TALI, the acclaimed artist behind MonsTABOO, has launched a brand-new manga series, Moon Ciders, on KOMODO’s innovative digital platform, Niuhi. This marks a significant step for both the artist and the platform, offering fans a fresh sci-fi action series that will be available in multiple languages.
A New Chapter for TALI: From Monsters to Moonscapes
TALI, a manga artist duo consisting of Takafumi (writer) and Ginko (artist) from Kagawa, Japan, first made their mark in the manga world by winning the Grand Prize at the 14th Square Enix Manga Awards in 2009. This achievement paved the way for their serialization debut in 2012 with 6 no Trigger in Shogakukan’s Gessan. Since then, they have created several notable works, including Do Humans at the End of the World Need Civilization? and Katagiri-san, the Last-Minute Blocker.
TALI is perhaps best known for their work on MonsTABOO, a manga series created in collaboration with Yuya Takahashi. MonsTABOO, which was serialized in Big Gangan from June 2019 to May 2021, tells the story of Maruka Suzuki, a student with a death wish who seeks out monsters, and her unexpected relationship with a rabbit-like monster named Mochizuki. The series, known for its blend of 90’s-influenced art, violence, and modern character designs, gained a dedicated following and was licensed by Yen Press for English publication.
Moon Ciders represents a new direction for TALI, venturing into the realm of science fiction with a gripping narrative and dynamic artwork. This series is TALI’s first work to be available in languages beyond Japanese, making it accessible to a global audience.
Niuhi: A Next-Gen Platform for Indie Manga
KOMODO, a game developer and publisher based in Tokyo and Honolulu, launched Niuhi as a cutting-edge manga platform designed to revolutionize the way manga is discovered, purchased, sold, and translated. With a focus on indie manga and comics, Niuhi aims to connect creators with fans around the world, offering features such as community-driven translation, direct engagement with creators, and a wide range of manga titles.
Niuhi’s key features include:
- Global Distribution: Niuhi provides creators with a platform to distribute their work globally, reaching readers in multiple languages.
- Community Translation: The platform encourages community-driven translation, allowing fans to contribute to the localization of manga and comics.
- Direct Creator Engagement: Niuhi facilitates direct interaction between creators and fans, fostering a sense of community and collaboration.
- Free Professional Translations: Niuhi offers free professional translations for selected indie titles.
- High Royalty Split: Niuhi provides creators with a competitive royalty split, ensuring they receive a fair share of the revenue generated from their work.
- Innovative Translation Tools: The platform offers instant translation functionality, enabling readers to practice new languages and access content in their preferred language.
- Marketing and Communication Tools: Niuhi provides creators with tools to promote their work and connect with their audience.
- Analytics: Creators can access analytics to track the performance of their manga and gain insights into their readership.
Niuhi aims to address the challenges faced by indie manga creators, such as limited language options and basic e-reader distribution, by providing a comprehensive platform with a host of features and connectivity for everyone in the manga community.
Moon Ciders: A Glimpse into the Story
Moon Ciders unfolds a story set in a future where humanity has expanded its reach to the Moon, establishing a peaceful way of life. However, this tranquility is shattered by the appearance of a colossal creature known only as “it,” which begins preying on humans. In response to this threat, a mysterious warrior descends from the stars, known as Moon Cider, standing as the last line of defense between humanity and annihilation.
KOMODO describes the story as:
Humanity had extended its peaceful way of life from Earth to the Moon, until one day a colossal creature they began calling “it” appeared. When “it” began preying on humans, a mysterious warrior descended from the stars. Known only as Moon Cider, this enigmatic figure stands between hope and annihilation. Featuring breathtaking, dynamic artwork and a gripping narrative that challenges readers to question the truth of Justice.
The manga is available for free to those who have a Niuhi account, making it accessible to a wide audience.
KOMODO’s Vision for Niuhi
Ricky Uy, CEO of KOMODO, envisions Niuhi as a powerful and inclusive digital solution for the growing manga entertainment industry. The platform aims to take manga and comics to new heights by offering a range of features and connectivity for fans and creators alike.
KOMODO, based in Tokyo and Honolulu, has a strong background in the gaming industry, publishing over 100 titles on Steam and game consoles. The company is also the official provider of Steam Deck in Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. With a passion for indie manga and games, KOMODO is leveraging its knowledge and experience to create Niuhi, a next-generation manga platform that delivers fresh indie manga from Japan to the world.
Niuhi’s Free Translation Campaign
To support indie manga creators, Niuhi is offering free professional translations for a limited time. From May 27th to June 16th, indie manga and comic creators can submit their work to Niuhi and select a language for free translation by a professional localization company. This campaign is open to a limited number of works and aims to help talented creators reach a wider global audience.
Creators who publish their work on Niuhi can choose one language from the following:
- English
- Japanese
- Traditional Chinese
- Simplified Chinese
- Korean
- French
Beyond using the translation to distribute their manga digitally on Niuhi, creators are free to use the translated version in printed physical books without any revenue-sharing obligation.
How to Get Involved with Niuhi
For manga fans and creators looking to explore the world of indie manga, Niuhi offers several ways to get involved:
- Sign up for a Niuhi account: Create a free account on the Niuhi platform to access a wide range of manga titles, including Moon Ciders.
- Join the beta invite pool: Sign up at the Niuhi website to join the beta invite pool and gain early access to the platform’s features.
- Submit your work for translation: If you are an indie manga creator, take advantage of Niuhi’s free translation campaign to reach a global audience.
- Attend Niuhi events: Keep an eye out for Niuhi’s presence at manga and comic conventions, such as Comitia in Tokyo, to discover new titles and meet with creators.
- Follow Niuhi on social media: Stay up-to-date with the latest news and announcements from Niuhi by following their social media accounts, including Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).
The Future of Manga on Niuhi
With the launch of Moon Ciders and its ongoing efforts to support indie creators, Niuhi is poised to become a major player in the manga industry. The platform’s innovative features, global reach, and commitment to community engagement make it an attractive option for both fans and creators. As Niuhi continues to grow and evolve, it will be exciting to see the new manga titles and creative collaborations that emerge on this next-generation platform.
