The beta version of animeOnline.com, a professional news and social networking centered around anime, manga and Japanese culture has been officially launched. Below is the full press release:

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Otaku News reports that a new manga store called Orbital Manga has opened "around the corner from Leicester Square and short walk from Covent Garden, on Upper Saint Martin's Lane."

Washington Post as published an article titled "Manga's Powerful Feminine Mystique," which looks at shojo manga and the "Girl Power! Girls' Comics From Japan" exhibition at the Japan Information and Culture Center in Northwest Washington.

The new comic release list for February 22 2007 from ComicList, compiled by MangaCast.

Manga top 10 according to Tohan.

1. Nodame Cantabile Vol.17
2. Hayate the Combat Butler Vol.10
3. Hajime no Ippo Vol.79
4. Bleach Vol.26
5. Fist of the Blue Sky Vol.16
6. Magic Kaito Vol.4
7. Major Vol.62
8. Beck Vol.29
9. D.Gray-man Vol.10
10. Boku to Kanojo no XXX Vol.23

Spanish publisher Norma Editorial has announced its "II Manga Competition" original manga competition. The publishing company will accept original titles until September 28th. Norma Editorial hopes to use this competition to stimulate the growth of new authors in Spain. All information are available in Spanish at Norma Editorial's Competition page (PDF). The winner of the competition will receive 2000 euros.

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On February 21st, Nagano district court prosecuted doujin manga creator Mizue Shimosato for income tax evasion of 65.7 million yen. Shimosato created The Prince of Tennis doujin and many other doujinshi works under the name of "Kaoruko Shinagawa." According to report, Shimosato reported to the tax office that her income was around 20 million yen for three years, while her true income was around 200 million yen, and the income tax her was supposed to pay was approximately 65.7 million yen.

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According to PWCW, Running Press, in its effort to expand into comics-related publishing, is partnering with Tokyopop to produce coloring books based on Princess Ai and Bizenghast.

Source: MangaBlog

Registration for Yuricon's 2007 "Yurisai" Event is is now open to public.

The first issue of a new magazine from Aoba Shuppan called Comic Junk will be released on February 26th. The monthly magazine will be sold for 390 yen, and will feature series such as Shin Naniwa Kinyudo by Yuji Aoki.

Also released on January 26th are two adult manga magazines:

- Young Dokan by Akebono Shuppan
- H na OL Daisuki! by Touen Shobo