Viz Media will launch two new series by Naoki Urasawa, the creator of the Eisner-nominated Monster, among a number of spring launches announced today.  The long-running Naoki Urasawa’s 20th Century Boys, described as the creator’s magnum opus, tells the story of a group of childhood friends who are defending mankind from an apocalyptic religious cult (which bears similarities to the notorious Aum cult in Japan).  A film trilogy is planned, with the first release in Japan due this month (see “Casting Begins for 20th Century Boys”). 

Pluto:  Urasawa X Tezuka is the creator’s re-imagining of a Tezuka Astro Boy story, in which a cyborg detective investigates a killer of robots who’s out to kill Astro Boy.  Both new Naoki Urasawa series launch in February, 20th Century Boys under a T+ label and Pluto under a T.

Three previously announced series (see “Viz Media Announces Four New Manga”) have been scheduled.   The Magic Touch and Otomen will launch on February 3rd; Honey Hunt will launch April 7th.  The previously announced VizBig repackages of Hot Gimmick will launch March 17th.   

Two other new Viz Media series will launch next spring.  Ikigami:  The Ultimate Limit, which tells the story of a government which randomly selects citizens to be killed within 24 hours of notification, launches in May.  And Dogs, which features four people trying to survive a dystopian future, ships April 14th.