A federal appeals court has struck down two Oregon statutes that banned furnishing “sexually explicit” materials to minors and “luring” minors with such materials, saying both were too broad and could criminalize giving minors some works that have both adult content and redeeming value—including the manga Berserk. The court also name-checked Judy Blume in the decision, which said that while the laws intended to target hard-core pornography, the wording was simply too broad. The lawsuit was filed by a coalition of publishers and booksellers that included Oregon-based Dark Horse, and it was supported by the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund.
Kate Dacey, Brad Rice, and David Welsh look over this week’s new manga, while Melinda Beasi reveals her Pick of the Week at Manga Bookshelf.
Jason Thompson looks back on his epic Year of Manga, in which he posted about a manga every day and gave away his manga online. Apparently, giving away manga is harder than it seems, but he seems to have learned a lot about the quirks of human nature.
Melinda Beasi has a Tumblr, in case you want to see what she’s reading lately—or chime in with what you’re reading.
Atsuhisa Okura (Moe U.S.A.) explains how he draws faces in this video at the Manga University blog.
Helen McCarthy continues her notes on the pioneering Japanese creator Ippei Okamoto.
Udon has previews up of the latest volumes of Ninja Baseball Kyuma and The Big Adventures of Majoko.
News from Japan: Genshiken is coming back, as Genshiken II, to Kodansha’s Afternoon magazine.
Reviews
Danica Davidson on Alice the 101st (Graphic Novel Reporter)
Snow Wildsmith on Alley of First Love (Graphic Novel Reporter)
A Library Girl on vol. 1 of Black Sun, Silver Moon (A Library Girl’s Familiar Diversions)
Leroy Douresseaux on vol. 2 of Bokurano: Ours (The Comic Book Bin)
Danica Davidson on vols. 9-12 of Death Note (Graphic Novel Reporter)
Zack Davisson on vol. 1 of Hetalia: Axis Powers (Japan Reviewed)
Snow Wildsmith on vols. 1 and 2 of Honey Senior, Darling Junior (Graphic Novel Reporter)
Julie Opipari on vol. 16 of Inubaka: Crazy for Dogs (Mania.com)
Sean Gaffney on vol. 3 of Itazura Na Kiss (A Case Suitable for Treatment)
AstroNerdBoy on Kitchen Princess (final thoughts) (AstroNerdBoy’s Anime and Manga Blog)
Julie Opipari on vol. 17 of Muhyo & Roji’s Bureau of Supernatural Investigation (Manga Maniac Cafe)
Lissa Pattillo on vol. 27 of Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicles (Kuriousity)
The best news I’ve heard in a while: The return of Genshiken! Now I’m just waiting for the return of Nodame Cantabile!
I’m happy to hear about Genshiken also! That novel was fun, but kind of poopy.