Tohan has released their rankings for this week’s top manga in Japan. Last week’s list can be found here.
1. Nana, vol. 18
2. Cross Game, vol. 9
3. Zatch Bell!, vol. 30
4. Liar Game, vol. 5
5. Otomen, vol. 3
6. Ahiru no Sora, vol. 17
7. Life, vol. 16
8. Fairy Tail, vol. 6
9. Gakuen Alice, vol. 14
10. One Piece, vol. 47
The AT-X anime satellite station announced they will not be preempting the last episode of School Days; it will air in its scheduled 9:30 pm JST spot on Thursday, September 27.
A new adult manga magazine entitled Comic Ran-Oh! had begun printing today, September 26; retailing for 500 yen.
Flex Comix announced they will be launching Flex Comix Flare, a free online magazine. It will launch October 18, 2007 on Yahoo! Comic and is targeted towards female readers, primarily featuring shoujo works.
An Afro Samurai theatrical movie has been announced for release in Tokyo’s Shibuya ward on October 27, 2007. The movie reportedly includes new animated footage.
Elec-king, a four-panel manga by Tsuyoshi Ōhashi will be adapted into an anime, titled elec-king The Animation, and will premiere November 10, 2007. The manga is currently serialized in Kodansha’s Weekly Morning seinen magazine.
I apologize for not reporting on any of this earlier, the news just kept changing! In late August Geneon and ADV Films “teamed up,” basically ADV Films were to take over all of Geneon’s sales, marketing, and distribution from that point forward. At that time people were already speculating that this could destroy Geneon and if ADV were to take over the production part of Geneon, they would have one less competitor. At the beginning of September, Geneon laid off 20% of its staff due to this deal, shortly thereafter, Mitsubishi sold off its Geneon equity, the remaining sole owner Dentsu Inc. stated that as of October 1, 2007, Geneon USA would primarily focus on the management of its current portfolio and stop in-house production by the end of the year.
Last week, less than one month after the intial Geneon/ADV announcement, the deal was swiftly called off with little information as to why. Today Geneon Entertainment notified retail customers of their decision to cease “the sales of DVDs and all related distribution and marketing operations as of 5 p.m. on Friday, September 28, 2007.” That marks the deadline for orders from their previously announced releases up through November 6. Anything after that date is expected to be canceled. This effectively marks the end of Geneon’s DVD distribution in North America.
Note that Geneon USA also has had distribution deals with Bandai Visual USA; no word on what repercussions, if any, may stem from that as well.
For one of the oldest and largest anime companies in North America to recede so quickly, it really shows how fragile the anime DVD industry can be, especially with the overall decline of DVD sales in the past few years. This reminds me of Central Park Media’s rise, fall, and their struggle to regain entry into the homes of anime fans. We can only hope that Geneon will follow in the footsteps of CPM and fight their way back, they do after all have a very large anime portfolio.
Bandai Namco announced the closed beta test for the upcoming Gundam Tactics Online PC game, based on the popular Gundam series. Applications will be accepted at the game’s official website from October 1 to October 14 and is currently unknown if this beta test will be limited to Japan or Asia-only, as many testing periods are. The game is expected to be released to the public late this winter.
Viz Media announced impressive sales of the Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow DVD. The release has ranked in at #25 on the Nielsen VideoScan Top 100 DVD titles list, which collects sales data ranging from large video retailers to grocery stores and online merchants. Full press release after the jump.
The preempted final episode of School Days will be screened sometime this week in the Tokyo area. Overflow and the gaming developer Stack stated a specific place and time have not been decided as of yet, but that screening admission will be available to those with an “unopened package of the School Days PC Game.”
The official Pumpkin Scissors English website has been launched by ADV Films. The site features series and cast information, screenshots and promotional trailers. The first English DVD volume of the anime is scheduled to release October 23, 2007. The manga will also be released stateside from Del Rey, appearing November 30, 2007.
Banpresto announced they will be opening an amusement park for Crayon Shin-Chan in Kasukabe City. The city is the hometown to the fictional anime and manga character. The no-entrance fee gaming center is scheduled to open on November 11 and will include gaming machines, memento shrines and commemorative goods for sale. Banpresto expects over 1 million attendees annually.
The Agency for Cultural Affairs in Japan will begin lobbying the amendment of Japan’s copyright laws, requesting the ability to prosecute downloaders; the current law has been interpreted to only allow the prosecution of those who upload infringing material.
Jun Kaname has been cast as Jaguar, the main character in the 2008 live action Pyū to Fuku! adaptation. Hirosaki Ogi and Kenichi Nagira, variety show stars, have also been cast in the film.
ADV Films announced its release upcoming release schedule, including the Dragon Half and Puni Puni Poemy double-pack Magikana, slated for December 4 at $19.99. Air: The Movie, Megazone 23 Complete Collection, and Tokyo Majin Volume 1 will be released on December 11. Wallflower Volume 1 and a Sorcerer Hunters Thinpack collection will be released on December 18.
Media Blasters announced two upcoming complete series releases. Thirteen episode Midori Days is scheduled to ship on December 4, with an MSRP of $24.95. The 12-episode Princess Princess anime will also be released for $24.95 on December 18.
Bandai Visual announced the first DVD of Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO (The Hidden One Year War) will be released on November 27 at $49.98.
Top Anime DVD Release
Bleach DVD #6 [ VIZ Media ] - Ichigo and his friends have just made it to Soul Society in their attempt to rescue Rukia; but it’s not going to be easy! Check out this DVD and the rest of the fast-paced and mind blowing Soul Society arc.
Top Manga Release
Tekkon Kinkreet Black & White [ VIZ Media ] - It’s rather rare to see such an offshot manga released domestically, the best way to keep them coming is to support the manga companies by purchasing releases just like this!
Air DVD #2 [ ADV Films ]
September 25, 2007 | $29.98 | 100 min.
The search for the winged girl behind the sky continues. As Yukito’s relationship with Misuzu grows, new complications surface. Whereas Misuzu yearns for a companion closer than ever before, Yukito is forced to choose between what the heart wants and what the heart needs.
Meanwhile, the strain on Minagi’s life at home is bought to light. She lives with her mother, yet remains alone. Only great loss may bring the two of them together. Also, a glimpse of the past answers the queries of the present - but with it, new questions arise; deeper, darker and more dangerous.
Buy now at Rightstuf for only $26.98
Buy now at AnimeNation for only $26.98
Bleach DVD #6 [ VIZ Media ]
September 25, 2007 | $24.98 | 100 min.
Guided by the mysterious talking cat Yoruichi, Ichigo and school friends Orihime, Chad and Uryu make the dangerous crossing over to the Soul Society. They land on the outskirts of the Seireitei, the place where the Soul Reapers live. To succeed in their mission to save Rukia from execution, they must defeat the giant gatekeeper and find some way into the walled city. But it’s not going to be easy!
Buy now at Rightstuf for only $22.48
Buy now at AnimeNation for only $22.48
Ergo Proxy DVD #6 [ Geneon ]
September 25, 2007 | $29.98 | 100 min.
Re-l, Vincent and Pino are back on Romdo to face off against the machinations set in motion by the Creator! Vincent must come to grips with who he is and what he wants to become while Re-l faces the ugly truth behind her own existence. Can these two travelers finish their journey of discovery and enlightenment or will they succumb to the malice implanted by the Creator?
Buy now at Rightstuf for only $26.98
Buy now at AnimeNation for only $26.98
Berserk Volume #19 [ Dark Horse ]
September 26, 2007 | $13.95 | 232 pages
The bewildered and near-mad Casca, former captain of the Band of the Hawk - and former lover of Guts, the Black Swordsman - has been adopted by Midland’s pagan cults as a witch due to her demonic Mark of Sacrifice. But the Holy Iron Chain Knights’ campaign to rid the kingdom of heretics by any means necessary puts Casca in mortal danger, and Guts is having none of it.
But all parties involved may end up with more than they bargained for as demonic spirits, drawn to Casca’s brand, begin to possess the heretics and unleash the forces of hell. But hell hath no fury like the Black Swordsman!
Buy now from Rightstuf for only $10.46
Buy now from AnimeNation for only $12.56
School Rumble Volume #7 [ Del Rey ]
September 25, 2007 | $10.95 | 208 pages
The love of Harima Kenji’s life has made it clear that she will not return his feelings! Brokenhearted, Harima decides to run away and become a fisherman, sailing Japan’s high seas. Once aboard, however, Harima finds himself up against mean-spirited shipmates and a brutal captain who is almost too muscle-bound to be real. Can Harima measure up?
Buy now from Rightstuf for only $10.95
Buy now from AnimeNation for only $9.86
Tekkon Kinkreet Black & White [ VIZ Media ]
September 25, 2007 | $29.95 | 624 pages
Orphaned on the mean streets of Treasure Town, lost boys Black and White must mug, steal and fight to survive. Around them moves a world of corruption and loneliness, small-time crooks and neurotic police officers, and a band of sadistic yakuza who have plans for their once-fair city. Can they rise above their environment?
Buy now from Rightstuf for only $22.46
Buy now from AnimeNation for only $22.49