With Anime Expo wrapping up we have some manga publishing announcements, including Viz’s new licenses for early 2018. New books include FIRE PUNCH, a dystopian thriller for the VIZ Signature imprint; , KENKA BANCHO OTOME: GIRL BEATS BOYS, a gender swapping shojo; a new hardcover collector edition of FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST; and SISYPHEAN, the latest novel to join the Haikasoru literary imprint. Finally two new titles based on the mobile game Neko Atsume: Kitty Collector – which I suck at BTW.
FIRE PUNCH ∙ Rated ‘M’ For Mature Audiences ∙ Available January 2018
In the not-too-distant past, the Ice Witch blanketed the world in snow, starvation and madness, leading the inhabitants to seek their salvation in fire. With that, an unusual destiny unfolds for two young orphans, Agni and Luna, blessed with the ability to regenerate. But will this ability prove to be more of a curse than a blessing? FIRE PUNCH was a nominee for the 2017 Manga Taisho Award.
SISYPHEAN (Novel) ∙ Unrated ∙ Available January 2018
In this award-winning novel by Dempow Torishima, even after the world and humanity itself have been rendered nearly unrecognizable by genetic engineering, a day in the office can feel…Sisyphean. The company stands atop a tiny deck supported by huge iron columns a hundred meters high. The boss there is its president – a large creature of unstable, shifting form once called “human.” The world of his dedicated worker contains only the deck and the sea of mud surrounding it, and the worker’s daily routine is anything but peaceful. A mosaic novel of extreme science and high weirdness, Sisyphean will change the way you see existence itself. Sisyphean was a winner of the prestigious Japan SF Award and also nominated for a Seiun Award.
NEKO ATSUME: KITTY COLLECTOR—WHERE AM I MEOW? ∙ Unrated ∙
Available February 2018
Expand your play from the popular mobile game Neko Atsume: Kitty Collector with a fun activity book for cat fans of all ages. In this full-color book, seek and find favorite kitties from Neko Atsume Kitty Collector as they romp through imaginative new environments, learn facts about the classic cats and play with dozens of stickers!
NEKO ATSUME: KITTY COLLECTOR HAIKU—SEASONS OF THE KITTY ∙ Unrated ∙ Available February 2018
Ever wonder what the kitties of the popular mobile game Neko Atsume: Kitty Collector get up to when they’re not on your screen? Join the cast of the cartoon cats of Neko Atsume Kitty Collector in an irreverent journey through the seasons as told in haiku.