Archive for 'Manga' Category

“Suzuki Sensei” won the best TV Drama Award of NAB AWARDS 2011

 NAB(The National Association of Commercial Broadcasters in Japan ) (http://www.nab.or.jp/index.php?What%20is%20NAB%3F) announced the winners of  NAB Awards 2011 on this Sep.15th.  “Suzuki Sensei” (/鈴木先生, A Teacher Suzuki)  (http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/suzukisensei/) aired this April-June won the Best TV Drama Award of  NAB Awards this year.

The story of the TV work is about a young teacher at a junior-high school who suffers from daily common troubles caused by his students ,and how he makes efforts and solve the problems using his ideas and passions. Suzuki is no hero and quite a banal guy but has  unique approaches of education over his students and settles things steadily one by one.  Suzuki’s ideas and thoughts at scenes are explained by his own monologue,which makes this work a unique one with sepcial atmosphere.

“Suzuki Sensei” originally is a popular manga work of  Kenji Taketomi having been serialized in a manga magazine “Manga Action” since 2005, and won an excellent manga work award of  Japan Media Arts Festival held by the Agency for Cultural Affairs in 2007.

Tokyo Game Show 2011

Visitors crowd the Makuhari Messe convention complex near Tokyo, on Sep. 15, 2011 as the four-day Tokyo Game Show kicks off.

Tokyo Game Show 2011

The major gaming event features hands-on demonstrations of PlayStation Vita, a new portable game console from Sony Corp.’s game unit, and more titles for Android-based smartphones.

Tokyo Game Show 2011

One of the highlights was ComiPo! software application that allows anyone to make high quality comics and manga.

Tokyo Game Show 2011

Users can easily create their own unique stories and situations simply by choosing and posing one of the 3D characters included with ComiPo!.

ComiPo!

The program also offers over 100 unique body poses and facial expressions to choose from, along with many background images, items, sound effects, word balloons
Comi Po!

Dragon Quest Ⅰ,Ⅱ,and Ⅲ are put in one game software of Wii to be released on Sep.15th

 ”Dragon Quest”, one of the most prevalent and popular video RPG series now is celebrating its 25th anniversary, and in one of the relevant momorial events, Nintendo will release “reprinted editions” of the first three games- Ⅰ，Ⅱ,and Ⅲ in one game software of  Nintendo Wii on this Sep.15th.   http://www.dragonquest.jp/25th/

 The original Dragon Quest Ⅰwas released as a Nintendo Famicon(FC) games in 1986 and Ⅱwas in 1987,and Ⅲwas in 1988. And Those three games were also released as reprinted editions of Nintendo SuperFamicon(SFC) game softwares in 1993 (ⅠandⅡ) and 1996 (Ⅲ).  Most of the game series’ works have been reprinted in several game machines even other than SFC, such as MSX, PlayStation and so forth.  

This newest “Wii edition” of  Ⅰ,Ⅱ, andⅢ in token of the 25th anniversary includes  both the three games of the original FC editon’s design and those of the SFC edition’s design.  The  original FC editons of Ⅰand Ⅱ 24-25 years ago did not have the saving system of the game data and they had so-called “the Spell of Rebirth/魔法の呪文”(password) to resume playing the game  after a switch-off.  However, a player can choose either the password system or the game data saving system with this Wii editon. And You could use even an old, old password 25 years ago, which will stimulate the nostalgic emotion full of  zeal of the huge fans who led their childhoods in those days and now are adults.  　

The Wii edition will also include reprinted edition of  a set of guidebooks that totally sum up to 130 pages , and only for the first pressing ones- a “Small Medal/ちいさなメダル”（a special small token coin）in its real scale. 

Yokohama exhibition features world animation stamps

A stamp exhibition began Thursday in Yokohama featuring a collection of the world’s manga and animation stamps including those of Japan’s Hello Kitty, Spider-Man of the United States and Moomin from Finland.

The Japan World Stamp Exhibition 2011 is showing more than 500,000 stamps from around the world at the Pacifico Yokohama convention center through Aug. 2.

Visitors also have a chance to meet and take photos with animation characters at the venue, and can also listen to a Bhutanese record stamp that plays music to when placed on a player, or try the vanilla ice-cream taste of a Portuguese stamp.


View Pacifico Yokohama in a larger map

English versions of Osamu Tezuka manga now available on iPad

Masterpieces of legendary Japanese manga artist Osamu Tezuka are now available in English on the iPad tablet computer, Tezuka Productions Co. said.  The cloud-based storage service, available at $9.99 a month, enables fans to read digital versions of 62 items, including ”Astro Boy” and ”Phoenix,” of the author who died in 1989, as well as view motion pictures with Japanese voiceovers and English subtitles. As an indication of his productivity, the Complete Manga Works of Osamu Tezuka published in Japan comprises some 400 volumes, over 80,000 pages; even so, it is not comprehensive.In fact, his complete oeuvre includes over 700 manga with more than 150,000 pages. The company also said it plans to offer the works in other languages such as Chinese, French, Italian, Korean, Portuguese and Spanish, as well as launch the service on Android tablets later this year. The distinctive “large eyes” style of Japanese anime was invented by Tezuka, drawing inspirations on cartoons of the time such as Betty Boop and Walt Disney’s Bambi and Mickey Mouse.

The artist of ‘One Piece’ sent the pirate flags to schools in stricken cities

[From Ofunato city-my stricken home town]

- East Japan Great Earthquake & Tsunami Disaster-

Children in Ofunato Elementary School gave shouts of joy to the flag

Pirate flags, appear in the popular serial comics ‘One Piece’, is given to 9 elementary and junior high schools in Rikuzen-takata and Ofunato cities. Students in these schools got excited of the flags when they saw the flag with autographs signed by their favorite characters in the story. Mr. Eiichiro Oda, the artist of the story, prepared these official goods of flags and Ms. Mayumi Tanaka, the actress specializing in dubbing films for the main character ‘Monkey D. Luffy’, put her autographs on them.
One of the members from the music band ‘MAN WITH A MISSION’ was entrusted the flags by an acquaintance to bring them into Ofunato city. The music band distributed emergency food for tsunami victims at the city hall on June 20. Ms. Sumi Ito (32) and other citizens who were participated distribution of emergency food with the music band brought these flags to each 9 schools.
On the each flag, there is a message ‘You are my good partners. I always back you up!’ And a Monkey D. Luffy’s signature made by Ms. Tanaka.

Among 9 schools, children in Ofunato Elementary School gave shouts of joy when the flag was displayed on the corridor. ‘It’s great!’ or ‘It’s cool!’

 

‘One Piece’ is a Japanese shonen manga series written and illustrated by Eiichiro Oda. The comic has been serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump since August 4, 1997. One Piece follows the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy, a 17-year-old boy who gains elastic abilities after inadvertently eating a Devil Fruit, and his diverse crew of pirates, named the Straw Hat Pirates. Luffy explores the ocean in search of the world’s ultimate treasure known as the One Piece and to become the next Pirate King. On his journey, Luffy battles a wide variety of villains and makes several friends.

The individual chapters are being published in ‘tankobon’ or separate volumes by Shueisha, with the first released on December 24, 1997, and the 61st volume released as of February 2011. In 2010, Shueisha announced that they sold over 230 million volumes of One Piece manga so far; volume 61 set a new record for the highest initial print run of any book in Japan in history with 3.8 million copies (the previous record belonging to volume 60 with 3.4 million copies). Volume 60 is the first book to sell over two million copies in its opening week on Japan’s Oricon book rankings.

＜Reference＞

http://www.tohkaishimpo.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/

View Ofunato Elementary School in a larger map

Osamu Tezuka’s Buddha manga will be made available digitally for free

(c)2011「手塚治虫のブッダ」製作委員会

Buddha manga is drawn by Osamu Tezuka (手塚治虫）and is Tezuka’s unique interpretation of the life of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. The critically-acclaimed series is often referred to as a gritty, even sexual, portrayal of the Buddha’s life.

To celebrate the upcoming release of the animated film “Tezuka Osamu no Buddha: Akai Sabaku yo! Utsukushiku,” it has been announced that part of the original manga by Osamu Tezuka will be made available digitally for free for a limited time.

“Akai Sabaku yo! Utsukushiku” is the first film in a trilogy based on Tezuka’s “Buddha.” The portion of the manga adapted for the movie will be made available for smartphones and PCs through the “Weekly Tezuka Osamu Magazine” application, serialized over a span of 21 weeks. Out of the 21 chapters, which comprise a total of 744 pages, only 16 will come out before the film opens in theaters on May 28.

The iPad edition began distribution on January 27, while the PC version and the smartphone version will start on February 8. It is not clear whether the manga will be accessible outside Japan.

Buddha manga received the 2004, 2005 Eisner Award. As of early 2006, each volume had sold an average of 8,500 copies, with Kapilavastu having sold 20,000 copies.

In ancient India, the lives of many people are plagued by drought, famine, constant warfare and injustices in the caste system. The intertwining lives of many unhappy souls are drawn together by the birth of the young prince Siddhartha, who embarks on a spiritual journey, becomes Gautama Buddha, “the Enlightened One,” and attempts to bring about a spiritual rebirth of the people in this desperate age.

1. Kapilavastu
2. The Four Encounters
3. Devadatta
4. The Forest of Uruvela
5. Deer Park
6. Ananda
7. Ajatasattu
8. Jetavana

A new X Japan song, “Scarlet Love Song”, is used in the film “Tezuka Osamu no Buddha: Akai Sabaku yo! Utsukushiku,”

X Japan is providing theme song for Osamu Tezuka’s “Buddha” anime

The 4th Int’l Manga Award for Xiao Bai’s Si loin et si proche Wins

International Manga Award
Xiao Bai
Si loin et si proche

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan announced the winner and runners-up of its Fourth International Manga Awards (国際漫画賞) on January 12. Chinese creator Xiao Bai won the top award for the graphic novel Si loin et si proche (“So Far, Yet So Close”), which was published in Belgium last year. In the story, a Beijing college freshman named Xiao Tian suddenly meets a boy who calls her “Mother.” The boy, Li Wei, turns out to be her son from the future. Xiao Bai studied illustration and graphic design as a student in Beijing, and this is Xiao Bai’s first full-length graphic novel.

France’s Olivier Martin and Sylvain Runberg (Face cachée tome 1), Spain’s Enrique Fernández (La Isla sin Sonrisa), Thailand’s Verachai Duangpla (”The story begins with ･･･”) won awards of excellence or Silver Awards. America’s Abby Denson (Dolltopia), Belgium’s Little Thunder (Kylooe), Taiwan’s Chang Fung-Chih (The little polar bear), Thailand’s Akekarat Milintapas (Pandora Book), Taiwan’s Yeh Yu Tung and Syu Shu Hao (The passionate sword), and Belgium’s Frédéric Genet and France’s Jean-François Di Giorgio (Samurai) received awards for honorable mention.

Awards of Excellence


Olivier Martin, Sylvain Runberg
Face cachée tome 1

Enrique Fernández
La Isla sin Sonrisa

Verachai Duangpla
“The story begins with …”

International Manga Award is an award established to encourage non-Japanese mangaka in 2007. This award was created by late Foreign Minister Taro Aso, who proposed this award in a policy speech he gave in Tokyo’s Akihabara district in 2006.

This year’s judges were Machiko Satonaka (Lady Ann), Monkey Punch (Lupin III), Takao Yaguchi (Tsurikichi Sampei), Yoriaki Yakubo (former Weekly Shonen Sunday editor-in-chief), and Hiroyuki Yoshidome (former Manga Action editor). A total of 189 entries were submitted from 39 countries — less than the 303 entries which were submitted from 55 countries last year. 368 entries from 46 countries were submitted during the second year, and 222 entries from 22 countries were submitted during the first year of the awards.

Thai creator Jakraphan Huaypetch (a.k.a. Ton Huaypetch) won the Gold Award in 2009 for the basketball story Super Dunker. Hong Kong’s Lau Wan Kit won 2008′s top award for Feel 100%. Another Hong Kong artist, 43-year-old Lee Chi Ching, won the first International Manga Award in 2007 for his Sun Zi’s Tactics comic series.

Japan’s International Manga Award 2009

Cyborg 009 manga can be read in North America through iPhone

Itochu Corporation announced that it is offering electronic manga in North America through its iOS app for Apple’s iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad devices. Many of the titles come from the manga pioneer Shotaro Ishinomori who created Kamen Rider, Kikaider, and Cyborg 009. It’s true that Cyborg 009 is a representative work of Ishinomori,but there have also been complaints of racial bias, so it is a sensitive topic what stories mean to the American reader…

The current list of manga on Itochu’s app include:

A Most Suitable Wife
Author: Jessica Steele
Illustrator: Chizuko Beppu

AQUA PLANET CHRONICLE
Author: Masaru Ohishi

A Royal Proposition
Author: Marion Lennox
Illustrator: Harumo Sanazaki

Bachelor Cousins III To Marry McAllister
Author: Carole Mortimer
Illustrator: Junko Murata

BONO BONO
Author: Mikio Igarashi

Brothers of Bha’Khar I The Sheikh’s Reluctant Bride
Author: Teresa Ann Southwick
Illustrator: Ayumu Asou

Brothers of Bha’Khar II The Sheikh’s Contract Bride
Author: Teresa Ann Southwick
Illustrator: Keiko Okamoto

BUSHIDO: The Soul of Japan
Author: Inazou Nitobe

Cyborg 009
Author: Shotaro Ishinomori

Catching the Crown Jack and the Princess
Author: Helen Conrad
Illustrator: Junko Okada

Honor’s Promise
Author: Sharon Sala
Illustrator: Esu Chihara

Inazuman
Author: Shotaro Ishinomori

Kamen Rider
Author: Shotaro Ishinomori

Keeping Luke’s Secret
Author: Carole Mortimer
Illustrator: Hinoto Mori

Kikaider
Author: Shotaro Ishinomori

Lord Calthrope’s Promise I
Author: Sylvia Andrew
Illustrator: Rin Ogata

Lord Calthrope’s Promise II
Author: Sylvia Andrew
Illustrator: Rin Ogata

Married Under the Italian Sun
Author: Lucy Gordon
Illustrator: Mayu Takayama

Million Dollar Men II Millionaire Husband
Author: Leanne Banks
Illustrator: Kanako Uesugi

One Summer in Italy
Author: Lucy Gordon
Illustrator: Nanami Akino

Only By Chance
Author: Betty Neels
Illustrator: Chieko Hara

Orchard Valley Trilogy Valerie
Author: Debbie Macomber
Illustrator: Mao Karino

Prisoner of the Tower
Author: Mona Gay Thomas
Illustrator: Karin Miyamoto

Sale or Return Bride
Author: Sarah Morgan
Illustrator: Kazuko Fujita

Skullman
Author: Shotaro Ishinomori

TAMAHAGANE
Author: Umetaro Saitani

The Apartment
Author: Debbie Macomber
Illustrator: Ryo Arisawa

The Prince’s Heir
Author: Sally B. Steward
Illustrator: Miho Tomoi

Word of a Gentleman
Author: Lynda Stone
Illustrator: Tsukiko Kurebayashi

The first chapter of all of the titles are free, and the remaining chapters start “at US$0.99 a chapter.”

Tadanobu Asano to play manga artist Fujio Akatsuka

The late manga artist Fujio Akatsuka will have his story told in a film being released next year. Titled “Kore de Ii no da!! Eiga★Akatsuka Fujio,” the movie will star Tadanobu Asano (浅野忠信) as Akatsuka and Maki Horikita (堀北真希) as his editor.

Read the rest of this entry »

BAD BOYS Motorcycle Gang Manga Gets Live-Action Film

Hiroshi Tanaka’s (田中宏) manga series “BADBOYS” is getting a live-action film adaptation, scheduled for release at the start of 2011.The movie is being directed by Takashi Kubota (窪田崇), whose works include “Yesterdays” and “Humming Life.” Read the rest of this entry »

World Wide Love x One Piece

World Wide Love has released a new series of tote bags featuring artwork from the popular manga One Piece.

World Wide Love is known for their punk/rock styled clothing. The company was founded in 1993. The brand’s style might be called “rock chic”. Wold Wide Love shares some stylistic similarities with other popular Japanese music-inspired fashion brands like Hysteric Glamour

The t-shirts featured an illustration of the One Piece character Chopper wearing a “World Wide Love” t-shirt. Read the rest of this entry »

Japan’s International Manga Award 2010

Nana Manga Creator Ai Yazawa Returns From Hospital

Manga creator Ai Yazawa revealed in the May 4 issue of Josei Jishin magazine that she returned home in early April from the Tokyo hospital where she was being treated for an unspecified serious illlness. Read the rest of this entry »

Alisa Mizuki x “Sazae-san” drama

Due to the success of the “Sazae-san” drama special on Nov.15 2009, Fuji TV is working on a second one to air this summer. Last year’s special starring Mizuki Alisa (観月ありさ) was so successful that they decided to do another episode with her this year. Read the rest of this entry »