Viz was happy to announce that their manga division has been doing well, with several hit titles. Particularly notable is Naruto, whose volume 7 won the 2006 Quill Award for best graphic novel. Last year also marked the end of three long-running series: Dragonball Z, Rurouni Kenshin, and Ranma 1/2. This year will see the end of Death Note and I�s, as well.
There are several new properties that are slated to be released in 2007. GYO and Uzumaki will be released under Viz's �Signature� imprint in October, while the �Media� imprint will see the release of Togari (Jul), Portus (Oct), and Hoshin Engi (Jun). Other titles to be released include Gin Tama (Jul), Pretty Face (Aug), and Strawberry 100% (Jul) under the Shonen Jump Advanced imprint, and Millennium Snow (Apr/Jul), Yurara (Jun), and Love Com (Jul) under Shojo Beat.
The panelists also expressed an interest in releasing more novels in the future, the next of which is Brave Story by Miyuki Miyabe. The novel was a bestseller in Japan, and was adapted into a full-length feature film.
In terms of the manga magazines, Shoujo Beat will hit its 2-year anniversary this July. The issue will feature cover art drawn exclusively for the magazine by Yu Watase.
