Noir Caesar Entertainment & TOKYOPOP Announce Comics Publishing Initiative

NOIR CAESAR Taps TOKYOPOP to Bring Manga Inspired Graphic Novels by BIPOC Creators to a Burgeoning Range of New Readers

Los Angeles, CA – Noir Caesar Entertainment, an independent creative company owned by Black entrepreneurs, which supports content from marginalized communities across various media, announces the upcoming release of manga-inspired graphic novels. This initiative, powered by the renowned publishing brand TOKYOPOP, will begin this summer.

Leveraging TOKYOPOP’s vast channel distribution network, digital marketing resources, and production expertise, Noir Caesar launches this collaboration with the print and digital release in July of the coming-of-age martial arts drama, XOGENASYS, and the sci-fi adventure, PRIMUS 7. This will be followed in August by the debut of the gritty crime and redemption saga, TRY AGAIN. Additional new titles will be announced for release by Noir Caesar and TOKYOPOP in the coming months.

Johnny O'Bryant - Founder of Noir Caesar

Noir Caesar Entertainment was founded by Johnny O’Bryant, a self-proclaimed “blerd,” professional athlete, and entrepreneur, who grew up with a deep love for comics, anime, and manga. He attended Louisiana State University and was drafted into the NBA. However, his passion for anime and manga remained strong, leading to the establishment of Noir Caesar in 2017, focusing on bringing diversity to anime and manga and developing original stories by BIPOC creators.

“I am thrilled to announce our collaboration with TOKYOPOP and the wide release of XOGENASYS, PRIMUS 7, and TRY AGAIN,” says O’Bryant. “These are the first of a diverse collection of upcoming new and previously released titles by some of today’s leading BIPOC comic creators to be released in partnership with our friends at TOKYOPOP, whose commitment to diverse storytelling aligns with Noir Caesar’s. Their strong production and distribution network will introduce these stories to eager new readers.”

“The market for BIPOC graphic novels is incredibly robust and is being propelled to new heights by ongoing interest from core fans and rapidly growing groups of mainstream readers and media interested in the expanding community of global BIPOC creators inspired by anime and manga to tell their own stories,” says Marc Visnick, COO and Publisher of TOKYOPOP. “Noir Caesar is well-positioned to lead in this exciting market.”