[summary]Scholastic is expanding its manga collection with two new series, “Hikaru in the Light” and “Mecha-Ude: MECHANICAL ARMS,” set for release in 2025. In partnership with Azuki, these series will be available in both print and digital formats, maintaining traditional manga styles. “Hikaru in the Light” explores the idol industry through the story of a talented singer navigating an idol survival camp, while “Mecha-Ude” follows a boy and a mechanical arm named Alma in an action-packed narrative. Both series are designed to appeal to a wide range of readers, including older audiences, as Scholastic continues to invest in the thriving manga market.[/summary]
Scholastic Expands Its Manga Horizon with New Titles
Scholastic, a renowned publisher, is broadening its manga collection with the introduction of two exciting new series: “Hikaru in the Light” and “Mecha-Ude: MECHANICAL ARMS.” Following the success of their Osamu Tezuka adaptation, “Unico,” Scholastic is venturing further into the manga world, appealing to readers across various age groups.
New Manga Series: Diverse and Dynamic
In collaboration with the digital manga publisher Azuki, Scholastic is set to release Mai Matsuda’s “Hikaru in the Light” in March 2025, and Yoshino Koyoka and TriF’s “Mecha-Ude: MECHANICAL ARMS” in April 2025. Each manga will unfold over four volumes, released every four months, maintaining the traditional right-to-left reading style. These series will be available both in full-color print and digitally on Azuki’s platform.
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To tease these forthcoming releases, Scholastic has unveiled preview pages from both series, offering fans a glimpse into the captivating worlds of “Hikaru in the Light” and “Mecha-Ude.”
Hikaru in the Light: A Journey into Idol Stardom
An Entry Point for Aspiring Idol Enthusiasts
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“Hikaru in the Light” delves into the vibrant idol industry through the story of Hikaru, a girl whose singing talent has gained her fame. Her life takes a dramatic turn when she is invited to join an intense idol survival camp. The preview pages reveal Hikaru’s initial uncertainty, particularly when faced with a career questionnaire, suggesting her journey of self-discovery and growth within the competitive idol world.
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As the idol genre continues to thrive, “Hikaru in the Light” promises to be an engaging entry for readers captivated by the allure of pop stardom, blending singing, dancing, and manga storytelling.
Mecha-Ude: A Thrilling Franchise Reimagined
Anticipation Builds for Manga and Anime Fans
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Originating from a Kickstarter campaign, “Mecha-Ude: MECHANICAL ARMS” centers on a young boy, coincidentally also named Hikaru, who discovers an amnesiac mechanical entity, Alma. Together, they embark on a high-stakes adventure to unravel Alma’s past and thwart the misuse of other Mecha-Ude. This series, with its action-packed narrative, aligns well with the classic shonen genre. As excitement mounts for the franchise’s first full anime series debuting in October 2024, fans eagerly await the manga’s release in April 2025.
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Scholastic’s Strategic Investment in Manga
With the manga industry booming, it’s a strategic move for Scholastic to expand its offerings in this medium. The best-selling manga of 2024 have consistently hit million-sale milestones, underscoring the genre’s vast potential. While primarily aimed at younger audiences, both “Hikaru in the Light” and “Mecha-Ude” have the potential to captivate older readers with their compelling stories and characters, broadening their demographic appeal.
Readers can anticipate the first volume of “Hikaru in the Light” in March 2025, followed by “Mecha-Ude: MECHANICAL ARMS” in April 2025, as Scholastic and Azuki bring these vibrant new series to life.
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