ICv2 talks to Dr. Joachim Kaps, the head of Tokyopop Germany, about the loss of their Kodansha licenses. Kaps says he has no idea why Kodansha decided not to renew the licenses, but he points out that two other German publishers, Egmont and Heyne, have cancelled a number of Kodansha series because of low sales. (Heyne is Del Rey’s sister company.) But Tokyopop had planned to continue with their Kodansha series, he said. At the Icarus Comics blog, Simon Jones hears from the head of Carlsen, another German manga publisher, that their Kodansha series are not affected. Alex Hoffman speculates about what this might mean to the U.S. manga industry at Manga Widget.
At The Comics Reporter, David Welsh writes about ten books he’s looking forward to in 2009. This is an impressive list and should give hope to anyone worried about the manga industry in the U.S., especially those who are looking for more mature titles. At the other end of the spectrum, Ryan at Same Hat! Same Hat! has some previews of what to expect from horror manga-ka Shintaro Kago this year. As always, don’t click on this one if you’re squeamish (but do if you’re not, because some of the cartoons are pretty funny).
Kai-Ming Cha sums up the year in manga—her analysis may surprise you—and lists her top ten manga of 2008. Dave Ferraro posts his own top ten list at Comics-and-More. And at About.com, Deb Aoki is letting the fans decide: Voting is now open for the best new shoujo and shonen manga of the year.
The Yaoi Review takes a brief look at some January yaoi releases.
At Japanator, God Len posts this week’s new releases. Also, the Japanator folks publish their licensing wish list for the year to come.
Canned Dogs shares some art from Mudazumo naki kaikaku (The Legend of Koizumi), a manga in which world leaders battle for supremacy in an epic game of mahjong. Yes, that’s George Bush in the picture.
Matt Blind has some top 20 and top 30 charts for the week ending Jan. 4 at Rocket Bomber.
CLAMP fans are giving back: Lissa Pattillo reports on a CLAMP appreciation fanbook and gives a link for those who would like to participate.
News from Japan: Canned Dogs has the 2008 circulation figures for Japanese manga, anime, and gaming magazines. ANN reports that Houbunsha is launching a quarterly yuri anthology.
Reviews: Carlo Santos kicks the new year with his latest Right Turn Only!! column and tosses out a challenge to readers: Send him a review of “the manga series you wish you hadn’t gotten into but it’s too late now.” Tiamat’s Disciple takes a look at vol. 7 of Chocolat and vol. 6 of The Antique Gift Shop. Lissa Pattillo puts in her two cents on vol. 6 of The Antique Gift Shop as well. Julie checks out vol. 1 of Vagabond,o the VIZBIG edition, at the Manga Maniac Cafe. Erica Friedman reviews vol. 2 of Your and My Secret at Okazu. Billy Aguiar gives the thumbs-up to Gaba Kawa at Prospero’s Manga. Emily’s latest finds are Yacchimaina!! and Wagamama na Junai at Emily’s Random Shoujo Manga Page. Casey Brienza has a brief review of vol. 1 of Hayate x Blade at her LJ. James Fleenor enjoys vol. 1 of Momo Tama despite the pink cover. Travers C. takes a look at vol. 4 of Sundome and The Girl Who Leapt Through Time at TaCk’s Pop Culture. Sesho devotes his latest podcast to Edu-Manga: Ludwig van Beethoven and posts a print review of vol. 2 of Sand Chronicles. Oyceter reads the Chinese translation of Fumi Yoshinaga’s All My Darling Daughters at Sakura of DOOM. Snow Wildsmith reads Lovers Pledge at Fujoshi Librarian. At Slightly Biased Manga, Connie moves quickly through vols. 1, 2, 3, and 4 of Do Whatever You Want. Diana Dang reviews vol. 1 of 07-Ghost and vol. 1 of Cross x Break at Stop, Drop, and Read!