Our original plan had been to launch a high-profile campaign to save Suppli. The recent announcement of more layoffs and production delays at Tokyopop, however, made our campaign seem in poor taste–after all, Suppli wasn’t scrapped because it was a lousy series, or because Stu Levy hates office lady manga, but because it wasn’t posting good sales figures. Instead, we decided to take a broader look at the problem of cancellations, singling out titles that we think deserve a second chance to find an audience. We hope that a few publishers consider licensing titles on our wish list, as we know we’re not alone in wanting to see these series to their conclusions.

As a fan, it’s tempting to vent your spleen at a publisher who’s axed a favorite series. But boycotts and electronic screeds do little to sway companies; sales figures are far more persuasive. (You know the saying: “Money talks.”) So if a series you love is in jeopardy, buy copies. Encourage your library to buy copies. Post positive reviews on your blog. Talk it up on internet forums. Write a polite letter (not an email–email is cheap, folks) to the company’s Publisher or Editorial Director, explaining why you think the series should be saved. Fans of Suppli, for example, might consider writing a letter to Marco Pavia, Tokyopop’s Associate Publisher. His address:

TOKYOPOP
People’s Bank Building
5900 Wilshire Boulevard, 20th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90036-5020

Your letter should be brief and polite, telling him why you think this series needs to remain on Tokyopop’s schedule in 2009. Don’t diss Tokyopop’s other products (whatever you think of Cine-Manga and Castlevania), don’t insult employees, and don’t threaten meaningless action such as a boycott. (Six fewer customers isn’t going to drive Tokyopop into financial ruin.) A positive, passionate letter will make a much better impression, even if it doesn’t ultimately save Suppli from licensing limbo.

So without further ado, here is our roundtable discussion exploring the vexing question of cancellations.

KATE: What cancelled series would you most like to see rescued, and why?

MICHELLE: Foremost in my mind is Suppli, which we’ve been talking about on the site lately. I would also like to see Kindaichi Case Files finish up. Tokyopop had planned to publish that series in twenty volumes, so they had really almost made it to the end. With the current circumstances at that company, I feel a little bad pressuring them to keep up with unprofitable series, but these are the two that I mourn most. I’m also worried about the fate of Silver Diamond, one of my new favorite titles that they publish.

MELINDA: There are two that jump to my mind immediately, and I don’t know which to choose. I’ll try both. First, I was broken-hearted when I found out that the Kino no Tabi light novels were in licensing limbo. I’m a huge fan of the anime series, and Tokyopop’s release of the first novel was such a favorite of mine, I gave copies of it to half my family for Christmas last year. Kino is a type of female character we don’t see a lot of in other Japanese imports, and I’ve never been able to quite decide if I love her, or if I want to be her.

Secondly, somebody please save Yotsuba&! I don’t care if it’s ADV or someone else, but I am utterly charmed by this series (and really anything that Kiyohiko Azuma does), and I want more. It’s got a delightful kind of humor that is appealing to most anyone, which is a difficult thing to find.

CHLOE: I’ll second the request for a rescue of Kino no Tabi–I think it’s an exceptionally good piece of YA writing, even in an overcrowded young adult reading market. I’ll also toss in a request for Tokyopop’s Saver to meet with a happier end. I know it cropped up on the “stopped releases” list TP put out after their restructuring… and that’s a shame, given the series is a weird anomaly in the shojo market: an ultraserious gender bender where the heroine is more of the masculine ideal than any of the actual men in the series.

ISAAC: Oooh, I’m all over this roundtable! I always get really fired up when my favorite series’ languish unfinished! So, here are some of my choices, in order of how mad it makes me to think of their cancellation:

• Off*Beat: Despite having a select few good titles in their sea of mediocre shojo throwaways, Tokyopop’s library needs to hold on to every last quality title it can get its paws onto. Though Tokyopop has been getting a lot of flack from us about cancelling Suppli (standing with you guys!), I think an even bigger loss is the third and final volume of Jen Lee Qucik’s masterpiece OEL manga Off*Beat. Following the stumbling teenager Tory Blake as he wades through his suspicions and feelings with his new next door neighbor Colin, this comic is a beautiful and telling depiction of the teen psyche. This comic really resonated with me on a deep level, and is easily one of my favorite works to this day. That this series was dropped from Tokyopop is a terrible tragedy. I’ve been boycotting Tokyopop in protest since they canceled Off*Beat last year.
• Yotusba&!: This is a title in ADV’s current (and maybe final?) limbo. Weirdly enough, this series actually sold well, making it an odd victim of ADV Manga’s collapse. From the brilliant creator of Azumanga Daioh, Yotsuba&! is easily one of the most lighthearted, uplifting and and cheerful manga you will ever read. It’s truly an experience, and I hope that someone, anyone, will pick it up soon! For a huge recommendation, see Shaenon Garrity’s brilliant review.
• What’s Michael? and Club 9: These series have never been particularly high profile in the manga blogosphere, namely because they were published before manga got big here in the US. These two titles by Makoto Kobayashi were part of Dark Horse’s pioneering manga efforts, and are true gems. What’s Michael? is easily the cutest, funniest and most spot on depiction of cats I have ever seen. We got a large dose of the masterpiece in Dark Horse’s releases, but there’s a TON of material that never made it stateside. Maybe an omnibus re-release *hint* *hint*? Club 9 is likewise hilarious, about, in Shaenon Garrity’s words: “an irresistible big-boned farmgirl who moves to Tokyo and becomes a bar hostess.” This is by no means the masterpiece that What’s Michael? is, but dammit I want more just the same! They both rock! For more info, see Shaenon Garrity’s Overlooked Manga Festival entry for What’s Michael?
• Cromartie High School: Like Yotsuba&!, this title is in ADV limbo. It’s simply the funniest comic I’ve ever read outside of Calvin and Hobbes. And trust me, I read a lot of comics. There are twelve highly episodic volumes out now, so don’t hesitate: buy this manga now! Maybe then someone will rescue it…
• Kizuna – Bonds of Love: A true classic yaoi title that’s been seemingly lost in American publisher BeBeautiful’s imbroglio with Japanese publisher Libre. They were so close to releasing volume 9 of master-mangaka Kazuma Kodaka’s magnum opus too! This is probably the best yaoi title in the states right now that isn’t by Fumi Yoshinaga. I’m hoping to either DMP, BLU or Deux will give this series a new lease on life ASAP!
• Even A Monkey Can Draw Manga: I’m not sure if this is fair. But, Viz opted only to do one volume. This is an awesome satire of everything manga, and is pretty much a non-stop laugh. I cannot recommend it enough! Now that Japan has gotten a deluxe two-volumes-in-one repackaging of the series, maybe Viz will re-release all of the material? I mean, a guy can hope right? Again, check out Shaenon Garrity’s wonderful OMF entry for more reasons to get this yesterday!

Despite their publishing woes, I cannot recommend the above series enough. The more you go out and buy them, the more incentive for them to be picked up again! If I do say so myself, these are all golden titles that really deserve a second chance at life. Even if you can’t afford ‘em, check them out at your local library/ make your local library get them ASAP. No manga man should miss out on these gems!

MICHELLE: Oooh, yes please to more What’s Michael?. I would totally buy an uncensored version in omnibus format. The volumes they did publish aren’t too hard to locate online, but I just can’t bring myself to purchase them knowing stories are missing and armed with the hope that one day, a complete edition will see release. The page at Shaenon’s site with Doris, the butcher shop’s cat, is pure brilliance.

SAM: Oh man, What’s Michael is just genius throughout.

I think I would save Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure. It’s quite possibly one of the most original shonen that I’ve read yet and sadly, it didn’t pick up as well as I would’ve thought. Viz moved it to a quarterly release instead of every other month and they only have three volumes to go, so I mean even if it doesn’t work, take your losses guys!

I totally agree with Cromartie High School and Even a Monkey can Draw Manga.

KATE: I second the choices that other people have made, especially Club 9, What’s Michael, Yotsuba&!, and Suppli. The last one really pains me, as Suppli’s cancellation marks the second time Tokyopop has made an effort to court older female readers, only to abandon the project when it didn’t produce immediate sales. (You might remember that Tokyopop launched a “Passion Fruit” line a few years ago featuring titles by Erika Sakurazawa and Mari Okazaki; that, too, posted disappointing numbers and was dropped.) If josei is going to find a readership in the US, publishers need to be more patient; none of the usual avenues for building a fanbase will work for a title like Suppli.

Other titles I’d like to see rescued from licensing limbo:

• Bow Wow Wata (Raijin Comics), a comedy about a vet who speaks to animals. It’s a little bit like Doctor Doolittle, only much, much weirder.
• Duck Prince (Central Park Media), Ai Morinaga’s unique take on “The Ugly Duckling.” I know a lot of people dislike this series, but I found it funny, outrageous, and strangely moving, not least for the spectacle of a young man worrying obsessively about his appearance.
• Platina (Central Park Media), a goofy Korean title about an emotionless young woman assigned the babysitting detail from hell: her charge turns into a mischievous kitsune for twelve hours every day. Hijinks ensue. (Often involving guns and kidnappers, for reasons that remain unclear.) I’d be the first to admit that the story doesn’t make much sense, but the art is tod chic and the jokes hilarious–characters routinely break the fourth wall to speculate on the action and critique the artist’s skills.
• Qwan (Tokyopop), an adventure series about a mysterious boy who consumes demons, absorbing their powers in the process. It sounds like generic shonen fodder, but Shizimu’s stunning artwork and intelligent use of Chinese folklore keep the story fresh. Tokyopop released the first four volumes, but five and six (now out in Japan) appear to be on indefinite hold.
• Satsuma Gishiden (Dark Horse), a hyper-violent samurai drama that’s equal parts Kagemusha and The Wild Bunch–the kind of manga where someone is murdered, trampled, run through, or betrayed about once every five or ten pages. My description doesn’t do the series justice–there’s actually a rich, complicated backstory that drives the plot. It just doesn’t sound very sexy, as it involves a massive public works project, compulsory labor, and corrupt local politicians. (Not unlike The Big Dig.) If you’re the kind of person who likes a historical drama to capture the small, messy details of everyday life (and not just the big pageant-y moments), you might like Satsuma Gishiden.

I also wouldn’t mind seeing someone finish Gunslinger Girl (ADV), which I enjoyed but didn’t love.

ERIN: I made a bunch of What’s Michael? buttons early in 2008 and started giving them out to bloggers and publishers. The buttons say, “What’s Michael Omnibus – Let’s Try!” I still have some left, and can send them out (free) to PCS writers first, and anyone else who might want them second. Email me and we’ll arrange something: erin (dot) finnegan (at) gmail (dot) com.

Obviously Suppli is on my list.

I would super-love to see Even a Monkey can Draw Manga picked up again! I had a friend pick up the Japanese editions for me so I can stare at them longingly. It’s one of my favorite series – if not my top favorite manga series ever. I’ve written my full endorsement here.

I’m going to miss Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad. I didn’t realize how long the series was when I started buying it, (over 30 volumes?!) and it took me a couple volumes to get into it, but now I really like it. Tokyopop is stopping at number twelve. I picked it up based on the recommendation of the Mangacast and the Samacast back in 2005, so now I feel nostalic for Ed’s and Jarred’s descriptions when I read it. You can check out my review of the (complete) anime series in OtakuUSA. In fact, reading solanin made me want to read more Beck (both are about young slackers in struggling indy rock bands).

After I picked up Tekkonkinkreet I went to great lengths to pick up Taiyo Matsumoto’s No. 5. Only two volumes were released by Viz back in the day. I guess I could collect the French editions up through the eigth volume if I were really desperate to see the rest… No. 5 is a story about futuristic super-assasins (like Afro-Samurai) told in a bizarre, psychedelic style (like Yellow Submarine). Why hasn’t this been an Overlooked Manga Festival entry? Why haven’t I posted about it anywhere? I’ve certainly covered it in manga panels I gave this year.

I’ll also second Katherine’s call for Satsuma Gishiden.

MICHELLE: I’m not sure how reliable Amazon is, but they do show the 13th volume of Beck coming out in June 2009. That would be a newer listing than all those October ones for books that never materialized, so perhaps it’s the real deal.

ERIN: I’d hate to be a nerd getting things wrong on the internet! I got the Beck idea from Chris Butcher. I can’t seem to confirm that information.

Also note that Amazon lists volume four of Suppli.

MICHELLE: Oh, definitely. That was one of the October ones I was talking about. The Beck listing could be just as erroneous. It’s a tiny, tiny grain of hope, at least.

KEN: I wouldn’t mind seeing Satsuma Gishiden rescued or continued, if only so I could find a copy someplace. I kept meaning to try it out but I could only ever find the second volume locally.

Speaking of Dark Horse series that should be continued or saved… Museum of Terror, please! There’s not enough Junji Ito available in the US and more MoT would go a long way to rectifying that situation. I can kind of understand no one publishing the entire run though, from what I’ve heard it’s around twenty volumes and if they’re all as big as the first three, well… I can see where it might be a bit intimidating. I do think it’s the kind of series that could sustain a volume or two a year though, especially if they’re timed for an October-ish release.

ISAAC: Count me in on those buttons! What’s Michael? is truly a medium-transcending work! I have tons of friends who aren’t into manga who think What’s Michael? is awesome!

That Suppli listing is definitely not meaningful. Its listed for an Oct. 4th release with no cover and no availability. Not such a hot sign that. For a similarly depressing Amazon entry, see the page for volume three of Off*Beat. If an award-winning series like Off*Beat can get the axe, what’s next? I hope Tokyopop loses the ultra-bland shojo fluff. Maybe then they could bring back gems like Suppli and Off*Beat.

ERIN: When I was making copies for the What’s Michael? buttons, a 50-something Staples employee started telling me about her favorite webcomic, which involved a cat. I think that’s testament to the wide-appeal of cat-related comics!

At MangaNext the girl running the “Unknown Manga” panel highly recommended Off*Beat.

CHLOE: As far as saving series go, that’s a tough question to answer. Potential sales would obviously need to see a boost, but series like Yotsuba&! prove that even fan demand and critical acclaim can fail when it comes to getting a series back on the market. That said, touting a series can’t be a bad thing, nor can buying a few (dozen) copies of the actual books. While we’re on the topic of “books in need of a sales boost or dire things may occur” I’d like to remind everyone with legs to go buy themselves a copy of Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service, another underloved series that I missed the first time around!

KATE: I’d love to see publishers explore the possibilities of digital distribution. It seems like a less costly way to finish series that don’t find a big audience, as well as a way to test riskier material before committing to print editions. NETCOMICS provides an instructive model: it uses its website to roll out new titles, establish a fanbase for them, and determine which ones are popular enough to warrant print editions. Some series never reach print; other series begin their run in print and end their run online. Either way, I know I’ll be able to finish a NETCOMICS series, which makes me feel much more likely to try other titles from their catalog.

To wrap up our discussion, I’m including a complete list of canceled titles mentioned in the article above. If you have information about the status of any of these series, please let us know in the comments below. Links would be appreciated as well.

CANCELLATION HALL OF SHAME

• Bow Wow Wata (Raijin Comics)
• Club 9 (Dark Horse)
• Cromartie High School (ADV)
• Duck Prince (CPM)
• Even a Monkey Can Draw Manga (Viz)
• Gunslinger Girl (ADV)
• Kindaichi Case Files (Tokyopop)
• Kizuna: Bonds of Love (BeBeautiful)
• Kino no Tabi/Kino’s Journey (Tokyopop)
• Museum of Terror (Dark Horse)
• No. 5 (Viz)
• Off*Beat (Tokyopop)
• Platina (CPM)
• Qwan (Tokyopop)
• Satsuma Gishiden (Dark Horse)
• Saver (Tokyopop)
• Suppli (Tokyopop)
• What’s Michael? (Dark Horse)
• Yotsuba&! (ADV)

SERIES IN JEOPARDY OF CANCELLATION

• Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad (Tokyopop)
• JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure (Viz)