From ICv2 comes a 2-part interview (Part 1, Part 2) with Dan Marks, Viz's Viz Senior Vice President of Strategy and Business Development. The interview is centered around Viz's plans for digital delivery of anime, its potential impact on DVD sales, as well as anime on mobile devices, manga downloads, and other forms of digital delivery services.

Via: Icarus Blog

Journalista reports that The Comics Journal's Andrew Farrago has interviewed author Jason Thompson:

Andrew Farrago's interview with cartoonist, editor and the author of Manga: The Complete Guide, Jason Thompson, who provides an insider's look at Viz Media, discusses his online graphic novel The Stiff, and describes going out of his mind trying to read and review every English-language manga ever released in preparation for his new book.

From du9's Xavier Guilbert comes an interview with Mizuno Junko, who is known for her kawaii noir style of drawing that mixes childish cuteness with blood and terror:

Immediately recognizable with her sexy dolls straight out of a Powerpuff Girls episode with a Russ Meyer-makeover, Mizuno Junko has steadily build, if not a career, at least a reputation - so much that when she attended the 2005 edition of the Angouleme Festival, animation magazine Animeland introduced her as the "morbid pin-up of underground manga".

Source: MangaBlog

In the latest issue of PWCW, Brigid interviews Tokyopop Editor-in-Chief Rob Tokar, who talks about Tokyopop's plans to release an omnibus Battle Royale Ultimate Edition this October.

From the newest issue of Flipped comes an interview with Katherine Dacey-Tsuei, Senior Manga Editor at PopCultureShock, who talks about one of her favorite group of women creators, CLAMP.

Variety's Asian film blog, Kaiju Shakedown, has published an interview with Manami Iiboshi, VIZ Pictures's Director of Marketing:

What with all their acquisitions this week, Viz is a natural for an interview about their live action program. They graciously agreed to do an email interview last week and here it is, in all its glory.

Via: Giapet.net

From MangaBlog's Brigid comes an interview with Japanime CEO Glenn Kardy:

Japanime is based in Japan, with office space in a converted restaurant near Tokyo where Kardy sometimes holds meetings sitting in a tatami room. From there, he and his team produce books designed by Japanese artists to appeal to an American audience. Their newest offering, Moe USA, is a twist on global manga: An Original English Language manga by a Japanese artist.

From Newsarama comes an interview with Tokyopop editor Tim Beedle, who talks about the company's exclusive deal with The Jim Henson Company to produce original graphic novels based on fantasy titles like Return to Labyrinth and Legends of The Dark Crystal.

Via: MangaBlog

Plus travel gear for your trip to Japan, contests and reviews in Episode 49!

GRIMES, IA, September 14, 2007 - Anime producer and mega-online anime retailer Right Stuf, Inc. is pleased to welcome the webmaster of AnimeCons.com, Patrick Delahanty, to episode 49 of ANIME TODAY!

Delahanty - who is also a founder of Anime Boston and the upcoming Providence Anime Conference - helps the podcast expand its convention coverage with an overview of the extensive information found at AnimeCons.com, a discussion of anime convention trends and advice for first-time con-goers.

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From ICv2 comes a three part interview (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3) with Liza Coppola, the Senior Vice President of VIZ Media, who discusses the current state of the anime and manga market, as well as Viz's plans for Naruto in 2008.