Manga News and Information
U.S.
Below is the 2008 Top 50 Ranking manga tankoubons and their sales data, and the Top 10 Series ranking as compiled by Oricon: Top 10 Series of 2008
Heisei Democracy, a blog "devoted to the latest in news, reviews, and opinion on the two-dimensional culture of Japan, with particular emphasis on the media (anime, manga, console games), ero (eroge, eroanime, eromanga, doujinshi), and hobby (PVC figures, garage kits, analog games) sides of the industry, and the culture and events surrounding them", has been inactive since September 2008. A few days ago, an announcement was posted announcing that the blog will resume operation. Also, Ikimashou.net, another great otaku blog covering Japanese anime, manga, games and otaku culture in general that got its domain stolen at the beginning of 2008, is now back in action as well, and has made a post detailing what happened to the blog. In early December, former animeOnline news editor Gia announced the launch of Anime Vice, a new community-based anime site with sibling sites Giant Bomb (gaming) and Comic Vine (comics). Also, a bit late, but Yaoi Press has moved its blog to a new address. Finally, Manga Recon's Senior Manga Editor Katherine Dacey is stepping down, replaced by Michelle Smith. HIMAWARI, Miyazaki Q&A, reviews, contests & more in episode 83! GRIMES, IA, December 31, 2008 ??? Anime producer and mega-online anime retailer Right Stuf, Inc. is pleased to welcome Gia Manry ??? the managing editor of ANIME VICE ??? to episode 83 of ANIME TODAY. During this interview, Manry talks about the recently launched site's focus, its user-driven content and extensive wiki-style database, and its relationship with sibling sites Giant Bomb (gaming) and Comic Vine (comics). In addition to Anime Vice, her writing and reporting can be found in Anime Insider and has appeared online at theOtaku.com and animeOnline.com. TORRANCE, CA - December 10, 2008 - Deux Press, the yaoi imprint of Aurora Publishing, has picked up the title Cigarette Kisses by Nase Yamato. Originally, Boysenberry Books, the yaoi imprint of Broccoli Books, was to release this title. However, with Broccoli Books shutting down, the title will be dropped from their list. Lucky for all of the Nase Yamato fans, Deux Press (who is already releasing her Take Me to Heaven in January 2009) was able to acquire the rights to the title, and fans can expect the manga to be released sometime in the second half of 2009. For more information, visit http://www.deux-press.com Placement Validates How Well Integrated Manga And Anime Ninja Character Has Become In Popular Culture San Francisco, CA, December 4, 2008 ??? VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry's most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, has announced that NARUTO has been named by Yahoo! as the Number 7 most-searched term in 2008, as reported by the Yahoo! 2008 Year In Review Top 10 Search list. The list, which is available at YearInReview.yahoo.com, provides insights about popular culture and what Yahoo! searchers cared about most throughout 2008. The spunky ninja-in-training NARUTO appears on the list beside future President Barack Obama, fan favorites American Idol and the WWE and celebrities and personalities such as Miley Cyrus, Angelina Jolie and Lindsay Lohan. SAN FRANCISCO, CA ??? Comic book publishing studio eigoMANGA (http://www.eigomanga.com), has announced the upcoming release of a special graphic novel publication ??? Sakura Pakk Versus Rumble Pak Graphic Novel ??? for the first time features a combination of shonen (male-oriented) and shojo (female-oriented) stories from Sakura Pakk (http://www.SakuraPakk.com) and Rumble Pak (http://www.RumblePak.com). Videos, Contests, Guests and Much More Anaheim, California (November 28, 2008) ??? With the huge success of the 2008 convention, Anime Expo?? blazes into the future as it launches its most visually stimulating and user-friendly site to date! More information can be found on the website www.anime-expo.org. Online Media Distribution Leader to Premiere Newest Publications for Men and Women San Francisco, CA (November 25, 2008) Comic book publishing studio eigoMANGA (www.eigomanga.com), today announces a partnership with online media distribution leader and leading web portal for asian video content Crunchyroll. eigoMANGA will provide their newest publications "Rumble Pak" and "Sakura Pakk" to Crunchyroll's 4 million membered online community. More information can be found at www.crunchyroll.com. New Releases Offer A Variety Of Intriguing Fantasy/Action Adventure Tales As Well As New Shojo Titles With A Twist From Internationally Acclaimed Creators San Francisco, CA, NOVEMBER 21, 2008 ??? VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry's most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, has announced several eagerly awaited new manga series scheduled for release throughout the Fourth Quarter of 2008. |
Manga Zombie
Finale: Panelosophy
An ongoing conversation about the philosophy behind manga both in the U.S. and abroad. Manga Ranking
Monthly charts of comparative manga rankings based on aggregate online sales listings from Matt Blind. |
Oricon, a company that originally ranked music sales (think Japanese Billboard), but nowadays ranks almost everything related to Japanese entertainment, has released the 
ComiPress teams up with writer Udagawa Takeo and translator John Gallagher to publish an online version of the English-language translation of Manga Zombie.
