In "Coping through comics: Manga sheds light on autism," The Daily Yomiuri talks to Keiko Tobe, mangaka of Hikari to Tomoni (With the Light), winner of the Excellence Prize for manga at the 2004 Japan Media Arts Festival.

Also, Forbes takes a look at the Romanian manga scene in "Romanian Rhapsody."

Via: MangaBlog

From Weekly Jump Readers' Journal comes an article feature titled "WSJ Illustrated Guide: pt. 5 (1995-1999)," Part 5 of a 6-part series of articles that look at important Shonen Jump serializations, with a focus on titles that were adapted into anime.

In early December last year, ANN reported that Japanese publisher Dijima will ceased operation after suspending its free manga magazine Comic Gumbo. Now Anime! Anime! reports that Dijima has officially filed for bankruptcy. Manga Jouhou has a translation of the article:

According to the Teikoku Databan, the large bankruptcy journal, on January 4th, [Dijima] Co. began the procedure of filing for bankruptcy at the Tokyo Region Court. The company applied to Tokyo District Court for voluntary bankruptcy on December 28th. The administration dealing with the bankruptcy is accepting credit reports until February 15th. The aggregate amount of the debt is thought to be about 200 million yen.

A manga adaptation of Atlus' game Etrian Odyssey II (世界樹の迷宮II ) (also known as Sekaiju no Meikyuu or Yggdrasil Labyrinth) by FLIPFLOPs will begin serialization in the March issue of Ichijinsha's Comic REX, on sale 2/9. Also starting in the same issue is a new manga titled Eru-Eru Sister (える・えるシスター) by Yokoshima Takemaru.

Last but not least, an important announcement will be made regarding Takenashi Eri's Kannagi (かんなぎ). According to Moon Phase, it will be news of Kannagi's anime adaptation.

Kenjirou Takeshita (mangaka of Cocoon and Happy World!) will start a new manga titled Tsuriya Nagare (釣り屋 ナガレ) in Akita Shoten's Weekly Shonen Champion No.6 (1/10).

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MediaWorks has launched the official site of its the Dengeki Comics imprint at http://dc.dengeki.com/

Also, the official site for Dengeki Bunko and Dengeki Bunko Magazine have been renewed

Source: Moon Phase

From Weekly Jump Readers' Journal comes an article feature titled "WSJ Illustrated Guide: pt. 4 (1990-1994)," Part 4 of a 6-part series of articles that look at important Shonen Jump serializations, with a focus on titles that were adapted into anime.

Kodansha's josei manga magazine Beth will cease publication as of issue 8, on sale 1/8.

A notice from the editorial department was posted on Beth's homepage, thanking its readers, writers, and saying goodbye.

Beth was launched by Kodansha in November 2006. The magazine was originally focused on romance, but later began to concentrate more on single adult women.

Source: Ultimatum

A new manga titled Nana to Kaoru (ナナとカオル) from Ryuta Amazume, mangaka of Toshiue no Hito, began serialization in Hakusensha's Young Animal Arashi No.2, on sale 1/4. A preview of the title can be found on this page (click the lower right "Enter")

Also, a new title by Tatsuya Mikami called Kiryuuin Saeko Tantei Jimusho (鬼龍院冴子 探偵事務所) will begin serialization in Shogakukan's Big Comic Spirits No.8 (1/21).

Source: Ultimatum

AN reports that the winners of the 7th Annual Japanese Otaku Awards have been announced:

• Grand Prix: Video-sharing sites (like Nico Nico Douga)
• Hidekuni Shida Award: The Idolm@ster
• Dorii Osaki Award: Blade Runner 25th Anniversary Ultimate Collector's Edition
• Naoki Ishiguro Award: Seto no Hanayome
• Hisashi Maeda Award: School Days
• Harayasa Toukaimura Award: Evangelion: 1.0 You Are [Not] Alone
• Masumi Kurata Award: Kamen Rider Den-O
• Shunichi Karasawa Award: The UFO debate in the Japanese Parliament
• Housai Tsuruoka Award: Regular Kyaku no Kobayashi-kun
• Animedia Award: Yasai no Yousei - N.Y. Salad

Also otaku-related, Danny Choo has a report of police hunting otaku in Akihabara.

From Weekly Jump Readers' Journal comes an article feature titled "WSJ Illustrated Guide: pt. 3 (1985-1989)," Part 3 of a 6-part series of articles that look at important Shonen Jump serializations, with a focus on titles that were adapted into anime.