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NYAF 2009: Del Rey

By Lissa Pattillo on Sunday, September 27, 2009

Del Rey was up to proverbial bat yesterday for their panel at New York Anime Fest with some new titles and a well received title rescue from Tokyopop. (Source: AnimeNewsNetwork)

New Licenses:

Here I Am! – Ema Toyami
Arisa – Natsumi Ando
Yokai Navi Runa – Runa Rindo

The announcement of Yokai Navi Runa confirms Del Rey’s license of the series after a listing popped up on Amazon early this month. Nothing was said about the listings for upcoming omnibus of several of their other currently running serie,s but their choice of omnibus releases for their Tokyopop license rescues seems to prove a good indication of their growing preference for the format.

On that note, Del Rey also announced that they’ve picked up the license for the remaining unpublished volumes of Rave Master (previously released by Tokyopop) and they’ll be putting out the final volumes in one omnibus collection.

A piece of news for those who, like me, see everyone of these announcements as another reason to attend NYAF next year, this 2009 event marked the final incarnation of New York Anime Fest as it is now and next year it will return as a dual event with New York Comic Con. (Source: AnimeNewsNetwork)

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Categories: Licensing
Tags: Conventions, Del Rey, Manga

NYAF 2009: Vertical Inc.

By Lissa Pattillo on Saturday, September 26, 2009

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Vertical Inc. took the panel stand yesterday at this weekend’s New York Anime Fest with first a handful of new licenses to share with the audience. Source: AnimeNewsNetwork

New Licenses:

Peepo Choo – Felipe Smith
Twin Spica – Kou Yaginuma
Needles – Nobuaki Tadano
Chi’s Sweet Home – Kanata Konami

Readers will likely recall the recent ‘leak’ of Chi’s Sweet Home on retail sites earlier in the month, which though soon met with denial of license by Vertical, was officially confirmed as an acquisition during their panel. In a move causing a rift of opinion between fans, Chi’s Sweet Home will be released in full colour and flipped (everything mirrored so it would be read in English-format left-to-right).

During the panel’s Q&A, Black Jack was discussed as likely seeing release to 17 volumes, and that the license of Osamu Tezuka’s pioneering shoujo series, Princess Knight, is a strong candidate for license as well. Both fantastic news I’d say!

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Categories: Licensing
Tags: Black Jack, Conventions, Manga, Vertical Inc

NYAF 2009: Tokyopop

By Lissa Pattillo on Friday, September 25, 2009

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New York Anime Fest is happening this weekend and the mangaverse is ripe with all the newest info as it comes thanks to numerous dedicated bloggers and Twitter-folk. Anime News Network has its dedicated staff on hand to cover the big anime/manga news, and though sadly their servers aren’t holding up as well as their staff, they’re still the best up-to-date resource (past speedy Twitter-ers!) for all your NYAF goodies.

Tokyopop had its panel earlier today and had a bunch of announcement. Sadly their simulataneous broadcast was foiled by technical difficulties, but of course the show went on!

New licenses:

Songs and Laughter by Natsuki Takaya
.hack//Link by Megane Kikuya/CyberConnect2
Ratman by Inui Sekihiko
Qwasar Stigmata by Yoshino Hiroyuki/Satou Kenetsu

BLU Manga (TP’s yaoi imprint)

Croquis by Hinako Takanaga
Blood Honey by Yozakura Sakyou
Love Knot by Ichijou Lemon
Cute Demon by Madarame Hiro
Love Story in the Isolated Island by Duo Brand

Tokyopop staff were also greeted with positive response to repeated news that they’ll be returning to a higher quality paper print for their books and just in time for the return of some fan favourites, such as the fourth volume of Suppli and the eighth volume of V.B. Rose.

Along with an update on the upcoming movie-adaptation of the Tokypop released, Priest, they also shared word that they’ll be releasing graphic novels based on two Hollywood films, the recently debuted Shutter Island and the upcoming Joss Whedon written Cabin in the Woods.

Earlier this afternoon, Tokyopop also sent out a press release outlining their previously announced titles debuting in 2010. Lots of fun stuff on the horizon!

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Categories: Licensing
Tags: Boys' Love/Yaoi, Conventions, Hinako Takanaga, Manga, Tokyopop

Review: Bleach (Vol. 28)

By Lissa Pattillo on Thursday, September 24, 2009

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Reviewer: Lissa Pattillo

Manga-ka: Kubo Tite
Publisher: Viz Media
Rating: Teen (13+)
Release Date: September 2009

Synopsis: “Ichigo, Chad and Uryû are determined to rescue Orihime from Aizen’s vile machinations. But though the Arrancars’ fortress is in sight, the would-be heroes must first pass Tres Cifras–the land of the disgraced Arrancars, who see destroying Ichigo and his friends as a way to redeem their honor!”

Cue the next damsel-rescue quest. Ichigo, Chad and Ishida have made their way into the world of the Hollows and their volumes of training are finally being put to the test. With new powers requiring exposition, and an entire world of potential new characters, the lead cast takes their official plunge into Bleach’s next giant battle arc.

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Categories: Reviews
Tags: Bleach, Manga, Shonen Jump, Viz Media

eManga.com Adds New Titles From Global Creators

By Lissa Pattillo on Wednesday, September 23, 2009

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Digital Manga has been busy since their eManga website had it’s fairly-recent revamp, adding numerous titles from DMP’s large library of titles. Lately however they’ve begun branching out, adding several titles from creators around the world.

Most recently they’ve added the first volume of Games With Me, a historical boys’ love story written by Tina Anderson and drawn by Linsley Brito. I’ve had the opportunity to read Games With Me and really enjoyed it. The characters are interesting, not falling into your stereotypical character molds, and the art is beautiful and really polished. I definitely recommend taking the time to read it and am thrilled that Digital Manga is working with the creators to offer it to English-readers for the first time (the story has yet to be published in English).

“Ex-Civil War surgeon George Callahan is a man haunted by his past. Unwilling to deal with the demons of his childhood, he turns to opium and finds back-alley employment with the heartless brothel keepers of San Francisco’s Chinatown. In Volume 1 of this gorgeously illustrated gay historical drama, Dr. George Callahan searches for a Chinese woman from his past, and soon finds himself unwittingly drawn to dim-witted male prostitute Jun, whose own life is complicated by the unwanted attentions of an aggressive bouncer named Roan Baxter.”

You can check out the complete press release sent out by Digital Manga for more information about the release and the creators.

Digital Manga has also added two Yaoi Press titles to their online manga rental website: Yaoi Press’s Yaoi Hentai, volume one and volume two. If you’re a yaoi fan and love a good comedy, there’s plenty for you in these books. They’re collections of short stories that range from funny to flashy and never without a heaping dose of 18+ material to earn the books their name.

And when you’re through there, of course don’t forget to check out the other eManga titles up for reading as well, including several books that haven’t been released yet (and most of which you can read a sample of for free!). Guaranteed to win you over to some fun purchases and leave you curious to see what titles will appear in their selection next.

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Categories: Uncategorized
Tags: Boys' Love/Yaoi, DMP, Global Manga, Manga, Yaoi Press

Media Blasters Sneaks In A Few More Yaois, DtB Omnibus

By Lissa Pattillo on Monday, September 21, 2009

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AAAAnime and RightStuf have made some recent updates to their inventory lists and a few new titles have wiggled their way in. Plus, we don’t want to think I’m just an Amazon-splunker, right?

Media Blasters has two new-ish yaoi listings up, continuing their history of under-the-radar licensing. Both are set for release this winter:

Erotikku ni Oborero! by Higashino Yuu, titled under the name Drawn To Him. (11/24/2009)

“Tomoki was specifically requested by Tougo Tsubaki, popular romance novelist to do the illustrations for his novels. Tougo calls it “inspiration” and seduces Tomoki. A love that started from sex…! His heart is racing and his body is so hot! Drawn to him is a manga artist’s professional and private life, with lots of sex!”

Douse, Koi Dakara by Naoka Kasuga, titled under the name Because of Love. (12/16/2009)

“Could you stop acting like my older brother already? I told you not to tease me, didn’t I? I’m not going to stop even if you beg me now.” Hana always seems to catch Nodoka at the most unflattering moments. I don’t like Hana treating me like his little brother. I’m not in high school (middle school) anymore. Tempted by Hana’s flirtatious demeanor, Nodoka takes Hana by force and…?! A story about a guy pursuing his older crush. (Heart) This book contains many short stories.”

There’s also a recent listing for Ellie Mamahara: Baseball Heaven, a boys’ love title licensed by Tokyopop’s yaoi imprint, BLU, which has been on hold for some time now. BLU’s website, rarely updated, doesn’t currently have the book dated for release but AAAAnime lists it for September 1st, 2010.

And on the not-yaoi side of things, there’s a listing up for a Darker Than Black omnibus from Yen Press. On their website Yen Press currently has two volumes listed for the series, each one priced at $12.99 at 192 pages while the listing on AAAAnime is priced at $18.99.

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Categories: Licensing
Tags: Boys' Love/Yaoi, Manga, Yen Press

Review: Black Bird (Vol. 01)

By Lissa Pattillo on Sunday, September 20, 2009

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Reviewer: Lissa Pattillo

Manga-ka: Kanoko Sakurakoji
Publisher: Viz Media
Rating: Older Teen (16+)
Release Date: August 2009

Synopsis: “Everything changes one day when Misao is attacked by a demon. Her childhood friend Kyo suddenly returns to save her and tend to her cuts–with his tongue! It turns out Misao is the bride of prophecy, whose blood gives power to the demon clan who claims her. But most demons want to keep her power for themselves–by eating her! Now Misao is just trying to stay alive…and decide if she likes it when Kyo licks her wounds.”

Waiting for the day when her childhood Prince Charming will return, high school student’s Misao’s life is flipped upside down when a demon attack leads her to learn that she is a ‘bride of prophecy’. Now demons of every shape and size are after her, seeking her special blood which will imbue them with great power, and though she thankfully finds herself rescued by a familiar face from her past, Misao unfortunately realizes his intentions don’t seem entirely pure either.

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Categories: Reviews
Tags: Black Bird, Manga, Shoujo Beat, Viz Media

Review: Boys Over Flowers (Vol. 32)

By Shannon Fay on Thursday, September 17, 2009

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Reviewer: Shannon Fay

Manga-ka: Yoko Kamio
Publisher: Viz Media
Rating: Teen (13+)
Release Date: October 2008

Synopsis: “Although Tsukushi Makino is from a poor family, she attends an elite school for the super rich, where her life has become intertwined with the “F4,” the ruling boys of the school, in a whirlwind of love and confusion! Tsukushi’s on-and-off boyfriend Tsukasa is hospitalized after a gruesome head injury! While his life hangs in the balance his devious mother shows no emotion at all! Could a mother really be so heartless?! Even if Tsukasa is able to survive, he may never be the same again…”

This volume of Boys Over Flowers (or Hana Yori Dango for you purists out there) ties up one cliché plotline and moves onto another: out with the controlling family and in with the amnesia. It’s not surprising that the manga pulls out such a tried and true trope: it’s used just about every other rom-com road block to keep the two leads from getting together. Heck, it’s more surprising that it took 31 volumes before one of the leads lost their memory. Yet despite being a cliché and a half, this new arc manages to be funny and heart-touching.

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Categories: Reviews
Tags: Manga, Shoujo Beat, Viz Media

Review: Legend of Zelda – Four Swords (Part One)

By Lissa Pattillo on Wednesday, September 16, 2009

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Reviewer: Lissa Pattillo

Manga-ka: Akira Himekawa
Publisher: VizKids
Rating: All Ages
Release Date: August 2009

Synopsis: “Link, a Hylian Knight, serves Princess Zelda at Hyrule Castle. When Shadow Link kidnaps Princess Zelda, Link once again must prepare himself to defeat the forces of evil. To do so, he needs the legendary Four Sword, but getting it means battling the ancient evil power Vaati. The Four Sword also splits Link into four different versions of himself, and these new Links aren’t team players! Rescuing Zelda, beating Vaati, and getting his wild alter-egos under control isn’t going to be easy!”

It’s the start of another Link incarnation here in the sixth book of the Legend of Zelda series. Link, now the son of a Hyrulian knight, is also a knight himself but to the dismay of those around him is arrogant and impetuous. However he soon learns the hard way that that’s not the kind of person that makes a hero, and when a dark sorcerer kidnaps the Princess Zelda, he draws a legendary sword that splits its wielder in four people.

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Categories: Reviews
Tags: Legend of Zelda, Manga, Viz Media

Review: Junior Escort

By Shannon Fay on Monday, September 14, 2009

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Reviewer: Shannon Fay

Manga-ka: Sakurako Hanafubuki
Publisher: June
Rating: Mature (18+)
Release Date: November 2008

Synopsis: “Ayukawa is a hot up-and-comer in the flashy world of celebrities…but he pales in comparison to the superstar Mizuhara! It’s impossible to pass a newsstand or television set without seeing Mizuhara’s perfectly chiseled features or delicious body. So, when Ayukawa agrees to a special “transaction” involving his incredible idol, he figures it’s just part of his rise to the top…but is there something (or someone) lurking behind the velvet curtain?”

Male modelling is the backdrop for the main story in this collection of boys’ love tales, but unfortunately the manga-ka doesn’t take full advantage of the story’s setting. Making your main characters models raises the bar in terms of character design: if you’re going to make them models, they better be pretty darn hot. Ayukawa and Mizuhara may be good looking, but nothing makes they extra special. There are better looking couples in the book, many of whom also have a more interesting plot line.

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Categories: Reviews
Tags: Boys' Love/Yaoi, June, Manga