Tokyopop is currently looking for a new Online Business Development Director:

TOKYOPOP has an exciting opportunity for a business development guru in the new media/interactive space. We are looking for an experienced professional to lead, sell, develop, and exploit the company's various opportunities from online, magazine, publishing, sponsorship and retail partnership opportunities. Our ideal candidate thrives in new media yet has the experience to push the boundaries in the more traditional publishing space. Prior experience and contacts in a similar industry is extremely helpful. Should have a strong interest and understanding of this fast changing teen/tween marketplace.

Via: Icarus Blog

theOtaku.com is celebrating its 7th anniversary with a complete relaunch in late November:

The domain, theOtaku.com, was registered October 20, 2000. Exactly 7 years ago. Spill out the frosted pocky and guzzle a few of those import-Final Fantasy potion drinks. [...] Looking forward, we have the first major relaunch of theOtaku and myOtaku in four years(!) approaching rapidly (Version Vibrant), with an expected launch date of late November. You can expect a completely new design, new technology, and new features.

USA Today has published an article titled "Manga comics losing longtime hold on Japan," which looks at how manga sales have been on a gradual decline over recent years:

Sales of manga fell 4% in Japan last year to 481 billion yen ($4.1 billion) — the fifth straight annual drop, according to the Tokyo-based Research Institute for Publications. Manga magazine sales have tumbled from a peak of 1.34 billion copies in 1995 to 745 million last year.

Via: ANN

FlexComix Flare, a new online magazine aimed at females readers, was launched on October 18th on Yahoo! Comic. Currently 2 manga titles are being serialized on the magazine's website.

ICv2 has released its Top Ten Manga Properties for Q3 2007:

1. Naruto
2. Fruits Basket
3. Bleach
4. Kingdom Hearts
5. Death Note
6. Pokemon
7. Vampire Knight
8. Tsubasa
9. Fullmetal Alchemist
10. Millennium Snow

According to Yaoi Suki, Blu will be raising the price of their manga by 30% in 2008, going from $9.99 to $12.99. According to this forum thread, the price hike starts in 2008.

Via: MangaBlog

ANN reports that ealier this week, a man named Makoto Kawai attempted to rob a manga cafe in the Asakusa area of Tokyo around midnight, but was arrested by the police:

On Tuesday, a young man was arrested by police in the Asakusa area of Tokyo for the attempted robbery of one of the manga cafes where he occasionally stayed. The suspect, Makoto Kawai, allegedly entered the cafe after midnight and, threatening the counter clerk with a razor cutter, demanded 1 million yen. The police were called, and the suspect was arrested at the scene.

From ICv2 comes an interview with Philip Simon, editor of Dark Horse's Blade of the Immortal.

From Mision Tokyo comes a list of the manga that will be available at this year's Salón del Manga, an annual manga convention that takes place in Spain.

Via: Sheila

Top 10 manga (10/17) according to Tohan:

1. Hunter X Hunter, Volume 24
2. Bleach, Volume 30
3. Initial D, Volume 36
4. Gintama, Volume 20
5. Claymore, Volume 13
6. Vampire Knight, Volume 6
7. 21st Century Boys, Part 2
8. Kiniro no Corda, Volume 17
9. Katekyo Hitman Reborn! Official Character Book
10. To-LOVE-Ru, Volume 6

Additional Rankings:

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