Industry Companies Rally to Bring Manga to Evacuation Shelters to Assist Relief Efforts

Anaheim, California (October 25, 2007) -- The overseeing body of Anime Expo® (the nation's largest anime/manga convention), the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA), and manga companies such as Aurora Publishing, Digital Manga, Go! Comi, Tokyopop and VIZ Media are assisting with the Red Cross relief efforts by providing manga books to Southern California wildfire evacuees currently residing at Fire Relief Shelters/Evacuation Centers. More information can be found on the website www.spja.org.

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From Mision Tokyo comes a list of the manga that will be available at this year's Salón del Manga, an annual manga convention that takes place in Spain.

Via: Sheila

October 17, 2007 (Gardena, CA) - Dream Shoppe, 801 Media Inc., Digital Manga Publishing and Pop Japan Travel have teamed up to auction off one of their own at Yaoi Con's bishonen auction. Ben, who graciously volunteered after being badgered by 801 Media's Tomo-chan and 801-chan, will be sporting a lovely Wa-Lolita outfit in a floral pattern (which Tomo-chan says "Really accents Ben's emerald eyes.") courtesy of Dream Shoppe. The winning bidder at Yaoi Con will not only receive Ben's company for the rest of the night, they will also receive Ben's lovely outfit and a $100 gift certificate for Pop Japan Travel's upcoming Fujoshi Paradise Tour!

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ANN reports that staffs from Tokyopop and Viz Media will be leading manga-related seminars during the "Manga Festival" taking place at the Akihabara Enta Festival:

For the international market symposium, Tokyopop CEO Stuart Levy is scheduled to lead a seminar on the manga market in the United States, while members from the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) will present on other foreign markets.

[ABOUT TOKYO INTERNATIONAL ANIME FAIR]
The Tokyo Inernational Anime Fair 2008, which is sponsored by the governor of Tokyo, is the largest anime exhibition.

At the Tokyo International Anime Fair 2007 that was held in March 2007, we were able to welcome 106,395 visitors including overseas.

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ANN reports that Slam Dunk and Vagabond creator Takehiko Inoue is coming to NYC this November:

Viz Media is planning to host Takehiko Inoue, the world-renowned manga creator of Slam Dunk, Vagabond, and REAL, as a special guest at the new Kinokuniya flagship bookstore in New York City on November 19. Inoue will create an exclusive drawing on a wall that has been reserved for him on the store's second floor.

ANN reports that Junko Mizuno, manga artist of Cinderalla and Princess Mermaid, will be making an appearance at the Kidrobot collectibles stores in Los Angeles, California and New York City, New York on October 9th and 11th:

She will be signing figures based on her Pure Trance "kawaii noir" manga. Kidrobot is producing 500 US$75.00 figures each of the Keiko the Director and Kaori the Nurse characters.

Yomiuri Shimbun is reporting that Rieko Akatsuka, daughter of the "King of Gag Comics" Fujio Akatsuka, is organizing exhibitions of her bedridden father's works:

"I finally recognize the greatness of my father's work and the importance of managing it," Rieko said.

Having been active as an artist in Britain--there were more than 10 exhibitions of her work there--Rieko believed she had gained experience that would help her in organizing her father's exhibition, including finding ways of displaying his work.

Via: ¡Journalista!

ANN reports that Jason Thompson will be holding launch events to promote the release of his book Manga: The Complete Guide in New Jersey and California later this month:

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TOMY, DP3, NINTENDO and MAJOR LEAGUE EATING will be presenting an exciting event coming up in New York City -- celebrating the NARUTO Wii launch, they will be holding the FIRST EVER Ramen Noodle Major League Eating contest!

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