PR: VIZ Announces Two New Shojo Beat Licenses

Stop the presses! VIZ Media has just announced two new shojo licenses for 2012. The first, Io Sakisaka's Strobe Edge, sounds like a perfect fit with the Shojo Beat catalog: the story focuses on a fifteen-year-old girl who befriends the class hottie, only to learn that he has a serious girlfriend. (Man, I hate it when that happens!) The second title, Mayu Shinju's Demon Love Spell, sounds like the smutty silliness we've come to expect from the creator of Ai Ore! and Sensual Phrase. The heroine, Miko, is a shrine maiden who must exorcise a super-hot demon who's famous for seducing women. (Man, I hate it when that happens!) The first series is complete, and totals 10 volumes; the second is ongoing, and currently spans four volumes.

The full press release is below.

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES NORTH AMERICAN PUBLISHING LICENSES FOR NEW SHOJO MANGA SERIES STROBE EDGE AND DEMON LOVE SPELL

VIZ Media announces its latest manga (graphic novel) licenses with the acquisition of the domestic publishing rights to two new shojo series ' STROBE EDGE, by Io Sakisaka, and DEMON LOVE SPELL, by Mayu Shinjo. Both titles are scheduled to begin publication later this year under the company's Shojo Beat imprint.

Creator Io Sakisaka's STROBE EDGE (rated 'T' for Teens) asks the timeless question, 'What is love?' Ninako Kinoshita's friends tell her it's one thing, but Ninako wants to discover this mysterious emotion herself. When she meets Ren Ichinose, a handsome, enigmatic guy worshipped by all the girls at her school, she finds her heartbeat quickening with excitement! Is Ninako about to experience the many facets of love?

Celebrated manga creator Mayu Shinjo (AI ORE!, SENSUAL PHRASE) also returns with her new supernatural romance, DEMON LOVE SPELL (rated 'T+' for Older Teens). In the series, Miko is a shrine maiden who has never had much success at seeing or banishing spirits. Then she meets Kagura, a sexy demon who feeds off of women's feelings of passion and love. Kagura's insatiable appetite has left many girls brokenhearted at school, so Miko casts a spell to seal his powers. Surprisingly the spell works ' sort of ' but now Kagura is after her!

'STROBE EDGE has been one of the most requested titles that our readers have asked to be licensed, and the romantic coming-of-age story will be a perfect series for young teen readers in particular,' says Leyla Aker, Vice President, Publishing. 'Mayu Shinjo's new series, DEMON LOVE SPELL, will intrigue older teen readers and young adults with its fun mix of comedic supernatural romance and gorgeous artwork. We look forward to launching both series later this year and will be announcing more information on the forthcoming debuts soon!'

For more information on Shojo Beat manga titles, please visit: www.ShojoBeat.com