Sōmasha
| Industry | Publishing |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1995 |
| Defunct | 2002 |
| Fate | Filed for bankruptcy due to debts of 200 million yen |
| Headquarters | Japan |
Area served | Japan |
| Products | Horror manga, magazines, biographies, literature |
Sōmasha (蒼馬社) was a Japanese publishing company established in 1995, which ultimately filed for bankruptcy owing to debts amounting to 200 million yen. The firm became notable for its horror manga publications during the late 1990s, with numerous titles now considered valuable collectibles.
History
Founded in 1995, Sōmasha initially specialized in equine-themed literature before venturing into the manga industry in June 1996 with Kimiko Morooka's Boys' Love manga When Love Plays so Cruelly (愛が残酷に奏でるとき, Ai ga Zankoku ni Kanaderu Toki). By October of the same year, it had introduced the horror manga imprint Black Bunko, offering pocket-sized editions featuring works by well-known authors.
The company's inaugural magazine, All Kaidan (オール怪談, Ōru Kaidan), debuted in 1997 as a shōjo horror anthology that highlighted both veteran and emerging artists. In 1998, three volumes were issued under the Kaiki Book (怪奇ブック) label; subsequent horror releases appeared under the Sōmasha Comics banner.
In 1999, Young Success was launched to publish biographies focusing on popular musicians, idols, and bands. The All Kaidan magazine was succeeded by Super Horror in 2000, which featured many contributors from its predecessor but was discontinued after only four issues.
Due to financial insolvency, the firm halted all publishing activities after 2002. Since then, several of its manga works have been reissued or made available digitally through other publishers.
Magazines
- All Kaidan (オール怪談, Ōru Kaidan): Issued 16 editions from September 5, 1997, until July 7, 2000; replaced by Super Horror
- Super Horror (スーパーホラー): Published four issues between September 2000 and March 2001
- Zettai Kyōfu (絶対恐怖): A josei horror manga magazine initiated in 1998; special editions include Fukushū no Kaikan (復讐の快感, "The Pleasure of Revenge") and RELEASE (リリース), a non-horror publication focusing on popular idols and musicians
- Aizô Suspense (愛憎サスペンス)
Black Bunko
- Rōba Shōjo (老婆少女) by Hideshi Hino
- Kaburagi Saiko Horror Tanpen-shū 1 by Saiko Kaburagi
- Kaiki Nekoge no An 1 by Yumeji Tanima
- Kaiki Nekoge no An 2 by Yumeji Tanima
- Misshitsu Club by Ochazukenori
- Honto ni Atta Osoroshii Hanashi by Mori Kanda
- Uroko Shōjo by Hideshi Hino
- Jikken Ō (実験王) by Osada Not
- Kaiki Complex (怪奇・コンプレックス) by Akirako Tōdō
- Furan Shōjo by Hideshi Hino
- Jigoku Mon by Tsujii Motoko
- Zekkyō-Kan no Shi-Shōjo by Yumeji Tanima
- Hime 1 by Ochazukenori
- Kaidan - Ugetsu Monogatari by Miyuki Saga
- Hone Shōjo by Hideshi Hino
- Hime 2 by Ochazukenori
- Freak: Kaburagi Saiko Horror Tanpen-shū 2 (奇形フリーク蕪木彩子ホラー短篇集2) by Saiko Kaburagi
- La Maldición: Noroi (ラ・マルディシオン: 呪い) by Reiko Kitagawa
- Edogawa Ranpo no Oshie to Tabisuru Otoko by Osada Not
- Kobu Shōjo by Hideshi Hino
Kaiki Book
- Dōki 1 by Ochazukenori
- Dōki 2 by Ochazukenori
- Kaiki! Shi-Niku no Otoko by Hideshi Hino
Sōmasha Comics / Sō Comics
- Passion Fruits (パッションフルーツ) authored by Yumi Enomoto,
- Kaiki Senrigan (怪奇千里眼) created by Senri Noguchi,
- Jisō Tenshi 1 (自造天使 1) written by Soushi Sakurai,
- Ningen Modoki (人間モドキ) by Senno Knife,
- Rampo Edogawa's The Strange Tale of Panorama Island (江戸川乱歩のパノラマ島奇談) illustrated by Osada Not,
- Kokoro Nari Yamazu: Ima, Yoshida Shōin to Sono Haha (心鳴りやまず: 今、吉田松陰とその母) by Chikae Ide,
- Ningyō-Hime Millenia (人形姫ミレニアム), a collection,
- Genji Monogatari: Utsukushi no Hanaran 1 (源氏物語美しの花乱1) authored by Chikae Ide,
- Genji Monogatari: Utsukushi no Hanaran 2 (源氏物語美しの花乱2) also by Chikae Ide,
Young Success
- Utada Hikaru: The Pure Soul, created by Ari Obana,
Other
- Watayuki (わた雪) by Kitagawa Reiko (Romance Library)
- Comic de Cooking Oishii Recipe (コミックでクッキングおいしいレシピ), a compilation, (Sō Books)