In the wake of the Nymphet controversy, Seven Seas president has started a blog. The first post talks about why he changed the name from Kodomo no Jikan and why those few pages in volume 3 crossed the line. It’s an interesting read, especially for those who like to see how the sausages are made, and it’s accompanied by an uber-cute 4-koma webcomic.
The first Sweatdrop podcast is up! Dock and Fahed report on the floor from the London Expo, and it’s an interesting look at the British otaku scene. Sonia Leong and Emma Vieceli drop in at the beginning for a chat.
Three manga grace this week’s USA Today Top 150 books list: Vol. 14 of Negima debuts at number 94, vol. 19 of Bleach moves up to number 104, and vol. 14 of Naruto slips to 118.
Following John Jakala’s lead, David Welsh lists some manga he’d like to see in omnibus format; readers add more in the comments section. David also posts his early reactions to MPD: Psycho.
DMP has put up the website for Vampire Hunter D. It starts with one of those pan-and-scan manga trailers the publishers seem to be so fond of these days. Am I the only one that thinks they look cheesy? (Via ANN.)
Over at the Tokyopop blogs, Andre picks up on a Tokyopop announcement from BEA: They will be publishing the Gothic Lolita bible. Um, it’s a fashion book, not some Mitsukazu Mihara version of the Good Book. ChunHyang72 has an unusually long Tokyopop Round-up with a preview of Tokyopop 2.0 (the revamped website), lots of site news, and even a link to a sample of the new Viz title, Honey and Clover. Oh, and this is handy: Tokyopop has grouped all their manga previews on a single page for one-stop shopping. You can actually read quite a bit for free on the site, if you know when to look.
Yaoi Suki has new title announcements and good news for fans of the Shota and Pornish Pixies LJ communties—both have been un-suspended.
Yaoi creator Alex Woolfson takes a hard look at sexism in his own work and the responsibility of creators in general. If that’s too heavy for you, check out some drawings of guys in their underwear!
Manga_Talk LJ community member psychoe posts a link to her (?) thesis “Mutilating the Maidens: Problematizing the Dismemberment of Female Bodies in CLAMP’s Manga X.” It sounds interesting but you have to download it so I haven’t read it yet.
At the Yaoi Press blog, Yamila Abraham says the art books are selling better than anticipated, and several other titles are going into new editions. Also, YP stories will debut on Netcomics on June 15.
Draw a comic, win a comic: At Same Hat! Same Hat!! Ryan and Evan are giving away a vintage Junji Ito comic to the person who draws the best four-panel gag strip.
Tina Anderson reports that A-Kon was a success despite the organizers’ attempts to quell any hint of yaoi or yuri.
If you’re lucky enough to be in or near San Francisco tonight, go see Jason Thompson talk about manga at the Asian Art Museum.
Deutsche Mangaka has news about German manga, including Yonen Buzz and Gothic Sports, both of which are published in the U.S. as well.
Mecha Mecha Media spots two new Pocky flavors for summer.
Reviews: At Manga Life, Michael Aronson reviews vol. 2 of Gyo, which has a cover that makes Heroes for Hire look like Ms. magazine. Robots Never Sleep looks at the untranslated manga Flying Girl, which combines romantic comedy and wacky inventions—a surefire formula for success! On the French blog du9, two of Xavier Guilbert’s manga reviews have been translated for English readers: Itsudemo Yume Wo and Parasyte. At Prospero’s Manga, Ferdinand checks out vol. 1 of Brave Story and Miranda reviews vol. 1 of Apothecarius Argentum. I’m a bit late with these, but Manga Jouhou has some new reviews up: vol. 1 of After School Nightmare and vol. 1 of Cafe Kichijouji de, by Floating Sakura, and vol. 2 of Strongarm, by Xen. At Active Anime, Holly Ellingwood reviews vol. 5 of Basilisk and The Complete Guide to Manga, while Scott Campbell looks at vol. 1 of Rhysmyth and a Tokyopop novel, vol. 1 of Alex Unlimited: The Vosarak Code. Julie reviews vol. 5 of Tail of the Moon and vol. 4 of Beauty Pop at the Mangamaniaccafe. Carlo Santos has a new Right Turn Only!! column up at ANN, with reviews of vol. 5 of Basilisk, vol. 1 of King of Thorn, and all of Cromartie High School, among others. Anime on DVD also weighs in with Small Bodied Manga Reviews of recent volumes of Crossroad, Hayate the Combat Butler, Tail of the Moon, and more.
Thanks for mentioning the podcast! ^_^
“not some Mitsukazu Mihara version of the Good Book”… That’s for shame! I would buy that without delay! Baby the Yonder Star Shines Bright!