I had no idea that Tokyopop was closing up...
thanks for the update Marz!

*sigh* Beyond the Beyond vol 6 is never going to be released in English

I've got so many dropped & ongoing titles it's not even funny. I really was hoping they'd resolve the problem with the Kino's Journey light novels though.

Okay seriously Marzgurl I noticed this last week and I noticed it this week too with the anime news editorials you did: the black box at the end where you have the credits is on screen for LESS THEN A SECOND. Seriously you'd have to be lucky if you wanted to try pausing it to read the credits where you got your sources from if you wanted to read it. Really this is something that needs to be fixed and I really don't see why it's an issue as previous ANE or even previous Land Before times didn't have that problem. Why are the credits so short and is it an issue that will soon be fixed?

Otherwise good vid on Tokyopop's unfourante closing down. It is a shame some of the old big names have gone out of buisness but hopefully there are still enough people in the industry where this thing dosen't wind up totally screwing over manga entirley in the U.S

meh i don't even really care about the american half of the anime industry anymore not since gundam seed

Whaaaat? No! :( I haven't been able to buy manga since the company I worked for went under, but I used to buy $2400 worth of Tokyopop mangas every year, ever since they were MixxZine. Looks like I'll have to finish my collections secondhand & start buying raw mangas from Kinokuniya again.

No more Tokyopop, no more Fanfic Theater, no more Homestar Runner, no more Adrien Monk, no more Penn & Teller's BS, no more Dead Like Me, no more Mad Mad House, & possibly no more Sam & Max. What a fine last few years this has been....

What's this nonsense about no more Homestar Runner? I'll agree that they've been doing a terrible job of updating the site lately, but there's been some new stuff and it hasn't included a farewell, so I assume they'll be back to work at some point.

And Sam and Max will be back. I'm basing that on nothing, but....come on, it's Sam and Max. I doubt they're over for eternity.

Regarding Homestar Runner, though they don't seem to have announced any sort of official end to the series, they haven't really been updating for a while now. No one seems to have any official news, all I've been able to find is speculation on the fate of the site.

But in lieu of updates, you can buy 'Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People' on Steam quite reasonably priced. It plays like an extended episode, lol.

What the hell happened? Why is Tokyopop closing out like this? I've tried to do some sleuthing over google, but I can't seem to pinpoint much. I know that the U.S Division fired all but like, 6 people, pretty much ensuring the companies closure, but why were these people laid off?

I know it couldn't be because of the earthquake and such because the layoffs came prior to March, back in February I believe, and I keep hearing that "TokyoPop has been in trouble for a while now", but I can't seem to locate what this trouble is or further resources to confirm these claims.

The CEO of the company, Stu Levy, had his head elsewhere besides publishing manga. He kept pouring more and more money into fruitless media projects, and less and less into publishing.

I suspect he decided to take advantage of the quake in Japan as an excuse to finally shut down the company so he could pursue film making, starting with a documentary about the recent earthquake in Japan.

Thats what i've heard. Which seems very plausible, knowing all the strange media-related crap TP kept pouring out during its later years. (Like manga ringtones.)

Have some reading, gives some nice insider info about the company's downfall:

http:// inkandthunder.blogspot.co m/2011/04/tokyopop- etc.html

http:// speedking.deviantart.com/ journal/39894563/

If it wasn't for Tokyopop,I've probably wouldn't have gotten into manga. Many of their series such as GTO,Sgt Frog,Battle Royale and Love Hina were among the ones I continued to purchase through out high school and after.

Now I can only hope another publisher will want to continue Sgt Frog and possibly get the rights to GTO 14 days. It's really sucks to hear something you been supporting disappear,First Animerica,then Newtype and ADV and finally Tokyopop. :(

Newtype was published by ADV, so same company really. =P

You also forgot CMX, the branch of DC Comics that published manga, they went under too last year. They weren't as big as Tokyopop, but its still a big deal.

The manga/anime market sure isn't looking good right now. I'm also hoping someone picks up SGT Frog as well, its one of my fav series. )=

I may not like Tokyopop and the way they did things, but I can't help but be sad by their American branch's closing. They're a major part of the history of western manga publishing.

Sure they may have butchered some series and their blatant attempts to save cash by marketing bad American made comics as "manga" were annoying, but if it weren't for them, we'd likely not have half of what we do. in other words, credit where credit is due.

The industry is dying in America. It was fun while it lasted. Its a shame really. Kids who missed out on the anime and manga boom of the late 90s will never know what they missed.

I hate to be negative but that's the way I see it now. It started with the "Great Anime Purge 2008." Around that time is when you saw a huge dip in anime on US TV, it's steadily declined since then. Currently, if you're not watching anime streaming then you aren't really watching much of anything, mostly a few shows that have managed to barely hang on at their networks since 2008. Once these series drop they won't be replaced. Add that to all the closures and you have a recipe for a very bleak future for anime and manga in the US in the coming years.

No! I haven't finished Cardcaptors! T_T

Dark Horse has it now, and they are currently putting out omnibus versions of the series, which I dare say are far better than TP's version.

So not to worry...unless you're like me and like to have matching editions, then you can worry.

Don't worry, Cardcaptors is still being published by Dark Horse. They're just in large Omnibuses right now :) (Volume 2 is coming out June 1st!)

Each volume is like 3 volumes in one! XD

Aw, I hadn't heard about this. That's a shame. Better see if I have any unfinished series by them :/

Finally, some word about their current licenses. In a way it almost seems like they where too lazy to pass some of the licenses on themselves. As I remember Yen Press intimidately grabbing the licenses for Azumanga and Yotsuba& not long after ADV kicked the bucket. Ah well, lets hope for the best.

Its quite depressing to see TP go, they where the company that introduced me into manga. When I discovered Sailor Moon had a comic, I was ecstatic and had to buy as many volumes as I could. I then went on and tried other series not long after. Magic Knight Rayearth, Cardcaptor Sakura, Angelic Layer, Tokyo Mew Mew...good times. I now have 340+ manga, and I still own all the original copies of Sailor Moon that I bought back in '02.

And thanks to Tokyopop, manga is more commonly available, unflipped, and doesn't cost $16-17 bucks a volume.

Well, now I need to go track down the rest of SGT Frog and Karin (I hate that name "Chibi Vampire" ) for my collection before the price jumps up...

I wouldn't be holding my breath on that last statement, SCK. My friend suggested that they may be doing this as a means of getting more money out of their product by using importing as a reason to push the prices higher.

Another friend suggested that VIZ is forcing them to close after having bought out Funimation, if thats the case, I can only hope that they pick up where tokyo pop left off.

Most of my anime purchases come from ADV and I was sad to see them go, but looking at my small manga collection, its dominated by TokyoPop. It saddens me that All I have from them to show off is Love Hina and Ikkitousen. I guess I'll just have to do my collecting over amazon and ebay once the stock in my local store runs dry, and I dread to see what sort of prices me and other people will have to face then.

I hope we get a good explanation for this, because the way I see it this is nothing more than a betrayal from the distributors to the fans.

"I wouldn't be holding my breath on that last statement, SCK. My friend suggested that they may be doing this as a means of getting more money out of their product by using importing as a reason to push the prices higher."

Import? Import from where? Tokyopop Germany? They don't publish manga in English like the US branch did (not that I know of anyways), and there London branch is long gone. Import from Japan? That doesn't make much sense either. Most people want to buy manga in English, not the original Japanese. If any of these Japanese companies are planning on publishing manga in English that would be different. I know Kodansha published bilingual (Japanese and English) manga early 2000 of select titles (I even own some copies), but I have no idea if they are still doing it. And thats the only Japanese company that I know that has published English manga at some point. Also, Japanese manga is actually CHEAPER than manga published in the US (average of $5 a volume).

If the whole idea of making people import is true, then they are pretty damm stupid, and it seems more like a loss on their part. Unless these Japanese companies are just simply trying to get more involved with the American market directly? Cause that would make sense. Much Like the Del Rey and Kodansha USA merger, then Viz with Shonen Jump/Shonen Sunday.

"Another friend suggested that VIZ is forcing them to close after having bought out Funimation, if thats the case, I can only hope that they pick up where tokyo pop left off."

That makes no sense either. Viz is rolling in dough thanks to their Shonen Jump titles, I highly doubt they give a damm about their competition. Then Funimation doesn't publish manga and I doubt they ever will. Sure Tokyopop did anime at one point, but they stopped doing it years ago, plus they are all titles I doubt Funi or Viz would be rushing to grab. Then Viz didn't buy Funi, Funi bought themselves.

"I hope we get a good explanation for this, because the way I see it this is nothing more than a betrayal from the distributors to the fans."

*points to links in one of my above posts* If all that is true, Stu Levy (the CEO) *DID* betray his loyal customers.

For anyone wondering why Tokyopop is going out of business; it's NOT because "The anime Industry is dying in North America". There are many other factors that went into this.

Anyone remember Fruits Basket? Well, that was pretty much their only big-name manga license that they had going for a while. (Not including their older stuff or some of their lesser-known works) The rest of the time, they were just focusing on their OEL titles, or how to use less quality paper to print their series on. (Aka, how to cut corners and save money)

Once Fruits Basket ended though, they didn't really pick up anything "Hot". Soon, Borders starting closing some of their stores, and Tokyopop's Sales ended up taking a hit because that's where they sell a majority of their stuff.

Not even a multi-week Best Seller like Axis Powers Hetalia could have saved them, because Hetalia came too little too late into their lives.

At the end of the day, Tokyopop's inability to use quality translations, (Tokyo Mew Mew had a lot of inconsistencies, and that's just ONE of their titles) or use quality paper, (I bought a TokyoPop manga recently and it felt so flimsy and cheap in comparison to some of my other Manga) and of course all of that drama with the whole OEL thing really lead to their down-fall.

To anyone wondering what's going to happen to their favorite manga: Don't worry. If the authors are Japanese, then there's a chance that some other licensing company will pick up the license and start publishing the manga. (Such as Yen Press, Digital Manga Publishing, Viz, and many others)

As for the home-grown authors of such works like Peach Fuzz and Dramacon....well, as Tokyopop said, it's up to the authors to decide.

EDIT: Another factor that may have went into it is the economy. When the economy is bad, manga fans can't support licensing companies, so they resort to piracy, which *does* have some negative consequences. I would say that Japan's just as bad economy plus natural disasters are a factor, but Tokyopop isn't a Japanese company so I would assume that it closing its N. American doors has nothing to do with Japan.

An interesting point you bring up about the economy. Remember in the other ANE Topic when we discussed bringing Anime to the Mainstream? Well, here you have your reason: Ass soon as a niche goes mainstream it can support itself during such periods of bad economy. The porblem with the Manga in the US is that they are not trying to cater to the mainstream, except for some more well known. If you rely on fans all the time, it may actually hurt your business, since they are willing to buy, but most of them can't afford it, hence why the industry is in decline right now.

Oh hello again! :D

Yeah, that's still true~

Well, Svetlana Chamka, who did "Dramacon," already has at least two more titles with Yen Press. She started this even before Tokyopop folded. Also... recently at my library, I've been seeing posters and bookmarks with art that looks suspiciously like hers... maybe not... but anyway, I wouldn't worry about her.

As for the licenses, the only one I really care about is "Aria." Oh, and I kept hoping they'd get the last volume of "Good Witch of the West" out at some point, but that was unlikely, anyway, what with the ridiculous number of times they pushed it back. Oh, well, at least we got the last volume of "NG Life."

This is all very sad and unfortunate. So many Manga and Anime companies going are out of business. This bad economy has been ruthless.

I really hope we find more answers as to what's going on with this particular issue, and that hopefully the market here will not completely die.

Another thing, as far as the video. The credits are too short, practically nonexistent, and the end logo goes on for way too long. Also, where is the theme song and the title cards by your awesome artist?

Edit - Just saw your comment, Mizu. Thanks for that information, it really explains a lot. I'm guessing Marz figured maybe we already knew that, and that's why she didn't mention it in the video, or mentioned it in a past video, and I forgot.

CMX shutdown last year and they had over 50 manga and not one of them have been picked up except Tenjho Tenge than theres Studio Ironcat no one has picked up there manga either even if they only had small category and Central Park Media also has some manga that have not been pickup so what I'm worried about is a portion of Tokyopop's category will be drop for good. I'm sure the popular ones will be pick up no problem.

I think when ADV shut down, it had some of its licenses picked up, so not all hope is lost!

Still, what you said does have me worried...I think some of my favorite titles are safe, (The stuff I like always becomes popular in the future @_@) but I'm worried about some of my other lesser-known favorites...

Huh, finally something I knew about before Marzgirl. That's new. Anyways I found out about this when I was looking for the Priest Manhwa. I will still be getting it but it's becoming slightly difficult. Shame how so many companies are just going down left and right. Perhaps this is indeed an end for Anime and Manga in the States.

So, Tokyopop Europe lives on. Good for them. :) And we can always hope that Tokyopop Studios improves in their movie-making ways.

Though yer license card got swallowed up by the CA logo-mation again.

I didn't know that the US division of Tokyopop is closing O_O, that sucks! Though I didn't know that Tokyopop apparently is not as high regarded in the US. In Germany they always release high quality stuff. Like the Death Note Black Edition, a lot of artbooks etc. They even release Chinese and Korean comics as well.

Tokyopop is closing down? i had no idea before today...sad face...

Its shame that Tokyopop is closing down. Expesially becouse it also means that so mant are losing they jobs.

This made me sad.

I want to know what in the fudge is up with Reborn! since I own all 16 english volumes so far and they stopped there.

meh this doesnt really affect me, i dont read manga. im just an anime fan

At least there are still manga magazines. A knowadays you can go for print on demand.

just wondering if they will still be distributing anime in the US or not. Honestly i cant remember much that they have done lately. I do remember the BS they pulled with Initial D back in the day, and i think theyre the ones that did the half assed unfinished release of groove adventure rave.. .wow, they actually did a lot of crap in the anime field. I actually hope that branch is shutting down too

anyone know if it is or isn't though? Or if they even had any recent series they were doing?

This is such a shame for the American ToykoPop. However, I am curious as to why the European one has not be being shut down too.

Oh, I really like these broadcasts, but some of the American terns, laws and other things of which you speak can baffle me so that I must look it up to see what it means. If it is not too much trouble, could you explain some things you speak of in these? I am Scottish born and bred, but I have two American friends, but some of the terms you use are one which I know not what the meaning is.
I bet I am the only person from Scotland that is on here, as I think there could be a few English people, but I have not much hope of any Welsh, though there my be some Irish.
Anyway, it would really help if you did explain a few things. If you do not, which I will is what you will do, then that is fine, but if you do, that would be really helpful :).

Actually, there is only a German one left now. Nothing else. And they're more or less "their own" company. They weren't really connected with Tokyopop US very much, except for the name. Made their own money and all, thats why they don't close down. And they do quite well by the way. They do have a lot of very well running series though (Bleach, Bakuman, Death Note etc)

Hello Marzgurl,

Forgive me for placing this on the comments page. I am not aware of any other manner of getting in contact with you. We have all heard about the turmoil that Japan has and is experiencing because of the earthquake and tsunami. My friend and I recently got in to a disagreement concerning this. He stated that the natural disasters will hamper the anime and manga industry and that we probably will not be seeing as many new titles and series here in the U.S. because of the serious hit Japan has taken. I disagree. I think that the industry will continue regardless. What is your take on this? Is there any evidence that the natural disasters will affect the release of titles over here?

mexman1993

I'm sad tokyopop is gone it got me into manga, well it and shojo beat magazine which is also gone...

I'm not sure this is such a bad thing. Tokyopop was always overpriced despite mediocre translations. Getting a reset on the rights seems like a best case scenario, to be honest. They may have helped gotten some balls rolling, but those balls are better off handled by more caring hands.

...That didn't come out right.