Chapter 381 of trangressive sci-fi manga Gantz, included in the new issue 24 of this year's Weekly Young Jump run, announced that "it seems everything is headed for despair. Two more chapters, then it's the end." Meanwhile, on the Shonen side of the Jump family, Novice Policewoman Kiruko-san, which made a big impression out of the gate last year, but failed to find a readership, ended in the latest chapter. More after the jump.
Hollywood's Keanu Reeves version of 47 Ronin might keep getting pushed out to later dates, but Dark Horse's project looks ready to appear on schedule. Independent of the movie movie, the samurai classic is also being adapted into a comic written by the DH president Mike Richardson and illustrated by the renowned Stan Sakai with the legendary Kazuo Koike advising. More after the jump.
Dark Horse has announced its slate of October books and August comics. Among the new releases is Yoshitaka Amano's (Final Fantasy) first fantasy novel created as author and illustrator, Deva Zan. See the full plans after the jump.
Kentaro Hayashi, artist on Shuukan Hajimete no Hatsune Miku four-panel manga and the recent "Astro Troopers" music video, along with Nejimaki Kagyu manga creator Atsushi Nakayama, have each created an amusingly warped variant cover for Hiroya Oku's brutal sci-fi manga Gantz. Check them out after the jump.
Diamond, which distributes books to specialty comic shops, has released their sales figures for February 2012. Bleach topped Diamond's manga top 50 (#13 in overall graphic novel sales), with Negima (#28 overall) and Gantz (#39 overall) following close behind. See the complete top 50 list after the jump.
Art of War has announced that the figures maker will be celebrating their 15th anniversary with a foot-tall Gantz figure, "Katou - Battle for Justice." The only thing more stunning than the design is the price. Art of War is asking ¥65,000 (US$846) for the reproduction of the sci-fi manga hero. Take a look after the jump.
Dark Horse has announced its May comic and June graphic novel release plans. Hot on the tails of its Japanese release, the latest volume of CLAMP's Gate 7 is on the way. Also coming, new releases of Gantz and Evangelion: The Shinji Ikari Raising Project. Check out the full schedule after the jump.
The latest issue of seinen manga anthology Weekly Young Jump features a notice that author Hiroya Oku plans to end his transgressive sci-fi action manga Gantz in 2012. More after the jump.
Dark Horse released the first volume of Katsuya Terada's very metal take on the Journey to the West, The Monkey King, in September 2005. It's been a very long wait, but volume 2 has finally been scheduled, as have new entries of Gantz and Oh! My Goddess. Check out Dark Horse's full slate after the jump.
Warner Home Video, the distributor for VIZ Media, announced a January 17th release date for Gantz II: Perfect Answer, the second half of the live-action adaptation of Hiroya Oku's sci-fi manga. The two-disc DVD sets sells for $24.92 and the DVD/Blu-ray set will retail for $29.99. More after the jump.