After over 10 years of serialization (began in 1990), Mineko Ohkami's fantasy manga Dragon Knights finally came to an end in the June issue of Shinkosha's manga magazine Wings.

A second manga series, Ran Amanogawa's manga Kamiinu X Blood, also ended in the same issue of Wings.

Currently a majority of the original Chinese manga are composed of 4-panel comics and short stories. To promote original story-oriented manga, Zhejiang Gongshang University's Japanese Anime and Manga Cultural Research Group has organized the 1st Story-Oriented Original Manga Competition.

The competition, supported by Shueisha and many Chinese anime news websites and media, accepts any original manga between 10-45 pages long. The deadline is September 9th, winners will be announced in October.

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In an article titled "Korean Otaku Turn Aprons Up at 'Moe' Warm, Fuzzy Feelings," Mainichi Daily looks at the differences between Japanese otaku and Korean otaku, and how the concept of "Moe" does is almost non-existent in Korea's otaku culture:

"There's still a concept close to moe in Korean otaku culture. There's a word 'haakku,' which means to get excited, or feel good. But this word doesn't really apply to the gaming or cosplay worlds here, yet it does apply to kinky stuff, [...] In Korea, Lolicon is outlawed and maid cafes were a flop."

The winners of the 36th Japanese Cartoonists' Association Award (Nihon Mangaka Kyokai Awards) have been announced:

Grand Prize

- The Divine Comedy by Nobuhisa Nozoe (illustration); Kazuhiro Iwata (adaptation); Kyojin Onishi (story) [ Gentosha ]

Reason: To honor the 10 years it took to complete the story. The work leaves the same impression to those from the army and young people who don't know anything about war. The manga's adventure-filled plot and overflowing expression had a large impact on the manga field.

- Tama-chan and Chibi-maru by Shigehisa Sunagawa [ Hoshinowa ]

Reason: Ever since the story was serialized in the newspaper, I laugh whenever cat appears in the story. This time Sunagawa created a story about cats.

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According to a press release from Capcom, the video game publisher will team up with manga publisher Gakken to create a manga titled The Secrets of Video Games, an educational manga about video games.

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Kazuhiko Shimamoto, creator of The Skull Man, will be starting a new series called Aoi Honoo (Blue Flame) in issue 24 of Shogakukan's Young Sunday, on sale May 17th.

Also, a new series titled Kurohatsubutsukan Supuringarudo from Kazuhiro Fujita will begin serialization in issue 23 of Kodansha's Weekly Morning, on sale May 10th.

Manga Jouhou translates a brief report from Mainichi Communications on Comitia 80, an original manga convention held in Tokyo Big Sight on May 5th:

Different from other doujinshi conventions like Comiket, the works allowed to be sold in Comitia are limited to original works which do not parody existing manga. Many professional mangaka not only participate in the event, but also have collaborative projects with publishers. As a result, Comitia has become an event with a large significance to the manga industry.

The winners of the 11th Tezuka Osamu Cultural Award (sponsored by Asahi Shimbun) have been announced:

Grand Prize:

• Maihime Terpsichore by Ryoko Yamagishi

Shinsei (New Hope) Award:

• The Divine Comedy by Nobuhisa Nozoe (illustration); Kazuhiro Iwata (adaptation); Kyojin Onishi (story)

Short Manga Prize:

• Osaka Hamlet by Hiromi Morishita

Special Award:

• None

Source: Yomiuri Online

Winners of the 31st Kodansha Manga Award have been announced. Kodansha Manga Award is awarded annually to works published in the previous year by Kodansha. This year the winners are:

Children's manga category:

- Tenshi no Frypan (Angel's Frypan) (????????????????????????) by Etsuji Ogawa (?????? ??????) [ Comic BonBon ]

Shounen manga category:

- Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei (????????????????????????) by Koji Kumeta (????????? ??????) [ Weekly Shounen Magazine ]

- Dear Boys Act II (DEAR BOYS ACT ???) by Hiroki Yagami (?????? ?????????) [ Monthly Shonen Magazine ]

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Manga top 10 according to Tohan.

1. D.Gray-man, Volume 11
2. Gintama, Volume 18
3. Katekyo Hitman Reborn!, Volume 15
4. Initial D, Volume 35
5. Boku no Hatsukoi wo Kimi ni Sasagu, Volume 7
6. Steel Ball Run, Volume 12
7. Detroit Metal City, Volume 3
8. Rurouni Kenshin Complete Edition, Volume 21-22
9. Mx0, Volume 3
10. Majin Tantei Nougami Neuro, Volume 11