TOKYOPOP which labels itself as "The Leader of the Global Manga Revolution" has announced that it will partner with what it calls "Tthe Hottest Digital Music Distributor" to announce an all-new record label - TOKYOPOP MUSIC - "The New Sound from TOKYOPOP."  The label will debut with three albums, and some music is now available on I-tunes and worldwide wherever digital music is sold, according to the Los Angeles and Tokyo based company.  Their press release explains the venture in detail:

Los Angeles, CA (June 2006)—In line with its expansion into a fully integrated media entertainment company focused on the "manga lifestyle," TOKYOPOP, the leader of the global manga revolution, joins forces with Digital Rights Agency (DRA), the leading worldwide digital music distributor, to launch the highly anticipated record label, TOKYOPOP Music.

The label premieres with three diverse compilation albums: TOKYOPOP Presents Drift 2 Die, a mix of electronica and hip hop from the hot property Initial D., (produced by b_nCHANt_d and D.J. Milky); TOKYOPOP Presents Anime Trax Volume One, with music tracks from hot anime properties including GTO, Rave Master, Princess Ai, and more, (music by D.J. Milky and b_nCHANt_d); and TOKYOPOP Presents Beats 4 Riderz, featuring hip-hop music from Street Fury, Initial D and various other properties, (produced by D.J. Milky and b_nCHANt_d). Album track listings are available upon request.

The Digital Rights Agency (digitalrightsagency.com) currently distributes more than 350 leading independent record labels in 15 countries with a total catalog of 380,000 tracks to more than 300 mobile and Internet outlets worldwide.

"There is a rising thirst amongst fans to access this niche music category and now TOKYOPOP is the exclusive company to quench that thirst," said Ben Chan, Music Supervisor, TOKYOPOP. "We have plans to release more than 20 albums per year featuring the coolest music from Asia and we feel that DRA’s excellent technology platform, worldwide reach and marketing expertise will serve TOKYOPOP Music very well."

"The launch of TOKYOPOP Music marks the beginning of our move into the music space," said TOKYOPOP CEO and CCO Stu Levy. "In the near future, TOKYOPOP will be producing anime and manga soundtracks, mangapods (audio books), ringtones, manga podcasts, and much more. We are currently considering building a satellite radio manga channel." Levy continues: "With these plans in mind, DRA is the perfect partner for TOKYOPOP in expanding our audio business to Internet and mobile outlets."

According to DRA Managing Director, Tuhin Roy: "We are very excited to partner with TOKYOPOP (tokyopop.com) and to have the chance to connect millions of manga and anime fans worldwide with the music they love."