Category: Books & Writing

One Really Great Alivan’s Sale… and Nothing More

from Alivan’s:

In this edition of The Clairvoyant: 20% Off ALL Wizard Wears in our entire stock… That’s right… a HUGE 20% off (read on for all the details)!

The coupon code is 20WIZWEAR and you can save on: ties, scarves, tattoos, sweaters… well you get the gist… they are ALL on sale and much more. Click here to shop now… offer good thru 9/20/11 (domestic U.S. orders only).

Enjoy,

Finneas Alivan
P.S. What are you looking for? Nothing more to read here… remember the subject line “One really great sale and NOTHING more” 🙂

VIZ Media Announces Manga “Speed Up” for “Bleach” and “One Piece” Digital Releases on VIZManga.com and VIZ Manga App

from VIZ Media:

VIZ Media continues to offer manga (graphic novel) fans a vast library of newly added digital titles for September through VIZManga.com and the VIZ Manga App for the Apple iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. The latest update includes a just-announced manga “speed up” for Bleach and One Piece that will bring both series up to date with their North American print counterparts by December.

Beginning today and continuing each Monday thereafter, new digital volumes of manga creator Tite Kubo’s supernatural action saga, Bleach, as well as the high seas pirate adventures of Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece, will be available online on VIZManga.com and also for download on the VIZ Manga App.

The latest manga speed up complements a similar accelerated release schedule announced earlier this month for Naruto, which just saw the release of 7 manga volumes in 7 days on VIZManga.com and the VIZ Manga App, and established digital parity with the bestselling series’ print counterpart.

Other notable September digital manga releases for both platforms will include the concluding volume to Inio Asano’s What a Wonderful World!, which will launch on September 12th, as well as the final volume to Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball Z, available the same day. The newest edition of Natsume Ono’s acclaimed samurai drama, House of Five Leaves Volume 4, is scheduled for September 19th, a day before the print counterpart’s national release.

Additional new VIZ Media manga volumes launching include:

September 12th:

Bakuman Vol. 6
Bleach Vol. 23
Claymore Vol. 18
D.Gray-man Vol. 19
Dragon Ball Z Vol. 26 — Final Volume!
Fushigi Yûgi Genbu Kaiden Vol. 6
Hyde & Closer Vol. 5
Neon Genesis Evangelion Chapter 6
One Piece Vol. 43
Otomen Vol. 10
Saturn Apartments Vol. 2
What a Wonderful World! Vol. 2 — Series Conclusion!

September 19th:

Bleach Vol. 24
House of Five Leaves Vol. 4 — Debuts a day before the print counterpart!
Kekkaishi Vol. 13
Natsume’s Book of Friends Vol. 8
Neon Genesis Evangelion Chapter 7
One Piece Vol. 44
Rosario + Vampire II Vol. 5
Rurouni Kenshin Vol. 22

September 26th:

Arata: The Legend Vol. 6
Bleach Vol. 25
Children of the Sea Vol. 4
D.Gray-man Vol. 20
InuYasha (VIZBIG) Vol. 4 — Exclusive to the VIZ Manga App for iPad
Maou: Juvenile Remix Vol. 6
Neon Genesis Evangelion Chapter 8
One Piece Vol. 45
Vampire Knight Vol. 11

VIZ Media’s digital manga application allows for universal access for fans for reading manga from their iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, and now, VIZManga.com for desktop/laptop computers and Android-powered devices with built-in web browsers. With one account, registered users are able to view their purchases across even more devices than ever.

The free VIZ Manga App is the top application for reading manga on iOS devices and features a rapidly growing library of the most popular manga series in the world, currently offering 40 series and over 400 volumes, with new additions and free Chapter 1 previews added weekly.

For more information, please visit VIZManga.com or VIZ.com/apps.

The Scholarship of the Ring

from GeekChicDaily:

If the phrase “You shall not pass!” reminds you more of Gandalf the Grey throwing down against the Balrog than something you heard from teachers in school, Mythgard Institute may be for you. You can take fully interactive online courses in Tolkien studies. The first class, “The Great Tales: Tolkien and the Epic,” explores Beowulf and other classics that inspired the world of Middle-earth. Did you already get AP credit for that? No worries. Future classes cover C.S. Lewis and modern mythic superstar Harry Potter.

Since the college is online, you won’t be able to stop by the student union for second breakfast. And Peregrin Took’s championship beer pong streak will have to go unchallenged. But not leaving your computer has one big benefit: you’ll never have to see Gimli in a toga.

As you can imagine, there’s a lot of reading to do, so lay off the pipe-weed this Labor Day and log on. You can apply for M.A. credit, audit, or if you’re like us, sleep in and grab a friend’s notes later. Maybe a certain gardener can help out? After all, Samwise Gamgee may not be able to carry the course load, but he can carry you.

VIZ Manga Debuts Seven Volumes of “Naruto” in Seven Days

from VIZ Media:

VIZ Media starts off September with a special Naruto release promotion through VIZManga.com and the VIZ Manga App for the Apple iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. Naruto Vol. 46 is available now, Vol. 47 launches today, and a new volume of Naruto (volumes 48-51) will be available each day thereafter. On Tuesday, September 6th, Naruto Volume 52 will debut DAY-AND-DATE with its print counterpart!

Created by Masashi Kishimoto in 1999, Naruto (rated ‘T’ for Teens) quickly became Japan’s most popular ninja manga targeting tweens and teens and has sold more than 85 million copies to-date. Naruto is also one of the most popular anime/manga properties in North America. The Naruto manga and animated series depict the adventures of a young boy named Uzumaki Naruto who trains to become a ninja. Naruto, cursed with the spirit of the nine-tailed fox demon sealed within his body, is forced to live a bullied life discriminated against by his fellow villagers. But Naruto is resilient and undaunted and his determination often inspires those around him. Through the adventures, the young ninja learns the importance of friendship, teamwork, loyalty, hard work, creativity, ingenuity and right vs. wrong.

More information on Naruto is available at Naruto.com.

Naruto Vol. 52 sees a Cell Seven reunion as Sasuke, Sakura and Naruto finally meet and the former classmates’ complicated past gives way to a violent and unsure future. Naruto realizes he must eventually battle Sasuke one-on-one… to the death! But with Sasuke and his dark allies bent on complete destruction, and political intrigue in the villages, will the powerful Allied Shinobi Forces allow the two “friends” to meet in battle?!

September 5th also sees new additions to 11 other VIZ Media manga series, including:

Black Bird Vol. 10 — available a day earlier than the print counterpart!
Dengeki Daisy Vol. 4
Dragon Ball Z Vol. 25
Grand Guignol Orchestra Vol. 3
I’ll Give It My All… Tomorrow Vol. 3
Kekkaishi Vol. 12
Oishinbo Vol. 2
One Piece Vol. 42
Ouran High School Host Club Vol. 10
Rosario + Vampire II Vol. 4
Rurouni Kenshin Vol. 21

VIZ Media’s digital manga platform continues to expand access for fans in North America to the world’s best manga. Starting with the VIZ Manga app (the #1 app for reading manga on the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch) in 2010, the recently launched VIZManga.com is now a leading online destination for reading manga on desktop/laptop computers and on Android-powered devices with built-in web browsers. With one account, registered users can select from nearly 400 volumes across 40+ series and then enjoy their purchases through even more devices than ever.

For more information, please visit VIZManga.com or VIZ.com/apps.

“Star Wars” Celebration VI

from StarWars.com:

The countdown is on for Star Wars Celebration VI, coming August 23-26, 2012 to the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. To mark this one-year countdown, here is news to get you thinking — and planning — ahead to the biggest Star Wars party this side of the galaxy.

Celebration VI will commemorate the magic of the entire Star Wars Saga: all six movies; The Clone Wars television series; books; comics; collectibles; toys; entertainment and more. There is so much to celebrate that all four days of the show will be full of choices of things to do, from mornings until late evenings.

Begin planning now, with special ticket packages, great deals on hotel rooms, and some ideas to get your Star Wars Celebration VI calendar started.

Celebration VI Hotels — The Real Deal
Book your hotel room within the Celebration VI official hotel block and save. To make sure you receive the best discounted rates available, reserve through the Celebration Travel Desk, powered by onPeak. Discounted rates are available at a number of host hotels, but they are booking up quickly! Stay near your fellow Star Wars fans, and catch the official Celebration shuttle bus to and from the Convention Center (please note the Celebration shuttle buses will not run to and from the Coronado Springs Resort). With room rates starting as low as just $65/night, your stay in Orlando has never been more affordable. Celebration VI will feature Star Wars exclusives and shopping that you will find no place else, so saving money on your hotel room could mean more fun browsing in the Celebration Experience Exhibit Hall and the Celebration Store. Book today.

What’s New for Celebration VI
There will be new guests, new entertainment, new events, new exclusive collectibles, and many hours of fun to look forward to with friends new and old. Watch for guest and entertainment announcements starting late September at starwarscelebration.com.

Celebration Favorites
It simply would not be Star Wars Celebration without costume contests, high-quality screenings, celebrities, and fan-created entertainment. Here is just a starter list of favorites to look forward to, scheduled to be back by popular demand for Celebration VI:

The Star Wars Classroom. Learn from the masters in an intimate classroom setting. Celebration V classroom offerings ran the gamut from writing workshops and Star Wars scrapbooking sessions to the art of storytelling with The Clone Wars Supervising Director Dave Filoni.

Star Wars Family Room. A place where kids can be kids, and have a great time with their parents working on Star Wars crafts, playing, or just sitting and taking a break.

Celebration Store. Returning with more creative merchandise, much of which will be exclusive for Celebration shoppers only.

Speed Dating. We made some real connections, including at least one engagement, at Star Wars speed dating at Celebration V. This popular social scene is scheduled to return. Look for more details and registration on the Celebration VI website soon.

Live entertainment. The Celebration stage, Digital Stage, Behind-The-Scenes Stage, Fan Stage, and more are planned to return, featuring live entertainment, cast and crew interviews, pop culture stars, and of course passionate Star Wars fans.

Celebration Experience Exhibit Hall. Star Wars licensees and dealers will feature merchandise that’s new and exclusive, plus you’ll find a host of photo and interactive experiences.

Celebration By the Fans, For the Fans
As with all Celebrations, the fans are not just the audience, they are the show itself. Celebration VI will feature a multitude of fan-produced programming, panels, exhibits, and events. Look for more information starting late September, including the guidelines for proposing fan programming and signing up for fan tables.

Experience the Lavish Gothic Art of “Vampire Knight” in New Artbook from VIZ Media!

from VIZ Media:

VIZ Media invites fans to savor the lavish, gothic-inspired illustrations of manga (graphic novel) creator Matsuri Hino in The Art of Vampire Knight, scheduled for release on September 6th. The new hardcover edition will carry an MSRP of $24.99 U.S./$28.99 CAN.

The Art of Vampire Knight is an ideal companion to the bestselling manga series, and contains your favorite images in color plus never-before-seen artwork in the United States. The new book features an extensive character gallery with author comments, a how-to tutorial, and an exclusive full-color Vampire Knight poster.

Cross over into this mysterious and dangerous world of vampires with the lush artwork of Matsuri Hino. Vampire Knight takes readers to Cross Academy, which is attended by two groups of students: the Day Class and the Night Class. At twilight, when the students of the Day Class return to their dorms, they cross paths with the Night Class on their way to school. Yuki Cross and Zero Kiryu are the Guardians of the school, protecting the Day Class from the Academy’s dark secret: the Night Class is full of vampires!

Vampire Knight (rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens) was created by Matsuri Hino, who burst onto the manga scene with her debut title, When This Dream Is Over, in LaLa DX magazine. With the success of subsequent series such as Captive Hearts and MeruPuri (both published in the U.S. by VIZ Media), Hino has established herself as a major force in the world of shojo manga. Vampire Knight is currently serialized in LaLa magazine. VIZ Media also offers the Vampire Knight anime series on DVD and episodes are available online through its innovative video streaming web destination at VIZAnime.com.

For more information on the Vampire Knight manga and to read free manga previews online, please visit shojobeat.com.

Digital Version of Sci-Fi Manga Masterpiece “Neon Genesis Evangelion” Launches on VIZManga.com and the VIZ Manga App

from VIZ Media:

VIZ Media has announced the digital launch today of the acclaimed sci-fi manga (graphic novel) masterpiece, Neon Genesis Evangelion, on VIZManga.com and the VIZ Manga App for the Apple iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. Neon Genesis Evangelion will be available chapter-by-chapter for only $0.99 each, with a new chapter launching each week. To celebrate the series’ debut, VIZ Media will offer a free Chapter 1 preview; Chapter 2 is also now available for download for $0.99.

Neon Genesis Evangelion (rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens), is series co-creator Yoshiyuki Sadamoto’s personal interpretation of the Evangelion characters and story is sure to intrigue new and old fans alike. In 2015, the “Angels” have returned, and Shinji Ikari, a fourteen year-old child of the new Earth, is forced by his father Gendo — commander of the secret organization NERV — to pilot the monstrous biomechanical weapon called “Evangelion” to match the Angels’ fearsome power…

VIZ Media’s digital manga platform continues to expand access for fans in North America to the world’s best manga. Starting with the VIZ Manga app (the #1 app for reading manga on the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch) in 2010, the recently launched VIZManga.com is now a leading online destination for reading manga on desktop/laptop computers and on Android-powered devices with built-in web browsers. With one account, registered users can select from nearly 400 volumes across 40+ series and then enjoy their purchases through even more devices than ever.

For more information, visit VIZManga.com or VIZ.com/apps.

High Fantasy and True Love Come to Life in “Ico: Castle in the Mist”, New from VIZ Media’s Haikasoru Imprint

from VIZ Media:

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, will publish author Miyuki Miyabe’s imaginative fantasy novel Ico: Castle in the Mist, on August 16th. The new book will be published by the company’s Haikasoru imprint and will carry an MSRP of $15.99 U.S. / $18.99 CAN.

A boy with horns, marked for death; A girl who sleeps in a cage of iron.

The Castle of the Mist calls for its sacrifice: a horned child, born once a generation. When, on a single night in his thirteenth year, Ico’s horns grow long and curved, he knows his time has come. But why does the Castle of the Mist demand this offering, and can the castle keep Ico’s destiny from intertwining with that of the girl imprisoned within its walls?

“Ico: Castle in the Mist first appeared as a popular videogame for the PlayStation 2 and will soon to be re-mastered in high-definition for the PlayStation 3,” says Nick Mamatas, Haikasoru’s Editor. “Award winning author Miyuki Miyabe was inspired by the game’s atmosphere and expands the story in her novel, creating a whole world for readers to explore. Delve into the mysteries of this talented author’s grand achievement of imagination in this new release from Haikasoru!”

Author Miyuki Miyabe’s first novel was published in 1987, and since then she has become one of Japan’s most popular and best-selling authors. Miyabe’s novel, Brave Story (also published in North America in 2007 by VIZ Media and Haikasoru), won The Batchelder Award for Best Children’s Book in Translation from the American Library Association. Ico: Castle in the Mist is her seventh novel to be translated into English.

For more information on Ico: Castle in the Mist and the Haikasoru imprint, please visit haikasoru.com.

August Sizzles with New Digital Releases for VIZManga.com and the VIZ Manga App for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch

from VIZ Media:

VIZ Media delivers even more new digital manga (graphic novel) fun for the first-half of August as the company announces a pair of new titles that will be available on VIZManga.com and for digital download on the VIZ Manga App for the Apple iPad, iPhone and iPod touch.

The latest round of updates features the debut of Oishinbo, the appetizing series about Japanese gourmet cooking and cuisine, as well as the launch of What a Wonderful World!, Inio Asano’s poignant collection of vignettes depicting twenty-something angst, on August 8th.

Updates for the first-half of August are further augmented by new additions to 22 existing VIZ Media manga series, including Ai Ore! Vol. 2 and The Story of Saiunkoku Vol. 4, launching digitally with their print counterparts’ national release.

Oishinbo Vol. 1 · Rated ‘T’ for Teens · Available Now!
Written by Tetsu Kariya and illustrated by Akira Hanasaki, Oishinbo is considered to be the epitome of food manga and defined the genre while selling more than 100 million copies in Japan since its debut in 1983. The series depicts the adventures of journalist Shiro Yamaoka, who writes for the fictional newspaper Tozai News. As part of the celebrations for its 100th anniversary, the publishers commission the creation of the “Ultimate Menu,” a model meal embodying the pinnacle of Japanese cuisine. This all-important task has been entrusted to journalist Yamaoka Shir?, an inveterate cynic who possesses no initiative — but also an incredibly refined palate and an encyclopedic knowledge of food.

What a Wonderful World! Vol. 1 · Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens · Available August 8th
A poignant collection of intersecting vignettes depicting twenty-something angst, What a Wonderful World! explores the various ways that modern life can be at once ridiculous and sublime, terrible and precious, wasted and celebrated. What begins with a college dropout bored of her mediocre routine soon becomes a fantastic series about the unexpected ways that lives intersect. Filled with magical realism in the face of the cold reality of modern life, these stories are about discovering something precious in the chaos of daily existence.

Additional new VIZ Media manga volumes launching include:

August 1st:
Ai Ore! Vol. 2
Black Bird Vol. 9
Bleach Vol. 20
Claymore Vol. 15
Dengeki Daisy Vol. 3
D.Gray-man Vol. 16
Dragon Ball Z Vol. 20
I’ll Give It My All… Tomorrow Vol. 2
InuYasha (VIZBIG) Vol. 2 — Exclusive to VIZ Manga App for iPad!
Naruto Vol. 46
Maoh: Juvenile Remix Vol. 4
One Piece Vol. 37
The Story of Saiunkoku Vol. 4
Vampire Knight Vol. 9

August 8th:
Blue Exorcist Vol. 3
Dragon Ball Z Vol. 21
Fushigi Yûgi Genbu Kaiden Vol. 5
Grand Guignol Orchestra Vol. 2
Hyde & Closer Vol. 4
Kekkaishi Vol. 10
Naruto Vol. 47
One Piece Vol. 38
Ouran High School Host Club Vol. 9
Rosario + Vampire II Vol. 2
Rurouni Kenshin Vol. 19

VIZ Media’s digital manga platform allows for universal access for fans for reading manga from their iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, and now, VIZManga.com for desktop/laptop computers and Android-powered devices with built-in web browsers. With one account, registered users are able to view their purchases across even more devices than ever.

The free VIZ Manga App continues to be the top app for reading manga on iOS devices and features a rapidly growing library of the most popular manga series in the world, currently offering 40 series and over 300 volumes, with new additions and free Chapter 1 previews added weekly.

For more information, please visit VIZManga.com or VIZ.com/apps.

NEW PEOPLE Entertainment Releases Japanese Sci-Fi Thriller “Gantz” on DVD and Blu-ray

from NEW PEOPLE:

NEW PEOPLE Entertainment, a film division of NEW PEOPLE, Inc. that focuses on the licensing and distribution of Japanese films and media, will delight sci-fi, action and anime/manga fans across North America with the release of Gantz on DVD (SRP $24.92) and Blu-ray/DVD combo-pack (SRP $29.99) on August 30th. The film, which is unrated, features both English and Japanese dialogue options and a bonus disc with an exclusive director’s interview and film trailers.

To celebrate the film’s release, a special screening of Gantz is scheduled for Friday, August 26th at 7:00pm in San Francisco at NEW PEOPLE’s Cinema as part of the 2011 J-Pop Summit Festival. The film will be shown in Japanese with English subtitles. Get a great deal by purchasing a ticket bundle that also includes the brand-new DVD or Blu-ray plus a poster. Tickets and more information are available at newpeopleworld.com/films.

In addition, the San Francisco theatrical premiere of Gantz II: Perfect Answer will also take place during the J-Pop Summit Festival on both Saturday, August 27th and Sunday August 28th. The film will also be shown in Japanese with English subtitles. Complete details on the J-Pop Summit are available at: J-Pop.com.

Gantz is based on a hit manga series created by Hiroya Oku and stars leading Japanese actors Kazunari Ninomiya (Letters from Iwo Jima) and Kenichi Matsuyama (Death Note, Detroit Metal City). The film tells the story of two childhood friends that are accidentally killed while trying to save another man’s life. Rather than find themselves in the hereafter, however, they awaken in a strange apartment in which they find a mysterious black orb they come to know as “GANTZ.” Along with similar abductees, they are provided with equipment and weaponry and manipulated into playing a kind of game in which they are sent back out to the greater world to do battle with alien beings, all while never quite knowing whether this game is an illusion or their new reality.

“Gantz first thrilled domestic audiences when we presented the film theatrically in a special one-night-only premiere at over 300 movie theatres nationally earlier this year that was attended by thousands of people across North America,” says Seiji Horibuchi, President and CEO of NEW PEOPLE, Inc. “Anticipation has risen steadily since then and fans now have the exclusive
opportunity to own the film on DVD and Blu-ray with our release on August 30th. Gantz features two of the biggest stars in Japanese cinema and remains true to the innovative storyline from the original manga series. Fans won’t want to miss this exciting release and stay tuned for news coming soon on the upcoming release of the film’s action-packed sequel, Gantz II: Perfect Answer!”

Kazunari Ninomiya, best known in America for his role in Clint Eastwood’s 2006 blockbuster, Letters from Iwo Jima, is both an actor and a singer. He is also world-renowned as a member of the Japanese boy band “Arashi,” which topped Japan’s music charts in 2009 with the three best-selling singles.

Kenichi Matsuyama is currently one of the most sought-after actors in Japanese film and he has won several awards including Japanese Academy Awards Best New Actor (2007) and Most Popular Actor (2009). Matsuyama is widely recognized for his part as L in Death Note (2006), Death Note II: the Last Name (2006) and Death Note: L, change the WorLd (2008) and also for his portrayal of Johannes Krauser II in the outlandish rock and roll comedy, Detroit Metal City (2009).

Billie the Unicorn

from Immedium:

Billie the Unicorn

“I am madly in love with Brianne Drouhard’s art right now. She is an illustrator and character designer, most notably she worked on Teen Titans and The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. If you enjoy her art you should check out her new book Billie the Unicorn which looks hella cute… Her style is really flexible, and reminds me of what might happen if adorable manga styled art and the art of Ren & Stimpy’s John K. had a magical baby.” — The Uniblog

See Brianne at Kidspace Children’s Museum (8/7, Pasadena, CA) and her new animated trailer.

VIZ Media’s “Naoki Urasawa’s 20th Century Boys” Wins a 2011 Eisner Award

from VIZ Media:

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, is proud to announce that Naoki Urasawa’s 20th Century Boys was recognized with an Eisner Award in the Best U.S. Edition of International Material — Asia category during award ceremonies held at the recent Comic-Con International event in San Diego, CA. Naoki Urasawa’s 20th Century Boys is published in North America by VIZ Media’s Signature imprint. Volume 17 of the series will be released in August.

20th Century Boys is the story of a group of boys who try to save the world. Humanity, having faced extinction at the end of the 20th century, would not have entered the new millennium if it weren’t for them. In 1969, during their youth, they created a symbol. In 1997, as the coming disaster slowly starts to unfold, that symbol returns.

For Kenji, a simple convenience store manager who once dreamed of becoming a rock ‘n’ roll musician, a host of memories from his past come rushing back when one of his childhood friends mysteriously commits suicide. Could this new death be related to the rise of a bizarre new cult that’s been implicated in several other murders and disappearances? Determined to dig deeper, Kenji reunites with some of his old buddies in the hope of learning the truth behind it all.

“We’re elated to have Naoki Urasawa’s 20th Century Boys recognized by the comic book industry such a prestigious award,” says Andy Nakatani, Editorial Director at VIZ Media and editor for the title. “Urasawa’s tense and dramatic storylines have firmly established him among the very top echelon of manga creators. With this, and other acclaimed series such as Naoki Urasawa’s Monster and Pluto: Urasawa x Tezuka, Naoki Urasawa continues to push the boundaries of the manga genre, and we look forward to this award bringing his work to the attention of many new fans across North America.”

The Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards are considered the “Oscars” of the comic book industry and are named for renowned cartoonist Will Eisner (creator of The Spirit and several award-winning graphic novels). The awards are handed out each year in a gala ceremony at Comic-Con International in San Diego, the largest and oldest comic book convention in the United
States.

Naoki Urasawa’s career as a manga artist spans more than twenty years and has firmly established him as one of the true manga masters of Japan. Born in Tokyo in 1960, Urasawa debuted with Beta!! in 1983 and hasn’t stopped his impressive output since. Well-versed in a variety of genres, Urasawa’s oeuvre encompasses a multitude of different subjects, such as a romantic comedy (Yawara! A Fashionable Judo Girl), a suspenseful human drama about a former mercenary (Pineapple ARMY; story by Kazuya Kudo), a captivating psychological suspense story (Naoki Urasawa’s Monster), a sci-fi adventure manga (Naoki Urasawa’s 20th Century Boys), and a modern reinterpretation of the work of the God of Manga, Osamu Tezuka (Pluto: Urasawa x Tezuka; co-authored with Takashi Nagasaki, supervised by Macoto Tezka, and with the cooperation of Tezuka Productions). Many of his books have spawned popular animated and live-action TV programs and films, and 2008 saw the theatrical release of the first of three live-action Japanese films based on Naoki Urasawa’s 20th Century Boys.

No stranger to accolades and awards, Urasawa is a three-time recipient of the prestigious Shogakukan Manga Award, a two-time recipient of the Osamu Tezuka Cultural Prize, and has received the Kodansha Manga Award. Urasawa has also become involved in the world of academia, and in 2008 accepted a guest teaching post at Nagoya Zokei University, where he teaches courses in, of course, manga.

For more information on Naoki Urasawa’s 20th Century Boys and other VIZ Media manga titles, please visit viz.com/manga.