Square Enix has teamed up with Penguin Random House Publisher Services (PRHPS) in a multi-year sales and distribution agreement to introduce a new line of English translated manga, novels and artbooks beginning in fall of 2019. These new line of books are slated for worldwide releases.

While Square Enix is known best for their gaming properties internationally, in Japan, Square Enix is also a book and magazine publisher. While the company has licensed their manga properties to US-based publishers in the past (Such as Fullmetal Alchemist, Soul Eater and Black Butler), this new program will mark their entry into the English-language market directly, and will allow Square Enix the opportunity to publish graphic novels and other book products under their company title for the first time through all major book selling channels.

This new imprint’s launch will be anchored by Final Fantasy XV: The Dawn of the Future, a novel containing the canceled DLC stories for Final Fantasy XV. Also scheduled for release is Hi Score Girl, which was adapted into a Netflix anime series; A Man and His Cat (Oji-sama to Neko), a pet-themed comedy that was the new bestselling manga in Japan during the first half of 2018; and the complete edition of Soul Eater.

“We are excited to have this opportunity to introduce our wide variety of books with the help of PRHPS to our new readers,” said Katsuyoshi Matsuura, Executive Officer and Vice President of Publication Business Unit for Square Enix.

Masaaki Shimizu, General Manager and Publisher of Book Publishing Division, SEA who is responsible of the new program, said, “We’re so excited that we now have the full support from PRHPS for achieving our goals to introduce more English translated books and expand our reach to new audiences.”

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Square Enix for their venture into the worldwide, English-speaking market,” added Jeff Abraham, President, Penguin Random House Publisher Services. “We see significant opportunity for their exciting and original program to succeed here.”