The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Manga Vol. 2 Details Emerge
Details for the second volume of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess manga were revealed, including its cover art, publisher, and an August 2017 release
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VIZ Media provided new details for the second volume of its English-language release of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess manga. An Amazon product listing revealed the front and back cover art for the upcoming book, along with its North American release date and ISBN information. The listing, which appeared in May 2017, also made the volume available for preorder ahead of its summer release.
Cover Art and Release Information
The cover art for Volume 2 prominently features the series protagonist, Link, continuing the artistic style established with the first volume. According to the retail listing, the book was scheduled to be released on August 8, 2017. Published by VIZ Media under its VIZ Signature line, the paperback volume carries an ISBN-10 of 1421596563 and an ISBN-13 of 978-1421596563. This release follows the first volume, which was made available in North America on March 15, 2017, establishing a consistent release schedule for the highly anticipated adaptation.
A Darker Adaptation from Akira Himekawa
The Twilight Princess manga is created by Akira Himekawa, the pen name for a creative duo of female artists. They are well-known to fans of the franchise for having adapted numerous other games in The Legend of Zelda series over the years. Their extensive portfolio includes manga versions of Ocarina of Time, Majora’s Mask, Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages, A Link to the Past, and Phantom Hourglass. The duo’s return for Twilight Princess was celebrated by fans, as it marked their first new Zelda project in nearly a decade.
This adaptation is noted for its darker and more mature tone, which faithfully reflects the source material. The story delves deeper into the characters’ motivations and the grim circumstances facing Hyrule under the shadow of the Twilight. The manga began serialization in Japan in 2016, and its narrative is considered more expansive than Himekawa’s previous Zelda books. It was planned as a multi-volume series to explore the game’s complex story in greater detail. This approach allows for more character development, particularly for Link, who is often a silent protagonist in the games but is given more personality and dialogue on the page.
The Game Behind the Manga
The manga is based on the critically acclaimed video game of the same name, originally released in 2006 for the Nintendo GameCube and as a launch title for the Nintendo Wii. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess was praised for its epic scale, complex dungeon design, and a more somber atmosphere compared to its predecessors like The Wind Waker. A high-definition remaster, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD, was later released for the Wii U in 2016, introducing the game to a new generation of players just before the manga’s English debut.
The story follows Link, a young farmhand chosen by the goddesses to save Hyrule from being engulfed by a shadowy plane. When darkness falls, Link transforms into a sacred wolf, a unique gameplay mechanic that allows him to interact with the world in new ways. In his wolf form, he is aided by Midna, an impish creature from the Twilight with her own mysterious agenda. Together, they must navigate the dual worlds of light and twilight to restore peace and confront the usurper king Zant, who serves a greater, more sinister evil.
The English Publication by VIZ Media
VIZ Media is the publisher responsible for the official English translation and distribution of the Twilight Princess manga in North America. The company has a long history of localizing popular manga series, including all of the previous Zelda adaptations by Akira Himekawa, which were collected into a box set. The release of Volume 1 in March 2017 was met with enthusiasm from fans who had been waiting for an official English version since the manga’s Japanese debut.
The announcement of Volume 2’s August release date indicated a steady publication schedule, assuring readers that they would not have to wait long to continue the story. With a rich narrative and detailed artwork that captures the game’s distinct visual style, the manga offers a new way for both longtime fans and newcomers to experience the classic adventure of Twilight Princess.
Frequently asked questions
What was the release date for The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess manga volume 2?
The second volume of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess manga was scheduled for release in North America on August 8, 2017. The English-language version is published by VIZ Media. The first volume was released earlier the same year, on March 15.
Who wrote the Twilight Princess manga?
The manga adaptation of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess is written and illustrated by Akira Himekawa. This is the pen name for a creative duo of female artists who have adapted many other Zelda games into manga, including Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask.
What is the plot of the Twilight Princess manga?
The manga follows the plot of the video game. Link, a young man from Ordon Village, must stop the kingdom of Hyrule from being consumed by a corrupting darkness. He teams up with Midna, a mysterious creature from the world of twilight, to combat the evil forces threatening both of their homes.
Is the Twilight Princess manga different from the game?
While the manga follows the main story of the game, it expands on character development and adds new scenes to flesh out the narrative. The creators, Akira Himekawa, are known for taking creative liberties to better suit the story for the manga format, often giving Link more dialogue and personality.