Top 5 Supporting Characters in Manga

For a good manga it is critical that there are strong supporting characters to reinforce the storyline. A survey was taken where people in their teens, 20s, and 30s that liked manga were asked who they thought was the ‘Best Supporting Character’ of all time. The No.1 character was 【Krillin】from the popular manga ‘Dragon Ball’, written by Toriyama Akira. “Without Krillin the manga would never have become popular. (Male /20s / Tokyo)” said one respondent, and many others gave similar answers.

Krillin is a fellow disciple and friend of the main character Son Goku. They underwent the same grueling training and fought enemies alongside each other. “Time and time again Krillin was given important roles in key scenes. He is the archetype of all supporting characters. (Male / Teens / Chiba)” There were also a lot of people who said “He made Goku look better! (Female / 20s / Kanagawa)” Many people cited his great personality. “He was always looking out for his friends, and the manga won’t be the same without his cheerful character. (Male / 20s / Ehime)”

【Roronoa Zoro】from ‘ONE PIECE’ came in at No.2. The man of strong integrity and valor left a lasting impact on many fans. “He’s so cool. I like his way of living, his way of thinking, and also how he is constantly trying to better himself. (Male / 30s / Osaka)” There was lots of praise for his unrelenting support of main character Monkey D. Luffy. “Even though he is as strong as Luffy, he’s always ready to help the captain [Luffy]. He’s also willing to sacrifice himself for the other crew members…he is truly a man among men. (Male / 30s / Miyagi)”

The No.3 spot went to【Goda Takeshi (Gian)】from ‘ドラえもん / Doraemon’. Although he is the undisputed and sometimes ruthless boss of the group, he is also fair and considerate in his own way. “He’s rather self-centered but a good guy at heart. (Female / 20s / Tokyo)” “He can be rough and harsh at times yet he is a person you can always depend on. (Male / Teens / Miyagi)” A number of other people pointed out that he helped flesh out the story. “[Main character] Nobi Nobita and Doraemon could not have bonded as strongly without Gian [occasionally bullying Nobita]! (Female / 20s / Aichi)”

【Kogure Kiminobu】from ‘SLAM DUNK’ took the No.4 spot. His ‘fatherly’ concern for his teammates was a memorable part of the manga. “It’s great how he always seemed to genuinely care about the team. (Male / 20s / Saitama)” Another ‘ONE PIECE’ character【Tony Tony Chopper】was No.5. A lot of fans liked his cute looks and personality. “I think Chopper’s unique presence makes the story more interesting. (Female / 20s / Fukushima)”.

Source: music japan

Gokusen Manga to Return in 2 Installments Next Month

This year's 13th issue of Shueisha's You magazine has announced on Monday that Kozueko Morimoto's Gokusen high school comedy manga will return in the next two issues, which will ship on July 1 and 15. Morimoto had ended the manga in 2007 after seven years, but she is revisiting the story to mark the July 11 opening of Gokusen the Movie. The movie will serve as the theatrical finale to the three live-action television drama series based on the manga. The upcoming two-part manga side story will center on Kumiko "Yankumi" Yamaguchi — the high school teacher with yakuza ties — and her student Shin Sawada.

Media Blasters released the television animated version of the Gokusen manga in North America from 2004 to 2005. Morimoto has been serializing a new detective manga called Deka Wanko inYou magazine since last year.

Source: aninenewsnetwork

Tomoko Ninomiya's Appendicitis Puts Nodame on Hold

Nodame Cantabile manga's return date is unknown, but will be announced online

The official website of Kodansha's Kiss magazine has announced on Monday that the next issue will not have its scheduled installment of the Nodame Cantabile manga because the manga's creator, Tomoko Ninomiya, had to be rushed to a hospital. Ninomiya suffered from abdominal pain and high fever while working towards her next deadline, and has been diagnosed with acute appendicitis. She will be unable to work on her manga while she receives treatment.

The magazine's next issue, which will be this year's 13th issue, will ship in Japan on June 25. The Nodame Cantabile manga's return date has not yet been decided, but Tomomiya's future plans will be announced in Kiss magazine and its official website.

Kodansha had just announced that Ninomiya will launch a new series of short stories called Noda-Can BS (Nodame Cantabile Backstage) in Kodansha's bimonthly Kiss Plus magazine on August 8. Ninomiya returned to the main Nodame Cantabile manga in March after taking time off to have her baby and recover from carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Nodame Cantabile: Paris anime sequel aired in Japan from October to December, and another television series has been green-lit for this fall. Two live-action films were later announced for release in 2010. The 22nd volume of the Japanese manga will bundle a original animation DVD in August. Del Rey will publish the 16th of the 21 current volumes of the manga in North America next month.

Source: animenewsnetwork

Nodame Cantabile Backstage Manga Miniseries Planned

Creator Tomoko Ninomiya to launch manga about side characters in August

Tomoko Ninomiya, the creator of the popular musical slice-of-life manga Nodame Cantabile, will be launching a new manga mini-series called Noda-Can BS in the September issue of Kodansha's bimonthly Kiss Plus magazine on August 8. Noda-Kan BS is an abbreviation of "Nodame Cantabile Backstage." The short story in each four-page installment will focus on the supporting characters instead of the protagonists of the main series (the young musicians Nodame and Chiaki). For example, the first installment will focus on the R*S Orchestra member Tomohito Kimura and flutist Moe Suzuki.

Ninomiya just returned to the main Nodame Cantabile manga in March after taking time off to have her baby and recover from carpal tunnel syndrome. The Nodame Cantabile: Paris anime sequel aired in Japan from October to December, and another television series has been green-lit for this fall. Two live-action films were later announced for release in 2010. The 22nd volume of the Japanese manga will bundle a original animation DVD in August. Del Rey will publish the 16th of the 21 current volumes of the manga in North America next month.

Source: animenewsnetwork