PR: Tokyopop Partners with Right Stuf and Gentosha to Rescue Hetalia

Found via MTV Geek: Tokyopop has formed a partnership with RightStuf and Gentosha Comics to publish the first three volumes of Hetalia: Axis Powers. Tokyopop released the first two volumes shortly before closing its North American publishing division last year. Since then, CEO Stu Levy has been dropping hints on Facebook that Tokyopop was interested in bringing back the popular series. Yesterday, Levy announced that Tokyopop, in cooperation with Gentosha and RightStuf, would re-releasing the first two volumes of Hetalia and publishing the long-awaited third volume. All three volumes will be available exclusively through RightStuf, and will retail for $15.99.

Predictably, fans offered a mixture of cheers and jeers. 'I cannot imagine Hetalia being in another manga publishing company. I like how Tokyopop does it, so I'm happy you decided to continue distributing this manga!' declared reader Anne Serket. Not everyone was pleased about the higher sticker price, however: fan Jill Jones took Tokyopop to task for the cost: '$16.00 per volume? You could have just let the license go to a publisher that will release it in a normal fashion. On top of that, what about volume 4? This is absolutely ridiculous.' Nothin' like a little fantitlement, I guess.

Full details below.

RIGHT STUF, INC. Announces Exclusive Deal With GENTOSHA COMICS and TOKYOPOP to Publish HETALIA AXIS POWERS Manga, Vols. 1-3

GRIMES, Iowa, May 1, 2012 ' Right Stuf, Inc. is pleased to announce that, through a special arrangement with Japanese publisher Gentosha Comics and TOKYOPOP, manga fans will be able to purchase HETALIA AXIS POWERS, Vol. 3, in English-translated, book form for the first time ever, in addition to reprints of the manga series' first two volumes, exclusively through RightStuf.com.The first print run of Hetalia Axis Powers, Vol. 3 will be available in late June 2012.

• This initial print run will feature an eight-page color insert from the original Japanese print edition of the manga. (The future print-on-demand edition of this volume will include these pages but reproduce them in black and white.)
• Quantities of the first print run will be limited, and pre-ordering is highly suggested.
  
• For a limited time, fans can pre-order Hetalia Axis Powers, Vol. 3 for $10.99 per copy. (This is a savings of more than 30% off the $15.99 SRP.)

Hetalia Axis Powers, Vol. 1 and Hetalia Axis Powers, Vol. 2 are each available immediately.

• These print-on-demand editions will feature a color cover and black-and-white printing on high-grade, 70-pound, bright white paper. (Pages that were originally presented in color will be reproduced with black-and-white printing.)
• Each volume has a retail price of $15.99.

Shawne Kleckner, Right Stuf's president and CEO, said, 'The third volume of Hetalia has been one of the most requested titles on RightStuf.com, and we're excited to have the opportunity to deliver it to the fans.'

TOKYOPOP founder Stu Levy added, 'The North American publishing market has been changing rapidly, and I am proud to partner with Right Stuf and Gentosha Comics to finally bring the long-awaited latest volume of Hetalia to our fans. Thanks to everyone for your patience!'

Hetalia Axis Powers, created by Hidekaz Himaruya, started as a Japanese web comic, which utilizes personification to represent countries and their participation in historical events, while poking fun at cultural stereotypes. It was later adapted into a manga (released by TOKYOPOP), as well as an anime series that is currently available to North American audiences on DVD from FUNimation Entertainment.