No new license announcements at AX.
The Del Rey panel was more laid back than most other industry panels. Dallas started things off by giving a quick overview of the company. Del Rey has been publishing manga for just over a year. They are doing about 40 releases this year, and plan to double that number next year. The panel then jumped right into Q&A.
Someone asked about the edits in Negima. Dallas explained that Del Rey has a strong relationship with Kodansha and was able to license the manga, but Random House had a problem with the nudity in the comic. During discussions, Del Rey approached Ken Akumatsu about edits. Akumatsu was surprised, but gave permission for the edits. However, fans didn't hear the whole story and assumed Akumatsu didn't give permission. In the end, Del Rey published Negima unedited.
I asked about the problem with too many manga releases inundating the market (basically it being an economic issue of too much supply and not enough demand). Dallas answered by stating that the manga market is still immature and experiencing growing pains. He doesn't believe all the negative talk about the manga business going to crash. In his opinion, bookstores need to dedicate more shelf space and time is needed to let the market mature.
Someone mentioned about a certain title that was severely edited by another company and asked what Dallas thought. Dallas doesn't think Del Rey would even license a title like Tenjho Tenge because Random House is such a big company and thus a target for conservative groups.
Basilisk is back on schedule for release next year. They are timing it with the anime release by Funimation (May 2006).
Someone asked what branding plans Del Rey might have to market their titles. Dallas pointed they do some branding, but not a whole lot. Most people tend to buy books based on the title, not on the publisher.
Another person asked if Del Rey is mainly looking to brining over titles from Kodansha or also other companies. The short answer is that they are indeed talking to other Japanese publishers.
Dallas then spent time going over their current and upcoming releases including Negima, Tsubasa, Wildflower, Othello, Guru Guru Pon-Chan, Genshiken, Nodame Cantabile, A Perfect Day for Love Letters, Love Roma, Gacha Gacha, Ghost Hunt, Sugar Sugar Rune, Pastel and Basilisk.
Someone brought up again the issue of the business growing pains and asked how Del Rey is marketing their shoujo titles, which other publishers seem to be delaying and pulling out. Dallas answered by saying that he believes word of mouth is a key factor, and placement of merchandise (for example, store displays).
LOGIN
REGISTER
RSS
HOME
