Harlequin Revamps its Manga Business

Harlequin Enterprises has announced several planned changes to its manga distribution. Beginning in September, Harlequin will distribute its English translated manga itself to mass-market retailers, grocery stores, and bookstores. Harlequin has no plans to market its manga line directly to the comic and collector markets. The re-launched manga line will consist entirely of the “Harlequin Pink Ginger Blossom” imprint, which targets younger girls (ages 12 and up). Jinxed, adapted by Akemi Maki, Never Kiss a Stranger adapted by Maya Kasumi, No Competition adapted by Yukino Hara, and A Prince Needs a Princess adapted by Reiko Kishida will retail at $7.99 each. Harlequin plans to release two more titles in November and an additional two volumes in January.

Although Dark Horse Comics will no longer distribute Harlequin manga, Dark Horse will continue to do the translations and packaging design for Harlequin’s manga line.