Hi everyone, sorry I've been stale on the review front. I want to begin reviewing some Kitty Media books in the near-future because I just like to promote the little guy.
Speaking of Kitty Media, they've been quiet through this whole ordeal of publishers' troubles and the Biblos breakdown. They have still been able to get us the books, no matter what. Sure, some people have had complaints about their printing choice, but we don't always need our manga to have so many bells and whistles. They're also the only North American publisher to bring over works by Row Takakura. Some may see her works as a more feminine, but her style just reminds me that the whole genre of Yaoi is about Beautiful Men. I wish to see more Row Takakura works in the future. (Also Haruka Minami!!!! lol)
Please wait for my reviews! I will get to them this summer.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Sorry...
Sorry about the lack of posts lately. The two big events were Yaoi Jamboree and Anime Expo, and those were already well-covered by other websites. I suppose all this blog is useful for is reviews (and I am just too lazy to do those).
All I can say now is that Yaoi has hit a road block with two of its best publishers not releasing their books (for now, hopefully). I was hoping they would try publishing at least some books for 2008, but it just has not happened yet. I'm losing hope each and every month. The whole CPM/Libre thing has got my knickers in a knot because I don't get to see more volumes of Embracing Love. Also, the Be Beautiful had updated their site at the beginning of the year to say "2008 Catalogue", but nothing yet has been released.
DramaQueen's investor-stalling situation is really unfortunate because their books are just so gosh-darn beautiful. Plus, their licenses are incredible.
To be honest, I am not going to be buying books from other companies just because they're available. Rather, I'm saving my money for when the big time comes and DQ and/or BB have new releases. Just because June is releasing 5+ books a month, doesn't mean the licenses are spectacular.
For all Hinako Takanaga fans who, like me, are desperately waiting for "Tyrant", Blu has picked up two of her newer works for the latter half of '08. Also, 801 is releasing Black Sun from Uki Ogasawara in November, so all is not lost. "The Crimson Spell 2" should come out this Summer from Kitty Media as well. Have faith, Yaoi fans!
All I can say now is that Yaoi has hit a road block with two of its best publishers not releasing their books (for now, hopefully). I was hoping they would try publishing at least some books for 2008, but it just has not happened yet. I'm losing hope each and every month. The whole CPM/Libre thing has got my knickers in a knot because I don't get to see more volumes of Embracing Love. Also, the Be Beautiful had updated their site at the beginning of the year to say "2008 Catalogue", but nothing yet has been released.
DramaQueen's investor-stalling situation is really unfortunate because their books are just so gosh-darn beautiful. Plus, their licenses are incredible.
To be honest, I am not going to be buying books from other companies just because they're available. Rather, I'm saving my money for when the big time comes and DQ and/or BB have new releases. Just because June is releasing 5+ books a month, doesn't mean the licenses are spectacular.
For all Hinako Takanaga fans who, like me, are desperately waiting for "Tyrant", Blu has picked up two of her newer works for the latter half of '08. Also, 801 is releasing Black Sun from Uki Ogasawara in November, so all is not lost. "The Crimson Spell 2" should come out this Summer from Kitty Media as well. Have faith, Yaoi fans!
Saturday, July 5, 2008
You're My Love Prize in Re-Negotiating (2)
Sorry to all those who read this blog hoping for new posts in a long time.
I just want to clarify an issue that I wasn't clear on before. Regarding my May post about the re-licensing of the popular "Finder Series"(here), I was off on some details. The article in question from Manganews.net listed links to other blogs, and eventually linked to Libre's staff blog(Japanese publisher of "Finder"). The translation of Libre's blog (however reliable it is) stated that there was plans of re-publishing it in English, but it did not say whether it was going to a new publisher, or staying with CPM (Be Beautiful's Parent Company). The translation of another Japanese post also noted that the release would be far in the future (perhaps when Finder 10 is released in Japan? Who knows?!). Don't hold your breath, folks.
Of course, all this information was gathered from the internet, so please question the reliability of sources and assume nothing. All I know is, there's many exciting Yaoi series being steadily published into English that deserve just as much attention. I'm starting to get hooked on the "Takumi-Kun Series", as well as, "Voice or Noise", and "Junjo Romantica". It's not really a Yaoi drought when a few series are put on hold, since there are *gasp* like ten other publishers!!!
I just want to clarify an issue that I wasn't clear on before. Regarding my May post about the re-licensing of the popular "Finder Series"(here), I was off on some details. The article in question from Manganews.net listed links to other blogs, and eventually linked to Libre's staff blog(Japanese publisher of "Finder"). The translation of Libre's blog (however reliable it is) stated that there was plans of re-publishing it in English, but it did not say whether it was going to a new publisher, or staying with CPM (Be Beautiful's Parent Company). The translation of another Japanese post also noted that the release would be far in the future (perhaps when Finder 10 is released in Japan? Who knows?!). Don't hold your breath, folks.
Of course, all this information was gathered from the internet, so please question the reliability of sources and assume nothing. All I know is, there's many exciting Yaoi series being steadily published into English that deserve just as much attention. I'm starting to get hooked on the "Takumi-Kun Series", as well as, "Voice or Noise", and "Junjo Romantica". It's not really a Yaoi drought when a few series are put on hold, since there are *gasp* like ten other publishers!!!
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Another Yaoi Publisher?! Again?!
Yes, more perusing around the internet has found me info on a collaboration of sorts in the BL publishing world. Apparently, DMP announced at Yaoi Jamboree that it was partnering up with Japanese publisher Shinshokan (which publishes Dance magazines and BL??), to form a new BL line called "Doki Doki" (the Japanese sound of a heart beating). The original article is at Boys on Boys on Film, so check it out.So, this new publisher plans to release BL titles that June would have licensed anyways? Except, this time, all the titles will be from Shinshokan? You know what? If they had said "Shinkosha" (Japanese publisher of Virtuoso and other DQ titles) instead, I would have been thrilled. That's not to say Shinshokan is a ho-hum publisher of BL, it just raises the question, "Well, what's the point?"
Shinshokan is the publisher of the magazines, "Dear+", "Wings", and "Boys JAM!". Maybe we could see licenses from "Boys JAM!". Just look at that sexy cover! --->
Go to http://www.shinshokan.com/comic/ to learn more.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Crash and Burn
Yes, folks. 801 Media's poetry contest has ended, and I am seething with rage that I didn't win! If you don't know about this, find it on their blog yourself. I wrote about the journey of love since love really is a journey. There are going to be pitfalls and struggles, but the stronger love survives these. What's not to love about that? The prize? Yeah, THE Uki Ogasawara artbook with her breathtaking images from Virtuoso and other works. God, I really hope DramaQueen survives.
Anyways, check out the letter I left on DramaQueen's forum: click here.
Anyways, check out the letter I left on DramaQueen's forum: click here.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
The End of DramaQueen?
Wow, some scary things have been popping up on the 'net concerning our favourite publisher.
In a blog post from mangablog.net, a translator working for DramaQueen, L.L.C. states that the investors may not pull through for DQ after all. Our beloved publisher seems to be disappearing off the face of the Earth along with Be Beautiful. Read that post here.
What has happened? Is this a sad time for the Yaoi Kingdom? Is it a genre destined to fall? Two Publishers already bowing out of the game (DQ, Be Beautiful), new Publishers taking their place (Deux, Yaoi Generation), and too many titles being licensed(June, DQ) all spell trouble for this ailing genre.
Methinks Yaoi is not as popular as the Publishers think. They need to re-evaluate the situation and look at license choices. For example, I read "Say Please" from Deux Press, but I would have rather read "Naked Jewels Corp." or "10k Lover"(Aijin Ichimanyen). These titles may never see the light of day as English releases, but they're the type of licenses I want to see more of.
In a blog post from mangablog.net, a translator working for DramaQueen, L.L.C. states that the investors may not pull through for DQ after all. Our beloved publisher seems to be disappearing off the face of the Earth along with Be Beautiful. Read that post here.
What has happened? Is this a sad time for the Yaoi Kingdom? Is it a genre destined to fall? Two Publishers already bowing out of the game (DQ, Be Beautiful), new Publishers taking their place (Deux, Yaoi Generation), and too many titles being licensed(June, DQ) all spell trouble for this ailing genre.
Methinks Yaoi is not as popular as the Publishers think. They need to re-evaluate the situation and look at license choices. For example, I read "Say Please" from Deux Press, but I would have rather read "Naked Jewels Corp." or "10k Lover"(Aijin Ichimanyen). These titles may never see the light of day as English releases, but they're the type of licenses I want to see more of.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Another Yaoi Publisher?!
Dear Readers:
While searching the 'net for new Yaoi developments, I came across a brand new website supposedly of a new, strictly-Yaoi Publisher. What does this Publisher plan to offer us so late in the Yaoi game? Why, 2 books/month and a new six-issue annual magazine, that's what.
Go to this website: Yaoi Generation
Being that I am so damn poor at the moment, I wonder if I will be able to buy any books at all from this publisher. I have no care for the magazine (as I think it was hinted that they are taking OEL submissions) so what I'm hoping for is a cheap price point, and good licenses. There is so much that needs to be licensed in English, it's crazy. If they begin to charge $12.99-$15.99 for their books, I might just stick to DQ since they are licensing the proper Yaoi titles (and 801 to a lesser extent). Again, I'll have to see the actual titles to know if I'm gonna buy 'em or not.
While searching the 'net for new Yaoi developments, I came across a brand new website supposedly of a new, strictly-Yaoi Publisher. What does this Publisher plan to offer us so late in the Yaoi game? Why, 2 books/month and a new six-issue annual magazine, that's what.
Go to this website: Yaoi Generation
Being that I am so damn poor at the moment, I wonder if I will be able to buy any books at all from this publisher. I have no care for the magazine (as I think it was hinted that they are taking OEL submissions) so what I'm hoping for is a cheap price point, and good licenses. There is so much that needs to be licensed in English, it's crazy. If they begin to charge $12.99-$15.99 for their books, I might just stick to DQ since they are licensing the proper Yaoi titles (and 801 to a lesser extent). Again, I'll have to see the actual titles to know if I'm gonna buy 'em or not.
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