TOKYOPOP Clarifies Status of Unfinished Manga

by Naruleach
May 25, 2011 12:56 AM | 45 Comments

According to their official Facebook page, TOKYOPOP has announced that have reverted their Japanese manga licenses back to the original creators. The Facebook post did not discuss what TOKYOPOP will do with the many original graphic novels that they also own the rights to or what it plans to do with its past published manga.

TOKYOPOP's Facebook post:

Dear fans,

It's been a while since we've commented on the status of all the titles that are left unfinished or unpublished. Just so you know, we're still reading all of your comments and want to explain a few things:

-Our general absence on Facebook hasn't gone unnoticed, but it's mainly due to the fact that we were looking for answers to all of your questions too! Shutting down a publishing company like TOKYOPOP isn't exactly pulling a plug out of a wall, so please understand that it might take a little bit longer than usual before we get to your questions.

-Secondly, we're very grateful that even in these hard times, our fans still stand behind us. Of course, there are some rants here and there ... but we can't blame you for being emotional; so are we. It means a lot to us to still receive fan mail on a daily base and read all of your comments here in Facebook. It's good to know that even when TOKYOPOP is gone, the community will still remain.

-Thirdly, the unfinished/unpublished titles. What is going to happen to them? To be honest: it's out of our hands now. The licenses belong to the original Japanese creators, so it's up to them what to do with the series. They might pull the plug on some series, or find another publishing company to complete their series. The best thing that you can do is keep supporting the original creators, hoping that they'll here your cries like we did so many years ago.

If you have any questions, we will try to answer as many of them as possible. We're here, we're listening and we're answering ...

With love,

TOKYOPOP ♥

Sources: TOKYOPOP's Facebook page

Previous related topic: TOKYOPOP's North American Publishing Division Shuts Down

20 of 45 Comments Recent Comments

SEKAIICHI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TnT
*dies of heartbreak in a hole*

Jun 21, 2011 5:34 PM by Edefrem

I have been waiting three long years for them to finally publish Peace Maker Kurogane, now they pull the plug one volume away from completion... fml.

May 30, 2011 5:37 PM by Touka

Keep it civil please. This is not a thread to debate scanlating and nobody cares what your views are on the matter.

May 29, 2011 9:59 PM by saka

hazama said:
This is where scanlators enter. Though only in digital :x what more could you ask? Its free after all.

I don't give a shit if it's free. Reading off a screen hurts my eyes. Books and Manga are some of the only recreational things I pay for anymore.

May 29, 2011 5:51 PM by Invalidated

Slykain said:
NOW! Someone translate Kino no Tabi novels!!!

I'll second this.

May 28, 2011 3:49 PM by Numi

"that they'll here your cries"

TOKIOPOP is illiterate... O.o >.>

I still have at least 5 translated manga volumes I wanned to purchase from them... :S
Will miss them, even if I am not from the States.

May 28, 2011 10:54 AM by JustMyself

This is where scanlators enter. Though only in digital :x what more could you ask? Its free after all.

May 27, 2011 10:56 PM by hazama

Really...wow... this is BS!
No more D.N. Angel, Future Diary, Hanako, Deadman Wonderland, or Fate/Stay Night... Maybe Yen+ can pick up on these ^^'

May 27, 2011 7:36 PM by jaded-eagle

I hope Mirai Nikki gets finished at some point...

May 26, 2011 9:08 PM by Gogetters

NOW! Someone translate Kino no Tabi novels!!!

May 26, 2011 7:36 PM by Slykain

I must finish collecting the ARIA series! someone finishs releasing them!

May 25, 2011 8:53 PM by game8910

So...scanlations?

May 25, 2011 8:01 PM by Fui

Maskonna said:
Noooo T^T

I need my Trinity Blood fix T^T..

i second this as this is the TP title i will miss the most.

May 25, 2011 7:18 PM by Ducky_Dame

Noooo T^T

I need my Trinity Blood fix T^T..

May 25, 2011 6:07 PM by Maskonna

Off-topic to clarify a few things.
To every hater: a manga publisher went down in flames. It does not matter if you hated, loved, ignored, bought it or not: it is always hurtful for every single one of us. Even those who never bought one of their products, like myself.

You sound like those console fanboys who think the world will somehow be better if the others consoles die.

As for the titles in no men's land, I believe they'll be picked up. Call them stupid if you will (and I'm saying tis with absolutely no fucking clue about their history), but I doubt they'd license something that has absolutely zero chance of being successful. The other publishers will see this.

May 25, 2011 5:11 PM by BrickBreak

jpem said:
You guys are all going on the assumption that the people complaining about this don't buy manga. if you took the time to think for a second you would realize that makes no sense. why would someone who doesn't buy manga complain about a manga company letting them down. think before you start telling people to stfu.

I am not saying anyone in this thread doesn't purchase manga.
I apologize if I gave that impression.
What I'm talking about are the people who do pirate instead.
The people who think manga is so expensive so instead of working or saving they can just steal it and be done with it.

Neverarine said:

rather than talk about lack of desire,try lack of availability >.>

I would personally argue that Tokyopop was the manga company that had the largest variety and thats why they started experiencing troubles. Spread far to thin with a lot of niche titles.

May 25, 2011 4:44 PM by Sabinlerose

Jrittmayer said:

YoungVagabond said:

Sabinlerose said:

Tokyopop didn't let you down.
Americans lack of desire for the style of manga generally published towards mainstream audiences, and an abundance of self centered Otaku cultures who believed or rather believe Manga is a right not a privilege let you down.

Haha, exactly! Couldn't have written it better myself.

It's stupid to get angry at a company for not wanting to continue losing money hand over fist. Are you willing to give away tens of thousands of dollars to get the rest of a manga series officially published over here? If not, then why should a manga company?

I absolutely agree, if you're complaing or ranting about how some of their titles will remain unfinished and are one of those people that don't buy shit anyway then please just STFU. Despite how much I hated Stu Levy its sad to see TP go and the great variety of manga (both good and bad) with them. We can't really blame it on anything other than lack of demand and/or so called "fans" that don't support.

You guys are all going on the assumption that the people complaining about this don't buy manga. if you took the time to think for a second you would realize that makes no sense. why would someone who doesn't buy manga complain about a manga company letting them down. think before you start telling people to stfu.

May 25, 2011 1:01 PM by removed-user

Grr! The third Hetalia volume was supposed to come out at the beginning of this month, and I never got to get my copy in time before they shut down! Damn them! Some other company better pick it up...

May 25, 2011 12:34 PM by Gone__Forever__

There's a couple of Tokyo pop titles on my shelf, but all I'm hoping for is for Deadman Wonderland to be rescued (C'mon Dark Horse! It right up your alley).

It's a shame, lotsa series will unfinished, but the top sellers will live on *coughhetaliacough*

May 25, 2011 12:27 PM by artist-retired

Sabinlerose said:

Jure said:

Onibokusu said:
tl;dr

'Not our problem anymore.'

- TokyoPop

Fucking Tokyopop. What should I do with my 4 volumes of Deadman Wonderland now? Burn them? I knew Tokyopop was shit but I still decided to buy DW just because I love that manga. You have let me down TP. Go to hell.

Yes, I am mad.

Tokyopop didn't let you down.
Americans lack of desire for the style of manga generally published towards mainstream audiences, and an abundance of self centered Otaku cultures who believed or rather believe Manga is a right not a privilege let you down.

rather than talk about lack of desire,try lack of availability >.>

May 25, 2011 12:18 PM by Neverarine

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