iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

If you’re planning a trip to Japan, visiting the Yokote Masuda Manga Museum takes a little work — it’s in Akita Prefecture, quite far from Tokyo. But it’s got an amazing collection of original manga pages manga-museum.com

1265

I had these replica genga pages from “Tokyo Tarareba Girls” and “Princess Jellyfish” by Akiko Higashimura that i got at Yokote Masuda Manga Museum, so glad i brought them to ANYC to get them signed by sensei

35711

Here’s some pix from Akiko Higashimura’s panel at Anime NYC on Friday + the sketches she drew on stage

215148

Deb Aoki @debaoki.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Phew. Long night at @japansociety.org for the US premiere of the « Blank Canvas » movie, introduced by manga creator Akiko Higashimura + fun Q&A session + autograph session!

16816

Missed “Princess Jellyfish” manga creator Akiko Higashimura’s @kodansha.us autograph sessions at Anime NYC? You can still meet sensei AND get something signed at Saturday’s “Blank Canvas” movie screening at @japansociety.org ! Few tix left! boxoffice.japansociety.org/events/019fa...

06218

Deb Aoki @debaoki.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

FRIDAY at Anime NYC ! Akiko Higashimura spotlight panel with @kodansha.us ! The creator of “Princess Jellyfish,” “Tokyo Tarareba Girls” & Blank Canvas will draw, chat & more! Spotlight: Mangaka Akiko Higashimura 5:00 – 6:00 PM, Room 1A06-08

0165

Deb Aoki @debaoki.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Very cool! “Princess Jellyfish” manga creator Akiko Higashimura filming a fan Q&A at @kodansha.us booth #1819 at Anime NYC today! Join us on Friday at 6 pm for her spotlight panel kodansha.us/2026/08/06/k...

14312

Deb Aoki @debaoki.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

FRIDAY at AnimeNYC ! Akiko Higashimura spotlight panel with @kodansha.us ! The creator of “Princess Jellyfish,” “Tokyo Tarareba Girls” & Blank Canvas will draw, chat & more! Spotlight: Mangaka Akiko Higashimura 5:00 – 6:00 PM, Room 1A06-08

0258

Deb Aoki @debaoki.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

New York! Meet Anime NYC mangaka guest Akiko Higashimura at the @japansociety.org NY on Saturday, August 22 for a film screening of “Blank Canvas,” based on her autobio manga from @sevenseasentertainment.com - tix still available! No ANYC badge required boxoffice.japansociety.org/events/019fa...

0189

Deb Aoki @debaoki.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

New York! Meet Anime NYC mangaka guest Akiko Higashimura at the @japansociety.org NY on Saturday, August 22 for a film screening of “Blank Canvas,” based on her autobio manga from @sevenseasentertainment.com - tix still available! japansociety.org/events/blank-canvas-with-akiko-higashimura-qa

13815

Deb Aoki @debaoki.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Thrilled to see this write-up of 2026 @mangaawardsusa.bsky.social Publishing Hall of Fame honoree Chigusa Ogino from Tuttle-Mori Agency in The Japan News / Yomiuri Shimbun. Ogino-san is our first Manga Awards honoree from the Japan side of the business! :-) japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/culture/mang...

0419

Deb Aoki @debaoki.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Want to ask Anime NYC guest Akiko Higashimura (Princess Jellyfish, Tokyo Tarareba Girls) a question about manga, relationships, or life in general? Tag @kodansha.us w/ your question with hashtag #HigashimuraAMA before 8/19! You could get your question answered and win something very cool! #anyc26

37633

Deb Aoki @debaoki.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Fun fact about @udonentertainment.bsky.social & @mangasplaining.bsky.social publishing"Belles Ruelles," is that vol. 1 includes short stories by manga creators you know & love - like Kotteri (Veil), Mone Sorai (Our Not-So Lonely Planet Travel Guide), and Yuhki Kamatani (Our Dreams at Dusk) & more!

1207

Deb Aoki @debaoki.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Also recently announced and coming in 2027 from @udonentertainment.bsky.social and @mangasplaining.bsky.social from our friends at Jitsugyo no Nihonsha is "Department Store Waltz" by Hiromi Matsuo. Like "Rondo," it gives readers a glimpse into a chic, dreamlike world of retro fashion retail

13516

Deb Aoki @debaoki.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Another new @udonentertainment.bsky.social / @mangasplaining.bsky.social book from Jitsugyo no Nihonsha announced at San Diego Comic-Con is "Rondo," a mix of retro chic illustration and visual storytelling that depicts an imaginary fashion magazine, by Hiromi Matsuo. Coming in 2027

14218

Deb Aoki @debaoki.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

ICYMI - @udonentertainment.bsky.social and @mangasplaining.bsky.social extra have picked up 3 new titles from Jitsugyo no Nihonsha (publisher for "Veil" by @_K0TTERl_) for release in 2027 If you love "Veil," you'll also enjoy "Belles Ruelles," a full-color anthology manga set in a fictional town

57024

Deb Aoki @debaoki.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

FRIDAY at #SDCC! The Best & Worst Manga of 2026 panel! 6-7 pm in Room 4 See what this all-star cast of manga editors, journalists and librarians think you should be reading next, and the manga you should avoid like day-old sushi!

2307

Deb Aoki @debaoki.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

THURSDAY @ San Diego Comic-Con Manga Publishing Roundtable! 6-7 pm in Rm 29AB Hear what's new, what's hot, and what's worth watching from @viz.com, @yenpress.com, @kodansha.us, @square-enix-books.com, @darkhorse.com, & @mangamavericks.bsky.social comiccon2026.sched.com/event/2QWh2/... #SDCC2026

San Diego Comic-Con Manga Publishing Roundtable
Thursday, July 23, 2026, 6-7 pm, Room 29AB

0167

Deb Aoki @debaoki.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

We dropped by the “Tears on a Wilted Flower” cafe pop-up in LA K-town on Saturday, and it was mostly just an opportunity to buy merch associated with this steamy @webtoonofficial series - July 5 is the last day, so go to Artist Street to check it out www.instagram.com/artiststreet...

030

Deb Aoki @debaoki.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

TODAY! at #ax2026 - hear the secrets of making manga from Noboru Segawa, Director & Editor-in-Chief of Kadokawa’s Global Comics Dept! 10:30 am in room 409AB #animeexpo

0135

Deb Aoki @debaoki.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

I’m moderating a #AX2026 panel about making manga, with expert tips from Noboru Segawa, director/editor-in-chief of Kadokawa’s Global Comics Dept! Join us on Saturday, July 4 in Rm 409AB at 10:30 am!

0154

Deb Aoki @debaoki.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

If you think you know how comics publishing works, go to S. Korea and Japan and get your mind blown. American superhero comics are a niche within a niche, found only in the most well-stocked bookstores. BD or lit/art comics are even harder to find in JP or KR. What rules? Manga

1408

The most interesting part of Seoul International Book Festival was the Independent Bookstore/Publishers section, which had publishers/creators from Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and more

080

Why did Seoul International Book Fair feel different? Well, there was less emphasis on “celebrity authors” signing books & giving talks. There was a lot of interest in classic literature in Korean. Many opportunities for readers to share their feelings / hopes for the future

062

Besides K-Book Market, I was in Seoul for Seoul International Book Festival at the COEX center. Every day I visited, the show was packed. In a lot of ways, it was different than other book shows i’ve been to… sibf.or.kr/en/

2153

Good thing i don’t have any kimchee in my carry-on!

3172

The museum was next to Gwanghwamun Square, which is a pretty majestic civic space in Seoul with artwork, fountains, historical statues and huge digital displays. It’s hot today, so i was tempted to jump into the fountain too!

051

Last day in Seoul - had lunch at Goryeo Samgyetang, near Gwanghwamun Square. Black-skinned chicken stuffed with rice and jujubes, abalone, and ginseng in a steaming, boiling cauldron. It’s tasty, but it’s a lot of food for just one person!

2243

Next stop on the Seoul k-gluttony tour is Euljiro Brewing, which leans haaard into the image of the hard-working, hard-drinking, hard-puking korean office worker.

0110

So while the more touristy parts of Myeongdong wasn’t my thing, i did find a cool jazz and coffee hideaway called “평화 - Pyeong Hwa” up 2 stories on a side street. Perfect coffee and jazz oasis, complete with “Blue Giant” manga next to the hi-fi setup

0101

Between AM beer for the world cup and PM beer (because, well why not?) I went to the Seoul International Book Fair and for a Thursday, it was packed! Mostly women too!

0150

Walked around Myeongdong Night Market in Seoul tonight — my first time there, but maybe once is enough? It had that “we’re so annoyed with overseas tourists” + “let’s charge them a lot for the stuff we think they want” vibe that maybe i’m overly sensitive to since i grew up up in honolulu.

2121

Started the day in Seoul with beer and fried chicken at a World Cup watching near Gangnam, ending the day with craft beer and pizza at Artmonster in Euljiro. All’s good on my side of the world

0211

Deb Aoki @debaoki.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

At a fried chicken joint near Coex in Seoul watching the S. Korea vs S. Africa world cup game. Yes, it’s 10 am here and i’m having a beer before noon. 🤘🏻⚽️🍺 it’s fun hearing everyone react at every attempt at a goal

0142

The venue for K-Book Market is right next to Lotte world amusement park and department store. Thus, it has some pretty decent food court options. I got the cold buckwheat soba, which came with broth topped with shaved ice. The mandu had a lacy crispy crust. So good on a warm day in Seoul.

0102

Deb Aoki @debaoki.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Finished 2.5 days of meetings at K-Book Market in Seoul with publishers, webtoon studios, literary agents and more. Got to meet many amazing peeps and get introduced to a lot of fascinating graphic novels that i’d never seen before. Very grateful to be here.

0201

Deb Aoki @debaoki.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

Made it to Seoul after a 9 hour flight from Seattle, for K-Book Market, starting on Monday. Kicked off a week of K-gluttony with grilled beef and a bottle of Bekseju at Songpa Hanwoo

31665

Deb Aoki @debaoki.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

Re: the Captain Tsubasa manga exhibit assumes that a lot of people in San Francisco already know and love this soccer manga series. That’s a pretty bold assumption, given that it’s only available in English on Shueisha’s MangaPlus platform mangaplus.shueisha.co.jp/titles/100416

5114

Deb Aoki @debaoki.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

Dropped by the Captain Tsubasa manga exhibit in San Francisco today, and… it was kind of… underwhelming? It consists of limited edition ($$) large-scale prints of famous scenes from the soccer manga on metal sheets. Up now thru June 21

32613

Deb Aoki @debaoki.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

Niiiice! “Veil” by Kotteri (from @udonentertainment.bsky.social and MSX - @mangasplaining.bsky.social Extra) is on @publisherswkly.bsky.social’s “Librarians’ Picks for Must-Shelve Manga Series” posted on June 5, 2026. www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/... Vols 3 & 4 available now!

Veil
Kotteri, translated by Jocelyne Allen
“It’s gorgeous. I think it will appeal to people who don’t read a ton of manga, because it’s in full-color. It’s a vibe — you read it and you’re transported.”

1226

Deb Aoki @debaoki.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

Yowza - i’m going to Seoul for Seoul International Book Fair and K-Book Market in a few weeks! Any recommendations for things i should see & do in Seoul? It’ll be my 3rd trip there. sibf.or.kr/en/page/11 k-book.or.kr/home/eng/M33...

1170

Deb Aoki @debaoki.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

Thanks #tcaf for making MINT MANGA’s sunday in Toronto so much fun! @glacierbaybooks.com’s early copies of “Akari” are completely sold out and portfolio reviews were so fascinating too. Hope to see you all again soon 🫶🏼

0376

Deb Aoki @debaoki.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

Thank you #TCAF for the warm welcome for @MINT_MANGA creators Moka Onmae, Marco Kohinata, Keita Katsushika, Tokushige Kawakatsu, Battan and their editors today! There’s more to come on Sunday 🌞 www.mint-mangaproject.com/en/news/the-...

Marco Kohinata at the Glacier Bay Books table, signing copies of “Akari”

The MINT Manga tables at TCAF - #190-192

Tokushige Kawakatsu, signing copies of “The Cursed Body,” available in English from Glacier Bay Books

03614

Want to get a poster or book signed by MINT MANGA creator / @torontocomics.bsky.social guest Battan @battan8.bsky.social at today’s “alternative manga” panel at 16:15 at #TCAF? Well, there’s some stuff you need to know… www.torontocomics.com/post/battan-...

0219

SAT at #TCAF 2026 - Autograph session at @glacierbaybooks.com booths #199-200 at 15:00 with MINT MANGA creator Tokushige Kawakatsu, signing copies of “The Cursed Body” glacierbaybooks.com/product/the-...

073

SAT at #TCAF 2026 - Autograph session at @glacierbaybooks.com booths #199-200 at 13:30 with MINT MANGA creator Marco Kohinata, signing copies of “Akari” glacierbaybooks.com/product/akari/

0124

SAT at #TCAF 2026 16:30-17:30 - “A Drop of Colour on a White Page: Being ‘the other’ in Comics,” with MINT MANGA creator Keita Katsushika with moderator Nehal El-Hadi - The Bunker (3rd Flr)

0122

SAT at #TCAF 2026 - “Alternative Manga with MINT MANGA” - 4:15-5:05 pm at Jet Ice Lounge (4th Flr), Mattamy Athletic Centre with Marco Kohinata & Battan @battan8.bsky.social

0122