Sol Press
{{Short description|Defunct American publishing company}}
{{for|the publishing company founded by Michael Neff|Del Sol Press}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox publisher
| name = Sol Press
| image = Sol Press logo.png
| caption =
| parent =
| status = Defunct{{efn|name=defunct}}
| founded = {{Start date and age|February 2017}}
| defunct = {{end date and age|2021|10}}{{cite web |title=Change of status from 'Franchise Tax Board (Ftb) Suspended/Forfeited' to 'Ftb Forfeited' |url=https://opencorporates.com/events/2355970376 |website=OpenCorporates |access-date=February 18, 2022 |language=English}}
| founder = Michael Valdez
| successor =
| country = United States
| headquarters = Orange County, California
| distribution =
| keypeople =
| publications = Visual novels
Light novels
Manga
| genre =
| imprints =
| revenue =
| owner = Michael Valdez
| numemployees =
| website = {{url|https://web.archive.org/web/20210527110854/https://solpress.co/|https://solpress.co/}}
}}
Sol Press was an American publishing company that focused on localizing Japanese visual novels, light novels, and manga. Located in Orange County, California, it was formed in 2017. In October 2021, it was prohibited from doing business in the state of California for non-payment of taxes.
The company had licensed ten visual novels, nine light novels, and six manga for release on the Steam and Kadokawa's BookWalker platforms.
History
Sol Press was founded in February 2017 by Michael Valdez, who was unhappy with the slow translation processes and products of other video game localization companies.{{cite web|last=Baltimore|first=Steve|url=http://operationrainfall.com/2017/09/05/sakura-sakura/|title=INTERVIEW with Sol-Press Featuring Sakura Sakura|publisher=Operation Rainfall|date=September 5, 2017|access-date=October 8, 2018}} For the company's titles, Valdez emphasized the importance of not charging players for patches as he believed it was unnecessary and an unpopular business tactic. Although Sol Press-licensed visual novels are censored when released on Steam, free patches to receive adult content in the original games are downloadable on external websites.{{cite web|last=Baltimore|first=Steve|url=http://operationrainfall.com/2018/09/07/review-newton-and-the-apple-tree/|title=(18+) REVIEW: Newton and the Apple Tree|publisher=Operation Rainfall|date=September 7, 2018|access-date=October 9, 2018|quote=The game is heavily edited on Steam, but you can go to PantyPress.com and download a free patch to uncensor the game. There is of course the 18+ patch which restores all of the cut content or you can go for the 17+ patch which leaves out the CG for the H scenes but restores all the dialogue.}}
In September 2017, Sol Press created a Kickstarter fundraiser to support the localization of the Haikuo Soft visual novel/eroge Sakura Sakura.{{cite web|last=Ressler|first=Karen|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-09-04/sol-press-launches-kickstarter-to-localize-sakura-sakura-visual-novel/.120701|title=Sol Press Launches Kickstarter to Localize Sakura Sakura Visual Novel|publisher=Anime News Network|date=September 4, 2017|access-date=October 8, 2018}} Despite Sakura Sakura{{'s}} age and obscurity, Sol Press elected to pick up the game following positive feedback from the staff. Funding for the Kickstarter was completed a month later.{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2017/10/11/sakura-sakura-localization-funded-via-kickstarter/|title=Sakura Sakura Localization Funded Via Kickstarter|work=Siliconera|date=October 11, 2017|access-date=October 8, 2018}} It was released on Steam on November 19, 2018.{{Citation needed|reason=NoisyPixel has been marked as an unreliable source as per Wikipedia:WikiProject Video games/Sources so should not be used|date=July 2023}} A second Haikuo Soft visual novel, Yotsunoha, saw a Western release on July 13, 2019, on Sol Press' website after it was denied publishing by Steam.{{cite web|last=Baltimore|first=Steve|url=http://operationrainfall.com/2019/07/13/sol-press-opens-their-store-yotsunoha-is-now-available/|title=Sol-Press Opens Their Store Yotsunoha is now Available|publisher=Operation Rainfall|date=July 13, 2019|access-date=November 2, 2019}}
Joined by MiKandi Japan, another campaign was launched on December 1, 2017, to fund the Laplacian VN Newton and the Apple Tree.{{cite web|last=Ressler|first=Karen|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-12-01/mikandi-japan-sol-press-launch-kickstarter-to-localize-newton-and-the-apple-tree-visual-novel/.124688|title=MiKandi Japan, Sol Press Launch Kickstarter to Localize Newton and the Apple Tree Visual Novel (Updated)|publisher=Anime News Network|date=December 1, 2017|access-date=October 8, 2018}} After just three days, it had already reached its goal of $31,200.{{cite web|last=Estrada|first=Marcus|url=https://www.hardcoregamer.com/2017/12/04/visual-novel-newton-and-the-apple-tree-already-fully-funded/281967/|title=Visual Novel Newton and the Apple Tree Already Fully Funded|publisher=Hardcore Gamer|date=December 4, 2017|access-date=October 9, 2018}} It was released on August 15.{{cite web|last=Pineda|first=Rafael Antonio|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2018-08-13/newton-and-the-apple-tree-visual-novel-debuts-on-wednesday/.135413|title=Newton and the Apple Tree Visual Novel Debuts on Wednesday|publisher=Anime News Network|date=August 13, 2018|access-date=October 8, 2018}} Later in the year, DareSora: Tears for an Unknown Sky was localized and released on September 14.
In April 2018, it began expansion into licensing light novels with the books Strongest Gamer – Let's Play in Another World and Battle Divas – The Incorruptible Battle Blossom Princess. The two were digitally released on April 30.{{cite web|last=Ressler|first=Karen|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-04-11/sol-press-licenses-yotsunoha-visual-novel-2-light-novels/.130237|title=Sol Press Licenses Yotsunoha Visual Novel, 2 Light Novels|publisher=Anime News Network|date=April 11, 2018|access-date=October 8, 2018}} At Kumoricon 2018 in Oregon, Sol Press announced the creation of Project Hyourin, a digital distribution client for works licensed by the company. It also formed an alliance with Japanese game publisher Entergram to release visual novels on consoles in North America.{{cite web|last=Ressler|first=Karen|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-10-29/sol-press-to-launch-digital-light-novel-manga-visual-novel-platform/.138804|title=Sol Press to Launch Digital Light Novel, Manga, Visual Novel Platform|publisher=Anime News Network|date=October 29, 2018|access-date=November 3, 2018}}
On May 24, 2019, Sol Press announced a partnership with Kadokawa Corporation to release light novels and manga on Kadokawa's BookWalker platform.{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2019-05-24/sol-press-titles-now-available-on-book-walker-global/.147080|title=Sol Press Titles Now Available on Book☆Walker Global|work=Anime News Network|date=May 24, 2019|access-date=November 2, 2019}}
The company was forfeited by the California FTB for failure to pay taxes in late October 2021.{{Cite web|access-date=January 22, 2022|title=California Business Search|url=https://businesssearch.sos.ca.gov/CBS/SearchResults?filing=&SearchType=LPLLC&SearchCriteria=Sol+Press&SearchSubType=Keyword}} Citing requests from the original Japanese publishers, BookWalker removed series licensed by Sol Press on February 21, 2022.{{cite news|last=Mateo|first=Alex|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2022-02-19/bookwalker-global-to-remove-series-from-sol-press-panty-press-on-february-21/.182776|title=BookWalker Global to Remove Series from Sol Press/Panty Press on February 21|publisher=Anime News Network|date=February 19, 2022|access-date=February 19, 2022}}
Licensed works
=Visual novels=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Title
! Developer ! Release date ! class=unsortable| Ref |
|---|
| Newton and the Apple Tree
| Laplacian | August 15, 2018 |
| DareSora: Tears for an Unknown Sky
| Anagram | August 31, 2018 | {{cite web|last=Baltimore|first=Steve|url=http://operationrainfall.com/2018/08/29/sol-press-daresora-west/|title=Sol Press is Bringing Visual Novel Series DareSora to the West|publisher=Operation Rainfall|date=August 29, 2018|access-date=October 8, 2018}} |
| Sakura Sakura
| {{ill|Haikuo Soft|ja|ハイクオソフト}} | November 19, 2018 |
| Under One Wing
| Harmorise | February 28, 2019 |
| Yotsunoha
| Haikuo Soft | July 13, 2019 |
| Onii-Kiss: Onii-Chan Where Is My Kiss?
| Tinkle Position | September 24, 2019 |
| My Fair Princess
| {{ill|PeasSoft|zh|PeasSoft}} |November 8, 2019 |
| Choose Your Mistress
| PeasSoft |N/A |
| Love Among the Sunflowers
|More |N/A |
| Irotoridori no Sekai
|Favorite |N/A |
=Light novels=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Title
! Author !Illustrator ! Release date ! class=unsortable| Ref |
|---|
| Battle Divas Vol. 1: The Incorruptible Battle Blossom Princess
| Kouka Kishine |Nekonabeao | April 30, 2018 |
| Strongest Gamer: Let's Play in Another World Vol. 1
| Yuki Shinobu |Itsuwa Katou | April 30, 2018 |
| Battle Divas Vol. 2: The Unshakable Winter Blossom Princess
|Kouka Kishine |Nekonabeao |April 12, 2019 |
| Strongest Gamer: Let’s Play in Another World Vol. 2
|Yuki Shinobu |Itsuwa Katou |April 12, 2019 |
| Redefining the META at VRMMO Academy Vol. 1
| Hayaken |Hika Akita | April 26, 2019 |
| Saving 80,000 Gold in Another World for my Retirement Vol. 1
| FUNA |Touzai | April 26, 2019 |
| Battle Divas Vol. 3: The Unyielding Twin Blossom Princess
|Kouka Kishine |Nekonabeao |May 17, 2019 |
| Why Shouldn't a Detestable Demon Lord Fall in Love?! Vol. 1
| Nekomata Nuko |Teffish | September 20, 2019 |
| Chivalry of a Failed Knight Vol. 1
| Riku Misora |Won | November 16, 2019 |
| Chivalry of a Failed Knight Vol. 2
|Riku Misora |Won |November 16, 2019 |
| Chivalry of a Failed Knight Vol. 3
|Riku Misora |Won |November 16, 2019 |
| Why Shouldn’t a Detestable Demon Lord Fall in Love?! Vol. 2
|Nekomata Nuko |Teffish |May 1, 2020 |
| Redefining the META at VRMMO Academy Vol. 2
|Hayaken |Hika Akita |June 15, 2020 |
| Chivalry of a Failed Knight Vol. 4
|Riku Misora |Won |July 6, 2020 |
| Why Shouldn’t a Detestable Demon Lord Fall in Love?! Vol. 3
|Nekomata Nuko |Teffish |July 20, 2020 |
| Redefining the META at VRMMO Academy Vol. 3
|Hayaken |Hika Akita |August 17, 2020 |
| Saving 80,000 Gold in Another World for my Retirement Vol. 2
|FUNA |Touzai |December 14, 2020 |
| Chivalry of a Failed Knight Vol. 5
|Riku Misora |Won |December 28, 2020 |
| I Surrendered My Sword for a New Life Vol. 1
| Shin Kouduki |Necömi | December 28, 2020 |
| Let This Grieving Soul Retire! Woe is the Weakling Who Leads the Strongest Party Vol. 1
| Tsukikage |Chyko | December 28, 2020 | {{cite book|url=https://solpress.co/product/950/let-this-grieving-soul-retire-woe-is-the-weakling-who-leads-the-strongest-party-vol-1|title=Let This Grieving Soul Retire! Woe is the Weakling Who Leads the Strongest Party Vol. 1|publisher=Sol Press|date=December 28, 2020|access-date=January 16, 2024|archive-date=May 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210504143548/https://solpress.co/product/950/let-this-grieving-soul-retire-woe-is-the-weakling-who-leads-the-strongest-party-vol-1|url-status=dead}} |
| The Game Master has Logged In to Another World Vol. 1
| Akatsuki |Merontomari/Yuui | December 28, 2020 |
=Manga=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Title
! Author ! Manga adaptation ! Release date ! class=unsortable| Ref |
|---|
| Harem Royale ~When the Game Ends~ Vol. 1
| Ryukishi07 |Yukari Higa | January 7, 2019 |
| Saving 80,000 Gold in Another World for my Retirement Vol. 1
| FUNA |Keisuke Motoe | January 7, 2019 |
| How to Treat a Lady Knight Right Vol. 1
| Kengo Matsumoto |N/A | July 6, 2019 |
| The Ride-On King Vol. 1
| Yasushi Baba |N/A | July 6, 2019 | {{cite book|title=The Ride-On King Vol. 1|url=https://solpress.co/product/628/the-ride-on-king-vol-1|publisher=Sol Press|access-date=August 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210801210301/https://solpress.co/product/628/the-ride-on-king-vol-1|archive-date=August 1, 2021|url-status=dead}} |
| Harem Royale ~When the Game Ends~ Vol. 2
|Ryukishi07 |Yukari Higa |December 16, 2020 |
| Is the Order a Rabbit? Vol. 1
| Koi |N/A | December 16, 2020 |
| Blend S Vol. 1
| Miyuki Nakayama |N/A | December 23, 2020 |
Notes
{{notelist|refs=
{{efn|name=defunct|Under California law, a business that is suspended/forfeited can not legally close or dissolve, until the matter that lead to suspension/forfeit is resolved. The business is also legally prohibited from engaging in business operations, such as selling goods.California Franchise Tax Board. [https://web.archive.org/web/20210827132058/https://www.ftb.ca.gov/help/business/my-business-is-suspended.html "My business is suspended"]. ftb.ca.gov. State of California. Archived from the [https://www.ftb.ca.gov/help/business/my-business-is-suspended.html original] on August 27, 2021. Retrieved February 18, 2022.}}
}}
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
- {{Official|https://web.archive.org/web/20210527110854/https://solpress.co/}}
- {{vndb|7033|producer}}
Category:Companies based in Los Angeles
Category:Defunct comics and manga publishing companies
Category:Defunct video game companies of the United States
Category:Video game publishers