ACF 1250: Japanese science fiction novel TEN BILLION DAYS AND ONE HUNDRED BILLION NIGHTS now available as hardcover & ebook

JOURNEY ON A COSMIC ADVENTUREBLENDING

PHILOSOPHY, RELIGION, HUMAN EVOLUTION AND THE LIFE

AND DEATH OF THEUNIVERSE IN

TEN BILLION DAYS AND ONE HUNDRED BILLION NIGHTS

New Novel From VIZ Media’sHaikasoru Imprint

Called The Greatest Japanese Science Fiction Novel Of AllTime

VIZ Media has announced the availability of the acclaimed novel, TEN BILLIONDAYS AND ONE HUNDRED BILLION NIGHTS, by author Ryu Mitsuse. The hardcover book ispublished by the company’s Haikasoru imprint and carries an MSRP of $25.99 U.S./ $29.99 CAN. The eBook edition is also available on the Amazon Kindle,the Nook, and Apple’s iBooks Store for $9.99.

Haikasoru publishessome of the most compelling contemporary Japanese science fiction and fantasystories for English-speaking audiences, and is the first imprint based in theU.S. dedicated to Japanese science fiction and fantasy in translation.

In TEN BILLION DAYS AND ONEHUNDRED BILLION NIGHTS, the philosopher Plato, in his exploration of the ruinsof the fabled city of Atlantis, travels through time and space to determine thesecret history of the human race, encountering Christ, the Buddha, and other iconicreligious figures on the way. This celebrated novel of philosophy and thefuture has been named the greatest Japanese science fiction novel of all time.

“TEN BILLION DAYS ANDONE HUNDRED BILLION NIGHTS won the title of the greatest Japanese sciencefiction title ever written in a 2006 poll by Science Fiction magazine,” saysNick Mamatas, Haikasoru’s Editor. “The novel, which comes with a strikingglow-in-the-dark dust jacket, delivers a cosmic adventure in the styleof Arthur C. Clarke, covering the evolution of humanity, the lives of some ofhistory’s most iconic religious figures, a future techno-dystopia, and the verydeath of the universe itself. Originally published in 1967, author RyuMitsuse revised the novelin later years and republished it in 1973. We’re truly honored to finallyrelease this masterpiece to North American readers.”

Born in Tokyo in1928, Ryu Mitsuse graduated from Tokyo University of Education with a degree inthe sciences, after which he took up the study of philosophy. He debuted with“Sunny Sea 1979” in 1962, and his work—which often combines Eastern philosophyand hard science fiction—includes Tasogareni kaeru (Returns in the Twilight) and Ushinawaretatoshi no kiroku (The Chronicle of a Lost City). Mitsuse made SF historywhen his short story “The Sunset, 2217 A.D.” was translated into English forinclusion in Best Science Fiction for1972. With artist Keiko Takemiya, he created the manga Andromeda Stories. Ryu Mitsuse died in 1999.

For more informationon TEN BILLION DAYS AND ONE HUNDRED BILLION NIGHTS and the Haikasoru imprint, visit www.haikasoru.com.

ACF 1196: Anime Network streaming TOWANOQUON mini-series

Broadcast and digital distributor Anime Network recently began streaming the 6-part science fiction mini-series Towanoquon, in Japanese with English subtitles on Anime Network Online.

From studio BONES (Eureka Seven, No. 6) and director Umanosuke Iida (Hellsing, Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team) comes a futuristic thrill ride you'll never forget, where humans waking up with amazing powers are hunted down by an organization bent on their eradication, with only one idealist as their shield against destruction.

The series began streaming online on Thursday, October 13t., A new part will be available every two weeks. See the Release Schedule below. Distribution on additional services and platforms will follow in 2012.

ABOUT THE SERIES:

No man, not even a superhuman, can stand alone against a faceless adversary.In futuristic Tokyo, a new breed of humans, known as Attractors, awaken to find themselves prey to Custos, a sinister organization of cyborgs.  However, strength lies in numbers and hope for survival grows from the emergence of a leader: Quon, an idealistic youth with the power to heal.  Along with the speed demon Yuri, psi-voiced Kiri, telepath Tei and teleporter Takao, the Attractors only chance to survive is to unite and fight back - HARD.  The best names in epic, superhero sci-fi anime come together to produce a new kind of legend: TOWANOQUON!

WHERE:

Anime Network Online http://www.theanimenetwork.com

RELEASE SCHEDULE:

Starting Thursday, Oct. 13th at 1 PM Eastern
Part 1 - 10/13
Part 2 - 10/27
Part 3 - 11/10
Part 4 - 11/24
Part 5 - 12/08
Part 6 - 12/22

Requires Subscription

ACF 1180: GLASS MAIDEN COMPLETE COLLECTION now available on DVD

Section23 Films has announced the release of the exciting sci-fi meets private eye series, GLASS MAIDEN. The complete collection of 12 episodes is available on DVD now.

GLASS MAIDEN COMPLETE COLLECTION

Running Time:   300 min.

Age Rating:       TV 14 (V,)

Language:         Japanese with English Subtitles

Published by:    Maiden Japan

Distributed by:  Section23 Films

Street Date:      10/4/2011

Format:             DVD

SRP:                $49.98

SYNOPSIS: Shu's a detective, the brooding, enigmatic type with an eye for the ladies.  Together with his kid brother Akira, and 'the girls' Manami and Ayaka, he runs an investigative agency that takes on the odd case here and there.  Okay, odder than usual, given that their main broker is a cross-dresser and their closest associate's a doctor with a 'thing' about cosplay.  And then the oddest case of all comes through:  a 'package' intended for 'delivery' that turns out to be a lot more trouble than expected.

You see, Shu's always considered himself a quick study (he can see through most lies in a second) but when he goes head on with a girl who doesn't even know who she is, he'll be seeing through more than he ever imagined seeing through.   Unfortunately, there are other people who want Sara back and they know a lot more about who, and what, she actually is than she does!

Old fashioned detective work meets the latest in modern weapons technology as sci-fi meets private eye in GLASS MAIDEN - THE COMPLETE COLLECTION!    

ACF 1127: Sentai Filmworks announces digital distribution of of "Coicent" and "Five Numbers"

Sentai Filmworks has announced its acquisition of the twin sci-fi anime mini features COICENT and FIVE NUMBERS. Although not directly connected, both films exemplify the best of Japan’s new wave of up and coming anime masters, with COICENT reuniting writer/director Shuhei Moritai and character designer Daisuke Sajiki, who previously collaborated on the seminal CGI anime hit Kakurenbo, while FIVE NUMBERS teams director Hiroaki Ando, (who handled CGI duties for Steamboy and Noiseman,) with character designer Masaru Gotsubo (Samurai Champloo,) and scripter Dai Sato, whose previous credits include HALO: Legends – The Package, Ergo Proxy and screenplays for Cowboy Bebop.



The two titles will be available separately via digital distribution that is scheduled to begin soon. Sentai has announced that that they will be released together later this year on DVD and BluRay, and that both titles will be available in both English subtitled and English dubbed versions.



Synopsis: Get ready for a double dose of amazing science fiction as two astounding tales come together in one incredible collection of state of the art animation! First, it’s a quick time jump to the 26th century where a school trip to a rebuilt 21st century city turns into a wild adventure for teenage Shinichi. While chasing a talking deer that steals his bag, he runs into a strange girl trying to elude even stranger pursuers, and then things get wild. It’s a mad dash through a city of the past as two young people discover a chance at a new future in COICENT.



Then, four people awake to find themselves in the ultimate prison: an ex-soldier, a beautiful woman, an average Joe and a young computer hacker. Why are they there? What connection links them together? And how can they escape? The answer seems to lie with the fifth prisoner, an old man who knows far more than he is telling. And then there’s the cat. It’s the ultimate locked room mystery and all their lives hinge on solving it in FIVE NUMBERS.

ACF 781: Two Haikasoru Novels From VIZ

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES NOVEMBER HAIKASORU IMPRINT RELEASES

The Hard Science Fiction THE OUROBOROS WAVE And
Fantasy DRAGON SWORD AND WIND CHILD
Are Perfect for Holiday Gifting

VIZ Media has released a pair of riveting novels under its Haikasoru imprint– the philosophical hardscience fiction title THE OUROBOROS WAVE by Jyouji Hayashi, and the paperback edition of the hit heroic fantasy DRAGON SWORD AND WIND CHILD by Noriko Ogiwara.

Haikasoru is a unique imprint with a dedicated focus on publishing some of the most compelling contemporary Japanese science fiction and fantasy for English-speaking audiences.

THE OUROBOROS WAVE © 2002 Jyouji Hayashi
Originally published in Japan by Hayakawa Publishing, Inc.

THE OUROBOROS WAVE by Jyouji Hayashi
Price: $14.99 U.S. / CAN $19.99 • Available Now!

Ninety years from now, a satellite detects a nearby black hole scientists dub Kali for the Hindu goddess of destruction. As human society expands to Mars and beyond, the generations-long project to harness the power of the black hole pits the retrograde humans of Earth against the imminently rational men and women of the Artificial Accretion Disk Development association. While conflicts simmer, a mystery within Kali itself tests the limits of intelligence—that of both human and machine.

Jyouji Hiyashi was born in Hokkaido in 1962. Having worked as a clinical laboratory technician, Jyouji Hiyashi debuted as a writer in 1995 with his cowritten Dai Nihon Teikoku Oushu Dengeki Sakusen. His popularity grew with the Shonetsu no Hatou series and the Heitai Gensui Oushu Senki series – both military fiction backed by real historical perspectives. Beginning in 2000, he consecutively released Kioku Osen, Shinryakusha no Heiwa, and Ankoku Taiyo no Mezame, stories that combine scientific speculation and sociological investigations. He continues to write and act as a flag-bearer for a new generation of hard SF.

DRAGON SWORD AND WIND CHILD:
SORAIRO MAGATAMA © 1988, 1996, 2005
by Noriko OGIWARA/Tokuma Shoten
Illustrations © 2005 by Miho Satake

DRAGON SWORD AND WIND CHILD by Noriko Ogiwara
Price: $13.99 U.S. / CAN $18.99 • Available Now!

The forces of the God of Light and the Goddess of Darkness have waged a ruthless war across the land of Toyoashihara for generations. But for fifteen-year-old Saya, the war is far away—until the day she discovers that she is the reincarnation of the Water Maiden and a princess of the Children of the Dark. Raised to love the Light and detest the Dark, Saya must come to terms with her heritage even as she tumbles into the very heart of the conflict that is destroying her country. The Light and Dark both seek to claim her, for she is the only mortal who can awaken the legendary Dragon Sword, the fearsome weapon destined to bring an end to the war. Can Saya make the dreadful choice between the Light and Dark, or is she doomed—like all the Water Maidens who came before her…?

Noriko Ogiwara was inspired to write by the classic Western children's books she read as she was growing up. Dragon Sword and Wind Child is her first book, part of the award winning Magatama Trilogy. The second book of the Magatama Trilogy, Mirror Sword and Shadow Prince will be also available from Haikasoru in May 2011. Her other books include The Good Witch of the West and Fuujin Hisho. Ms. Ogiwara makes her home in Japan.

For more information on Haikasoru, visit the dedicated website at www.Haikasoru.com.

ACF 636: Sc-Fi & Fantasy novels from VIZ

(C) 2008 Project Itoh
Originally published in Japan by Hayakawa Publishing, Inc.

VIZ MEDIA DELIVERS SIZZLING SUMMER READING
WITH THREE NEW HAIKASORU RELEASES

The Best In Critically Acclaimed Japanese Science Fiction And Fantasy Continues To Shine In New Releases
From VIZ Media’s Haikasoru Imprint

VIZ Media will deliver out-of-this-world summer science fiction and fantasy reading with the release of three new novels under its Haikasoru imprint this summer – HARMONY by Project Itoh, ROCKET GIRLS by Housuke Nojiri and SUMMER, FIREWORKS, AND MY CORPSE by Otsuichi.

Haikasoru is a unique imprint with a dedicated focus on publishing some of the most compelling contemporary Japanese science fiction and fantasy for English-speaking audiences.

HARMONY by Project Itoh

Price: $14.99 U.S. / CAN $19.99 · Available July 20^th

In the distant future, Utopia has finally been achieved thanks to medical nanotechnology and a powerful ethic of social welfare and mutual consideration. But this perfect world isn't that perfect, and three young girls stand up to totalitarian kindness and super-medicine by attempting suicide via starvation. It doesn't work, but one of the girls – Tuan Kirie – grows up to be a member of the World Health Organization. As a crisis threatens the harmony of the new world, Tuan rediscovers another member of her suicide pact, and together they must help save the planet ... from itself.

Keikaku (Project) Itoh was born in Tokyo in 1974 and graduated from Musashino Art University. In 2007, he debuted with Genocidal Organs and took first prize in the "Best SF of 2007" in Japan’s SF Magazine. Itoh is also the author of Metal Gear Solid: Guns of the Patriots, a Japanese-language novel based on the popular video game series. After a long battle with cancer, Itoh passed away in March 2009. He wrote HARMONY while in the hospital receiving treatment for the disease.

ROCKET GIRLS by Housuke Nojiri

Price: $13.99 U.S. / CAN $18.99 · Available September 21^st

Yukari Morita is a high school girl on a quest to find her missing father. While searching for him in the Solomon Islands, she receives the offer of a lifetime. She'll receive the help she needs to find her father, and all she must do in return is become the world's youngest, lightest astronaut. Yukari and her half sister Matsuri, both petite, are the perfect crew and payload for the Solomon Space Association's rocket launches, or they will be once they complete some rigorous and sometimes dangerous training.

Housuke Nojiri was born in Mie, Japan, in 1961. After working in instrumentation control, CAD programming and video game design, he published his first work in 1992, The Blind Spot of Veis, based on the video game Creguian. He gained further popularity with his subsequent works including the Creguian series and the Rocket Girl series. In 2002, he published USURPER OF THE SUN (published in English by Haikasoru in 2009) and ushered in a new era of science fiction in Japan. After first appearing as a series of short stories, USURPER went on to win the prestigious Seiun Award for Best Japanese Science Fiction Novel of 2002. Nojiri’s other works include Pendulum of Pinieru and Fuwa-Fuwa no Izumi.

SUMMER, FIREWORKS, AND MY CORPSE by Otsuichi

Price: $14.99 U.S. / CAN $19.99 Available September 21^st

Two short novels, including the title story and Black Fairy Tale, plus a bonus short story. Summer is the simple story of a nine-year-old girl who dies while on summer vacation. While her youthful killers try to hide her body, she tells us the story--from the point of view of her dead body--of the children's attempt to get away with murder. Black Fairy Tale is classic J-horror: a young girl loses an eye in an accident but receives a transplant. Now she can see again, but what she sees out of her new left eye is the experiences and memories of its previous owner. Its previous deceased owner.

Born 1978 in Fukuoka, Japan, Otsuichi won the Sixth Jump Short Fiction/Nonfiction Prize when he was seventeen with his debut story "Summer, Fireworks, and My Corpse." Now recognized as one of the most talented young fantasy/horror writers in Japan, his other English-language works include the short story collection Calling You and the Honkaku Mystery Prize-winning novel Goth.

For more information on Haikasoru, please visit the dedicated website at http://www.haikasoru.com/

ACF 557: Volume 2 of SciFi manga Biomega due out May 10th, 2010 from VIZ Media

BIOMEGA © 2004 by Tsutomu Nihei/SHUEISHA Inc.

Vol. 2 of VIZ Media's SciFi manga hit BIOMEGA by Japanese manga creator Tsutomu Nihei due out on May 10th, 2010. Rated 'M' for Mature audience this VIZ Signature title is priced in the US at $12.99 and in Canada at $16.99.

In Tsutomu Nihei's nightmare vision of the future, the N5S virus has swept across the earth, turning most of the population into zombie-like drones. Zoichi Kanoe, an agent of Toa Heavy Industry, is humanity's last hope, and he's not even human! With the help of Fuyu, a digitized intelligence built into the computer system of his Heavy Dual Coil motorcycle, Zoichi's search for the key to salvation will take him on a journey across surreal landscapes and hurl him into battle against mind-bending evil.

In Volume 2 after capturing Eon Green, DRF forces are amassing around Toa Heavy Industry headquarters and have taken Dr. Kurokawa and his daughter into custody. Zoichi must attempt a rescue--Dr. Kurokawa's laboratory may yield critical information on Eon Green. Elsewhere, Toa Heavy Industry agent Nishu Mizunoe searches for Kozlov Grebnev and the secrets he knows about the DRF's research, origins and their apocalyptic plan for the entire human race!

ACF 537: Science Fiction novels from VIZ set to debut this spring

FANTASTIC ADVENTURES AND ALIEN WORLDS AWAIT IN FOUR NEW SCIENCE FICTION RELEASES FROM VIZ MEDIA’S HAIKASORU IMPRINT

New Novels By Some Of Japan’s Best Sci-Fi Writers Set To Debut This Spring

VIZ Media has announced the upcoming release of four new science fiction novels under its Haikasoru imprint. SLUM ONLINE, by Hiroshi Sakurazaka, and THE STORIES OF IBIS, by Hiroshi Yamamoto, will hit stores on April 20th. LOUPS-GAROUS, by Natsuhiko Kyogoku, and THE NEXT CONTINENT, by Issui Ogawa, will be released on May 18th.

Haikasoru publishes some of the most compelling contemporary Japanese science fiction and fantasy stories for English-speaking audiences. The imprint launched in North America with a dedicated focus on Japanese science fiction.

SLUM ONLINE by Hiroshi Sakurazaka
Price: $13.99 U.S. / CAN $18.99 · Available April 20th

Etsuro Sakagami is a college freshman who simply drifts through life, but when he logs on to the combat MMO Versus Town, he becomes Tetsuo, a karate champ on his way to becoming the most powerful martial artist around. While his relationship with new classmate Fumiko goes nowhere, Etsuro spends his days and nights online in search of the invincible Ganker Jack. Drifting between the virtual and the real, will Etsuro ever be ready to face his most formidable opponent?

Author Hiroshi Sakurazaka published his first novel, WIZARDS WEB, in 2003. His 2004 short story, “Saitama Chainsaw Massacre," won the 16th Japan SF Magazine Reader's Award and he has also been nominated for the prestigious Seiun Award, a Japanese literary honor that recognizes exemplary science fiction. Sakurazaka’s other novels include CHARACTERS (co-written with Hiroki Azuma) and ALL YOU NEED IS KILL (also published in English by Haikasoru).

THE STORIES OF IBIS by Hiroshi Yamamoto
Price: $15.99 U.S. / CAN $19.99 · Available April 20th

In a world where humans are a minority and androids have created their own civilization, a wandering storyteller meets the beautiful android, Ibis. She tells him seven stories of human/android interaction in order to reveal the secret behind humanity's fall. The tales Ibis tells are science fiction stories about the events surrounding the development of artificial intelligence in the 20th and 21st centuries. At a glance, these stories do not appear to have any sort of connection, but what is the true meaning behind them? What are Ibis's real intentions?

Hiroshi Yamamoto was born in 1956 in Kyoto and began his career as a writer and game designer. He gained popularity with titles such as FEBRUARY AT THE EDGE OF TIME and the GHOST HUNTER series. Yamamoto’s first hardcover science fiction release, GOD NEVER KEEPS SILENT, became a sensation among science fiction fans and was nominated for the Japan SF Award. His other novels include DAY OF JUDGEMENT and THE UNSEEN SORROW OF WINTER. In addition to working as a writer, Yamamoto is active in several literary capacities serving as editor of various classic science fiction anthologies and as president of To-Gakkai, a group of tongue-in-cheek "experts" on the occult.

LOUPS-GAROUS by Natsuhiko Kyogoku
Price: $16.99 U.S. / CAN $23.00 · Available May 18th

In the near future, humans communicate almost exclusively through monitors connected to online networks—face-to-face meetings are rare and the surveillance state nearly all-powerful. Even school children are only allowed to meet in the flesh in designated communication centers. So when a serial killer starts slaughtering junior high students, the crackdown is harsh. And despite all the safeguards, the killer's latest victim turns out to have been in contact with three young girls: Mio Tsuzuki, a certified prodigy; Hazuki Makino, a quiet but opinionated classmate; and Ayumi Kono, her best friend. As the girls get caught up in trying to find the killer— who just might be a werewolf—Hazuki learns that there is much more to virtual reality than meets the eye.

Natsuhiko Kyogoku has won many literary awards for his works including the 1996 Mystery Writers of Japan Award for Grave of Goblins, the 1997 Izumi Kyoka Award for Laughing Iuemon, the 2003 Yamamoto Shugoro Prize for Inquisitive Koheiji and the 2004 Naoki Prize for Going Around a Hundred Stories, the sequel. His novel, The Summer of the Ubume, was also published in English in 2009. In addition to working as a writer, Natsuhiko Kyogoku established his own design studio and still works as an art director, designer, and bookbinder for various projects. He’s also an expert in yokai (monsters and ghosts of Japanese folklore).

THE NEXT CONTINENT by Issui Ogawa
Price: $16.99 U.S. / CAN $23.00 · Available May 18th

The year is 2025 and Gotoba Engineering & Construction, a firm that has built structures to survive the Antarctic and the Sahara, has received its most daunting challenge yet. Sennosuke Toenji, the chairman of one of the world's largest leisure conglomerates, wants a moon base fit for civilian use, and he wants his granddaughter Tae to be his eyes and ears on the harsh lunar surface. Tae and Gotoba engineer Aomine head to the moon where adventure, trouble, and perhaps romance waits.

Issui Ogawa is known as one of Japan's most prominent science fiction writers. His 1996 debut, FIRST A LETTER FROM A POPULAR PLACE, won the Shueisha JUMP Novel Grand Prix. THE NEXT CONTINENT garnered the 35th Seiun Award. A collection of his short stories won the 2005 Best SF Poll and THE DRIFTING MAN, included in that collection, was awarded the 37th Seiun Award for domestic short stories. Ogawa other works include LAND OF RESSURECTION, FREE LUNCH ERA, and THE LORD OF THE SANDS OF TIME (published by Haikasoru in 2009). Ogawa is also a principal member of the Space Authors Club.

For more information on Haikasoru visit the dedicated website at www.haikasoru.com.

ACF 493: Dorohedoro available March 16th

VIZ MEDIA DEBUTS DOROHEDORO

A BATTLE BETWEEN DIABOLICAL SORCERERS

AND THE MONSTERS THEY CREATED

VIZ Media has announced that manga creator Q Hayashida’s gritty urban sci-fi/horror series DOROHEDORO will be out next Tuesday, March 16th, 2010. The new series under the company’s VIZ Signature imprint, is rated ‘M’ for Mature Audiences and will carry and MSRP of $12.99 U.S. / $16.99 CAN.

In a city so dismal it's known only as "the Hole," an underground group of Sorcerers have been abducting people off the streets to use as guinea pigs for atrocious "experiments" in the black arts. In a dark alley, Nikaido found Caiman, a mutant man with a reptile head and a bad case of amnesia. To undo the spell, Nikaido and Caiman hunt and kill the Sorcerers in the Hole, hoping that eventually they'll kill the right one. But when En, the head Sorcerer, gets word of a lizard-man slaughtering his people, he sends a crew of "cleaners" into the Hole, igniting a war between two worlds.

“DOROHEDORO blends bloody mutant action with the classic horror elements—zombies, demons, and ghosts—and an intricate postapocalyptic urban setting,” says Leyla Aker, Editorial Manager, VIZ Media. “At the same time, the characters are likable, the dialogue’s funny, and I think readers will be surprised by its charm.”

Manga creator Q Hayashida is known for her bold art style and the way she seamlessly integrates alternate universes into her stories. Hayashida made her manga debut with Maken X Another, which ran in Magazine Z in Japan and was subsequently adapted into a video game. She followed with a sequel, Maken X Another Jack. Dorohedoro is her latest creation and is serialized in Shogakukan's manga magazine IKKI and also featured on SigIKKI.com, the publication’s innovative online joint venture with VIZ Media.

More information on SIGIKKI at http://www.SigIKKI.com/.

For more information on this title, or others from VIZ Media, visit http://www.viz.com/.

ACF 465: New sci-fi action manga Biomega set to debut February 2nd, 2010

MAN AND MACHINE FIGHT THE ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE
IN SCI-FI ACTION MANGA BIOMEGA

VIZ Media will debut this new series on February 2nd. Rated ‘M’ for Mature Audiences, Biomega will be published under the VIZ Signature imprint and will carry a MSRP of $12.99 U.S. / $16.99 CAN. Read on for more info.

Zoichi Kanoe plunges into the depths of 9JO, a sprawling island city in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, in search of Eon Green, a girl with the power to transmute the N5S virus. The deadly contagion is spreading across the world, turning humans into disfigured, zombie-like "drones.” But he's not the only one looking for her. Agents of the Public Health Service's Compulsory Execution Unit are also in hot pursuit, with sinister designs of their own. Zoichi and his trans-human allies have no time to waste; the countdown to the apocalypse has begun!

“Tsutomu Nihei created BIOMEGA with a jaw-dropping, intensely powerful art style that reflects his background in modern architecture,” says Leyla Aker, Editorial Manager, VIZ Media. “The main characters—the “enhanced” human Zoichi and Fuyu, the AI in his rocket of a motorcycle—navigate this apocalyptic landscape in a story that offers pure speed, action, and suspense. Both manga and American comics fans won’t want to miss this exciting debut!”

Tsutomu Nihei debuted with the acclaimed manga short story BLAME!, which was nominated for North America’s Harvey Award and won the Shiki Award in Japan. The artist also created NOiSE, a manga prequel to BLAME!. His visually striking Wolverine tie-in SNIKT! was published by Marvel Comics along with a commission by Bungie Studios for the HALO graphic novel.

For more information on this title, or others from VIZ Media, please visit www.viz.com.

ACF 211: VIZ announces Haikasoru line of Japanese SF and Fantasy Novels

Artwork (c) 2007 Issui Ogawa

Originally published in Japan by Hayakawa Pubishing, Inc.

VIZ Media has announced the launch of a brand-new imprint called Haikasoru, which will publish an array of contemporary Japanese science fiction (SF) and fantasy stories for English-speaking audiences. This is the first time an imprint with a dedicated focus on Japanese SF has launched in North America.

Haikasoru is scheduled to publish twelve books a year and launches in the summer of 2009 with four titles: The Lord of the Sands of Time by Issui Ogawa (pictured above), All You Need Is Kill by Hiroshi Sakurazaka, ZOO by Otsuichi, and Usurper of the Sun by Housuke Nojiri.

Haikasoru will be helmed by Nick Mamatas, a respected author of science fiction as well as an editor at VIZ Media. Mamatas is the author of two novels, which have been nominated for the Bram Stoker Award and Germany's Kurd Lasswitz Prize.

"I'm thrilled to be a part of this new imprint,” says Mamatas. “Haikasoru is making history with the future. Finally, SF is going global."

The Lord of the Sands of Time by Issui Ogawa – Price: $13.99 U.S./CAN $16.00
Sixty-two years after human life on earth was annihilated by rampaging aliens, the enigmatic cyborg Messenger O is sent back in time with the mission to unite the humanity of past eras—during World War II and in ancient Japan, even back at the dawn of humanity—in order to defeat the alien invasion before it begins. But amidst a future shredded by war, love also waits for O. Will O save humanity only to doom himself? The Lord of the Sands of Time was nominated for the prestigious Seiun Award, the leading award for Japanese science fiction, the winners of which are selected each year by members of the Japanese National Science Fiction Convention. Available in July 2009.


ALL YOU NEED IS KILL by Hiroshi Sakurazaka – Price: $13.99 U.S./CAN $16.00
When the alien Gitai invade, Keiji Kiriya is just one of many recruits shoved into a suit of battle armor called a Jacket and sent out to kill. Keiji dies on the battlefield, only to be reborn each morning to fight and die again and again. On his 158th iteration, he finally sees something different, something out of place—a female soldier known as the Full Metal Bitch. Is she the key to Keiji’s escape or his final death? Available in July 2009.

ZOO by Otsuichi – Price: $13.99 U.S./CAN $16.00
ZOO presents eleven stories of dark fantasy and science fiction by one of Japan’s hottest authors. "The White Hut In The Forest" is the story of a man with a hole in his head and a charming home made from some strange materials. "Song of the Sunny Spot" is a rendition of the classic story of the Earth's last man...and his charming companion. And in the book’s eponymous tale, a man sees his dead girlfriend’s corpse decompose, one gristly Polaroid snapshot at a time. ZOO sold over 740,000 copies in Japan and was also turned into a successful Japanese film. Available in September 2009.

USURPER OF THE SUN by Housuke Nojiri - Price: $15.99 U.S./CAN $18.99
When a ring appears around the sun, humanity seems doomed. One woman, a brave scientist named Aki Shiraishi, travels to the core of the solar system in a last-ditch attempt to save the world. A compelling new hard SF novel, Usurper of the Sun won a coveted Seiun Award in 2002 for Best Science Fiction Novel of the Year. Available in September 2009.

"Japan has long had a love affair with science fiction. In the wake of the massive international popularity of manga and anime, this is an ideal time to offer some of the best in contemporary Japanese science fiction to a sizeable domestic audience," says Masumi Washington, Editor-In-Chief, Haikasoru Imprint, VIZ Media. “VIZ Media has been publishing fiction for a while, and now with the formation of Haikasoru it’s like finding a missing piece in a jigsaw puzzle. We are pleased to introduce this unique imprint and look forward to VIZ Media fans and science fiction readers in general enjoying these books.”