Marvel Comics in partnership with Del Rey Books, will be releasing original English language Manga titles featuring Wolverine and the X-Men.

The books are expected to have a 2009 release, and will not be a part of the regular X-Men continuity. According to the press release, the stories will have familiar elements, but will take the characters in radical new directions.

X-Men will be produced in the Shojo style (think Fruits Basket or Godchild)written by Raina Telgemeier and Dave Roman while Wolverine will be done in the Shonen style (think Naruto or Black Cat) written by Antony Johnston.

In X-Men, Xavier's Mutant Academy will be an all boys school with Kitty Pryde being the only girl at school. Kitty is torn between the popular Hellfire Club led by Pyro and the misfits who will eventually form the X-Men. There is no word yet on Del Rey's take on Wolverine, except to say his attitude and unbreakable claws make him the breakout member of the X-Men.

Marvel's VP of Development Ruwan Jayatilleke is interviewed about the project here: