Entry tags:

new titles, sdcc, shogakukan, squarenix, viz

The Big V introduces Viz BIG (SDCC 07)
A solid way too kick off the manga beat at SDCC, as Viz Media impressed a large crowd with some new anime and manga news.

The big news was Viz's entry into what I call the "Omnibus Wars." Viz will launch their Viz Big line next year with three Shonen Jump classics - Rurouni Kenshin, Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z. Each issue will be around the same trim size as Vagabond and will feature around 3 volumes worth of content. They will be priced $17.99, feature color plates and have new cover art. From the sounds of things these sound like they will be very similar to the Complete Collections that Shueisha has released for a number of SJ hits.

I wonder if success of this line will maybe give Viz the push to possibly license manga specifically for the Viz Big line. I have personally brought up titles like Urusei Yatsura, Slam Dunk and PatLabor before at cons and Viz has fans within their office. Maybe something like this would make releasing some longer titles easier.

Viz also announced a few new titles for 2008....

Viz Media

ヴァンパイア十字界 by: 木村　有里 Fallen Vampire by: Kimura Yuri SquareEnix/GanGan Comics 9+ vols/shounen

サルヤマっ！ by: 彬　聖子 Monkey High! by: Akira Shouko Shogakukan/Flower Comics 6+ vol/shoujo

Always good to see more shoujo from Shogakukan. Hmm weren't we talking about wanting more manga from this publisher a little while ago. Hmm and isn't this from BetsuComi? Looks like Viz is hearing your requests. You just have to let them know loud and clear!

Oh and...

Yeah its anime but I am a fan of both of these titles so I'll mention it... Viz also confirmed licenses for the NANA and Honey & Clover anime for North American distribution. Both will be added to their Shojo Beat Anime line.