The Star Online has published an article titled "Maids in Canada," which looks at the new iMaid Cafe that opened a few years ago in Toronto, Canada. From the article: "A TINY eatery decorated almost completely in black and white is creating a big buzz in Toronto, Canada, but it’s not the decor getting attention – it’s the servers, who all wear French maid outfits."

The annual Japan Otaku Prize is an event that gives out award to the most memorable otaku-related events or products each years.

The winners of the Japan Otaku Prize 06/07 has been recently announced:

• Grand Prize: Ultra-man 80 (from Ultra-man Mobius)
• Okada Toshio Prize: Aso Taro
• Karasawa Shin'ichi Prize: Lion-maru G
• Fujitsu Ryota Prize: Gintama
• Ishiguro Naoki Prize: Inukami
• Miya Shotaro Prize: Yomigaeru Sora – RESCUE WINGS-
• Tsuruoka Hosai Prize: Monthly COMIC Ryu

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From ICv2 comes the 2007 release schedule for DMP, June, and 801 Media:

June

DMP:
- Let's Draw Manga: Yaoi by Botan Yamada
June:
- Love Recipe Vol. 1 by Kirico Higashizato
- Picnic by Yugi Yamada
- Othello by Toui Hasumi
- Little Crybaby by Keiko Kinoshita
801 Media:
- Love is Like a Hurricane Vol. 1 by Tokiya Shimazaki

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After the bankruptcy of distributor Publishers Group West (PGW), former PGW client Dark Horse and Broccoli Books' have now found new distributors: Dark Horse distributions will now be handled by Diamond Book Distributors, while Broccoli Books will have its distribution handled by Perseus.

Source: ICv2

Responding to the popularity of their course "Manga & Anime Explosion: What, Why, How & Wow," UC Irvine Extension is now offering a follow-up course called "Manga & Anime Explosion: Story Development, Marketing and Adaptation." According to the press release, "course work will focus on putting characters into compelling story arcs and creating the visually dynamic imagery for which anime and manga are famous. The course, held Tuesday evenings from May 8-June 5, 7-10p.m., supports a growing demand for courses that assist budding manga and anime creators."

Celebrating International Women's Day, MangaBlog posts a comment from manga scholar Matt Thorn, which explains the truth behind Viz Media's short-lived manga Four Shoujo Stories.

MangaBlog's Brigid Alverson interviews Stephen Robson of Fanfare, who explains "the difference between Fanfare and Ponent Mon, why his books are so expensive, and what it's like being on the ground floor of the nouvelle manga revolution."

The new comic release list for March 7 2007 from ComicList, compiled by MangaCast.

Kodansha has confirmed that Koji Kumeta's Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei will be adapted into an anime. More information can be found on Kodansha's anime adaptation page.

According to AoD, Dark Horse has confirmed that the release dates of Octopus Girl and Museum of Terror have been postponed indefinitely.