Matt Heafy of Trivium to release a children's book!

Trivium’s Singer Matt Heafy is set to Release A Book That Explores Japanese Folklore

The book, titled Ibaraki and Friends, is a children’s book that explores several Japanese folktales. Z2 Comics will be releasing Ibaraki and Friends.

Per the book’s description on the Z2 Comics website:

“Written by Matthew Kiichi Heafy, Ibaraki and friends tells Matthew’s rendition of Japanese legends and folktales alike. This children’s book, illustrated by Half Sumo and designed by Ashley Heafy, is for all the kids that want to know more about where they come from and the parents that want to share those moments with them.

“A dragon, a samurai and even a koi, Ibaraki and Friends shows through accessible prose the exciting history and myths of Japan. With beautiful illustrations and exciting adventures, the whole family will want to read it over and over again.”

This sounds like an awesome read!

Ibaraki and Friends is available to pre-order now through the Z2 Comics webstore and is available in three different bundles (with some providing additional goodies).

Heafy is trying to explore the rise of anti-Asian hate crimes and bigotry in the world and to try and bring out more good and positivity. Heafy is half-Japanese.

“I hope they both (the book and his side project Ibaraki) inspire people to learn more about the people we share this planet with… Through Trivium and Ibaraki, I say some pretty negative stuff, but I feel like I’m a happy person. I’m not perfectly balanced. I always tell people I’m not perfect, I know I seem happy; the things that I do take a lot of work and to feel good in life takes a lot of work. One of those things that I do is put the negative energy into the music. So with Trivium… Me putting pen to paper and getting that out, that message out, the songs don’t have the light at the end of the tunnel necessarily, but the light at the end of the tunnel is the fact that I was able to make the song.” – Matt Heafy