December sales: “Astounding”

The latest sales figures are out from ICv2. Vol. 15 of Fruits Basket is number 2 on the graphic novel chart, and there are three other manga in the top ten: Naruto at number 4, Berserk at number 7, and Bleach at number 8. This makes for an unusually good showing for manga. In its analysis, ICv2 calls it “astounding” and adds

While it’s easy to make too much out of what could be an aberration, it is interesting to note that while traditional American graphic novels are doing better in the bookstore market, manga appears to be making increasing inroads in the direct market.

At Coffeeandink, Mely posts her list of the best continuing series of 2006, with plenty of good analysis, followed by more from her very literate group of commenters.

David Welsh devotes this week’s Flipped column to two stories about alternate universes, Goong and To Terra. (In case you missed it, Christopher Butcher has posted a preview of To Terra.)

The Star of Malaysia interviews elusive Death Note creator Tsugumi Ohba.

Yaoicon has announced the 2007 guests of honor: manga artist Mayima Oki and novelist Kawahara Tsubasa. (Via Yaoi Suki, via Guns, Guys, and Yaoi.)

A student in the manga program at Kyoto Seika University was stabbed to death on a Kyoto street, apparently by a stranger.

Dirk Deppey reviews the Fanfare/Ponent Mon title A Patch of Dreams. At Okazu, Erica Friedman has high praise for Seven Seas’ translation of vol. 1 of Kashimashi ~Girl Meets Girl~, which is all the more impressive as she has already read the Japanese version. Kethylia enjoys vol. 3 of Fushigi Yugi Genbu Kaiden. Tangognat gives five stars to To Terra. At Active Anime, Holly Ellingwood reviews vol. 3 of Robot. It’s Manga Monday at Comics-and-more, with mini-reviews of vol. 5 of Dragon Head, vol. 2 of Emma, and vol. 6 of Monster. At Slightly Biased Manga, Connie checks out vol. 5 of Sgt. Frog and vol. 2 of Ark Angels. Leroy Derousseaux reviews vol. 1 of Hibiki’s Magic at The Comic Book Bin.