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Posted by Bob Muir on Oct 7, 2014 in Anime, Comic Books 
The Big Three shonen manga series has been slowly crumbling as the stories get longer and longer. The Bleach anime stopped in 2012 (though it seems they could finish it later a la InuYasha: The Final Act), and the manga has been working towards a conclusion for a while. And while the Naruto anime (Naruto Shippuden) is still going strong, Weekly Shonen Jump (which serializes all three manga) has announced that the manga will end on November 10, only five weeks away. Author Masashi Kishimoto had mentioned the manga was nearing its conclusion in 2012, so it’s not like this is unexpected or anything. But once Naruto anime winds down and the Bleach manga ends, the only surviving member of the Big Three will be One Piece. And while the manga hid its midpoint in 2010, it shows no sign of stopping any time soon. Read more…
Tags: Naruto, Shonen Jump
Posted by Ben Huber on Mar 8, 2013 in Anime 
Some sad news for anime and manga fans everywhere: Toren Smith has passed away. He was an early translator of many popular manga titles and helped bring over many early works. He helped translate The Legend of Kamui, one of the first manga titles brought over, and went on to found Studio Proteus which aided in bringing over manga like Akira, Appleseed, Astro Boy, Lone Wolf and Cub, and Nausicaa. He also helped found AnimeCon 1991, along with Gainax’s Toshio Okada and John McLaughlin. Gainax even featured him (in name) in Gunbuster to recognize his accomplishments. His influence has been felt far and wide, and the anime & manga industry today would be very different if not for his impressive body of work. He will be missed. Read more…
Tags: manga, toren smith
Posted by Bob Muir on Dec 18, 2012 in Anime 
If you haven’t seen Black Lagoon, an anime from 2006, let me bottom-line it for you: it’s a loving take on American action films and Western tones, as well as directors such as Quentin Tarantino and John Woo. It sounds like that would result in a parody, but it feels like an excellent homage, telling the story of a multicultural group of mercenaries and the people they meet in the criminal underground of Southeast Asia. The manga has been running since 2002, with most of it adapted in anime form, but has been on hiatus since 2010. Thankfully, fans won’t have to wait much longer for more! Read more…
Tags: manga
Posted by Michael Pinto on Nov 11, 2011 in Animation, Hobbies and Collections 
At long last the One Piece x Hello Kitty goodies are hitting the shelves in Japan for all of those kitty pirates who want something cool for Christmas! This collection includes a line of phone charms, ear buds, a notebook and of course and iPhone case which can be purchased online (of course your ill need to know how to read Japanese): Read more…
Tags: Anime, Hello Kitty, Japan, manga, One Piece
Posted by Michael Pinto on Oct 19, 2011 in Anime, Comic Books, Fandom 
As a retro anime fanboy my heart warmed up when I came across the table of Tara Tallan at the New York Comic Con — her webcomic Galaxion is very inspired by Star Blazers which happens to be one of my favorite shows in the universe. Unlike most science fiction stories this manga isn’t dark and gritty, if you love indie comics you can show Tara your support by buying the first two volumes of the series: Read more…
Tags: Anime, manga, Star Blazers, webcomics
Posted by Linda Yau on Jul 25, 2011 in Comic Books 
In the past one of the problems with ebook readers is that it’s difficult to read small text, and this has made it difficult to read graphic novels from the print world. However today with the iPad and similar devices new worlds have opened up for graphic novels fans. Many established companies like Viz and Dark Horse have jumped onto this bandwagon, but now outsider companies from abroad are joining these ranks. Read more…
Tags: iPad, Japan, manga
Posted by Tim Sheehy on Jun 23, 2011 in Comic Books 
This is kind of exciting news for manga fans. CrunchyRoll is readying a closed beta for their upcoming online manga distribution platform, JManga.com and are currently accepting applications from North Americans readers interested in testing it out. They haven’t released too many details about the new service, but have stated that they’ve been working closely with their partners in Japan in order to facilitate their selection of content. They’re hoping to use your feedback to improve the site before its official launch later this year. Like CrunchyRoll, I imagine it will be in the form of a subscription based premium service. To sign up for a chance to take part in the closed beta, simply click here and fill out their form. If you’re picked for the beta, they’ll be notifying you the first week of July.
Read more…
Tags: Crunchy Roll, manga
Posted by Linda Yau on Jun 6, 2011 in Fandom 
The first time I believe I heard about Ed Sizemore was on the Manga Movable Feast for Mushishi, then on Twitter, and subsequently on the con scene. Of course from those interactions, I started to pay attention to his activity on the internet, and he is pretty busy, involved with ComicsWorth Reading and other sites. As I was tapped to interview anime/manga bloggers on the web, I definitely wanted to included Ed in the schedule, so here via an email interview are his thoughts to my questions. Read more…
Tags: Anime, interview, manga
Posted by Linda Yau on Jun 4, 2011 in Comic Books, Fandom 
Fans can exist not just in the United States, but just about anywhere in the world. Take for instance this week’s blogger interview with Lissa Pattillo, our neighbor up north in friendly Canada! Okay corny geography jokes aside, Lissa runs a very nice guide to manga news and reviews via Kuriosity. She is involved in way more websites than Kuriosity, and I will leave it for you to read under the cut. So I have notice/lurked her site from her interaction with the defunct Boys on Boys on Film website. She provides the fact that irregardless of geography, reading and love for manga has no boarders! Read more…
Tags: Anime, interview, manga
Posted by Linda Yau on May 24, 2011 in Comic Books, Fandom 
With the many blogs that I have encounter searching for great graphic novel recommendations, one of them is Kate Dacey of The Manga Critic. To my knowledge she had became a fan of graphic novels as an adult, and therefore provides a pretty interesting perspective from her reviews. She provides insightful responses from her email interview, to which I am quite pleased to include under the cut. Read more…
Tags: Anime, interivew, manga
Posted by Linda Yau on May 23, 2011 in Comic Books 
Aside from the ocean, the outer space is considered to be one of the last frontiers to be explored. Neil Armstrong was quoted when he stepped on the moon: “This is one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.” The outer space is still a hope of many to be explored, and this is a theme for the series of Twin Spica. Read more…
Tags: manga, Space Exploration
Posted by Linda Yau on May 16, 2011 in Comic Books 
In a life time, a quarter life is a milestone and put this in the context of Viz Media, who just so happens to be celebrating 25 years of being in business this upcoming year. Does it call for a celebration or what? The American manga industry has been having stormy weather recently, so for manga fans, knowing that Viz Media’s age is actually a positive one. Read more…
Tags: manga
Posted by Linda Yau on May 16, 2011 in Fandom 
Above: Rica ‘tte Kanji!? really proved to an American audience that manga didn’t have to be about magical girls or robots, but could tell personal stories about the real world. Currently an Rica ‘tte Kanji!? Omnibus is being produced.
When you are around manga and graphic novels a lot, one voice or genre might pop up, and that is the alternative press of gay and lesbian that is quite popular among readers and fans. You don’t have to even be a fan for this genre, but be open minded to know that it is there. Within the past couple of weeks, there has been an issue of censorship in graphic novels on Amazon Kindle. So this week we are happy to have an email interview with ALC Publishing and Yuricon founder Erica Friedman. Erica’s blog is called Okazu which are the wonderful Japanese bread with savory fillings. Read more…
Tags: Anime, censorship, interview, manga
Posted by Linda Yau on May 2, 2011 in Comic Books 
The path to success for an American manga publishing company is to find the next big thing, license it and attract a readership. And since 2006 Yen Press has been doing this by continuing to experiment and cease the initiate to do innovative work. Now that Tokyopop has passed away, here are a few reasons why I think Yen is one of the leading lights for manga in America: Read more…
Tags: manga
Posted by Linda Yau on Apr 18, 2011 in Comic Books 
In a time before the iPad, or the streaming wonders of the internet and back in the late 90’s, there was Mixxzine later to be known as Tokyopop. At the end of last week, news broke out regarding about Tokyopop closing shop on American soil. This probably is a shock to many fans, and there are still questions about what would inevitably happen to their unfinished licenses. Things have not been looking great for Tokoyopop this year, so take this closure with a grain of salt. Consider the good and the influence that this company had generated for the field of manga and graphic novels. Read more…
Tags: manga, shouju
Posted by Linda Yau on Apr 18, 2011 in Animation, Comic Books 
As you can see from all of the nin-dogs surrounding Kakashi, dogs are known as “man’s best friend” — and as such they’re very well represented in anime and manga from Japan. Here’s a list of some of our all time favorites: Read more…
Tags: Anime, Japan, Kawaii, manga
Posted by Linda Yau on Apr 11, 2011 in Animation, Comic Books, Fandom 
Anime and Manga Fans have been recently, and still consistently aware of what has been happening over in Japan. So when the there was a 24-hour podcast marathon, Tony Yao was part of the line up. Recently I got the opportunity to conduct an e-mail interview with Tony Yao of Manga Therapy: Where Psychology & Manga Meet. He was upfront about his experiences, so this interview may or may not have been what you have experienced. He is a fan as well as a multi-site blogger to keep an eye out for. Read more…
Tags: Anime, interview, manga
Posted by Linda Yau on Apr 11, 2011 in Animation, Comic Books 
Cats, cats, cats… you can be allergic to them in real life, but what about an animated or a drawn version cats, either in the form of mascots or characters? Take a look at this selection of cats, and be prepared to be a gooey puddle at the end. Shown above is Nekobus from My Neighbor Totoro — and here are a few of our other favorites: Read more…
Tags: cats, Japan, Kawaii
Posted by Linda Yau on Apr 3, 2011 in Comic Books 
CLAMP as manga creators has had phenomenal success and a large following of anime and manga fans around the world. For some fans, their passion with the Japanese animation began with watching a CLAMP title. CLAMP works did have origins in manga though. As a team of female mangaka/creator, they began during the 1980’s as a doujinshi/comic group. They are still currently actively with creating more series that is bound to be picked up by American publishers. Dark Horse has been acquiring and re-publishing some of their works in omnibuses. Read more…
Tags: Japan, manga
Posted by Linda Yau on Mar 28, 2011 in Animation, Comic Books 
Whether it is cries of fear or sadness, or maybe even of laughter. Vampires have been a continuing viable market that ensnares people to follow the stories of these tormented immortal individuals. In graphic novels or manga, there are memorable vampires-type characters that left an impression with its fans and viewers. Read more…
Tags: Anime, Japan, manga
Posted by Linda Yau on Mar 21, 2011 in Fandom 
Anyone paying attention to Asian news these past several weeks would have realized that a devastating triple threat has happened in Japan. On March 11, 2011 around the Northern east coastlines of this island nation, there was a strong earthquake that resulted in devastating tsunamis, and what is now the concern of Japan in controlling a nuclear incident around its nuclear plants. Every day checking certain tweets on Twitter, there is an official notification of how much casualties there has been, with also thousands of people displaced or suffering. This incident has caused casualties and victims that surpass Japan’s Hanshin Earthquake in 1995. Japan needs an incredible amount of money or resources in order to rebuild. So many people around the world, celebrities, or civilians have banded to join up the cause of fundraising and donating time or money for Japan relief. The better option in other countries, out of Japan, of course is to send money to charity foundations to supply aid. Read more…
Tags: Anime, Japan, manga
Posted by Linda Yau on Mar 14, 2011 in Comic Books 
Given the stress on the market, it’s been hard times for the manga publishing industry here in the States. Firstly you now have am established discerning generation of fans who want the latest; secondly you have more competition than ever to grab the best licenses from Japan; and lastly many chain stores which use to be booming are now closing their doors. Yet one publisher has met all of these challenges the old fashioned way — by focusing on quality, quality and oh yes quality. It’s for the reason that Vertical, Inc. while many other publishers have faded from the scene. If you’re new to manga (or want to introduce a friend) here is a selection of our favorites from Vertical: Read more…
Tags: Japan, manga
Posted by Linda Yau on Mar 3, 2011 in Comic Books 
Piracy is an issue that plagues most of media entertainment on the net. In manga publishing, piracy is known as scanlations, and with the boom of digital publishing becoming more popular, a viable solution must be found soon. Recently the tweets of two mangaka creators (Ken Akamatsu & Kazumi Tojo) were translated about their feelings on the issue against internet manga piracy. This all boils down to the issue of are there viable solutions and attempts being done?
Digital Manga Guild is a solution that Digital Manga Publishing came up with last year, as a way to link fans, scanlators, creators and digital publishing. As a manga publisher Digital Manga has been releasing manga, or novels under several publishing imprints. DMP, Juné, DokiDoki, and 801Media. DMP is for their general manga releases, with Hellsing, Trigun, and Antique Bakery as examples of what past English adaptations. The other three imprints I have mention are Digital Manga boys love publishing imprints varying by degrees of how explicit a story could be. Read more…
Tags: manga
Posted by Linda Yau on Feb 21, 2011 in Comic Books 
Maintaining a blog and growing with it, has been an personal interest, since I began my own blog. My own blogigng life has been what I believe to be an ever changing one with writing as well as reading other blogs. There is one blogging niche that I have actively been keeping apace with, and the manga blogging community is a close knit group. Certain names are mentioned and appear time and again. Thanks in part to the Twitter networking, Google reader, and continuing blogging projects like an annual Great Manga Gift Guide recommendation list or Manga Movable Feast, it would be good to have these bloggers on your blog reading radar. This list is listed in alphabetical order, by the blogger’s first name; a link to their writing/blogs is also included with additional information about what makes them memorable bloggers. Read more…
Tags: manga
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