Caleb Goellner of Comics Alliance takes the Viz iPad app for a test drive and likes what he sees:
Its interface is comparable to comiXology’s prominent reader and creating an account to buy content is a simple, streamlined process. Much like our earlier experience with the Scott Pilgrim iPad app, Viz’s digest-sized pages translate nicely to the iPad’s larger screen, a presentation style that should prove ideal for fans who already enjoy reading digital comics content on the device.
For now it doesn’t appear that content purchased in Viz’s iPad can be used or stored across multiple devices the way it can on other existing digital comic book platforms, but there’s always potential for Viz to address that functionality down the road provided users demand it.
At About.com, Deb Aoki has some ideas for things Viz might use the app for in the future. Kate Dacey posts her reaction The Manga Critic, and briefly compares the Viz and Yen Press apps.
David Welsh and Brad Rice look at this week’s new releases.
At Manga Therapy, Tony Yao takes a look at why incest is such a popular theme in anime and manga. Tony also points us to an interesting scholarly paper, The Diffusion of Foreign Cultural Products: The Case Analysis of Japanese Comics (Manga) Market in the US, which I’m looking forward to reading this weekend. Translators Alethea and Athena Nibley clear up some misconceptions about moe at Manga Life.
News from Japan: CLAMP already announced a Gate 7 one-shot in the December Jump Square, and now they say it will be a series starting with the March issue. BL publisher Libre is has just released Seitō Kijinka Seitō-tan (Seitō-tan, Political Parties Personified) which is exactly what it sounds like; ANN has the full explanation. Also, Shogakukan Creative is about to publish the notebooks of Osamu Tezuka, an item that should be on lots of otaku wish-lists this holiday season.
Reviews
Animemiz on 20th Century Boys (Anime Diet)
Sean Kleefeld on The 14th Dalai Lama: A Manga Biography (Kleefeld on Comics)
Chris Zimmerman on vols. 1 and 2 of Biomega and vol. 1 of March Story (CBS4.com)
Lissa Pattillo on vol. 3 of Black Butler (ANN)
Leroy Douresseaux on vol. 19 of D.Gray-Man (The Comic Book Bin)
Animemiz on High School Debut (Anime Diet)
Anna on vols. 2 and 3 of Jyu-Oh-Sei (Manga Report)
Erica Friedman on Kaichou to Fukukaichou (Okazu)
Todd Douglass on vol. 1 of K-On!! (Anime Maki)
Greg McElhatton on Korea as Viewed by 12 Creators (Read About Comics)
Sean Gaffney on vol. 1 of The Stellar Six of Gingacho (A Case Suitable for Treatment)
Todd Douglass on vol. 1 of Summoner Girl (Anime Maki)