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DMP Adds Kikuchi's Yashakiden Novels, Taimashin Manga

North America's Digital Manga Publishing (DMP) has announced that it has licensed the Yashakiden: The Demon Princess novel series and the Taimashin: The Red Spider Exorcist manga series — both written by Hideyuki Kikuchi of Vampire Hunter D and Wicked City fame. Yashakiden is a four-volume vampire story set in the same universe as Kikuchi's Wicked City and Demon City Shinjuku — like the latter, Yashakiden is takes place in a devastated Tokyo neighborhood that became a portal to the supernatural world. According the DMP, Kikuchi said that this novel series is "the best novel series I've ever written, this is my vampire masterpiece. In my personal opinion, this novel transcends Vampire Hunter D." The novels features artwork by Guin Saga illustrator Jun Suemi.

For the ongoing Taimashin manga, Korean manwha artist Shin Yong-Gwan adapts Kikuchi's novel series of the same name. The story centers on Akamushi, a shaman known as the Red Spider Exorcist for possessing the strength and regenerative powers of a spider. He uses these abilities and the power to summon spiders to protect humans and expel supernatural creatures. Shin's adaptation is separate from, but related to, Misaki Saitō's Taimashin MASHIN Taidou-hen adaptation of Kikuchi's novels. ADV Manga had planned to release Saito's version before canceling the release. DMP's Taimashin release was already revealed in February by its entry on the Canadian version of the Amazon online retailer.

Previews of both titles are available on DMP's official website. The first volumes of both series will ship in December.

In related Kikuchi news, DMP is holding a contest for customers who pre-order the third volume of the Vampire Hunter D manga. Besides receiving a free illustration card automatically, these customers will have a chance to win autographed items from Kikuchi and artist Saiko Takaki. The grand prize is Takaki's sketch of D himself.