Manga Files

Viz’s live-action film arm will be part-owner of a movie theater in a J-Pop-focused shopping center in San Francisco’s Japan Town. Sounds like a great expansion business for them to cross-market their releases. Press release follows.

VIZ Pictures, an affiliate of VIZ Media LLC that focuses on Japanese live-action film distribution, has announced that it has become an owner of an art-house movie theatre set to open in winter 2008/2009 in the heart of San Francisco’s Japan Town, a prominent and historical sightseeing spot in the San Francisco Bay Area. The theatre will specialize in screening Japanese films and anime.

This 150-seat movie theatre, which is expected to open in winter 2008/2009, will be the main attraction within a multi-boutique commercial building called The J-Pop Center (for Japanese Pop culture) that will also house a bookstore, café and several hip fashion boutiques originated in Tokyo. The complex will be a popular destination for the local Bay Area community as well as tourists to experience the kawaii or “cute and cool” J-Pop culture, which has become increasingly popular across North America in the wake of the momentum behind anime and manga.

Fully equipped with THX® sound system and cutting edge film as well as digital projection systems, the theatre will screen a diverse collection of Japanese live action and animated titles, many of which have been little-seen outside Japan or at select film festivals.

VIZ Pictures has partnered with the venue as an extension of its mission to be a preeminent distributor and exhibitor of Japan’s hottest visual entertainment. The company has to-date released a diverse collection of critically acclaimed Japanese films, both theatrically and on DVD, including HULA GIRLS, KAMIKAZE GIRLS, LINDA LINDA LINDA, TRAIN MAN: DENSHA OTOKO, THE TASTE OF TEA and more.

Related Posts: Viz Enters J-Pop Field § Viz Releases Ping Pong § Death Note on DVD § Jerry Robinson’s Astra to Debut On-Stage in DC § Digital Manga’s Travel Agency

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Heyla everyone. It is the 22nd, and it is an auspicious day. (My favourite number, after all.) That's why we're (finally..) releasing. And it's a double! You guys might have heard there's some rather interesting interaction going on in these two chapters. :P So full post for details on how to get your 63 pages of goodness. Thank you to Kineta/Allie for working on Chapter 50, you're a gem. Thank

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I received a review copy of Saihoshi, but I passed on it, since it’s medieval fantasy yaoi. Both of those genres have more often than not disappointed me in the past.

So why am I mentioning it? Because I was flabbergasted to note the lead character’s name: Prince Anel. So much for subtlety — there’s nothing circumspect about that moniker.

You can see a short preview at the Yaoi Press site, if you’re interested.

Related Posts: Another Yaoi Convention Announced § How to Get Review Copy Feedback § Viz on Sale at Borders; Everything Yaoi § DC’s Two Evils § Stupid Publisher Tricks: Review Copies and Guilt Trips

The December issue of Shonen Jump should be available today. It’s their largest ever, with over 400 pages, plus a series conclusion and a color manga debut. From the press release:

[T]he issue will offer the conclusion of the epic Yu-Gi-Oh! saga, which raised generations of Duelists and has dominated the trading card world. SHONEN JUMP also interviews Yu-Gi-Oh! creator Kazuki Takahashi and gives a retrospective on the impact and history of the internationally loved manga. However, fans needn’t despair because Yu-Gi-Oh! GX will continue its popular ongoing run in the magazine.

Also included will be a sneak preview of Takehiko Inoue’s influential and long-awaited basketball manga series, SLAM DUNK. The critically acclaimed series has sold over 100 million copies in Japan and is a winner of the prestigious Shogakukan Manga Award. Catch all the on- and off-court action of the entire first chapter, which is featured in full color in this issue.

For NARUTO fans, SHONEN JUMP offers a manga short story that creator Masashi Kishimoto drew before he dreamed up the hyperactive and unpredictable ninja that millions of North American fans have come to know and love. They will be interested, and perhaps a bit surprised, to get a fascinating glimpse of a Naruto that might have been.

Related Posts: Viz’s Top Sellers § Manga as Near-Weekly Read: Naruto This Fall § Manga Pricing by Sex § Viz Dominates Graphic Novel Sales § Shojo Beat 2nd Anniversary Sweepstakes

I’ve had a wonderful manga reading binge, and I’ve updated the following recommendation pages with reviews of the latest volumes:

• Emma Book 5 reveals William’s parents’ love story and why his mother retired to the country.
• In ES (Eternal Sabbath) Book 6, a handgun brings a new level of violent danger to family interactions.
• Fruits Basket Book 17 is a turning point, with a major family secret revealed.
• Kat & Mouse Book 3 sends the kids to the school’s winter dance, where jewelry is stolen and grudges are demonstrated.
• Nana Book 7 continues to deepen the addictive soap opera with new twists and turns in Nana’s love life.
• Tramps Like Us Book 13 is the installment long-time readers have been waiting for. I will say no more for fear of spoiling its gloriousness.

Related Posts: Two Manga Page Updates § Manga Page Updates § Cool Live-Action Manga Movies Coming! § Manga Page Updates § Manga Updates