Now after a number of reprints, Apollo’s Song is born again in a brand new two-volume edition. Now featuring new cover designs from our in-house Production Manager Hiroko Mizuno, this new handsome version comes in a smaller, more portable trim, and is priced perfectly for these tight economic times. So whether you are completely new to Shogo’s tragic love story or have only heard rumors of what Salon.com called “a marvelously screwed-up paean,” Apollo’s Song should rekindle comics readers’ romance with Osamu Tezuka.

On September 2, the National Museum of the Pacific War, also known as the Nimitz Museum and located in the legendary admiral’s hometown of Fredericksburg, will be celebrating the sixty-fifth anniversary of the signing of the instrument of surrender. Invited for a book signing—the museum’s first—on that historic date is Michael Dana Kennedy, author of The Flowers of Edo, an astounding debut novel featuring a Japanese-American lieutenant who volunteers to infiltrate militarist Japan.

The new Barnes & Noble establishment in La Cantera in nearby San Antonio will also be hosting the author, on September 1, in what’s to be his first appearance at America’s largest bookstore chain.

Stay tuned for further engagements including one at the Boston Japan Society.

September 1, 2010 (Wednesday) 7pm
Location:
The Shops at La Cantera
15900 La Cantera Parkway Bldg 27
San Antonio, TX 78256
[Near the University of Texas at San Antonio]
Phone: (210) 558-2078

September 2, 2010 (Thursday) 2pm
Location:
The National Museum of the Pacific War
340 East Main Street
Fredericksburg, TX 78624
Directions: http://www.nimitz-museum.org/PlanYourVisit.asp
Phone: (830) 997-8600

Guided by new furry friends, and her best pal Yohei, Chi will be taking her new adventures on the road. First she’ll take command of her building’s perimeter. Then she’s got a park to conquer… After that who knows, she might take over a few alleys just to build up some turf! But let’s hope Chi doesn’t forget to protect her home, ’cause there are rumors of another cat causing trouble.

Given our primary mission, we’ve had to turn down most of them. But our veteran fans surely remember the two exceptions that we did make: the business primer Saying Yes to Japan by Tim Clark and Carl Kay and the indispensable guide to J-Horror by David Kalat, both of which enjoyed overwhelmingly positive receptions.

It was only when the World War II-thriller The Flowers of Edo hit our inbox, however, that we decided to go ahead and publish our first work of originally-in-English fiction. Yes, it’s just that good! Check out its webpage to see why.

In celebration of his literary debut, author Michael Dana Kennedy will be making appearances in major cities around the U.S. in the coming months.

First leg of the tour: California. Vertical’s Editorial Director Yani Mentzas will accompany in what’s to be a rare sighting of Yani outside the midtown NYC area.

August 19, 2010 (Thursday) 7:00pm-8:00pm
Location:
Japanese American National Museum
369 East First Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Map: http://www.janm.org/visit/map/
Phone: (213) 625-0414

August 20, 2010 (Friday) 6:30pm-8pm
Location:
Kinokuniya Bookstore
1581 Webster Street
San Francisco, CA 94115
Map: http://bookweb.kinokuniya.co.jp/ohb/02/contents/storeinfo-sf.html
Phone: (415) 567-7625

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