BLU Presents: The Spring 2010 Publishing Lineup

Forget February - Romance Is in the Air All Year with BLU in 2010

Los Angeles, CA (December 3, 2009) - Romance blooms all year long with the latest releases from BLU. Fans will swoon over the latest JUNJO ROMANTICA, laugh through several unique short story collections, and fall in love with all new yaoi manga from Japan.

The year starts out with LOVE HURTS by Suzuki Tanaka (MENKUI!) in January - a truly unique collection of supernatural stories that are sometimes gruesome and unsettling, and often hilarious. From mysterious corpses to mystical crime lords, this manga will keep you on your toes and your thoughts spinning.

In February, the month of love, world-renowned manga-ka Hinako Takanaga (YOU WILL FALL IN LOVE and LITTLE BUTTERFLY) brings us CROQUIS. Follow Nagi's path to love and acceptance as a fledgling drag queen saving up for some big changes! When his secret is revealed, will his dreams of love be dashed?

In March, BLOOD HONEY by Sakyou Yozakura introduces us to Yuki Akabane, a vampire's descendant who also happens to be a popular nurse--at a blood donation clinic! He enjoys drinking the blood of the pretty women who come through, but when he tastes the blood of donation-obsessed Osamu Mayuzumi, will he be able to drink another's blood again?

Lovers come together in many different ways in LOVE KNOT, a new collection of short stories by Lemon Ichijō. A series of chapters explores the relationship of twins and their respective lovers as they struggle to get along, while, others find love where they least expect it, whether that's with a childhood friend, at the school nurse's office, or even in the kitchen!

Blossoming in May is CUTE DEVIL by Hiro Madarame. The story follows Akiyoshi Tohru, a picture of the ideal student. Not only does he have perfect attendance and top grades, he's also the student council president of his all-boys school. The school "princess," Naruse Futa, takes a shining to Akiyoshi - and a princess ALWAYS gets what he wants. Will Akiyoshi be able to escape Naruse's sadistic clutches?

The hot summer sun of June brings ISLE OF FORBIDDEN LOVE by DUO BRAND., the creators of CRIMSON WIND and CROSS X BREAK. Aki, a detective, meets the handsome and mysterious Kuga while investigating a string of murders in ancient Edo. Will Kuga help him to solve the crime, or will he turn out to be a much different man than Aki believes him to be?

From Miu Ootsuki, the popular creator of a number of series, including EIEN NO SHICHIGATSU, STAY GOLD, UKKARI CHERRY and YURI HIME WILDROSE, comes the BLU release of CALLING in July. Kazuaki's life is so ordinary and dull, he can't tell the difference between one day and the next. But one night he witnesses a rather embarrassing rendezvous, which unexpectedly turns his life upside down...

SCARLET, another title from Hiro Madarame, releases in August. College student Akio is dating Ryo, a gorgeous and seemingly innocent philanderer, unable to withstand the slightest loneliness. Every time a girl approaches him, he just can't say no! What's Akio to do with his wandering-eye of a boyfriend?!

And mark your calendars for these new releases of ongoing series:

In April, volume 4 of TEA FOR TWO by Yaya Sakuragi hits the yaoi shelves. In this volume, Christmas is right around the corner for Tokumaru and Hasune, but a romantic night out and a sweet gift exchange is out of the question for this eccentric couple...or is it?

May brings volume 2 of YOU WILL DROWN IN LOVE, another great yaoi title by Hinako Takanaga. Reiichiro and Jinnai's relationship may have started in volume 1, but it hasn't stopped rocking! An old acquaintance shows up and creates waves, triggering doubts for both parties. Will this awkward couple ever understand each other?

August offers us Yamimaru Enjin's VOICE OR NOISE volume 3. Shinichiro and Narusawa continue to explore the question: Can the ability to talk to the animals translate into the language of love? Back after his three years abroad Narusawa is ready to pick up his relationship with Shinichiro right where they left off-but how has the passage of time changed his young lover?

And lastly - September ushers in a Fall of boys' love with the much-anticipated New York Times bestseller JUNJO ROMANTICA volume 12 by Shungiku Nakamura. The ever-lovable Misaki faces all new challenges and obstacles in life and love. Will his relationship with Akihiko be able to survive his 4th year of college and Akihiko's pushy, jealous cousin moving in?

BLU is an imprint of TOKYOPOP.

About TOKYOPOP:
Founded by multi-cultural media visionary Stuart Levy, TOKYOPOP is hailed as a leading youth-oriented entertainment brand and an innovator of manga creation, with a revolutionary artistic vision that transcends countless platforms. From the introduction of the first-ever extensive manga publishing program in North America, to the development of its manga-originated intellectual properties into film, television and digital entertainment, TOKYOPOP has changed the way teens experience pop culture. The company's global reach has expanded to Europe and Asia, with offices in the UK and Germany, in addition to its Los Angeles and Tokyo operations. With millions of fans logging onto the new social networking site www.TOKYOPOP.com, reading its books, which are licensed in 41 countries in more than 20 languages, and watching its DVDs and television programs, TOKYOPOP's award-winning catalogue of licensed and original properties has made the company a visionary in an ever-growing teen entertainment marketplace. Visit www.TOKYOPOP.com for additional information.