Benjamin Ong Pang Kean presents part two of his article on Tokyopop’s global manga creators at Newsarama. This one focuses on the fate of the series—some will continue as planned, some will go online, and some will be canceled outright. Some are in limbo, as the creators haven’t heard yet. Stay tuned.
Translator John Thomas sings the praises of light novels and addresses some of the issues around them, including the fact that bookstores aren’t sure where to shelve them.
The Japanese magazine Morning 2 posted the winners of its second international manga competition a little while ago. Now Ed Chavez posts his conversations with Morning 2 editor Eijiro Shimada; anyone interested in entering this year’s competition should take an especial interest in this.
Erin F. files a con report on Anime Next at the Manga Recon blog. And Anime Almanac’s Scott VonSchilling attended Anime Next with his first press badge ever, although he has been blogging along with the rest of us for several years. Welcome to the club, Scott. There’s a bottle of bourbon in the lower right drawer.
Hey, CLAMP fans: Shaenon Garrity wants to talk to you.
Kai-Ming Cha has more on the Shueisha/Shogakukan/ShoPro restructuring at Publishers Weekly. What does it mean to us?
In an e-mail exchange from Japan, Viz Media CEO Hidemi Fukuhara explained that the new partnership will impact “the process for animation and merchandising. Viz Media will be able to take more control of the properties because Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions will provide the various rights in a unified form.”
Sounds like they’re putting the final touches on their plans for world domination.
Reviews: The denizens of Manga Village have a new set of reviews up: Dan Polley on vol. 1 of The Reformed, John Thomas on Ohikkoshi, Sabrina on vol. 1 of Duck Prince, Charles Tan on vol. 3 of Eyeshield 21, and Lori Henderson on vol. 2 of Yumekui Kenbun: Nightmare Inspector. Connie reviews vol. 10 of Nana, vol. 3 of Andromeda Stories, and vol. 7 of After School Nightmare at Slightly Biased Manga. At Boys Next Door, Cynthia posts brief reviews of Weekend Lovers, vol. 3 of Totally Captivated, and vol. 1 of S. Chris Serani checks out Haridama Magic Cram School and Dick McVengeance critiques Maid Machinegun at Japanator. Julie reads vol. 2 of Honey and Clover at the Manga Maniac Cafe. David Welsh checks out two new titles from Go!Comi, vol. 1 of Kamisama Kazoku and vol. 1 of Ultimate Venus, at Precocious Curmudgeon. Erica Friedman reviews vol. 1 of Kannazuki no Miko at Okazu. Tangognat reads vol. 3 of Venus in Love.