Viz brings Takeshi Obata to NYCC

If there is one thing that readers of this website can be sure of (okay, there are a number of things, but that’s not the point), it is that I am a Takeshi Obata fangirl. Not only have I repeatedly made noise about the fact that his collaboration with Yumi Hotta, Hikaru no Go, was the series that first got me into manga, I’ve celebrated his work, dissected it, drooled over it, and nearly fainted at the prospect of more. Hikaru no Go was also one of only two shounen series to make my manga top ten a few years ago.

Given all this information, you might well imagine my excitement over Viz’s announcement today that they will be bringing Obata-sensei to New York Comic Con this year. Unfortunately, that excitement is tempered by intense disappointment on my part, as this will be the first NYCC in many years that I am unable to attend. While I’m weeping in the corner, here are the details for those who will be present:

The acclaimed artist of smash hit manga (graphic novel) series such as DEATH NOTE, BAKUMAN, HIKARU NO GO, RALΩGRAD and ALL YOU NEED IS KILL will appear at several events during the 2014 New York Comic Con. Taking place October 9th- 12th at the Jacob Javits Convention Center, New York Comic Con is the East Coast’s biggest pop culture convention. Full details on the show are available at: www.NewYorkComicCon.com.

During the convention, Takeshi Obata will appear in person on two panels, on Thursday October 9th as part of VIZ Media’s WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP panel and on Friday October 10th with an overview of his incredible catalog of works. He will make an exclusive signing appearance at the Javits Convention Center on Thursday evening.

Takeshi Obata will also make a pair of additional appearances around New York as part of ReedPOP’s New York Super Week on Friday October 10th at Kinokuniya Book Store and Saturday October 11th at Barnes & Noble.

Fans are invited to stop by the VIZ Media Booth (#1944) on Thursday October 9th for details and to secure advance tickets for the exclusive New York Comic Con Takeshi Obata signing, taking place the same day at 7:30pm at the Javits Center. Signing tickets will be distributed on a first come/first served basis promptly at 1:00pm and again at 4:30pm. (There will be no advance line-up until 15 minutes before ticket time). Each attendee that secures a ticket will receive an exclusive shikishi signing board that Obata will autograph.

Fans may also select from a wide array of Obata manga titles available for purchase at the VIZ Media booth, including special advance copies of his newest work, ALL YOU NEED IS KILL, a deluxe omnibus manga treatment of the Hiroshi Sakurazaka’s hit sci-fi novel that inspired the action blockbuster Edge of Tomorrow starring Tom Cruise. It will debut under VIZ Media’s Shonen Jump Advanced imprint on November 4th. Other acclaimed Obata manga titles including DEATH NOTE, BAKUMAN。, HIKARU NO GO and RALΩGRAD will also be available for purchase.

VIZ Media, ReedPOP and The Japan Foundation welcome Takeshi Obata at the following New York Comic Con Panels:

THE FUTURE OF WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP Panel Featuring Takeshi Obata
Thursday, October 9th; 6:00pm – 6:45 pm; Javits Center – Room 1A10
Join the staff of VIZ Media’s WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP as well as editors from Japan’s Weekly Shonen Jump magazine to welcome Takeshi Obata for an enlightening personal discussion on what’s new and what’s next for the long-running manga anthology which launched best-selling titles such as NARUTO, BLEACH, ONE PIECE, DRAGON BALL as well as Obata’s BAKUMAN。and DEATH NOTE series.

WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP PRESENTS: Manga Artist Takeshi Obata
Friday, October 10th; 5:00pm – 5:45pm; Javits Center – Room 1A10
Join special guest Takeshi Obata along with his editor, Koji Yoshida, for an insightful conversation about Obata’s beginnings as an artist, his extensive history working in the manga industry, and the creative process behind his works. Don’t miss this extraordinary opportunity!

Takeshi Obata also will participate in a pair of special off-site signings as part of New York Super Week.

New York Super Week takes place October 3rd – 12th immediately preceding New York Comic Con and is a unique immersive pop culture event where the entire island of Manhattan becomes a playground for a colorful array of superheroes, villains, cosplayers, artists, celebrities and passionate fans of from all over the world that gather to take part in a variety of themed events all over the City including concerts, comedy shows, gaming events, lectures, podcasts, storytelling, food tastings.

Information & tickets to New York Super Week events are available now at: www.NewYorkSuperWeek.com

Takeshi Obata Kinokuniya Signing Event
Friday, Oct. 10th, 8:30pm
Kinokuniya Book Store, 1073 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10018
Attend a special free evening event with Takeshi Obata, a pivotal figure from Japan’s vibrant manga industry. All participants must secure a Super Week event ticket and will receive a free autographed Shikishi signboard with the on-site purchase of one of Obata’s works. (*Note: Obata will only sign the provided shikishi and on-site purchased book)
Free tickets for this event can be secured here.
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Takeshi Obata Barnes & Noble Signing Event
Saturday, Oct. 11th, 6:00pm
Barnes & Noble – Tribeca, 97 Warren St, New York, NY 10007
Barnes & Noble and VIZ Media welcome Takeshi Obata for another free exclusive appearance as part of New York Super Week. All participants must secure a free Super Week event ticket in advance and will receive an autographed Shikishi signboard with the on-site purchase of one of Obata’s works. (*Note: Obata will only sign the provided shikishi and on-site purchased book)
More information on this event may be viewed here.

*weep* *weep*