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DMP to Include Japanese Publishers' Logos on Manga

Under the terms of a new contract signed between manga licensor Digital Manga Publishing and Japanese publishers Shinshokan, Oakla Shuppan, and Taiyo Tosho, these Japanese companies' logos will be prominently displayed in the books DMP has licensed from them. For example, the upcoming release of Ka Shin Fu will feature Oakla Shuppan's logo on the cover, as well as on the spine and inside the volume. According to Digital Manga president and CEO Hikaru Sasahara, this is the first such deal that any American manga company has signed. Through the rest of this year, the agreement will cover 10 books, with many more coming in 2008.

In addition to co-labeling, DMP will provide space at its convention booths for representatives of the three publishers. It has also acquired the rights to distribute their manga online. Current plans are to launch a manga website by the summer of 2008. Finally, the agreement gives Digital Manga merchandising rights for properties held by the three, and allows them to pitch projects based on their titles to interested Hollywood studios. Apparently, several production companies have already made inquiries about developing a feature film or live-action television series based on Shinshokan's Antique Bakery.

Sasahara states that an arrangement of this type will particularly appeal to mid-size Japanese manga publishers who want to bring their products to American audiences, but are not able to afford U.S. offices. In addition to Shinshokan, Oakla, and Taiyo, at least two other publishers are looking at signing a similar agreement with Digital Manga.

Source: Publishers Weekly's Comics Week

Image © Fumi Yoshinaga