October, 2007

ANN reports that Slam Dunk and Vagabond creator Takehiko Inoue is coming to NYC this November:

Viz Media is planning to host Takehiko Inoue, the world-renowned manga creator of Slam Dunk, Vagabond, and REAL, as a special guest at the new Kinokuniya flagship bookstore in New York City on November 19. Inoue will create an exclusive drawing on a wall that has been reserved for him on the store's second floor.

In its latest issue of Manga a la Carte, "Pros are Fans Too," MangaCast dives into the world of doujinshi, where even professional manga artists can't resist expressing their fandom through various kinds of doujin works.

Taipei Times is reporting that Taiwanese officials are asking elementary school teachers to watch out for students who are reading Death Note, while the students think the manga is just fine:

Pingtung County Government officials recently issued instructions to elementary school teachers, asking them to heed any negative influence on students who immerse themselves in reading Death Note, a Japanese manga series that has recently grown in popularity on campus.

Source: MangaBlog

topKara no Kyoukai (Kara no Kyoukai) is a long adventure novel authored by Kinoko Nasu, the scenario writer for Type-Moon, which became famous through its games Tsukihime and Fate/stay night.

The novel was first published at Comiket 61 in 2001, and was later re-released by Kodansha in 2004. At the end of 2006, Type-Moon announced that Kara no Kyoukai will be adapted into a 7-part movie series by ufotable under the title Kara no Kyoukai ~Garden of Sinners~.

As Kara no Kyoukai is being fully animated for the big screen, Karzu, an impassioned fan of Kinoko Nasu, got to talk to him about this and that. The 2-part interview was published on Akiba Blog in September. Below is the English version of Part 2 of the interview.

[Karzu SP] Interview with Master Kinoko Nasu concerning the theatrical version of Kara no Kyoukai: Part 2

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topKara no Kyoukai (Kara no Kyoukai) is a long adventure novel authored by Kinoko Nasu, the scenario writer for Type-Moon, which became famous through its games Tsukihime and Fate/stay night.

The novel was first published at Comiket 61 in 2001, and was later re-released by Kodansha in 2004. At the end of 2006, Type-Moon announced that Kara no Kyoukai will be adapted into a 7-part movie series by ufotable under the title Kara no Kyoukai ~Garden of Sinners~.

As Kara no Kyoukai is being fully animated for the big screen, Karzu, an impassioned fan of Kinoko Nasu, got to talk to him about this and that. The 2-part interview was published on Akiba Blog in September. Below is the English version of Part 1 of the interview.

[Karzu SP] Interview with Kinoko Nasu Concerning the Theatrical Version of Kara no Kyoukai: Part 1

Read More »

topKadokawa Shoten's manga magazine Beans Ace will become a bi-monthly magazine as of volume 10.

Also, with the release of volume 3 of Houbunsha's manga magazine Comic Yell! (11/10), the magazine will become a bi-monthly magazine. The magazine is mentioned by the publisher as a "pure and cute shoujo manga magazine for males."

The first issue of a new cat manga magazine titled Neko Mero! will be released by Gentosha Comics on October 16th, 2007. The magazine will be published quarterly.

Source: Ultimatum Tidbits

topJump SQ's official website has announced that the Shiki horror fantasy novels by Fuyumi Ono will be adapted into a manga series by Ryu Fujisaki (mangaka of Hoshin Engi). The new manga will start in Jump Square's January 2008 issue (12/4).

The light novel Maid Deka by Yuji Hayami (author) and Kiyotaka Haimura (illustrator) will be adapted into an online manga. The new manga, drawn by Michiko Usami, will begin serialization in FlexComix Blood on October 12, 2007.

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The Japan Times interviews Junko Mizuno, who is known for her works that mixes childish cuteness with blood and terror.

Source: MangaBlog

Dark Horse has announced that it will stop releasing Hiroaki Samura's samurai manga, Blade of the Immortal, in its monthly comic book format as of issue 131, and focus on releasing the manga as a graphic novel. AICN Anime has an interview with Dark Horse's Blade of the Immortal editor Philip Simon, who shares his opinion on the end of the monthly edition of the manga.

According to ANN, the Washington State Young Adult Review Group (WSYARG) has nominated volume one of Death Note for the 2008 Evergreen Young Adult Book Award.

The following manga appeared on the USA Today Booklist Top 150 (PDF) for the week ending October 7th:

  • #69 - Naruto, Volume 21 - Viz - (Last week: -)
  • #77 - Naruto, Volume 20 - Viz - (Last week: -)
  • #82 - Naruto, Volume 19 - Viz - (Last week: -)
  • #109 - Bleach, Volume 21 - Viz - (Last week: #220)

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Imaginova, a "leading digital media and commerce company that reaches a large intellectually curious audience," announced today that it has officially acquired the comics website Newsarama:

As of last Monday, Newsarama officially became part of the Imaginova Network (you may already know some of Imaginova’s sites like LiveScience and Space.com).

Via: MangaBlog

From MangaCast comes "The Morning Report: Issue 38," which takes an in-depth look at Kodansha's seinen manga magazine Morning, as well as various manga artists whose works are serialized in the magazine.

Moon Phase reports that MediaWorks' light novel magazine Dengeki hp No.50 will be the last issue that carries the title "Dengeki hp." In December, the magazine will be relaunched under a new title (currently the temporary title is "Dengeki Bunko Magazine").

Source: LightNovel.org

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ANN reports that Junko Mizuno, manga artist of Cinderalla and Princess Mermaid, will be making an appearance at the Kidrobot collectibles stores in Los Angeles, California and New York City, New York on October 9th and 11th:

She will be signing figures based on her Pure Trance "kawaii noir" manga. Kidrobot is producing 500 US$75.00 figures each of the Keiko the Director and Kaori the Nurse characters.

Yomiuri Shimbun is reporting that Rieko Akatsuka, daughter of the "King of Gag Comics" Fujio Akatsuka, is organizing exhibitions of her bedridden father's works:

"I finally recognize the greatness of my father's work and the importance of managing it," Rieko said.

Having been active as an artist in Britain--there were more than 10 exhibitions of her work there--Rieko believed she had gained experience that would help her in organizing her father's exhibition, including finding ways of displaying his work.

Via: ¡Journalista!

topA new manga titled Kunaiden (クナイ伝) by Tabasa Osato will begin serialization in Weekly Shonen Sunday No.46 (10/17)

A new manga called Welcome Dream Student Council (ようこそ 夢現生徒会) by Yokashin Matsuda will start in Monthly Shonen Champion November issue (10/6).

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Limited Edition Design Will Only Be Available Via VIZ Media Online Store at Store.viz.com

San Francisco, CA, October 8, 2007 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry's most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, has teamed with alternative footwear manufacturer T.U.K. Shoes to offer limited edition BLEACH street shoes that will be offered exclusively through the VIZ Media online store at store.viz.com. The shoes will have a suggested retail price of $65 (USD) and will be limited to only 360 pairs. Pre-orders will be accepted only through the web site beginning today. Orders will be shipped to customers in mid-February 2008.

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Media Blasters has announced several new acquisitions at this year's MangaNEXT:

  • Akihabara@DEEP by Akane Makoto & Ishida Ira
  • Strawberry-chan no Karei na Seikatsu by Morinaga Ai

Source: MangaCast

Del Rey Manga has announced several new acquisitions at this year's MangaNEXT:

  • Selected works from Faust, a novel and manga magazine from Kodansha
  • Toto! Wonderful Adventure by Yu-ko Osada
  • Haridama Magical Cram School by Atsushi Suzumi (mangaka of Venus Versus Virus)
  • Maid Machinegun (novel) by Ariya

Source: Giapet

Today, the influence of manga can be seen everywhere, from diplomacy to international manga awards. However, a part of the manga culture is slowly fading away.

ITmedia recently talked to Ukio Takano (58), who purchased an old church for 3 million yen in April 2006 and turned it into the manga museum Aomushi (青虫, the name of the museum came from Seirindo/青林堂, publisher of the legendary comic magazine Garo, and Osamu Tezuka) hoping that it will help people remember the part of manga culture that make up the foundation of today's prospering manga culture. In the article, Takano talks about "Rental Manga":

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ANN reports that Jason Thompson will be holding launch events to promote the release of his book Manga: The Complete Guide in New Jersey and California later this month:

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From Yaoi Suki comes the annual Yaoi Awards. In '06-'07 Yaoi Awards: Part I, the winners are:

  • Best Seme: Yuuichi Hajizume, Scandalous Seiryo University
  • Best Uke: Yuuichi Hajizume, Scandalous Seiryo University
  • Couple We'd Break Up: Shirou and Fujimaru, Midaresomenishi
  • Read On Mute: Pleasure Dome

Also announced is a contest in conjunction with this year's Yaoi-Con called Yaoi-Con Bingo.