Hi there! This is Kate Dacey (a.k.a. The Manga Critic). I’ll be sharing manga-blogging duties with Melinda Beasi this week while Brigid is away. As Shonen Jump characters are fond of saying, “I’ll do my best!”, though I have no illusions about the size of the shoes I’m filling. On to the links!
The December Manga Movable Feast continues with more essays and reviews; David Welsh shares day two highlights. And in a special guest post at The Manga Curmudgeon, Erica Friedman examines those time-honored shonen themes of friendship and teamwork in One Piece.
Planning to go to the comic store this week? Melinda Beasi offers her pick for Wednesday’s must-read manga.
Over at The Manga Critic, I post a holiday gift guide for readers under fourteen.
Do you have a secret stash of old manga in your garage or basement? You might find Sheena McNeil’s article on the valuation of comics informative, especially if you’re trying decide which titles might be worth selling and which ones have depreciated in value.
Melinda Beasi offers recommendations from the Yen Press/ICE Kunion catalog in her latest Manhwa Monday column.
Esther Keller, Lori Henderson, Robin Brenner, and I discuss what we’re reading at Good Comics for Kids.
VIZ Media is hiring! They’re looking for an Associate Producer (Animation Production) and a Digital Production Coordinator (Editorial). If you’re still in school, consider applying for one of VIZ’s Spring 2011 Internships; applications are being accepted now.
News from Japan: Anime News Network reports that The Magic of Chocolate, a shojo horror manga set in an enchanted confectioner’s shop, will be getting the anime treatment in 2011. Take that, Godiva! Also on the ANN news blotter: VIZ is sponsoring the world premiere of the first two Gantz live-action movies on January 20, 2011 at theaters around the US.
Reviews: Johanna Draper-Carlson is first out of the gate with her review of the eagerly anticipated Not Love But Delicious Foods Make Me So Happy!, Fumi Yoshinaga’s valentine to the Tokyo restaurant scene, while Ash Brown offers quick takes on an assortment of books, manga, and DVDs. Other reviews of note:
Alexander Hoffman on Ayako (Manga Village)
Connie on Deka Kyoshi, Vol. 1 (Slightly Biased Manga)
Karen Maeda on Hikaru no Go, Vol. 21 (Sequential Tart)
Connie on I’ll Give It My All… Tomorrow, Vol. 2 (Slightly Biased Manga)
Danica Davidson on Monster, Vols. 1-3 (Graphic Novel Reporter)
Lori Henderson on One Piece, Vols. 1-4 (Manga Xanadu)
Victoria Martin on Ooku: The Inner Chambers, Vol. 3 (Manga Life)
Carlo Santos on Pandora Hearts, Vol. 3 (Anime News Network)
Leroy Douresseaux on Papillon, Vols. 5-6 (Comic Book Bin)
Grant Goodman on The Push Man and Other Stories (Manga Village)
Erica Friedman on Rakuen Le Paradis, Vol. 4 (Okazu)
Karen Maeda on Shinobi Life, Vol. 6 (Sequential Tart)
Wolfen Moondaughter on Slam Dunk, Vol. 13 (Sequential Tart)
Carlo Santos on Ultimo, Vol. 3 (Anime News Network)
The Magic of Chocolate? I’m intrigued – will these see a release in the USA?
I don’t know; perhaps if the anime finds an online following here in the US. I couldn’t find much information about the series, though any manga involving haunted chocolate shops sounds like a winner to me!