Press Release

TOKYOPOP®, a POP Media Holdings company and global manga leader, is proud to announce the release of two new titles to begin serialization in early 2019. Both titles were announced as a part of their Manga for Everyone! panel at Comic-Con International: San Diego on July 22nd 2018.

Long-time fans and new readers alike are invited to experience ARIA: THE MASTERPIECE, an all-new, collectible edition of the acclaimed manga by Kozue Amano. Following the amazingly successful Kickstarter campaign launched last year by Nozomi Entertainment — during which enthusiastic backers raised nearly $600,000 toward dubbing the anime adaptation of the Aria manga — TOKYOPOP® is excited to announce this beautiful addition to every Aria fan’s collection. Each 2-in-1 volume will include select full-color pages and lavish gold-foil cover embellishment. Volume 1 of this collectible set comprises the first two books of the prequel series Aqua, and is scheduled for release in February 2019.

On the planet Aqua, a world once known as Mars, Akari Mizunashi has just made her home in the town of Neo-Venezia, a futuristic imitation of the ancient city of Venice. In pursuit of her dream to become an Undine — a gondolier who leads high-end tours around the city — Akari joins as a trainee with the Aria Company, one of the three most prestigious water-guide companies in Neo-Venezia.

Also debuting in January 2019 are the first of three volumes of YURI BEAR STORM, featuring an all-new plot adapted from the popular 2015 anime by prominent creator and director Kunihiko Ikuhara, whose signature achievements include the anime classic Revolutionary Girl Utena, as well as his work directing Sailor Moon. The manga tells an original story illustrated by Akiko Morishima, who also developed the anime character designs, and is best known for her nuanced and realistic portrayal of romances between women.

Every night, 16-year-old Kureha Tsubaki has strange dreams involving lilies, storms, and... being rescued by her classmate Ginko as an alien bear princess?!

At school, Kureha's unassuming personality and looks render her practically invisible. Sometimes, it feels like no one notices her at all, until cute and outgoing transfer student Ginko asks Kureha to be her friend. With Ginko’s encouragement and protection, Kureha starts to come out of her shell and realizes that, whether or not her new classmate really is a bear, her feelings toward Ginko might be stronger than friendship after all.