German Division to Be Helmed by Former Carlsen Comics Manga Leader, Joachim Kaps.
On the heels of its arrival in the U.K. market, TOKYOPOP has announced its further expansion into Europe with new operations in Germany. The largest publisher of manga outside of Japan will launch an operating company in Hamburg on April 1, and plans to aggressively develop the market for German-language manga. Joachim Kaps--former Carlsen Comics Manga Publishing Director--will lead the charge, using his extensive management, publishing and distribution background in the German market. Kaps was previously responsible for elevating Carlsen's Manga imprint to a market-leading position over the past five years.
TOKYOPOP chose Germany after witnessing the country's phenomenal appetite for manga, with several years of doubling sales and an anticipated continued high-growth pattern. Initial plans include the release of 10 German-language manga titles beginning this October. Thereafter, the company hopes to introduce approximately 10 titles per month, eventually increasing this figure to 20 by 2006. TOKYOPOP will also develop manga written by German creators.
"It is our goal to become the German market leader by year-end 2007," said John Parker, TOKYOPOP's President & COO. "With Joachim Kaps onboard as Managing Director, we'll be able to draw on his more than 20 years of hands-on comics industry experience in this space. We are happy to have him join our team and are very excited at the prospects."
This news marks TOKYOPOP's fourth global office, a natural progression for the company following a year of unprecedented success and growth. In November of 2003, the company tapped former Chrysalis Children's Books vet Dennis McQuirk to establish TOKYOPOP U.K., Ltd. This division is set to begin its U.K. sales program this May. TOKYOPOP has also added industry leaders to its staff in Japan and America, and has further expansion plans in the pipeline.
ABOUT TOKYOPOP Inc. TOKYOPOP Inc. is the leading North American publisher of manga, the fastest growing segment within the publishing industry. With exclusive rights to hundreds of licensed and original book, video and music properties, the company has rapidly become a media convergence leader. TOKYOPOP has millions of books in print and publishes many hit manga series, including Love Hina, Chobits, Rave Master, Initial D, GTO, Battle Royale and Cowboy Bebop. The company pioneered Cine-Manga(TM), releasing such titles as Finding Nemo, SpongeBob SquarePants, Lizzie McGuire, Astro Boy and Transformers Armada. TOKYOPOP television properties include Rave Master, GTO and Reign: The Conqueror. The company has also expanded its presence as a licensor, representing merchandising rights for Rave Master, Initial D, Stray Sheep and others. Visit www.TOKYOPOP.com for additional information. TOKYOPOP(R) is a registered trademark of TOKYOPOP Inc.
