Manga

A TokyoPop representative confirmed in a AnimeOnDVD.com thread what many have speculated. World's Most Wanted wasn't selling, and the license was coming up for renewal. TokyoPop chose not renew the license and shelved plans to release volume 10 and on.

Shame they couldn't finish the series out; they were so close...

Via Japan Probe, an Oricon survey (Japanese) of 1,000 Japanese women had Mine Fujiko taking the top spot for "Most Beautiful Manga Girl".

The list was compiled by Japan's Agency for Cultural Affairs; Lupin comes in at a respectable 38. You can read the full list and watch the video. Good to see the series is still considered popular.

Anime News Network is reporting that Monkey Punch will be a part of a day long series of lectures by members of the anime industry. The topic is "Manga to Anime: From Astro Boy to Spirited Away" and will be hosted at the Freer Gallery of Art (Washington, DC) on April 21.

Damn... I'll be at Anime Boston that day; the universe does like to mock me. Anyone in or near DC that attends should take plenty of notes and write us up a good report.

Hot Shot News (Japanese) is reporting that volume seven of Lupin the Third Official Magazine has hit the Japanese newstands. If you can, plunk down your 500¥ and check it out.

Hot Shot News (Japanese) reports that Japanese cell phone users can now buy Lupin manga on their cell phones. Roughly translating the article, it says that "cartoon comics" and "original comics" can be purchased for viewing; from the screenshot, it appears the "cartoon comics" are similar to the color comics produced for the various TV series and movies. Not sure from the information provided if "original comics" equal new comics or the existing manga series; my money is on the latter.

Tokyopop has finally posted a new release date for volume 6 of the second manga series. It should be hitting the shelves 2006 February 07.