Del Rey Manga and Cartoon Network Team-Up

by Robert Greenberger on September 29th, 2008 at 7:23 pm
Posted In: News

Del Rey Manga has partnered with Cartoon Network Enterprises to form a new Manga publishing imprint.  The deal will debut original Manga based on two current Cartoon Network series, Bakugan Battle Brawlers and Ben 10 Alien Force (already in comic form via DC Comics).  The first titles will feature color stills from Bakugan Battle Brawlers: The Battle Begins, will be published on December 2008, and followed by a second volume in March 2009. Ben 10 Alien Force: Ben 10 Returns will be released in April 2009.  Original black and white Manga-style graphic novels based on Bakugan and Ben 10 Alien Force are slated for release in summer and fall 2009, respectively. Creative talent was not announced.

The news, announced this weekend at the NY Anime Festival, was the biggest Manga announcement over the three day event.  Del Rey also confirmed new titles in their relationship with Kodansha including:

Moyashimon: Tales of Agriculture by Masayuki Ishikawa – Fall 2009
This quirky series is based on a serial running in Kodansha’s Evening magazine. The anime version, has spawned the usual merchandising bonanza and won both the Grand Prize in the Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize awards and Kodansha Manga Award in 2008.

Del Rey Manga Editor Trisha Narwani noted, "A lot of publishers like to brag that what they’re bringing is unique, but this one really is. It’s about an agriculture student who can see very cute bacteria and germs.”

Amefurashi by Atsushi Suzumi – July 2009
This new series is about a cute, powerful and of course temperamental rain goddess and the human boy who must try to appease her moods to save his village.

Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicles Character Guide 2 by CLAMP – Summer 2009
The character guide should make following this series, covering volumes 8-14, easier.

Maid War Chronicles by RAN – May 2009
"For this one, this one, the title says it all," said Narwani. Artist of Mao-Chan’s adventure is about "fighting maids who must fight to win back their master’s kingdom."