Viz & TOKYOPOP Go Mainstream

ICv2 News has reported TOKYOPOP’s announcement of a new line of “NBA Sports Manga” that have nothing whatsoever to do with actual Japanese comics. The latest line in TOKYOPOP’s “cine-manga” line of books will add word baloons to photographic images of NBA basketball stars to create full color graphic novel books. According to TOKYOPOP, the use of word balloons and captions constitutes “manga-style.”

Viz has officially announced Shonen Jump USA Magazine’s advertising/art contest partnership with Dr. Pepper titled, “Be You, Be a Pepper, Be Manga.” Entrants are encouraged to draw themselves in manga style consuming Dr. Pepper soda. 20 finalists will be selected on the criteria of originality, creativity, and Dr. Pepper product placement. The grand prize winner, selected by Shonen Jump website visitors, will recieve a Trek mountain bike valued at $400. Dr. Pepper spokesman Peter Nelson states that the campaign is expected to be a success based in part on the, “increasing ‘coolness’ of manga and anime.”