‘Tis the season for press releases, or so it would seem from the looks of my inbox these days. Here’s a quick round-up of some of the news that’s come our way over the month of December.
First, Kodansha Comics finally let us in on their plans for Del Rey’s licensed series as well as announcing a few new titles for release in English. Their full list of upcoming titles can be found at their website.
“Japan Unlocked,” an NHK TV talkshow about translations of Japanese literature, manga and anime is available for live streaming at the NHK website, according to representative Ann Tomoko Yamamoto in a recent e-mail. Ann is on “a mini-mission to get the word out about the TV show amongst people with a passion for the TV show’s core theme, namely the cross-cultural journey that creative works make when they are translated from Japanese to English.” A show featuring the work of Edo-period poet Ema Saito airs today. More details available at the Japan Unlocked website.
Square Enix has officially launched their new digital manga store. According to a recent press release, ” the initial lineup in the United States will be four titles, including Fullmetal Alchemist and Soul Eater, available at the special sale price of $5.99 for a limited time. The first update is scheduled for January 11, 2011. New titles will be added bi-monthly after January.” From what I’ve seen from other bloggers since this news broke, I’m not the only one who thinks that $5.99 is too steep for manga that can only be read online, but should the price ever drop to something more reasonable, it would be a great way for new readers to catch up on great series like Fullmetal Alchemist. Registration required.
In other digital news, comiXology has just released its app (featuring comics from 40 publishers) for the Android platform. Users can check out the Android Market to pick up their copy of the free app. As an Android owner myself, I’ve already downloaded mine!
And Digital Manga is releasing the Vampire Hunter D series on the Barnes & Noble Nook and Nook Color, with each volume split into two parts at $3.99 each. Vampire Hunter D vol.1 is also available through B&N’s NOOK Apps for the iPad, iPhone, Andrioid, and for PC.
Viz Media has been adding new titles to its iPad app, including shoujo favorites Vampire Night, Otomen, Ouran High School Host Club, and shounen staple Rurouni Kenshin, all available for download by volume for $4.99 each. Viz also announces a number of print and online enhancements to their Shonen Jump magazine for 2011. Check out the Shonen Jump website for more information.
From Yen Press, Svetlana Chmakova’s new project, an adaptation of James Patterson’s Witch & Wizard, debuts in the latest online issue of Yen Plus, available (with their other currently serialized titles) for subscription here.
And finally, fans of the Gantz manga will have a one-night-only chance to catch the live-action World Premiere on the big screen, thanks to NCM Fathom and NEW PEOPLE. The event happens on Thursday, January 20 at theaters all over the country. Head over to the Fathom Events website to find participating theaters near you.
*Whew* that’s the news for the month! Happy Holidays, manga fans!
[…] Japanese holdouts, of course, is Square Enix, who launched their own digital manga website back in December with mostly negative reviews from the manga blogging community, who felt that the prices were too […]