If you couldn't make it to our New York Comic-Con panel, fear not! We'd hate for anyone to miss out on our exciting announcements, so read on to learn what's in store for TOKYOPOP in 2018.
We've got a whole bookshelf of brand new manga from our exciting new initiative, International Women of Manga! These amazingly talented women might have vastly diverse backgrounds and speak different languages, but their love of manga and drive to create is one thing they all have in common. And of course we have some special collector re-releases of TOKYOPOP classics (along with the long-awaited completion of one unfinished title).
Scroll down to learn more, and stay tuned on social media for more information including chapter samples, behind the scenes interviews, full color character art and more announcements coming soon!
NANA YAA · Goldfisch
Goldfisch is an exciting shonen action adventure story by German manga creator Nana Yaa! Already a breakout success in Germany, the series will start its English language release in January!
Meet Morrey Gibbs, a fisher-boy in a flooded world overrun with mutated animals known as "anomals". But he's got more problems than just giant fish to deal with. Namely, how everything he touches turns to gold! Sure it sounds great, but gold underpants aren't exactly stylish... or comfortable. Together with his otter buddy Otta and new inventor friend Shelly, Morrey's on a quest to rid himself of his blessing-turned-curse, and try to find a solution for the tragedy he unwittingly caused...
Nana Yaa
Born in 1991, Nana Yaa won first place in the manga competition MangaMagie at the early age of 17 and caught the attention of late-night talk show host Stefan Raab, who even had her on his show TV Total. She is now among the most productive artists in the German manga scene and has already published numerous amateur manga and short stories, including the Boys Love webcomic, CRUSHED!!. In addition to her contributions to anthologies by the independent publisher Schwarzer Turm, her first full-length work, Patina was published by Droemer Knaur in 2016. Her slice-of-life drama MCS was awarded Doujinshi of the Year in 2016.
Nana Yaa lives and works in Neuss and graduated with a Bachelor in Communication Design in 2015. When she’s not at her work desk or thinking about a new story, she plays RPGs, drinks cocktails with friends or passes the time with her dog.
"When you make the step from amateur to professional artist and suddenly a lot of people will see your work, this job can be kind of scary. Self-doubt as to whether people will like your stuff, or if anyone even cares, can occur. No matter how big or the small the audience may be, you should always draw a story that you would like to read yourself."
BAN ZARBO · Kamo
Coming in May 2018 is Kamo, another action-packed shonen thriller from TOKYOPOP Germany! Penned by Ban Zarbo -- one half of the manga power-duo Zarbo twins -- some of you might remember it from our cover design poll!
Kamo has kept death at his doorstep for years. Now, just before his last breath, he receives a visit from a powerful mind named Crimson. Crimson offers him a chance at a new and healthy heart, in exchange for his help in capturing twelve spirits. However, Kamo will find out a pact with a spirit is not without its price…
Ban Zarbo
Ban’s mother first introduced her and her twin, Gin, to anime and manga as young girls. Even then, the twins aspired to one day become manga creators. Kamo is based on KA-MO which Ban had previously self-published in 2014 and is largely inspired by Caribbean myth.
Fun fact: the character Shokola is influenced by Ban's mother and even a little by a fellow TOKYOPOP manga creator! "I also have [Goldfisch creator] Nana Yaa's afro-hair splendor in mind, which also influenced her design; I tied them together and put them to paper."
Ever mindful of her fans and readers, Ban can't wait to see her manga take off around the world, and we're just as excited to bring it to North America!
"When TOKYOPOP contacted me to say they wanted to publish Kamo, my heart was beating so loud I almost died! I will try to continue to improve and always present you an exciting story. I sincerely hope that the German manga scene continues to grow, remains as productive as now and artists continue to do everything they can to further develop. It will be nice when readers no longer distinguish between German and Japanese manga. In any case, I thrive on your support and I would be very happy if you would accompany me on this path. Over and out!"
GIN ZARBO · Undead Messiah
The zombie-packed Undead Messiah is a seinen horror manga straight from the awesomely talented Gin Zarbo! Printing in English in August 2018, this brand new manga is already stirring up fans in Germany!
A pregnant woman is pursued by a supernatural creature. On the internet, videos of a bandaged hero surface. 15-year-old Tim Muley makes a terrible discovery in his neighbor's garden. Three seemingly unrelated events, all of which seem to point to an imminent zombie apocalypse! But this time the story's not about the end of mankind; it's about a new beginning...
Gin Zarbo
At just 24 years of age, Gin and her twin Ban, the Swiss natives with Dominican and Italian roots have already reached their goal of becoming manga creators, building a following of devoted fans through social media, and the eventual German publication of their work by TOKYOPOP.
Gin Zarbo self-published the fan favorite Cope Soul manga before creating Undead Messiah, which has everything she loves about the horror genre, but with a twist.
"There are different reasons why the undead are so interesting. In my family I grew up with horror stories. I've always liked eerie myths and monsters like vampires, werewolves, ghosts and zombies. However, due to the fact that a zombie outbreak could trigger catastrophes all over the world, I find them most fascinating because they can spread rapidly compared to other monsters, thereby giving them the power to wipe out all mankind."
A fan of the hit series Tokyo Ghoul, Gin's new title is sure to thrill fellow fans of the darker side of manga.
"I largely have my fans to thank that I have come this far. I have been able to acquire many tricks myself, but there are still so many things I have to learn. I hope Undead Messiah provides readers with a different kind of zombie story, and I welcome your feedback!"
NATALIA BATISTA · Sword Princess Amaltea
Already a beloved webseries, Sword Princess Amaltea is our newest partnership with yet another incredible international female manga creator! Coming out in June from TOKYOPOP in both print and digital formats, this manga has been released across Europe and is loved in many languages -- and soon, in English too!
Set in a gender-bent fairytale world where queens rule and magic is power, a young princess is sent on the biggest quest of her life -- to rescue a prince in need! But when she does, it seems the prince is not so willing after all...
Natalia Batista
Natalia Batista is a Swedish manga artist, illustrator and comic art teacher at Serieskolan in Malmö, the most prominent comic art school in Sweden. Her works include the kids manga Mjau!, published in Sweden, Portugal and the US. Natalia was a founding member of the Swedish manga artist collective and publisher Nosebleed Studio.
Natalia loves listening to podcasts, cooking vegan food and farming her own vegetables. She's got two cats who likes hanging out near her when she draws, and occasionally spill out her water cups.
You can already see a sample of Sword Princess Amaltea on Natalia's website: check it out here! With an eager fandom already behind her, Natalia is ready to get started introducing a whole new group of fans to her exciting and unique manga world!
"I am so stoked, because as I live in a small country (Sweden) with very little printed manga, I know how much the English translated and globally distributed manga mean to readers that won't get it otherwise. So happy!!!"
SOPHIE-CHAN · Ocean of Secrets
Sophie-chan's beautiful fantasy shojo manga is already causing waves among readers. Highly praised by librarians, educators, reviewers and fans alike, we can't wait to bring you the second volume of her debut manga in 2018!
On a flight back home, geology student Rai catches a glimpse of the mystical world of Lyronaz. Determined to find an explanation to what he saw, Rai begins an intensive search to find the mysterious floating kingdom. Meanwhile in Lyronaz, Moria discovers her father's involvement in the Queen's murder and finds out why Princess Anemone was kidnapped. As pirates prepare to destroy the land, the three kingdoms prepare for war.
What does Anemone hold that is so precious to the pirates? Will the three kingdoms unite and conquer the dark powers of magic that the pirates possess?
Sophie-chan
Born in Iraq, Sophie-chan became infatuated with shojo manga at the tender age of seven. With dreams of becoming a manga artist herself, she began teaching herself to draw using her favorite shows as inspiration. Even as she studied to become an engineer, she kept drawing, refusing to give up her dream of becoming a world-class manga artist.
Now living in Canada with her family, Sophie-chan proves that with hard work, patience and sheer determination you can realize your dreams.
"Initially, I was drawn to the ocean, to the level that, I could have been a sailor in my past life. I was also a big fan of fantasy and mystery. If you combine these genres together, along with a spice of drama, the Ocean of Secrets is born. My advice to upcoming artists is to not compare yourself to anyone and keep doing what you like. "
Dark Metro
Dark Metro's long awaited third volume will finally be released -- alongside the rest of the story -- in a 3-in-1 collector's manga, just in time for Halloween 2018! Volume three has never before been released in English, and we're thrilled to finally bring the exciting conclusion to fans of the horror series!
Deep beneath Tokyo there exists a boundary between this world and the next: the land of the dead -- and the mysterious young man Seiya is its guide. In this collection of bone-chilling shorts, follow the twisted tales of death and hauntings that inhabit this horrifying underworld, where innocent youth fall victim to the ghosts who lurk in Tokyo's underground.
The Tarot Cafe
The Tarot Cafe's seven volume series will be collected into a three volume special edition, with volume 1 available next summer. This series has been out of print for some time, and we're excited to bring it back for new fans to enjoy!
Pamela is a tarot card reader who helps supernatural beings living in the human world. She'll help anyone, whether they're a love-stricken cat, a vampire spending eternal life running from his one true love, an unattractive waitress looking for the man of her dreams, or even a magician who creates a humanoid doll to serve the woman he loves. Although she is good-natured, there is a deep dark secret that she must deal with before she can move on to the next life.
I Luv Halloween
One of TOKYOPOP's most popular -- and gruesome -- manga is being re-released in a 3-in-1 special collector's edition in time for Halloween 2018! I Luv Halloween is a horror comedy, full of dark humor and toe-curling tricks... along with a few treats!
This time it's not just about the candy... Join the misadventures of a group of particularly disturbing trick-or-treaters as they go about their macabre business on Halloween night. Pick up the sometimes sick and always twisted tale about a holiday that some of us just can't live... without!
