Square Enix to Launch English-Language Manga Imprint in Fall 2019

by ImperfectBlue
May 17, 2019 9:22 PM | 8 Comments

Square Enix, Inc., the American subsidiary of Japan's Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd. (Square Enix), announced a multi-year deal with Penguin Random House Publisher Services on Friday. The sales and distribution agreement will see Square Enix, Inc. releasing English-language manga, novels, and art books worldwide beginning in Fall 2019.

Releases confirmed as of the announcement are Soul Eater, High Score Girl, Ojisama to Neko, and the Final Fantasy XV: The Dawn of the Future novel (pictured), which saw an April debut in Japan. With these and future publications, Square Enix seeks to reach new audiences and expand its global presence.

Square Enix is known for developing, distributing, and publishing games internationally, but also publishes books and magazines within Japan. The company's manga properties, including Fullmetal Alchemist, Soul Eater, and Kuroshitsuji, were previously licensed for distribution in the United States, but the new deal represents the first time English-language manga and books will be published under the Square Enix name.

Source: Square Enix Press Release

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8 Comments Recent Comments

I can't wait for the Final Fantasy XV: The Dawn of the Future novel! I love that game!

May 18, 2019 3:09 PM by raynaninja

Maybe Square could become the Steam of the manga industry. A digital store for manga (and anime) has been pretty long overdue.

May 18, 2019 7:05 AM by yhunata

the manga industry is also thinking about making manga in full color too i heard so hopefully that will be their next move https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/answerman/2019-03-22/.144860

May 18, 2019 3:24 AM by deg

Worldwide.

That word alone just makes me smile.
Here is to hope that the same will happen to anime because I hate Regionlocking and seeing things go worldwide is also a sign of success!

May 18, 2019 3:24 AM by Bourmegar

Ojisama to Neko? That's awesome! This means Yen Press will be getting less of their stuff now.

May 18, 2019 2:30 AM by alpha_shadow

Nice to see Japanese Manga venturing out internationally. With the advent of recent services like Viz's Shonen Jump and its counterpart Manga plus, it was imperative that other publishing companies take note and make this a global venture. Piracy can be significantly cut down if publishers don't shy away from offering their services to a worldwide audience at a low cost. Hope Square Enix take that route too.

May 18, 2019 12:12 AM by karlstein12

The company's manga properties, including Fullmetal Alchemist, Soul Eater, and Kuroshitsuji, were previously licensed for distribution in the United States, but the new deal represents the first time English-language manga and books will be published under the Square Enix name.

I was confused until I read this part since I remember the FMA manga being localized by Square Enix. Here's hoping this deal would prompt them to release more Dragon Quest and Nier stuff internationally.

Great article, Blue.

May 17, 2019 10:54 PM by Skittles

Nice. SE has great manga on their magazines so it's great that they're doing that. At least I can buy the english manga with that.

May 17, 2019 10:47 PM by brzzcode