Manga Bookshelf

Discussion, Resources, Roundtables, & Reviews

Unshelved

Library Wars: Love and War Volume 4

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Library Wars: Love and War Volume 4 by Kiiro Yumi and Hiro Arikawa

I’ve read reviews from other manga bloggers that find this series somewhat insipid, but Library Wars will always be the perfect comfort reading for me. Not only does it feature action hero librarians, but the romance in this manga is sweet even if it is a bit predictable. In the last volume Dojo sent Iku out on protection duty to get her out of the way of a combat mission. Unfortunately his plans to keep her safe were disrupted when Commander Inamine is kidnapped by document censoring terrorists and Iku accompany him into captivity in order to protect him.

One of the things that I like about this series is even though Iku is often portrayed as the female equivalent of a dumb jock, she always seems to be able to show her intelligence in flashes of tactical brilliance. When the terrorists make their demands, she’s able to tip off her comrades about her location. Much of this volume is devoted to showing Dojo’s thought processes, with flashbacks to the day he became Iku’s mysterious prince when he helped her rescue a book as a schoolgirl. Seeing Dojo’s motivations and worries for Iku made me want to root for them as a couple more, even though I’m sure they’ll end up together. I also enjoy the haphazard way the Library Corps follows rules. They aren’t allowed to pull their guns on property they don’t own, so they quickly purchase the building where Iku and Inamine are being held captive so they can rush in ahead of the police tactical units.

This volume ended up having a good balance of action and introspection, as we are treated to Dojo’s inner life for the first time. When the crisis is over, Iku has to cope with her parents visiting. We see the reasons why she’s estranged from them and determined to succeed on her own terms. I was happy to see this volume hit the New York Times manga bestseller lists. I hope this series does well enough that we can get some of the other versions of Library Wars translated too.

MMF: Pretty pictures

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I wasn’t able to get my act together to do a proper post for the current Manga Moveable Feast on Kozue Amano’s Aqua and Aria (Tokyopop), but I thought I could at least pull a portion of an old Flipped column from Comic World News:

Few recent releases seem as dedicated to appealing visuals as Kozue Amano’s Aqua (Tokyopop). A young girl named Akari has left Earth for what used to be Mars before overly enthusiastic terraforming left it mostly covered with water. Akari dreams of becoming an undine, or gondolier, in Neo-Venezia, and who can blame her? The prospect of boating around the canals of a gorgeous city and introducing visitors to its wonders is tremendously tempting.

There’s virtually no narrative tension in the book, but that really isn’t its purpose. Amano has gentler intentions. The small spine of plot involves Akari moving through her undine apprenticeship, though there’s nothing like the ups and downs you might find in the average shônen series. Aqua is more about sailing through dreamy cityscapes at a leisurely, welcoming pace. The company is pleasant enough, and Amano has a nice way with gently whimsical comedy. Most important, though, is Amano’s richly detailed rendering of Neo-Venezia. It’s a setting that allows you to lose yourself in an entirely undemanding way, and that’s always a welcome change of pace.

 

Inside the DMG, Week 8

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Actually, “Inside the DMG” is a misleading title, since there has been little action on that front since last month’s teleconferences. As members wait for their contracts (perhaps forthcoming in the next couple of weeks), most have been reluctant to ask too many questions, even on the Guild’s message boards. With DMP President Hikaru Sasahara visiting crisis-stricken Japan, the general sense around the forums has been very much wait-and-see.

That said, yesterday’s press release from the company suggests that its President has been hard at work overseas! Check out the full text below:

Gardena, CA (March 21, 2011) – Digital Manga is excited to announce the first acquisition of 487 titles from Japanese publishers for the Digital Manga Guild (DMG). That number is expected to grow exponentially, as publishers have shown an increased interest within the past few weeks to be a part of DMG.

While the names of the publishers must still be kept under wraps, the growing amount of titles has astounded everyone at Digital Manga Publishing (DMP). In addition, the genres have varied between yaoi, shojo, josei, and seinen, with more to come. DMG has been President Sasahara’s personal project over the past years, as he sought a new way to produce more titles quickly for manga fans. The Guild finally came to fruition in October of last year under the DMP umbrella, and has steadily grown with over 1,100 members joining to take part in this manga community initiative. With their help, DMG promises to be a guaranteed success.

The titles keep rolling in from Japan, further establishing the Digital Manga Guild as a serious business changing the way manga will be localized.

Personally, I’m a fan of the new counter graphic, which very much illustrates the vision presented to us all by Mr. Sasahara in the teleconferences (both of which can now be downloaded from the Guild’s main page).

Meanwhile, we continue in “wait and see” mode. I hope to be reporting on contracts in the very near future, and perhaps even on what’s next for the beta groups!

Upcoming 3/23/2011

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My Pick of the Week doesn’t actually ship through Diamond Wednesday, but there’s neat stuff on the ComicList all the same.

First up is another of NBM’s Louvre comics, produced in partnership with the legendary museum. This one’s called The Sky over the Louvre, written by Bernard Yslaire and illustrated by Jean-Claude Carriere. This time around, readers are taken “back to the very origins of the Louvre as a museum: the tumultuous years of the French revolution.” Other books in this series include Glacial Period, On the Odd Hours, and The Museum Vaults: Excerpts from the Journal of an Expert.

Oni Press delivers a hardcover collection of the first story arc of the excellent private detective thriller Stumptown, written by Greg Rucka and illustrated by Matthew Southworth. It’s about an out-of-luck PI trying to pay off a gambling debt by tracking down a casino owner’s granddaughter.

And if you missed Jason Shiga’s Bookhunter (Sparkplug) the first time around, it’s been offered again and seems to be due for arrival on Wednesday. I’m the only one who missed it the first time around, aren’t I?

Random Sunday question: worker bees

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I’ve ticked off a gruesome number of errands and chores this morning, from rolling change to bathing dogs, and it got me to thinking: while many manga characters are known for their domestic sloth, there are some who seem to live by the motto “If you can lean, you can clean.” (I’m more partial to “Why stand when you can sit, and why sit when you can lie down?”)

One of my favorites from this category has to be Yukari from Sakura Tsukuba’s Penguin Revolution (CMX). Her career goal — “I want to be… a CIVIL SERVANT!” — remains one of the funniest dream declarations I can recall in manga.

Who are some of your favorite, fictional worker bees?

 

Why I'm so happy about Sailor Moon returning

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It was funny seeing all the manga bloggers explode into a twittergasm yesterday, and I was among them because when the news broke that Kodansha was going to bring back Sailor Moon into print I was absolutely delighted . I’m glad that I never tried to assemble a complete collection through the exorbitant prices the old Tokyopop editions go for on ebay – I bought a few used copies of Sailor Moon when I could find them reasonably priced, and ended up selling them in a more reasonably priced bundle on ebay myself.

I have an erratic history with manga. I started buying it in the first wave, when Mai the Psychic Girl, Area 88, and Nausicaa were coming out in small monthly editions instead of the larger books that are ubiquitous today. The entire comics market in the 90s really turned me off comics in any form, including manga. I was still interested in Japanese culture, and managed to study Japanese in college and go over there on a study abroad program, and I read absolutely no manga while I lived there. I stopped reading comics and manga regularly and only started again when I was in graduate school. I actually rediscovered manga when I was house sitting for a librarian who had a teenage daughter who was crazed for Sailor Moon and Rurouni Kenshin. There were volumes of manga scattered around the house, and when I picked up and read them I was reminded of why I enjoyed manga so much in the first place. Sailor Moon was so wonderfully goofy, with its magical girl incantations, Tuxedo Mask running around with a rose clenched between his teeth, and Usagi the ditsy yet powerful heroine.

Sailor Moon might have silly moments, but it combines them with a surprising number of fights. The story grows more complex as the series progresses. The cultural impact of Sailor Moon was huge in Japan and here, where it was a gateway manga for many girls. I’m not sure if those girls will pick up these new deluxe editions or if new readers will be picking up the series. I’m just selfishly happy that I’ll be able to read this series again.

I Am All Asquee

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KODANSHA USA ANNOUNCES THE RETURN OF SAILOR MOON
I don’t ordinarily post publicity announcements, but when it’s something this awesome, I simply must. Thank you a million times, Kodansha Comics. You may look forward to a lot of my money.

Update: Kodansha USA Publicity confirms that there will be a new translation, although they can’t comment on specifics just yet.

NEW YORK, New York – March 18, 2011 – Kodansha USA Publishing, a subsidiary of Kodansha, announced today the exciting return of Naoko Takeuchi’s SAILOR MOON, one of the most significant names in comics and manga, to US publishing. Brand new deluxe editions of the acclaimed series will be released by Kodansha USA’s Kodansha Comics imprint in September 2011. Out of print for six years, SAILOR MOON re-launches along with Takeuchi’s two-volume prequel series CODENAME: SAILOR V, in print in the US for the first time—making this one of the most highly anticipated manga releases in years.

The SAILOR MOON manga, which originated in Japan in 1992 and debuted in the US in 1997, follows Usagi Tsukino, a young girl who transforms into super heroine Sailor Moon to combat evil and fight for love and justice in the name of the Moon and the mysterious Moon Princess. The first successful shôjo (girls’) manga release in the US, SAILOR MOON changed the book landscape and helped establish the foundation for the manga craze; in particular drawing attention to the popularity of comics among female readers.

Prequel series CODENAME: SAILOR V, the first of Takeuchi’s “magical girl” manga, will make its highly anticipated debut in the US alongside the SAILOR MOON re-launch. In CODENAME: SAILOR V, teenager Minako Aino fights as Sailor V against the villains of the Dark Agency before she discovers Sailor Moon.

The Kodansha USA editions of SAILOR MOON will be published on a bi-monthly schedule and follow the 2003 Japanese re-release format of the classic series. The original 18 volumes have been condensed into 12 volumes covering the main storyline, and two volumes dedicated to short stories. Each volume has gorgeous new cover art, retouched interior art and dialogue along with extensive bonus material from Takeuchi, and detailed translation notes.

One of the most recognized manga and anime properties in the world, SAILOR MOON took American pop culture by storm, with mentions in music (“One Week” by Barenaked Ladies), bestselling books (The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot) and more. In Japan, over 15 million copies have been sold and the series has generated everything from animated features to live action musicals, a live action television series and countless merchandise.

“I’m very excited to reintroduce Ms. Takeuchi’s work to her American fans,” said Yoshio Irie, president and CEO of Kodansha USA Publishing. Irie is also the former chief editor of Nakayosi magazine in which the SAILOR MOON manga was serialized. “As we continue to build the Kodansha Comics manga list, a title like SAILOR MOON is the jewel in our crown. As the former chief editor of the work in Japan, I’m especially thrilled to finally release the prequel, CODENAME: SAILOR V, to the many fans who have been asking for it at long last.”

About Kodansha USA Publishing
Kodansha USA Publishing, LLC, a subsidiary of Kodansha Ltd. aims to bring the best names in manga to the North American market, and partners with Random House Publisher Services for distribution. www.kodanshacomics.com

About Kodansha Ltd.
Kodansha Ltd. is Japan’s largest publisher, with its headquarters in Tokyo. Originally established in 1909 by Seiji Noma, the company is still a family-run business. Under the leadership of Sawako Noma, company president since 1987, Kodansha continues to play a dominant role in the media world, producing books and magazines in a wide variety of genres including literature, fiction, nonfiction, children’s, business, lifestyle, art, manga, fashion, and journalism. Recently, the company has ventured into digital distribution of content as well. www.kodansha.co.jp/english

Fulfillment

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It was just this morning that I was feeling grouchy and envious that the French have the first volume of Saint Young Men in their spoiled little hands. Who would have thought that ill will would be washed away a few hours later? What is the cause of this renewal of my normally sunny disposition, you ask?


Yup. She’s coming back, courtesy of Kodansha Comics. I love it when I can type “Fulfilled” onto the license request roster.

Updates: Deb (About.Com) Aoki delivers a terrific round-up of coverage and reactions. So many exclamation points! And the Manga Bookshelfers form our battle robot to discuss this joyous news.

Here’s the press release, which I’m sure you’ll also see in full seventy other places:

KODANSHA USA ANNOUNCES THE RETURN OF SAILOR MOON

Never-before-published Enhanced Editions of the Groundbreaking Manga SeriesShare Long-Awaited US Publishing Debut with CODENAME SAILOR V

NEW YORK, New York – March 18, 2011 – Kodansha USA Publishing, a subsidiary of Kodansha, announced today the exciting return of Naoko Takeuchi’s SAILOR MOON, one of the most significant names in comics and manga, to US publishing. Brand new deluxe editions of the acclaimed series will be released by Kodansha USA’s Kodansha Comics imprint in September 2011. Out of print for six years, SAILOR MOON re-launches along with Takeuchi’s two-volume prequel series CODENAME: SAILOR V, in print in the US for the first time—making this one of the most highly anticipated manga releases in years.

The SAILOR MOON manga, which originated in Japan in 1992 and debuted in the US in 1997, follows Usagi Tsukino, a young girl who transforms into super heroine Sailor Moon to combat evil and fight for love and justice in the name of the Moon and the mysterious Moon Princess. The first successful shôjo (girls’) manga release in the US, SAILOR MOON changed the book landscape and helped establish the foundation for the manga craze; in particular drawing attention to the popularity of comics among female readers.

Prequel series CODENAME: SAILOR V, the first of Takeuchi’s “magical girl” manga, will make its highly anticipated debut in the US alongside the SAILOR MOON re-launch. In CODENAME: SAILOR V, teenager Minako Aino fights as Sailor V against the villains of the Dark Agency before she discovers Sailor Moon.

The Kodansha USA editions of SAILOR MOON will be published on a bi-monthly schedule and follow the 2003 Japanese re-release format of the classic series. The original 18 volumes have been condensed into 12 volumes covering the main storyline, and two volumes dedicated to short stories. Each volume has gorgeous new cover art, retouched interior art and dialogue along with extensive bonus material from Takeuchi, and detailed translation notes.

One of the most recognized manga and anime properties in the world, SAILOR MOON took American pop culture by storm, with mentions in music (“One Week” by Barenaked Ladies), bestselling books (The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot) and more. In Japan, over 15 million copies have been sold and the series has generated everything from animated features to live action musicals, a live action television series and countless merchandise.

“I’m very excited to reintroduce Ms. Takeuchi’s work to her American fans,” said Yoshio Irie, president and CEO of Kodansha USA Publishing. Irie is also the former chief editor of Nakayosi magazine in which the SAILOR MOON manga was serialized. “As we continue to build the Kodansha Comics manga list, a title like SAILOR MOON is the jewel in our crown. As the former chief editor of the work in Japan, I’m especially thrilled to finally release the prequel, CODENAME: SAILOR V, to the many fans who have been asking for it at long last.”

About Kodansha USA Publishing

Kodansha USA Publishing, LLC, a subsidiary of Kodansha Ltd. aims to bring the best names in manga to the North American market, and partners with Random House Publisher Services for distribution. www.kodanshacomics.com

About Kodansha Ltd.

Kodansha Ltd. is Japan’s largest publisher, with its headquarters in Tokyo.  Originally established in 1909 by Seiji Noma, the company is still a family-run business.  Under the leadership of Sawako Noma, company president since 1987, Kodansha continues to play a dominant role in the media world, producing books and magazines in a wide variety of genres including literature, fiction, nonfiction, children’s, business, lifestyle, art, manga, fashion, and journalism.  Recently, the company has ventured into digital distribution of content as well.

www.kodansha.co.jp/english

 

I Wish I Wrote That!

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Is it really Friday already? Assuming my calendar’s not lying, that means it’s time for new installment of I Wish I Wrote That!, a monthly feature in which I provide links to a articles about comics that I’ve especially envied as a writer.

First off, I’d like to point you to Khursten Santos’ Spotlight on Fumi Yoshinaga at her website, Otaku Champloo. In it, Khursten chronicles Yoshinaga’s career and the evolution of her work, writing from the perspective of both a journalist and a fan.

A quote from Khursten’s introduction to the article:

My journey in writing this spotlight was nothing but enlightening. My rule of thumb is to try to read the artist’s work in sequence and try to see their development as a mangaka, both in art, their themes, their interests, and their stories. Strangely though, I have read Yoshinaga-sensei in various points in my life that when I started to look back, I couldn’t exactly pin-point where she started. When I started asking if she had grown as a writer, in the back of my head, I was thinking… she had always felt mature as a writer.

Khursten’s insights are valuable not only for their personal touch, but for the rich knowledge they reveal. I admire Khursten particularly for her background in manga and her understanding of visual storytelling, both of which are demonstrated in this piece. I wish I had even half her expertise!

There are a couple of pieces I’ve appreciated this month involving Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata’s shounen series Bakuman, namely this thoughtful review by Chris Mautner at the newly-revamped Comics Journal, and this charming look at the third volume by Manga Curmudgeon David Welsh.

Also from The Comics Journal, Ken Parille offers up a detailed discussion of Moto Hagio’s short manga “Bianca,” as published in A Drunken Dream and Other Stories last year by Fantagraphics. Whether or not I agree with all of Parille’s points, I simply love reading his analysis of the piece. It’s one of the most thought-provoking essays on the subject I’ve seen, and it’s made me anxious to re-read the story as well. I wish I wrote that!

Lastly, Manga Critic Kate Dacey held me in her thrall this month with her write-up of Aki Shimizu’s Quan. Filled with scans of the series’ artwork and Kate’s brilliant prose, this article not only made me envy her skill, but also her manga library!

That’s all from me this month! Readers, what do you wish you wrote?

Sing me an Opera

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Last year, Digital Manga released Reversible, an anthology of short boys’-love comics. It was a terrific idea, to provide a sampler of work by relatively unknown talents. Unfortunately, I found the reality of the book to be a bit tepid. The notion of the book has stuck with me, though, so I would like to propose that someone else take a crack at it, using Akaneshinsha’s edgy yaoi anthology Opera as its source.

I don’t have a ton of Japanese-language comics on my groaning bookshelves, but I do have a copy of an issue of Opera, thanks to Christopher (Comics212) Butcher. I can’t read a symbol of it, but I flip through it all of the time, always marveling at the sheer variety of styles it encompasses. There seem to be a range of character types and story tones, from slice-of-life to comedy to heavy drama to period pieces and even some fantasy.

It’s one of the magazines where Natsume Ono’s yaoi (created under the pen name “Basso”) has been published, including Amato Amaro. Looking at the anthology’s roster of titles at Baka-Updates, it seems like there are several one shots that could be included in an Opera sampler. Titles that reach volume length could even be published under some kind of subsequent “Opera presents…” label, but maybe I’m getting ahead of myself. (Of course, getting ahead of one’s self is what license requests are all about.)

I’ve made no secret of my fascination with comics that fall under what Erica (Okazu) Friedman has described as “the fifth genre.” I could be wrong about this, but I get the sense that Opera is very much fifth-genre yaoi, at least in the sense that it doesn’t seem at all concerned with conventional, commercial concerns of its category, taking a more inclusive and experimental approach. And the possibilities of that excite me very much.

I also think it’s smart (and generous) when publishers give you a low-risk taste of what might be considered higher-risk material. I don’t know how much of a market there is for the kind of yaoi Opera publishes, but I’d certainly relish the opportunity to explore it in depth in the form of a licensed, translated sampler. A similar approach seems to be working for Viz with SigIKKI, so maybe Akaneshinsha could partner with someone to try and expand horizons. And the magazine has a blog, so you know they’re at least a little bit down with this whole internet outreach thing.

Beast Master Volume 1

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Beast Master Volume 1 by Kyousuke Motomi

Motomi’s Dengeki Daisy is one of my favorite new shoujo series, so I thought I’d check out the earlier series Beast Master. I think often mangaka’s earlier series tend to suffer in comparison when compared with the manga that become hits. But while Beast Master doesn’t have the more stylish illustrations and emotional depth that Dengeki Daisy does, it does share the same quirky sensibility that makes it stand out from more run-of-the mill shoujo series.

Yuiko is a typical teen girl with a passion for animals. Unfortunately she has an uncontrollable tendency to smother any animal she meets with too much affection, causing them to flee from her. Leo is an animalistic boy whose demonic eyes and strange mannerisms cause him to be misunderstood by everybody he meets. Leo transfers into Yuiko’s school, and she is the first and only person to make friends with him. She treats him a little bit like a stray pet at first, but as they get to know each other a real friendship develops. Where Beast Master stands out is in its depiction of Leo. While he is handsome, his animal-like rage is contrasted with a playful mode where he’s drawn to look a little bit like a playful giant cat. It is unusual to see the male lead of the series being portrayed in an unhandsome way so many times. Although there’s a little bit of a Jane taming Tarzan dynamic in Yuiko and Leo’s relationship, seeing how she was gradually able to integrate him into school life was fun. Leo’s tendency to watch over Yuiko saves her from some sticky situations. I’m not feeling as invested in this story as I am with Dengeki Daisy, but since there’s only one more volume in this series, I’m going to finish reading Beast Master. After trying both of Motomi’s series that are available in English, I’m hoping that more from this creator gets released over here.

Readers’ choices

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Deb (About.Com) Aoki has announced the winners of the 2011 Manga Readers’ Choice Awards, with top honors going to the intermittently (possibly accidentally) fascinating Bakuman (Viz). I personally think Mitsuru Adachi’s Cross Game (Viz) is better in every meaningful particular, which just means that not enough people are reading Cross Game. Bakuman also beat Cross Game in the shônen category.

I wasn’t particularly impressed with the first volume of Dengeki Daisy (Viz), but its win in the shôjo category makes me wonder if I should give it a second chance. The second– and third-place nominees are spectacular, so maybe I judged Daisy too quickly. It just didn’t grab my attention and seemed like a less ambitious version of The Name of the Flower (CMX) with more text messages.

Much as I love House of Five Leaves (Viz), I actually voted for All My Darling Daughters (Viz) in the best new drama/action category. I happen to think that asking a person to choose between Natsume Ono and Fumi Yoshinaga is kind of cruel.

On the new comedy/slice of life front, my horse (Bunny Drop from Yen Press) won. Strong as the field was, I love Bunny Drop a whole lot. (Only two weeks until the third volume is out!)

I also voted with the majority in the all-ages tourney. I would have been perfectly happy if the second-place finisher had won, though.

What matters most about the results in the international manga category is that the James Patterson Literary Sweatshop came in last. Okay, that’s not true. I’m a big fan of both There’s Something About Sunyool (Netcomics) and Nina (Yôkaiden) Matsumoto, so I’m pleased that they shared the top spot, but I voted for Felipe Smith’s excellent Peepo Choo (Vertical).

I’ve read so little yaoi of recent vintage that I didn’t even vote in that contest. It does give me a start on a to-read list, though.

The winner of the one-shot category is exactly what it should have been.

I’m not a big consumer of supplemental collections or art books, so I cast my vote for AX (Top Shelf) in the anthology or art book category. It didn’t win, but it’s an acquired taste (and a mixed bag), so its loss doesn’t come as a complete surprise.

What are your reactions to the winners?

 

Outgoing 3/16/2011

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With the pick of the week presenting more of a challenge than usual, and with tumbleweeds blowing through the current ComicList, it’s a perfect opportunity to find some other use for the money you might have spent on comics.

To that end, I point you to Daniella (All About Manga) Orihuela-Gruber’s efforts to raise money for disaster relief in Japan:

There are still thousands of people missing, hundreds of thousands displaced and more debris to be cleared that can even be estimated at the present time. Roads leading to the most affected areas are severely damaged, which means aid cannot easily reach these people. Food is in short supply and so are basic necessities and medical supplies because the roads are so badly damaged.

She’s chosen to focus on two very worthy organizations, so go see if you’re able to help.

 

Anime & Manga Bloggers for Japan

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Just a quick link this morning, to Daniella Orihuela-Gruber’s All About Manga, where she’s set up links to donate to Doctors Without Borders and Shelterbox as part of a blogger initiative to help the people of Japan.

In Daniella’s words, “I certainly feel like I owe a meaningful chunk of good things in my life to Japan, so if you feel the same way, I would like to encourage you to donate any amount possible.”

You and me both, Daniella.

You too can give back to Japan by blogging or tweeting links to Daniella’s post or the donation pages, or simply by making a donation.

Thanks, Daniella, for organizing this effort!

Follow Friday – a little late

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Yesterday was Follow Friday, according to my feature schedule, but I admit I had a hard time mustering the will for such a frivolous post in the aftermath of the earthquake in Japan.

Today, though, I’ve got some recommendations to share that many may find helpful. Here are a few Twitter accounts I’ve found valuable for keeping up on news from Japan.

@YokosoNews, usually devoted to lifestyle and entertainment news, has focused its efforts on relaying news about the catastrophe from the Japanese media to English-speaking readers. Check out their USTREAM for ongoing translation of news broadcasts from the NHK.

@MariKurisato, a regular favorite on my follow list, has been tweeting available news from all the reliable sources she can find pretty continuously over the couple of days

@tokyograph is another source for current news (thanks to Kimberly Saunders @ShroudedDancer for the link).

I’ve also been following tweets from @mangauniversity, @tokyoreporter, and @globalvoices.

So far, I’ve been grateful to hear that all those I personally know in Japan are all safe. I hope the same for all of you.