Last month Shogakukan requested a doujinshi artist to cease publication of his work, a doujinshi titled Doraemon - Final Episode. The doujinshi was released at Comiket 69 (Winter 2005). The work was drawn and written so well that many fans thought it was the official conclusion to Doraemon.

Although the doujinshi's author has stopped distributing the work, the Mandarake store in Akihabara has put up a poster that says: "Doraemon - Final Episode for 8,000 yen."

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According to Japan Economic Times, Kadokawa Group Holdings has announced its plan to establish a new content management division, which will handle content copyrights.

From a translation by ANS:

The new company will handle the copyright of about 500 titles, including Tokikake, to start off with. A game unit spin-off will produce the first ever Haruhi Suzumiya video game adaptation as its initial project.

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On March 14th, 11 manga artists filed a 22 million yen lawsuit for "illegally distributing copyrighted works without permission." against the 2 men who operated the manga download site 464.jp.

The website, 464.jp, hosted manga scans that amounted to over 17,000 volumes, including 1,300 titles by nearly 700 authors. In February 2006 the men were arrested and later found guilty of copyright infringement. In June 2006, 464.jp was relaunched as a website that aims to raise new manga artists.

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Manga top 10 according to Tohan.

1. One Piece Vol.45
2. Gintama Vol.17
3. Katekyo Hitman Reborn! Vol.14
4. The Prince of Tennis Vol.37
5. Kiniro no Corda Vol.8
6. Steel Ball Run Vol.11
7. Shin Say Hello to Black Jack Vol.1
8. Gyagu Manga Biyori Vol.8
9. One-Pound Gospel Vol.4
10. Rurouni Kenshin Perfect Edition Vol.17 + 18

The latest issue of PWCW has two articles focused on yaoi.

The first one, "A Year of Yaoi at Iris Print," looks at the history and growth of publisher Iris Print.

The second article, "Media Blasters Drops Shonen; Adds Yaoi," looks at how Media Blasters is dropping their shonen titles in favor of a yaoi lineup.

Via: Icarus Blog

The new comic release list for March 14 2007 from ComicList, compiled by MangaCast.

Ken Akamatsu wrote in the 2/27 entry of his online dairy that a Negima-related surprise will be announced in April.

Recently Japanese fans discovered a post on actress Ai Tanimoto's blog (currently unavailable), which mentions that a Negima! live-action drama is planned for the upcoming year, and that she will be playing the role of one of the girls.

There has been no official confirmation regarding a Negima! live-action drama.

The winners of Tokyopop's Rising Stars of Manga 7 competition have been announced:

Best of Action: Ares Maier by Daniel Lucius Cross
Best of Comedy: B is for Bishie by Margaux Hymel and Russell Herrick
Best of Drama: Melody by Stacy Nguyen
Best of Fantasy: Fortune Finders! by Jerry D. Garcia
Best of Horror: Gagaku Berceuse by Erick Melton and William Ruzicka
Best of Mystery: Scratched by Crystal Hawkins
Best of Romance: I'll Be Waiting by Lanny Liu
Best of Sci-Fi: Argosy by Megan Spence and Erin Simpson
People's Choice Winner: BlueBlood by Ryan Mauskopf

From Read Express comes an interview with Eric Wight, creator of Tokyopop's My Dead Girlfriend.

ICv2 reports that famed video game company Namco Bandai Holdings, publisher Kadokawa and animation house Toei have recently completed a series of cross-investments. The deal is seen as a effort to strengthen the relationship among all three content producers.

Source: ANN