Bleach creator leaves social media Fans of the series were caught off-guard by Tite Kubo’s sudden departure from Twitter on September 10, sans a specific explanation from the creator. Kubo’s only message was “[Notice] Tomorrow night, after about 24 hours I will delete my Twitter account. Until that time, please direct message me.” His account…
Shinbun Saturday: Manga Continues Its Digital Expansion
More Manga Hits ComiXology Earlier this week, VIZ Media announced that manga magazine Weekly Shonen Jump would now be available on ComiXology. Now English-language speakers can read the latest chapters of One Piece and Bleach on the same day they’re released in Japan. Kodansha Comics also joins the digital platform, adding more than 350 manga…
Shinbun Saturday: Science Fiction Manga Beginnings and Endings
Naruto writer to possibly delve into science-fiction for next project Masahi Kishimoto discussed his post-Naruto career with a Japanese magazine, briefly mentioning his tentative plans to work on a science-fiction themed manga. While nothing is completely set in stone– It hasn’t all been worked out, and I haven’t showed my editor yet, but I’ve already…
Shinbun Saturday: Reflections on History in Manga
Manga artist’s rendition of war experiences on exhibit Shigeru Mizuki’s manga Soin Gyokusai Seyo! (Onward Towards Our Noble Deaths) and Rabaul Senki (Memories of Rabaul) explored the experience of war through semi-fictional characters, but a recent exhibit at Chofu City Culture Hall brings his personal memories of World War II to a new audience. Mizuki’s work is placed in…
Shinbun Saturday: New Life for a Fan Favorite
Fan favorite gets manga adaptation Good news for Baccano! fans! We may never get a second season of the anime, but we are getting a manga adaptation later this year. Based on the light novels by Ryohgo Narita, Baccano! tells the story about a group of alchemists and an elixir that grants immortality against a…
Shinbun Saturday: A Campaign to Bring a Classic WWII Manga to Schools
Last Gasp Books launches Barefoot Gen Kickstarter Earlier this week, Last Gasp Books launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund a hardcover edition of Barefoot Gen by Keiji Nazakawa. The aim is to raise $36,000 in order to print 4,000 copies to be distributed to schools and libraries. Based on the mangaka’s real-life experiences, the classic…
Shinbun Saturday: Eluding Government Bans and Facing IP Laws
Classic science fiction manga coming to North America Move over, Udon Entertainment. Classic manga fans were granted a boon this past week at Otakon with Kodansha announcing their licensing of 1978 series Queen Emeraldas. The series follows Hiroshi Umino as he sneaks onto a spaceship to escape from Earth. It will mark Queen Emeraldas’ first…
Shinbun Saturday: Versailles Comes to North America
An unlicensible manga comes to North America at last SDCC wasn’t quite the same licensing bonanza as Anime Expo, but that doesn’t mean there weren’t a couple major items of note. The biggest manga news to come out of the con is that Udon Entertainment licensed The Rose of Versailles. North American manga publishers tend to…
Shinbun Saturday: The Pirate King Retains His Throne
Barnes & Noble expands manga and graphic novel section On the heels of news that comics sales are up, the brick and mortar bookstore announced that due to customer demand, it would be doubling its space dedicated to manga and graphic novels. The increase would allow stores to keep backlist titles on the shelves longer…
Shinbun Saturday: Fighting for Love and Justice at Anime Expo
Welcome to the inaugural edition of Shinbun Saturday, a weekly round-up of recent manga news and other tidbits of interest!