New English language manga publisher emerges
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Big news for Pokémon manga fans: Japanese manga publisher Shogakukan has formed an English language subsidiary located in Singapore and has begun to release Pokémon manga titles.
According to their Facebook page, Shogakukan Asia Pte Ltd was formed in September 2013 as an expansion of Shogakukan's business into Singapore (in which they are based) and other countries in Southeast Asia. Their publishing business is focused on English language manga and children's books.
On July 26, 2014, Shogakukan Asia reported on their Facebook page that they had released an English translation of the manga adaptation of Kyurem VS. The Sword of Justice. It is not currently known if the translation is original or licensed from VIZ Media's version (as Chuang Yi would occasionally do). Reports have also surfaced online that Shogakukan Asia has released a translation of Pokémon Adventures volume 42, but no further details have been confirmed other than this page on Kinokuniya's online store, which does not specifically reveal the publisher nor the cover artwork. No mention of Pokémon Adventures has appeared yet on Shogakukan Asia's Facebook page.
Both of these manga volumes would appear to pick up where former publisher Chuang Yi had left off in the region—Chuang Yi's last Pokémon title was Pokémon Adventures volume 41, published in February 2013, and their last movie manga adaptation was White—Victini and Zekrom. After a long hiatus, reports emerged earlier this year that Chuang Yi had gone out of business, as was previously reported on Bulbanews.
Update: as of August 18, 2014, Shogakukan Asia has confirmed on their Facebook page that they have published Pokémon Adventures volume 42.
