Aftermath

AX, AKon and SDCC are done and after a week to recharge and detox the MangaSphere is just starting to get settled again. Its back to work and that means more to talk about for the MangaBlog. And considering what transpired over the last month with BroBooks partnering with CosMode, SquareEnix showing up in San Diego, and the launch of Yen Press there is no shortage of commentary.

Dark Horse possibly took top prize this summer and they didn't even have a manga panel in San Diego. They announced their new ManGettes project which will feature comics from the queens of manga CLAMP. Personally I thought manga was over the whole mangetsu deal years ago. You know that was before the manga revolution. I'd rather see anthologies, but if CLAMP does them they will be bought. Now I wonder how manly these will be considering that they are from Dark Horse?

If it were up to me, I'd say Viz was the big winner. Sure CLAMP is big and Viz has CLAMP in their catalog, but who can claim they have the most loved manga property of all time! Only Viz can say that now that they have licensed SLAM DUNK. After a while on the bench Sakuragi Hanamichi will return to the States and Viz promises the title will be a winner out here. Viz also announced their new Viz Big line. Everyone loves to take a ride on the omnibus train, so why not the Big V.

CMX had me talking them up all last week. The DC imprint revealed the first two titles from their deal with Flex Comix in San Diego. They also had Flex Comix execs on hand to demo early versions of the potential US port of the Flex Comix reader. People can go to Flex's site now to read their manga for free (Japanese only) but what you cannot find there is Crayon Shin-chan. That little rascal is also back after a brief hiatus and CMX isn't going to baby this long series. How they will handle the potty humor is still up for discussion though.

Plenty more SDCC coverage in this MBC. I would love to type some more but I got a train to catch and jetlag to get over. Sakai-shi here I come!! TADAIMA!!

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This program was written by Brigid Alverson and read/recorded by Jack Tse for the MangaBlog.
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Countdown

Countdown to Otakon... Countdown to SDCC... Countdown to the Kodansha version of MegaTokyo... Countdown to the next Tezuka Awards...

There was a lot of counting over at the MangaBlog lately. With so many events happening over the course of the summer keeping track of them all is not very easy but Brigid has been keeping track of most of the press releases and previews blogs like this one have been posting over the last week or so.

One thing I am counting on is the release of MegaTokyo from Kodansha's BOX line. Fancy packaging, nice paper and the first translation of l33t into Japanese I have ever heard of! I'll let you know when the pre-orders are up at Toranoana...

Guess it might be too early to countdown to the next Tezuka awards since the latest were just handed out a month ago. Still manga fans could count down to when the winners will be licensed in the States. The office pool is not favoring SDCC for Maihime but then again Fanfare will be at SDCC!

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This program was written by Brigid Alverson and read/recorded by Jack Tse for the MangaBlog.
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After the AX

AX was only 10 days ago and news from the event is still trickling through the mangasphere. Gantz, .hack//XXXX, Naruto Novel 2... were just three of the many titles announced at the SoCal anime party. But along with all the new title news came some controversy and commentary.

Dark Horse announced 9 new licenses at the con but also revealed that they have cancelled a title, put another on hiatus and delays for manga from prime time artists Fujishima Kousuke and Masamune Shirow will be eminent. There was also a lot of talk about the future of seinen manga. Eden in particular was mentioned as the title is not getting the recognition it deserves and might need more support. Well that started number of threads about female buying power and old boy "Blood & Breast" manga mentalities. There were conversations about Dark Horse's distribution and how hard it is to find their books outside of the direct market. Even talks about age differences and how that might be a more relevant gauge for a title's success.

In the end, one thing is clear... It's easy to sell BL, hard to sell ero manga; everything else unless is Naruto or Furuba is a crap shoot!

NETCOMICS wants to make experiencing manga easier though. They have been releasing Korean titles online for a few dimes a chapter for more than a year now. And now they have partnered with Yaoi Press to release BL on their site as well. The publisher recently announced that they have expanded to include Japanese titles, something they have been doing in Korea for years with great success. The titles might not be the newest and most popular but the 16 new acquisitions should give manga readers a look at what else is out there in the manga world. New artists, new genres and new styles... Similar to what NETCOMICS has done with their Korean catalog.

And ICv2 says there might be a yaoi logjam... You'll have to hear about it in the latest MBC. Aye Caramba!

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This program was written by Brigid Alverson and read/recorded by Ed Chavez for the MangaBlog.
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Flex Those Manga Muscles

Lots of manga news from the MangaBlog so we should be getting two over the weekend. This episode will cover what has occurred up to AX and Sun/Monday's should feature con news and beyond.

Manga pubs were flexing their muscles a bit before AX. DC took the concept a little too literally by investing in Flex Comics (publishers of Shounen Blood and ComiDiGi+). The deal created a mini-stir in the mangasphere but I personally believe DC is looking into the technology as well as the content Flex is providing. That said Flex's Comic Blood has been a bit of a joke since its launch a few years back. The line was operated by a number of online-media groups before it settled with Flex. Since December Flex was also able to poach Broccoli's ComicDiGi from JIVE further strengthening their brand to manga readers and the otaku market.

Manga flexed its muscles by giving some love to global manga. The Nobel Prize of Manga was awarded to artists from Asia and Australia last week. One winner was Madeleine Rosca whose Hollow Fields just debuted from Seven Seas. The award was set up to show goodwill through manga but it is also giving hope to western mangaka as they can now see their works accepted by a truly global audience.

And maybe some titles have been flexing for too long. Was Ranma too long for its harem-y goodness? Should Oh My Goddess be worth all the effort? Is Detective Conan and its 60+ vols suicide for Viz? Boys Over Flowers too long even for shoujo readers? What about Prince of Tennis, One Piece... Oh lord the Naruto filler arc!?! Many manga pubs say they want to avoid long series. But every new con they seem to license them again and again... GANTZ, AI Revolution, and Manga Sutra are only a few examples of new long titles. Maybe pubs should get big and beefy with omnibuses like TP and DH?? That's for another podcast though...

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This program was written by Brigid Alverson and read/recorded by Jack Tse for the MangaBlog.
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Revenge of the Wotaku

You don't need the MangaBlog to tell you that Japanese readership of Weekly Shounen Jump magazine is split almost 50/50 between women and teenage boys. Take a look at a Princess Side ranking and there will usually be at least a couple REBORN! parodies, some Bleach! parodies and the occasional Death Note title tossed in their for angst reasons. Women seem to gobble up manga with cute righteous young men and they have ever since Sakuragi Hanamichi (Slam Dunk) and Seiya (Saint Seiya). Women make such a large market for SJ, that there have been rumors that storylines are being re-worked for fujoshi tastes and character designs are drawn to a more "cool" aesthetic.

Now the otaku are getting pubs to make shojo their way. Futabasha's Comic High was the first shojo magazine for men. Futabasha seemed to have forgotten the kanji for "bi" (beautiful) in bishojo because none of their titles are like what is found in LaLa, ShoComi or Hana to Yume. Houbunsha's Comic Yell promises a real shojo experience. So instead of hiring mangaka with ero manga, seinen, shounen and yuri backgrounds, many of the mangaka have female manga experience. I might still call this a bishojo mag, or I will until I read an issue first hand, but after checking out the Yell blog, I can clearly see that Houbunsha isn't going for the fanservice... as much.

Remember that post about Manga on Film I did last week. If you are at AX don't pass up a number of manga on film screenings including - Ping Pong!! Looks like Seven Seas might have one of their originals adapted in the near future. See... See content delivery whether its Japanese, Korean, British or American presented in an active layout format like manga just seems to translate will to the big screen. Now I wonder if Seven Seas will be able to screen their movie (if it goes to production) at AX sometime in the future? Hmmm.

And have you ever wondered what your blog would look like as a manga? Honestly I don't know how Sony's software works, but Jack and Brigid will try to give you some details in this latest episode of the MBC.

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This program was written by Brigid Alverson and read/recorded by Jack Tse for the MangaBlog.
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To celebrate their first year anniversary the MBC took the last week off but they return with the latest rumblings and ramblings from the MangaSphere.

Manga on your PC has been coming for what seems like years now. I cannot count how many panels I have seen dedicated to this. And yet there really is so little of it out there in the west. NETCOMICS has been doing this since day one and now they have teamed up with Yaoi Press to give American Fujoshi more ways to read BL.

ConSeason is here. The weather is warming up and pubs are currently criss crossing the country pimping their books. ACen and Fanime were just a start. At BEA a handful of alternative titles were announced by boutique pubs. And TP confirmed 38 new titles, completely taking away the need for showing up at cons all together...

Over in Japan, the spring semester at Manga U (better known as Kyoto Seika Univ) is still in session but are all of the manga undergrads keeping up with the curriculum? Find out why culture clash could bring grades down when you are majoring in manga.

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This program was written by Brigid Alverson and read/recorded by Jack Tse for the MangaBlog.
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Stop the Presses

First I want to apologize for not posting this sooner. Lost in transit is my excuse but the truth is... I was on a tour of the NorthEast, MidWest and upon returning to my time zone of origin I essentially took a nap for two days. Julie and the crew have kept the place in order but you haven't had a podcast in more than a week. GOMEN! A few good ones are coming so stay tuned...

Now to business... Is it me but does the mangasphere only seem to really wake up when there is something etchi involved. Years ago potential changes to Negima awakened a sleeping giant that essentially changed the way Del Rey did business. I don't want to remind people of TenTen-Gate but I don't think CMX has had as much press for a title since. Nymphet was the first title I could remember that was killed for not being edited. I honestly don't know how to feel about that but I will say I wish fans were as vocal about other issues.

This week Brigid and Jack talk about comic controversies and their opinion is not exclusive to manga. Has anyone seen the Mary Jane vinyl figure or what about that ame-comi with the tentacles? And how could MPD Psycho have been in the same magazine as Sgt Frog!!

If this podcast offends you, send your email to the MangablogCast(AT)gmail(dot)com. Me I am going to read some bakunyuu.

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This program was written by Brigid Alverson and read/recorded by Jack Tse for the MangaBlog.
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Throw the Book at'em

Jack and the MangaBlog crew have debated issues like scanlations in the past. So how do they feel about people scanning manga before its even published in a magazine? And where would they rate Shojo Beat amongst the most etchi kids manga magazines (or is SB too mature for kids to read)?

This week Brigid and Jack throw the book at them all. ShoComi showing to much T&A... Best be improving sales or else! Scanners giving the manga industry a hit... The cops are on their way. And what about CPM? Jack says stay away... It's like the People's Court this week on the MBC. The only defendant escaping the gas chamber will be Del Rey! Found out why in the latest manga news/views for your iTunes MBC #35!

Defend your views by sending an email to the MangablogCast(AT)gmail(dot)com.

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This program was written by Brigid Alverson and read/recorded by Jack Tse for the MangaBlog.
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The Next Tezuka??

Don't know why but everyone is talking Tezuka now. Pretty sure its some scheme thought up by Vertical or Kodansha but everywhere I go while surfing the mangasphere I see "Osamu this" and "Tezuka that." Out here in my part of the world, art from Godfather of Manga will be on display at the San Francisco Asian Art Museum. Called the Marvel of Manga the exhibition curated by Philip Brophy features more than 200 works from the manga master. Themes covered in the exhibit represent the wide spectrum of works Tezuka created in his storied career. Gekiga, Mushi Pro, AstroBoy, Princess Knight and much more will be on display between June 2 and Sept 9.

No one could replace Tezuka, but there must be mangaka out there that demand attention from readers worldwide. David Welsh's PreCurBlog asks his readers for the "Next Big Thing" in manga. Given her popularity one might have to put Yoshinaga Fumi out there (where is the rest of her food manga??). Could Urasawa be big when his Pineapple Army was canceled a decade ago and MONSTER only seems to get love from manga pundits? Taniguchi is possibly a better example as his works are still being picked up. Takahashi Rumiko, CLAMP, Yazawa Ai... Already big here.

Monkey Punch should be big here. Who doesn't love a lecherous thief?! But Monkey Punch is looking for the next big AmeComi artist! Like many artists from his era, Monkey Punch looked to the west for inspiration. Where is the next Stan Lee Doesn't he look like a Lupin character in that pic</a>. Maybe the next big thing is on the PWCW top ten list? WARRIORS!!!

Go give David your pick at his blog or send in your suggestions to the MBC at MangablogCast(AT)gmail(dot)com. Maybe your suggestions will be in the next MBC?!

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This program was written by Brigid Alverson and read/recorded by Jack Tse for the MangaBlog.
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Something to Cheer About

In a week where Viz news was practically a daily affair, the MangaBlogCast was able to rustle up a handful of non-Naruto info to share with you. Lucky you, because if it were up to me, I would have would have possibly turned this episode into a tribute show for two MangaCast influences who celebrated this past weekend - Willie Mays and Satsuki Yamashita.

Plenty to celebrate though, especially with the return of Parasyte. Migi's new translation and right to left formating makes him even creepier than ever. The wideban release also means more talking hand madness to enjoy with every volume. People are celebrating Manhwa in Japan. They are also ranting about it over at 2ch... (Nothing new about that really.)

And before we see 12 volumes of ninja Naruto cannibalize each other this winter, lets give global manga Warriors some applause for a great showing this last week. Good news all around and if you have a birthday wish to send the MBC for when they turn 1 year send them to the MangaBlogCast at mangablogcast(at)gmail(dot)com. Let's make the June 6 edition a real party!

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This program was written by Brigid Alverson and read/recorded by Jack Tse for the MangaBlog.
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The MangaBlogCast prepares itself for the Naruto Nation by taking on the Viz Teikoku and their plans to take over the world... Or at least the shelves at Borders. Will Naruto end up pushing Dragon Head off the shelves again? Will the ninja wave

No worries for a best-selling book like Chobits but that book has its own problems. Looks like someone forgot to look at those ratings TOKYOPOP has tried so hard to make clear since the start of the year. Sure this series was released long before TP's Ratings 2.0 but the book said 16+ and the NZ gov said it was 13+ so whats the dealio, yo?

The Manga Top 10 should not fear either. All those fangirls living in the manga aisles are going to insure that Furuba and BLEACH will be able to survive in the Naruto World Order. Not sure if I can say the same about Rightie and the rest of the gang from Parasyte. And even if I am sure the fujoshi will be buying Black Sun, Silver Moon, while wotaku pick up Nymphet, I have to wonder if such gender specific titles will be struggle or will they flourish in a maturing market.

Interesting questions to ponder and Jack with Brigid's help discuss the viability of an even bigger Naruto nation in the latest MBC!! Now available in M4A and MP3 formats (yeah we are looking for media domination ourselves!)

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This program was written by Brigid Alverson and read/recorded by Jack Tse for the MangaBlog.
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With a Slimy Vengeance

After taking a well deserved week off, the MangaBlogCast returns demanding your attention! Yeah, I think you will agree that last week was a slow manga news week, so this episode is light on topics but still filled with value and relevance.

Didn't get enough Eisner nominee commentary? Jack can tell you why he was disappointed with the peeps from the SDCC. Fed up with CLAMP's cutesy shoujo/shounen styles and what something edgy? Mr. Tse gives CLAMP some much needed advice... "Take a hint from Dragon Quest!!" And according to the MangaBlog's data shoujo orphans beat ninja everyday!

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This program was written by Brigid Alverson and read/recorded by Jack Tse for the MangaBlog.
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Mature Manga for a Maturing Readership

The MangaCast is all about the MM4MM. Seinen, eromanga, BL we love the manly manga. Knowing that mature manga for mature women is coming has got us excited (even if some of the staff will not be reading much of it). But last week news was not exclusive to josei and BL. All in One's are coming, plenty more Claymore to enjoy (in the States and abroad) and soon there will be some MM4MM movies to be enjoyed on the big screen!!

The MangaBlog has matured a bit now that its podcast has turned 30. Sure they still cover shoujo and shounen titles but even Jack has begun to appreciate some of the edgier titles that are laying around in the office.

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This program was written by Brigid Alverson and read/recorded by Jack Tse for the MangaBlog.
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