The following is an interview with ABLAZE Publisher Rich Young regarding the company’s Kickstarter campaign launch for Masaaki Ninomiya’s modern-day horror manga, Gannibal. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Young about bringing the manga to English-language readers, the benefits of utilizing Kickstarter, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: Congratulations on ABLAZE’s recent Kickstarter campaign launch! What can you share with us about the creative process for bringing these horror hardcovers to English-language readers?
Rich Young: The ABLAZE editorial and production team works closely with the Japanese publisher and our printer to ensure that we deliver a great experience to the reader. The format, dimensions, and paper stock were all carefully considered. Once the campaign ends, we will be working on the production of each volume so Gannibal can get in the hands of backers next year.
BD: ABLAZE is no stranger to the crowdfunding space, having utilized Kickstarter to fund its anthology, Mythspace: Ignition. What makes Kickstarter a beneficial platform for comic book creators, publishers, and readers?
RY: ABLAZE is always looking for better ways to engage directly with readers, and Kickstarter is an excellent platform to do that. For the manga creator and fans, it’s the higher level of engagement that Kickstarter allows. Creators can see how their work impacts fans, and fans can get a level personalization not available elsewhere.
BD: What makes ABLAZE the perfect home for this manga masterpiece?
RY: Do you want to be so enthralled by a story that you have to read [it] in one sitting? If you want that, then Gannibal is for you.
ABLAZE focuses on finding stories that connect and engage with readers. The editorial team is constantly reviewing titles that might interest English readers. When we came across Gannibal, we knew we had something special on our hands that we felt confident other readers would also enjoy. The series has also done well in other territories and has a critically acclaimed, live-action TV series adaptation on Hulu/Disney+, so we felt it had a lot going for it.
BD: Are there any specific backer rewards for Gannibal campaign that you would like to highlight?
RY: First, the campaign rewards will not be available at retail, so each backer will receive a unique item. On top of that, Masaaki Ninomiya has agreed to sign and do sketches for backers. The most unique is the platinum box set with a signed, sketched, and numbered book plate limited to 25 backers.
BD: Are there any other upcoming projects headed our way in 2023 that you’re able to share with our readers?
RY: Readers should check out our Saint Seiya: Knights of the Zodiac – Time Odyssey comic book, a new full-color series based on Masami Kurumada’s classic shonen manga. (Issue 1 is out now.)
As far as recent new manga goes, [I] recommend Osamu Tezuka’s One Hundred Tales, Centaurs by Ryo Sumiyoshi, and Wakfu Manga, based on the animated series streaming on Netflix.
Also check out our line of Webtoon titles: Witch of Mine, Terror Man, Get Schooled, Heavenly Demon Reborn, and Zombie Makeout Club.
And keep your eye out for more ABLAZE announcements this year for titles coming in 2024!
BD: Lastly, what would you like to tell readers who want to learn more about the Gannibal Kickstarter campaign and ABLAZE’s catalog of titles?
RY: On Gannibal, please go to the campaign page and support the project.
For ABLAZE you can connect with us through our website and social media:
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Website: https://www.ablaze.net
