Tapas is bringing on Vampire Hunter D by Hideyuki Kikuchi and Yoshitaka Amano s well as Children of the Rune by Minhee Jeon.
Vampire Hunter D, originally published in the 1980s, and now translated by Kevin Leahy, is one of Japan's most celebrated fantasy novel series, with over 17 million copies sold globally. This series has left an indelible mark on the world of speculative fiction, inspiring numerous adaptations, including anime, manga, video games, and more. Set in the year 12,090 A.D., Vampire Hunter D plunges readers into a post-apocalyptic world where humanity battles against the remnants of a vampire-dominated past. At the heart of this saga is the enigmatic D, a Hunter whose quest to eradicate the vampire Nobility leads him through a landscape filled with danger and mystery.
Tapas will debut Children of the Rune, the best-selling Korean fantasy novel of all time in Japan. With over 3 million copies sold, this series is a cornerstone of Asian fantasy literature and has been adapted into various formats, including the popular online game "TalesWeaver." Written by Minhee Jeon, a revered author in the genre, Children of the Rune follows the epic journey of Boris, a young boy determined to protect his ancestral sword, Winterer, after his family is destroyed. This tale of survival, loyalty, and the secrets of a magical sword has captivated readers across Asia, and Tapas will publish both the novel and a comic adaptation.
"We are honored to host such influential titles on our platform," said Alex R. Carr, Executive Director of Publishing Development. "Vampire Hunter D and Children of the Rune are more than just stories; they are cultural phenomena that have shaped the fantasy genre as we know it. The original Vampire Hunter D (1985) anime was my gateway into the medium, and to partner with Dark Horse Books to re-introduce the source material is a privilege. Bringing these tales to our global audience as web novels is an exciting step for Tapas, and we believe both new readers and longtime fans will be thrilled by this reading experience."