Oricon, a company that originally ranked music sales (think Japanese Billboard), but nowadays ranks almost everything related to Japanese entertainment, has released the 2008 annual sales data on various types of media, including 2008 manga rankings.

Below is the 2008 Top 50 Ranking manga tankoubons and their sales data, and the Top 10 Series ranking as compiled by Oricon:

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Heisei Democracy, a blog "devoted to the latest in news, reviews, and opinion on the two-dimensional culture of Japan, with particular emphasis on the media (anime, manga, console games), ero (eroge, eroanime, eromanga, doujinshi), and hobby (PVC figures, garage kits, analog games) sides of the industry, and the culture and events surrounding them", has been inactive since September 2008. A few days ago, an announcement was posted announcing that the blog will resume operation.

Also, Ikimashou.net, another great otaku blog covering Japanese anime, manga, games and otaku culture in general that got its domain stolen at the beginning of 2008, is now back in action as well, and has made a post detailing what happened to the blog.

In late 2006, Leiji Matsumoto accused J-Pop singer Noriyuki Makihara of plagiarizing lyrics from the Galaxy Express 999 manga, and announced that he would like to hear an apology from Makihara. In 2007, Makihara Noriyuk filed a 22 million yen lawsuit against Leiji Matsumoto for "repeated demands for an apology and false accusation." Now Daily Yomiuri Online reports that the Tokyo District Court has ordered Leiji Matsumoto to pay 2.2 million yen in compensation for defaming Noriyuki Makihara:

The Tokyo District Court has ordered renowned manga artist Reiji Matsumoto to pay 2.2 million yen in compensation for defaming popular singer-songwriter Noriyuki Makihara in a case concerning Matsumoto's claim that Makihara wrote a song using words taken from one of his comics without permission.

Presiding Judge Misao Shimizu ruled Friday the phrases in question could not be considered overly similar and he ordered Matsumoto to pay compensation for saying on a TV program that Makihara had admitted plagiarism.

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In early December, former animeOnline news editor Gia announced the launch of Anime Vice, a new community-based anime site with sibling sites Giant Bomb (gaming) and Comic Vine (comics).

Also, a bit late, but Yaoi Press has moved its blog to a new address.

Finally, Manga Recon's Senior Manga Editor Katherine Dacey is stepping down, replaced by Michelle Smith.

HIMAWARI, Miyazaki Q&A, reviews, contests & more in episode 83!

GRIMES, IA, December 31, 2008 – Anime producer and mega-online anime retailer Right Stuf, Inc. is pleased to welcome Gia Manry – the managing editor of ANIME VICE – to episode 83 of ANIME TODAY.

During this interview, Manry talks about the recently launched site's focus, its user-driven content and extensive wiki-style database, and its relationship with sibling sites Giant Bomb (gaming) and Comic Vine (comics). In addition to Anime Vice, her writing and reporting can be found in Anime Insider and has appeared online at theOtaku.com and animeOnline.com.

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Comic Market, or Comiket, is the world's largest comic convention where fans gather to buy and sell doujinshi comics, games, etc.

The event takes place twice a year. The latest one, Comiket 75, is taking place from 12/28 - 12/31. Below is a round up of some of the English coverages from around the internet:

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If you post something often enough, and on a regular schedule, you don't have to keep making excuses and explaining yourself. Of course, I'm not at the point where these monthly reports can be considered regular-and-timely. Yet. (all apologies to gum; we'll do better next year!) ...but I think I have done enough of these (in a row) (and quite recently) that we can skip past an intro to:

Top 10 Manga Volumes:

1. ↔0 (1) : Vampire Knight 5 - Viz Shojo Beat, Sep 2008 [2250] ::
2. ↔0 (2) : Naruto 31 - Viz Shonen Jump, Sep 2008 [2244.9] ::
3. ↑33 (36) : Fullmetal Alchemist 17 - Viz, Oct 2008 [2182.1] ::
4. ↓-1 (3) : Bleach 24 - Viz Shonen Jump, Sep 2008 [2071.6] ::
5. ↓-1 (4) : Naruto 30 - Viz Shonen Jump, Jul 2008 [2039.8] ::
6. ↑13 (19) : Rosario+Vampire 3 - Viz Shonen Jump Advanced, Oct 2008 [1925.9] ::
7. ↑5 (12) : Vampire Knight 3 - Viz Shojo Beat, Oct 2007 [1868.7] ::
8. ↑3 (11) : Vampire Knight 2 - Viz Shojo Beat, May 2007 [1858] ::
9. ↑1 (10) : Naruto 29 - Viz Shonen Jump, May 2008 [1805.5] ::
10. ↓-5 (5) : Vampire Knight 1 - Viz Shojo Beat, Jan 2007 [1793.4] ::

Top 10 Manga Series:

1. ↔0 (1) : Naruto - Viz Shonen Jump, Jul 2003 [86.59]
2. ↑1 (3) : Bleach - Viz Shonen Jump, Jun 2004 [57.07]
3. ↑1 (4) : Fruits Basket - Tokyopop, Feb 2004 [54.56]
4. ↓-2 (2) : Death Note - Viz Shonen Jump Advanced, Oct 2005 [52.65]
5. ↔0 (5) : Vampire Knight - Viz Shojo Beat, Jan 2007 [51.82]
6. ↔0 (6) : Rosario+Vampire - Viz Shonen Jump Advanced, Jun 2008 [42.25]
7. ↑2 (9) : Fullmetal Alchemist - Viz, Apr 2005 [38.4]
8. ↔0 (8) : Warriors - HC/Tokyopop, Apr 2007 [31.38]
9. ↓-2 (7) : Kingdom Hearts - Tokyopop, Oct 2005 [31.1]
10. ↑2 (12) : Ouran High School Host Club - Viz Shojo Beat, Jul 2005 [29.31]

(commentary & full charts follow)

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For those of you following along with the home game, November '08 will follow within the week -- and I've something special in the works for December/The End of The Year. But October numbers come first:

Top 10 Manga Volumes:

1. ↑2 (3) : Vampire Knight 5 - Viz Shojo Beat, Sep 2008 [2660.1] ::
2. ↓-1 (1) : Naruto 31 - Viz Shonen Jump, Sep 2008 [2615.5] ::
3. ↑1 (4) : Bleach 24 - Viz Shonen Jump, Sep 2008 [2510.8] ::
4. ↓-2 (2) : Naruto 30 - Viz Shonen Jump, Jul 2008 [2274] ::
5. ↑1 (6) : Vampire Knight 1 - Viz Shojo Beat, Jan 2007 [2178.5] ::
6. ↓-1 (5) : Death Note 2 - Viz Shonen Jump Advanced, Nov 2005 [2082.3] ::
7. ↑60 (67) : Loveless 8 - Tokyopop, Sep 2008 [2051.8] ::
8. ↓-1 (7) : Naruto 28 - Viz Shonen Jump, Mar 2008 [2014.5] ::
9. ↑7 (16) : Death Note 1 - Viz Shonen Jump Advanced, Oct 2005 [1993.1] ::
10. ↓-2 (8) : Naruto 29 - Viz Shonen Jump, May 2008 [1975.1] ::

Top 10 Manga Series:

1. ↔0 (1) : Naruto - Viz Shonen Jump, Jul 2003 [100]
2. ↔0 (2) : Death Note - Viz Shonen Jump Advanced, Oct 2005 [67.41]
3. ↔0 (3) : Bleach - Viz Shonen Jump, Jun 2004 [67.12]
4. ↔0 (4) : Fruits Basket - Tokyopop, Feb 2004 [60.91]
5. ↔0 (5) : Vampire Knight - Viz Shojo Beat, Jan 2007 [59.84]
6. ↑2 (8) : Rosario+Vampire - Viz Shonen Jump Advanced, Jun 2008 [39.8]
7. ↔0 (7) : Kingdom Hearts - Tokyopop, Oct 2005 [37.75]
8. ↓-2 (6) : Warriors - HC/Tokyopop, Apr 2007 [35.15]
9. ↑13 (22) : Fullmetal Alchemist - Viz, Apr 2005 [33.25]
10. ↑2 (12) : Chibi Vampire - Tokyopop, Apr 2006 [32.54]

(commentary & full charts follow)

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The following charts may be a tad late, but I'm committed to posting in chronological order. (October and November will follow before the end of the year)

Top 10 Manga Volumes:

1. ↔0 (1) : Naruto 31 - Viz Shonen Jump, Sep 2008 [3047.2] ::
2. ↑2 (4) : Naruto 30 - Viz Shonen Jump, Jul 2008 [2820.9] ::
3. ↓-1 (2) : Vampire Knight 5 - Viz Shojo Beat, Sep 2008 [2690.9] ::
4. ↓-1 (3) : Bleach 24 - Viz Shonen Jump, Sep 2008 [2651.2] ::
5. ↔0 (5) : Death Note 2 - Viz Shonen Jump Advanced, Nov 2005 [2524.9] ::
6. ↔0 (6) : Vampire Knight 1 - Viz Shojo Beat, Jan 2007 [2455.7] ::
7. ↔0 (7) : Naruto 28 - Viz Shonen Jump, Mar 2008 [2441.4] ::
8. ↔0 (8) : Naruto 29 - Viz Shonen Jump, May 2008 [2388.5] ::
9. ↔0 (9) : Fruits Basket 20 - Tokyopop, Jul 2008 [2361] ::
10. ↑1 (11) : Death Note 6 - Viz Shonen Jump Advanced, Jul 2006 [2327.3] ::

Top 10 Manga Series:

1. ↔0 (1) : Naruto - Viz Shonen Jump, Jul 2003 [100]
2. ↔0 (2) : Death Note - Viz Shonen Jump Advanced, Oct 2005 [67.4]
3. ↑1 (4) : Bleach - Viz Shonen Jump, Jun 2004 [64.66]
4. ↓-1 (3) : Fruits Basket - Tokyopop, Feb 2004 [60.27]
5. ↔0 (5) : Vampire Knight - Viz Shojo Beat, Jan 2007 [53.14]
6. ↔0 (6) : Warriors - HC/Tokyopop, Apr 2007 [35.36]
7. ↑1 (8) : Kingdom Hearts - Tokyopop, Oct 2005 [32.3]
8. ↓-1 (7) : Rosario+Vampire - Viz Shonen Jump Advanced, Jun 2008 [28.23]
9. ↑24 (33) : Gentlemen's Alliance† - Viz Shojo Beat, Mar 2007 [28.15]
10. ↓-1 (9) : Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle - Del Rey, Apr 2004 [27.58]

Yes, I think we all know that folks like Naruto. Past the two top 10s the charts get a little more interesting.

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TORRANCE, CA - December 10, 2008 - Deux Press, the yaoi imprint of Aurora Publishing, has picked up the title Cigarette Kisses by Nase Yamato. Originally, Boysenberry Books, the yaoi imprint of Broccoli Books, was to release this title. However, with Broccoli Books shutting down, the title will be dropped from their list. Lucky for all of the Nase Yamato fans, Deux Press (who is already releasing her Take Me to Heaven in January 2009) was able to acquire the rights to the title, and fans can expect the manga to be released sometime in the second half of 2009.

For more information, visit http://www.deux-press.com

San Diego, California, Tuesday, December 9, 2008

JAST USA announces that Princess Waltz, its new PC dating-sim/card battle game for adults, has shipped and is available on PC DVD-ROM as well as Internet Download Edition. Princess Waltz is one of the most popular adult anime-style PC games to be released in recent years in Japan, and it features high quality graphics, a compelling fantasy storyline w/innovative card battle action, and a degree of erotic and emotional intensity that only Japan's love-simulation games can bring.

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Placement Validates How Well Integrated Manga And Anime Ninja Character Has Become In Popular Culture

San Francisco, CA, December 4, 2008 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry's most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, has announced that NARUTO has been named by Yahoo! as the Number 7 most-searched term in 2008, as reported by the Yahoo! 2008 Year In Review Top 10 Search list. The list, which is available at YearInReview.yahoo.com, provides insights about popular culture and what Yahoo! searchers cared about most throughout 2008. The spunky ninja-in-training NARUTO appears on the list beside future President Barack Obama, fan favorites American Idol and the WWE and celebrities and personalities such as Miley Cyrus, Angelina Jolie and Lindsay Lohan.

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Comic book publishing studio eigoMANGA (http://www.eigomanga.com), has announced the upcoming release of a special graphic novel publication — Sakura Pakk Versus Rumble Pak Graphic Novel — for the first time features a combination of shonen (male-oriented) and shojo (female-oriented) stories from Sakura Pakk (http://www.SakuraPakk.com) and Rumble Pak (http://www.RumblePak.com).

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From Papo de Budega comes an interview with Queenie Chan, creator of Tokyopop's The Dreaming, which is also being released in Brazil by Lumus.