Del Rey to Publish Kujibiki Unbalance Manga in English

Manga "read" by fictional characters in Genshiken manga.

Del Rey Manga Associate Publisher Dallas Middaugh points out that the Kio Shimoku interview in Publisher Weekly's PW Comics Week section has announced that Del Rey will be publishing Keito Koume's Kujibiki Unbalance manga. Within the fictional world of Kio's original Genshiken manga and anime series, the members of the Modern Visual Culture club read Kujibiki Unbalance, a parody of the school romance and fighting manga genres which is later adapted into a 26-episode anime series. In the real world, this fictional plot device inspired its own franchise, with a three-episode video anime series, two different novel series, a 25-episode radio drama, Koume's two-volume manga, and finally, a real 12-episode television anime series. Genshiken added its own comedic (if somewhat confusing) meta-commentary by having its characters argue over whether the fictional Kujibiki Unbalance anime is faithful to the fictional Kujibiki Unbalance manga — even though in real life, the Kujibiki Unbalance anime predated Koume's manga that Del Rey is publishing. Del Rey just finished publishing the original Genshiken manga last November. Media Blasters' AnimeWorks label released the first Genshiken television anime series and the Kujibiki Unbalance video series, and it licensed the Genshiken video series, the second Genshiken television series, and the Kujibiki Unbalance television series.

Source: Anime News Network

Genshiken Otaku Manga Creator Kio Shimoku Interviewed

Self-described otaku discusses Japanese subculture and mainstream acceptance.

The PW Comics Week section of the Publishers Weekly trade magazine has published an interview with Genshiken manga creator Kio Shimoku. Kio describes the otaku subculture of Japan, which is the main setting of his manga about a college's “modern visual culture” club. In particular, he notes that the Japanese mainstream is slowly growing more receptive to otaku fandom after the Train Man franchise and the term "moe" became popular. However, many otaku in Japan still feel ashamed to be otaku. Kio contrasts the pride of the manga's fictional American characters (Sue and Angela) with the self-loathing of the protagonist Ogiue, who the creator acknowledges is largely based on himself.

While Kio does not encourage "indulging otakuness," he says he is happy that some college students have modeled their clubs after his fictional one. "I believe otaku should be a minority, but one that stands up to the pressures of the world, and I try to be like that, too."

Source: Anime News Network