Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney (Manga)

From Animepedia

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney (Simply being called the "Ace Attorney" series now) (逆転裁判 Gyakuten Saiban), is a video game series. The first three games were originally released on Nintendo's Gameboy Advance handheld in Japan only. It was remade for the Nintendo DS, when it was eventally translated for English speakers. The first remade game in Japan was called Gyakuten Saiban Yomigaeru Gyakuten (逆転裁判 蘇る逆転). Capcom is the producer of these games.

The series follows the life of a young defense attorney lawyer, named Phoenix Wright (成歩堂 龍一 Naruhodō Ryūichi) as he defends his clinets in court, who were accused of murder. You play as Phoenix in the first three games. In the fourth game, Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney, you play as a new defense attorney named Apollo Justice. The setting is seven years after the third game.

The game series has become increasingly popular, that several manga and official doujinshi have been published, usually with Capcom's supervision. There are at least 15 Ace Attorney mangas, including the ones only in the game manuals.

Recently Del Ray has bought the lisence of one Ace Attorney manga and have begun translating it. It is unknown which manga they are doing. The first volumes should be released in 2008.

The official Gyakuten Saiban manga

Probably the first Ace Attorney manga created. There appears to be about six chapters. The artwork is by Kazuo Maekawa and the story is by Kenji Kuroda.

There is about three cases in this manga. In the first chapter, Phoenix Wright defends his best friend Larry Butz. Chapter two through five has a huge case called Turnabout Gallows, where an employee of a rich computer company was killed. Phoenix is asked to defend the president who was accused of killing. There is a strong spider gig in this case.

In the third case, Phoenix has to defend another person of an unexpected murder.

The weekly serialized Gyakuten Saiban manga

An extra story that was published in Young weekly. The story and artwork was also by Kenji Kuroda and Kazuo Maekawa. In this manga, Phoenix and Maya go to an amusement park. Their fun is suddenly interrupted by a murder...

Gyakuten Saiban Yomigaeru Gyakuten promotional manga

A fifty page manga that was only included in a limited edition of Gyakuten Saiban Yomigaeru Gyakuten(the first game remade for the DS). There are two sections. One featuring Phoenix and the second featuring Miles Edgeworth (御剣 怜侍 Mitsurugi Reiji), as they both meet in a television studio. This manga was not included with the American release of this game.

Gyakuten Saiban Yomigaeru Gyakuten case manga

Also included with Gyakuten Saiban Yomigaeru Gyakuten, was some manga in the game manual. It featured four sections, each featuring or related to the first four cases in the game. They were quite short and do not contain any spoilers, but they each had their own humor. These were not included in the American release of the game.

Phoenix Wright: Justice For All manual manga

In the DS remake of the first sequel to Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney, there was a short manga included in the game manual. It was a take on the fact that everytime Phoenix won a case, confetti would be thrown and there would be cheering to congratulate you. Dick Gumshoe the detective (糸鋸圭介 Itonokogiri Keisuke), who cares for the well being of Miles Edgeworth, mentions that whenever Miles wins a case.. he never gets any sort of celebration. The manga ends with Miles getting his 'deserved celebration'. But Miles thinks differently and simply says it was utterly embarrasing.

This manga was included with the American release of the sequel.

4koma manga from Capcom's offical fanbook

In one of the offical Gyakuten Saiban fanbooks (there are quite a few), a 4koma manga was included. There was a total of five sections. The plot line is basically Maya Fey, Phoenix's partner (綾里 真宵 Ayasato Mayoi) has just opened a small, girly cafe' in Phoenix's office, much to his dismay and annoyance. Even a character from the first game, Sal Manella, and Miles Edgeworth come for a visit...

Doujinshi Anthology mangas

Capcom and some other publishers have also published some fan-made anthology manga aswell. It has been suggested that Del Ray might actually translate a Phoenix Wright nthology manga instead of any of the above.

Gyakuten Saiban official anthology manga (Naruhodou version) A collection of some fan-made manga. The title suggests that this features Phoenix Wright. This was officially published by Capcom in March 28, 2006. A second book of this was published in October 6, 2006.

Gyakuten Saiban official anthology manga (Mitsurugi version)A collection of some fan-made manga. The title suggests that this features Miles Edgeworth. This was officially published by Capcom in March 28, 2006. A second book of this was published in October 6, 2006.

Gyakuten Saiban anthology 4Koma Kingdom I & II Another collection of manga created by fans. The title suggests that these are 4koma manga. Capcom has published this sometime in August, 2003.

Gyakuten Saiban 3 4Koma Kingdom Again, another collection of manga created by fans. The title suggests that these are 4Koma manga, featuring the third Ace Attorney game. This was published by Capcom in March, 2004.

There are also similar anthology manga to the above, which was published by Futabasha and Ichijinsha.

Gyakuten Saiban 4 official anthology manga Fan-made manga collection, featuring the fourth game, Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney. This was also published by Capcom in August 1st, 2007.