Sōmasha


Sōmasha was a Japanese publishing company founded in 1995 and lasted until its bankruptcy caused by a debt of 200 million yen. The company is most known for publishing horror manga in the late 90s, a lot of its books have become rare collector's items.

History

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. In October 1996 the horror manga label Black Bunko was launched, these were pocket sized volumes collecting stories by popular authors.
In 1997 their first magazine, All 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 label, 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, 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. Some of its manga have gotten reprints and digital versions after being acquired by other publishers.

Magazines

All Kaidan, 16 issues published through September 5, 1997 to July 7, 2000. Succeeded by Super HorrorSuper Horror, 4 issues, published in September 1, 2000, November 2000, January 2001 and March 2001.Zettai Kyōfu, first issue released in 1998. A josei horror manga magazine. The special editions are Fukushū no Kaikan and RELEASE, a non-horror manga magazine featuring works about popular idols and musicians.
  • ''Aizô Suspense''

List of books published

Black Bunko

  1. Rōba Shōjo by Hideshi Hino
  2. Kaburagi Saiko Horror Tanpen-shū 1 by Saiko Kaburagi
  3. Kaiki Nekoge no An 1 by Yumeji Tanima
  4. Kaiki Nekoge no An 2 by Yumeji Tanima
  5. Misshitsu Club by Ochazukenori
  6. Honto ni Atta Osoroshii Hanashi by Mori Kanda
  7. Uroko Shōjo by Hideshi Hino
  8. Jikken Ō by Osada Not
  9. Kaiki Complex by Akirako Tōdō
  10. Furan Shōjo by Hideshi Hino
  11. Jigoku Mon by Tsujii Motoko
  12. Zekkyō-Kan no Shi-Shōjo by Yumeji Tanima
  13. Hime 1 by Ochazukenori
  14. Kaidan - Ugetsu Monogatari by Miyuki Saga
  15. Hone Shōjo by Hideshi Hino
  16. Hime 2 by Ochazukenori
  17. Freak: Kaburagi Saiko Horror Tanpen-shū 2 by Saiko Kaburagi
  18. La Maldición: Noroi by Reiko Kitagawa
  19. Edogawa Ranpo no Oshie to Tabisuru Otoko by Osada Not
  20. Kobu Shōjo by Hideshi Hino

Kaiki Book

  1. Dōki 1 by Ochazukenori
  2. Dōki 2 by Ochazukenori
  3. Kaiki! Shi-Niku no Otoko by Hideshi Hino

''Sōmasha Comics'' / ''Sō Comics''

Passion Fruits by Yumi Enomoto, Kaiki Senrigan by Senri Noguchi, Jisō Tenshi 1 by Soushi Sakurai,

Young Success

Utada Hikaru: The Pure Soul by Ari Obana,

''Other''

  • Watayuki by Kitagawa Reiko Comic de Cooking Oishii Recipe, anthology,