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Tokyopop to Release Collector's Edition of Kozue Amano's Aria Manga

Tokyopop announced at Comic-Con International: San Diego this past weekend that it will release a special collector's edition of Kozue Amano's Aria manga. The volumes will be two-in-one omnibus volumes with color pages and gold-foil cover embellishment. The first volume, which will actually be the two-volume prequel manga Aqua, is slated for February 2019. Tokyopop shared the tentative volume covers:

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ADV Manga released the first three of 12 total volumes of the manga series in North America, then Tokyopop released the first six volumes. Tokyopop also released the two-volume Aqua prequel manga in North America.

Hal Film Maker animated the 2005 television series Aria the Animation, and it later inspired two more television series — Aria the Natural in 2006 and Aria the Origination in 2008 — as well as original video anime (OVAs) — Aria the OVA ~Arietta~ in 2007 and Aria the Avvenire in 2015. Junichi Satō (Sailor Moon, Princess Tutu) directed all installments in the anime franchise. Crunchyroll is streaming Aria the Animation and Aria the Natural with English subtitles.

Right Stuf licensed the three television series and the 2007 OVA in North America with English subtitles. Nozomi Entertainment describes the story:

Akari Mizunashi, at the age of 15, has left everything behind to travel to a sparkling planet covered in water, Aqua, formerly known as Mars. By the 24th century, humans have found a way to colonize the formerly uninhabitable planet. More than anything, Akari wants to be an "undine" - a female gondolier who navigates the canals of the Aquan city of Neo-Venezia. The city itself is a faithful replication of Manhome's (Earth) city of Venice. To make sure that residents and tourists alike get the most from Neo-Venezia's many wonders, companies offering guided tours via gondola were formed, one of which is named Aria Company.

As she begins her training with the prestigious Aria Company, will she be up to the challenges that await her on the path to achieve her dream?

Right Stuf ran a successful Kickstarter campaign last year to release all three anime series and both OVAs, including 2015's Aria the Avvenire, with an English dub.

Source: Email correspondence