Following the launch of the English version of AkibaBlog, another English otaku news/community website, Akibanana.com, has been launched on Valentine's Day. The full press release can be found here.

According to YaoiSuki, Youka Nitta, mangaka of Embracing Love, will be attending this year's Yaoi-Con, which takes place from September 26 to 28.

According to its latest newsletter, eigoMANGA will be attending this year's WonderCon, taking place from February 22nd to 24th. Find eigoMANGA in the exhibit hall at booth #1001, where it will talk about its spring 2008 releases, as well as be available for portfolio reviews and meetings.

Also, eigoMANGA will appear at this year's Anime Pavillion, taking place on May 7th in downtown San Fransisco.

SPLAT! A Graphic Novel Symposium will take place on Saturday, March 15 at the New York Center of Independent Publishing (NYCIP) in Manhattan, with keynote speaker Scott McCloud . The NYCIP is a non-profit educational program (part of the General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen) dedicated to promoting and supporting independent publishers across the United States.

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Dark Horse editor Philip Simon has posted an announcement regarding the current status of Hiroki Endo's manga EDEN, which came close to being canceled by Dark Horse last year.

According to the announcement, although EDEN will be released at a slower pace, Dark Horse has decided to release the manga up to volume 12 (for now):

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According to 801 Media's latest blog post, the yaoi publisher has acquired 4 new titles to be released later this year:

• BLACK SUN by Ogasawara Uki
• Meeting You by Tennouji Mio
• Falling into Love by Kanzaki Takashi
• His Arrogance by Kanzaki Takashi

Source: MangaCast

According to ANN, Gary Steinman, the editorial director of ADV's upcoming magazine PiQ, is leaving ADV today.

Pop Japan Travel and Dream Shoppe are pleased to announce the addition of two lolita icons to our Tokyo Darkside Gothic-Lolita Tour, the first ever tour of Japan just for lolitas. Maki and Asuka, the driving forces behind top lolita brand Angelic Pretty, will meet tour guests at the brand's boutique in Harajuku's La Foret department store, and help find the dress, skirt or accessory that's just right for you! There's never been a more intimate way to meet two of lolita's most influential figures on their home turf.

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Go! Comi is currently looking for new artists:

Go! Comi is seeking a freelance artist or team for a sequential art project targeted toward teenage manga fans, which will be published both as a web comic and as a graphic novel.

Go here for more info.

Source: Kuriousity

ICv2 has released its 2007 anime and manga sales report:

ICv2's manga and graphic novel market estimates aren't available yet, but it does appear that manga had another strong year in 2007 although its rate of growth is clearly slowing.

Also included in the report is ICv2's top 10 manga properties for 2007:

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