Urban Camouflage

This isn't manga or original art related but definitely something only the Japanese would think of. They come up with things that are clever or fit a need, but also sometimes things that those of us in the West might think of as strange. I couldn't help but giggle when I saw this one.

I will never look at a vending machine in the same way, ever.

Complete NY Times article

Finally it might be cool to be in manga...

From the WallStreet Journal:

Score one for the nerds! Shares of Japanese companies involved in the production of animated films and comic books soared in Tokyo Wednesday amid speculation that Taro Aso, secretary-general of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party -- and a well-known comic-book fan -- may be the nation's next prime minister. Following Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's surprise resignation, shares linked to hobbies associated with "otaku," or nerds, jumped. (See related article.)

In May, while serving as Japan’s foreign minister, Mr. Aso unveiled plans to establish the International Manga Award to recognize foreign cartoonists. When the winners were announced in July, Mr. Aso told Kyodo News, “It is my hope that manga, through these works, will act as a bridge to the world.” Mr. Aso’s official Web site contains an ode to “manga” published in August that praises the genre for lifting Japan’s standing on the international stage and urges his countrymen to be proud of this success.

(more, see article for complete story)

Blog has a new look today

Hi Folks... If our site looks different than yesterday, it's because I changed our blog template because I felt the "whites" in the previous visual style were lacking character, too bland, and uber-subtle, if that's a word. The blog looked like it was a vast wasteland, when in fact we've got a lot of original art already posted, with a lot more coming. I'm just warming up the scanner. :) Well, the other reason for the change is that we now look more consistent with our "sister" original comic book art blog @ http://11by17.blogspot.com, which is focused on non-anime/non-manga original comic book artwork, instead much more Jim Lee, Whilce Portacio, Neal Adams, John Byrne, Todd McFarlane, Romita, Buscema, Kirby, etc etc, you know 70s, 80s, 90s art. So don't navigate away yet, instead pull up a chair, get comfy and stay a while. :)

Email me or leave a comment with your impression of the blog so far and I'll respond ASAP. Do you want to see more new and original artwork? Any Ben Dunn Marvel Mangaverse fans out there? Any Adam Warren fans out there? Any Kaare Andrews fans out there? How about anime or manga fans? I hope to be in Japan later this year, so if anyone from Japan is reading, I'd love to know of any stores in Tokyo area that sell manga original art.

First post in this blog...

Thanks for stopping by and welcome to my new blog. This will be dedicated to original manga and anime artwork, probably Marvel Mangaverse artwork mostly, but there will be some other art that I post and share. I will try to only post artwork that I own but I may also link to other artwork out there. So if you have some cool original anime or manga artwork, please let me know about it and I will post to it. I'd love to hear from you about anything anime/manga. This is as much for me to share as for you to share with me. Contact me at: burton(at)11by17.com