More TP developments; Comic AG 83 now printing

The Beat has now updated the Tokyopop story, and adds a new wrinkle… Tokyopop is apparently not all too popular in Hollywood circles, something that would definitely hurt their multimedia empire-building.  Plus, the scope of the downsizing has finally come to light somewhat, and the cut is looking pretty harsh.  PR Director Susan Hale sent emails confirming her departure, while a Facebook group started for people who were laid off by Tokyopop supposedly contains many pre-press production staff.  Later in the comments section, Bill Aguiar notes that two editors, Tim Beedle and Paul Morrissey, were invited to the group but have not joined.  Go read.

Also notable… another former employee has come forward at the Variety blog to codemn Tokyopop’s behavior leading up to the layoffs, which seems to have struck almost without warning.

Additional coverage at MangaBlog 01, 02, Manga Before Flowers, The Comics Reporter, Comics Worth Reading, Kuriousity on BLU, and an extra snarky reader comment at Newsarama (which I reloaded 4 times before realizing the page wasn’t messed up, merely redesigned.)

And not directly related to this, but ICv2 has PR about a new animated show created by Tokyopop alumni Svetlana Chmakova.  Tokyopop’s name is absent from the producer credits.  Make of that what you will.

Edit: And this is a doozie… The Beat reports Tokyopop has cut editorial staff, including those who actually headed the Manga Pilot program.

Edit 2: The twists and turns just don’t stop coming.  Now there are as-yet-unsubstantiated claims that Japanese publishing giant Kodansha is set to enter the manga publishing business in the US, and will be rescinding licenses from other US publishers to do it.  Without corroboration, there is understandably a lot of skeptical back and forth on the thread right now.  Yet such a development wouldn’t be surprising, or even unexpected… total Japanese control of the US manga market was never a question of if, but when.  (Some would say it has already happened; Viz is owned by Shueisha and Shogakukan, and Tokyopop is technically a Japanese company.)  With TP reorganization, and a sudden pool of capable, experienced workers, if Kodansha really is entering the US market, the timing would be almost too perfect.  The only shocking thing would be that no one else knew about this story except this lone Lovecraftian poster.

Edit 3: Missed it… at A Geek by Any Other Name, two individuals who were laid off by Tokyopop not only corroborate the poster at Variety/Bags and Boards, but describe a humilating scene of confused employees being locked out of their computers, given minutes to retrieve personal belongings, and promptly and unceremoniously marched out the door.

This was not a layoff, it was a sacking.  Disgraceful.

(Caught it… MangaBlog)

Now returning you to regular news and pr0n pre-empted by the Tokyopop restructuring…

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Chloe Ferguson, writing for ComiPress, evaluates the chances of long-term success for light novels.  The outlook isn’t all that clear… and this is before you factor in Borders’ flirting with bankruptcy, Tokyopop cutting its schedule, and the general recession.

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A Japanese man set a world record by masturbating for 8 hours and 40 minutes with the help of Tenga, a popular brand of onani-holes (aka sleeve in the US sex novelty industry) which come pre-lubricated.  An incredible feat that I can’t imagine ever being surpassed, the event is preserved in photos to inspire future generations of nob jockeys.  Do watch the video, which shows the surprising amount of engineering behind the design of a Tenga hole.

There is no punchline.  This story is perfect as it is.

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Comic AG issue 82 should be in stores today, just 1 month and 1 week late.  I bow to you in shame, dear readers and retailers.  In my defense, I was busy reading new manga porn reviewing books for licensing.

Comic AG 83 is now at the printer, and will feature the debut of Togashi’s The Girl With A Thousand Curses.  It doesn’t take place in a school.