ICv2 was at the American Library Association conference, and they report that manga was big news there: Viz, Tokyopop, and Yen Press were all there; librarian/Eisner judge/manga maven Robin Brenner was signing her book, Understanding Manga and Anime; librarian Michael Pawluk was signing his Graphic Novels: A Genre Guide to Comic Books, Manga, and More; and Kat Kan was promoting her graphic novels database. In a two-hour panel discussion on graphic novels, the librarians revealed that they spend between 30% and 40% of their budgets on graphic novels.
Shelving by size, with manga-sized books shelved separately from the traditional comic or album sized volumes, was a strategy used to help conserve space and keep displays neat. Comic strip collections were generally shelved separately from graphic novels. Fiction and non-fiction graphic novels were shelved together, and all were shelved by title, rather than by author/artist. Light novels were generally being shelved with fiction, but there was some suspicion that shelving them with graphic novels would produce better circulation.
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Series that shift up in age level in later volumes because of incidental nudity, or sexual or violent content, were relocated to the highest age level appropriate. Having an adult graphic novel collection was recommended as a key way to avoid challenges to teen titles due to content.
While most graphic novels are found in the Young Adult section, many libraries are adding children’s and adult GN sections, and libraries are becoming more important as a distribution channel for graphic novels, the report concluded. On a less serious note, Dance Chica displays her ALA manga and swag.
The top ten weirdest Japanese soft drinks. (Via Japundit.)
Go!Comi has posted their Anime Expo schedule. Their guests will be Wendy Pini, who is creating a webcomic, The Masque of the Red Death, and animator Aimee Major Steinberger, whose Japan Ai: A Tall Girl’s Adventures in Japan will be published by Go!Comi this winter.
At PopCultureShock, Katherine Dacey-Tsuei posts this week’s new manga and adds brief reviews of recent books, while Erin F. illuminates her review of the the two Death Note movies with helpful diagrams.
ComicSnob’s Matt Blind posts his manga watch list for this week.
Men’s manga weirdness at No-Sword.
Reviews: Connie is pleasantly surprised by vol. 2 of Sweety at Slightly Biased Manga. At the Star of Malaysia, on the other hand, Pauline Wong is disappointed by an early CLAMP title, vol. 1 of Suki: A Like Story. Wilma Jandoc of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin is not impressed by Spirit of Wonder. Holly Ellingwood reviews Casino Lily at Active Anime. Adam Stephanides reviews the two-volume Japanese series Tenshi Ni Narumon!
That “Spirit of Wonder” review misses the point, I think. The manga is a quirky little collection of stories that exist to service the absolutely stunning artwork. You don’t read “Spirit of Wonder,” you just sort of let it wash over you.
You can see where the librarians are spending their money just by standing at the circulation desk at the Boston Public Library. I’d say a third of the books on reserve behind the counter are manga.
Manga is very popular at the local library here as well. I thought of visiting the section but it was so jammed with people I decided to check it out later. I don’t know if I will ever check out manga from the Library. It seems to be kind of a stressful experience jostling with everyone.
interesting review of Suki: A Like Story. CLAMP is obviously proud of this book though because they featured it in their Southside art book.