Houbunsha has launched a new light novel label titled Houbunsha KR Bunko (芳文社KR文庫). Works published under this label will be novel adaptations of 4-panel manga serialized in Houbunsha's 4-panel manga magazines.

The first 4-panel manga to be adapted to a light novel and published under the Houbunsha KR will be Ume Aoki's Hidamari Sketch.

Yaoi Press is offering a $100 reward to those who can find a yaoi manga published in Europe in a language other than English.

Can you give me a link to the publisher’s website, and the name and email of the person to inquire about licensing it in English?

Terms:

1. You show me this property somehow. Probably an online listing for it, or maybe you have scans or something.

2. You give me the name and email of who to contact.

[...]

If you do that, then I’ll pay you $100 USD after the licensing contract is signed via Paypal or check.

Via: Yaoi Suki

Yaoi Suki points out a new yaoi manga, Voice or Noise by Yamimaru Enjin, on Amazon.com, which appears to be a new license from Tokyopop's yaoi imprint BLU. There is currently no official confirmation regarding the license.

MangaCast reports that two new shojo titles, Wild Ones by Fujihara Kiyo and Special A by Maki Minami, have appeared on Simon & Schuster's catalog under Viz Media, and is set for release in Q4 2007. Currently there has been no official announcement from Viz regarding the licenses.

According to the latest Broccoli Books Blog, Square-Enix will attend this year's San Diego Comic-Con to promote their manga division. It is not clear at the moment whether Square-Enix will simply be promoting their Japan Division, or if there are plans to set up a new North American Manga Division,

A new series titled Ocha ni Gosu by Hiroyuki Nishimori, creator of Cheeky Angel and Kyou Kara Ore Wa!!, will begin serialization in Shogakukan's Weekly Shonen Sunday issue 17, on sale 3/24.

Source: Ultimatum Chat

In late 2006, Leiji Matsumoto accused J-Pop singer Noriyuki Makihara of plagiarizing lyrics from the Galaxy Express 999 manga, and announced that he would like to hear an apology from Makihara.

Now Makihara Noriyuk has filed a 22 million yen lawsuit against Leiji Matsumoto for "repeated demands for an apology and false accusation."

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In 2005 Fuji TV introduced a new anime programming block called "noitaminA" (Animation backwards). In early 2006, an anime titled Ayakashi ~Japanese Classic Horror~ (怪 ～ayakashi～ ) was aired on noitaminA. Ayakashi, based on three classic Japanese horror stories, attracted many fans due to its unique style, however, the anime was fairly short and soon came to an end.

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Icarus Blog reports that Diamond has announced the result of the 2006 Gem Awards, where retailers cast their vote based on "quality, creativity and sales performance" in the market.

Viz Media was picked for "Video Manufacturer of the Year" and "Manga Trade Paperback of the Year for Naruto volume 9." Also, Dark Horse receives the "Special Recognition of Achievement in Publishing" award.

Source: Icarus Blog

Currently a preview of Del Rey's American manga Make 5 Wishes can be found on Tokyopop's website.

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