TOKYOPOP and Kinokuniya USA have announced a special summer art exhibition to celebrate the ongoing success of Lullaby of the Dawn, the acclaimed BL fantasy manga by creator Ichika Yuno. Titled Scenes from Lullaby of the Dawn: Celebrating 1.7 Million Copies Sold, the activation will take place at eight Kinokuniya store locations across five U.S. states from July through August 2025.
The limited-run in-store exhibits will showcase official artwork from the series and offer fans a chance to purchase manga volumes and exclusive licensed merchandise, including art prints, postcards, and sticker sets. Each exhibit will run for 10 days, with select dates aligning with major anime conventions such as Anime Expo, Anime Matsuri, and Anime NYC.
Exhibit Schedule and Locations
July 3–13: Kinokuniya Katy (TX) – during Anime Matsuri
July 3–13: Kinokuniya Los Angeles (CA) – during Anime Expo
July 18–27: Kinokuniya Austin (TX) and Kinokuniya Santa Anita (CA)
August 1–10: Kinokuniya Atlanta (GA) and Kinokuniya San Francisco (CA)
August 21–31: Kinokuniya New York (NY) – during Anime NYC
August 21–31: Kinokuniya Seattle (WA)
The exhibit celebrates the growing global fanbase of Lullaby of the Dawn, which won first place in the 2022 Chill Chill BL Awards’ Best Comic category. The story follows Elva, a kannagi warrior priest corrupted by the power of the black sea, and Alto, a devoted young villager who vows to serve him and help free him from his curse. Set in a rich fantasy world, the series explores themes of fate, loneliness, devotion, and healing.
“We’re very proud to partner with Kinokuniya USA to present this special exhibit for manga fans,” said Owais Farooqui, Director of Marketing and Sales at TOKYOPOP. “Several dates also coincide with some of North America’s biggest summer anime conventions, and we invite fans to add it as a must-see highlight on their con schedules.”
Kinokuniya also emphasized the collaboration’s significance, with East Coast Regional Manager Shigekazu Watanabe stating, “We are excited to present Scenes from Lullaby of the Dawn with TOKYOPOP and mark an important sales milestone for the series.”
The English edition of Lullaby of the Dawn is published under TOKYOPOP’s LoveLove imprint. The original Japanese edition is released by ShuCream, Inc. Explore the titles here.
About Lullaby of the Dawn
Elva, an immortal shaman with snow-white hair and cursed blackened limbs, battles nightmarish sea creatures to protect his island. Feared and isolated, his world changes when he meets Alto, a brave and loyal boy who pledges to serve him. As the years pass, Alto matures into a skilled warrior whose presence begins to undo the corruption within Elva’s body—and perhaps his heart.
In a major move that further signals the growing demand for manga and webtoon content among younger readers, Random House Graphic has announced the launch of Ink Pop, a new imprint dedicated to English-language editions of manga, manhwa, and popular webtoons aimed at kids and teens. The line will debut in July, marking a significant expansion in the publisher’s global comic offerings.
Leading the launch isI WANNA BE YOUR GIRL, a poignant and inclusive coming-of-age story by Umi Takase, originally a hit webtoon that evolved into a successful manga. The English edition will make its print debut on July 1, 2025, with Volume 1 diving into the heartfelt relationship between Hime and her best friend—and longtime crush—Akira, who comes out as a girl just before starting high school. This tender exploration of identity, friendship, and allyship is already drawing comparisons to fan favorites like Heartstopper and Blue Flag.
Image courtesy of Penguin Random House (c) 2025 Umi Takase
“Ink Pop is our love letter to young comic fans who are hungry for diverse stories told through dynamic art,” said Whitney Leopard, Executive Editor at Random House Graphic. “It’s about celebrating global voices and giving younger audiences access to the kinds of stories they see themselves in.”
Following closely behind in the Ink Pop lineup is the YA manhwa MY LIFE AS AN INTERNET NOVEL, launching September 2, 2025. Created by Han Ryeo Yu and A Hyeon, this romantic comedy is set in a surreal world where a student finds herself living out the tropes of a fantasy web novel—complete with new schoolmates and unexpected love triangles.
The Ink Pop initiative is part of a broader strategy to meet the rising demand for manga and visual storytelling among younger readers.
“We hear from parents, teachers, and librarians all the time about wanting more manga for young readers,” said Michelle H. Nagler, SVP & Publisher of Random House Brands & Graphic. “Ink Pop is our answer to that call.”
Both titles will be available in hardcover, paperback, and ebook formats, and additional releases from Ink Pop are expected to span genres from fantasy and romance to slice-of-life and comedy. The imprint’s mission is clear: to be a welcoming gateway for kids and teens into the world of global comics.
Stay tuned to The Kitsune Network for further coverage of Ink Pop and upcoming manga and webtoon releases.
Subscribe to our articles, and don’t miss upcoming, exclusive content!
In a heartfelt move, Los Angeles-based publisher and manga powerhouse, TOKYOPOP, has donated $10,000 to the Book Industry Charitable Foundation (Binc) to support those affected by the devastating wildfires currently ravaging Southern California. This donation will be part of a matching gift initiative by Binc, effectively doubling the impact of each contribution to aid booksellers, retailers, and employees in the book and comics industries whose lives have been upended by the ongoing disaster.
Binc, a nonprofit that has long supported the bookselling community, has raised over $55,000 so far through donations, with funds dedicated to those struggling to recover from the wildfires. The organization is also offering mental health support, including access to licensed therapists for eligible booksellers and comic shop owners. More information is available at: https://bincfoundation.org/apply/mental-health-program
The Book Industry Charitable Foundation (Binc) is a nonprofit organization that assists booksellers and comic retailers in times of crisis, providing financial support and resources. Since its founding, Binc has distributed over $11 million in financial aid to more than 10,000 families in need. More information can be found on their website here.
Stu Levy, TOKYOPOP’s founder, shared his deep connection to the region, saying, “As an Angeleno, this tragedy has affected me personally. TOKYOPOP is deeply embedded in this community, and we trust Binc to direct our support where it’s needed most.” He went on to express his gratitude to everyone who has contributed to the cause.
The fires have caused significant devastation across Los Angeles, with over 62 square miles burned and the death toll expected to rise. Thousands of homes have been destroyed, and many more are still under threat. As of January 17, 2025, the Palisades Fire, one of the most destructive, has scorched over 23,700 acres, with just 22% containment, while the Eaton Fire near Pasadena is 55% contained.
Pam French, Executive Director of Binc, emphasized the ongoing need for support, stating, “The challenges are far from over, and we are incredibly grateful for the generosity of partners like TOKYOPOP, whose support ensures that those impacted will have resources and assistance available.” Binc has posted a form on its website for contributors who wish to use the matching pool to double their donations.
TOKYOPOP’s donation exemplifies the company’s ongoing commitment to the community it has been part of for decades, helping to ensure that those in the book and comics industries have access to the support they need during this difficult time. Binc has posted a form on its website for contributors who wish to use the matching pool to double their donations. To-date, more than $55,000 has been raised.
https://tokyopop.com/For more information about TOKYOPOP, visit their official website here.
______________
Please note, The Kitsune Network (TKN) is not affiliated with Tokyopop or Binc.
Subscribe to our articles, and don’t miss upcoming, exclusive content!
The highly anticipated anime adaptation of The Mononoke Lecture Logs of Chuzenji-sensei: He Just Solves All the Mysteries is officially set to air in April 2025! This supernatural school mystery, based on a spin-off manga by Aki Shimizu, serves as a prequel to the acclaimed Hyakki Yako novel series by Natsuhiko Kyogoku, which has sold over 10 million copies worldwide.
Set in post-war Tokyo in 1948, the story follows Kanna Kusakabe, a high school girl, and Akihiko Chuzenji, a surly new literature teacher, as they tackle a series of mysterious supernatural incidents at school. The anime blends youthful drama, eerie mysteries, and a sprinkle of humor in an intriguing narrative.
New Cast Members Announced
Adding to the excitement, three additional cast members have been confirmed:
Shinnosuke Tachibana as Reijiro Enokizu, a dashing young man with an eyepatch and a complicated past with Chuzenji.
Shuya Nishiji as Takumi Sekiguchi, a socially anxious researcher with a passion for myxomycetes.
Takanori Hoshino as Shutaro Kiba, a dependable police officer and childhood friend of Enokizu.
When I knew the audition results that I would get to play Reijiro Enokizu, I was genuinely thrilled! And… I’m really looking forward to seeing how the humor and fear of the original story will be brought to life in the anime.
Every character in the story is full of quirks and quite a handful, but during the recording sessions, hearing the performances of the cast brought these “troublesome” characters to life in a way that made them seem so endearing and lovable. Everyone is truly charming. I’m excited to watch the broadcast!
I’m Takanori Hoshino, and I’ll be playing the role of Shutaro Kiba! Kiba is a dependable adult, a warm-hearted friend, and a character who I think will resonate with viewers, sharing in their surprises and reactions throughout the story. He appears quite frequently, too! Please look forward to it!
– via press release
Key Visuals and Teaser Trailer Released
A teaser trailer has also been released, offering a glimpse into the suspenseful and atmospheric world of Chuzenji-sensei.
Music: Keichi Hirokawa and Ryuichi Takada (MONACA)
Studio: 100studio
The Mononoke Lecture Logs of Chuzenji-sensei will air in Japan beginning April 2025. For more information, visit the official website or follow the anime on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.
Subscribe to our articles, and don’t miss upcoming, exclusive content!
The beloved isekai series Noble Reincarnation ~Born Blessed, So I’ll Obtain Ultimate Power~ by Nazuna Miki has officially announced its anime adaptation. Followers of the series can look forward to a high-energy adventure following Noa, the thirteenth prince of the emperor, whose reincarnation gifts him with an infinite level cap and an unparalleled cheat skill that absorbs the abilities of others.
Thanks to all of you！ The anime adaptation of “Noble Reincarnation ~Born Blessed, So I’ll Obtain Ultimate Power~” has been decided! One of the concepts of this work is to “thoroughly pursue the ideal image of nobility in another world,” and I have always been anxious about whether this would be accepted. However, to all of you who read it on “Shousetsuka ni Narou”, to those who read the original novel, and to those who read the manga adaptation— It is thanks to your strong support that we have reached the point of an anime adaptation. With the best staff coming together for the anime, I am confident that it will be a wonderful work. I ask for your continued support for the anime “Noble Reincarnation.”
– via press release
Comment from the Character Designer, kyo
Congratulations on the anime adaptation of “Noble Reincarnation ~Born Blessed, So I’ll Obtain Ultimate Power~”! When the first volume of “Noble Reincarnation” was released, I had great conversations with Nazuna Miki-sensei and the fans about what it would be like if it were adapted into an anime, but I never imagined it would actually happen…! I’ve enjoyed the manga adaptation every time, and now that the anime is coming, it’s just the best! I am filled with gratitude to everyone who has read it. I’ll be looking forward to it and will continue to support it as well.
– via press release
About the Story
Noa, reincarnated into the prestigious imperial family, uses his exceptional abilities to navigate the complexities of aristocratic life. With over 1.5 million copies sold, this thrilling blend of action, strategy, and character-driven drama has captivated fans worldwide.
Stay tuned for more details about the anime, including airing dates and production updates, on the official website kizoku-tensei.com and social media platforms. Follow the adventure of the ultimate isekai prince as he redefines power and nobility!
Subscribe to our articles, and don’t miss upcoming, exclusive content!
The beloved manga series Solo Camping For Two by Yudai Debata has surpassed a remarkable milestone, with over 3 million copies in sold. Fans have even more to celebrate following the announcement of a live-action drama adaptation set to premiere on January 9th on TOKYO MX. Adding to the excitement, the series will also be adapted into a TV anime, scheduled to air in July 2025.
The narrative follows Gen Kinokura, an experienced solo camper who values his solitude above all else. His peaceful lifestyle takes an unexpected turn when he encounters Shizuku Kusano, a cheerful but inexperienced camper. This chance meeting evolves into an unconventional partnership, creating a dynamic the series dubs “solo camping for two.”
PONY CANYON INC. describes the series as follows,
Gen Kinokura, 34 years old. A solitary camper who cherishes his alone time in nature, Gen enjoys his usual solo camping trips. However, when he’s about to head home after one of his trips, he unexpectedly encounters Shizuku Kusano, a complete beginner in camping. Reluctantly, Gen ends up camping with Shizuku, despite it being the last thing he wanted to do. What will become of Gen’s peaceful camping life now that it’s turned upside down by this new companion?
– Gen Kinokura (Voiced by: Daiki Hamano) The main protagonist, 34 years old. A true solo camper who finds solace and joy in solitude. While immersed in the tranquility of nature, he unexpectedly meets Shizuku, a woman who turns out to be exactly the opposite of his ideal camping companion.
– Shizuku Kusano (Voiced by: Mizuki Niizaki) The heroine of the story, 20 years old. A beginner camper who after meeting Gen during her first camping experience, decides to apprentice under him. She proposes the idea of solo camping for two, much to Gen’s reluctance.
Daiki Hamano (Voice of Gen Kinokura)
Hello, this is Daiki Hamano, playing the role of Gen Kinokura. As his name suggests, Gen is a stubborn man. While he struggles with personal relationships, he’s incredibly passionate and deeply dedicated when it comes to camping. To portray him, I’ve tried to embody the essence of an “old-school Showaera man” while also capturing the charm of someone who lives for his hobbies and dreams. Personally, I really admire people who are passionate and straightforward, so playing Gen has been a truly enjoyable experience for me.
When it comes to my own camping memories, a few stand out. During middle school, I participated in a school trip to Mount Tsukuba, where we had a campfire and performed skits with the entire grade. In high school, while living in Sydney, I took part in a survival camp in the Blue Mountains. Although these weren’t solo camping trips, both experiences left a lasting impression on me. At Mount Tsukuba, we shared stories and laughter around the campfire, while the Blue Mountains trip involved a five-day survival adventure where we carried all our food, utensils, and camping gear ourselves, planning our route from start to finish. Both are unforgettable memories.
Recording sessions for this series often feature intimate scenes with just a few characters, which has fostered a close, almost familial atmosphere among the cast. Led by narrator Shimura-san and dialect coach Shiro-san, we’ve shared many lively conversations about things like “what kind of camping we’d love to try” or “what food we’d want to cook.” Despite all the fun, we approach the performances and the story with great seriousness, carefully considering every word and line delivery. It’s been an incredibly rewarding experience. To all Solo Camping For Two fans and camping enthusiasts, I truly hope you’ll enjoy this unique take on the challenges and joys of camping. Camping really is the best, isn’t it? I hope this series inspires you to cook, explore, and embrace the camping spirit. And if we ever meet at a campsite someday, let’s try a little solo camping for two together!
Mizuki Niizaki (Voice of Shizuku Kusano)
Hello, nice to meet you! I’m Mizuki Niizaki, and I’ll be voicing Shizuku Kusano. Didn’t you wonder, “What does Solo Camping For Two even mean?” I certainly did when I first heard the title. I discovered the series during the audition process, and I was immediately intrigued by the idea of enjoying both camping and cooking knowledge all at once! In reality, I’ve never gone camping myself, as I’m more of an indoor person, but I’m excited to learn about camping alongside Shizuku.
Shizuku can be a bit pushy at times, but she’s incredibly earnest and sincere. So, I’ve tried to bring out as much of my own sincerity as possible when voicing her. I hope you’ll enjoy watching Shizuku grow throughout the series. Also, her Nagasaki dialect, which appears frequently, adds to her charm, so I’ve made sure to study it carefully. I hope you’ll look forward to that as well! This is actually my first regular anime role, and I’ve been nervous but excited at every recording session. However, with the guidance and advice I’ve received from Daiki Hamano, just like Shizuku learning from Gen, I feel like I’m growing with each session. I really hope the atmosphere of Solo Camping For Two reaches you all. Let’s enjoy both the camping and gourmet aspects of this show together!
A Special Celebration
To mark this exciting milestone, creator Yudai Debata unveiled a commemorative illustration featuring Shizuku and Gen celebrating the anime adaptation.
As Gen and Shizuku tackle the challenges of camping together and discover the joys of nature in their unique ways, fans can look forward to a heartwarming and refreshing adventure. Don’t miss the premiere of Solo Camping For Two in July 2025!
Subscribe to our articles, and don’t miss upcoming, exclusive content!
The universe of Cyberpunk edgerunners expands with Manga Prequel and Blu-ray Release in 2025!
Manga Prequel: Cyberpunk: Edgerunners MADNESS
KADOKAWA announced on Friday the release of, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners MADNESS, a prequel to the Netflix hit series of the same. The manga explores the backstory of fan-favorites Rebecca and Pilar, before they became part of David Martinez’s crew, the siblings were already legends in the making, carving out a name for themselves in the brutal streets of Night City. But when a mysterious figure named Safran disrupts their lives, their paths take an unexpected turn.
(C)KADOKAWA / (C) CD PROJEKT RED
The manga is illustrate by Asano know for BNA: Brand New Animal manga and written by Cyberpunk 2077 writer, Bartosz Sztybor (CD PROJEKT RED). This manga marks the first-ever adaptation of the Cyberpunk: Edgerunners universe into print. Begining TODAY, the manga is available in Japanese on KADOKAWA’s Comic Alive+ website. The manga is set to be serialized in multiple languages, with the following publishers handling the release:
Traditional Chinese: KADOKAWA Taiwan Corporation (launching December 20th)
Japanese: KADOKAWA Corporation (ALIVE＋ label)
Polish: Studio JG
Italian: Panini SpA
Spanish: Panini España S.A.
German: Panini Verlags GmbH
French: Panini France S.A.
For U.S. fans, Dark Horse will release the series in paperback volumes at a later date.
Kadokawa describes the manga:
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners MADNESS, the first comic series based on this anime, serves as a prequel to Cyberpunk: Edgerunners featuring the highly popular siblings Pilar and Rebecca as its protagonists. The comic portrays not only the comical and energetic actions of the siblings but also the compelling and finely woven story that sheds light on the sibling’s dreams and upbringing, which were not explored in the anime series. Furthermore, a new character, the mysterious man known as Safran makes an appearance, driving the story into the realm of MADNESS.
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, animated by Studio Trigger and based on CD PROJEKT RED’s Cyberpunk 2077, debuted in September 2022 to widespread acclaim. Fans quickly fell in love with its stellar direction, compelling characters, talented voice cast, and unforgettable music. The series’ success was cemented when it won Anime of the Year at the 2023 Anime Awards.
Blu-ray Release: The Anime You Love, Now in Physical Format
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is coming to Blu-ray in 2025, giving fans the chance to own the stunning, award-winning series that took the anime world by its feels. Created in collaboration with Studio TRIGGER.
(C) CD PROJEKT RED
Set in the same universe as CD PROJEKT RED’s Cyberpunk 2077 game, the anime tells the gripping story of David Martinez, a street kid navigating the deadly allure of technology and body modification in Night City. The Blu-ray edition will be available in Japan, the USA, Canada, Latin America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Thailand.
Übel Blatt, a brand new fantasy anime based on SQUARE ENIX comic of the same, is set to debut on January 11, 2025, exclusively on Prime Video worldwide. This dark fantasy series will release new episodes weekly at 1:30 a.m. JST. If you’re a fan of dark fantasy, action-packed, gripping tales, this might be your next favorite anime.
The ultimate in dark fantasy is finally becoming an anime! In 3968 AD, to stop the invasion from Wischtech, Land of Shadows, the Emperor had equipped fourteen young souls with lances and sent them on a mission. It was believed that three lost their lives on the journey, four had betrayed the Emperor and joined the enemy, so they were eliminated. But this was actually due to a betrayal by the other seven who wanted all the glory for themselves. After their return to the Empire, they were given the title of the Seven Heroes. They had gained the respect of the people and rose to statuses of glory. Meanwhile, the others were deprived of their distinguished military service and labeled the Traitorous Lances.
One swordsman named Ascheriit managed to survive by consuming fairy flesh. He retained the physical appearance of a young man, changed his name to Köinzell and twenty years later, he begins his journey to get revenge against the Seven Heroes!
Based on “Übel Blatt II: The Knights of the Deceased King“ written and illustrated by Etorouji Shiono and Published by SQUARE ENIX, serialized in “Monthly BIG GANGAN”. A sequel manga titled Übel Blatt II: Shiseru Ō no Kishidan began serialization in Monthly Big Gangan in February 2024.
Cast and Music The anime features a talented voice cast, including:
Toshiki Masuda as Wied, Hitomi Ueda as Altea, and Yui Kanari as Aht, with more cast members yet to be reviled. Music for the series is being composed by Shun Narita, with powerful theme songs adding to the atmosphere,
Toshiki Masuda as WiedHitomi Ueda as AlteaYui Kanari as AhtGARNiDELiAHina Tachibana
Opening Theme: “Zainin” Performed by the popular duo GARNiDELiA. Ending Theme: “Stella” Sung by Hina Tachibana, who also voices the character Peepi.
Global Premiere Events
Fans will have the chance to see Übel Blatt early at several exclusive screenings:
The World Premiere will take place on November 29, 2024, at Anime Festival Asia (AFA) in Singapore. This event includes a special panel featuring Yuya Hirose (voice of Köinzell) and Producer Yuki Watanabe from Pony Canyon. South Korea Screenings: December 6–7, 2024, at the Anime x Game Festival. Japan Premiere: December 15, 2024, in Tokyo. These events will give audiences a first look at the anime and a chance to hear from its cast and creators.
Watch the Trailer
The newly released trailer, You can watch it here.
Mark your calendars for January 11, 2025, and prepare to dive into the gripping world of Übel Blatt! For more information and updates on the series, visit the official site here.
Subscribe to our articles, and don’t miss upcoming, exclusive content!
With the recent popularity of My Deer Friend Nokotan anime, we have decided to republish our interview with the mangaka, Oshioshio. My Deer Friend Nokotan was initially published in Japan in Shōnen Magazine Edge in November 2019 and later made available on Kodansha’s Magazine Pocket website.
The manga had its North Amoserican debut in 2022, and the English version of volume 3 was published almost a year later in 2023. During the same year, I interviewed Oshioshio to promote Pixiv’s Anime Expo 2023 booth.
This visual is protected by trademarks, copyrights, and other intellectual property rights owned by Seven Seas Entertainment or its subsidiaries, licensors, licensees, suppliers, and accounts.
OSHIOSHIO INTERVIEW
The interview was conducted via e-mail. Please note that the last question pertained to Anime Expo 2023.*
Krystal: Can you discuss your creative process and the influences you use for creating your artwork?
Oshioshio: I am influenced by everything I have experienced. The manga I read as a child, the anime I have watched, video games I have played, and the scenery I have traveled to, are all sources of my creativity. I will be drawing fan art of “Genshin Impact” at AX, and I have been very influenced by “Genshin Impact” recently. The beautiful landscapes and unique characters of Hara-Kami always make me think “I want to draw! I am always inspired by the beautiful landscapes and unique characters of “Genshin Impact”.
K: For fans, who might be reading this interview, what advice would you give them to become better artists?
O: Don’t hesitate to put in the effort. Keep drawing and keep trying. I believe that all the great artists I know are those who continue to practice these things. It takes courage to try anything, but people grow through repetition of trial and error. The results come when you keep trying, so let’s do our best together!
K: Your manga “My Deer Friend Nokatan” is currently being published in English; What inspired you to write the story, and why did you make Nokotan a Deer?
O: One day, by chance, I came up with the idea of a girl character whose antlers were stuck on a door. I thought this could be interesting, so I thought of a story and other characters, and the work “My Deer Friend Nokotan” was born. Nokotan was not just any creature with horns, but I wanted it to be familiar and new, so I decided on a deer. In Japan, there are tourist attractions where deer are famous, which everyone knows, so I thought it would be familiar.
K: You’re traveling to the U.S. for the annual Anime Expo; what are you most excited to see here in Los Angeles?*
O: This is my first time in the U.S., so I am looking forward to everything I see! I want to enjoy feeling the American air, food, people, and everything. I also love the Japanese Comic Market so much that I attend almost every year, and I am really looking forward to seeing Artist Alley, which has a similar atmosphere to Comiket. I am very interested to see how overseas otaku do their doujin activities.
Thank you for reading our interview with Oshioshio, you can read the full article from 2023 HERE, which also features an interview with anime illustrator, Modare.
Subscribe to our articles below, and don’t miss any upcoming exclusive content!
For over 25 years, Neopets has taught adults to care for virtual pets online. It’s one of the few games played exclusively on the internet, alongside Club Penguin and Gaia Online. Developed by Adam and Donna Powell, Neopets revolves around Neopia, where users care for and play with Neopets.
In comparison to Japan’s Tamagotchi, Neopets was solely online. Adam and Donna Powell created Neopets to entertain college students and generate advertising revenue. By the end of 1999, Neopets had over 600,000 registered users. From 1999 to 2005, Neopets was independently owned until Viacom purchased it for $160 million. Shortly after, Adam and Donna left the company due to creative differences.
In 2014, JumpStart Games bought Neopets. In 2017, JumpStart Games was acquired by the Chinese company NetDragon. Under this new management, new material was produced for the first time since the JumpStart purchase.
Currently, after a failed attempt to create a 3D version with NFTs called Neopets Meta, Neopets is led by former Neopets Meta CEO Dominic Law. Neopets is now independently owned by World of Neopia, Inc. Since 2023, the new team has been revitalizing Neopets with a new homepage and a mobile game, Neopets: Tales of Dacardia, among other upcoming updates.
At Los Angeles Comic Con 2023, I had the pleasure of speaking with Casey Sinclair, Project Manager and Senior Writer at World of Neopia, Inc. We discussed the newly released Neopets: Tales of Dacardia and reminisced about Neopets. Please note that this interview was conducted on December 3, 2023, so some information may already be outdated.
NEOPETS Interview with Casey Sinclair
Krystal Kitsune interviews Casey Sinclair at Los Comic Con 2023
Krystal: I’m here at LA Comic Con 2023, and I’m here at the NEOPET booth where they’re celebrating their 25th year anniversary. And I’m here with Casey. You are the senior writer and project manager, correct?
Casey Sinclair:Yeah, I work with a marketing team. My TNT (The Neopets Team) handle is TNTOneOfTwelve. You probably haven’t seen me. I’m not super active on the forums, but behind the scenes, work with a marketing team, work with narrative, work in licensing. And we’re really just here to grab the brand and really just engage with the community. We love our fans. We’ve got such an amazing reception here. It’s really great to just see people’s reactions with this amazing IP.
Krystal: -And at LA Comic Con, no less, you’re not only here celebrating the 25th anniversary, it’s also Neopet’s debut at La Comic Con, correct?
Casey Sinclair: This is our first LA Comic Con presence. We did San Diego and New York last year, but we figured, ‘yeah, we should show up at LA and see our fans in the Southern California area’.
Krsytal: We were discussing earlier about the positive reputation of Neopets and the longtime fans who played, such as myself, who played a long time ago, and now fast forward 25 years later, the Neopet brand is still alive, but some fans might be unaware of the, shall we say, rebranding of Neopets. Can you go into detail with that?
Casey Sinclair:Yeah, for sure. So I think it’s interesting in seeing people’s reactions today. We get everything from “Neopets?!”, “Oh, my God, this was so amazing to play in my childhood”, “You guys are still around?” “25 years?! you’re older than I am!” to, “oh my, Neopets! Are they still alive?” And we say, “yeah, they’re starving, but they’re still alive”, and I think that shows that there’s such a positive memory in the cultural consciousness of Neopets. People look at the logo on our booth and they just unlock those kind of core memories of Neopets. I think that’s what we’re about in terms of celebration, 25 years to speak to kind of the revitalization of the brand. So we have new leadership as of July of this year [2023]. And we’re really aiming to make a big push in terms of content, in terms of merch, in terms of engaging with the community and what the community has been asking for, fixing the site, introducing awesome new merchandise, introducing new plots. We have The Void Within plot coming next year [2024] and really trying to, like you said, bring those people back who may not be aware that Neopets is still alive in kicking.
Krystal: Are there any upcoming projects that you’re allowed to speak on? I know that the new CGI sort of game in the works, and I think it’s on the website. Is there something you can talk about that?
Casey Sinclair:Yeah. So, World of Neopets, we announced that back in July. It’s going to be a mobile game, kind of think hybrid, kind of animal Crossing, pet Sim style game. I have to say, with a disclaimer, it’s still tentatively in development. But we’re really trying to kind of have a different style of Neopets game where you can kind of be in the guise of a Neopet and kind of interact with Neopia, go around the world. But we still have a heavy focus on Neopets.com that’s like, mentioned the plot coming out next year.
We had almost every year during the 2000s, a plot come out that was so integral to Neopets, the storytelling. Right? And I work with a narrative team, amazing group of people. The storytelling was really important, and so we kind of wanted to bring it back to that. We’re also excited in that last year, in 2022, we launched Fairy’s Hope, a match three game. We kind of want to have something for everyone. But I was telling you earlier, it’s really important for us to have kind of this unified universe of Neopets games where people that want to play Neopets.com, we’re faithful to that. We support that. We introduce new content for that. We fix things that need to be fixed for that. But then anyone that wants to branch out and experience Neopia in new ways, they can do that as well.
We have Advent calendar going out right now that’s on the site. We have a little fun, little teaser at the end of that for people that played the fairy festival event earlier. We had a little comic at the end. Maybe they could expect something, who knows? And then we’ve already said in our live AMAs that happen every month, UC pets coming. Keep your eye out for that on the site. And then also, the last kind of pillar in our group of games is Island Builders. And Island Builders has been out for a while, but we have a closed beta going on right now where we’re prepping for the relaunch of Island Builders early next year. And we’re really excited about that new build. So revamped again, like, to scratch every itch for everyone that wants to interact with Neopia in different ways.
Krystal Kitsune interviews Casey Sinclair at Los Comic Con 2023
Krystal: To wrap this up, because I know you guys are busy for sure, it’s not only the games that are coming out, right, because at this convention itself, you guys had a panel in where you guys discussed a graphic novel. Can you go into detail with that?
Casey Sinclair:Yeah, so that’s only the games. We are partnered with Andrews McNeil that came out with our amazing cookbook earlier this year. Personally, one of my favorite products that we’ve ever come out with, it’s so faithful to the esthetic, the vibrant kind of pastel colors of early Neopets. So they have graphic novels in the works. We have our calendar here, our 2024 calendar. We designed that in house–
Krystal: –which, let me just add, seeing a Neopet calendar for 2024, it’s….amazing!
Casey Sinclair: Well, we wanted to kind of, like, pay homage to our 25th birthday. So we’re celebrating 25 years of Neopets. Our 25th birthday is in 2024, November 15.
Krystal: WOOO! Congratulations!!
Casey Sinclair:We’ve had 25 years in Neopets. We want to have another 25 years. So in addition to the games, we have the novels coming out, we have new products coming out. We have our neo hoods here today, new plush in the works. Can’t speak too much on that, but we’re listening to the community about all these kinds of things and kind of really want to, again, pay respects to the community and what the community has been asking for.
Krystal: All right, Casey, thank you so much for helping us catch up on Neopets on the 25th anniversary!
Casey Sinclair:Thank you so much and we want to just say a special shout out; Thanks for the interview, and thanks for our community for being here, and we’re happy to be at LA Comic Con!
Krystal Kitsune & Casey Sinclair at Los Comic Con 2023
We’re eagerly anticipating all the incredible updates coming to the world of Neopets! From exciting game updates to brand-new merchandise, the future holds endless possibilities. We can’t wait to see what’s next!
Subscribe to our articles, and don’t miss upcoming, exclusive content!
