In a print exclusive article in the second ICv2 Retailers Guide To Anime/Manga, which is reaching retailers this week, ICv2 has attempted to quantify the number of new releases in the fast growing markets for anime and manga.  The growth of anime programming on network and cable television is reflected in increased sales in a market that may approach a half a billion dollars in 2003.  Anime's success has brought on a proliferation of releases in the U.S., including older series that were never released in the U.S., new DVD editions of material previously issued on tape, as well as an ever-shortening lag time between the release of a new anime property on DVD in Japan and in the U.S.  All three of these factors have combined to produce a potential 70% increase in the number of anime titles in 2003, so retailers need all the help they can get in picking out the hot properties.  ICv2's Retailers Guide, which covers the second quarter of 2003, includes a survey of the anime series best positioned to drive sales thanks to exposure on American TV, a listing of some of the top new properties introduced in 2003, as well as an extensive listing of the Top Q2 anime releases.  ICv2 also interviewed Dan McAbee of The Tangled Web in Spartanburg, SC, who provides invaluable insights for retailers who want to expand sales in this fast-growing, but competitive category.

 

The other side of ICv2's Retailer Guide is devoted to analyzing the market for manga.  Although it is starting from a much smaller base, sales of manga are growing even faster than anime purchases (on a percentage basis).  Manga is the fastest growing segment of bookstore sales, with manga titles typically dominating their American competitors in the graphic novel portion of the Bookscan surveys of what is actually sold in bookstores.  Once again a growing market leads to a proliferation of titles -- over 700 new manga trade paperback editions will appear in the U.S. in 2003.  Here too, a new format is partially responsible for the growth in releases, since many titles previously issued in larger, more expensive formats are being reissued in the smaller $9.95 'pocket book' format introduced by Tokyopop, but many brand new series are being introduced as manga publishers successfully exploit new genres targeted at a wide range of potential readers, many of whom are female.  ICv2's new Retailers Guide provides retailers with a survey of the top new manga properties introduced in 2003, a list of the Top Q2 releases, interviews with three manga-savvy retailers, as well as an article on 'Handling Mature and Adult Product In the Manga and Anime Categories.'

 

Retailers and others interested in the ICv2 Retailers Guide To Anime/Manga #2 will find information on how to obtain it in our announcement article (see 'ICv2 Publishes Second Retailers Guide To Anime/Manga).