According to Icarus Blog, as of March 31st, Brenner Printing Company will no longer accept adult publications, which includes adult manga as well as some yaoi titles:

The true extent of Brenner's decision (just what is allowed and what is not) is unclear, but in the worst-case scenario, this effectively narrows down available printers for explicit ero and yaoi publishers to ones based in Canada, and more specifically, Lebonfon Printing.

Source: Icarus Blog

From Newsarama comes two interviews:

- Interview with Josh Dysart on Make 5 Wishes
- Interview with Eric Wight on My Dead Girlfriend

Via: MangaBlog

Icv2 has published an article looking at the new shojo publisher Aurora Publishing, its line-up, as well as the new Deux Line of manga.

San Diego, California, Friday, March 30, 2007. Peach Princess, a leading publisher of Japanese PC dating-sim games in English, announced that its latest title, Yume Miru Kusuri :: A Drug That Makes You Dream has gone "Golden Master." An interactive dating simulation game for Windows, intended for adults aged 18 and older, this is the latest in the company's popular lineup of anime-style interactive games for the English-speaking market. The game is published by JAST USA under its Peach Princess label.

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On the USA Today Booklist Top 150 (PDF) for the week ending March 18, VIZ Media's Naruto volume 13 ranks at #48, and Fullmetal Alchemist volume 12 ranks at #131.

A seminar titled "Manga to Anime: From Astro Boy to Spirited Away" will take place during the "Japan WOW!" Smithsonian event (March 31 to June 9):

Manga and anime are now two of Japan's biggest cultural exports???as evidenced by the popularity and record-breaking sales associated with the 2001 animated movie "Spirited Away." In this seminar leading experts and industry veterans will explore the development of these interconnected art forms, commenting on the creative process, styles, characters and the effect these popcultural creations have on United States markets and trends.

Source: ActiveAnime

According to a news post on Aurora Publishing's website, the manga publisher will release Chihiro Tamaki's Walkin' Butterfly later this summer:

Walkin' Butterfly" is the story of the metamorphosis of Michiko, set in the world of Japanese high fashion. As a tall girl, Michiko has never fit in??? literally. She has always felt different and she can't accept herself. Her height is matched only by her complex about it. While delivering pizzas at a fashion show she is mistaken for a model and thrust on stage. Mihara, the show's designer, confronts her and tells her that she can't walk down the catwalk because she doesn't know her true self. From that moment on, Michiko is determined to find her place in the world as a model, and as a young woman. Can she find the inner strength to undergo a spectacular transformation? Is Michiko up to the challenge? Just try her. "Walkin' Butterfly" is as chic as a Tokyo catwalk.

Via: MangaCast

MangaCast posts a press release from Broccoli Books, which states that the manga Coyote Ragtime Show from ufotable (story) and tartan check (art) will be released on June 27th:

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To see or not to see ??? shojo girls risk losing their image in Translucent

Shizuka has problems. Not only is she an introverted girl, dealing with schoolwork and boys, but she feels invisible. In reality, she is victim to a disease that is making her literally translucent!

Shizuka finds support with Mamoru, a boy who is falling for her despite her appearance, or lack thereof. Another friend, Keiko, suffers from the same illness and has turned completely invisible.

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Gardena, CA, March 30, 2007 - Jun?? by Digital Manga Publishing, one of the industry's most innovative manga licensing and publishing companies, is pleased to announce Satoru Kannagi as their industry guest for Anime Expo 2007 (www.anime-expo.org).

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