The One Piece Podcast interviewed Japanese fans about their relationship with Eiichiro Oda’s long-running series. The result: a lively documentary about one of the world’s most popular comic book franchises.
Over at Manga Therapy, Tony Yao reflects on the important role that editors play in shaping your favorite manga series.
Melinda Beasi sings the praises of Yumi Tamura’s Basara.
TCJ’s Joe McCullough kicks off his This Week In Comics column with a brief appreciation of Manga Pachinko 777, a magazine dedicated to Japan’s favorite gambling machine.
Wondering what you might find in the current issue of Ribon? Heart of Manga offers a brief list of ongoing series.
Justin Stroman files a lengthy report on his experiences at NYCC 2014.
Ed Chavez shows off the spiffy new Vertical Comics logo, and explains why Vertical, Inc. decided to create a separate imprint for its extensive manga catalog.
You, too, can be the proud owner of a super-sized Pikachu, Doraemon, or Totoro bed for about $370.
LINE Corp. just announced that it will be teaming up with Kodansha and Shogakukan to offer manga in English and Chinese via their LINE Manga app. Although details are scarce, this appears to be a global initiative; no word on potential regional restrictions.
News from Japan: Yukito Kishiro will pen the final installment of his long-running Gunnm/Battle Angel Alita series in Evening magazine. The first chapter hits Japanese newsstands on October 28th.
Reviews: Make room for an another exhibit in the Manga Hall of Shame: Alice Vernon nominates Btooom! for Worst Manga of 2014.
Leroy Douresseaux on vol. 5 of Deadman Wonderland (Comic Book Bin)
Megan R. on vols. 1-2 of Gyo (Manga Test Drive)
Mad Manga on In Clothes Called Fat (Cartoon Geek Corner)
Megan R. on Kitaro (Manga Test Drive)
Al Sparrow on vol. 1 of Kokoro Connect (Comics Spectrum)
Helen on vol. 3 of My Little Monster (Narrative Investigations)
Danica Davidson on vol. 1 of My Love Story!! (Otaku USA)
Tony Yao on vol. 1 of My Love Story!! (Manga Therapy)
Alexander Hoffman on Pink (Sequential State)
Mad Manga on vol. 1 of Sweet Rein (Cartoon Geek Corner)
Sean Gaffney on vol. 1 of Witchcraft Works (A Case Suitable for Treatment)