Babymetal Is Getting A Graphic Novel, Titled Apocrypha, And A Cartoon From Warner Brothers

Babymetal is a Kawaii Metal band from Japan (in case you didn't already know). The group formed in 2010 with their three, iconic, female leads: SU-METAL, YUIMETAL, and MOAMETAL. They're first studio album, BABYMETAL, topped the iTunes Metal charts in the US, UK and Germany. It also made the US Billboard chart in 2014, making them one of the only Japanese bands to do so. Since then they have released a second album, Metal Resistance, and have been selling out tours all across the globe with bands like the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Metallica. They're unique style is matched only by the mythical lore addressing the origins of the band. The bands wiki says: "According to Kei "Kobametal" Kobayashi, the band's executive producer, the band was formed under the idea of a new type of metal, and the members of the band receive "divine messages" from the Fox God..." Apparently the members did not simply join the band. Destiny and the divinity of the Fox God himself are credited with bringing the group together. This story will be the basis of their upcoming graphic novel (from Kobametal, Amuse Group USA, and Z2 Comics,) Apocrypha.

Apocrypha: The Legend of Babymetal is scheduled to be released in October 2018. It's written by The Prophet of The Fox God, (itself?) The illustrations will be done by Super Pulp Science Magazine artist GMB Chomichuk. According to the Babymetal website, the plot summary of the novel is as follows: Discover the myth of the worldwide music sensation BABYMETAL. Tasked with defeating the forces of darkness and division, the metal spirits must travel through a variety of eras of time, assuming different forms and identities. What we are seeing is not the BABYMETAL of the present. It's the original story based on BABYMETAL you've never heard before. The long-hidden metal spirit’s apocrypha of the METAL RESISTANCE will emerge. 144 pages, Soft Cover Color, English Language, 24.99 USD. More details here.

Now as excited as I am to pick up this novel, the more interesting news (to me) is the fact that Warner Brothers has green-lit a live action/animated hybrid series based on the band. The project was announced back in 2016 by Sam Register, President, Warner Bros. Animation and Warner Digital Series. The action-adventure will take viewers inside the magical world of heavy metal music as it comes under attack, and one lonely god, Kitsune, forms the warrior band BABYMETAL to save the day. In the series, SU-METAL, YUIMETAL and MOAMETAL join together to ultimately redefine the genre. The series will also feature new live-action performances from the group, who will enter the animated world through a secret portal. Read the full press release here. While more current news on this project is scarce, animated projects do take time and hopefully we'll get more updates this year.