The Manga Review: Almost As Fun As Shark Week

As part of its annual Manga Week, ICv2 sat down with VIZ Media’s Sarah Anderson for an in-depth discussion about the current US market. Anderson acknowledged that overall manga sales are down while highlighting several major bright spots, including box sets and Studio Ghibli film comics. She also noted that anime is still a key driver of manga sales, with ongoing series like Jujutsu Kaisen and Frieren—Beyond Journey’s End getting a boost from Crunchyroll and Netflix viewers. Her most surprising observation: readers are clamoring for “series with older protagonists.” As fans enter their twenties and thirties, Anderson explains, “there’s a bit more interest in characters where their experiences are mirroring what’s happening to the readers.”

On a related note, Brigid Alverson has the skinny on the booming market for deluxe editions and reprints of older titles such as Berserk and Pet Shop of Horrors… Richardson Handjaja reports that digital sales now account for almost 75% of the Japanese manga market…  and Brigid Alverson chats with Mark De Vera, Sales and Marketing Director for Yen Press.

NEWS AND VIEWS

Once more, with feeling: Kodansha announced it will be releasing a new edition of Clover, CLAMP’s unfinished steampunk saga. [The Fandom Post]

For readers with a strong constitution, Fantagraphics has licensed Shintaro Kago’s Brain Damage, a collection of four short, surreal horror stories that are guaranteed to mess with your head. Look for Brain Damage in stores this July. [ICv2]

And speaking of scary titles, Kara Dennison previews three new spooky manga from Tuttle. [Otaku USA]

Danica Davidson interviews editor Kristiina Korpus about Kana, Abrams’ new manga imprint. [Otaku USA]

Tony Yao files a report from last week’s BLEACH Animation 20th Anniversary Art Collection Exhibit. [Drop In to Manga]

Husband-and-wife duo Asher and Ashley discuss Sorata Akizuki’s Snow White with the Red Hair. [Shojo & Tell]

Should you read Wind Breaker? Xan shares his two cents about this action-packed shonen series. [Spiraken Manga Review]

ICYMI: Antoine Frazier pens an in-depth essay exploring gender, sexuality, and humor in Rumiko Takahashi’s Urusei Yatsura and Ranma 1/2. [SOLRAD]

REVIEWS

The crack team at Beneath the Tangles weigh in on Mr. Big Bad Wolf, Jujutsu Kaisen, and more… Sakura Eries reviews Hereditary Triangle… Joceylne Allen describes Omae, Tanuki ni Narane ka? as It’s a Wonderful Life with tanukis… and Erica Friedman recommends Akiyama Haru’s Watashi no Blue Garnet.

New and Noteworthy

• Fall in Love, You False Angels, Vol. 1 (Rebecca Silverman, Anime News Network)
• Falling in Love with a Traveling Cat, Vol. 1 (Sara Smith, The Graphic Library)
• Helena and Mr. Big Bad Wolf, Vol. 1 (Dee, Anime News Network)
• I Picked Up This World’s Strategy Guide, Vol. 1 (Richard Gutierrez, The Fandom Post)
• I Want to Love You Till Your Dying Day, Vol. 1 (MrAJCosplay, Anime News Network)
• I Want to Love You Till Your Dying Day, Vol. 1 (Demelza, Anime UK News)
• If It’s You, I Might Try Falling in Love, Vol. 1 (Hayame Kawachi, The Beat)
• The Marble Queen (Erica Freidman, Okazu)
• A Star Brighter Than the Sun, Vol. 1 (Josh Piedra, The Outerhaven)
• The Revenge of My Youth, Vol. 1 (Jeremy Tauber, Anime News Network)

Continuing and Complete Series

• Blue Period, Vols. 14-15 (Sarah, Anime UK News)
• Dragon and Chameleon, Vol. 2 (Demelza, Anime UK News)
• Eunuch of Empire, Vol. 4 (Chris Beveridge, The Fandom Post)
• Gazing at the Star Next Door, Vols. 2-3 (Demelza, Anime UK News)
• How Do We Relationship?, Vol. 12 (Matt Marcus, Okazu)
• Kowloon Generic Romance, Vol. 9 (Sarah, Anime UK News)
• Marriage Toxin, Vol. 5 (King Baby Duck, The Boston Bastard Brigade)
• Rainbows After Storms, Vol. 2 (Erica Friedman, Okazu)
• Record of Ragnarok, Vol. 13 (King Baby Duck, The Boston Bastard Brigade)
• Sakamoto Days, Vols. 15-16 (King Baby Duck, The Boston Bastard Brigade)
• The Urban Legend Files, Vol. 9 (Chris Beveridge, The Fandom Post)