Manga top 10 according to Tohan.

1. Naruto vol.36
2. The Prince of Tennis vol.36
3. Katekyo Hitman Reborn! vol.13
4. Pluto vol.4
5. Lovely Complex vol.15
6. Gintama vol.16
7. Rurouni Kenshin Perfect Edition vol.13-14
8. Harukanaru Toki no Naka de vol.13
9. Bartender vol.7
10. Tegamibachi vol.1

On the USA Today Booklist Top 150 (PDF) for the week ending January 7, VIZ Media's Naruto volume 12 ranked #108, Death Note volume 9 ranked #126, and Tokyopop's Fruits Basket volume 15 ranked #148.

ANN reports that two titles, Tsubasa by CLAMP and Negima! by Ken Akamatsu, bot published in the U.S. by Del Rey, has been added to the American Anime Awards' manga ballot:

Read More »

From ANS:

An update on those Kara no Kyoukai illustrated paper shopping bags that were being passed out for free in limited quantities at Comiket 71. The items are now fetching 5,000 Yen apiece on Yahoo Auctions Japan. Other Kara no Kyoukai merchandise is also commanding premium prices with the news of the new movie.

Game company Idea Factory has announced a love-simulation Playstation 2 game based on Bisco Hatori's popular manga Ouran High School Host Club.

Source: Moon Phase

Apparel, costume and character merchandise manufacturer COSPA has announced new Dr. Slump (based on the manga by Akira Toriyama) themed t-shirts. The release of the t-shirt is part of the promotional effort for the release of the DVD-BOX "Dr.SLUMP Ararechan Nn-cha series" on March 23, 2007.

ANS reports that a new Leiji Matsumoto museum will be built in Kitakyushu. The museum is estimated for completion in 2009, and the redevelopment required is estimated to be several billion yen:

Read More »

Epoch will be releasing a limited edition Doraemon Air Cannon on March 3rd for 3,000 yen.

Read More »

Dark Horse gives The Beat their take on the AMS/PGW bankruptcy:

Due to our use of multiple distributors, this is not going to cause any interruption in flow of our books, for any of our imprints to any class or trade or market. PGW has been very good about staying in contact, and very cooperative.

Read More »

Pinafore, the maid cafe that appeared in Densha Otoko, announced a second branch in Bangkok, Thailand. Currently the Thailand cafe has 10 employees, and most of the maid are native Thailand residents.

Pinefore was established in 2004, and is currently one of the more popular maid cafe in Akihabara.