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2024.10.02
Welcome to the special feature of Frankfurt Book Fair 2024!
Japan Book Bank and varieties of related exhibits are waiting for you in
JAPAN BOOTH !
What is Japan Book Bank？
Japan Book Bank is the largest online catalogue of Japanese published contents.
More than 185 Japanese publishers are on board.
Check the availability of rights and contact the licensor at any time!
・Using international genre code Thema, you can now find the book of your interest easily!
・Apply for a JBB ID for free, giving access to information of what languages are available and contact the rights holder directly!
What are we doing in Japan Book Bank Booth this year?
We are introducing recommended books in Frankfurt Book Fair.
You can also read the samples of selected books that is specially featured in here!
This is our booth from last year.
We will be wait for you to visit us, at Frankfurt Buchmesse 2024!
Come visit us in the JBB booth anytime.
We can also arrange a meeting at the booth in advance, contact us by the email at the address below, or login to Frankfurt Connect.
Contact >> jbb@vipo.or.jp
https://connect.buchmesse.de/newfront/participant/30605
We can also arrange a meeting at the booth in advance, contact us by the email at the address below, or login to Frankfurt Connect.
Contact >> jbb@vipo.or.jp
https://connect.buchmesse.de/newfront/participant/30605
The Japanese Publishing Promotion Project organized by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, aims to promote Japanese authors and publishers overseas in order to share and disseminate Japan’s rich and diverse culture of books and manga (Japanese comics).
At this year’s Frankfurt Book Fair, we will host events showcasing Japan’s diverse manga culture, such as an explanatory seminar on the current Japanese manga market and a session discussing the topic of manga translation with manga translator Verena MASER. In addition, at the Japan Booth, we will feature four manga titles chosen from Japan’s expansive manga catalog for which publishing rights can be purchased.
At this year’s Frankfurt Book Fair, we will host events showcasing Japan’s diverse manga culture, such as an explanatory seminar on the current Japanese manga market and a session discussing the topic of manga translation with manga translator Verena MASER. In addition, at the Japan Booth, we will feature four manga titles chosen from Japan’s expansive manga catalog for which publishing rights can be purchased.
Exhibition works @ Hall 5.1/A146, Japan Booth
Futsu to Bakemono (Normality and Monsters) * This English title is provisional.
© Warugi Wanai
© Shinobu Shinotsuki
Artist : Shinobu Shinotsuki
Writer : Warugi Wanai
Profile:
Shinobu Shinotsuki
© Warugi Wanai
© Shinobu ShinotsukiShinotsuki made his professional debut as the illustrator for the light novel The Saga of Tanya the Evil (2013, written by Carlo Zen), which has now been adapted as an anime. Shinotsuki has continued as illustrator for the novel series up to the latest 14th volume. He has also illustrated many other light novel titles.
This work, Futsu to Bakemono, is his manga artist debut. He is well-known for his depictions of girls with intense gazes. Though acclaimed for his illustrations of adorable girls, he is talented in depicting action-filled scenes as well.
Outline / Summary:
Publisher:
KADOKAWA Corporation
Genre:
Romance, Yuri, Horror
Serialized in, period of issue:
Comic Walker
From February 2022-
Standalone comic release date:
1st volume: September 2023
2nd volume: April 2024
Number of volumes / episodes:
Two volumes (ongoing)
Licensing status (Published/To be published):
English, Korean, Chinese
Related website:
Publisher’s official website * Japanese only
Sample available at Comic Walker * Japanese only
Author’s social media
Contact:
KADOKAWA Corporation, Global Licensing Division
Original Licensing Business Department
SUZUKI Shoko (Ms.) suzuki-sho@kadokawa.jp
Writer : Warugi Wanai
Profile:
Shinobu Shinotsuki
© Warugi Wanai
© Shinobu Shinotsuki
This work, Futsu to Bakemono, is his manga artist debut. He is well-known for his depictions of girls with intense gazes. Though acclaimed for his illustrations of adorable girls, he is talented in depicting action-filled scenes as well.
Outline / Summary:
A tale of high intensity teenage girl frustration and desires.
Ito is socially awkward, and envies her classmate Takahashi, who is quiet but is friends with everyone.
Then one day, Ito is shocked to see Takahashi swallowing a person whole.
She is a monster in human form!
“Wait. A terrifying monster is able to just fit in with the rest of the class? How cool! I definitely wanna be her friend!”
Ito learns about what “normal” behavior is in social situations from the monster. She is thrilled, but the monster has an ulterior motive.
This exciting duo of a gifted writer and a rising illustrator from The Saga of Tanya the Evil together combine their talent for a captivating work.
Ito is socially awkward, and envies her classmate Takahashi, who is quiet but is friends with everyone.
Then one day, Ito is shocked to see Takahashi swallowing a person whole.
She is a monster in human form!
“Wait. A terrifying monster is able to just fit in with the rest of the class? How cool! I definitely wanna be her friend!”
Ito learns about what “normal” behavior is in social situations from the monster. She is thrilled, but the monster has an ulterior motive.
This exciting duo of a gifted writer and a rising illustrator from The Saga of Tanya the Evil together combine their talent for a captivating work.
Publisher:
KADOKAWA Corporation
Genre:
Romance, Yuri, Horror
Serialized in, period of issue:
Comic Walker
From February 2022-
Standalone comic release date:
1st volume: September 2023
2nd volume: April 2024
Number of volumes / episodes:
Two volumes (ongoing)
Licensing status (Published/To be published):
English, Korean, Chinese
Related website:
Publisher’s official website * Japanese only
Sample available at Comic Walker * Japanese only
Author’s social media
Contact:
KADOKAWA Corporation, Global Licensing Division
Original Licensing Business Department
SUZUKI Shoko (Ms.) suzuki-sho@kadokawa.jp
KAIKA Apartment
© Ameishi
Artist/Writer : Ameishi
Profile:
Ameishi
© AmeishiManga artist Ameishi was scouted by an editor when he was posting manga and illustrations on social media. He made his mainstream debut in July 2021 in the special issue of the manga magazine Harta, Terran 2021, Summer Edition with a one-shot manga. After the publication of two more one-shot stories, he started his first serialized manga Kaika Apartment in Harta, August 2022, Volume 96. The series appears in every other issue.
Outline / Summary:
Publisher:
KADOKAWA Corporation
Genre:
Mystery, Crime, Thriller
Serialized in, period of issue:
HARTA
From August 2022-
Standalone comic release date:
1st volume: December 2023
2nd volume: May 2024
Number of volumes / episodes:
Two volumes (ongoing)
Licensing status (Published/To be published):
Korean, Chinese
Related website:
Publisher’s official website * Japanese only
Sample available at Comic Walker * Japanese only
Author’s social media: X, Instagram
Contact:
KADOKAWA Corporation, Global Licensing Division
Original Licensing Business Department
SUZUKI Shoko (Ms.) suzuki-sho@kadokawa.jp
Profile:
Ameishi
© Ameishi
Outline / Summary:
Everyone living in this building has a story.
At the end of the Taisho era, translator Fuji moved to a beautiful and classy building, Kaika Apartment, where all residents are keeping secrets.
There is a Mrs. Poison who killed her husband with poison, a detective duo with a large age gap, and two married couples unnaturally affectionate with each other.
This is a tale of bizarre, intertwined relationships between eccentric residents in a shared housing complex. Ameishi's debut manga!
At the end of the Taisho era, translator Fuji moved to a beautiful and classy building, Kaika Apartment, where all residents are keeping secrets.
There is a Mrs. Poison who killed her husband with poison, a detective duo with a large age gap, and two married couples unnaturally affectionate with each other.
This is a tale of bizarre, intertwined relationships between eccentric residents in a shared housing complex. Ameishi's debut manga!
Publisher:
KADOKAWA Corporation
Genre:
Mystery, Crime, Thriller
Serialized in, period of issue:
HARTA
From August 2022-
Standalone comic release date:
1st volume: December 2023
2nd volume: May 2024
Number of volumes / episodes:
Two volumes (ongoing)
Licensing status (Published/To be published):
Korean, Chinese
Related website:
Publisher’s official website * Japanese only
Sample available at Comic Walker * Japanese only
Author’s social media: X, Instagram
Contact:
KADOKAWA Corporation, Global Licensing Division
Original Licensing Business Department
SUZUKI Shoko (Ms.) suzuki-sho@kadokawa.jp
LOST LAD LONDON
© Shima Shinya
Artist/Writer : Shima Shinya
Profile:
Shima Shinya
© Shima ShinyaManga artist and illustrator.
His works include Lost Lad London and Glitch.
He also wrote the original story for the Star Wars manga Star Wars: The High Republic: Edge of Balance. He won the New Face Award at the 25th Japan Media Arts Festival for Lost Lad London. His current work Void: No. Nine - The Ninth Utsuro, is serialized in Monthly Comic Beam.
Outline / Summary:
Publisher:
KADOKAWA Corporation
Genre:
Mystery, Crime, Thriller
Serialized in, period of issue:
Monthly Comic BEAM
January 2020 to June 2021
Standalone comic release date:
1st volume: January 2021
2nd volume: January 2021
3rd volume: June 2021
Number of volumes / episodes:
Three volumes in total
Licensing status (Published/To be published):
English, French, Spanish, German
Related website:
Publisher’s official website * Japanese only
Sample available at Comic Walker * Japanese only
Author’s social media
Contact:
KADOKAWA Corporation, Global Licensing Division
Original Licensing Business Department
SUZUKI Shoko (Ms.) suzuki-sho@kadokawa.jp
Profile:
Shima Shinya
© Shima Shinya
His works include Lost Lad London and Glitch.
He also wrote the original story for the Star Wars manga Star Wars: The High Republic: Edge of Balance. He won the New Face Award at the 25th Japan Media Arts Festival for Lost Lad London. His current work Void: No. Nine - The Ninth Utsuro, is serialized in Monthly Comic Beam.
Outline / Summary:
A new kind of crime mystery.
"A single event can change your entire life."
The mayor of London has been murdered in the Underground.
Al, an ordinary university student, happens to be on the same train.
Ellis, a detective with challenges of his own, is assigned to investigate the case.
The case draws them together, and a strange fate begins to unfold...
A new kind of crime suspense surrounding the murder of the mayor of London.
"Give me a hand. We're going to find the real culprit."
"A single event can change your entire life."
The mayor of London has been murdered in the Underground.
Al, an ordinary university student, happens to be on the same train.
Ellis, a detective with challenges of his own, is assigned to investigate the case.
The case draws them together, and a strange fate begins to unfold...
A new kind of crime suspense surrounding the murder of the mayor of London.
"Give me a hand. We're going to find the real culprit."
Publisher:
KADOKAWA Corporation
Genre:
Mystery, Crime, Thriller
Serialized in, period of issue:
Monthly Comic BEAM
January 2020 to June 2021
Standalone comic release date:
1st volume: January 2021
2nd volume: January 2021
3rd volume: June 2021
Number of volumes / episodes:
Three volumes in total
Licensing status (Published/To be published):
English, French, Spanish, German
Related website:
Publisher’s official website * Japanese only
Sample available at Comic Walker * Japanese only
Author’s social media
Contact:
KADOKAWA Corporation, Global Licensing Division
Original Licensing Business Department
SUZUKI Shoko (Ms.) suzuki-sho@kadokawa.jp
Magazine RONDO
MAGAZINE RONDO
© 2022 Hiromi Matsuo / Jitsugyo no Nihon Sha
Artist/Writer : Hiromi Matsuo
Profile:
Hiromi Matsuo
© Hiromi Matsuo 2022A prolific illustrator. Since making her breakthrough with her 2016 book, Department Store Waltz, her artwork has amassed immense popularity, described as being “beautiful” due to her outstanding mastery of color, refined compositions, attention to detail, and sense of style, and has been displayed in many museums and events.
She has also expanded the scope of her activities to include collaboration products, such as fans, women’s shoes, and scarves, as well as merchandise for anime and famous musicians.
(Works)
- Department Store Waltz (Jitsugyo no Nihon Sha, Jury Selection work at the 20th Japan Media Arts Festival, 2017)
- RONDO since 1922 / The Ladies’ Graphic Magazine, a fictional creation of Hiromi Matsuo (Jitsugyo no Nihon Sha, Grand Prize at Manga Division of the 52nd Japan Cartoonist Association Awards, 2023)
- ILLUSTRATION MAKING & VISUAL BOOK Hiromi Matsuo (Shoeisha)
- The Secret (Rittorsha, a novel by Junichiro Tanizaki)
- HIROMI MATSUO ARTWORKS KALEIDO SCOPE GARDEN (Genkosha)
- My Garland - Lingerie inspires me (Kawade Shobo Shinsha)
Outline / Summary:
Publisher:
Jitsugyo no Nihon Sha, Ltd.
Genre:
Comics and illustration book
Standalone comic release date:
December 2022
Number of volumes / episodes:
One volume in total
Licensing status (Published/To be published):
Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Spanish, Russian
Related website:
Publisher’s official website * Japanese only
Ruelle Comics’s website *Japanese only
Contact:
Jitsugyo no Nihon Sha, Ltd.,
Rights & Business Development Dept.
jnrights@j-n.co.jp
Profile:
Hiromi Matsuo
© Hiromi Matsuo 2022
She has also expanded the scope of her activities to include collaboration products, such as fans, women’s shoes, and scarves, as well as merchandise for anime and famous musicians.
(Works)
- Department Store Waltz (Jitsugyo no Nihon Sha, Jury Selection work at the 20th Japan Media Arts Festival, 2017)
- RONDO since 1922 / The Ladies’ Graphic Magazine, a fictional creation of Hiromi Matsuo (Jitsugyo no Nihon Sha, Grand Prize at Manga Division of the 52nd Japan Cartoonist Association Awards, 2023)
- ILLUSTRATION MAKING & VISUAL BOOK Hiromi Matsuo (Shoeisha)
- The Secret (Rittorsha, a novel by Junichiro Tanizaki)
- HIROMI MATSUO ARTWORKS KALEIDO SCOPE GARDEN (Genkosha)
- My Garland - Lingerie inspires me (Kawade Shobo Shinsha)
Outline / Summary:
This work is a full-color comic and illustration book that follows RONDO, a ladies’ fashion magazine about to celebrate its 100th anniversary. Through manga and illustrations, it portrays the articles and advertisements that embellished the magazine throughout each era and the stories of those involved in its making.
The fictional magazine RONDO is Hiromi Matsuo's way of expressing the inspiration and excitement she feels from vintage Japanese and foreign fashion magazines.
Most importantly, RONDO encapsulates Hiromi Matsuo's passion and support for the magazine culture.
The fictional magazine RONDO is Hiromi Matsuo's way of expressing the inspiration and excitement she feels from vintage Japanese and foreign fashion magazines.
Most importantly, RONDO encapsulates Hiromi Matsuo's passion and support for the magazine culture.
Publisher:
Jitsugyo no Nihon Sha, Ltd.
Genre:
Comics and illustration book
Standalone comic release date:
December 2022
Number of volumes / episodes:
One volume in total
Licensing status (Published/To be published):
Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Spanish, Russian
Related website:
Publisher’s official website * Japanese only
Ruelle Comics’s website *Japanese only
Contact:
Jitsugyo no Nihon Sha, Ltd.,
Rights & Business Development Dept.
jnrights@j-n.co.jp
Talk Events
Since the Covid pandemic, Japanese manga sales is growing worldwide. However, most of the attention is paid to popular manga that has been animated and that’s only a part of Japan's diverse manga.
In this event, we will focus on various Japanese manga such as hidden gems unknown to an international audience, and describe their attractions and introduce how Japanese rich manga culture has created diverse works while explaining the current situation of Japan’s manga market and readers.
In this event, we will focus on various Japanese manga such as hidden gems unknown to an international audience, and describe their attractions and introduce how Japanese rich manga culture has created diverse works while explaining the current situation of Japan’s manga market and readers.
Click the image to open the PDF file.
Date & Time: Wednesday, 16 Oct. 3:00-4:00 p.m.
Stage: International Stage (between Halls 5.1 and 6.1.)
Language: English
Speakers:
Verena MASER (Translator, Writer)
SHIINA Yukari (Senior Researcher, The Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan)
Silvana PETKOVIC (Representative in Europe, Visual Industry Promotion Organization)
Organizer:
The Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan
Featured works in the talk: (alphabetical order)
- 3 a.m. Dangerous zone, Nemu Yoko / 2008 / SHODENSHA Publishing Co., Ltd.
- Cecil's Queen, Ai Kozaki / 2022 / SHOGAKUKAN
- Futsu to Bakemono (Normality and Monsters), Artist: Shinobu Shinotsuki, Writer: Warugi Wanai / 2023 / KADOKAWA Corporation
- KAIKA Apartment, Ameishi / 2023 / KADOKAWA Corporation
- Living as a Girl, YAMAJI Ebine / 2022 / KADOKAWA Corporation
- LOST LAD LONDON, Shima Shinya / 2021 / KADOKAWA Corporation
- Magazine RONDO, Hiromi Matsuo / 2022 / Jitsugyo no Nihon Sha, Ltd.
- Princess Marguerite of the Ruined Country, MOMO SUMOMO / 2018 / Akita Publishing Co., Ltd.
- Spis the Store Clerk, Yu-hachi / 2024 / SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD.
- The Skirt Rings at the Landing, Yuu Utatane / 2021 / ICHIJINSHA INC.
- Cecil's Queen, Ai Kozaki / 2022 / SHOGAKUKAN
- Futsu to Bakemono (Normality and Monsters), Artist: Shinobu Shinotsuki, Writer: Warugi Wanai / 2023 / KADOKAWA Corporation
- KAIKA Apartment, Ameishi / 2023 / KADOKAWA Corporation
- Living as a Girl, YAMAJI Ebine / 2022 / KADOKAWA Corporation
- LOST LAD LONDON, Shima Shinya / 2021 / KADOKAWA Corporation
- Magazine RONDO, Hiromi Matsuo / 2022 / Jitsugyo no Nihon Sha, Ltd.
- Princess Marguerite of the Ruined Country, MOMO SUMOMO / 2018 / Akita Publishing Co., Ltd.
- Spis the Store Clerk, Yu-hachi / 2024 / SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD.
- The Skirt Rings at the Landing, Yuu Utatane / 2021 / ICHIJINSHA INC.
Manga is a part of Japanese culture and contains many allusions to this culture. Through manga, readers are introduced to the lifestyle and food culture of another country. In this event, manga translator Verena MASER will let us look over her shoulder as she works on translation. Find out what the challenges of translating manga are and how they can be overcome. The German version of a new manga volume will be created live on stage. The audience will have the unique opportunity to help by sharing ideas for sound effects, catchphrases, and “untranslatable” puns. Maybe your suggestion will even make it into the print edition. No knowledge of Japanese necessary!
Date & Time: Saturday, 19 Oct. 1:00-2:00 p.m.
Stage: The ARTS+ Stage (Hall 4.1/H57)
Language: German
Speaker: Verena MASER (Translator, Writer)
Organizer: The Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan
Speaker profiles
Verena MASER
Translator, WriterVerena Maser holds a PhD in Japanese studies, having researched Japanese manga culture. For the past ten years, she has been working as a translator of manga and anime, and has so far translated more than 200 manga volumes from Japanese to German.
SHIINA Yukari
Senior Researcher, The Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of JapanCompleted a master's program in Popular Culture at Bowling Green State University in Ohio, USA. Engages in translating overseas comics and academic papers, as well as writing about the situation of comics abroad. Senior Researcher for the Arts and Culture Division of the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan. Part-time lecturer at Tokyo University of the Arts.
Major translated works include Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic, The Best We Could Do (these are the winner of the Excellence Award in the Manga Division at the Japan Media Arts Festival, for the 15th and 25th respectively), Black Hole, Saga, The Boys, Monstress, Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art, among others.
Silvana PETKOVIC
Representative in Europe, Visual Industry Promotion OrganizationSpecializes in international promotion and partnership building of Japanese art and cultural projects that showcase Japan’s unique creativity. Currently works as a representative of VIPO in Europe and serves as an advisor of external relations and partnership building to several enterprises in Japan. In Dec. 2021, she was granted Japanese citizenship in recognition of her contributions to Japanese society. In April 2022, she established Clover Arts Inc, an international partnership building enterprise for Japanese arts and culture, with HQ in Tokyo. Holds MA in Cultural Policy and BA in Japanese Studies and Politics.
