Vertical Inc. News

As volume five of Twin Spica hits store shelves this month, Kou Yaginuma’s touching story of space tragedy and triumph has received acclaim from a number of outlets.

2010 About.com’s Best New All-Ages Manga—Winner
2010 School Library Journal Best New Comics for Tweens
Graphic Novel Reporter Best Manga of 2010
2010 Cybil Young Adult Literary Awards—Finalist (Graphic Novel)
2011 Young Adult Library Services Association Great Graphic Novels for Teens—Finalist

Vertical would like to congratulate Mr. Yaginuma for his achievements, and as we near the halfway point of this series we hope readers continue support his manga masterpiece for seasons to come.

While Halloween might be a memory to most, readers of Kou Yaginuma’s Twin Spica can re-live some of the same chills as the series’ own lion-headed ghoul takes center stage.

There was a time when Asumi’s guardian angel had ambitions of someday traveling to the stars. Now as his memories slowly begin to fade, he continues to come to terms with his humanity while actively choosing not to cross the River Styx.  And as the realities of this new world around him sink in deeper, he learns that time and space will never stop…not even for the dead.

Told through the lens of Yaginuma’s distinctive artwork, which gushes with character and heart, Twin Spica volume 4 continues to blaze a trail in the world of sci-fi drama. This thought-provoking yarn continues to deliver engrossing like few manga ever have before.

There was a time when readers would ignore moving stories in favor of dynamic designs. With the advent of a new seinen (young adult) manga revolution, however, the range of narratives has exploded.

Now with its third volume available in stores, Twin Spica is one seinen title that is just reaching its critical orbit. Already a Publishers Weekly Big Graphic Novel for 2010 selection, Kou Yaginuma’s thoughtful tale of a teen’s struggles at a space academy continued to pick up high honors over the summer. Selected as one of the top manga of 2010 by critics at both Book Expo America and San Diego Comic Con, Twin Spica achieved a trajectory rarely seen by titles of its kind. A YALSA Great Graphic Novels for Teens nomination in August completed the grand slam, as each element of the comics universe, from libraries and trade merchants to journalists and comic fans, all agreed this is one series that should not be missed.

Do not miss your chance to catch this shooting star. Works like these come once in a lifetime.

When the Vertical staff was first introduced to Kou Yaginuma’s Twin Spica a year ago, we were charmed by the author’s storytelling and thoroughly impressed by his artistic skills. There was no doubt in our minds that we were reading a future hit.

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.

“Compelling stuff”
—Publishers Weekly

“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.