TOKYOPOP News from Anime Expo

TOKYOPOP announced at last weekend’s Anime Expo convention that they have acquired the translation license to the original Lupin the 3rd manga series and will release it in America in graphic novel format.

Initial D is seen as TOKYOPOP’s “marquee title.” Therefore, to make it more attractive to mainstream America, beginning with volume 2 of the manga translations, the original Japanese character names will be changed to American names. According to Anime News Network, there are also small edits and alterations being performed on the animation to “Americanize” it a bit for possible American television broadcast.

Source: Anime on DVD and Anime News Network