July, 2007

Interview, reviews and more in Episode 45!

GRIMES, IA, July 20, 2007 – Anime producer and mega-online anime retailer Right Stuf, Inc. is pleased to welcome writer, interpreter and translator Frederik L. Schodt to episode 45 of ANIME TODAY to discuss his soon-to-be released book, The Astro Boy Essays: Osamu Tezuka, Mighty Atom and the Manga/Anime Revolution.

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Shin Angyo Onshi (Blade of the Phantom Mask) by In-Wan Youn and Kyung-Il Yang will end its serialization in the September issue of Sunday GX, on sale 8/18.

Senaka: Otaku Road reports that with the Japanese release of Tenjho Tenge Volume 17, Oh! Great's seinen manga, which began serialization in 1998 in Ultra Jump, will have sold over 10.7 million copies.

Shounen Fang's official website has been updated with a brief statement from its editorial department announcing the magazine's demise.

The latest issue of Young Gangan reveals that the "important Bamboo Blade announcement" mentioned by Square-Enix is the anime adaptation of Bamboo Blade.

Source: Moon Phase

The Japan Times has published an article that explains how Japanese companies are beginning to explore the benefits of licensing:

A growing number of Japanese businesses are eager to license their products, not just for royalties but because they see licensing as an effective marketing strategy, according to a licensing association official.

Source: The Beat

Summer is almost over, but the fun is just about to begin!

Los Angeles, CA, July 17, 2007 - Anime Expo is over and the ladies and gentlemen of 801 Media Inc. are happy to announce new titles for 2008.

The Prime Minister's Secret Diplomacy by Youka Nitta
January 2008
ISBN-13: 978-1-934129-15-9
Yoshinaga's genius and his gift for political maneuvering have helped him ascend to the higher spheres of the Ministry of Foreign affairs at an early age. As for Shiraishi, the prestige of his family as well as his dedication to his job has also led him to an early career in diplomacy. Yoshinaga is Shiraishi’s future brother-in-law as he is soon to be married to his sister. When the two meet in Thailand, a stunning tale of love unfolds.

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Six New Series Deliver Unique Mix Of Historical Drama, Science Fiction, Award-Winning Comedic Romance and Supernatural Action

San Francisco, CA, July 19, 2007 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry's most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, has announced the North American debut of six new manga titles for the Third Quarter of 2007. The new releases are aimed at Teen and Older Teen readers and include TOGARI, GIN TAMA, LOVE*COM, PRETTY FACE, KUROHIME and the full-color Ani-Manga™ for NARUTO™ THE MOVIE: NINJA CLASH IN THE LAND OF SNOW.

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topAccording to Kodansha, the winners of the First Kodansha International Manga Competition have been decided, and the grand prize winner is a North American manga artist.

An official announcement of the result and the name of the winners will be made in August. The grand prize winner will receive $5,000, as well as having his or her work serialized in either Morning, and even being published as independent comic books both in Japan and in other countries.

Thanks Ceena

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From Stage6 comes some interesting illustrations of what the cast of Charlie Brown would look like as manga characters.

The new comic release list for July 18th 2007 from ComicList, compiled by MangaCast.

Demos of Latest Anime Action Video Games in Booth 4113, Screening of NARUTO™ the Movie, and Two Eisner Award Nominations for NAOKI URASAWA'S MONSTER Highlight This Year's Show

San Francisco, July 18, 2007 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry's most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, has announced a bevy of special events, interactive games, artist appearances, a special theatrical screening, and speaker panels for the 2007 Comic-Con International. Comic-Con is renowned as the nation's largest comic book and science fiction event and takes place July 26-29 at the Convention Center in San Diego, CA. VIZ Media will be located in Booth 4113.

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animeOnline points out that Shogakukan will be re-releasing manga from Moto Hagio under the "Moto Hagio Perfect Selection" label. Some of the manga to be released under the label include Barbara Ikai and Mesh I & II.

The official site of CLAMP's new trading card game, CLAMP in CARDLAND, has been officially launched. The card game, illustrated by CLAMP and distributed by Upper Deck, will be released next autumn.

Source: Chibi Yuuto

The Kyoto International Manga Museum will hold a special exhibition from 7/30 to 8/27 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Shogakukan's CoroCoro Comic, a children's magazine that serializes manga like Doraemon and Pokemon.

International Manga Awards runner-up Madeleine Rosca has posted Part 2 of her International Manga Award trip to Japan.

Icarus Publishing has posted hints to 7 of its new acquisitions. In response, MangaCast lists 6 of the mentioned Icarus titles as well as two others:

  • Shi Tagariya by Kagura Yutakamaru
  • EroNee by Hodomi Karyu
  • Yorozu Tatarareya by Togashi
  • Honeybee Whispers by Uma Shika
  • Imoto Natsu by Tuna Empire
  • Joukou Serenade by Matsuzawa Kei
  • Extract by Shimao Kazu
  • Schoolgirl Mania by Fuji Katsupico

topNaisho no Tsubomi Volume 3 was released on the 29th. Yu Yabuuchi's Naisho no Tsubomi is a sex-ed manga aimed at elementary school students, with a fifth-grade girl as its protagonist. The manga became extremely popular and received many praises.

However, despite Naisho no Tsubomi's success, not all manga involving sex are met with welcoming arms by the Japanese society. In fact, obscene shojo manga (smut) and lolicon manga have always been the target of various child protection groups. Recent news reports of actions taken against harmful shojo and loli manga involving excessive sexual content seem to suggest that a potential new movement is on the horizon. Below is a brief overview of current events, past "wars" and some case studies involving a breed of manga seen by many as "harmful books."

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Tags:
I'm from the anime/manga industry or a related field
14% (29 votes)
I'm part of an anime/manga site
20% (42 votes)
A hardcore otaku!
32% (66 votes)
Just a casual fan
32% (67 votes)
I'm totally new to this manga thing
2% (5 votes)
Total votes: 209

MangaCast has a list of all the recent BL licenses from June and 801 Media, based on this post from Tokudane.

From Icarus Publishing's blog comes a preview (NSFW) of the adult manga coming out in October 2007, based on Diamond Previews for August (Shipping in October 07).

Del Rey is delighted to be a part of Comic-Con International: San Diego being held from July 26th to July 29th, 2007 at the San Diego Convention Center. We'll be stationed at Booth #1135 throughout the show, bringing you the chance to meet your favorite authors, to win free manga for a year, and all sorts of other fun activities and giveaways.

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With COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL: SAN DIEGO 2007 set to open its doors on July 25, DC Comics unveils its slate of panels. Don't miss your chance to see top comics creators discussing what's coming up in your favorite DC comic books!

Thursday, July 26
10:30-11:30: DC Talent Search Orientation 1
Come hear what DC Comics looks for in artists and how to improve your chances at becoming a working professional. Remember, diversity is the key with DC: DC Universe, Vertigo, WildStorm, Mad Magazine, Minx and more! This extremely informative orientation session will explain how DC's Talent Search works. In order to have your work reviewed, attendance at this orientation session is mandatory - not all attendees are guaranteed a review.

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Right Stuf is having a 33% off sale on all Icarus Publishing titles. The sale, which includes both trade paperbacks in stock and pre-order, lasts until July 18th.

Kodansha has officially announced that Comic Bon Bon (also known as Comic BomBom) will cease publication with its December issue, which goes on sale 11/15.

Also, a new monthly manga magazine aimed at junior high students, titled Monthly Shonen Rival, will debut next spring.

Ultimatum Tidbits also points out that Get Backers artist Rando Ayamine mentioned in his blog about "Preparing a serialization for a new manga magazine from Kodansha next April."

Source: Jiji Tsushin

Del Rey has announced its schedule for this year's Comic-Con International, taking place in San Diego on July 26 - 29. Del Rey also announced its plan to collaborate with Active Anime to bring "exclusive reports straight from the convention floor for those who cannot attend the convention."

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