Sōmasha
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sōmasha (蒼馬社) was a Japanese publishing company founded in 1995 and lasted until its bankruptcy caused by a debt of 200 million yen.[1] The company is most known for publishing horror manga in the late 90s, a lot of its books have become rare collector's items.[2]
Sōmasha started in 1995 releasing mostly horse related books, it only started to publish manga in June 1996 with Kimiko Morooka's BL manga When Love Plays so Cruely (愛が残酷に奏でるとき, Ai ga Zankoku ni Kanaderu Toki).[3] In October 1996 the horror manga label Black Bunko was launched,[4] these were pocket sized volumes collecting stories by popular authors.
In 1997 their first magazine, All Kaidan (オール怪談, Ōru Kaidan), was launched, it was a shōjo horror magazine featuring works by both experienced and new authors. In 1998, the company published 3 manga volumes in the Kaiki Book (怪奇ブック) label,[5][6] posterior horror manga releases would be labeled as just Sōmasha Comics.
In 1999 a new label was made called Young Success, publishing manga biographies of popular musicians, idols and bands at the time. In 2000 the magazine All Kaidan was discontinued and was replaced with Super Horror,[7] which mostly featured artists who worked in the previous magazine. Super Horror was discontinued after the 4th issue.
In 2002, the company went bankrupt due to a large debt of 200 million yen.[1] Some of its manga have gotten reprints and digital versions after being acquired by other publishers.
Magazines
- All Kaidan (オール怪談, Ōru Kaidan), 16 issues published through September 5, 1997 to July 7, 2000. Succeeded by Super Horror
- Super Horror (スーパーホラー), 4 issues,[2] published in September 1, 2000, November 2000, January 2001 and March 2001.
- Zettai Kyōfu (絶対恐怖), first issue released in 1998.[8] A josei[9] horror manga magazine. The special editions are Fukushū no Kaikan (復讐の快感, lit. The Pleasure of Revenge)[10] and RELEASE (リリース), a non-horror manga magazine featuring works about popular idols and musicians.
- Aizô Suspense (愛憎サスペンス)[11]