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| DQ prompt with MS Designer |
If you’ve been watching my feed over the last week, you probably knew something like this was coming. Because today, I’m going to talk about some of the collections and titles that I would love to see on VeVe!
But first thing’s first: Manga and anime are mediums, they are not genres.
I’m not sure why so many people have a problem with this, but a lot of people see it as a genre. That would be like saying there’s no difference between Carnage and Casper the Friendly Ghost. Yes, I know the Archies are doing a superhero comic now, but do you really put it in the same category as Superman?
I’ll admit readily that we do it too. When someone says they collect comics, we automatically assume that they mean they collect DC and Marvel superhero comics. Not horror comics or funny comics or kid comics or war comics and so on.
Oftentimes, when I mention anime, they assume I mean battle themed anime, like Demon Slayer, DragonBall Z, Yu-Gi-Oh, One Piece, et cetera.
In fact, the myth that all anime are battle style has created a barrier to entry when it comes to this medium and western audiences, because a lot of people don’t give it a second look because they think that’s all it is. Or…they think it’s mostly hentai, but we’re not going there!
This is a clean blog! Okay? Okay. Moving on!
Don’t be surprised to find out there are very few battle mangas listed in my list of manga and anime titles I’d like to see on VeVe.
Studio Ghibli
I know this is a studio rather than a title, but if I put these in by title, it would take up the entire list. My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Spirited Away, Nausicaa, Whispers of the Heart, From Up on Poppy Hill, Howl’s Moving Castle, Princess Mononoke, The Secret World of Arriety, The Wind Rises, Ponyo…
I would be quite shocked if you hadn’t heard at least one of Hayao Miyazaki’s films.
You can’t walk into a Hot Topic in the states or even a Barnes and Noble bookstore without some sort of Ghibli Display.
Distributed by Disney to western audiences, it also boasts some of the legends of Hollywood doing the dubbed versions of these films. They have won everything from Golden Globes to Oscars. Not only that, but merchandising is big; it has a very wide fan base of collectors and has world-wide appeal, so this one is a no brainer.
Personally, I’d love some collectible statues focused on scenes from the movies, whether it’s Totoro with his umbrella, Calcifer eating eggshells, and Kiki attempting to get a pushbroom to fly. Dioramas of these lush worlds? Homey cabins, sea scapes, and airships?
Yes, please!
VIZ Media puts out Ghibli Studios movie mangas and art books. Any of them would be welcome.
Fruits Basket
After losing her mother and trying circumstances in her extended family, Tohru Honda decides to live in a tent instead of asking her friends for help. In the process, she stumbles onto a traditional house and family who are cursed with animal spirits associated with the zodiac.
Originally appearing in Hana To Yume magazine, Fruits Basket is one of the best-selling manga series of all time, as well as one of the best-selling shojo mangas (mangas targeting a young female audience) of all time. It was also made into two anime series, the 2001 which featured an altered version of the first eight volumes, then later the 2019 series, which is a more faithful rendition of the entire manga series. You can often find Fruits Basket in anime shops
Manga:
The rights for western distribution, originally given to TokyoPop (now defunct) is Yen Press, who does the collection version, which can be purchased at the Crunchyroll store. Personally, I’d love to see the original Japanese version in this title even if the English version isn’t possible.
Collectibles:
I’d say statues would be cool, but probably wouldn’t do well with the current VeVe fam base. I think a good starter set would be the little rock animals that Shiguri paints at the very beginning of the series! They’d be cute, inexpensive, and collecting the whole set might produce a cat-themed stone or Kyo’s bracelet.
Case Closed: Detective Conan
Conan may be no Demon Slayer, but if Conan and Marvel open on the same weekend, Conan wins. It’s one part classic murder mystery and one part spy genre, but with a blend of comedy and “Boy Detective” episodes to break up the darker toned episodes. Along with the Mystery-of-the Week, there’s a complex overarching story that unless you want to watch over 1000 episodes, you’ll want to consult the wiki.
Collectibles:
Conan figures are really hard to find in the U.S. collectible stores other than the Q Posket series, but Amazon has a wide range of goodies. This would definitely be a good candidate for a statue series. Animated Ran with an action kick? Now, that would be fun.
Manga:
The western distribution is handled by VIZ Media. I would love to see the Shonen Sunday editions starting with Case Closed #1 on VeVe.
I recently questioned why I like such a dark series, it’s so unlike me! Sure, I like murder mysteries, but some of these can get quite graphic. Then I realized something… the bully always loses in this series! They either are the one that gets murdered, or they’re the one getting carted off by police. Case Closed!
Lupin the 3rd
While most of the western audience learned about the world famous jewel thief because of Toonami and Adult Swim on the Cartoon Network, Lupin the 3rd has been around in manga form since 1967, and the anime since 71, the first adult-themed anime to hit television. It also has a connection to Hayao Miyazaki, who contributed halfway through the first run (Lupin the 3rd Part 1) as well as Lupin 3rd, the Curse of Cagliostro, his first full length animated movie. While the original creator, Monkey Punch, is long gone, others have taken up the mantle and Lupin the 3rd is still being produced today.
Manga:
Seven Seas Entertainment did a series collection of Lupin the 3rd after Monkey Punch’s death in 2019. That would be a great addition to the VeVe comics manga collection.
Sailor Moon
Okay, I admit it. The most famous “magical girl” series can also be considered a battle anime, but it’s also one of the most important series to know!
Now, if you happened to be someone who watched the original cut Sailor Moon that DiC presented to western audiences… First, I am sorry.
Second, I am really sorry.
Fortunately, VIZ Media has got your back! You can now see the uncut English dubs of the first series on Hulu, including all of the death scenes!
Yes, Sailor Moon can be brutal at times. At other times, it can be downright uncomfortable, like when Chibi Moon grows up and goes nuts. But if you want to explore the world of manga and anime, I recommend seeing the entire original series at least once. If you’re a parent, you should definitely watch the series before you decide to let your children watch it.
Collectibles:
This is one I think any collection set would go over well, from keys to wands to statuettes. Maybe some sailor or super sailor outfits for the VeVeVerse? Heck, I would even buy some well done posters.
Manga:
It can’t come soon enough. My daughter already collects the omnibuses already, so those would definitely be well received in this house.
So! These are some of my picks! Do you have some of your own? No matter what, I am definitely looking forward to seeing more manga titles and anime collectibles on VeVe.
Arigato gozaimasu!
*Dates and titles listed in the block were unabashedly taken from wikipedia, so if they’re wrong, blame them. Oh, and don’t forget to support wikipedia if you can!