Manga distributor and publisher TokyoPop celebrates its 10th anniversary. (TokyoPop)
Variety Asia Online just did a series of articles about Japan-based manga distributor TokyoPop celebrating its tenth anniversary and how mangas (Japanese comic books) may be the next big thing in Hollywood. Tom McLean writes: "Comic books and graphic novels have been hot stuff at the box office the past few years. But as studios work their way through the superhero pantheon, the need for new properties to adapt has put manga -- the Japanese-style cousin of American comics -- on deck to be the next big thing."
Well, as a fan of manga and as someone who runs an anime and manga club at a middle school, the news is promising. But if it does prove to be the next big thing, Hollywood will be behind the curve. Mangas have long been the source of inspiration for popular anime (Japanese animation) series, movies and live action films. TokyoPop manga favorites like GTO and Lupin III have inspired popular anime series as well as a live action films, while their mangas Bleach, Fruits Basket and Trinty Blood are among the many highly successful anime series. There's plenty of material out there and TokyoPop is just one of many publishers. The challenge, though, is that many of these mangas have developed very loyal followings so whoever adapts them to the screen had better take care.
