Broken Frontier

In an industry first, TOKYOPOP, the #1 publisher of global manga, today announces the launch of two revolutionary children's publishing programs: Manga Chapters for 6-9 year olds and Manga Readers for 8-12 year olds. Comprising tales that encourage exploration and imagination, TOKYOPOP's highly entertaining Manga Chapters and Manga Readers make reading fun while promoting language and literacy skills.

Launching in September of 2006, Manga Chapters combine two immensely popular formats: chapter books for children who are beginning to read-and manga, the fastest-growing category in the publishing industry.
These 96-page books, competitively priced at $4.99, contain simple yet engaging storylines, liberally dosed with spot illustrations and manga that boost reading comprehension while visually engaging the reader.

Debut titles in the Manga Chapters program include: The Grosse
Adventures: The Good, The Bad & The Gassy, created by Annie Auerbach, the author of more than 90 books for children (including the New York Times best-seller Bob's Egg Hunt), and from Eisner Award-Nominee Alex de Campi, Agent Boo: The Littlest Agent-the perfect sci-fi series for young girls and boys.

Manga Readers, the next level of books in TOKYOPOP's kids' manga program, are designed for mid-grade readers and modestly priced at $5.99. This new, innovative line features youth-oriented stories, in an easy-to-digest 96-page format-a perfect follow-up to Manga Chapters.
Scheduled for release in July 2006 are three diverse titles: Alex de Campi's Kat & Mouse, a tale of two girls who use science and math to solve mysteries; Josh Elder's Mail Order Ninja, which chronicles the adventure of a boy and his new ninja companion, and from Eisner Award-winner Keith Giffen and comic veteran Shannon Denton (X-Men and Spider-Man), Zapt!-the story of a 12-year-old who tries to squeeze in his duties as an intergalactic policeman between homework and chores.

According to Senior Editor Nicole Monastirsky, "Less than a decade ago, if you strolled through your local chain bookstore, you wouldn't be able to find manga anywhere. There was no section, no category, no awareness.
But, TOKYOPOP changed all that. We created a category because we saw a need, and we're doing it again with our kids manga lines, both ideal for reluctant readers and future manga fans."

TOKYOPOP Publisher, Mike Kiley adds: "TOKYOPOP is all about storytelling and we believe that the visual and literary combo is a magical one-two punch. Librarians and teachers are beyond excited about these initiatives because they know these manga programs will motivate kids to read."