Square Enix Manga & Books has announced Comic Partner, a new retailer support initiative designed to boost manga sales in comic bookstores nationwide. This effort, in collaboration with Penguin Random House, aims to provide retailers with the tools and knowledge needed to navigate the expanding manga market.
According to a press release shared by TheOASG on X (formerly Twitter), the program will launch in April 2025. Retailers enrolled in Penguin Random House’s Direct Market Partnership Program will gain access to Comic Partner benefits, including store manager training, in-store promotional materials, and early access to select manga titles.
Morgan Perry, Marketing Manager at Square Enix Manga & Books, explained the initiative’s purpose:
“While we’re seeing significant market growth for manga among Western audiences, our retailers have expressed challenges with overwhelming options and knowledge gaps. With the Comic Partner initiative, we aim to make it easier for our comic shop partners to unlock the potential of manga sales by curating great content, providing market support, and educating sales associates about this art form—after all, manga are comics.”
Comic book stores already enrolled in Penguin Random House’s Direct Market Partnership Program will automatically become Square Enix Comic Partner stores. This grants them access to exclusive promotional materials, one-on-one manga retail consultations, and free advance galley copies of select upcoming Square Enix titles.
To kick off the initiative, Square Enix Manga & Books has announced that Comic Partner retailers will receive advance copies of two debut series:
- On and Off: Work-Life Imbalance, Vol. 1
- Love in the Palm of His Hands, Vol. 1
This initiative marks a significant step in expanding manga’s presence in comic shops while equipping retailers with the resources to cater to the growing demand.
Source: X, formerly known as Twitter
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