In the newest volume of Black Jack, our rogue surgeon goes further beyond what the medical establishment deems acceptable, as he operates on spirits, challenges psychic surgeons, and treats an adorable, and familiar, white lion. Whether you’re a first-time patient or a loyal patron of the doctor, you won’t be disappointed when you check in with Black Jack. Make a reservation and pick up volume 12 today.

His Japanese debut Peepo Choo made a big splash when it launched back in 2008, rocking the manga scene with his original designs and his bigger-than-life characters. While his tale of culture clash challenged even veteran comic critics, there was no doubt in their minds that Felipe had mastered the art of manga presentation. Now Peepo Choo stands alongside works from such luminaries as Moyoco Anno, Takehiko Inoue, and Naoki Urasawa, published in Japan’s premiere seinen (men’s) comic anthology Morning.

As Felipe is developing his latest series for Japan’s largest publisher Kodansha, his Peepo Choo is ready to take on American readers. And to celebrate the occasion, Felipe will be joining Vertical at San Diego Comic Con and Otakon as a guest this summer, with book signings at both shows. Felipe will also be going back home to LA between cons for a special event at Hollywood’s Meltdown Comics. So don’t miss out on your chance to meet a comics legend before he once again departs for the Far East.

Book Signing @ Comic Con International (limited to 100 ticketed guests)
July 24, 2010 (Saturday) 2:00pm-3:00pm
Location: San Diego Comic Con – San Diego Convention Center, 111 West Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA

Peepo Choo Launch Party @ Meltdown Comics
July 26, 2010 (Monday) 7:00pm-
Location: Meltdown Comics – Meltdown Comics, 7522 Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, CA

Book Signing @ Otakon
July 31, 2010 (Saturday) TBA
Location: Otakon – Baltimore Convention Center, 1 West Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD

Now after receiving praise from media sources and events like Publishers Weekly, Book Expo America, and the School Library Journal, Twin Spica has quickly become the critics’ favorite new title of 2010. Easily our most reviewed title ever, Yaginuma’s heartfelt tale of a teen’s lifelong ambition to become an astronaut is winning over readers across the country and we are certain that today’s release of the second installment in the series will further strengthen this series’ place among manga’s brightest and most beloved titles for years to come.

Volume 1, presented in full color, details our feline heroine’s adventures with her new adopted family, the Yamadas. Presented equally from the perspectives of the kitten and her many admirers, Chi’s Sweet Home is a genuine look at the many trials and touching moments of kitty raising. Comic readers and cat fanciers alike should instantly be charmed by our favorite kitty and we hope to see Chi adopted by homes across the continent in the near future.

In Michael Dana Kennedy’s debut novel The Flowers of Edo, readers get inside Operation Downfall like never before through the eyes of a new American hero, Ken Kobayashi. The young Japanese-American intelligence officer, understanding the costs of war, volunteers to infiltrate the Imperial Japanese Army to collect the intel needed to reduce the loss of life on both sides. In this dramatic tale recounting the final days of World War II, Kennedy takes readers into war room meetings as the Allied forces present their campaign to invade Japan. As we follow Lt. Kobayashi across Japan, we witness a Japanese landscape decimated by fire bombings as the Land of the Rising Sun continues to maintain its war machine in a lost cause.

Kennedy reminds readers of the human element that is always on the frontlines. As he presents so vividly in this meticulously researched novel, there is a story behind every soldier, sailor, airman and marine. Those who have read the book agree: such a story, even when tragic, can be a thing of beauty.

“Sure to fascinate all who are interested in the lives of those who experienced the conflict between Japan and the United States in the mid-20th century.”
—Annette Gordon-Reed, Winner of the 2009 Pulitzer Prize in History

“The struggle of a soldier’s courage and loyalty to country is at the core of Michael Dana Kennedy’s debut novel. The Flowers of Edo embraces not only the significant historical context but the rich cultural intricacies like few historical novels.”
—James Bradley, New York Times bestselling author of Flags of Our Fathers

“An excellent book! The Flowers of Edo is a gripping historical novel focused on the final months of WWII, with an authentic Japanese setting and an intriguing plot. Both entertaining and educational…a delightful adventure and experience!”
—Admiral James R. Hogg, U.S. Navy (retired) Commander Seventh Fleet (1983-85)

Multi-national Manga Anti-Piracy Coalition Formed
June 7, 2010

Today a coalition of Japanese and U.S. publishers announced a coordinated effort to combat a rampant and growing problem of internet piracy plaguing the manga industry. “Scanlation,” as this form of piracy has come to be known, refers to the unauthorized digital scanning and translation of manga material that is subsequently posted to the internet without the consent of copyright holders or their licensees. According to the coalition, the problem has reached a point where “scanlation aggregator” sites now host thousands of pirated titles, earning ad revenue and/or membership dues at creators’ expense while simultaneously undermining foreign licensing opportunities and unlawfully cannibalizing legitimate sales. Worse still, this pirated material is already making its way to smartphones and other wireless devices, like the iPhone and iPad, through apps that exist solely to link to and republish the content of scanlation sites.

Participants in the coalition include the 36 members of Japan’s Digital Comic Association, Square Enix, VIZ Media, TOKYOPOP, Vertical, Inc., the Tuttle-Mori Agency and Yen Press. Working together, the membership of the coalition will actively seek legal remedies to this intellectual property theft against those sites that fail to voluntarily cease their illegal appropriation of this material.

“It is unfortunate that this action has become necessary,” said a spokesperson for the group. “However, to protect the intellectual property rights of our creators and the overall health of our industry, we are left with no other alternative but to take aggressive action. It is our sincere hope that offending sites will take it upon themselves to immediately cease their activities. Where this is not the case, however, we will seek injunctive relief and statutory damages. We will also report offending sites to federal authorities, including the anti-piracy units of the Justice Department, local law enforcement agencies and FBI.”

The coalition stated that it has currently identified thirty sites targeted for action.

Participant members of the Digital Comic Association include: Akane Shinsha, Akita Shoten, ASCII Media Works, East Press, Ichijinsha, Enterbrain, Okura Shuppan, Ohzora Shuppan, Gakken, Kadokawa Shoten, Gentosha Comics, Kodansha, Jitsugyo No Nihonsha, Shueisha, Junet, Shogakukan, Shogakukan Shueisha Production, Shodensha, Shonen Gahosha, Shinshokan, Shinchosa, Take Shobo, Tatsumi Shuppan, Tokuma Shoten, Nihon Bungeisha, Hakusensha, Fujimi Shobo, Fusosha, Futabasha, France Shoin, Bunkasha, Houbunsha, Magazine House, Media Factory, Leed-sha, Libre Shuppan

The doctor himself also receives care this time around, delving into his past and exploring his future in episodes that include one that may be a “goodbye” to Black Jack! Who knows how much health coverage this comprehensive would cost you, but at $16.95, there should be no debate on how you’ll cover your manga needs—pick up Black Jack, Volume 11, available now!

“Sensitive and naturalistic”
—Ain’t It Cool News

“A gentle sense of wonder”
—Anime News Network

“Refreshingly divergent”
—Otaku USA

“Very classic manga feel”
—Comic Book Resources

Not even Buddha garnered the amount of pre-publication publicity that Twin Spica has; whoever your favorite manga critic is, he or she has endorsed Yaginuma’s debut work! Click here to read what they have to say and also a free preview of volume 1, which goes on sale today.

In Nintendo Magic Nikkei Business Publications correspondent Osamu Inoue compiles years of industry data and insider interviews to reveal just how Nintendo turned the tables on the gaming industry to sell nearly 200 million consoles of their seventh-generation gaming machines. With this rare inside look at the home of Mario and Donkey Kong, readers can learn the secrets Iwata, Miyamoto and Yamauchi used to double-up their competition. According to Inoue, while more powerful consoles continue to sit on shelves, Nintendo’s Wii and DS systems had the world playing games again.

So while Nintendo’s true magic has always been their high standards of manufacturing quality and customer service, now there is a good case to be made that more than a century of gaming intuition has re-enchanted a world hungry for entertainment.

Two decades ago Tetsuya Nishio, Japan’s most nefarious riddler, initiated a paradigm shift within the logic gaming field by introducing an artistic element to a world of number placement games. The result was O’Ekaki. These logic puzzles were so self-indulgent they compelled even the most jaded of puzzlers to once again strain over grids to in this case stimulate both sides of the brain.

In his latest release, O’Ekaki Decadence, Master Nishio compiles more than one hundred of his most wicked hand-crafted puzzles, delivering new levels of logic-inspired delirium. With each new puzzle, gamers are treated to new luscious challenges unveiling dozens of iconic images that have shaped our culture, insinuating new levels of puzzling debauchery.