One thing that I’ve been wondering is how many libraries will decide to subscribe to the new Yen Plus Magazine. The price point is much higher than Shonen Jump and Shojo Beat, but on the other hand Yen Plus features a bunch of series that the typical library reader might not be familiar with. It [...]

A couple quick links to some library related commentary from the blogosphere:
Get Over Yourself - Manga Xanadu reacts to a story about a kid checking out mature manga from a library. Really, if more parents had an approach like hers, there would be way fewer library challenges.
Circulatory systems - Precocious Curmudgeon lists 5 essential comics [...]

Although Hot Gimmick is widely referred to as the manga of feminist shame among some blogs, I still hold some fondness for the series despite not liking the way it ended very much. Miki Aihara is a master at writing gripping soap operas about downtrodden heroines. So I was excited when I saw the latest [...]

Bogle Bogle Volume 1 by Shino Taira and Yuko Ichiju (amazon)
One of the nice things about manga is there are so many subgenres. Manga has you covered if you like reading about fighting priests, vampire vampire hunters, warped student-teacher relationships, girls with magical transforming powers, or high school students forced to cross-dress for inexplicable [...]

I’m trying to get back into the swing of things with regular manga linkblogging, there’s a new post up at WFA.

You can make a manga avatar at FaceYourManga.com
Here’s mine:

High School Debut #4 by Kazune Kawahara (amazon)
This continues to be one of my favorite new series. The plot isn’t particularly unique, but the characters are so engaging that I didn’t mind the continuation of Yoh and Haruna’s awkward romance despite having encountered similar storylines before. Haruna vows to make Yoh’s Christmas the best ever, [...]

Kiichi and the Magic Books Volume 1 by Taka Amano (amazon)
I have often thought that librarians needed some sort of catchphrase they could declaim as they went into battle. Reciting lines from the ALA code of ethics like “We provide the highest level of service to all library users through appropriate and usefully organized resources; [...]

Manga Xanadu has created a list of all ages manga. This might come in handy for librarians working with younger library patrons. The ratings are taken from the publishers, so it is a rough guide.

One Pound Gospel by Rumiko Takahashi (amazon)

I like Takahashi’s work, but I don’t have the stamina or financial commitment to read all of her longer series like Ranma 1/2 and Inuyasha. I was intrigued by the idea of a book about a struggling boxer and a nun, so I pre-ordered the reissued edition of One [...]