Tokyopop Forum

Tokyopop’s officially announced to the Beat yesterday that its American publishing would cease operations as of May 31, just two weeks after the release of PRIEST. The movie may prove to be a sign of what the company’s business style will be like from here on out as its German branch, which is in charge publishing and film rights, will continue to operate. Following substantial rounds of layoffs over the past couple years (the latest happening in February,) this will bring Tokyopop’s 14 year life to an end after significant booms and busts in its American readership. Founder and CEO, Stu Levy issued a personal statement  on Tokypop’s website to coincide with the press release, giving his reasons for "laying down his guns" in the manga revolution his company's championed throughout its life.

I have some friends who’ve worked for Tokypop in the past and they’d made it sound to me like this writing’s been on the wall for a long time, both internally and externally. This will surely mark a substantial change in the landscape of American manga readership, but I’m more curious as to what this means to you in the Anime Vice community. Is it the end of an era - - perhaps one that was always unsustainable? - - or is more simply a symptom of change in a market that's still evolving?

There were only a few Tokyopop properties that I ever had any interest in over the years. That said,this is a major blow to the manga industry, and we need to pray this doesn't start a domino effect. 

I don't think this will cause a domino effect - as the Manga industry has been in decline for a bit. However, I would say that this is the end of an era. The manga industry had been having a major boon for the past few years, with practically every shojo title to get published in Japan getting licensed, because for a time they really sold. Eventually that boom kind of ended, and publishers were forced to cut back.

Tokyopop managed to hold on longer then they should have, because they had very close business ties with Borders. However, in the process, I feel they over-extended themselves. When Borders started running into financial problems, the rug basically got pulled out from under them and - to mix my metaphors, like a Jenga tower, they collapsed.

Is it unfortunate? Absolutely. I'm loving Hanako and the Terror of Allegory, and I really hope it gets license rescued. Am I surprised? No. Why? Well - in a nutshell, I read volume 1 of Alice in the Country of Hearts not that long ago and was rather surprised by how bland it was. That was a manga that, really shouldn't have been licensed for a US release, yet it was. What can I say.

Unlike Central Park Media - I wasn't hoping for Tokyopop's demise - they were still active and they were still publishing quality stuff (as opposed to CPM which was vegetative), yet all the signs were there.

Ah, well. *pours a 40 on the curb*

AiON, Alice in the Country of Hearts... NOooO!!!!!

This is a darn shame...oh well, I better go and buy the last 5 volumes of Fate/stay Night from Amazon before the deadline.

@sotyfan16 said:

" @sora_thekey: But if FUNi does not find it reasonable to start publishing from scratch then I deem it wise to purchase ,or create a partnership with, a publisher like Seven Seas, Dark Horse, or Del Rey. "

Dark Horse is going through their own problems right now.. so I doubt it will be DH. Dal Rey seems the likely choice because as far as Manga works the big hitter is VIZ then Del Rey. I used to think after that it was Tokyopop but now I doubt it.

@sora_thekey said:

" @sotyfan16 said:

" @sora_thekey: But if FUNi does not find it reasonable to start publishing from scratch then I deem it wise to purchase ,or create a partnership with, a publisher like Seven Seas, Dark Horse, or Del Rey. "

Dark Horse is going through their own problems right now.. so I doubt it will be DH. Dal Rey seems the likely choice because as far as Manga works the big hitter is VIZ then Del Rey. I used to think after that it was Tokyopop but now I doubt it. "

I agree - particularly since Kodansha US took a lot of the series that Del Ray has licensed - Del Ray could use an influx of licenses if they want to stay in the Manga game, and Tokyopop has stuff that could fill that need. However, Dark Horse could be in the same position as well. We'll see.

@Count_Zero said:

" @sora_thekey said:

" @sotyfan16 said:

" @sora_thekey: But if FUNi does not find it reasonable to start publishing from scratch then I deem it wise to purchase ,or create a partnership with, a publisher like Seven Seas, Dark Horse, or Del Rey. "

Dark Horse is going through their own problems right now.. so I doubt it will be DH. Dal Rey seems the likely choice because as far as Manga works the big hitter is VIZ then Del Rey. I used to think after that it was Tokyopop but now I doubt it. "

I agree - particularly since Kodansha US took a lot of the series that Del Ray has licensed - Del Ray could use an influx of licenses if they want to stay in the Manga game, and Tokyopop has stuff that could fill that need. However, Dark Horse could be in the same position as well. We'll see. "

The problem now is that Kodansha US is closing by the end of this April. America is taking a hit on the manga front because so many people just read scanlations. 

@sotyfan16 said:

" If FUNi would pick up Bakuman (which I think it should for a couple of reasons) I'd add that to the list as well. "

I want this to happen!!!!

@sora_thekey: 

@Destinyheroknight said:

" @sora_thekey: 

The problem now is that Kodansha US is closing by the end of this April. America is taking a hit on the manga front because so many people just read scanlations.    

What are you talking about? Kodansha International is the one shutting down, not Kodansha US

"

You're right... My bad. I got them both confused!

@sora_thekey said:

" @Count_Zero said:

" @sora_thekey said:

" @sotyfan16 said:

" @sora_thekey: But if FUNi does not find it reasonable to start publishing from scratch then I deem it wise to purchase ,or create a partnership with, a publisher like Seven Seas, Dark Horse, or Del Rey. "

Dark Horse is going through their own problems right now.. so I doubt it will be DH. Dal Rey seems the likely choice because as far as Manga works the big hitter is VIZ then Del Rey. I used to think after that it was Tokyopop but now I doubt it. "

I agree - particularly since Kodansha US took a lot of the series that Del Ray has licensed - Del Ray could use an influx of licenses if they want to stay in the Manga game, and Tokyopop has stuff that could fill that need. However, Dark Horse could be in the same position as well. We'll see. "

The problem now is that Kodansha US is closing by the end of this April. America is taking a hit on the manga front because so many people just read scanlations.  "

Actually, that's just Kodansha International, not Kodansha USA that's closing - separate business entity (see first paragraph of linked article).

That reminds me, I should probably do a Background Reading for Frederik Schodt's stuff - once I get the Background Reading I'm already working on finished.

It's particularly sad news to me when I consider that I have recently just become actively interested in Tokyopop. I used to be an unknowing supporter in their products, but once I became aware of a pattern forming I actively pursued their product line with avid interest. I think they are a good company with a good product line and I hope closing the American branch does not affect my access to their product line. Over the years, a lot of fine companies have shut down in part or in whole for various reasons and it's always a sad moment for me. I trust Stu is making the best decision possible, even if it is a sad one. I hope things work out for the best for both the consumers and the employees of the American branch.