FLCL novels to be released by Tokyopop (US)
The popular franchise of many different names, most commonly known around Western countires as “Fooly Cooly”, has already had six episodes of anime, two volumes of manga, and three novels produced for it; all released in Japan starting in 2000. The three novels, written by Yoji Enokido(who has written many scripts for unconventional anime series such as “Neon Genesis Evangelion”, “RahXephon” and the “FLCL” anime), will be released by Tokyopop starting in March 2008 in the US. Tokyopop have already released the two manga volumes in 2003, and Synch-Point (a US anime distributor) have released the full anime series in 2002. A UK release has not been mentioned so far due to the series being not tied to any ‘mainstream’ US anime distributors and therefore being harder to sublicense for release in the UK – more information can be found in our “Beez discussion thread” on the forums.
It is to be noted that Tokyopop are actively working on their newest addition to their enterprise, with the prose imprint “Pop Fiction”. Starting in October of 2006, “Pop Fiction” started out focussing on novels from around the world (although concentrating on Japanese novels). Starting with the likes of “Kino’s Journey” and “Scrapped Princess”, in March 2007 releasing the first “Twelve Kingdoms” novel from the renowned Fuyumi Ono and more recently releasing the first “Full Metal Panic!” novel; “Pop Fiction” continues to acquire and publish more and more hot properties. In the near future, the phenomenon that is “The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya” may be published. With many publishers wishing to do so it is only a matter of time (see the interview with Tokyopop’s Mike Kiley).
Tokyopop’s “Pop Fiction” books are available in the US and UK.