MangaBlog

ICv2 does the June and second-quarter numbers, and it’s all about the floppies—pamphlet sales were up, graphic novel sales were down. Manga do not loom large in the top 100 GN list, although Megatokyo cracks the top ten at number 6. Naruto checks in at #15 and Kingdom Hearts at #21. Manga may be the fastest-growing sector of the comics industry, but it’s humbling to note that 18 “traditional comics” sold over 100,000 copies in June, while Megatokyo sold 4,385 and that phenomenon, Naruto, sold 3,222. Of course, that’s just direct market sales—Megatokyo and Naruto probably do better in bookstores—but not to the tune of 100,000 copies. David Taylor has more analysis at Love Manga.

Bento Physics greets us this morning with thought-provoking links and commentary. I particularly liked the excerpt from a piece, which I would never have found on my own, that compares Japanese appropriation of Western music to Japanese appropriation of western baked goods. Also, Queenie Chan talks about shoujo and Warren Ellis explains why size matters, at least for comics.

At MangaCast, Ed is enthusiastic about Fools Gold.

It’s not manga, but a credible second cousin: Purity Brown deconstructs a Bunty annual. Lots of nostalgia for me (I think I have that one somewhere) and plenty of laughs for everyone. The cover alone is worth the click.

The latest Manga Curry No Maki is up, and it’s chock full o’manga goodness, with a full summary and analysis of Anime Expo, a preview of SDCC, listener mail, and even a recipe to help you use up the leftover curry from previous episodes. Elsewhere on MangaCast, Ed takes a first look at Recipe for Gertrude, a new series from CMX.

Memory for Me reviews From Far Away; it sounds like if you liked Fruits Basket, or if you liked Fruits Basket but thought Tohru was too wimpy, this is the book for you.

At The Star of Malaysia, Kitty Sensei reviews the first two volumes of Scary Book and is not particularly impressed. On the other hand, reviewer Pauline Wong likes Platinum Garden.

Wired looks at a super-otaku. How do they know he’s otaku?

The proof comes when he whips out his digicam to show me photos of his enormous, meticulously organized collection of manga, which he keeps in his bedroom at his parents’ house.

Hmmm… sort of reminds me of this.

Free samples of manwha! Ice Kunion has added new titles to its previews page. Of course, that’s like your local ice cream man (or heroin dealer) giving out free samples… just makes you want more. (Via ComiPress.)

Dorian at (Postmodernbarney.com) lists the manga he’s still reading, which includes many of my own favorites.

At Love Manga, David Taylor comments on these comments and muses about the demand for “vintage” manga.

At ADD Theater, Shannon likes Fruits Basket but not Tohru.

Of course, Fruits Basket really isn’t about Tohru- she’s just sort of a catalyst whose innate goodness opens up the world of the other characters. But I’m like eh, it’s ok to have a feeling for yourself once in a while! Show some depth!

To which I say: Don’t watch the anime, because Tohru’s inane and self-deprecating giggle will send you right over the edge! I have always found Tohru problematic—she’s such a Polyanna and so annoyingly unselfish—but the one issue I admire her for is her insistence on working a night job to earn her own money. I think there is a bit of steel beneath all that sugar.

Selling manga at retail: A livejournal entry by someone who works in the manga section of a chain bookstore talks about how she keeps the customers happy. (Keep your regulars’ favorites in stock, and don’t diss anyone’s taste—seems logical to me.)

Yaoi Suki has an Exclusive Advance Review! of Hybrid Child. The short take: “BL Chobits.”

Gearing up for SDCC: Viz has announced that Rurouni Kenshin manga-ka Nobuhiro Watsuki and Vampire Knight manga-ka Matsuri Hino will be their guests at the con. Watsuki will help chair the Shonen Jump panel and will discuss RK. Cool!

The Boston Globe does Graphic Novels 101. David Taylor notes a few similarities. This is actually a regional section of the Globe that covers the area I live in. When I was the reporter for my hometown paper, that section used to occasionally pick up on a story I had written, re-interview my sources, and do their own version. I took it as flattery and got a good laugh. This time, however, it was sheer coincidence. As I was finishing my interview with Liza Craig-McCormack, I asked her how I could contact the teenagers in her manga club and that was when she told me the Globe was coming around to photograph them. Ulp! I think Robin Brenner’s talk was the reason we both wrote the story at the same time; I had been kicking around the idea of a manga article for a while, but when you’re writing for a newspaper you need a news hook to make it timely. Anyway, they covered slightly different territory and did a nice job.

Not going to SDCC? Well, Ed Chavez is, and he’s made all the preparations but one: He doesn’t have a list of questions, so he’s looking for our input. Now is your chance to ask that one thing that’s been bugging you all these years. And remember, Ed will be recording big chunks of the con for MangaCast, so hopefully you’ll hear your questions being asked and answered.

Sorry I’m a bit late with the liner notes this week. Here they are!

Anime Expo

Mangacast’s take on AX

Irresponsible Pictures on the CLAMP appearance
Transcript of CLAMP appearance

Go!Comi blog (pictures of Mick Takeuchi’s appearance)
Discussion of new Go!Comi titles at Love Manga

Irresponsible Pictures on the Dark Horse panel
Ian Brill contrasts the Dark Horse and Shojo Beat panels

ADV gets a new investor
Tokyopop picks up some ADV titles

In other news

Manga makes it into the dictionary

Two French manga fans try to run away to Japan

Ponent Mon licenses Disappearance Diary

CBR interviews Megatokyo creator Fred Gallagher

Brigid’s Top Ten for Summer
(not in any particular order)

Dogby Walks Alone
Captain Nemo
Chikyu Misaki
Monster
Dramacon
Death Note
Sexy Voice and Robo
Ultra Maniac
The Dreaming
Yotsuba&!

Wednesday is deadline day for my freelance job, and I was working on another big story, so posting is late today. And by the way, have you noticed my cool new URL? You don’t have to update your bookmarks, but from now on, if you’re recommending me to someone, feel free to use the grownup address, www.mangablog.net.

ICv2 releases the ICv2 Retailers Guide to Anime/Manga #15, which includes a top ten manga list that yields no surprises:

1. Naruto (Viz Media)
2. Fruits Basket (TOKYOPOP)
3. Kingdom Hearts (TOKYOPOP)
4. Fullmetal Alchemist (Viz Media)
5. Loveless (TOYKOPOP)
6. Tsubasa (Del Rey)
7. Death Note (Viz Media)
8. Negima (Del Rey)
9. Rurouni Kenshin (Viz Media)
10. Bleach (Viz Media)

I got this list from MangaCast, where Ed wonders

Two volumes of Loveless gives it more pull than 28 volumes of Rurouni Kenshin (even with Kenshin reaching the USA Today top 150)?

Also in the ICv2 guide is a list of the most powerful people in anime. At Love Manga, David issues a challenge:

In response to ICV2’s Top Most Powerful People in the American Anime Industry would anyone want to have a try at the Manga equivalent?

First we got the word “manga” into the dictionary, and now manga finally gets its own convention, MangaNEXT. Here’s the announcement on ANN and here is the site. I’m hoping to be there!

At Manga Talk, Jamila of Bento Physics asks people to say what they think of the representation of women in shoujo manga and cite titles. This is just the beginning of what promises to be an interesting discussion, so hop aboard now.

Back at Love Manga, David interviews UK creators Emma Vieceli and Sonia Leong of Sweatdrop Studios. Both are working on manga adaptations of Shakespeare’s plays; Vieceli is doing Hamlet and Leong is working on Romeo and Juliet.

Manga is only mentioned in passing, but I’m fascinated by this discussion on Mely’s blog about what is and isn’t a children’s book. Mely summarizes a panel discussion from Wiscon, and then the commenters have at it. Good stuff!