Tokyopop is Losing its Kodansha Titles

California based publisher Tokyopop has confirmed that Japanese licensor Kodansha has decided not to renew or extend the translating & publishing licenses for any of its titles previously or presently distributed by Tokyopop. Kodansha has not explained its decision, however, numerous Kodansha manga titles continue to be published in North America by other distributors including Del Rey and Dark Horse. Both Del Rey & Dark Horse are continuing to acquire new distribution licenses for Kodansha titles, including titles previously published by Tokyopop. Furthermore, Random House will begin distributing the Akira and Ghost in the Shell manga domestically on behalf of Kodansha in October.

Tokyopop has informed ICv2 that the break with Kodansha will have, “little bearing on Tokyopop’s current or future stability” because the publisher presently has licensing partnerships with a number of other Japanese publishers. About.com has published a complete list of Kodansha titles previously and presently distributed by Tokyopop, divided into titles presently unfinished in America, titles transferred to other domestic publishers, and titles presently out of print in America.

Source: Anime News Network