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Archive for October, 2011

NYAF 2011: Kodansha Comics

By Lissa Pattillo on Tuesday, October 18, 2011

A downside to larger cons is that panel rooms can’t always hold everyone who wants to attend. This was the case with me and the Kodansha Comics panel at this year’s New York Anime fest. A wait in a long, long line ended with me being told the room could hold no more – alas! I’d forgotten that Kodansha had brought the creator of Fairy Tale, Hiro Mashima, to the convention and his presence at the panel filled it to standing room only (minus any remaining standing room so I’m told!).

Internet and dedicated bloggers still ensured the news got out to the masses though, as well as two press releases. This means the news for you without the 1500+ words from me! You can read about their new license, upcoming omnibus editions and their digital launch under the cut.

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Categories: Licensing, News
Tags: Attack on Titan, Conventions, Kodansha Comics, NYAF 2011, NYCC, Sailor Moon

Otaku USA: On The Shelf – October 19, 2011

By Lissa Pattillo on Tuesday, October 18, 2011

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Back from New York with a suitcase full of swag and I was still excited to get home and see what new goodies are out this week! If you’re curious about what new manga titles are out, you can pop over to Otaku USA to read my On The Shelf article for the week.

A big chunk of my excitement for this week’s releases is because the first volume of Gate 7 is finally out. CLAMP are some of my favourite creators and to have a new title from them to read for the first time is really exciting. How many years has it been since that happened? Plus the book looks gorgeous! Dark Horse has a preview of the manga’s first chapter over on their website that you can read to get an early glimpse.

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Categories: On The Shelf, Release Lists
Tags: CLAMP, Dark Horse, Kodansha Comics, Manga, Manhwa, Otaku USA, Vertical Inc

NYAF 2011: Viz Media

By Lissa Pattillo on Monday, October 17, 2011

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Manga programming was light after Friday at NYCC, but Sunday had Viz Media‘s panel with a big announcement to share and some licenses worth getting giddy for. I’ve included the full write up of the panel in my post here, including the anime-related news instead of just the manga. Since the post is so lengthy, however, here’s a quick summary of the event manga-wise:

New licenses:

Jiu Jiu – Toya Tobino
Loveless – Yun Kouga

Announcement:

Shonen Jump print magazine to be discontinued in March 2012; replaced by digital edition that will come out weekly and feature new chapters of titles from Japan within weeks of their release. Graphic novels of these titles will be released digitally to allow readers to get caught up before the new chapters begin. Viz Media is calling this their ‘digital warp’.

You can read the full details and anime news under the cut!

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Categories: Licensing, News
Tags: Bakuman, Bleach, Boys' Love/Yaoi, Conventions, Loveless, Manga, Naoki Urasawa, Neon Genesis Evangelion, NYAF 2011, NYCC, Omnibus, One Piece, Shoujo Beat, Skip Beat, Toriko, Viz Media

PR: Viz Media Launches Digital Weekly Shonen Jump Alpha

By Lissa Pattillo on Monday, October 17, 2011

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VIZ MEDIA TO DEBUT WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA
NORTH AMERICA’S ONLY NEAR-SIMULTANEOUS
DIGITAL MANGA MAGAZINE

WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA Brings Fans The Most Popular Manga In The World Faster Than Ever Before

San Francisco, CA, October 14, 2011 – VIZ Media, the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in the North America, announces the countdown to the launch of WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA (WEEKLY SJ ALPHA), a weekly serial anthology of some of the most popular manga series in the world: BAKUMAN｡, BLEACH, NARUTO, NURA: RISE OF THE YOKAI CLAN, ONE PIECE, and TORIKO. The first issue of WEEKLY SJ ALPHA goes on sale January 30, 2012, and will be available through VIZManga.com and the VIZ Manga apps for iPhone™, iPod™ touch and iPad™.

Each new digital issue of WEEKLY SJ ALPHA brings manga fans in North America the latest chapters of their favorite series only two weeks after it debuts in Japan’s massively popular WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP Magazine. Currently, Japanese releases are often several months to years ahead of North American print titles; WEEKLY SJ ALPHA eliminates the delay in unprecedented fashion.

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Categories: Press Releases
Tags: Bakuman, One Piece, Toriko, Viz Media

PR: Kodansha Comics’ New iPad App Debuts at NYCC

By Lissa Pattillo on Monday, October 17, 2011

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KODANSHA COMICS’ NEW IPAD APP DEBUTS AT NEW YORK COMIC-CON
APP CREATED AND SERVICED BY RANDOM HOUSE PUBLISHER SERVICES

App to launch with $2.99 Fairy Tail promotion in celebration of manga creator New York Comic-Con guest Hiro Mashima

NEW YORK, October 14, 2011 – Kodansha USA Publishing is proud to announce the debut of the Kodansha Comics app, appearing at midnight tonight in the iTunes store. The app was created by Random House, Inc.’s digital content team on behalf of Kodansha, a Random House Publisher Services division client. It will be free to download, with most volumes priced for sale at $4.99. The Kodansha Comics iPad app will launch with 34 books covering four series: Arisa by Natsumi Ando; Fairy Tail by Hiro Mashima; Sayonara, Zetsubou-Sensei by Koji Kumeta; and Until the Full Moon by Sanami Matoh. Additional series will be added to the app in the near future.

In a special launch promotion designed to celebrate the appearance at New York Comic-Con of Fairy Tail creator Hiro Mashima, all fifteen volumes of Fairy Tail will be available at the special price of $2.99 each for a limited time.

Random House, Inc. has been increasing its own focus on the digital world with the acquisition in May of digital media agency Smashing Ideas, as well as with its in-house corporate digital content and services group. With numerous apps and specialized eBooks under their belt, the Random House team was the ideal choice to develop this exciting new app for Kodansha.

Servicing this app is a natural extension of Random House Publisher Services distribution agreement with Kodansha USA Publishing, which covers sales and distribution, and also editorial, production and marketing.

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Categories: Press Releases
Tags: Kodansha Comics, Manga, Negima, NYCC

PR: Kodansha Comics Announces Attack On Titan at NYCC

By Lissa Pattillo on Monday, October 17, 2011

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KODANSHA COMICS ANNOUNCES HAJIME ISAYAMA’S
ATTACK ON TITAN AT NEW YORK COMIC-CON

Also reveals Genshiken and Kitchen Princess omnibuses

NEW YORK, October 14, 2011 – Today at New York Comic-Con Kodansha Comics announced three new titles for summer 2012: Attack on Titan by Hajime Isayama, Genshiken Omnibus by Kio Shimoku, and Kitchen Princess Omnibus by Natsumi Ando and Miyuki Kobayashi.

** Attack on Titan
Humanity has been devastated by the bizarre, giant humanoids known as the Titans. Little is known about where they came from or why they are bent on consuming humanity. Seemingly unintelligent, they have roamed the world killing off humankind for years. For the past century, what’s left of mankind has hidden in a giant, three-walled city. People believe their 100-meter-high walls will protect them from the Titans, which are 10 to 20 meters tall. But the sudden appearance of an immense Titan is about to change everything.

Attack on Titan is a breakout hit in Japan, where the first five volumes of the series have sold over 5.5 million copies in just 18 months. The series has won multiple manga awards, including Best Shonen Manga of 2010. The first volume releases in June 2012.

Genshiken Omnibus
Welcome to the world of the Genshiken, home of the true otaku – the Japanese term for ubergeek. This is the story of a group of friends who are all members of the most hardcore anime and manga fan club in all of Tokyo – and the girls who love them. Genshiken was very popular during its initial release several years ago, and this edition collects the first three volumes in May 2012.

Kitchen Princess Omnibus
Najika has always known how to cook. She understands food, and how it touches people’s hearts. But she herself has always been looking for more. When she was a child, she met a boy who touched her heart, and now Najika has set out to find this boy. The only clue she has is a silver spoon that leads to the prestigious Seika Academy. Fitting in at Seika will be a challenge. Every kid in Najika’s class has a special talent, and the girls at the school think Najika’s not worthy. But Sora and Daichi, two popular brothers who barely speak to each other, recognize Najika’s cooking for what it is — magical. Is either boy Najika’s mysterious prince? Find out by starting with this three-volume collection of one of Kodansha’s most popular shojo series in June 2012.

Read more…

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Categories: Licensing, Press Releases
Tags: Attack on Titan, Kodansha Comics, Manga, Negima, NYCC, Omnibus

PR: Animate USA Announces October 2011 BL for Kindle

By Lissa Pattillo on Monday, October 17, 2011

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ANIMATE USA – NEW RELEASES IN AMAZON KINDLE STORE

TOKYO, JAPAN – October 14th – Animate U.S.A., Inc. is pleased to announce their October releases! Coming this month is a much anticipated extra story to Ayano Yamane’s very popular Viewfinder Series. Also available this month is a never before published work – even in Japan – by You Higashino, “Aphrodisiac Kiss”. These two titles are only available in the Kindle store; you won’t find them anywhere else! Naduki Koujima’s “Selfish Love” is also debuting its newest release on the Kindle this month. These titles and more are now available in the Kindle store. And as a special treat, Animate and Libre are pleased to bring you “The Right Way to Support Manga Artists Part 2” absolutely free on the Animate USA site! What are you waiting for?

For more information, go to www.animate-world.com and www.libre-pub.co.jp To relieve your Youka Nitta withdrawal, you can get your fix at nittayouka.com. Check out recent news, comments, and wallpapers. And you can never have enough Ayano Yamane so be sure to go find out what’s new with her as well as artwork and comments at her site yamaneayano.com! Show them your support and visit their sites!

October 2011:

Ayano Yamane– “Viewfinder Series – Hard-Working Cameraman Akihito Takaba’s Fulfilling Househusband Life” KINDLE EXCLUSIVE!!!
You Higashino – “Aphrodisiac Kiss” KINDLE EXCLUSIVE!!!
Naduki Koujima – “Selfish Love Vol.2 Part 3” KINDLE DEBUT

Read more…

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Categories: Press Releases
Tags: Boys' Love/Yaoi

NYAF 2011: Vertical Inc

By Lissa Pattillo on Saturday, October 15, 2011

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Vertical Inc and a logo edit of mine that completely defeats the point of the original!

The second big manga panel of NYCC/NYAF was Vertical Inc‘s which happened Friday night. It was one of the most anticipated manga related events as the company’s marketing director, Ed Chavez, paved the way to it with teasing hints about new titles they’d be revealing. The panel was run by Ed and the company’s editorial director, Yani Mentzas. Their signature Chi plushie was also present, always offering the audience a well worn smile.

A powerpoint presentation was used for the panel to showcase Vertical’s current and upcoming volumes. Ed noted he’d made the same presentation multiple times this convention season so he’d be going through them pretty quick. While that may have been the case, he still had something interesting to add about almost every one. There’s a lot of info here so I’m going to stick with a more list-style format for this panel write-up.

Oct 15 Note: A few cover images will be added to this post after the con ends so check back if curious!

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Categories: Licensing
Tags: 7 Billion Needles, Black Jack, Conventions, Manga, NYAF 2011, NYCC, Osamu Tezuka, Vertical Inc

NYAF 2011: Yen Press

By Lissa Pattillo on Saturday, October 15, 2011

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New York Comic Con/New York Anime Fest is in full swing this weekend and the majority of their manga-related panels were on Friday. Publishers haven’t disappointed with a bunch of new licenses for the last big con of the year. Yen Press’s panel was up first with some new adaptations and new manga licenses, along with some really exciting news for fans of digital manga to top it all off and a good Q&A sesssion.

It was a lengthy panel with lots to share so you can see the complete post under the cut (or below depending on how you’re reading this).

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Categories: Licensing, News
Tags: Alice in the Country of..., Conventions, Global Manga, Manga, Manhwa, NYAF 2011, Yen Press

PR: Seven Seas Announces Alice in the Country of Clover…

By Lissa Pattillo on Friday, October 14, 2011

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Seven Seas Announces Alice in the Country of Clover & Angel Para Bellum

LOS ANGELES, October 14, 2011 – Seven Seas Entertainment is delighted to announce two hot new licenses: Angel Para Bellum, a new manga series about sexy angels vs. demons by the artist of New York Times bestseller Dance in the Vampire Bund, and Alice in the Country of Clover, the follow-up manga series to New York Times bestseller Alice in the Country of Hearts.

Alice in the Country of Clover is an ongoing manga series that reimagines Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland in a sly, shoujo style. This new series is a follow-up to QuinRose’s bestselling Alice in the Country of Hearts, but can be read independently. In June 2012, the one shot, Alice in the Country of Clover: Bloody Twins will kick off the series, followed by Alice in the Country of Clover: Cheshire Cat Waltz volume 1 in July 2012 and Alice in the Country of Clover: Cheshire Cat Waltz volume 2 in September 2012. Each new volume will be released in oversized editions that feature impressive artwork and color pin ups.

Seven Seas has published eleven volumes and one side story of the ongoing series Dance in the Vampire Bund, which repeatedly hits the New York Times Bestseller manga list with each new release. Creator Nozomu Tamaki’s latest work, Angel Para Bellum, offers fans of Dance in the Vampire Bund a thrilling new storyline with the amazing art his fans have grown to admire. Angel Para Bellum volume 1 will be released in July 2012, and volume 2 will follow October 2012.

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Categories: Press Releases
Tags: Alice in the Country of..., Seven Seas