May, 2007

From ANN comes an interview with A.D. Vision co-founder and CEO John Ledford, who talks about the current state of ADV and its plans for the manga market.

Via: MangaBlog

According to nebs66, the July issue of Shonen Jump has started a new campaign to promote "Shonen Jump Evolution," which will result in major changes in the content of Shonen Jump. Full detail regarding the change can be found here. A website for SJ Evolution will also become available in the future.

Via: animeOnline

ANN also reports that Viz has a few changes in store for Shojo Beat.

The new comic release list for May 30th 2007 from ComicList, compiled by MangaCast.

On the USA Today Booklist Top 150 for the week ending May 27th, Volume 14 of Viz's Naruto is the only manga on the list, ranking at #101.

ANN reports that according to a survey conducted by i-mode of 5,400 people conducted by Infoplant, over 40% of the people have downloaded manga in the past:

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Seven Seas president Jason DeAngelis has sent out a letter in response to the reaction caused by the cancellation of Nymphet. The letter includes a brief timeline of the cancellation process, answers to questions raised by the fans, as well as a look at the current state of the U.S. manga market and how difficult it is to acquire a license for publishers:

So, my primary reason for canceling NYMPHET is due to my recent realization that later volumes in the series can not be considered appropriate for the US market by any reasonable standard. For those of you who have been defending the title and have expressed anger about its cancellation, as a fan, I understand your frustration. But, at this point, I can only assume that you have not seen certain segments later in the series, just as I hadn’t, which very clearly cross the line, and which I can no longer stand by or support in good conscience.

Book Expo America, New York (May 31, 2007)-- There are many students who struggle with the demands of reading and vocabulary lists to prepare for the SAT and ACT exams. However, find something that they actually enjoy reading, and watch them "stand and deliver." Kaplan has joined forces with TOKYOPOP to bring these students a unique and engaging way to study vocabulary with the Manga Series.

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In "Profiles in Manga, Part 2," Manga Life's Park Cooper continues to interview global manga artists about their background and their works. Part 1 can be found here.

Also, in a Maison Ikkoku article, PLAYBACK:stl's Jason Green interviews the series' adaptor Gerald Jones.

Via: MangaBlog

topKorean news channel MBC reports that a "red" notebook that imitates Death Note is currently very popular among elementary school students in Korea.

The report states that thanks to do the popularity of Death Note, similar death notebooks have become very popular among elementary school children in Korea. The "red" notebook can be purchased from stores around school for 3,000 Korean won (approximately 3.2 USD).

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topMayu Shinjo is a popular shojo mangaka whose work regularly appear on Sho-comi. Some of her popular works include Love Celeb, Kaikan Phrase, and Haou Airen.

On May 23rd, manga artist Mayu Shinjo announced on her blog her plan to leave Shogakukan after her current serialization ends. Below is a summary-excerpt of Mayu Shinjo's blog post:

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The monthly novel magazine Novel JAPAN is getting a new title: Charano! (キャラの!). Also, the release date of the magazine will be changed to the 30th of every month (from the 10th of every month).

The first issue of the magazine under the new title Charano! will be out on June 30th, 2007. The new issue will see the debut of a new series, D&D replay (DUNGEONS & DRAGONS replay).

Source: Hobby Japan

The final stage of World Cosplay Summit Brazil will take place in São Paulo city on June 9th. The event, promoted by JBC Publishing, will produce the final couple that will go to Japan to represent Brazil in the event that is considered the "World Cup" of cosplayers.

This year, WCS 2005 winner Francesca Dani will be special guest of the event. WCS will also see the participation of Ricardo Cruz: Brazilian member of the JAM Project (Japan Animationsong Makers).

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topICv2 reports that Seven Seas Entertainment has decided to cancel the publication of Kaworu Watashiya's seinen comedy, Nymphet (Kodomo no Jikan) in the U.S. According to Seven Seas president Jason Deangelis, they have decided it not appropriate Nymphet in the U.S. A full explaination from Jason Deangelis can be found here. Seven Seas editor Adam Arnold also briefly mentions his view on the issue.

More Coverage on the Cancellation:
- No Hate For Nymphet? [ Tintin Pantoja ]
- Nymphet-mania [ MangaBlog ]
- Nymphet Post Mortem [ Icarus Blog ]

Discussions:
- AoD Forum
- ANN Forum
- Journalista

In other related news, AoD reports that LiveJournal has removed a large number of communities and journals related to yaoi, shota, and rape. ANN has the full story.

In more related news, Yahoo! News reports that proposals to execute pedophiles is making headway in the U.S.

From MangaCast comes a podcast interview with Inui Sekihiko made during Fanime 2007. The interview touches on Inui Sekihiko's background, inspirations, doujinshi as well as his manga.

In the latest Flipped column, David Welsh interviews Tokyopop's manga editor Lillian Diaz-Przybyl, who talks about what it's like to be an editor in the manga industry.

In the latest issue of PWCW, Brigid Alverson talks with Elfquest creator Wendy Pini, who talks about her newest webcomic The Masque of the Red Death.

Japanese news website Oh My News has an article that looks at what makes Global Manga a success, Manga Jouhou has the translation:

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San Francisco, CA– May 29, 2007 – Empire Theatres and VIZ Media, one of the entertainment industry's most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, have announced the special showing of the first NARUTO™ feature film — NARUTO™ THE MOVIE: NINJA CLASH IN THE LAND OF SNOW in 17 Empire Theatres locations across Canada on Saturday June 23, 2007.

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According to the latest newsletter from Kodansha BOX, the popular doujin game Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni will be adapted into a novel series. The story will be written by the game's creator Ryuukishi07.

Source: animeOnline

Precocious Curmudgeon links to an article from the Contra Costa Times, where Manga! Manga! and Dreamland Japan author Frederick Schodt talks about the Tezuka: Master of Manga exhibition, which takes place on Saturday in San Francisco at the Asian Art Museum.

Via: Icarus Blog

An online database for Detective Conan is current available at websunday.net/conandb/top.html. The searchable database contains dossiers and images from every case that has appeared in the Detective Conan series.

Source: ANN

topEarlier this year, Shogakukan announced that Doraemon - Last Episode, a fan-made conclusion to Fujiko F. Fujio's Doraemon manga, infringed Shogakukan's copyright to Doraemon.

On May 29th, Shogakukan announced that the 37-year-old amateur mangaka apologized to Shogakukan and Fujiko Production, and swore that such things will never happen again. Also, the mangaka admitted to his gaining of illegal profits from the work, and paid back a portion of his sales.

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ANN posts a letter response from Seven Seas on the delay of Nymphet (Kodomo no Jikan), which has caused major debates online.

According to Seven Seas, instead of censoring the manga, they "decided to delay its release and to have an open dialogue with the large book chains and other vendors [...] and let each of them make the final decision as to whether or not it is appropriate for their stores and their customers -- and then give them the chance to cancel their orders if they wish."

Toronto, ON - May 29 2007 - What is Korean Manhwa? Combine unique storytelling techniques and manga-influenced artwork with the rich and diverse culture of Korea and you'll end up with the latest craze in Asian comics! UDON Entertainment has partnered with Korean publisher Haksan to bring the best Korean Manhwa to North America and English readers everywhere in the Fall of 2007.

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