Saving Money at NYC Kinokuniya Bookstore this Holiday!

Hello Fellow Readers!

How many of you want to save some money on your holiday purchases, namely from the NYC Kinokuniya Bookstore? Well, here is your chance! Look for the magazine "Chopsticks NY," Dec. 2011 Vol. 056, pictured above, and flip to page 60 for the coupon, which is partially pictured below.

Aniplex and Niconico Presents Rurouni Kenshin: Reflection Streaming Live

Niconico and Aniplex presents
"Rurouni Kenshin Streaming Live: Reflection"
A FREE live event streaming simultaneously in Japan, US and Canada

TOKYO, JAPAN (November 25, 2011) -- niwango Inc., known for its "Nico Nico Douga (Niconico)" video sharing website (www.nicovideo.jp), and Aniplex Inc. have jointly announced today that they will host a live-screening of the OVA "Rurouni Kenshin -Reflection" subtitled in English for free on the Niconico Live-Streaming channel on Saturday, December 17th at 1:00am Japan local time.

Top Shelf Cyber Monday Sale: 30% off!

Top Shelf Cyber Monday: 30% off!
Pick up some graphic novels for the ones you love.

Dear friends,

As the holiday season arrives, we're so thankful for your support -- our fans have always been the engine powering everything we do, and the motivation to make the best Top Shelf books possible. This year, amid all the seasonal shopping madness, we're showing our thanks with a massive one-day Cyber Monday Sale: 30% OFF EVERYTHING in the web store! Just enter the code CYBERTSP at checkout to get 30% off your entire order. The sale ends Monday night, so be quick!

~~~

Top Shelf Productions Press Release

Dark Horse Announces the Biggest Free Comic Book Day Ever!

DARK HORSE ANNOUNCES THE BIGGEST
FREE COMIC BOOK DAY EVER!
FOUR GREAT STORIES, TWO AMAZING BOOKS,
ONE HECK OF A SATURDAY!

NOVEMBER 23, MILWAUKIE, OR—Dark Horse rolls out the announcement of all four titles that will be featured in two different comics to be given away to thousands of fans on May 5, 2012.

Personal Review: Spice & Wolf Vol. 4

Review by Jong Chung

Holo and Lawrence continue their journey in the fourth volume of Spice & Wolf. The pair now find themselves heading to the small village of Tereo, in search of a monk at a particular abbey that can hasten their journey to Holo's hometown of Yoitsu. He is said to have a collection of tales about pagan gods, and thus possibly information about Holo's origin. Amidst their inquiry, however, they encounter a roadblock in the form of a sort of an internal dispute between Tereo and the Church. Lawrence also discovers that the villagers seem strangely well off despite their halted labor as soon as the harvest season was over – quite an anomaly in a village the size of Tereo's, being a part of a neighboring town's – Enbarch's – fiefdom. Along with that, Lawrence was given the cold shoulder as soon as he approached the Church and the village elder regarding whereabouts of the Abbey in question. Finally, there's the mystery behind the existence of a Church in Tereo itself, as the village follows strong faith in Paganistic beliefs. Not only will the traveling pair have to get to the bottom of all of this – but they may find themselves in more trouble than they could have imagined (as usual, of course).

Funimation Announces Funimation.tv & Shop for Anime Fans

FUNIMATION CHANNEL ANNOUNCES THE LAUNCH OF THEIR UPDATED WEBSITE FUNIMATION.TV AND
GRAND OPENING OF SHOP FOR ANIME FANS

FUNimation.tv launches with a new integrated programming schedule and an e-commerce site with their partner FUNimation Entertainment.

West Palm Beach, FL, (November 22, 2011) – FUNimation Channel, the nation’s only 24/7 anime channel in America, is distributed as both a linear channel and VOD on various video providers across the U.S. To meet the demands of fans they recently announced the launch of a renewed FUNimation.tv.

Art For Hope Japan Disaster Relief Digi Anthology and Las Vegas Exhibit

VIZ MEDIA TO RELEASE ART FOR HOPE
DIGITAL ART ANTHOLOGY IN DECEMBER

Innovative Art Book Created In Partnership With Autodesk To Benefit Japanese Disaster Recovery; Exhibit Of Artwork Also Takes Place In Las Vegas At Autodesk University

VIZ Media has announced the upcoming debut of ART FOR HOPE, a limited edition digital art book anthology created in partnership with Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK) to benefit Architecture for Humanity. The anthology will be available for a limited time, from December 1, 2011 to May 31, 2012, for $4.99 through VIZManga.com and the VIZ Manga App for iPad®, iPhone® and iPod® touch. 100% of VIZ Media’s net proceeds will support Architecture for Humanity’s ongoing disaster reconstruction efforts in Japan. To learn more about these rebuilding projects, please visit: www.ArchitectureForHumanity.org.

FUNimation Entertainment Launches FULLMETAL BATTLE FOR iPhone and iPod Touch

FUNimation Entertainment Launches FULLMETAL BATTLE
FOR iPhone and iPod Touch

The highly-anticipated RPG Fighting Game Based On The Popular Anime Series, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, now available on iPhone And iPod Touch with iPad, Android and Facebook Versions Coming Soon

Flower Mound, TEXAS - November 21, 2011 - FUNimation Entertainment announced today the launch of the highly anticipated iPhone game based on the acclaimed anime series “Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood.” Developed by Good Game Productions, Fullmetal Battle is a turn-based Online Collectable Card Game with an immediately recognizable RPG style of combat and is available now for the iPhone and iPod Touch and will be followed shortly by the iPad. The game will also soon launch for Facebook and Android. The iPhone and iPod Touch version is the first to launch and can be downloaded from iTunes for free at: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/fma-battle/id466307748

VIZ Media Has Kids Manga & Anime, Perfect for Holiday Gifting!

VIZ MEDIA FIRES THE IMAGINATIONS OF
YOUNGER FANS AND READERS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON WITH
NEW LEGEND OF ZELDA, MAMESHIBA AND POKÉMON RELEASES

San Francisco, CA, November 16, 2011 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, has plenty to delight even the youngest manga (graphic novel) and anime fans this holiday season with a variety of new releases from VIZ KIDS to fill young minds with wonder and fire imaginations with fun adventures with characters from POKÉMON, MAMESHIBA and THE LEGEND OF ZELDA.

Milo Manara Selling Like Hotcakes!

MILO MANARA SELLING LIKE HOTCAKES!
DISTRIBUTOR SOLD OUT OF VOLUME 1!

November 16, MILWAUKIE, OR– Demand for the controversial and critically acclaimed collection from the legendary Milo Manara has driven distributors to a sell out of Volume 1! This library marks the first comprehensive North American hardcover collection of Italian comics legend Milo Manara’s work.

Godzilla Legends at IDW

The Legends Begin Here
Godzilla Legends #1 now in stores
First of five monster spotlight issues

San Diego, CA (November 16, 2011)—IDW Publishing is proud to launch the first issue in a new mini-series, GODZILLA LEGENDS. The series features five self-contained stories, each centering on one of Godzilla's fearsome foes. Beginning with Anguirus in issue #1, each issue focuses on a Toho monster that has never been closely examined in comics—ever! Through its action-packed run, GODZILLA LEGENDS will treat readers to all-new stories of Anguirus, Rodan, Titanosaurus, Hedorah and Kumonga, each spotlighting in their own issue. This miniseries will also offer stunning interconnected covers by Arthur Adams.

Buffy, Angel, and Dollhouse Released on Dark Horse Digital!

BUFFY, ANGEL, AND DOLLHOUSE
COME TO THE DARK HORSE DIGITAL STORE!

JOSS WHEDON’S BEST-LOVED CHARACTERS ARRIVE
ON YOUR iPAD, iPHONE, AND LAPTOP!

November 16th, MILWAUKIE, OR—The wait is finally over, as Dark Horse and Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products announce the arrival of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Dollhouse and Angel in the Dark Horse digital store! As rave reviews and support for Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 9 and the all-new series Angel and Faith continue, casual and hardcore fans will now be able to experience previous Buffy, Angel, and Dollhouse comics on all-new platforms! Buffy, Angel and Dollhouse are licensed through an agreement with Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products.

Anime Gifts for the Holidays, from VIZ Media!

VIZ MEDIA OFFERS ANIME TO COMPLETE
DISCERNING FANS’ HOLIDAY WISH LISTS

Animate The Holidays With
New PROFESSOR LAYTON, BLEACH, NARUTO SHIPPUDEN,
POKÉMON, VAMPIRE KNIGHT And More!

San Francisco, CA, November 15, 2011 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, offers fans and holiday shoppers a variety of new anime releases for some of the company’s hottest properties.

VIZ Media Manga Makes Holiday Gifting Easy!

VIZ MEDIA SHOWCASES A DIVERSE COLLECTION OF NEW MANGA RELEASES TO MAKE UNIQUE GIFT SELECTIONS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

New Releases For BAKUMAN｡, BLUE EXORCIST, DEATH NOTE,
D. GRAY MAN, NURA: RISE OF THE YOKAI CLAN, VAMPIRE KNIGHT
And More Among The Best-Loved Series
That Are Sure To Top Holiday Wish Lists

San Francisco, CA, November 14, 2011 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, offers a wide variety of unique art books and manga (graphic) releases – several of them brand new series – that make ideal gift selections for even the most discriminating fan this holiday season.

VIZ Manga Digital Firsts: BLEACH Jump Ahead To Latest Story Arc in Japan!

VIZ MANGA ANNOUNCES BLEACH MANGA DIGITAL
‘JUMP AHEAD’ TO LATEST STORY ARC

3 New Volumes Of Hit Series Are Part Of SHONEN JUMP DIGITAL WARP
To Bring U.S. Readers Up To Speed With Japanese Counterpart

November 14, 2011 VIZ Media expands its November digital manga update even more with the latest announcement of a BLEACH ‘Jump Ahead’ that will deliver 3 new volumes of the hit supernatural action saga throughout the month to users on VIZManga.com and for digital download on the VIZ MANGA App for the Apple iPad™, iPhone™ and iPod™ touch. This is part of a SHONEN JUMP DIGITAL WARP, a speed-up of selected titles to bring U.S. readers up-to-date with Japanese releases and prepare for the launch of VIZ Media’s WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA on January 30, 2012. The new outlet will be North America’s only near-simultaneous digital manga magazine

Top Shelf goes digital!

The comic book industry takes another significant step into the future today, as Top Shelf Productions offers its award-winning library of graphic novels for sale in digital form through two dedicated apps -- one for general readers and one for kids.

HBO and Dark Horse Announce Game of Thrones Partnership!

HBO AND DARK HORSE ANNOUNCE
GAME OF THRONES PARTNERSHIP!

DARK HORSE DELUXE TO PRODUCE
PRODUCT LINE BASED ON THE ACCLAIMED TELEVISION SHOW

MILWAUKIE, OR, NOVEMBER 10—One of the most popular and critically acclaimed cable television shows of 2011 was Game of Thrones, created by David Benioff and D. B. Weiss for HBO. The hit series is based on A Song of Ice and Fire, the best-selling fantasy novel series by George R. R. Martin.

New Series From Stargate Creators: Dark Matter!

DARK MATTER RISES FROM DARK HORSE!
NEW SERIES FROM STARGATE CREATORS!

November 9, MILWAUKIE, OR—Fresh off their long tenure on Stargate, one of television’s most successful science-fiction epics, series writers Joseph Mallozzi and Paul Mullie flex their comic-book storytelling muscles to create a thrilling new science-fiction universe for Dark Horse Comics!

Dark Horse Comics to Publish Caitlín R. Kiernan's Alabaster!

DARK HORSE COMICS TO PUBLISH
CAITLÍN R. KIERNAN’S ALABASTER!

November 9, MILWAUKIE, OR—Caitlín R. Kiernan is the author of numerous works of dark fantasy and science fiction, including nine novels, several comic-book series (including Sandman spinoff The Dreaming), and over two hundred published short stories and novellas. Now, she brings her tales to the land of Dark Horse Comics.

Colin Lorimer's UXB Comes to Dark Horse Presents #10!

COLIN LORIMER’S UXB COMES TO DARK HORSE PRESENTS #10!

November 9, MILWAUKIE, OR—Dark Horse Presents is renowned not only for publishing original work of comics luminaries but also for presenting powerful emerging voices of graphic fiction. Such is UXB by Colin Lorimer (Earp: Saints for Sinners), debuting in Dark Horse Presents #10.

Anime Network to Stream UN-GO Online

Anime Network to Stream UN-GO Online

HOUSTON, TX — Nov. 8, 2011 — Broadcast and digital distributor Anime Network announced the acquisition of the all new detective/mystery anime UN-GO, for their streaming service, Anime Network Online.

NEC BIGLOBE Android™ App, SUGOI BOOKS Now Available in Canada!

Tokyo, November 8, 2011 – NEC BIGLOBE, Ltd. (BIGLOBE), one of Japan’s leading Internet service providers, announced today that its digital bookstore Android app “SUGOI BOOKS” has begun offering manga titles, both in native Japanese and translated into English, in Canada.

Nov. VIZ Manga Updates Includes Digital Firsts for 2 NARUTO Volumes!

VIZ MEDIA DEBUTS TWO LATEST NARUTO VOLUMES AHEAD OF PRINT COUNTERPARTS ON VIZMANGA.COM AND THE VIZ MANGA APP FOR iPAD, iPHONE AND iPOD TOUCH

November Digital Manga Update Also Sees Debut of
Natsume Ono’s RISTORANTE PARADISO And GENTE,
As Well As Updates to 17 Popular Series

VIZ Media continues to lead the digital manga (graphic novel) revolution with a variety of new titles just announced for November that are available to read online on VIZManga.com and also for digital download on the VIZ MANGA App for the Apple iPad™, iPhone™ and iPod™ touch.

FUNimation Entertainment Hellsing Ultimate OVA 8

FUNIMATION ENTERTAINMENT ACQUIRES
HELLSING ULTIMATE OVA 8

A bloody battle is about to begin, and all hell is singing...

Flower Mound, Texas (November, 4, 2011)– FUNimation® Entertainment today announced it has acquired the U.S. home video rights to the long awaited HELLSING ULTIMATE OVA 8, in addition to the previously announced HELLSING ULTIMATE 1-7 OVAs.

Dark Horse and BioWare Unveil Dragon Age Digital Comics!

DARK HORSE COMICS TEAMS UP WITH BIOWARE
TO UNVEIL A NEW DRAGON AGE DIGITAL COMIC SERIES

Dark Horse Comics announced an all-new digital comic series based on BioWare’s dark, fantasy RPG series, Dragon Age™. Written by Dragon Age Lead Writer, David Gaider, and featuring original art by Chad Hardin (Stan Lee's The Traveler, Web of Spider-Man, The Spirit), the deep and fascinating lore surrounding the Dragon Age universe will unfold, as new adventures will come to light in the comic series.

Nate Cosby's Buddy Cop Punches Through Dark Horse Presents #9!

NATE COSBY’S BUDDY COPS PUNCHES THROUGH DARK HORSE PRESENTS #9!

November 2, MILWAUKIE, OR—Dark Horse Comics announces a new story from Nate Cosby that will slap you silly! Dark Horse presents . . . Buddy Cops!

Be a “Redshirt” with IDW’s Star Trek Comics Contest

Be a “Redshirt” with IDW’s Star Trek Comics Contest
One grand prize winning fan and local retailer to be featured on
an exclusive variant cover of a Star Trek comic!

Comic Book Legal Defense Fund,
IDW and CBS Consumer Products
partner for Star Trek fan contest

San Diego, CA (November 2, 2011)—Are you a comics fan who loves your local comics store? Are you willing to “die” to protect your retailer? Prove it, with the Star Trek “Be A Redshirt” contest! Starting today, the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF), IDW Publishing and CBS Consumer Products are giving Star Trek fans a chance to “Be a Redshirt” on the cover of an upcoming STAR TREK comic.

Manga Comes to Dark Horse Digital!

MANGA COMES TO DARK HORSE DIGITAL!
TRIGUN, OLD BOY AND MORE ADDED TO LINEUP!

November 2nd, MILWAUKIE, OR – Manga has arrived! The Dark Horse Digital store now offers a full and ongoing Manga selection featuring Trigun, Crying Freeman, Hellsing, Lady Snowblood, Old Boy and Path of the Assassin. Not only are these titles available digitally, but also the latest version of the Dark Horse Digital app lets you read them in the way Manga was meant to be read…right to left!

IDW Publishing Launches Jack Avarice IS The Courier

Jack Avarice IS The Courier All-new miniseries
created by rising star Chris Madden

San Diego, CA (November 2, 2011) — IDW Publishing is pleased to announce the launch of JACK AVARICE IS THE COURIER, an exciting month-long, weekly comic series releasing during the five Wednesday month of November. This miniseries is created, written, drawn, and lettered by the remarkable Chris Madden, the artist on the upcoming Danger Girl: Revolver series. Starting today, a new issue of JACK AVARICE IS THE COURIER is being released weekly on all five Wednesdays of this month.

Tom Morello's Orchid #1 Sells Out of Comic Shops!

TOM MORELLO’S ORCHID #1 SELLS OUT OF COMIC SHOPS!

November 2nd, MILWAUKIE, OR – Demand for Tom Morello’s epic dystopian fantasy has driven comic stores across the U.S. to a complete sell out of issue #1!

From the mind of musician Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave, The Nightwatchman), with art by Scott Hepburn (Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic), Orchid is the tale of a teenage prostitute who learns that she is more than the role society has imposed upon her.

Professor Layton & the Etrenal Diva from VIZ Media

VIZ MEDIA TO RELEASE ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
PROFESSOR LAYTON AND THE ETERNAL DIVA

Based On The Popular Nintendo Video Game,
Tea-Loving Archeologist And Polymath Sets Out To Solve
His Toughest Puzzle Yet!

San Francisco, CA, November 1, 2011 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, will release a new anime feature-length film, PROFESSOR LAYTON AND THE ETRENAL DIVA, on DVD November 8th. The movie is based on the highly popular PROFESSOR LAYTON series of video games for the Nintendo DS and will be suitable for All Ages. The DVD features both subtitled and dubbed English dialogue options, and will carry an MSRP of $19.97 U.S. / $19.98 CAN.

Amala's Blade Comes to Dark Horse Presents in February 2012!

AMALA’S BLADE COMES TO DARK HORSE PRESENTS IN FEBRUARY 2012!

November 1st, MILWAUKIE, OR – Dark Horse Comics is proud to announce a brand new three-part story from Steve Horton (DC Holiday Special, Superman 80-Page Giant) and Michael Dialynas (Popgun, Trinkets) appearing in Dark Horse Presents #9 – Amala’s Blade.

Dark Horse Announces 2012 Star Wars Retailer Incentive Program!

DARK HORSE ANNOUNCES
2012 STAR WARS INCENTIVE PROGRAM!

November 1st, MILWAUKIE, OR—Dark Horse is excited to offer retailers a special stock-up incentive tied to five great new Star Wars series in 2012!

Retailers who order fifteen copies of any of the following titles will receive 5 percent off of their initial orders for that title: Knights of the Old Republic: War, Dawn of the Jedi, Knight Errant III, Darth Vader and the Ghost Prison, Blood Ties: Boba Fett Is Dead.

Anime Network to Stream Mashiroiro Symphony ~ The Color of Lovers Online

Anime Network to Stream
Mashiroiro Symphony ~ The Color of Lovers Online

HOUSTON, TX — October 31, 2011 — Broadcast and digital distributor Anime Network announced today the acquisition of the all new high school comedy, Mashiroiro Symphony ~ The Color of Lovers, for their streaming service, Anime Network Online.

Anime Network to Stream Majikoi ~ Oh! Samurai Girls Online

Anime Network to Stream Majikoi ~ Oh! Samurai Girls Online

HOUSTON, TX — October 31, 2011 — Broadcast and digital distributor Anime Network announced that they will begin streaming the slapstick comedy Magikoi ~ Oh! Samurai Girls, in Japanese with English subtitles on Anime Network Online.

Anime Network to Simulcast Phi-Brain ~ Kami No Puzzle Online

Anime Network to Simulcast Phi-Brain ~ Kami No Puzzle Online

HOUSTON, TX — October 31, 2011 — Broadcast and digital distributor Anime Network announced today the acquisition of the all new action/puzzle anime Phi Brain ~ Kami No Puzzle for their streaming service, Anime Network Online.

FUNimation Entertainment Acquires One Piece – Season 4

The Straw Hat Pirates set sail for New Adventures

Flower Mound, Texas (October 26, 2011) – FUNimation® Entertainment today announced it has acquired the U.S. home video rights to Season Four of the action adventure anime series—ONE PIECE. Season Four opens with episode 206 in classic 4:3 format, episodes 207-263 will be featured in HD 16:9 and contains the Water 7 Saga.