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Press Releases

Apr.27,2015

Press Releases

SB Creative now offers 1,000 Harlequin comic book titles in English!

Developing the Western comic book market
with Harlequin comic titles translated into English



SB Creative Corp. ("SB Creative") announced that English editions of 1,000 Harlequin Japanese comic books (also known as "manga" or graphic novels to English-language readers) will be available to international readers as of Friday May 1, 2015.


Translated and distributed by SB Creative, the comics are based on titles published in Japanese by Harlequin K. K. The increasing availability of English-language editions of this popular genre of comic book is rapidly building awareness of Japanese comic books internationally as well as creating a growing market for English-language editions.


Japanese-language Harlequin comic book titles are adapted from Harlequin's extensive list of romance novels. SB Creative and Harlequin K. K. also collaborate on the digital distribution of these titles in domestic and overseas markets. The increasing availability of more digital Harlequin comic books in English will appeal to current readers of Harlequin novels, which are sold in 109 countries worldwide, as well as readers of graphic novels and manga. English editions of Harlequin comic books are available on major digital book platforms in North America and in Europe, as well as on the website Balloons & Chapters® (www.balloonsandchapters.com), which is run by SB Creative.


SB Creative will continue to extend its range of English-language editions of comic books while also increasing their availability in English-speaking territories.


Availability: major digital book platforms in North America and Europe
Balloons & Chapters® (http://www.balloonsandchapters.com/).
All territories and to all consumers with access to these websites.
Single titles are priced at USD 5.99.


SB Creative Corp. is headquartered in Tokyo's Minato Ward and is headed by Kosei Tsuchihashi, and Harlequin K. K. is headquartered in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward, headed by Akihiko Tachiyama.


About Balloons & Chapters®
Balloons & Chapters®, owned and run by SB Creative Corp., sells e-books primarily aimed at international readers. Titles include Harlequin comic books in English, French, Korean, Traditional Chinese and Japanese, and comic books (graphic novels / manga) from other Western publishers. SB Creative Corp. actively continues to expand globally, adding more e-books from domestic and international publishers. Balloons & Chapters® is accessible on PC, smartphone or tablet.

http://www.balloonsandchapters.com/


Balloons & Chapters® website images


PR2015042701.JPG


Corporate Information


Company Name: SB Creative Corp.
Address: 2-4-5 Roppongi, Minato Ward, Tokyo, Japan
Representative: Kosei Tsuchihashi, Representative Director and President
URL: http://www.softbankcr.co.jp/
Established: March 24, 1999, operating under the current company name from October 2013
Capital: JPY 100 MM
Main business: Digital content, publishing and project-based production work
● Balloons & Chapters and the Balloons & Chapters logo are registered trademarks of SB Creative Corp. in the U.S.

Company Name: Harlequin K.K.
Address: Akihabara Sanwa Toyo Building 3-16-8 Soto Kanda Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo
Representative: Akihiko Tachiyama, Representative Director
URL: http://www.harlequin.co.jp/
Established: November 11, 1988, originally launched in September 1979 as the Japanese office of Harlequin Enterprises Limited
Main business: Publishing and sales of translated novels and comic books

Media Contact Information


Entertainment Contents Business Division, SB Creative Corp.
TEL: +81-3-5549-1260
E-mail: bbinfo@cr.softbank.co.jp


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