Spring is just around the corner

MangaCast takes a look at this month’s Previews, featuring manga due to come out in February and March. Also: Did you know MangaCast has info on manga publishers? This is a great resource, with contact info, web links, and a list of their manga magazines and licensed manga.

Booklist watch: Vol. 18 of Fruits Basket slides down to number 89 on this week’s USA Today bestseller list, and Naruto heads downward as well, with vol. 24 at number 92, vol. 22 at 147, and vol. 23 at 149. But don’t worry, there’s a fresh batch due out soon!

Coming events: Don’t forget, I’ll be moderating a panel discussion at MoCCA in New York at 7 p.m. 6:30 p.m. on Monday, December 3. The panelists are manga editor extraordinaire Dallas Middaugh, Kinokuniya manager John Fuller, translator Mari Morimoto, and designer Brad Foltz. If you’re on the other coast next week, check out Jason Thompson’s presentation on the early days of manga in America at the Cartoon Art Museum in San Francisco at 7 p.m. on December 6. Details here.

Reviews: Start here: Carlo Santos has a new Right Turn Only!! column up at ANN, with short reviews of the first volume of Gakuen Alice, the last volume of Genshiken, and more. At Slightly Biased Manga, Connie is confused by vol. 1 of Flock of Angels. Erica Friedman reveiws vol. 4 of Strawberry Marshmallow at Okazu. Nick has some brief comments on vol. 1 of The Wallflower at Hobotaku. Michelle continues her Bleachathon with a look at vol. 19 of Bleach at Soloquy in Blue. At Active Anime, Christopher Seaman reviews vol. 5 of O-Parts Hunter and Holly Ellingwood checks out vol. 1 of Kurohime and vol. 9 of Kamui. Tom Spurgeon enjoys the Azumanga Daioh Omnibus at The Comics Reporter. Charles Yoakum reviews vol. 9 of Genshiken at Ink Destroyed My Brush (via Journalista). Julie checks out vol. 15 of Fullmetal Alchemist at the Manga Maniac Cafe. Dan Polley reviews vol. 15 of Tsubasa at Manga Life. And the Broccoli Blog catches some recent reviews of their titles that we missed: Comics Alliance on Disgaea and Disgaea 2, Elisa Rolle on Delivery Cupid, Boys on Boys on Film on Pet on Duty, and The Anime Blog on My Dearest Devil Princess.