Panel:
Sean Russell: Host
Deb Aoki: Manga Guide at About.com
JD Banks: Manga Editor at Anime 3000
Alain Mendez: Reverse Thieves
Introduction (0:00 – 2:17)
There are some audio problems with this podcast. Deb Aoki’s sound quality comes from her using a cell phone, JD pops probably because she’s too close to the mic and I just need to take some decongestant.
Introduction Music: Paper Planes (Instrumental) by M.I.A.
Topic #1: (2:17 – 13:32)
What are your initial impressions of Rin-Ne? What role will Rumiko’s new story play in the further promotion of digitally distributed comics?
Alain doesn’t think she’s the best mangaka, but say she’s his favorite. We draw comparisons between this new series and Bleach. Viz’s decision to put up free chapters on the same day is unprecedented. More and more companies are putting their manga online, but will this really help promote the medium? During this first segment, there is some limited reverb. It doesn’t come back for the rest of the episode.
Rumicworld.com – View free chapters of Rumiko Takahashi’s Rin-Ne.
Topic #2: (13:32 – 23:09)
Most casual fans prefer to watch the anime, ignoring the original source material, which most often outshines its adapted counterpart. What factors contribute to this difference? Will we ever see a reversal?
Nice perspective of a hardcore anime and manga fan. Listen to the conversion of a non-believer in this segment. Alain has some interesting points and theories that include girls and older people.
Introduction Music: Squirrel Nut Zippers: "Bad Businessman”
Topic #3 (23:09 - 35:25)
Can the superhero save the ailing manga industry in America? What impact can this have on the industry? What other trends are currently being employed to boost interest in readers?
I let JD introduce the topic because she asked. I was afraid that this topic would die in the first couple of minutes. It ended up having some interesting conversation all around. It eventually turns into a conversation about character verses art, but it ties in to trends in manga.
Information about the X-Men Shoujo series can be found here.
http://manga.about.com/b/2007/12/12/first-look-x-men-shojo-manga-character-sketches.htm
Introduction Music: Capsule: "The Mutations of Life"
Commercial Break (35:25 – 36:02)
This commercial for Anime 3000 uses a Hip Hop remix of the Muppet Show theme.
Topic #4: (36:02 – 58:45)
Here are some of the most highly anticipated manga for 2009?
Future Diaries: Comes close to spoiler territory, but stops just short. Sounds really interesting, but sounds a lot like Death Note.
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/manga.php?id=8568
Orange: It’s paintings, vibrant colors and just beautiful, while the story is dark and creepy. Deb makes JD’s day by offering her a copy of a rare Orange book. I actually edited out a few minutes of JD totally geeking out. Deb gives us some insider information about the series’ creator.
http://manga.about.com/b/2009/04/20/manga-review-orange-shows-technicolor-teen-angst.htm
Pluto: A re-imagined Astro Boy story called “The Greatest Robot on Earth”. You should pick up Pluto vol. 01 and 02 along with Astro Boy Vol. 03.
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/manga.php?id=3871
20th Century Boys: Loved nearly the entire panel with at tale of caution from someone that read the entire series.
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/manga.php?id=1511
Closing (58:45 – 1:00)
You can see more of Deb Aoki's work at http://manga.about.com. You can also visit her manga panel at the Toronto Comic Arts Festival. For more information on the Toronto Comic Arts Festival, visit http://www.torontocomics.com/tcaf.
July 6th will mark the debut of the much talked about Otaku Diaries. You can follow the much talked about Otaku Diaries. You can follow this innovative project on Alain Mendez's site reversethieves.com.
JD's latest work on the Anime 3000 Manga will be available by the end of this week. You can read her reviews and columns on the anime3000.com website.
Next week our panel will discuss topics that are circulating around the anime blogosphere. That's right I said, blogosphere. Until then, see you next week.
