (86—EIGHTY-SIX Alter; Hero Syndrome; Even a Replica Can Fall in Love; Victoria of Many Faces). With a variety of genres and books from beloved authors such as Mitsubachi Miyuki, these ten titles are set to release in September 2024.

86—EIGHTY-SIX Alter

Story by Asato Asato
Illustration by Shirabii

They were in the midst of youth, even on the battlefield…Shin, Lena, and their friends experience brief moments of peace and happiness while facing certain death, enjoying a short break, plunging into battle once again, and setting foot in the frigid United Kingdom for the first time—sharing these moments with their comrades, friends, lovers, and family. Glimpse another side of 86—EIGHTY-SIX that will leave you wishing against all odds that more such instances will visit them again tomorrow. This volume contains various short stories previously uncollected or unpublished, now compiled into a single volume!

Pink & Habanero

By Mika Satonaka

“I want a boyfriend too!” When Mai, who has no experience talking to boys and even less with love, meets Kei Kurose when she starts high school, the wrong sort of sparks fly. Kei might be super good-looking—but he treats girls like trash. Mai has no patience for his rude attitude, but when she coincidentally discovers his secret part-time job, she might just have to learn to keep his trust?! 

Tougen Anki: Dark Demon of Paradise

By Yura Urushibara

Shiki Ichinose’s blood is Oni, and his father’s is Momotarou. Normally, those with Momotarou blood hunt the Oni—but Shiki’s father refused to kill him as an infant. Instead, he adopted Shiki and raised him despite the rebellious attitude and dangerous temper that come with Oni blood. When a member of the Momotarou Agency kills Shiki’s father, Shiki vows to avenge him. But as he hones his abilities and learns to control his Oni blood, will he be strong enough to survive the dangers waiting for him…?

When the Villainess Seduces the Main Heroine

By Kasai Fujii

When the crown prince announces he’s breaking off his engagement to the infamous Akuya, his spurned fiancée wastes no time turning her seductive words of passion to her actual target—Sei, a commoner who worked her way up through the ranks with her wit and charm alone…and the very girl the prince dumped Akuya for! Sei’s about to get a taste of what a real lover is like in this steamy tale of two girls who traded in their Prince Charming for each other!

When the Villainess Seduces the Main Heroine

Hero Syndrome

Story by Rei Ayatsuki
Illustration by riichu
Character Design by Gekidan Inu Curry (Doroinu)

Heroes bristle with the power that can protect and save everyone, and these young men and women battle monsters in their dreams, doing their glorious Goddess’s bidding…

…never realizing that the monsters they fight are actually humans.

Infested by the mysterious being known simply as the Goddess and transformed into unthinking creatures of havoc and slaughter, these heroes of destruction wage an endless war of blind justice. Only Charon, an elite unit led by a young man known as Azuma, stands a chance against these terrifying enemies. So what might happen when a young scientist named Kaguya who joins their ranks wants to save the heroes rather than defeat them…?

Even a Replica Can Fall in Love

Story by Harunadon
Illustration by raemz

When she doesn’t feel well, when there’s a test, when she doesn’t want to go to school…I take her place. I’m her replica. I’m not meant for anything else. But that changed when I fell in love. I wear my hair up so the boy I fell for knows it’s me. We skip school and promise to meet again tomorrow–and every day after. I’m her replica. Everything about me is borrowed and empty, but my heart is mine.

Victoria of Many Faces

Story by SYUU
Illustration by Nanna Fujimi

In an age when spies act behind the scenes in every land, Chloe spends her days successfully carrying out even the most difficult missions due to her unparalleled disguise skills and martial arts abilities. After the betrayal of her boss, she suddenly disappears—as Chloe plans to redo her life as the ordinary citizen Victoria in the neighboring kingdom of Ashberry, striving for a “normal” life. However, Victoria’s peaceful life is abruptly cut short as she begins to get involved with many people. In this new land, her experiences and abilities from her days as a spy come in far more useful than she ever expected! On the other hand, the second prince–and others–take an interest in Victoria’s strength, and the shadows close in on the woman with many faces…!

From Old Country Bumpkin to Master Swordsman: My Hotshot Disciples Are All Grown Up Now, and They Won’t Leave Me Alone

Story by Shigeru Sagazaki
Character Design by Tetsuhiro Nabeshima
Art by Kazuki Sato

“I recommended Master Beryl as the knights’ special instructor.” In a village in the remote countryside, Beryl Gardinant meticulously runs a fencing dojo. One day, he’s paid a visit by his former pupil Allusia, now grown into the kingdom knights’ commander, and Beryl decides to follow her to the royal capital to become a special instructor for the knights. As he’s pulled into reunions with his accomplished and eager apprentices, what does fate have in store for Beryl?

From Old Country Bumpkin to Master Swordsman: My Hotshot Disciples Are All Grown Up Now, and They Won’t Leave Me Alone

Detroit: Become Human -Tokyo Stories-

By Quantic Dream

2038, Tokyo. Artificially intelligent androids have started production. Even smarter and more beautiful than regular people, they steadily replace humans in various roles. However, unlike in anti-android America, in Japan, the android idol Reina’s wild popularity seems to herald a bright future for her kind. Though, amid this, android “deviants” begin to appear, rejecting their duty for free will and real emotions. With a human girl as a thread, these deviants begin to spin a revolution in Japan.

Spring Storm and Monster

By Mitsubachi Miyuki

High school freshman Ranko Haruno’s sole desire in life is to keep her head down and get by with as little human interaction as possible. It’s working well until a random guy is literally hurled into her path (and knocked out when his head hits the wall). The one responsible? A guy she later finds out is her new stepbrother, Kaya Amamine…How exactly is she supposed to live with such a creepy jerk who seemingly has a penchant for violence?!

Sakura-Con 2024: Ize Press Licenses Semantic Error – An English Print Release of the Iconic Korean Boys Love Comic

Posted on March 30, 2024 by Graphic Policy Team

At Sakura-Con 2024 in Seattle, WA, Ize Press announced the upcoming English print release of the Korean webcomic Semantic Error. The series stands out as one of the most celebrated works of Boys Love in the world of manhwa, one that follows the enemies-to-lovers story about two college students—the strict and logical Sangwoo and the star of the university Jaeyoung. Since the announcement of Ize Press, Semantic Error has been frequently requested by many fans and followers of the esteemed Korean comic imprint, eager to finally collect an English print edition of this iconic series that was serialized on the webcomic platform Manta.

Semantic Error

Adapted by Angy
Original Story by J. Soori

Computer science major Sangwoo Choo values reason, routine, and rules above all, so when the rest of his teammates fail to contribute to the group presentation, he doesn’t hesitate to cut everyone’s names from the project entirely—including design major Jaeyoung Jang, which ruins his plans to graduate and study abroad. Jaeyoung is more than happy to return the favor and strives to be the biggest thorn in Sangwoo’s side—but as they spend more time together, a strange attraction begins to develop between them… Will Sangwoo be able to debug this semantic error from his life?

With Angy’s incredible use of color and J. Soori’s masterful character development, Semantic Error is a must-read for Boys Love fans looking for an opposites-attract story with great pacing and delicious chemistry. It is a fun yet mature story that focuses on the complicated emotions that come with falling for someone unexpectedly. The tension between its characters is wonderfully complemented by the depth of their self-reflection. They learn more about themselves through their interactions and growing feelings, which leads to the intimacy and vulnerability that have delighted readers worldwide.

The popularity of the webcomic led to two media adaptations—a four-episode series of animated shorts released in 2021 and a live-action Korean drama released in 2022. The live-action drama and the actors who portrayed its iconic characters went on to win several awards in Korea from reputable organizations, such as the Grand Bell Awards, Blue Dragon Series Awards, and APAN Star Awards. Boys Love has risen to become one of the most popular genres in the world of media, and Semantic Error has become one of the most beloved works among its many diehard fans.

The on-sale date of the English print edition of Semantic Error will be announced at a later date on the Ize Press social media pages.

Sakura-Con 2024: Cixin Liu’s Three-Body Problem comes to comics from Yen Press

Posted on March 29, 2024 by Graphic Policy Team

At the Yen Press Industry Panel at Seattle’s Sakura-Con, Yen Press announced that it will be releasing the North American print edition of The Three-Body Problem comic, an adaptation of Cixin Liu’s award-winning novel that has sold over 3 million copies in North America. The Three-Body Problem is the first installment of Liu’s Remembrance of Earth’s Past trilogy, a book that was released in its native China in 2008 and translated to English in 2014. Since its release, The Three-Body Problem has become one of the most celebrated works of Chinese science fiction in the world, receiving the Galaxy Award in China as well as the Hugo Award for its translated edition. The popularity of The Three-Body Problem led it to be adapted into a Netflix original series that debuted in March 2024.

The Three-Body Problem

Original Story by Cixin Liu
Illustrated by XuDong Cai
Adapted by Jim Cai, Twilight Lu, and Silver

Amid China’s Cultural Revolution in the 1960s, a covert military project establishes contact with Trisolaris, an alien planet on the brink of destruction. This sets into motion the Trisolarans’ long and menacing journey to invade Earth. Meanwhile, a secret society is formed by the world’s elite, broken into factions with differing motivations for aiding in the Trisolaran invasion—from saving the lives of their descendants to accelerating the destruction of humanity. Decades later, a group of scientists and a cunning detective investigate a series of mysterious suicides, leading to the discovery of this Earth-Trisolaran Organization. Humanity’s battle against its greatest threat has begun…

Formerly a computer engineer, Cixin Liu is one of today’s most well-known and influential writers of Chinese science fiction. In addition to his awards and accolades for The Three-Body Problem, Liu has won the Galaxy Award on eight other occasions as well as a Locus Award for Death’s End, the third installment of his Remembrance of Earth’s Past trilogy. Renowned writers of science fiction and fantasy have given Liu praise for his work, such as Kim Stanley Robinson, who called The Three-Body Problem “The best kind of science fiction,” and George R. R. Martin, who called it “A breakthrough book…a unique blend of scientific and philosophical speculation.”

The English-language publication of The Three-Body Problem comic releasing in the same year as the live-action show has been an effort facilitated by various parties, starting with the introduction of the original novel by China Educational Publications Import & Export Corporation Ltd. (CEPIEC) to the English-reading market over a decade ago. The proprietor of the comic adaptation is Beijing Future Imagination Culture Communication Co., Ltd. with North American rights handled by Seth Fishman at The Gernert Company.

The Three-Body Problem comic will be the second of Cixin Liu’s works published by Yen Press, the first being the manga adaptation of his short story Taking Care of God, which was released in February 2024.

The on-sale date of The Three-Body Problem comic will be announced on Yen Press social media at a future date.

Yen Press Announces New Titles at Sakura Con 2022

Posted on April 17, 2022 by Graphic Policy Team

During the Yen Press Industry Panel at Sakura Con 2022, Yen Press, LLC announced the acquisition of new manga (The Demon Sword Master of Excalibur Academy; Thermae Romae (manga omnibus); Touring After the Apocalypse; and The Gay Who Turned Kaiju), novels (Arya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian; Gods’ Games We Play; Apparently, Disillusioned Adventurers Will Save the World; and King’s Proposal), and an art book (Visions 2022 Illustrators Book).

Visions 2022 Illustrators Book (artbook)

By pixiv Inc

A stunning art collection essential for art lovers and book collectors alike. The ultimate collection of pixiv artists is back! The 2022 compilation features 170 of some of the greatest creators on the platform—all of whom have made an impact on the artistic field. With an abundance of styles from retro to modern and beyond, there’s something for everyone to love!

Visions 2022 Illustrators Book (artbook)

The Demon Sword Master of Excalibur Academy (manga)

Story by Yu Shimizu
Art by Asuka Keigen

The manga adaptation of the light novel series soon to be an anime! One thousand years ago, Leonis Death Magnus, undead sorcerer and the greatest of the Dark Lords, entered magical stasis during a climactic battle. When he awakens, he finds a beautiful silver-haired young woman named Riselia standing before him. More shockingly, Leonis has been transformed into a ten-year-old boy! Now he’ll have to adapt to this strange era and deal with the twisted monsters called Voids—all while keeping his true powers a secret from his lovely new guardian.

The Demon Sword Master of Excalibur Academy (manga)

Thermae Romae (manga omnibus)

Story and Art by Mari Yamazaki

When Roman architect Lucius is criticized for his outdated thermae designs, he retreats to the local bath to collect his thoughts. All Lucius wants is to recapture the Rome of earlier days, when one could enjoy a relaxing bath without the pressure of merchants and roughhousing patrons. But as he slips deeper into the water, Lucius is caught in the drainage and dragged through the bottom of the bath!

He emerges amid a group of strange-looking foreigners with the most peculiar bathhouse customs…over 1,500 years in the future in modern-day Japan! His contemporaries wanted him to modernize, so—borrowing the customs of these mysterious bath-loving people—Lucius opens what quickly becomes the most popular new bathhouse in Rome: Thermae Romae! Soak in Mari Yamazaki’s fantastic story and art in this deluxe omnibus!

Arya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian (light novel)

Story by Sunsunsun
Art by Momoco

A romantic comedy perfect for fans of Chitose Is in the Ramune Bottle and The Girl I Saved on the Train Turned Out to Be My Childhood Friend.Masachika Kuse sits next to Arya, a girl of Russian and Japanese descent. She’s beautiful, haughty, and an exceptional student, while Masachika is nerdy and known for being a slacker. He’s an easy target for her comments in Russian, which she’s all too happy to translate—except he can understand what she’s really saying!

Arya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian (light novel)

Gods’ Games We Play (light novel)

Story by Kei Sazane
Art by Toiro Tomose

An epic fantasy soon to be an anime! When the gods grow bored, they decide to spice up their eternal existence by challenging all takers in an ultimate battle of wits! Of course, these deities are capricious, unfair, and incomprehensible at the best of times, so winning is virtually impossible for a mere mortal. Even so, things are bound to get interesting when a former goddess and a genius human boy team up in a bid to win the game to end all games!

Apparently, Disillusioned Adventurers Will Save the World (light novel)

Story by Shinta Fuji
Art by Susumu Kuroi

A playful take on isekai tropes that will be a good fit for readers of Banished from the Hero’s Party, I Decided to Live a Quiet Life in the Countryside. Nick used to be a member of a veteran adventurer party, helping his undisciplined friends with the accounts whenever he could. But what was his reward? Getting accused of embezzlement and kicked out by the leader he respected. Before long, he finds a few other jaded adventurers and kindred spirits, and together, they form their own unstoppable party!

Apparently, Disillusioned Adventurers Will Save the World (light novel)

King’s Proposal (light novel)

Story by Koushi Tachibana
Art by Tsunako

A new light novel series from the creative team behind the legendary Date A Live. Saika Kuozaki is an all-powerful witch with looks to die for. She’s also the only woman who can thwart the mysterious entities attempting to destroy the world once every 300 hours. When Saika is mortally wounded, however, she bequeaths both her powers and body to the normal high school boy who happens upon her, Mushiki Kuga. But just because Mushiki has her abilities doesn’t mean he can control them. To stand a chance of saving the world, he’ll have to attend an academy for mages as Saika—all while keeping his identity under wraps!

Touring After the Apocalypse (manga)

Story and Art by Sakae Saito

With a surprisingly upbeat tone, readers of Girls’ Last Tour will enjoy this trip through apocalyptic Japan. All alone after the end of days, two girls bike through the empty ruins of Japan—and they’re not about to let the collapse of civilization get in the way of sightseeing! Even when the world ends, their journey goes on.

The Gay Who Turned Kaiju (manga)

Story and Art by Kazuki Minamoto

Bullied for being gay, teenager Takashi Arashiro wishes he could just be somebody else—but who could predict he’d morph into a giant-headed sci-fi creature?! Takashi’s tumultuous emotions become the catalyst for personal and social exploration of the LGBTQ experience in this quirky, profound manga from prolific BL author Kazuki Minamoto.

Yen Press Announces Ize Press: A New Imprint Dedicated to Korean Content

Posted on April 17, 2022 by Graphic Policy Team

During the Yen Press Industry Panel at Sakura-Con 2022, Yen Press announced Ize Press, a new imprint dedicated to Korean content. A collaboration among Yen Press, REDICE Studio, and RIVERSE, Ize Press will establish itself as a market leader for print editions of content that has captured the imagination and dedication of readers around the world.

Ize launches in Fall 2022 with an all-star lineup of titles, starting with English-language editions of HYBE’s own IP-based ‘original story’ webnovels and webcomics from K-pop royalty BTS (7FATES: CHAKHO), ENHYPEN (DARK MOON), and TXT (THE STAR SEEKERS). These three titles were originally released in ten languages on WEBTOON Worldwide Service, collectively garnering over 70 million views in a single month.

Additionally, Ize will release fan-favorite webcomics Tomb Raider King, The World After the Fall, The Boxer, My Gently Raised Beast, The Remarried Empress, and Villains Are Destined to Die.

7FATES: CHAKHO

Created by HYBE
With BTS

A collaboration with BTS, the dynamic story follows seven young men bound by fate. After growing up together through a series of trials and tribulations, they must become a unified group of seven to unlock their destiny. 7FATES: CHAKHO is an urban fantasy story set in the near future, inspired by the Chakhogapsa tiger hunters of the Joseon Dynasty in Korea. Filtered through HYBE’s imagination, the story reimagines traditional Korean tiger tales and a mythological world of wild beasts.

DARK MOON

Created by HYBE
With ENHYPEN

Mixing urban fantasy and teen romance, the story follows the confrontation, confusion, and chemistry between a group of vampires, a pack of werewolves, and a mysterious girl with a secret. The tale of DARK MOON is told in the form of a series of stories, starting with DARK MOON: THE BLOOD ALTAR. Combining a heroine with incredible abilities, youthful friendships, and a powerful secret, DARK MOON: THE BLOOD ALTAR brings new levity and energy to teen romance.

THE STAR SEEKERS

Created by HYBE
With TOMORROW X TOGETHER (TXT)

THE STAR SEEKERS follows a group of young men in a pop band who live in a world where magic is part of everyday reality. The group awakens one day to discover they possess dormant magical abilities. This fantastic tale features imaginary creatures, magic, and a fun look at the world of entertainment.

Tomb Raider King

Story by Yuns
Art by 3B2S
Original Novel by SAN.G

In the year 2025, mysterious tombs appeared all over the world, each housing an ancient relic granting supernatural abilities. The lucky few who quickly obtained these relics ruled over powerful monopolies. Others came to serve them, such as Jooheon Suh, a raider who hid in tombs to steal relics. Betrayed by his employer, Jooheon is left to die but instead finds himself transported fifteen years in the past. Armed with years of raiding experience and knowledge of what is to come in the world of relics, does Jooheon have what it takes to become the Tomb Raider King?

The World After the Fall

Adapted by S-Cynan
Art by Undead Potato
Original Novel by singNsong

A new series from the creative team behind Omniscient Reader. A tower one day appeared in the skies, standing out as a beacon of chaos and apocalypse. A heroic and powerful lot known as Walkers cleared the tower floors in order to save humanity, until the day that the Stone of Regression was discovered. Walkers could now “return” to the past, and slowly, everyone left. The brave few who remained formed Carpe Diem, a group of people who refused to abandon the world and represented humanity’s last hope. But once the last Walker reached floor 100, he no longer knew what to believe…

The Boxer

Story and Art by JH

“He doesn’t have the same hunger for superiority that drives every human being.” The enigmatic Yu lives his life without joy or purpose. All aspects of the young man are a mystery to those around him…save for his superhuman athletic abilities. Yu has rhythm, grace, and power on the level of the top pound-for-pound fighters, and his potential is too much for the legendary Coach K to ignore. Taking the young prodigy under his wing, the two shock the world of boxing, fight by fight, as Coach K attempts to make Yu the greatest of all time. But what exactly compels Yu to keep entering the ring…?

My Gently Raised Beast

Adapted by Teava
Art by Yeoseulki
Original Novel by Early Flower

The orphaned Blondina lives a tough life on the streets, left only with a memento from her late mother—one that proves she is the child of the emperor of Ates. From the streets, Blondina moves into the royal palace, where she lives a lonely existence… until she befriends a brash and surly cat named Amon. Not only can Amon talk, but he also turns into a cute boy! The truth is, Amon is no mere cat but rather a member of the Divine Leopard Clan, a group of powerful demi-humans often at odds with humanity. Will the two be able to stay friends despite all the conflicts?

The Remarried Empress

Story by Alphatart
Art by Sumpul

Navier Ellie Trovi was the lifelong companion of Sovieshu, the emperor of the Eastern Empire, with whom she spent her youth discussing the empire they would build together. She was intelligent, compassionate, and courageous. She was the perfect empress of the Eastern Empire, until the day Sovieshu fell for another woman, demanding a divorce. However, it was Navier who shocked Sovieshu, his beloved mistress, and a speechless court as she coldly declared: “I accept this divorce…and request an approval of my remarriage!”

Villains Are Destined to Die

Story and Art by SUOL
Original Novel by Gwon Gyeoeul

In Easy Mode of Daughter of the Duke Love Project!, you play as Ivonne, the duke’s long-lost daughter, who quickly gains the affection of the various male characters to win the game. Very easy! In Hard Mode, you play as villainess Penelope Eckhart, the duke’s fake daughter, who starts her adventure with negative affection points. Very hard…and filled with gruesome deaths?! Misunderstood and pining for love, one girl finds that she has much in common with Penelope and tries again and again to get her good ending. She is granted one more try…when she falls asleep and wakes up as Penelope herself in the hostile world of the game!