Just in time for Free Comic Book Day on May 3rd, my Oh!Canada section has been updated with a list of comic shops across Canada. Organized by province, I looked into all that are listed for confirmation they were still running and sold anime/manga relevant merchandise (a daunting task but one that’s left me with lots of shiny new sites bookmarked). Of course if I’m missing any, please inform me and I’ll update it ASAP!
Also, several anime series were recently cut from YTV’s schedule so TV viewers can check out my Anime in Canada page for the current schedule and offerings.
Back to FCBD, always lots of good stuff, from the chance to try out a bunch of new series as well as the sales on regular merchandise most stores put on. Manga-wise this year, keep an eye peeled for the usual free samplers: new to this year includes a Shonen Jump sampler and a Maximum Ride preview from Yen Press.
As for me, I plan to continue my 5-year, 8am tradition of being first in line with my buddies at Strange Adventures in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Nothing like good company, good food, sweet deals and an entire church auditorium full of free goodies. Hoping to see some new and familiar faces again this year!
Author/Artist: Jo Chen
Publisher: Tokyopop
Rating: Older Teen (16+)
Released: April 2008
Synopsis: “After escaping the confines of New York City, Lou and Sunny start a new life in a small town. But just as things are looking up, with the trauma of their pasts wiped clean, fate strikes again… and Lou my lose more than he thought possible. From celebrated illustrator Jo Chen comes the conclusion to this poignant tale about two lost souls finding themselves – and each other.”
Volume two of The Other Side of the Mirror brings this bittersweet, but compellingly sweet romance story of two unlikely souls finding each other, to a close. The love story of Sunny and Lou is concluded half way through the book, leaving the rest of the 200-page book filled up with two unrelated short stories.
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Taking a little break from manga reviews today with something a little different. This is not about which medium is better and it’s certainly not all deciding factors. This is an opinion based write up and comments and thoughts are welcome in the section below.
If you circle the anime and manga related sites, you’ve no doubt come across the manga vs. anime statements, ranging from personal taste to which medium flourishes best in today’s market. While anime has been facing slow decline in recent years, manga continues to keep a strong hold in the market: numerous publishing companies, a sea of endless titles and booming sales work to represent this success.
When the question of why there’s such a discrepancy between the two arises, some of the most defining factors seems evident and I’m calling it the three Ps: production, price and preview.
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Nightmare Inspector: Yumekui Kenbun is another take on the episodic mysterious shop genre, similar to series such as Petshop of Horrors and Nightmares for Sale. Hiruko, an androgynous in appearance dream-eater, runs the Silver Star Tea House. He solves people’s problems by entering their nightmares in exchange for being able to eat the dreams when he’s done. Throughout the book, different people seek out his shop and his services, often with unseen circumstances.
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Slashfilm.com has posted the domestic and international teaser posters for the upcoming live-action adaptation of Dragonball. (via ComingSoon.net)
Sure is a Dragonball surrounded by filters (see the link above for the full poster). Just what one would expect for a teaser poster; it’s the trailer that’ll determine the greatest yays or nays. Some rumors say a teaser trailer is on the way but somehow I see it offering little more than what we see in this poster, except more flashing.
Manga-ka: Fumi Yoshinaga
Publisher: 801Media
Rating: Mature (18+)
Released: July 2007
Synopsis: “An (apparently) frivolous Tohdou and an (overly) serious Tamiya. They continue to collide and have finally become lovers around graduation. This is their life afterwards. The long awaited second volume is here with never before release material. And Tohdou’s younger brother (seme) makes a guest appearance.”
Taking place seven years after the end of the first book, volume two continues to follow the ever-evolving relationship of Tohdou and Tamiya. Both continue their work diligently which often means they don’t get to see eachother as much as they’d like… or as much as Tohdou would like anyway. Tamiya continues to act a bit cold and reserved. Combined with his growing independence through things such as cooking and cleaning, and apparent little interest in sex, Tohdou begins to fear that he’ll have nothing left to offer his lover.
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Go!Comi’s blog has been updated recently with the beginning of what’s to become daily updates about their staff trip to Japan.
The recent post talks about their lunch date with You Higuri, popular artist of Seimaden and Gakuen Heaven. When asked about if she would continue her series, Cantarella (which was put on hold so she could finish her other series’ currently running in Japan), the manga-ka responded with hopes of being able to bring the now 10-volume series to a conclusion. Good news for fans of the series! Me included of course. Go!Comi is currently releasing the books in English.
Staffers on the Go!Comi forums also say to keep an eye on their blog for an upcoming contest since the recent end of their ‘Five Books for Five Winners’ contest.
Manga-ka: Hirotaka Kisaragi
Publisher: Blu
Rating: Mature (18+)
Released: October 2007
Synopsis: “Koumori leads Karasu and Shirasagi through the wastes of Puragatory, while high above, the Seraphim argue over how best to prevent the Distortion from spreading any further. When the war between Heaven and Hell begins once again, Dominions and Karasu restart their own fight, but soon the Archduke gets involved… and what happens in the end will take everyone by surprise! Faith, passion, and betrayal collide as the universe spirals downward towards chaos…”
Continuing the events of volume two, the Distortion threatening Heaven, Hell and all those in-between continues to grow as the battle between angels and demons begins again. It’s a character cast call as nearly all previously seen characters return for their final stands, sometimes with some explanatory back-story tossed in for good measure.
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Author/Artist: Christy Lijewski
Publisher: Tokyopop
Rating: Older Teen (16+)
Released: March 2008
Synopsis: “After unexpectedly leaving Cree and his passion as Faust’s bassist, Izsak once again finds himself on the streets that he knows all too well. But a conversation with a mysterious stranger convinces him that his future may not be as solitary as he thinks. Meanwhile, the heartbroken Cree wants Izsak back – but Rail still thinks he’s dangerous. Emotions run rampant and mysteries begin to unravel as RE:play continues!”
Volume two of RE:play picks up where volume one left off. Rail continues his questioning about Izsak’s condition and related habits while Cree remains concerned over their friend’s disappearance. Meanwhile Izsak wanders the streets until thoughtful words from a ‘stranger’ bring him back to Rail and Cree’s doorstep.
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The official Blade of the Immortal anime website is now streaming a preview of their upcoming adaptation of Hiroaki Samura’s manga. You can check that out here. (via ANN)
The character designs look good thus far, I’m impressed with how well they took Samura’s distinct style and simplified it, while still keeping the character’s defining shapes. The music seemed a little odd to me, not bad, just different. Blade of the Immortal was one of my first favourite mangas, back when Dark Horse still released it exclusively in floppie form. Too bad buying them in graphic novel form today still isn’t much cheaper. Definately an anime I look forward to.
801Media put up confirmations and publication plans for their NYCC announced licenses, Ze by Yuki Shimizu and Don’t Rush Love by Mio Tennohji. They’ve also got some new titles, and one that was originally in limited supply, restocked in their online store.
Also, there’s a listing on Amazon.com for Heaven’s Will by Satoru Takamiya, a manga due out by Viz Media on January 6, 2009. I don’t recall hearing word of this but a few manga sites do have the licensing listed, though most of the big guys do not (most likely pending an official statement). Cute art style; though I’m having trouble digging up anymore about it… plot anybody?
Manga-ka: Kaoru Ohashi
Publisher: Aurora Publishing
Rating: Older Teen (16+)
Released: March 2008
Synopsis: “Welcome once again to Shadow’s Pawnshop, where love and reams are sold in the form of mysterious magical items. Containing 7 all-new tales of horror that delve into the deepest, darkest realms of human nature, Nightmares for Sale volume 2 shows that you just may have to give up something unexpected when you bargain with the Devil. Visitors beware! Nothing comes without a price!”
Nightmares for Sale, volume two, continues the formula that volume one began: short stories involving different people’s ‘life lessons’ at the hands of the devil, Shadow and his witch acquaintance, Maria. Running out of a small pawnshop most of the time, Shadow offers what seem like normal items to visitors, often with a lesson to teach and the harshest of prices to pay. This book contains seven such stories.
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The contrasting duo of Nanaki and Ao return in this second volume of Psychic Power Nanaki. Recap: After getting hit by a car, Nanaki awoke to discover he has numerous psychic abilities, ranging from telepathy to teleportation. Recruited by the mysterious organization known as the LOCK Agency, Nanaki is partnered with the youthful-appearance, but dry in personality, Ao. Random adventures insue.
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As read on Zannen.ca, it seems that Space Channel has removed Robotech from their airing schedules. Their reason is stated as poor ratings.
Well no surprise there. For its short run on Space, Robotech was given a mid morning, weekday timeslot. Ouch. I don’t know who they were aiming it at but apparently whoever it was, they’re hoping will be more appeased with Robotech’s replacement: more Relic Hunter reruns.
Author: Itabashi Masahiro
Manga-ka: Tamakoshi Hiroyuki
Publisher: Tokyopop
Rating: Older Teen (16+)
Released: November 2004
Synopsis: “A benched jock finds his game in the nightclubs of Shinjuku; an otaku gets more cosplay action than he can handle; two best friends eye the same hot girl. These guys aren’t exceptionally strong, brilliant or infused with mutant powers – they’re ordinary guys discovering love for the first time. Whether you’re a guy looking for tips, or you’re a girl trying to understand what makes guys tick, you’ll find all the answers inside.”
Following the romantic entanglements of the average Joe, Boys Be is a collection of short stories spanning from Judo players to otaku to happy reindeer.
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