ICv2 projects fewer releases; Ultimo series to launch in Japan

The new ICv2 Guide to Anime and Manga is out, and the number-crunchers there are predicting a 10% drop in manga releases in 2009:

In the ICv2 manga survey at the end of 2007 publishers indicated that they planned to publish 1,731 volumes of manga, an 18% increase over the 1,468 volumes released in 2006, but the actual number of manga released in 2008 appears to be around 1,356 as publishers cut titles during the second half of the year. The total from ICv2’s 2009 Manga Survey indicates that publishers are planning to release 1,224.

Watch this space, as the guide also lists the top 25 manga properties, but that link isn’t up yet.

Ultimo, the one-shot manga created by Stan Lee and Hiroyuki Takei (creator of Shaman King) will begin its run as a full-blown series in the Japanese Jump Square magazine in February. No word yet on when it will make the leap to the U.S., but both ANN and Gia think it will be soon.

David Welsh looks at some promising titles from the latest Previews at Precocious Curmudgeon.

Alex Hoffman posts his 2009 wish list at Manga Widget.

Casey Brienza discusses what moe creators could learn from Broadway musicals.

Things may be slow in the rest of the world, but Erica Friedman still finds some yuri news to report at Okazu.

At ComiPress, Matt Blind analyzes online sales and calculates the top manga for October.

News from Japan: In his latest MangaScope, Ed Chavez looks at some best-of lists and some promising new manga, including a new title from Love Roma creator Minoru Toyoda. Ed also posts the Toranoana doujin rankings for your edification. ANN reports on a new manga from the illustrator of Slayers, Rui Araizumi, and the demise of both Sakura Taisen and the magazine that carries it, Magazine Z.

Reviews: Martin Butler reviews Junji Ito’s Uzumaki at his new blog, Mono no Aware. At Precocious Curmudgeon, David Welsh enjoys vols. 1 and 2 of Cross X Break but feels compelled to ask

Is there a name for the manga category that can be described as shônen-y shôjo done by boys’-love creators who don’t entirely abandon their primary category?

Lissa Pattillo checks out Seduce Me After the Show, vol. 6 of One Thousand and One Nights, and vol. 2 of A Gentlemen’s Kiss at Kuriousity. Julie reads vol. 5 of Muhyo & Roji’s Bureau of Supernatural Investigation at the Manga Maniac Cafe. Andrew Wheeler warms up with three sexy manga, Object of Desire, Red Blinds the Foolish, and vol. 4 of Sundome, at ComicMix. Wilma Jandoc of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin takes a look at two short series, Lagoon Engine and Omukae Desu. Michelle Smith reviews vol. 3 of Time Stranger Kyoko and vol. 4 of Venus in Love at Soliloquy in Blue and is disappointed by vol. 1 of Phantom Dream, by Fruits Basket creator Natsuki Takaya, at Manga Recon. Justin Colussy-Estes, on the other hand, thoroughly enjoys vol. 1 of Go West! at Comics Village. Ed Chavez posts an audio review of vol. 2 of Black Lagoon at MangaCast. Casey Brienza gives You Higuri’s one-shot Angel’s Coffin a mixed review at ANN and reviews Gentle Cage at her LJ. Tiamat’s Disciple weighs in on vol. 6 of Spiral: The Bonds of Reasoning, vol. 3 of Croquis Pop, and Y Square Plus. Julie is not too impressed with vol. 2 of Kitchen Princess at the Manga Maniac Cafe. Kris takes a look at Red Blinds the Foolish, Anima, and vol. 1 of Kyo Kara MAOH! at Manic About Manga. At Slightly Biased Manga, Connie posts reviews of vols. 9 and 10 of Let Dai, vol. 3 of With the Light, vols. 1 and 2 of Human Club, vols. 2 and 3 of Ikebukuro West Gate Park, vols. 16 and 17 of Boys Be…, and vol. 3 of Time Stranger Kyoko. New at Boys Next Door: Shards of Affection, White Brand, and vol. 3 of Hero Heel.

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Comments

  1. Viz media announced Ultimo as their Free Comic Book Day offering
    http://www.freecomicbookday.com/the_comics.asp