EigoMANGA

eigoMANGA is a comic book publishing studio company that produces original Japanese-influenced comics as well as develop business and marketing projects geared towards the anime industry. eigoMANGA has been underway since its conception in 2000. The company is based in San Francisco, California.

Although eigoMANGA is regarded as an independent comic book publisher, it is a visible and recognizable brand among grassroot and internet fans, earning them a cult status.

eigoMANGA began as a dot-com company that produced webcomics founded by Austin Osueke back in 2000. eigoMANGA at the time held industry acclaim as being among the first webcomics sites in existence which helped initiate the trend for other comic book publishers to use the internet as a medium to promote comic books. [http://www.comicon.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=37&t=001377]

eigoMANGA is now known for its two original English language (OEL) manga comic book publication series, Rumble Pak and Sakura Pakk.

eigoMANGA cultivated its core following by producing its own series of local anime-themed live events such as eigoMANGA Electricity, Campus Invasion, and Rumble Invasion.

eigoMANGA is also known to have been involved in television production of its original series called Anime Mix. Anime Mix featured anime music videos as well as depicted American anime fandom and culture. [http://www.animelives.com/article8819.html]

In 2005, eigoMANGA formed a joint-publishing partnership with Devil's Due Publishing to extend the circulation reach of its publication line. [http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=5572]

Towards the end of 2005, eigoMANGA again made pioneering initiatives to provide comic book content formatted for mobile devices such as the PlayStation Portable handheld device which is referred to as PSP Pak. [http://www.psphome.com/sony-psp/119/eigomanga-release-psp-pak-news.html]

Publications

Rumble Pak

Rumble Pak is an anthology comic book series showcasing original comics created by artists from around the world including a line-up of original stories written and produced by predominantly independent American comics artists. Rumble Pak is eigoMANGA's first commercial comic book publication and is considered it's flagship product. Since its release, Rumble Pak rapidly became a recognized Amerimanga publication within the comic book industry.

The first edition of Rumble Pak was released to comic book stores domestically and internationally on February 2004 and the publication was re-released to North American mainstream media stores on October 2004.

Rumble Pak Issue #1 was featured in an exhibition at the San Jose Art Museum from July through October 2004. [http://www.comicworldnews.com/cgi-bin/index.cgi?column=headlines&page=360] Also in October, eigoMANGA launched a rock concert event celebrating the mainstream re-released of Rumble Pak at a Tower Records store in San Mateo, California called Rumble Invasion. Rumble Invasion has become a regular event for eigoMANGA. The December 2005 Rumble Invasion event was hosted by the comic book franchise store "Things From Another World" at two store locations in San Francisco and Universal City.

On October 2005, eigoMANGA formed a joint-venture with Devil's Due Publishing to publish an on-going series for Rumble Pak. Volume 2 of the Rumble Pak series was released to stores on April 6, 2006. [http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/7596.html]

akura Pakk

Sakura Pakk is a bi-monthly anthology comic book series highlighting original comics stories created for female comic book readers. Sakura Pakk was released in November 2004. eigoMANGA heavily promoted Rumble Pak over Sakura Pakk because of Rumble Pak's commercial appeal but Sakura Pakk is largely considered by fans as more popular and sought after than Rumble Pak.

The Sakura Pakk series debuted at the grand opening ceremony of the Apple Store in San Francisco on June 2004. When Sakura Pakk was first conceived, eigoMANGA's editing team couldn't decide on a name for the female-oriented publication. As a result, an online naming contest was organized where fans contributed name suggestions for the publication series. Two individuals from Canada and Texas came up with the same name, "Sakura Pakk". The winners were illustrated in a comic strip featured in the first volume of Sakura Pakk.

On October 2005, eigoMANGA formed a joint-venture with Devil's Due Publishing to publish an on-going series for Sakura Pak. The publication was re-released by Devil's Due to stores on January 2006. [http://comicnewsi.com/article.php?catid=159&itemid=8242]

eries Featured in Rumble Pak and Sakura Pakk

Rumble Pak

*"Bleed 1.0"Bleed, the meta-organic robot guardian beast who is protecting the innocent, yet mysterious little girl named Ginger. Ginger is targeted by intergalactic assassins because she may have a cosmic bomb activated inside her body. Written and drawn by Bleedman.

*"Cool Downbeat"Follow the adventures of two super heroes in training and their coffee-drinking mentor as they defend the weak and punish the bad guys… for a fee.

*"Extinction Level Event"An extinction level event occurs when a large number of species die out in a relatively short period of time. This is a story of the last surviving man who suffers in a world where computers are of the highest intelligence and women are in total control.

*"God Drug"The C.I.A. subjected a group of low-ranking marines with experimental LSD-like hallucinogen. The experiments failed and created a being with destructive psychic abilities who was driven insane after being held in cryo-stasis for over 30 years.

*"Mega-18"A young woman’s tragic childhood past clouded with mystery causes her to lose focus as the pilot for a thermo-nuclear warship. Will she pilot the weapon towards her mission or will she turn on her superiors?

*"(The) Monkey Tale"An American teenager discovers that he’s the missing piece and the re-incarnation of a living weapon created to prevent the rise of an ancient demon warlord. In order to follow his fate, he must take responsibility for crimes caused by his past life.

*"Short Trip"Super Powered Kung Fu Little Red Ridding Hood! Join Mail and Let-Let, the youngest members of Okuru-Ro fighting temple in the misty inland of the Middle Kingdom, as they have their first (and perhaps last…) adventure!!! Furious fighting, deadly frogs, and the almighty allure of FIGHTING SOUP!!!

*"Your Half"Set in present day suburbia, Melissa "Liss" Ogilvie was offered by her romantic interest, Kurt, to be his partner in his plans for violent global domination. Instead of accepting the offer, she took the hard suit Kurt designed for her, promised to ruin all his efforts, and abandoned him. The series concentrates on the battle between Liss and Kurt, as well as the complications they experience in their dealings with personal relationships and love.

Sakura Pakk

*"(The) Frog Princess"Marine Biologist, Larissa Talcott is torn between a re-newed love relationship with attorney, Brian Liam, because Brian's law firm is representing a company plotting to renovate a local pond into commercial property. Larissa is driven to stop them in order to protect the ecosystem that inhabits the pond; she is given the nick-name “Frog Princess” by her friends and colleagues. Will Brian and Larissa compromise their firm beliefs for the sake of their relationship?

*"Mid Summer’s Dream"A school celebration of Mardi Gras takes Alice, a high school fortune teller, also known to her friends as the “Goddess of Love” back to a midsummer’s dream of long ago.

*"Natura Morta"Wandering the streets on another sleepless night, Nikki finds the mysterious and silent Diego, and takes him home to tend his wounds. Little does she know that Diego is in the hiding from a strange and powerful woman in another realm, and the two worlds will soon collide. The Natura Morta story has many elements of vampirism and gothic themes. Story and Art, Created and Copyright by native Spaniard, Abril Espinosa.

*"Warm Rain"Akiko Shinohara relives a time when she was a shy teenager alone in the rain. Suddenly this nice boy walks her home and inspires her to have confidence in herself. This young man mysteriously died many years ago. Is there anything she can do to save the young man who saved her?

hibuya Airwaves

eigoMANGA produces a radio broadcast program in San Francisco called Shibuya Airwaves. Shibuya Airwaves first aired on September 24th 2005 and is in current rotation on AM 1550 KYCY San Francisco, CA. The program is composed of a music line-up ranging from anime soundtracks and Japanese pop music. Shibuya Airwaves also features special interviews with Japanese artists.

Austin Osueke stated in a press release, "This radio program has become a viable platform for Americans to actually learn about Japanese music and that's why we decided to go ahead with the show. This (has) built a bridge for people to learn more about the Japanese music scene and to explore other genres of Japanese pop culture besides anime."

Austin originally produced Shibuya Airwave's predecessor, a web radio program called "Anime Mix"(Radio). eigoMANGA's General Manager, Oscar Gutierrez Jr. resurrected the concept and secured an on-air timeslot for Shibuya Airwaves through his affiliation with CBS Radio. Oscar serves as the on-air host and producer of Shibuya Airwaves. Shibuya Airwaves origins could be traced back to eigoMANGA's publized fan petition to bring Japanese rock groups such as L'arc~en~ciel to California [http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2004-08-15/eigomanga-branches-out-with-j-rock-bands] .

Shibuya Airways has branched off into producing live performances for Japanese and Japanese-influenced musicians in the San Francisco Bay Area. The events are called Shibuya Nights. The Japanese rock band, The Pillows headlined the inaugural event of Shibuya Nights on June 28, 2006. [http://www.shibuyaairwaves.com/website/site/live/shibuyanights/index.html]

Nana Kitade made her first US radio interview on Shibuya Airwaves on August 2006. [http://www.s95330819.onlinehome.us/live/shibuya/website/site/live/1/]

On September 12, 2006 eigoMANGA revealed a new agreement to develop and distribute content via the Anime Network. Under the agreement, eigoManga will provide The Anime Network with content from its library of music videos, concert footage and Shibuya Airwaves branded original programming, which feature independent and mainstream Japanese music artists. The content will be added to The Anime Network's Bento Beat Box lineup [http://www.theanimenetwork.com/newsDisp.php?selectNewsID=81] .

In February 2007, Shibuya Airwaves began launching one-hour radio shows. In April, Shibuya Airwaves produced their most recent Shibuya Airwave concert in San Francisco and San Jose which featured jrock band, LiN CLOVER.

On July 1, 2007 at Anime Expo, Oscar Gutierrez announced that Shibuya Airwaves will produce a spin-off radio show for XM and WorldSpace satellite radio on U-Pop. [http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/convention/2007/anime-expo/eigomanga]

U-Pop currently airs daily episodes of Shibuya Airwaves.

Other Media Projects

eigoMANGA produces a series of anime-themed live events in California in the form of night club events, live concerts, outdoor college events, and in-store concerts. eigoMANGA artists and editors also annually host "How To Draw Manga" workshops at Anime Expo and San Diego Comic Con.

eigoMANGA ventured into television by producing and distributing anime and j-pop themed programming for local, cable, and international broadcast.

eigoMANGA produces the Anime Street Pavilion event for the Asian Heritage Street Celebration in San Francisco.

eigoMANGA distributes anime Blassreiter, Strike Witches, and in North America in conjunction with BOST TV.

References

* [http://www.brokenfrontier.com/lowdown/details.php?id=616 Interview with eigoMANGA CEO] brokenfrontier.com. Retrieved on February 4, 2007.
* [http://www.comicon.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=37&t=001377 eigoMANGA From Web To Print] COMICON.com. Retrieved on February 4, 2007.

External links

* [http://www.eigomanga.com eigoMANGA Website]
* [http://eigomanga.com/impact/index.html eigoMANGA Studios Website]
* [http://www.RumblePak.com Rumble Pak Website]
* [http://www.SakuraPakk.com Sakura Pakk Website]
* [http://www.ShibuyaAirwaves.com Shibuya Airwaves Website]