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Tōken Ranbu Game Gets 'Academy' Manga Anthology
posted on by Kevin Pennyfeather
Japanese game developer DMM announced on Thursday that its Tōken Ranbu online browser game will receive a manga anthology adaptation called Tōken Ranbu Gakuen (Tōken Ranbu Academy). Hakusensha will publish the web comic on its "Hana LaLa online" site beginning on August 28.
The anthology's authors will include: Emiko Nakano (Mikado no Shihō), Nao Mashiba (Hyaku-nen Renbō), Iro Yugi, Yodaki Etō, Nari Kusakawa (Two Flowers of the Dragon), Komachi Kurokawa, Ren Sakuma, Tony Hashime, and Shiori Yuwa (Full House Kiss).
The Japanese entertainment news website Natalie posted a few preview images from the upcoming manga:
Kiyomitsu Kashū and Yasusada Yamatonokami by Nao Mashiba
The three Samonji Brothers by Iro Yugi
Nakigitsune by Emiko Nakano
Hitofuri Ichigo, Uguisumaru, Samonji Kōsetsu, and Kuninaga Tsurumaru by Yodaki Etō
Kikuyarō is also drawing a four-panel manga anthology in Monthly Bushiroad that launched in the August issue on July 8.
The Tōken Ranbu "sword personification training game" takes famous swords from Japanese history and interprets them as bishōnen. Nitroplus designed the characters and scenario. The game launched in Japan this year, and it has more than 1 million users. The game has acquired a large female fanbase and inspired a wide range of merchandise.
DMM also announced in June that Marvelous and Nelke Planning will adapt the game into both a stage play and a stage musical. Marvelous (Yowamushi Pedal stage play) will adapt the game into a "straight play," while Nelke Planning (The Prince of Tennis, Vampire Knight musicals) will adapt it into a stage musical. The musical will host its trial run in Tokyo starting on October 30.
Source: Comic Natalie