Anime Weekend Atlanta took place this weekend and the first manga licensing announcements of the event came from Vertical Inc as they revealed their license for Asumiko Nakamura’s Utsubora.
This is Asumiko Nakamura’s first time having a series licensed for print in English (she had a one-shot published in Tokyopop’s Gothic & Lolita Bible), but she’s got some popularity as a manga artist for all sorts of different genres including boys’ love, supernatural and comedy. Utsubora is a mystery series that seems ripe with the dark psychological twists that are a good fit in Vertical Inc’s library.
A synopsis from AnimeNewsNetwork:
“The story begins when Aki Fujino, a beautiful girl who the novelist Mizorogi knew, dies under mysterious circumstances. Then a girl appears before Mizorogi, and although she introduces herself as Aki’s twin sister Sakura, her true identity is a complete mystery. As Mizorogi’s past ties with Aki come to light, people begin to suspect him of plagiarism. Mizorogi’s life spirals deeper into darkness as his editor and the police probe further into Aki’s death and Mizorogi’s connection with her.”
While originally two volumes long, Vertical will be releasing the series in one omnibus volume in June 2013.
It feels like it’s been forever since I first pondered if omnibus editions were going to become a manga-industry normality in North America. I think it’s safe to say that’s now the case. A lot of new manga licenses are being announced in this format, not to mention all the re-releases of older series. No complaints from me! Aside from a few bookshelf discrepancies, the money saved and lots-of-manga-one-go aspect of the omnibus editions makes me happy indeed.
Follow
