Rejected? Disrespected? Make your own rules!

Anya, the new girl at Lucrece High, just isn't fitting in. Her dream is to join one of the school's elite sports teams, but when she tries out, she's instantly rejected! Anya doesn't get mad, though—she gets even. When she meets other "misfits" who've been similarly written off, they form their own soccer team, complete with cool, edgy uniforms.

They may not be the most experienced, but they've got something no other team has: style. Say hello to the world's first Gothic-Lolita soccer team!

Anya       
In tenth grade, Anya is finally able to transfer to Lucrece High, where she dreams of being on one of its famous sports teams. Unfortunately, the other players don't think she's good enough! But Anya's the kind of girl who never gives up, so she decides to start her own soccer team and prove them all wrong.

Luise (Loo)      
One of the first people Anya runs into at her new school is Luise, who she knew back in elementary school. The two of them hit it off again immediately, and Luise is a bright spot in Anya's difficult adjustment period.
    
Leon      
Leon did something back in elementary school that still has Anya holding a grudge, but Luise can't remember what he did. Now he's a womanizer and a smoker, but does he look at Anya more favorably than she does him...?
    
Julia      
Julia has been a member of the Lucrece High soccer team for two years--but you'd never know it from watching the games, because she's been watching them too--from the bench! Anya's plans are her only hope for some action.

Filiz      
Filiz is well known and somewhat teased by her classmates for her elaborate Gothic fashion sense. When Anya has trouble recruiting for her new soccer team, Filiz has a brilliant idea to help attract more interest...     
Marie      
Marie is the star player of the basketball team Anya tries out for. It's not hard to get on her bad side!
    
Delia      
Delia is another senior on the basketball team. Anya pegs her as an obvious Marie flunky, but she may have a larger role to play... 

Anike Hage

HOT! Read TOKYOPOP's interview with creator Anike Hage!

Anike Hage is from Wolfenbüttel, Germany, and has been drawing since elementary school. She started out drawing fan art for video games, but soon moved on to create her own work. Her “big break” came in 2004, when she won second place for ages 16 and up in a manga contest at the Leipzig Book Fair. She was then tapped to work on the poster for the 2005 Leipzig competition.

Finally, after her inclusion in the anthology Manga Fever from TOKYOPOP Germany (similar to TOKYOPOP’s Rising Stars of Manga anthologies in English), she was offered the chance to create her first graphic novel series, Gothic Sports. Her artwork has also appeared in the popular German dojinshi anthology Kappa Maki.

For more info about Anike, please visit her personal Web site  www.snow-flake.jp.pn

Also check out the English translation of Pummeldex's interview with Anika at Deutsche Mangaka

BASIC FACTS
Name: Anike Hage
Nickname: Nike
Birthday: March 19, 1985
Zodiac Sign: Pisces
Location: Wolfenbüttel, Germany

LIKES
Activities: Games, Drawing, Piano
Music: Metallica, Brahms, Korn, Oldies
Movie: Indiana Jones, Star Wars (4–6)
Manga: Blade of the Immortal, Eden, Iscel, Gantz, Vagabond
Games: Resident Evil, Metal Gear Solid, Silent Hill (1, 2, 3), Quake
Foods: Noodles, Chocolate, Salad

HOT! Read TOKYOPOP's interview with creator Anike Hage!

Manga fandom and manga creation have become global phenomena in this world’s increasingly internationalized culture. Nowhere is this more true than in Germany, which is producing some of the most cutting-edge manga art out there—and TOKYOPOP is proud to take the lead in presenting this work to an English-speaking audience. First came the rock music drama Yonen Buzz, and now we’ve followed up with the descriptively named Gothic Sports!

I’ve been intrigued with the idea of Gothic Sports since the first time I heard its title, and I found the book to indeed be an entertaining read—one that left me anxious to know what happens next.

Packed with comedy, sports action, and relationship drama, Anike Hage’s story of the first Gothic-Lolita soccer team is sure to please!

Check it out!