A Manga Publishing Observation Or Two

* I'm pretty certain that it's been known for a while that Viz was going to put Slam Dunk into serialization in Shonen Jump as part of its attempt to revive the license here in a more successful way than its initial translated to English run for another publisher turned out. I hadn't heard until now that it will be taking the place of Hikaru no Go.

There are several things that interest me about this. First of all, that's certainly the easiest way for SJ not to have two serials in the popular magazine in the mostly not-yet-popular sports manga genre. Second, that's one of their best and most appealing serials, so the move probably brings with it a bit of a twist. Third, I swear from reading it that Hikaru no Go has more comics left in the series, that last run that manga serials usually go through when the ostensible major plot goal is achieved and various sub-goals need to be encountered and conquered that will resolve the manga's thematic issues. Maybe that was an unpopular part of the Go-related sports saga? Maybe it comes back at a certain date? Fourth, my hunch is that Hikaru no Go may have more of a crossover audience with female readers. This may or may not make me totally sexist, especially as I can't exactly articulate why, but the hunch is still there.

* something that struck me while I was reading this press release on the new Naruto volume, which I believe is the first post-Naruto Nation promotion offering, focuses on the trade market as if it were its own publishing event with its own audience for whom this is a premier event. Compare this to American publishing, where the emphasis is on the serialization to the exclusion of the trades being seen in this exact light.

* these are the entrants making it past the first screening in the International Manga Competition held by Morning 2 magazine. The initially geographically challenged Brigid Alverson comments here.
 
posted 9:00 am PST | Permalink
 

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