Comments on: Kodansha in the US confirmed http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/07/01/kodansha-in-the-us-confirmed/ The News Blog of Comics Culture Sat, 11 Feb 2012 15:48:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v= hourly 1 By: Amick http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/07/01/kodansha-in-the-us-confirmed/#comment-42256 Amick Fri, 05 Feb 2010 21:11:11 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/07/01/kodansha-in-the-us-confirmed/#comment-42256 Just wanted to say what a great site this is,I just subscribed to your feed. Please keep up the good work. <a href="http://bit.ly/4r6J7b" rel="nofollow">Mafia Wars must have's... Don't want to miss this.</a> Just wanted to say what a great site this is,I just subscribed to your feed. Please keep up the good work. Mafia Wars must have’s… Don’t want to miss this.

]]> By: Munno http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/07/01/kodansha-in-the-us-confirmed/#comment-42255 Munno Sun, 02 Aug 2009 22:59:42 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/07/01/kodansha-in-the-us-confirmed/#comment-42255 Thanks for posting this, it?s great to be here! Hopefully your readers will enjoy it! http://www.gheerotic.com Thanks for posting this, it?s great to be here! Hopefully your readers will enjoy it! http://www.gheerotic.com

]]> By: Blog@Newsarama » Blog Archive » Reactions to Kodansha’s announcement http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/07/01/kodansha-in-the-us-confirmed/#comment-42254 Blog@Newsarama » Blog Archive » Reactions to Kodansha’s announcement Wed, 02 Jul 2008 23:46:45 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/07/01/kodansha-in-the-us-confirmed/#comment-42254 [...] Lots of people, meanwhile, are speculating on what this could mean for American manga fans or setting up their own wish lists. Better get started on yours.   [...] [...] Lots of people, meanwhile, are speculating on what this could mean for American manga fans or setting up their own wish lists. Better get started on yours.   [...]

]]> By: Brigid http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/07/01/kodansha-in-the-us-confirmed/#comment-42253 Brigid Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:44:05 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/07/01/kodansha-in-the-us-confirmed/#comment-42253 cbrown: What James said. This is all insider baseball here, but if you go into a comics store and pick up a volume of manga, even if it isn't the first volume in the series, you will probably be able to figure out the story within a couple of pages. The vast majority of people who read manga aren't following this story at all; they're busy reading and making imaginary matchups of their favorite characters. cbrown: What James said. This is all insider baseball here, but if you go into a comics store and pick up a volume of manga, even if it isn’t the first volume in the series, you will probably be able to figure out the story within a couple of pages. The vast majority of people who read manga aren’t following this story at all; they’re busy reading and making imaginary matchups of their favorite characters.

]]> By: Joe Williams http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/07/01/kodansha-in-the-us-confirmed/#comment-42252 Joe Williams Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:38:10 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/07/01/kodansha-in-the-us-confirmed/#comment-42252 <I>Tom Spurgeon Says: How are you typing?</I> Tom, I have many talents. (There once was a typist from Nantucket...) Tom Spurgeon Says: How are you typing?

Tom, I have many talents. (There once was a typist from Nantucket…)

]]> By: Journalista - the news weblog of The Comics Journal » Blog Archive » July 2, 2008: Child-size cup http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/07/01/kodansha-in-the-us-confirmed/#comment-42251 Journalista - the news weblog of The Comics Journal » Blog Archive » July 2, 2008: Child-size cup Wed, 02 Jul 2008 10:53:02 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/07/01/kodansha-in-the-us-confirmed/#comment-42251 [...] [Publishing] It looks like Kodansha’s going to be publishing manga in the United States after all. ICv2 has the report, as well as word that Del Rey Manga doesn’t expect to start bleeding licenses over the move (a message reiterated by Dallas Middaugh at the Del Rey Manga Blog). Elsewhere, Christopher Butcher and Jake Forbes have commentary, and Simon Jones rounds up a number of additional links. [...] [...] [Publishing] It looks like Kodansha’s going to be publishing manga in the United States after all. ICv2 has the report, as well as word that Del Rey Manga doesn’t expect to start bleeding licenses over the move (a message reiterated by Dallas Middaugh at the Del Rey Manga Blog). Elsewhere, Christopher Butcher and Jake Forbes have commentary, and Simon Jones rounds up a number of additional links. [...]

]]> By: James Moar http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/07/01/kodansha-in-the-us-confirmed/#comment-42250 James Moar Wed, 02 Jul 2008 07:44:55 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/07/01/kodansha-in-the-us-confirmed/#comment-42250 "Who is Cthuhlu?" An octopus-headed elder god who sleeps in Ry'leh and will awaken to eat the souls of mankind. Or, in this context, a poster who leaked the news about Kodansha on Chris Butcher's website. "What is Shueisha and Shogakukan" Two major Japanese publishers, both of books in general and manga in specific. Along with Kodansha, they're the big three. Shueisha and Shogakukan jointly own Viz Media, which seems to be the publisher of first resort for most of their books. "They say that one of the reasons manga is popular with the kids is because it’s not as insular a closed club as superhero comic" The less insular argument's about just buying the books, and I think it's pretty valid. Tracking industry news is a different beast. “Who is Cthuhlu?”

An octopus-headed elder god who sleeps in Ry’leh and will awaken to eat the souls of mankind. Or, in this context, a poster who leaked the news about Kodansha on Chris Butcher’s website.

“What is Shueisha and Shogakukan”

Two major Japanese publishers, both of books in general and manga in specific. Along with Kodansha, they’re the big three. Shueisha and Shogakukan jointly own Viz Media, which seems to be the publisher of first resort for most of their books.

“They say that one of the reasons manga is popular with the kids is because it’s not as insular a closed club as superhero comic”

The less insular argument’s about just buying the books, and I think it’s pretty valid. Tracking industry news is a different beast.

]]> By: Lea Hernandez http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/07/01/kodansha-in-the-us-confirmed/#comment-42249 Lea Hernandez Wed, 02 Jul 2008 07:27:55 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/07/01/kodansha-in-the-us-confirmed/#comment-42249 And the reason why I speculate on professionalism is because the Viz/Eclipse split was kind of unpretty. And the reason why I speculate on professionalism is because the Viz/Eclipse split was kind of unpretty.

]]> By: Lea Hernandez http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/07/01/kodansha-in-the-us-confirmed/#comment-42248 Lea Hernandez Wed, 02 Jul 2008 06:41:49 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/07/01/kodansha-in-the-us-confirmed/#comment-42248 In the 80's, long-gone Eclipse Comics partnered with Shogakukan (known in the U.S. as Viz). Eclipse published Shogakukan titles like Area 88, Mai, the Psychic Girl, Xenon, Kamui and Nausicaa. After a couple years (at most), Viz ended the relationship and struck out on its own as a publisher. It's been...almost twenty years ago. (I feel a little dizzy reading that.) I guess I'm not surprised because I've a) seen this before and b) Kodansha is so big it makes sense they'd want to start a company here and do things their way. It also makes sense they wouldn't. I am guessing the relationship between Kodansha and Del Rey is somewhat more professional. (Meaning I perceive Del Rey as more professional than Eclipse.) In the 80’s, long-gone Eclipse Comics partnered with Shogakukan (known in the U.S. as Viz). Eclipse published Shogakukan titles like Area 88, Mai, the Psychic Girl, Xenon, Kamui and Nausicaa.

After a couple years (at most), Viz ended the relationship and struck out on its own as a publisher. It’s been…almost twenty years ago. (I feel a little dizzy reading that.)

I guess I’m not surprised because I’ve a) seen this before and b) Kodansha is so big it makes sense they’d want to start a company here and do things their way. It also makes sense they wouldn’t.

I am guessing the relationship between Kodansha and Del Rey is somewhat more professional. (Meaning I perceive Del Rey as more professional than Eclipse.)

]]> By: cbrown http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/07/01/kodansha-in-the-us-confirmed/#comment-42247 cbrown Wed, 02 Jul 2008 04:15:27 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/07/01/kodansha-in-the-us-confirmed/#comment-42247 I have some friends who used to be into comics years ago, and I have gotten them interested again. More than once they have literally called me from Midtown Comics or Jim Hanley's Universe and said, "I'm here! Now what do I get? I don't know what I'm looking at!" It's weird for me, who has read comics since I can remember, 30+ years ago, because I think I know my comics, but that's exactly the sort of reaction I feel when I try to figure out what to read as I try to explore manga. They say that one of the reasons manga is popular with the kids is because it's not as insular a closed club as superhero comics, but then I read this: "Nahaha! Just like Viz with Eclipse in the ’80’s. I am not surprised that Cthuhlu was right." and "Kodansha might be the number one trade publisher in Japan, but Shueisha is tops in manga — especially in the key “shonen” (older boys) demographic. And as Shueisha and Shogakukan are, at the top, one company, and Viz is exclusive with both, a consolidated Kodansha in the US is still dwarfed by Viz." What? Who is Cthuhlu? What is Shueisha and Shogakukan I feel stupid, and out of it, and . . . old! I have some friends who used to be into comics years ago, and I have gotten them interested again. More than once they have literally called me from Midtown Comics or Jim Hanley’s Universe and said, “I’m here! Now what do I get? I don’t know what I’m looking at!”

It’s weird for me, who has read comics since I can remember, 30+ years ago, because I think I know my comics, but that’s exactly the sort of reaction I feel when I try to figure out what to read as I try to explore manga.

They say that one of the reasons manga is popular with the kids is because it’s not as insular a closed club as superhero comics, but then I read this:

“Nahaha! Just like Viz with Eclipse in the ’80’s.
I am not surprised that Cthuhlu was right.”

and

“Kodansha might be the number one trade publisher in Japan, but Shueisha is tops in manga — especially in the key “shonen” (older boys) demographic. And as Shueisha and Shogakukan are, at the top, one company, and Viz is exclusive with both, a consolidated Kodansha in the US is still dwarfed by Viz.”

What?

Who is Cthuhlu?

What is Shueisha and Shogakukan

I feel stupid, and out of it, and . . . old!

]]> By: Tom Spurgeon http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/07/01/kodansha-in-the-us-confirmed/#comment-42246 Tom Spurgeon Wed, 02 Jul 2008 03:37:47 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/07/01/kodansha-in-the-us-confirmed/#comment-42246 How are you typing? How are you typing?

]]> By: Joe Williams http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/07/01/kodansha-in-the-us-confirmed/#comment-42245 Joe Williams Tue, 01 Jul 2008 23:40:56 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/07/01/kodansha-in-the-us-confirmed/#comment-42245 Wasn't Kodansha the one that paid for Paul Pope (among others) to do a bunch of work that never got printed? Could this now see the light of day in North America? You can't see me but I'm rubbing my hands with gleeful anticipation... Wasn’t Kodansha the one that paid for Paul Pope (among others) to do a bunch of work that never got printed? Could this now see the light of day in North America? You can’t see me but I’m rubbing my hands with gleeful anticipation…

]]> By: Xenos http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/07/01/kodansha-in-the-us-confirmed/#comment-42244 Xenos Tue, 01 Jul 2008 23:16:23 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/07/01/kodansha-in-the-us-confirmed/#comment-42244 Wow. The rumor from the elder god from R'lyeh got it right. Personally, I am kinda glad. Finally a Japanese publisher is cutting out the middleman. As much as I like US publishers who imported manga, I'm just as fine with them going back to focusing on US books. Of course I have to wonder how this looks for TokyoPop since that's all they've ever relied on for most of their sales. Speaking of TokyoPop, it seems Sailor Moon fans think there's some hope in that we might see that manga published in the US again. Meanwhile, I'm personally looking forward to some of Tsutomu Nihei's newer works like Biomega myself. TokyoPop released a just okay release of Blame!. (The first volume had some fans complain about printing too dark.) A number of other Kodansha series have been picked up by Del Ray and Dark Horse. Plus some at TokyoPop. Though there are still plenty. Just check out the list of overall titles here: http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/company.php?id=88 Now there is a bad case in history of a Japanese company screwing up direct sales to the US. Toei released DVDs of Slam Dunk and Air Master back in 2005. Geneon distributed. The DVDs were very sub par and neither ever finished being released. Wow. The rumor from the elder god from R’lyeh got it right.

Personally, I am kinda glad. Finally a Japanese publisher is cutting out the middleman. As much as I like US publishers who imported manga, I’m just as fine with them going back to focusing on US books. Of course I have to wonder how this looks for TokyoPop since that’s all they’ve ever relied on for most of their sales.

Speaking of TokyoPop, it seems Sailor Moon fans think there’s some hope in that we might see that manga published in the US again.

Meanwhile, I’m personally looking forward to some of Tsutomu Nihei’s newer works like Biomega myself. TokyoPop released a just okay release of Blame!. (The first volume had some fans complain about printing too dark.)

A number of other Kodansha series have been picked up by Del Ray and Dark Horse. Plus some at TokyoPop. Though there are still plenty. Just check out the list of overall titles here:
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/company.php?id=88

Now there is a bad case in history of a Japanese company screwing up direct sales to the US. Toei released DVDs of Slam Dunk and Air Master back in 2005. Geneon distributed. The DVDs were very sub par and neither ever finished being released.

]]> By: Lea Hernandez http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/07/01/kodansha-in-the-us-confirmed/#comment-42243 Lea Hernandez Tue, 01 Jul 2008 23:13:28 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/07/01/kodansha-in-the-us-confirmed/#comment-42243 Thomas, you totally cracked me up! :3 Speaking of too correct: "It was a creator who spoke out very loudly, then another one, then Lea Hernandez." If you mean the nuclear explosion of discussion of the Manga Pilots contract that was me first, followed then by Hope Larsen, which led to Bryan Lee O'Malley's scathing deconstruction. "[Lea] is often very loud and way too often too correct for my liking, which means she is in the wrong business and should become an investment analyst..." You really know how to turn a girl's head. Stop it. Stop it some more. Thomas, you totally cracked me up! :3

Speaking of too correct: “It was a creator who spoke out very loudly, then another one, then Lea Hernandez.”
If you mean the nuclear explosion of discussion of the Manga Pilots contract that was me first, followed then by Hope Larsen, which led to Bryan Lee O’Malley’s scathing deconstruction.

“[Lea] is often very loud and way too often too correct for my liking, which means she is in the wrong business and should become an investment analyst…”

You really know how to turn a girl’s head. Stop it. Stop it some more.

]]> By: Rivkah http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/07/01/kodansha-in-the-us-confirmed/#comment-42242 Rivkah Tue, 01 Jul 2008 22:51:21 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/07/01/kodansha-in-the-us-confirmed/#comment-42242 Seeing how Del Rey Manga is extremely selective about the titles they publish and keeps their catalog to a minimum, I wouldn't be surprised if Kodansha decided to make this move based on a) not finding any other publishers to pick up their titles for the quality/price they're asking and b) feeling like they could do a better job and make more money on their remaining titles by getting into the market themselves. As far as I see it, they have no reason to pull the titles they already have with Del Rey from the market when they have a wealth of titles still left unpublished in the US. Seeing how Del Rey Manga is extremely selective about the titles they publish and keeps their catalog to a minimum, I wouldn’t be surprised if Kodansha decided to make this move based on a) not finding any other publishers to pick up their titles for the quality/price they’re asking and b) feeling like they could do a better job and make more money on their remaining titles by getting into the market themselves. As far as I see it, they have no reason to pull the titles they already have with Del Rey from the market when they have a wealth of titles still left unpublished in the US.

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