Remember about a month ago when a few more details about James Cameron’s live action adaptation of Battle Angel Alita were released? Just a few weeks ago we thought we could see the project released sometime in the vicinity of 2012, you know, after the world ends and no one’s left to watch it. Well now that looks like wishful thinking.

Jan Landau, one of Avatar’s producers recently told MTV that Mr. Cameron plans to do Alita after he gets done with the next Avatar movie. Considering Avatar took a good 5 years to come to fruition and that Cameron isn’t exactly known as a prolific director it’s now safe to say we probably wont be seeing Battle Angel Alita on the big screen until at least 2016. Oh well, better learn to love those space smurfs with guns I guess.

[MTV]

More news from the war front… I mean, the live action front. Now with a few more details about the live action adaptation of Akira. It’s been revealed the project is once again showing signs of life and aiming for a 2011 release. This 2011 release date seems like more wishful thinking than anything else since the movie is in very early pre-production. It’s also been announced that this will not be a one-off deal but rather a two part production that spans the fist 3 volumes of the 6 volume manga. Leonardo DiCaprio’s production company is still attached to the project.

On more uplifting notes, it also seems the original script adaptation was scrapped and we’re now looking at a new script and new direction under the Hughes brothers, of ‘Book of Eli’ fame. So you know, perhaps, just perhaps, we might be able to forget that whole New York as Neo Tokyo deal.

It’s been a while since we heard about the possibility of a Twilight anime but thankfully there hasn’t been much more than rumors in that front. What did happen was that Twilight is being turned into a graphic novel!

Korean artist Young Kim is turning everyone’s favorite vampires glitter fairies into a Korean styled manga (manhwa) to be released sometime March through Yen Press. You know, I hear this will be the most realistic representation of Twlight yet, because finally these flat and shallow characters will actually be 2D!

[CBC]

Mark another one that after over a year of tracking went past my head, the giant Tetsuyin 28 statue built on Kobe for the character’s 30th anniversary was finally unveiled last month. No moving parts, no steam, no dramatic lighting. Just a quiet reminder of the founder of Japan’s dream of one day ruling the world with a robotic fist.

I for one welcome our future mechanical overlords.

Last week I had the bittersweet opportunity to assist to one of the now many otaku gatherings in the city I’m currently studying in. – “It was an adventure!” – of course I could say that but I won’t, simply because this event was light years away from being more interesting than going to the store at midnight to get some milk for my cereal. That would be betraying my own principles and lowering my standard on entertainment even more, which is happens too often in the anime and videogame community nowadays . . .

Read more!

“It’s a bit hard commenting publicly on this, but the most popular comics on the mobile are adult-oriented ones for women” said Yusuke Nakabashi, a media consultant at Nomura research. It’s true, a growing number of Japanese women are getting their freaky boy love manga in their phones.

The New York times profiles the rise of the mobile phone as a manga reading platform in Japan, where last year mobile manga sales grew 43%. Out of the whole mobile manga market 70% are females in their 20’s and, you guessed it, most are using them to buy Yaoi. Apparently girls are more open to indulge in their boy love fantasies when they cant be seen buying or reading the stuff.

However, this can be a mighty useful tool for prospecting dates. Forget reading her text messages while she’s in the restroom, checkout her manga reader for yaoi. If you find some you might want to reconsider meeting that athletic and trendy friend she keeps mentioning. You know how she says you need some male bonding? Yeah, she’s speaking literally.

[The New York Times]

It’s the summer, schools are out and now is the time when flirtation kicks into high gear. The subtle hair flip, the cutey laugh, you ladies know how to pull out all the tricks. Although there are those times when your makeup goes a little too far. This is where I come in, I’ve scoured the net to bring you BubzBeauty. Ever wanted to get that anime eye look, but just not sure how to pull it off quite right? Bubz takes some of the guesswork out beautification and gives you some tips for the natural look rather than some other tutorials out there.

Knowing is half the battle. So go out, get dolled up, and get ready to show us those big beautiful round…

…eyes.

[BubzBeauty Channel]

Amazing ball point artist Shohei Otomo mashes-up old world Japan with modern themes. Permeating each page are high contrast designs and a provocative subject-matter. While image has a very distinctive look, all display the same manga-influenced style that are just begging to be silk-screened.

I’ve included a gallery with some of his (more tame) illustrations. Consider yourself warned; his drawings are powerful, intense, and often violent. A full list of his works here.

Prepare to be amazed

[Pink Tentacle]

While researching for a post, I came across an interesting concept to reality video. Back in 2007 WIRED had commissioned Yochiro Ono to create the cover design for their November issue. The concept was “Manga Conquers America”. Although it isn’t explicitly said, the evolutionary process highlights the importance placed on the cover design; the first impression. Similar to Bayonetta’s enemy creation, understanding all the elements of the design gives you a greater appreciation for the final product.

[WIRED]

To commemorate the 10th anniversary edition of the original Azumanga manga (oh god has it been that long?) Kiyohiko Azuma will be launching a revamped edition that will contain 3 new 16-page chapters to the series. Starting on June 11. While there’s no news on any international company picking up the rights to distribute this edition you can bet your friendly neighborhood scanlators will be there to help you out while that happens.

While this is excellent news for fans of arguably the best slice of life school comedy ever, its still doesn’t make up for what the fans really want Kiyohiko Azuma to do. Where is our Yotsubato! anime Kiyohiko? Where is it?!

[Comic Natalie / Via ANN]