Harper, Tokyopop Ink Manga Deal

By Calvin Reid, PW Daily -- Publishers Weekly, 3/27/2006

In a turnaround that highlights the sales potential of graphic novels and manga in the book trade, HarperCollins will take over the distribution of the Tokyopop manga list to the trade. In addition, Tokyopop and HarperCollins will collaborate on developing manga adaptations of HarperCollins authors beginning with the bestselling young adult novels of Meg Cabot.

HarperCollins will take over the distribution of all Tokyopop titles in North America beginning in June of this year. The announcement of the HC deal comes on the heels of a Tokyopop announcement in February that it intended to continue its distribution agreement through Perseus Books and CDS. Tokyopop executives were unavailable to answer questions about the switch in distribution. But in a prepared statement, Tokyopop CEO Stu Levy, said the deal, "would expand the manga lifestyle into mainstream youth culture, building a new paradigm in entertainment, where east meets west and a new generation of mult-ethnic creators can flourish.”

Beginning with the Meg Cabot novels, the two publishers will look to collaborate on as many 24 manga adaptations of Harper prose novels, the first of which should appear in 2007. Harper CEO Jane Friedman said she wouldn’t rule out getting involved in publishing licensed manga as well as adaptations at some point.

Friedman declined to discuss Tokyopop’s change of mind about its distribution. But she said she has been talking with Tokyopop for months about the copublishing deal. "I’ve met [Tokyopop CEO] Stu Levy and [Tokyopop Editor in chief] Mike Kiley and we clicked. I’ve been interested in manga for a long time."

Friedman said she’s wanted to publish manga but she didn’t want to set up an in-house manga publishing unit. "We’ve been eager to enter the manga marketplace and I can think of no more powerful way than to join forces with Tokyopop." Friedman said the house would look at its children and YA list for likely candidates for manga adaptation. "We’ve got great YA and children’s authors and we’re going to take a careful long look at that list for books to adapt.". Asked if she reads any manga herself, Friedman said she’s tried, “but I think this deal will mean more to my grandchildren.”