LightNovel.org staff Matt was recently interviewed in an article published by Haikasoru Blog on Japanese light novels:

What are light novels? And why are people using that term (sometimes incorrectly) to describe our books? I thought it was time to clear the air. And, as such, I solicited the input of three tummlers who know a thing or two about Japanese fiction. [...]

LN.org reports that France Shoin is launching a new light novel label called Tiara Bunko:

The Japanese publisher France Shoin will be starting a new "otome system & adult" light novel label that's titled "Tiara Bunko". Unlike shoujo novels and otome games which do not satisfy adult women, this label will publish new type of "otome system" novels which will do; an "otome system" novels that contain sexual content. The label will contain many lovely males, adult's romantic love, and adult scenes.

The label will start on June 3rd, 2009 with the release of 5 light novels.

First-Of-Its-Kind Imprint Launches This Summer To Publish The Best In Contemporary Japanese Science Fiction Novels

San Francisco, CA, January 27, 2009 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry's most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, has announced the launch of a brand-new imprint called Haikasoru, which will publish an array of contemporary Japanese science fiction (SF) and fantasy stories for English-speaking audiences. This is the first time an imprint with a dedicated focus on Japanese SF has launched in North America.

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Top 10 manga (5/21) according to Tohan:

1. Nana (19)
2. Angel Heart (26)
3. Sprout (7)
4. Fairy Tale (10)
5. Naruto (42)
6. Worst (20)
7. History's Strongest Disciple Kenichi (29)
8. Major (67)
9. Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei (13)
10. Shinshi Doumei Cross (10)

Additional Rankings:

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The sci-fi love comedy anime CODE-E by Studio Deen, and the action manga Black Lagoon by Hiroe Rei, will both be adapted into light novels. The CODE-E light novel will be authored by Sakaki Ichirou (Strait Jacket light novel series) and illustrated by Ogata Kouji (Boogiepop light novels), while Black Lagoon will be authored by Urobuchi Gen (Fate/Zero light novel) and illustrated by Hiroe Rei himself.

Also, the fantasy light novel Densetsu no Yuusha no Densetsu written by Takaya Kagami and drawn by Saori Toyota will be adapted into a manga by Chouzou Hiroko and start serialization in the August issue of Dragon Age (on sale July 9th).

Source: LightNovel.org

Bungaku Shoujo, a light novel series by Nomura Mizuki (author) and Takeoka Miho (illustrator), will be adapted into a manga by Kousaka Rito and will be serialized in GanGan Powered starting with the August issue (6/21).

Another light novel series, Young Gun Carnaval by Fukami Makoto, will be adapted into a manga by Satou Yuko, and will serialize as an e-manga on FlexComix Next beginning June 3rd.

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Top 10 manga (4/30) according to Tohan:

1. Hayate the Combat Butler (15)
2. Koukou Debut (11)
3. Kekkaishi (20)
4. Mahou Sensei Negima! (22)
5. Boku no Hatsukoi wo Kimi ni Sasagu (11)
6. Otomen (5)
7. Inuyasha (53)
8. Kamen Rider Spirits (14)
9. Cat Street (8)
10. Emma (10)

Additional Rankings:

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Top 10 manga (4/23) according to Tohan:

1. Hayate the Combat Butler (15)
2. Mahou Sensei Negima! (22)
3. Kekkaishi (20)
4. Ace of Diamond (10)
5. Ouran High School Host Club (12)
6. Otomen (5)
7. Bleach (33)
8. Inuyasha (53)
9. Detective Conan (61)
10. Good Morning Kiss (2)

Additional Rankings:

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A round-up of various new reports on the this year's NYCC (updated constantly):

General:

• Thoughts (vicariously) from NYCC [ Shuchaku East ]
• NYCC08: License/Announcement Roundup [ Giapet.net ]
• New York Comic-Con Wrap Up [ UGO ]
• New York Comic Con 2008: Hits and Misses [ Premiere ]
• When Fan Worlds Collide: Scene @ NY Comic Con [ Galleycat ]
• Interview with Lance Fensterman [ ICv2 ]
• NYCC Rocks! [ ICv2 ]
• NY Comic Con: Videogames at New York Comic Con 2008 [ Destructoid ]
• NYCC Round up [ Comics2Film ]
• Comics Go Wide at New York Comic-Con; Gordon Lee Charges Dismissed [ PWCW ]
• Report From New York Comic Con [ NarniaWeb ]
• Thousands Of Comic Book Fans, Creators Meet In NY [ wnbc ]
• East Meets West x 2: Stan Lee's Manga and Del Rey's Marvel Projects [ Firefox News ]
• 2008 New York Comic Con - Day Two [ PinkRaygun ]
• 2008 New York Comic Con - Day One [ PinkRaygun ]
• Manga Recon @ NYCC 2008: Day Two [ PopCultureShock ]
• New York Comic Con ‘08 Report [ Ex-fansubber ]
• NYCC: Sales crunch, Stan Lee, Viz to do global manga [ MangaBlog ]
• New York Comic Con 2008: Complete On-Site Coverage [ Toon Zone ]
• NY Comic-Con: Friday's Manga /Anime Highlights [ Newsarama ]
• NY Comic-Con: Friday's Manga /Anime Highlights [ About.com:Manga ]
• The Anime and Manga Lover's Guide to NYCC 2008 [ PopCultureShock ]
• IGN NYCC Updates [ IGN ]
• CBR's Exclusive Coverage of New York Comic Con [ CBR ]
• Geek gods united at N.Y. Comic Con [ NY Daily News ]
• ANN: New York Comic Con [ ANN ]
• New York Comic Con Central [ Wizard ]
• NY Comic Con '08: First Impressions [ The Quarter Bin ]

Photos:

• New York Comic-Con 2008 Photo Gallery, Highlights [ About.com:Manga ]
• NYCC: Photo Gallery - Day One-ish [ ComicMix ]
• In photos: 'New York Comic Con 2008 - Hellboy II: The Golden Army Preview' [ Monsters & Critics ]
• Pulp Secret
• NYCC: Photo Gallery - Day One-ish [ ComicM!x ]
• New York Comic Con Photos [ Comic Related ]
• 3 Photos from The New York Comic Con [ comics212 ]
• Photo Mania NYCC 2008 [ PWCW ]
• New York Comic-Con 2008 [ ComingSoon ]
• NYCC 2008 [ Flickr ]
• New York Comic-Con 2008 [ Figures.com ]

Videos:

• Fear.net
• NYCC on Fox National News!
• Episode 420 - Day 1 of the NYCC [ Comic Geek Speak ]
• ComicMix Radio at NYCC: Familiar Faces and Plans for '09 [ ComicMix ]
• A Different Take on New York Comic Con [ Major Spoilers ]
• New York Comic Con 2008 Day 1: Stan Lee and Viz "Ultimo" Press Debut [ MeFeedia ]

ICv2 Graphic Novel Conference:

• Graphic Novels Hit $375 Million [ ICv2 ]
• ICv2 Confab Reports 2007 Graphic Novel Sales Rise 12% [ PWCW ]
• Initial Commentary On The ICV2 Graphic Novel Conference In NYC 04-17-08 [ The Comics Reporter ]

Publisher-Specific:

• The Wachowski's Sequels Galore - Speed Racer and Ninja Assassin [ FirstShowing ]
• NYCC: Minx Panel [ CBR ]
• Hiroyuki Takei And Stan Lee Presents Ultimo [ AnimeNewsI ]
• Tokyopop Expands GoComics Relationship [ ICv2 ]
• NYCC08: CMX [ Giapet.net ]
• Del Rey announces Wolverine Team [ MangaBlog ]
• Manga Giant Extends Publishing Portfolio with Launch of Colorful New Line of International Books [ Newsarama ]
• NYCC08: VIZ Press-Only Event! [ Giapet.net ]
• TOKYOPOP and Spacedog Entertainment Join Forces to Develop Manga Entertainment [ MangaCast ]
• TOKYOPOP and Blizzard Entertainment® Announce Three-Year Publishing Plan [ MangaCast ]
• Yen Press Licenses Haruhi [ MangaBlog ]
• NYCC08, Oh Yeah, Yen Also Has Soul Eater [ Giapet.net ]
• Liveblogging New York Comic Con! [ Del Rey Blog ]
• MAC STORE [ comics212 ]

The June 2008 issue of Ichijinsha's Comic Yurihime magazine will officially announce the titles of girl's light novels that will be published under Ichijinsha's new light novel label, Ichijinsha Bunko. LightNovel.org has a list of the titles in English.

Source: 2ch