Japan’s largest eBook distribution company and its U.S.-based subsidiary, Media Do Co., Ltd., and Media Do International Inc., have announced a new partnership with Taiwan-based nonprofit organization, TAICCA. TAICCA frontlines the production, distribution, development, and overseas expansion of Taiwan’s creative content which translates and promotes original right-to-left comics created by an array of Taiwanese manga creators. These comics are translated and formatted into the English and Japanese languages.
To commemorate their newly announced partnership, Media Do Co., Ltd., and Media Do International Inc., will launch four Taiwanese manga titles that will also serve as the first eBook comics from YUZU comics, part of Media Do’s vertical scrolling digital comics initiative. YUZU comics was designed for vertical scrolling comics and Media Do now expands the service into the e-book format with the release of single-volume, slice-of-life drama CONFESSIONS OF A 35-YEAR-OLD, the single-volume BL romance THREE SECONDS AFTER OUR EYES MET, the 3-volume comical supernatural fantasy THE LIGHT CONJURER, and the single-volume post-apocalyptic romantic BL adventure LOVING YOU WHEN THE WORLD ENDED.
“This is the first time Media Do has partnered with TAICCA and we are very happy to be able to bring this collection of comics by an award-winning cadre of talented Taiwanese artists and creators via our YUZU comics label,” says Daihei Shiohama, CEO and President, Media Do International. “We invite comics and manga fans and readers to discover these new titles and the vibrant world of Taiwanese comics and the innovative stories and perspectives from these creators.”
“Media Do is one of the world’s leading digital book distributors and our partnership will bring an exciting collection of comics by acclaimed Taiwanese creators to a global market eager for graphic novel content across a range of popular genres,” says TAICCA CEO Jiun Wei Lu. “Taiwan has a very robust comics and graphic novel creator community, and we are very happy to see this first round of titles gain a wide international fanbase.”
The titles will be available starting February 6th across major digital platforms including Kindle, Google Books, Apple iBooks, Nook, Kobo, Bookwalker, MangaPlaza, and Renta. To date, more than 50 vertical-scrolling digital comics have been produced in various languages worldwide by the YUZU label since it began in 2022.
The friendly, kind Student Union Event Division President Hezhan has a carefully maintained image but when fellow student Shunwen witnesses Hezhan’s outburst in a meeting room, he inadvertently becomes the keeper of Hezhan’s hidden side. Worried his secret will be revealed, Hezhan approaches Shunwen but every time their eyes lock, it feels like Shunwen sees right through him and he must “never lock eyes for more than three seconds.” Will Hezhan be able to protect his secret or will Shunwen reshape Hezhan’s life and his own?
THREE SECONDS AFTER OUR EYES MET was a Gold Prize-winner in the BL category at the second-ever Glory Original Comic Competition. Rancha is one of Taiwan’s most popular BL comic creators and renowned for delicate storytelling and for realistically presenting the emotions of his characters.
THREE SECONDS AFTER OUR EYES MET, story and art by Rancha ∙ SRP: $5.99 ∙ 146 pages ∙ eISBN: 9781647115579 ∙ For Readers Ages 12+ ∙ Available February 6th
An apocalyptic event forces two strangers to navigate a world where the old order is shattered. Is it survival of the fittest or survival of the richest? Spoiled Nuowan can’t stay alive in this new reality without the help of skilled hotel worker Yu Seng, whom he met only moments before the world ended. Yu’s former military training comes in handy but is kissing out of the blue a survival tactic?
LOVING YOU WHEN THE WORLD ENDED, story and art by Gene ∙ SRP: $5.99 ∙ 146 pages ∙ eISBN: 9781647115562 ∙ For Readers Ages 15+ ∙ Available February 6th
Rubin, a seemingly useless summoner whose conjuring attempts are comically futile, secretly dreams of defeating a dragon. Fate has a sense of humor when Rubin summons a mysterious prince who coerces him into going to an abandoned castle… where a dragon lives. Can a useless conjurer face the challenge of confronting a legendary beast? Creator Gene is a comic artist/illustrator who was born and raised in Tainan, Taiwan. He was the Bronze Prize-winner in the BL category at the First Ever Glory Original Comic Competition. An active figure in various doujin communities. Gene’s works come in diverse styles, and he loves to add a touch of humor to stories. His work “Wanted Magic Girl!” was selected to the 10th Golden Comic Best New Artist Award in 2019 and he also has won two top prizes at the 2020 Kyoto International Manga Anime Awards.
THE LIGHT CONJURER, story and art by Gene ∙ SRP: $5.99 ∙ 146 pages ∙ eISBN: 9781647115555 ∙ For Readers Ages 17+ ∙ Available February 6th
Thirty-five-year-old, single office worker Jason normally finds love to be elusive. He doesn’t give much thought to his new coworker Frank when he joins the company. But when a chance encounter evolves into a series of shared moments, an unanticipated twist in their relationship finds Jason and Frank being roommates. Will Jason find his new normal is love?
CONFESSIONS OF A 35-YEAR-OLD, story and art by TEI ∙ SRP: $5.99 ∙ 146 pages ∙ eISBN: 9781647115586 ∙ For Readers Ages 12+ ∙ Available February 6th
Established in 2019 by the Ministry of Culture, the Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA) supports the production, distribution, development, and overseas expansion of audiovisual content, digital content, music, comics, the performing arts, and more. As the premier partner in Taiwan, TAICCA offers unparalleled support, resources, and expertise to navigate the dynamic landscape of the Taiwanese creative content industry and maximize the potential for success. Additional information is available at: https://en.taicca.tw/
Tokyo-based Media Do Co., Ltd. is one of the largest eBook distribution companies in the world and retains the largest share of Japan’s eBook market. Media Do International, Inc. is based in San Diego, California. Media Do Group’s mission is to make more content available for more people. NetGalley and its owner, Quality Solutions/Firebrand Technologies, were acquired by Media Do in 2021. Firebrand and NetGalley provide leading marketing and technology services to more than 500 publishers worldwide. NetGalley, LLC operates websites in the US, UK, France, Germany, and Japan. Supadu Ltd. was acquired by Media Do in 2022. Supadu is the lead provider of website and e-commerce solutions for publishers. For more information on Media Do’s services and corporate divisions, please visit: https://mediado.jp/english.
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