Award-Winning Author Sayuri Ueda Delivers A Kinetic Action Story With A Distinctly Japanese View Of Gender Politics Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases Official Site: haikasoru.com Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen
VIZ Media, LLC, the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, has released the newest novel published under its popular Haikasoru imprint. The Cage of Zeus, by author Sayuri Ueda, debuted September 20th and carries an MSRP of $14.99 U.S. / $16.99 CAN. The eBook edition is also now available on the Amazon Kindle, the Apple’s iBooks Store and the Sony Reader Store for $8.99. Haikasoru publishes some of the most compelling contemporary Japanese science fiction and fantasy stories for English-speaking audiences, and is the first imprint based in the U.S. dedicated to Japanese science fiction and fantasy in translation. The Cage of Zeus introduces readers to the Rounds, humans with the sex organs of both genders. Artificially created to test the limits of the human body in space, the Rounds are a minority, despised and hunted by the terrorist group, Vessel of Life. Aboard Jupiter-I, a space station orbiting the gas giant that shares its name, the Rounds have created their own society with a radically different view of gender and of life itself. Security chief Shirosaki keeps the peace between the Rounds and the typically gendered “Monaurals,” but when a terrorist strike hits the station, the balance of power and tolerance is at risk... and an entire people is targeted for genocide. “Sayuri Ueda is one of Japan’s most interesting new science fiction authors, and her work has won or been nominated for a number of awards,” says Haikasoru Editor Nick Mamatas. “The Cage of Zeus delivers an optimum mix of hard science fiction and thriller, combined with a distinctly Japanese view of gender politics, and the future of humanity itself.” Born in Hyogo Prefecture, Sayuri Ueda is one of the most innovative science fiction authors in Japan. She won the 2003 Komatsu Sakyo Award with her debut novel, Mars Dark Ballade. Her second novel, The Cage of Zeus, was originally published in 2004. Her recent short fiction collection, Fish Boat, Animal Boat, was highly acclaimed in the sci-fi community and was nominated for the 2009 prestigious Japan SF Award. Ueda has also been nominated for the Seiun Award in the short story category for The Grave of the Bird. Her latest novel, The Ocean Chronicles, won the first prize of Best Science Fiction 2010 in SF Magazine and was one of the most noteworthy books of the year in any genre. For more information on The Cage of Zeus and the Haikasoru imprint, please visit haikasoru.com.
About VIZ Media, LLC
Headquartered in San Francisco, CA, VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), is one of the most comprehensive and innovative companies in the field of manga publishing, animation and entertainment licensing of Japanese content. Owned by three of Japan’s largest creators and licensors of manga and animation, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media is a leader in the publishing and distribution of Japanese manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and South Africa and is a global ex-Asia licensor of Japanese manga and animation. The company offers an integrated product line including the popular monthly manga anthology Shonen Jump magazine, graphic novels, and DVDs, and develops, markets, licenses, and distributes animated entertainment for audiences and consumers of all ages. Contact VIZ Media at 295 Bay Street, San Francisco, CA 94133; and web site at www.viz.com.