From ComicBitsOnline comes an article titled "Manhua, Manhwa & Manga," which takes a brief look at the history of Hong Kong comics -- also known as manhua.

Via: MangaBlog

In the latest issue of PWCW, Kai-Ming Cha takes a look at Korean publisher YoungJin.'s educational imprint, Y.Kids, which recently released a line of educational manga aimed at children between 9 to 12:

All Y.kids books are original material, produced specifically for the English-speaking market in left-to-right reading format and in full color. Marciniak said he expects this will make Y.kids material more palatable for educators and give the publisher a competitive advantage.

Okazu, one of the "oldest and most comprehensive blog for Yuri anime and manga reviews, information and events" celebrated its 5th anniversary today:

Today is a milestone. Five years ago today I wrote the first Okazu post. In it, I explained why I chose "Okazu" as the title of my blog [...]

Pfizer Incorporated, the pharmaceutical company that produces sildenafil citrate, otherwise known as Viagra, is currently serializing a manga titled Nisemono? (Fake?) by Hiroshi Motomiya on its Japanese homepage. The manga aims to help men who are suffering from erectile dysfunction.

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From Comics in the Classroom comes an interview with Jason Thompson, who talks about about his upcoming book Manga: The Complete Guide, which will be released by Del Rey in October.

Source: MangaBlog

From ICv2 comes an article on Yen Press and some of its recently licensed manga. The article also touches on Yen Press' new manga anthology, which will debut in the summer of 2008 and will feature a mixture of translated and original stories.

Popular shojo mangaka Mayu Shinjo will be starting a new series titled Midnight???Children in Shueisha's Bessatsu Margaret (Betsuma) September issue (8/11).

Also, Mayu Shinjo announced on her blog that she is now in charge of creating illustrations for the official Gundam SEED/Gundam SEED Destiny mobile website, SEED Club Mobile. Mayu Shinjo used to publish Gundam doujinshi, and now she will be creating official illustrations for the website of the popular mecha series.

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A new manga from Eiji Nonaka titled Hataki will begin serialization in Kodansha's Evening issue 18, on sale 8/28.

Eiji Nonaka is known for the manga Cromartie High School, which won the 2002 Kodansha Manga Award for Shonen Manga, and was nominated for the 2006 Eisner awards for Best U.S. Edition of Foreign Material.

Source: Ikesan from FR-NEO RE

Japan Foundation Brazil (Funda????o Jap??o S??o Paulo) is currently promoting a lecture called "Beginning of Japanese animation in the televisions" that's taking place in Brazil, which will analyze the origin of Japanese animation.

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From Comicsnob comes the "Consolidated Online Manga Sales Rankings for 10 August" based on figured from Amazon, B&N, BAMM, Chapters and TRSI:

1. Bleach
2. Naruto
3. Fruits Basket
4. Warriors (single volume)
5. Death Note
6. Tsubasa
7. Fullmetal Alchemist
* Dark Hunger ??? Feehan (preorder) (single volume)
8. Absolute Boyfriend
* Making Comics ??? McCloud
9. Yotsuba&!
10. Ouran High School Host Club