Tokyopop in Trouble: More Cancellations, Including Aria

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Well, that answers that question. I’m having a hard time finding Aria volume 4 because Tokyopop has given up on the series, along with others.

Commenter Sebastian pointed out that Diamond’s latest cancellation list includes a number of just-solicited books.

Tokyopop logo

DEC084265 ARIA GN VOL 05 4
DEC084271 CAUSE OF MY TEACHER GN 4
JAN094444 DEMON FLOWERS GN VOL 05 4
JAN094443 DEMON SACRED GN VOL 01 4
SEP084286 DOT HACK SIGN MANGA NOVEL SPECIAL ED 4
JAN094447 ELEMENTAL GELADE GN VOL 11 4
DEC084256 GET BACKERS INFINITY FORTRESS GN VOL 03 4
JAN094449 INITIAL D GN VOL 34 4
JAN094445 JYU OH SEI GN VOL 03 4
JAN094448 KING OF HELL GN VOL 23 4
JAN094455 LOVE HURTS AISHIATTERU FUTARI GN 4
DEC084261 SPEED GRAPHER MANGA GN VOL 03 4
DEC084269 TACTICS GN VOL 08 4
JAN094436 THIS UGLY YET BEAUTIFUL WORLD VOL 01 4
JAN094450 TSUKUYOMI MOON PHASE GN VOL 13 4
JAN094441 VB ROSE GN VOL 06 4

That code 4 means “Cancelled by Publisher”. The Dec08 and Jan09 codes means that these books were just offered in the last couple months. Either Tokyopop has switched to a strategy of “let’s throw stuff at the wall and see what sticks”, or they’re in worse shape than I suggested, to change their mind so quickly.

Is this more fallout of Borders’ financial problems? The book chain used to be a huge supporter of manga but has obviously cut back purchasing. Or is it just evidence of the decline of the publisher that’s been predicted for the last couple of years?



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