Japan

From Heisei Democracy comes a timeline of recent events involving adult manga and doujinshi in Japan:

Whether you're a fan of loli or kyonyuu, futanari or shota, twins or tentacles, figures, anime, manga, or doujinshi, increased public scrutiny in Japan is affecting the nature of your hobby - right now.

Via: Icarus Blog

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theOtaku reports that a Japanese man major debt problems was caught trying to steal over a 100 volumes of manga from a bookstore in Tokyop:

The man was caught in Tokyo after stealing 101 volumes, including copies of Case Closed (Detective Conan) and Boys over Flowers (Hana Yori Dango). His method? Stuffing books into a small bag when no one was looking, then hiding the goods outside and doing it again. He was caught when an attendant at a bike store nearby spotted him.

A manga adaptation of the light novel Kimi no Iru Basho by Yuu Hizuki (author) and Keiko Yamamoto (illustrator) will begin serialization in Margaret No.24 (11/20). Kimi no Iru Basho was the winner of Cobalt Bunko's 2007 romance grand prize.

Also, the popular gothic/mystery light novel series GOSICK by Kazuki Sakuraba (author) and Hinata Takeda (illustrator) will be adapted into a manga. The manga will be drawn by Sakuya Amano and it will begin in the January 2008 issue of Dragon Age.

Source: LightNovel.org

topOne Piece by Eiichiro Oda is one of the most popular shonen manga today. Serialized in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump, the manga has a circulation of over 100 million.

Tsuredure Thoughts has written an article on the science found in One Piece, below is a translation of the article, so un-suspend your suspended disbelief as we tease out the make-believe science that is shown in One Piece.

Science Fiction One Piece
- I knew Luffy's comrades were something special~

Am I right in assuming you've heard of the manga One Piece?

As I write this, it's a popular manga being serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump. There's also an anime which airs every week on Sunday.

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ANN reports that computer drawing tablets maker Wacom has announced a new tablet/software package called Bamboo Comic:

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topA new cat manga magazine titled Neko Jikan was be launched on 10/26. Neko Jikan is the successor magazine of Neko Dama (Nekodama), which was suspended due to Aoba Shuppan's bankruptcy.

Also, other magazines formerly published by Aoba Shuppan have also been succeeded by magazines from other publishers. Green Arrow Shuppan's MYSTERY Sara (?????????????????????) (10/13) is the successor to Sakura Mystery, while MYSTERY Sara's extra issue, Mystery Blanc (????????????????????????), was launched on 10/22. Last but not least, Sakura Mystery DX has been transfered to Mediax and resumed publication on 10/6.

Chuosha reports that France Shoin's adult manga magazine Comic PAPIPO, originally launched in 1991, will cease publication after the 10/29 release of its December issue.

A new magazine titled Visualstyle was launched on 10/26. The magazine is centered around games, music and other entertainments. The first issue also featured a special feature on Clannad, as well as an interview with LIA. preview of the first issue can be found on the magazine's official website.

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The Okazu blog reports that Rica Takashima, creator of the yuri manga Rica 'tte Kanji!?, has given permission to a Spanish scanlation group to scanlate her manga.

Also mentioned is a new Yuricon toolbar, as well a Polish interview with Eriko Tadeno.

topShueisha has announced that JoJo's Bizarre Adventure by Hirohiko Araki will be adapted into a light novel series called The Book ~ JoJo's Bizarre Adventure 4th Another Day, with Otsuichi in charge of the story. The light novel will be released on 11/26.

According to the Comic Flapper Blog, Hideyuki Kikuchi's Vampire Hunter D will be adapted into a manga. According to the blog, volume 1 of the manga will be released on 11/14 in the U.S., Germany, Italy, Spain and other countries simultaneously.

According to Moon Phase, Kiminori Wagasugi's manga Detroit Metal City will be adapted into an anime and live-action film.

Biohazard (known as Resident Evil in the U.S.) will be adapted into a manga and serialize in Akita Shoten's Weekly Shounen Champion. The manga is written by Masaru Miyazaki and drawn by Naotsugu Matsueda. The first chapter will begin in Shounen Champion No.50.