Yen Press Adds Gorgeously Goth Black Butler Manga to Yen Plus

Yen Press' blog coyly hinted at a new and noteworthy addition to the Yen Plus lineup on July 8. Then today, the big reveal was made: the new series is Black Butler (a.k.a Kuroshitsuji) by Yana Toboso.

Black Butler is currently featured in Square Enix's GFantasy magazine, and has already generated a good deal of buzz with anime, manga and even Gothic and Lolita fans in the know for its mix of dark humor, Goth-tinged milieu, surreal twists, hot/somewhat androgynous guys and lots of incredibly gorgeous costumes.

Don't believe me? Check out these Black Butler cosplayers from Anime Expo and this Ciel and Elizabeth duo from New York Comic-Con, who took the time to dress up as Black Butler characters even before Yen Press' announcement.

But hey, what do I know? See how the editors at Yen Plus described this new series:

Editorial Assistant Abby Blackman writes:

"For those of you not familiar with the story, it’s the tale of Ciel Phantomhive, who, despite his youth, has taken charge of the family business and manor in his father’s stead. Most would find the sudden responsibility crushing, but his loyal butler Sebastian is able to handle any and every situation with poise and grace, whether it be a dinner party or a confrontation with the foulest criminals of London’s underbelly. In fact, he’s almost too good to be true…"

Editor Tania Biswas also had this to add:

"Of all the titles I’ve wanted Yen to pick up since I started here (and believe me, there are a TON), Sebastian and company have always been at the top of my list. From its first GFantasy installment, Black Butler has kept me hooked with its mix of period charm, dark undertones, and gorgeous art. I’m especially fond of how this series has one foot firmly planted in English history! And as an Anglophile, working on this series has sent me running for my BBC period dramas, P.G. Wodehouse books, pastry cookbooks, Debrett’s Peerage, and everything in between to make sure our edition of Black Butler is as authentic as possible, right down to the Queen’s English!"

Black Butler will be featured on the cover of the August 2009 issue of Yen Plus, which will be available for free at the Yen Press booth (#1116-1120) at San Diego Comic-Con from Wednesday night, July 22 through Sunday, July 25 at the San Diego Convention Center. Not going to Comic-Con? You'll probably be able to find your copy at your friendly neighborhood comics or bookshop (with a halfway decent magazine section). The first volume of the Black Butler graphic novel is scheduled for release in January 2010.

So right about now, you may be thinking, 'Hrm. Isn't it time I subscribed to Yen Plus?' Have you held off because of the $50-something bucks it costs to shell out for a full year's commitment? Yen Press has heard you, and now they're offering 6-month, 6-issue subscriptions for the much easier to swallow price of $25.99, which is still over half off the newsstand price. Find out more, and maybe make the commitment to subscribe at the Yen Plus magazine subscription page . That would be a nice way to commemorate Yen Plus' first birthday, right?

Image credit: © Yana Toboso / SQUARE ENIX