Entry tags:

conventions, sdcc, viz

SDCC 2006 - Viz Media (audio up!!!)
If you thought that TP was so-so in San Diego, Viz was equally as disappointing. Now one thing about Viz is that more often than not fans find out about new releases through Amazon or Diamond before they have chance to announce them. I don't know why that is but Viz came to SDCC with a few titles to announce and with more details about current titles. So if you expecting a dozen titles, sorry!

Nothing earth shattering. But hey Viz is Viz. They are the biggest publisher. According to you and your peers....

Best Publisher VIZ Media

BEST SHORT Sexy Voice & Robo Kuroda Iou

BEST MANGA Fullmetal Alchemist Arakawa Hiromu

They are award winners!!! Almost a complete sweep from Viz. But they are used to that now if Bookscan has anything to say about it. Honestly, I was not a part of the voting process, so I have to say right now the final vote was close for most categories but in the end Viz was just better. That's been their MO since I began reading their works almost 20 years ago. Great anniversary for Viz and let's see if next year will bring more of the same (even if FmA is officially out as the incumbent - ahh term limits).

VIZ Media: Anime/Manga
12:30-2:00

— Join VIZ Media representatives Anthony Jiwa (director of marketing, home video and publishing), Cammie Allen, Megan Bates (managing editor, Shojo Beat manga), Annette Roman (managing editor, manga) and others as they discuss new acquisitions for 2007, new product releases, and highlights for the rest of 2006, and answer all your otaku questions. Plus, you’ll have a chance to win VIZ Media products and prizes! Room 9

Any whozzle, like I said Viz was in their usual Viz mode. Anthony Jiwa held a tight ship going through their slides which covered both anime and manga. Everyone of the editors present was allowed time to discuss their new titles - Annette Roman (Viz Media/Signature), Megan Bates (Shojo Beat), Cammie Allen (Shonen Jump). Shojo Beat celebrated its first birthday. Annette talked a bit about her global manga. And mixed into the manga lovefest, four titles were announced.

Brave Story is possibly one of the hottest properties in Japan right now. Scratch that, it has been for a little while now. I remember after Raijin ended, I saw the mangaka for Revenge of Mouflon working on a version for COAMIX. A few other versions have been made since. And that trend has continued many times over - movie (GONZO), manga, video games.... Viz has the novel by Miyabe Miyuki which chronicles the life a young boy who has to enter a fantasy realm to save his mother. If anyone can break through to Coamix its Viz (if you get that, grab City Hunter and Angel Heart on the way out okay).

Shakugan no Shana (or Red Eye'd Shana) is seeing double. Viz will be releasing both the manga and the light novel of this hot MediaWorks title (man my crystal ball is good). Definitely a cute fun action title that fit in perfectly with the now defunct Action imprint. Viz revealed that the anime has been picked up by someone else. No news yet if they have picked up Shakugan no Shana 0 and Shakugan no Shana S (two additional novels from the same property).

Dragon Drive is the inspiration for the anime that was released by Bandai a few years back. A little kiddie for me but should fall into the SJ lineup easily (playing Thursday Night Publisher I would love to see that in SJ magazine).

ブレイブ・ストーリー　 by: 宮部みゆき Brave Story by: Miyabe Miyuki Fujimi Shobo/Fujimi Sneaker 2 huge vols/novel

灼眼のシャナ　 by: 笹倉綾人/高橋弥七郎 Shakugan no Shana by:Takahashi Yashichirou/Sasakura Ayao MediaWorks/Dengeki Comics 2+ vols/shonen

灼眼のシャナ　 by: 高橋弥七郎 Shakugan no Shana by: Takahashi Yashichirou MediaWorks/Dengeki Bunko 12 vols/novels

DRAGON DRIVE by: 佐倉　ケンイチ　 DRAGON DRIVE by: Sakura Kenichi Shueisha/Jump Comics 14 vols/shonen

Viz is kicking but and they are growing everywhere. And while many of their franchise titles are winding down - RK, Ranma, MI, DBZ, Hot Gimmick.... - they always seem to have things lurking. Brave Story and Shana look like titles poised to be huge. FMA HUGE if marketed properly. Lots of crossover for both titles and so many ways to market these makes them very good properties for a brand conscious company like Viz. So while quantity might not equal CMX or Del Rey, at least those two titles will be making noise next year.

Some more news has Gentleman's Alliance coming with a never before seen poster (US exclusive). Slam Dunk is no longer in Viz's plans according to Anthony Jiwa. Pokemon Dungeon will be released in Nintendo Power magazine. And new titles Claymore and D. GrayMan have been doing very well for their SJAdvanced line.

Download the audio recording of this SDCC Panel here .

Subscribe to the MangaCast at