Manga News and Information
February, 2007Manga top 10 according to Tohan. The Harvard University Asia Center has announced the publication of a new book: Manga from the Floating World: Comicbook Culture and the Kibyoshi of Edo Japan by Adam L. Kern. Based on extensive research using primary sources in their original editions, "Manga from the Floating World" is the first full-length study in English of the kibyoshi, a vastly popular genre of humorous pictorial fiction for adults. In order to raise new talents for its own anime, manga and game industry, China will build its first "Anime, Manga and Game Talents Center" in Haidian District, Shanghai. Source: QianLong Beijing News Two new series will start in Weekly Shonen Champion No.12, on sale 2/15: Mighty Heart by Seishirou Matsuri In the newly released ICv2 Guide #39: Anime/Manga, ICv2 reports that according to U.S. publishers, 1461 volumes of manga will be released in 2007, a 16% increase from 2006's 1224 volumes. Also reported are the "Top 50 Manga Properties" and the "Top 25 Anime Properties" based on sales information from 2006, with Naruto, Fruits Basket and Kingdom Hearts taking the top 3 spots of the "Top 50 Manga Properties" list. Illustrator and manga artist Kazuhiro Watanabe (56) passed away on February 6th due to liver cancer. Watanabe has created illustrations for magazines and series such as Izumi Asa Jin No Tsuukin Kai Doku. Source: Sankei Web On January 26th, eBookJapan's I-Book Initiative Japan launched its "Shojo Manga Certification" project, a project to test one's knowledge of shojo manga. Josei Jishin, a vulgar magazine for women, also carried the feature in a recent issue. The test, supervised by mangaka Machiko, contains questions on recent popular shojo manga titles such as Nodame Cantabile, Honey and Clover, Sailor Moon and Chibi Maruko-chan, as well as classics like The Rose of Versailles and Patariro. Source: YuYu Diary
In the questionnaire, series creator Kenjiro Hata made up many interesting questions, "wonderful prizes" such as a Nintendo DS will go to those who receive a high score. Go! Comi has announced its schedule for the upcoming New York Comic-Con:
Los Angeles, CA (Feb 5, 2007)- TOKYOPOP, the leader of the Global Manga Revolution and HarperCollins Publishers, one of the top English-language publishers in the world, are pleased to announce the May 2007 release of Warriors: The Lost Warrior, the first graphic novel series to be launched under the two companies' recently announced innovative co-publishing deal. In January, a manga appeared on Yahoo! Auction with a starting bid of 1,000,000 yen. The manga in question is Fujiko Fujio's first manga Utopia - The Last World War, published in 1953 under the pen name of Ashizuka Fujio. In the end, the extremely rare and valuable manga was sold for 1,500,000 yen to the highest bidder. Source: Animated Cartoon Precocious Curmudgeon has posted a list of the top selling shonen and shojo manga in Singapore, compiled by the Sunday's edition of The Straits Times. MangaCast translates the weekly BL Doujinshi ranking in Japan (02/03) according to Toranoana's BL specialty store Princess Side. MangaCast translates the weekly Doujinshi ranking in Japan (02/03) according to Toranoana, compiled by Akiba Blog.
Deutsche Mangaka reports that Tokyopop has licensed the popular German manga Gothic Sports by Anike Hage. The first volume will be released in the U.S. on May 8th. Source: MangaBlog From Sequential Tart comes an interview with Yaoi Press founder and publisher, Yamila Abraham, who talks about BL, the market, and the future for Yaoi Press. Mr. Media's Bob Andelman interviews comics artist and film maker Mark Tatulli, who talks about his recent creation LIO. Yaoi Suki reports that two previously rumored titles from Blu have been confirmed: - Truly Kindly by Yoshinaga Fumi Preview of Go! Comi's upcoming Black Sun, Silver Moon is now available on Go! Comi's website. To catalyze the growth of the interactive digital media sector and the creative arts in Singapore, ComiAsia (www.comiasia.com) with the support of the Media Development Authority of Singapore (www.mda.gov.sg) have launched the first "ComiIdol 2007", a national contest to find, nurture and promote internationally the best digital artists in Singapore! Any aspiring individuals - from novices to professional digital artists - with an interest in creating digital art and comics will have the opportunity to submit and showcase their work, and stand a chance to win the coveted title of "ComiIdol 2007"! Many of the Island's institutes of higher learning, including Singapore Polytechnic, ITE College Central and LASALLE-SIA College of Arts, have already pledged their support for, and entries to, "ComiIdol 2007".
Director Katsuhiro Otomo (known for anime films such as Akira) adapted Mushishi into a live-action movie after his 16-year break. The movie was screened twice during the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah under the title Bugmaster (23-24th January), and all tickets were sold out. Offers for the rights to distribute the film overseas are rushing in from the U.S, Australia, Korea, and various other countries (10 total). A number of press came to the preview event, some audience even stood to watch because they couldn't buy reserved seats. Mushishi will appear on the screens in Japan on 24th of March. Cinema Leaf has posted an interview with Katsuhiro Otomo and Joe Odagiri, who played the role of Ginko (the main character of Mushishi). Icarus Publishing has posted previews of its June 2007 upcoming products (link NSFW), which includes The Spirit of Capitalism, Relish, Comic AG 61, 62, and Comic AG Mega Bundle 5 (issues 31 – 35). MangaCast reports a new Amazon Canada listing which reveals that MW (Pronounced "mu") by Osamu Tezuka has been licensed by Vertical. In the comment section, Dirk Deppey from The Comics Journal confirms that both MW, the previously discovered Andromeda Stories, and The Guin Saga Manga: The Seven Magi by Keichiro Ryu have all been licensed by Vertical. According to quotes from a Tokyopop rep, Tokyopop has licensed the former Gutsoon! title Brave Story. The quote also reveals that a yet-to-be-named Gutsoon! title has also been picked up by Tokyopop. Visit MangaCast for more information on the news. |
Manga Zombie
Finale: Panelosophy
An ongoing conversation about the philosophy behind manga both in the U.S. and abroad. Manga Ranking
Monthly charts of comparative manga rankings based on aggregate online sales listings from Matt Blind. |
Issue 8 of Weekly Shonen Sunday came with a "
A doujinshi titled 
On January 23rd, Director Katsuhiro Otomo and actor Joe Odagiri attended a public meeting during the preview event of the live-action movie 
ComiPress teams up with writer Udagawa Takeo and translator John Gallagher to publish an online version of the English-language translation of Manga Zombie.
