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Prince of Tennis Manga-ka Injured

Date: 2006 January 11 08:09 | Posted By: Davie

Category > Manga

According to Manga News it was reported that Manga-ka Takeshi Konoshi was Injured and only 11 pages of Prince of Tennis manga appeared in the latest issue of Weekly Shounen Jump (No.6+7). Konoshi injured himself due to age and had to finish the chapter while still recovering at the hospital thus resulting in fewer pages.

Souce: Manga News

More Manga to be Adapted into Anime

Date: 2006 January 11 08:08 | Posted By: Davie

Category > Manga

According to Manganews more manga titles will be adapted into anime. These titles include Air Gear, Shounen Onmyoji and also a second season of School Rumble.

Souce: Manga News

UK Rising Stars Announced

Date: 2006 January 06 04:18 | Posted By: Azure

Category > Manga

The winners of The Rising Stars of Manga UK have been announced. The Grand prize was taken by Paul Duffield with the manga Falling Star the second prize was one by Sonia Leong with the manga Fatal Connection.

Comiket: Comic Convention in Tokyo a Hit

Date: 2006 January 02 07:03 | Posted By: Davie

Category > Manga

According to Mainichi Daily News, Comic-Book fans gathered last Thursday and Friday in front of Tokyo's Big Sight exhibition venue where Comic Market 69, Japan's largest comic convention started, spreading information on self-published comics, video games and related material.

NewType USA to Serialize Seven Seas Manga

Date: 2005 December 28 12:25 | Posted By: Jeremy

Category > Manga

NewType USA to serialize Seven Seas Entertainment's Aoi House starting with January 2006 issue.

Slam Dunk Caught in Plagiarism Scandal

Date: 2005 December 23 09:58 | Posted By: Davie

Category > Manga

Bad News for Manga-ka Takehiko Inoue the creator of Slam Dunk as reported in Anime News Network that he is claimed to have plagiarised other sources.

Top 5 Manga of 2005

Date: 2005 December 17 07:04 | Posted By: Davie

Category > Manga

Oricon has released the results of the "Top 5 Attention-Grabbing 'Manga' and 'Books' of 2005" poll. It was a fantastic year for 'Nana' as it ranked number. Here are the results of the poll:

1. NANA - adapted into movie
2. Hana Yori Dango (Boys Before Flowers) - adapted into live-action drama
3. Death Note
4. Dragon Sakura - adapted into live-action drama
5. Hachimitsu to Clover (Honey and Clover) - adapted into TV drama

Souce: Manga News

Del Rey to Publish Gundam SEED Destiny

Date: 2005 December 16 11:27 | Posted By: Jeremy

Category > Manga

Del Rey Manga will publish the manga adaptation of Gundam SEED Destiny starting in 2006.

VIZ and TokyoPop Team Up For German Manga Launch

Date: 2005 December 01 11:05 | Posted By: Jeremy

Category > Manga

VIZ Media B.V. announces team-up with TokyoPop Germany to publish hit manga for the German market.

Sweatdrop Studios At Comic Expo Brighton

Date: 2005 November 15 17:22 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Those nice people over at Sweatdrop have sent us a press release for their appearace at the Comic Expo in Brighton. Tokyopop and Letraset will be there too. It's certainly worth a vist if you like your comics or want to be more active in the independent UK comic scene.

Nana At the Top of Shoujo Manga List

Date: 2005 November 07 11:54 | Posted By: Davie

Category > Manga

According to Anime News Network, Oricon a Company that Ranks everything related to Japanese entertainment has conducted a survey in which ranled the top 10 Shoujo Manga.

The survey was published on their magazine Oricon Style on November 4th. In total 1137 respondents took part in this survey. Nana won the top spot as the most liked Shoujo Manga. Below is the full list:

1 NANA (Shueisha)
2 Hana Yori Dango (Shueisha)
3 Honey and Clover (Shueisha)
4 Nodame Cantabile (Kodansha)
5 Tenshi Nanka ja Nai (Shueisha)
6 Kareshi Kanojo no Jijyou (Hakusensha)
7 Renai Catalogue (Shueisha)
8 Glass no Kamen (Hakusensha)
9 Fruits Basket (Hakusensha)
10 Chibi Maruko-chan (Shueisha)

Souce: Anime News Network

Seven Seas Entertainment Aquires Boogiepop

Date: 2005 November 01 03:00 | Posted By: Azure

Category > Manga

Seven Seas Entertainment has announced it will move into the world of licensed Japanese material with the acquisition of Kouhei Kadono's Boogiepop series of novel and manga, the first volume is due out in 2006.

Flower of Eden manga

Date: 2005 October 26 14:18 | Posted By: Davie

Category > Manga

According to Akadot the Shoujo Manga ‘Flower of Eden’ by Yuki Suetsugu is being accused of Plagiarism due to huge similarities mostly in the artwork with Takehiko Inoue's SLAM DUNK. The discovery which was made on postings on the internet message board 2CH (now famous as the site where Densha Otoko originated), led Kodansha to apologize for the matter and as a fact printing of all of Suetsugu's comics has been cancelled, and those in stores will be withdrawn. Suetsugu has already admitted to a number of the accusations, and has apologized for her lack of moral and judgment in a public statement made on the Kodansha Website.

Souce: Akadot

More Manga Adaptations

Date: 2005 October 18 12:56 | Posted By: Davie

Category > Manga

According to Anime News Network another 2 manga will be adapted into a Live-Action movie and an Anime series. In fact a live-action drama based on Rumiko Takashi's ‘Maison Ikkoku’ will be broadcast next year. The other project is an Anime TV Series of Akihito Yoshitomi's ‘Ray’ manga. No Further Details are available at the moment.

Souce: Anime News Network

Tsubasa Chronicle Sequel

Date: 2005 October 17 06:37 | Posted By: Davie

Category > Anime > TV

CLAMP did it again, in less than a week they announced live on their website another of their projects, this time it is a second TV series based on Tsubasa Chronicle. ‘On Sunday In Japan’ was originally serialized in Weekly Shonen Magazine. Tsubasa Chronicle was broadcast on NHK from April 2005 and the new sequel will air on the same Network starting in spring of 2006 on Saturdays at 18:30-18:55pm.

Souce: Anime News Service

Clamp Manga to Become Animated Series

Date: 2005 October 15 09:06 | Posted By: Davie

Category > Manga

According to Anime News Network the Super-Popular Manga Team CLAMP announced on their website that their popular manga XXXHOLIC will be adapted into an animated series which will be shown on Japan TV next year.

Souce: Anime News Network

Tokyo Daigaku Monogatari Manga to Become a Live-Action Film

Date: 2005 October 11 04:46 | Posted By: Davie

Category > Manga

According to Anime News Service, another Manga-Based Live-Action will be produced. This time it’s the popular Manga ‘Tokyo Daigaku Monogatari’ by Mangaka Tatsuya Egawa who also was behind the popular Manga ‘Golden Boy’.
The lead role was given to twenty year old actress Yoko Mitsuya who is widely known for 87cm chest size.
The story is about high school students who aim to enter the prestigious Tokyo University. When high school boy Murakami falls in love with his classmate Haruka, it is love at first sight. But as luck would have it his friend Sano also falls in love with her and is getting in the way.
The Film is to open next spring and an adaptation of the story to TV drama and animation has already been done.

Souce: Anime News Service

NASA Approved Manga

Date: 2005 October 08 09:42 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

Those clever people at NASA have teamed up with the Minneapolis College of Art and Design to produce manga that explains the NASA satellite mission to study the Earth's ionosphere. They're aiming this at "students between sixth ninth grade". The Otaku News Crew think this this a great way to teach kids about space and the science behind it.

The 24 page comic can be downloaded for free here.

Souce: Slashdot

Riyoko Ikeda to Release New Manga

Date: 2005 October 07 10:18 | Posted By: Davie

Category > Manga

According to Manga News, Riyoko Ikeda who was famous for The Rose of Versailles will release a new Manga which will be an adaptation of Yukio Mishima's novel SPRING SNOW. The Manga series will consist of 10 installments the first of which will be published soon on Shukan Josei Magazine.

Souce: Manga News

Waru:Not Based on Yukari Hashida

Date: 2005 October 02 07:29 | Posted By: Davie

Category > Manga

As many Anime News Sites have been reporting that the new Takashi Mike Live-Action film was based on the popular manga Waru by Yukari Hashida, it is now reported that actually there was an error and the movie is based on a similarly named 1970’s manga by Hisao Maki.

Therefore a possible disappointment for Yaoi fans as in this version of Waru there are no boy to boy relationships.

Hashida’s Waru was creditted as being "an edgy action-packed tale of outlaw swordsman Youji Himuro".

Souce: Anime News Network

Manga Sales Decreasing in Japan

Date: 2005 September 30 22:12 | Posted By: Jeremy

Category > Manga

Manga sales decreasing in Japan due to rental shops and used sales.

Japanese Manga and Cultural Politics Lecture

Date: 2005 September 29 16:15 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Author and anime expert Jonathan Clements has sent us details of the SOAS Japanese Manga and Cultural Politics Lecture and Discussion in London. This is due to take place at 7pm Tuesday 11th October, with free admission at the The Brunei Gallery Lecture Theatre, SOAS. Since it's hosted by The School of Oriental and African Studies, you know it should be good.

More Live-Action Movies based on Manga

Date: 2005 September 28 09:30 | Posted By: Davie

Category > Manga

More Manga Based Live-Action Movies are taking the Japanese Film Industry by storm. The future adaptations will be based on the Manga Waru-Final and SUBARU.

IMAF 2005 Lines Up Top Speakers and New Anime

Date: 2005 September 26 17:29 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

With the competition deadline edging ever close, the nice folks at IMAF have sent us some more details for their London event.

Highlights include Sweatdrop Studios, a special screening of Millennium Actress, along with the Europe Premiere of Streetfighter - Alpha Generation. Even Garnier will be their with its Manga haircare range. The IMAF is certainly worth attending to see the wonderful range of entrants.

Anime Novels Big Sellers in Japan

Date: 2005 September 19 20:25 | Posted By: Jeremy

Category > Retail

Anime-related novels turn out to be big sellers in American bookstore market.

Viz Titles for the UK Include Bleach and Inu Yasha

Date: 2005 September 17 16:37 | Posted By: Azure

Category > Anime

Viz are set to enter the European anime and manga market,partnering with Copyright Promotions Ltd they will form Viz Media B.V. Titles appearing in the press release include Bleach, Deko Boku Friends and Mar.

We at Otaku news have also noticed one title surprisingly not mentioned in the press release has already appeared on the CPLG website, with a page now listing the Inu Yasha anime.

Souce: AnimeUKNews

New Ameri-Manga From Tokyopop

Date: 2005 September 14 12:26 | Posted By: Jeremy

Category > Manga

Tokyopop announces November release of manga series from Rising Stars of Manga entrants.

Manga-ka in Trouble With School

Date: 2005 September 08 21:37 | Posted By: Jeremy

Category > Current Affairs

Anime News Network has reported that manga-ka Rieko Saibara, creator of the manga strip Mainichi Kasan and winner of the Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize earlier this year, is in dispute with the school where her eldest son attends. The dispute is in regards to a panel of the manga published last November, which the school claims is too closely inspired by real events and people.

Mainichi Kasan, which translates as "Daily/Everyday Mom", depicts the daily life of a woman and her children. The panel in question shows five school children being referred to as "the Five Class Dummies". Following the panel's publication, Saibara was called in to her son's school (the name of the facility has not been given), where she was told that she was causing trouble for them and demanded that she refrain from depicting school scenes in her strip. Saibara argued that her work is fiction and that she has the freedom of expression. The school, however, said that she should take more consideration for the other children and their patrons and that her manga clearly depicts that school, even featuring their name. While there is no indication of any lawsuits having been filed by either party involved, the dispute currently remains unresolved.

Souce: Anime News Network

Hunter x Hunter To End

Date: 2005 September 08 04:04 | Posted By: Davie

Category > Manga

According to Manga News, Togashi Yoshihiro wants to end his popular Manga ‘Hunter x Hunter’ some time in the near future. Apparently the reasons for this decision are headaches and lack of sleep.

Hunter X Hunter is currently running in Weekly Shounen Jump, with 22 volumes out, and chapter 252 coming out this week in Jumps.

Souce: Manga News

Antarctic Press Release How To Break Into Comics Guide

Date: 2005 September 04 18:03 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The folks over at Antarctic Press have sent us the details for their new guide to becoming a professional comic book creator. It covers all aspects from writing, drawing and submitting comic book work. We think it's worth a look into since it's only $2.99, and concise at 22 pages long.

Izumo Matsumoto To Return with New Manga After Illness

Date: 2005 September 03 06:58 | Posted By: Davie

Category > Manga

According to Mainichi Daily News, the popular cartoonist Izumo Matsumoto, 46, who made his debut at the age of 23 with the famous manga "Kimagure Orange Road" will return with a new Manga after battling with an illness for the past 6 years.

New King of Fighters Anime Concept Art

Date: 2005 August 28 19:23 | Posted By: Voxie

Category > Manga

Production IG are currently working on a short anime based on the King of Fighters videogame from SNK. News on the actual release is currently unknown, but sources tell me to await further news at the upcoming Tokyo Game Show 2005, held on the 16th September.

You can see some concept art at the Game Watch website: http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/game/docs/20050823/kof.htm

Souce: NeoGeoForLife Website

Seven Seas Seeks Manga Artists

Date: 2005 August 27 15:28 | Posted By: Azure

Category > Manga

Seven Seas Entertainment are now accepting submissions for manga artists, though sadly they can not accept unsolicited submissions from writers at this time. Seven Seas already have a number of excellent titles , and we heartily recommend you read some of their established work before submitting,the first volume of many of their books are available online and for download on the PSP.

Souce: Seven Seas Entertainment

Sony to Become Number 1 in Providing

Date: 2005 August 22 12:22 | Posted By: Davie

Category > Manga

Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc. has announced that it will triple the number of comics books it formats for viewing on cell phones making it the Number 1 provider of ‘Manga’ in Japan said a company official.

According to Sony spokeperson Hidekazu Tanaka, "Manga are a Japanese institution, but viewing comics on mobile phones is an entirely different experience altogether, He added that Sony signed a contract with 10 popular Manga artists including Shigeru Mizuki, creator of Gegege no Kitaro -- a 1970s classic featuring a young ghoul boy who fights monsters.
"We want to rein in middle-aged mobile phone users, as well as teenagers," he said.

New Manga Release Details

Date: 2005 August 15 07:42 | Posted By: Davie

Category > Manga

Here is some interesting news for those manga readers who are possibly looking for some new manga titles.

A new manga series by You Higuri & Shinji Wada will be coming out in the September issue of Princess Gold and will contain the first installment of ‘CROWN’.

Masami Tsuda known for the popular Anime/Manga Karekano will have her one shot story ‘AKAI MI’ presented in the November issue of LaLaDX on sale October 8.

Ira Ishida the creator of Ikebukuro West Gate Park,has teamed up with a different manga artist for a new story, Akihabara @ DEEP. Drawings were made by Makoto Akane. Akihabara @ DEEP will premiere in the August 12th issue of Comic Bunch.

For Ai Yori Aoshi Fans the series has finally come to an end, in fact the popular Manga by Kou Fumizuki will end in Young Animal No 17 on sale August 26th. The Manga boasts two TV adaptations and has been running on Young Animal since 1995.

Souce: Anime News Network

Manga Kiseiju to become Hollywood Remake

Date: 2005 August 12 09:36 | Posted By: Davie

Category > Manga

More movies based on Japanese Manga are taking Hollywood by storm. Hitoshi Iwaaki's popular manga Kiseiju is going to remade by Hollywood.

Takashi Shimizu, who made his Hollywood debut with the remake The Grudge, will be directing this project by New Line Cinema Productions. Shimizu will be a supervisor in the writing of the script and the film will be produced by his partner Takashige Ichise, as well as Don Murphy of Angry Films and Lisa Henson and Kristine Belson of Henson Pictures. The English title is Parasyte and it is said that production will begin once the sequel to The Grudge is finished.

Souce: Akadot

Monster to become Hollywood Remake

Date: 2005 August 12 09:22 | Posted By: Davie

Category > Manga

According to Akadot, the popular manga of Naoki Urasawa 'MONSTER' will become a Hollywood Remake. The project that has been in the midst of production. Newline Cinema has hired Josh Olsen as the screenwriter, he is also known for the writing scripts for low budget movies including "A History of Violence," "Lethal Trigger," and "Killer Bugs". The contract contract allows for the possibility of sequels.

Souce: Akadot

The New Anime Companion

Date: 2005 August 08 17:50 | Posted By: Jeremy

Category > Fandom

Anime fans wanting to know more about all the various cultural references that pop up in their favorite anime can now rejoice. Anime News Network has announced that Stone Bridge Press, publisher of books about Japan, is releasing The Anime Companion 2: More... What's Japanese in Japanese Animation?, the follow-up to the popular book written by Gilles Poitras, who also writes the new volume.

Like its predecessor, The Anime Companion 2 contains glossary-style entries to help readers decipher anime's distinctive content, images and cultural motifs. Everything from city landmarks to food to clothing to historical figures is covered in fascinating detail, using illustrations anime images, film citations and numerous references to the related art of manga. With entries in both kanji (Japanese characters) and English, the book also contains maps of old provinces and current prefectures (and the 23 wards of Tokyo), making it an absolute must-have for those wanting to learn about Japan, whether they're otaku or not.

Souce: Anime News Network

Range Murata talks about the US Release of Robots Vol 1

Date: 2005 August 05 07:16 | Posted By: Davie

Category > Manga

Everyone has heard about the genius designer of Art & Fashion Range Murata who left a mark on the design world of today. His portfolio of works include: media, anime character design, art books to fashion and industrial design.

Here is a summary of the Akadot Interview to Range Murata where he talks about the US release of his upcoming comic / art book Robots Vol 1 where he plans to conquer the manga world as well.

Mechademia Calls Out For Submissions

Date: 2005 August 02 17:21 | Posted By: Jeremy

Category > Fandom

New anime and manga-based academic journal Mechademia is looking for sbumissions for future issues.

eigoManga Teams Up with Viz

Date: 2005 August 02 17:03 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The folks at eigoManga have sent us the details of their partnership with Viz Media. Apparently eigoManga will produce the English language versions of Basara and Flame of Recca. The press release is very thin on details and doesn't really explain what they mean by producing. It's uncertain if they'll be translating it directly or hiring a third party company or individual to do all the work and if they'll manage the logistics such as printing and so on.

Kodocha and Marmalade Boy Licences Expire?

Date: 2005 July 28 13:49 | Posted By: Azure

Category > Manga

Manganews.net has spotted an interesting article on comics212.net highlighting the difficulties of manga licensing. Japanese publisher Shueisha recently bought out Viz. Marmalade boy and Kodocha were both licensed to Tokyopop from Shuesha in Japan.

Comics212.net point out both are missing from the Toykopop website, leading to the speculation that Shueisha doesn’t want what are now it’s rivals owning it’s licences. So far none of this has been officially confirmed. This comes at an unfortunate time for Tokyopop since FUNimation have recently started releasing the Kodocha anime. The article also highlights the continuing struggle over the Japanese rights to popular magical girl series Sailor Moon.

Souce: Manganews.net

Tokyopop Makes Manga Deal With Henson and Neil Gaiman

Date: 2005 July 25 18:48 | Posted By: Jeremy

Category > Manga

Tokyopop announced it will be producing manga for two classic films from Jim Henson and Neil Gaiman's upcoming new film.

International Manga and Anime Festival Launches and Calls For Entrants

Date: 2005 July 25 15:49 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Art

This years IMAF has just launched. They're looking for international talent in the form of artists and animators to identify the best. Entrants have a chance to win some of the $75,000 prize fund which is divided between the categories. The best overall entry will win a generous $30,000!

The Otaku News Crew advise that our talented readers get to work, you've got until the 30th September 2005 to get your entries in!

Doraemon Coins To Be Released

Date: 2005 July 20 09:48 | Posted By: Davie

Category > Anime

According to the Mainichi Daily News, Japan Mint is going to release two sets of coins to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the serialization of the popular comic Doraemon.

The first set of coins contains six color-printed coins, from the one-yen coin to the 500-yen coin, and a silver medal.The coins come in a leather case and it was called "Proof Coin Set". The Coins will be on a first come first serve basis because a maximum of 60,000 coins will be produced and sold in Japan for 13,000 Yen each including tax and postage.

The Other Coin set in a Doraemon-style plastic case plays a tune when the case is opened. It will be sold for 2,300 Yen and unlimited orders will be taken during the application period.

Applications can be made by postcard between July 21 and Aug. 10. Deliveries will begin in late August.

Souce: Mainichi Daily News

Newtype USA to Launch Evangelion Serial Manga

Date: 2005 July 19 22:38 | Posted By: Jeremy

Category > Manga

Newtype USA will be releasing game-based Evangelion manga, Angelic Hearts, as serial starting in August issue.

More Otaku Test Details

Date: 2005 July 17 12:39 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Fandom

Following up on our earlier story on the Otaku Test, The Japan Times Online are running a story on how big the response has been, apparently publisher Biblos expected only 1,000 people would apply, but it seems that the actual number will be much bigger. The article also has example questions for the test and a brief history of the origin of otaku.

Souce: The Japan Times Online

Tokyopop and CosmoGIRL! to Produce Serial Manga

Date: 2005 July 14 18:05 | Posted By: Jeremy

Category > Manga

Tokyopop has announced that it will be teaming up with CosmoGIRL!, the fastest-selling teen magazine on newsstands, to produce a monthly manga serial in the magazine’s pages. This August will see the debut of "The Adventures of CG!", a shojo-style manga written and drawn by Svetlana Chmakova, the creator of Tokyopop’s upcoming release Dramacon.

Gollancz Manga Launch Details

Date: 2005 July 14 15:07 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

Gollancz Manga have sent us the details for their UK Manga releases. Starting August they'll be releasing manga on the first Monday of every month. Gollancz entered into an exclusive arrangement with VIZ to publish their titles in the UK. The titles available will include Yu-Gi-Oh!, Fushigi Yugi, Dragon Ball and Case Closed.

Many UK manga fans would have already got these titles from certain retailers offering the American import versions, but since these are the official UK versions it means that they'll be more easily available. Libraries for example will be able to order manga if they so wish through their distributors. The Otaku News Crew are excited to hear about this and look forward to seeing even more manga in the UK.

EigoManga Forms Partnership with Devil's Due Publishing

Date: 2005 July 14 06:24 | Posted By: Davie

Category > Manga

EigoManga have just sent us a press release of their latest announcement.

ICE Kunion Brings Manhwa to the US

Date: 2005 July 12 15:58 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

We've just got a press release from ICE Kunion, a joint enterprise between Korean publishing companies Sigongsa, Seoul Cultural and others. They mention their October line up, which includes Angel Diary, Chocolat, The 11th Cat and Bring It On, which have sold a combined total of almost a million copies in Korea alone.

The Otaku News crew note that this press release is interesting, since Korean comic books are normally incorrectly marketed as manga to people who automatically assume it is from Japan. ICE Kunion are marketing their titles are Korean and are taking pride in it claiming that "Korean Manhwa has taken over Japanese Manga to be the hottest books in the market".

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