News of the world

This story at ICv2 covers ground that is familiar to the readers of this blog—the Tokyopop series listed as “cancelled” from the latest Previews were in fact postponed—but adds a bit of news that will be welcome in many quarters: vol. 5 of Aria will be released in March, and Tokyopop plans to continue the series. Bonus points to ICv2 for illustrating this with the cover of the anime of Aria. (Image is of the Japanese vol. 5, nicked from Okazu.)

The MangaCast and Comics Village writers pick the cream of this week’s new releases.

Deb Aoki talks to Digital’s Michelle Mauk about their latest acquisition, Itazura Na Kiss, at About.com. Deb also interviews Kirsten Rose, the founder of the manga trading site Mangatude. And the poll results are pouring in, as Deb reveals readers’ picks for the best one-shot, all-ages, global, classic, and josei titles.

Meanwhile, the folks at the Angouleme comics festival in France had a contest of their own, and the winner was Shigeru Mizuki, whose Operation Mort won the Angouleme Heritage Award. Mizuki’s Nonnon-ba to Ore manga won the Fauve d’Or: Prix du Meilleur Album at Angouleme in 2007.

Rocket Bomber’s latest online sales charts are up, with the top 500, new releases and pre-orders, emerging trends report, and a rankings summary, all thanks to the hard work of Matt Blind.

Tangognat has some ideas for manga for fifth-graders who prefer realistic romance to fantasy.

Erica Friedman rounds up the week’s yuri news at Okazu and introduces readers to the Japanese yuri manga Gunjou at Afterellen.com.

Colleen Doran has an interesting post on the big-eyed look, with examples from the paintings of Walter Margaret Keane, where the girls’ eyes are enormous, and early manga, where they are not. There’s some interesting commentary about perceptions of girls and girl power as well. (Via The Comics Reporter.)

Apparently Japan isn’t the only country with an otaku leader; Ma Ying-jeou, the president of Taiwan, will receive autographs from a variety of mangaka, including Go Nagai and Glass Mask creator Suzue Miuchi, when he opens the Taipei International Book Exhibition on Feb. 4. Like our own president, Ma was a big comics fan in his youth, although I’m not sure I would be reassured by a national leader who demonstrates familiarity with Crayon Shin-Chan.

Jonathan lists the German publisher Carlsen’s best-sellers for the last quarter of 2008 at Manly Manga and More.

News from Japan: Ed Chavez brings us up to date on the Japanese manga scene in his latest MangaScope column. The Daily Yomiuri covers a memorial exhibit for the late manga-ka Fujio Akatsuka. ANN reports that Bandai Visual has launched a free web magazine featuring manga, novels, and essays, all aimed at males in their 20s.

Reviews: Kate Dacey picked up Manhwa 100: The New Era for Korean Comics, with great anticipation but was disappointed with what she saw; read her review to find out why the book that could have been the manhwa answer to Manga: The Complete Guide fell so far short. At Manic About Manga, Kris reads a trio of Fumi Yoshinaga volumes, Solfege and vols. 1 and 2 of The Moon and the Sandals. Erica Friedman considers the dynamics of power and abuse in vol. 1 of Alice on Deadlines, and concludes that no, sexual abuse isn’t funny, at Okazu. Other reviews of note:

Connie on vol. 3 of Basara (Slightly Biased Manga)
Lissa Pattillo on vol. 18 of Black Cat (Kuriousity)
Holly Ellingwood on vol. 1 of Blank Slate (Active Anime)
Julie on vol. 34 of Boys Over Flowers (Manga Maniac Cafe)
Connie on vol. 2 of Captive Hearts (Slightly Biased Manga)
Deb Aoki on Dramacon—the cell phone version (About.com)
Lissa Pattillo on vol. 3 of Hero Heel (Kuriousity)
Connie on vol. 14 of Let Dai (Slightly Biased Manga)
Joe McCulloch on vol. 1 of Oishinbo (The Savage Critics)
Julie on vol. 2 of Record of a Fallen Vampire (Manga Maniac Cafe)
Melinda Beasi on Red Blinds the Foolish (Manga Recon)
Sandra Scholes on vol. 2 of Romance Papa (Active Anime)
Lori Henderson on vol. 3 of Sand Chronicles (Comics Village)
Casey Brienza on vol. 1 of Song of the Hanging Sky (ANN)
Sandra Scholes on vol. 5 of Totally Captivated (Active Anime)
Julie on Tricky Prince (MangaCast)
Michelle Smith on vols. 1 and 2 of Two Flowers for the Dragon (Soliloquy in Blue)
Michelle Smith on You Will Fall in Love (Manga Recon)

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Comments

  1. Ed Sizemore says

    Brigid, I like the new format for review links.

  2. Katherine Dacey says

    I like the new format, too, Brigid—it’s inspired me to follow more of the links! One point of clarification, though: I’m the one who read and reviewed Manhwa 100. (I’m guessing authorship probably doesn’t show up in David’s feed.) Thanks!

  3. Thanks! I figured it was more readable for the readers and it’s quicker for me as well.

    Kate, I’m sorry I got that wrong—I need to start checking more carefully!