In this episode we review Criminal: Sinners by Ed Brubaker and Library Wars: Love and War, Vol. 1 written and drawn by Kiiro Yumi. We also get into a discussion about censorship.
TokyoPop Closing North American Doors
ICv2 is reporting that TokyoPop will be closing its doors May 31st. This will be a blow to the manga publishing industry. TokyoPop cited recent economic hardships, the Borders’ bankruptcy and Kodansha expanding their relationship with Random Books/DelRey. How this will effect release dates on titles has not yet been determined. Follow the links below for the full article on the closing and the second link to Stu Levy’s statement on TokyoPop’s closing.
Hero Tales Available
FUNimation has released Part 1 & 2 of Hero Tales to DVD. Libraries that have fans of Fullmetal Alchemist will want to pick this up. The mangas are both written by Hiromu Arakawa and one can tell by the character artwork that it is by the same creator.
Paper and Ink Shortage
Anime News Network has an article that will be of interest to libraries that purchase manga. Japan is experiencing a paper and ink shortage because of the earthquake and tsunami. Therefore, many manga, newspapers, and magazines are being delayed. This will of course effect the manga industry in translating new material to the international market. Some of your libraries titles might be delayed because of this, but tell your patrons to be patient and understanding (which most will be) of what has happened in Japan. Link below to the full article.
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2011-03-28/manga-creator-ayano-yamane/not-enough-paper-ink
Duel Masters Gets Another Chance
Anime News Network’s site is reporting that a new Duel Masters will be airing in the States. Kaijudo: Rise of the Duel Masters will be on The Hub, which is a channel that Discovery Communications and Hasbro has recently started. It is stated that it will be released during the 2011-2012 television season. As I remember the first Duel Masters series, this will appeal to the ‘tween patrons in your library, that are also interested in Anime and/or TCG’s. Link on over to the full article below.
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2011-03-25/duel-masters-card-game-gets-new-tv-series-in-usa
Yu-Gi-Oh Gold!
Librarians that have Trading Card Gamers will want to pass this news along to them. Especially if a patron is into Yu-Gi-Oh as a whole. This June Konami is releasing Yu-Gi-Oh Gold Series 4: Pyramids Edition only to hobby retailers (Comic books stores/Gaming stores). Hobby stores will also get 2 new playmats and there will be a third playmat that will only be available at stores that are Official Tournament stores. Jump over to ICv2 for the brief article.
Sailor Moon Returns to Shelves
Librarians take notice. One of the first shojo titles to take hold in the U.S. was Sailor Moon. It has been out of print for several years. The exciting news for fans of Sailor Moon and an opportunity to introduce a whole new generation to Sailor Moon is that Kodansha will be reprinting the title in September. Libraries can replace books that have been missing or fairly worn and for libraries that haven’t had them can pick them up to add to their manga collection. Follow the link to ICv2’s site for the full article.
Two Songs issued for Earthquake & Tsunami Victims
The following songs are from Anime News Networks’s site that were issued by Sphere and Yoko Kanno and posted on YubTube, for the Earthquake and Tsunami victims. Follow the links below to the actual article as well as audio to listen to the songs or listen to them below.
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2011-03-14/sphere-milky-holmes-support-quake-victims-in-words-song
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2011-03-13/yoko-kanno-posts-song-to-support-quake-victims
Anime/Manga delays
Use the link below to jump to Anime News Network’s site and see what anime and/or manga that have been delayed or cancelled.
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-03-15/anime/manga-releases-delayed-cancelled-after-quake
Gaiman making a Journey to the West
Librarians will know the name Neil Giaman from his novels and young adult novels. However, comic book fans also know him for his writing skills in the comic book medium, most notably from Sandman published through DC Comic Vertigo imprint. Giaman has been signed on to adapt the Ming Dynasty classic novel Journey to the West into a screenplay.
The film is to be shot in China, but will have an English dialogue with Western and Chinese actors. Many of your library’s manga and anime fans will recognize this title since it has been adapted into both mediums. The most popular versions are Dragon Ball and Saiyuki. Therefore, the library will already have patrons interested in this film when it becomes available. Link below to ICv2 for the full article.