September Top Graphic Novels Ranking (Yaoi did amazing,again)

[thelostyears]

You can view the top 100 graphic novels ranking here,
http://www.icv2.com/articles/home/9471.html

#47 LITTLE BUTTERFLY - 1,626 copies sold
#50 HYBRID CHILD - 1,562
#54 CLOSE THE LAST DOOR VOL 1 - 1,553
#65 DEAR MY SELF - 1,306
#81 KISS O/FIRE - 1,078
#93 CANTARELLA VOL 4 - 914

6 out of 17 manga on the rank is YAOI! *celebrates* And it surprised me that an illustration book by Youka Nitta that cost $24.95 sold that much. Is that the most expensive "japanese book" to be on the rank, ever? And Little ButterFly is the fifth best selling manga of the month. (yay i bought it).

The total copies sold for all the yaoi manga on the top 100 sold this month adds up to 8,039 copies overall.

[kimbeey13]

I have yet to read any of those titles. -_-; I gotta start buying more yaoi.

[Animematt55]

Wow Negima and Bleach are 25 and 28, hehe looks like they kicked *** in the manga field.

[thelostyears]

I have yet to read any of those titles. -_-; I gotta start buying more yaoi.


You definitely should pick up some of those titles. They're well worth it.

[DazzleKitty]

I keep on backing out of getting Cantarella, even though I have heard good things about it. Maybe I should get it soon.

[same_animefan]

^ I've been doing the same. I pick it up, flip through it, see the pretty art than go "Aww...but I wanna buy these too...maybe next time."

[Milky Mixer]

I'm starting to wonder if there's a glut of yaoi titles. They seem to be doing ok, obviously, but did y'all see how many were just announced as licensed at yaoi-con? I just wonder how long the success of the niche will continue? I personally find myself skipping over a lot of what gets released because very little of it appeals to me and so much of it seems the same. If it's about high school drama, I'm likely to pass it up. If it's a one shot, I'm likely to pass it up. If it involves princes and knights, I'm likely to pass it up. Maybe I'm picky, but I don't buy yaoi just for the sake of it being yaoi. Just my crabby 2 cents this morning.

[Carmel]

It's good to hear yaoi it still selling well over other manga genres~

I've only read Hybird Child (online), a few chapters of Little Butterfly (online) & the previous volumes of Cantarella, so I haven't contributed to any of those statistics.

I don't go out and buy yaoi just because it's yaoi either. I skip over a lot of what being released, too. Mainly because I've read all of or at least some of the one-shot manga online and know I'm not interested enough to buy the completed volume because there's just so much I'm collecting. Even though most of it happens to have at least slight BL hints I'm still swamped and way behind in what I'm trying to collect so if I want to buy a new BL that's why I end up purchasing a one-shot I've never read before, because I don't want to dedicate myself to even having to go out and get a second volume. -_-; I guess it's my mentality like that which is why Komatta (a 20-something volume series) still isn't licensed. *sigh*

As a side note virtually everything announced at yaoi-con this year is one or two volume manga -- besides the Ai no Kusabi novels. On the bright side, Bondz by Toko Kawai is one of my favourite one-shot manga, so I was really pleased about that.

[same_animefan]

In the beginning I would buy Yaoi because it was Yaoi. But now that there is a good selection I don't grab everything. I'm not too picky on the story line, but if I don't like the art, I don't buy it. It's that simple with me. Doesn't matter if it's Yaoi or not. I don't like the art, I won't buy it. (if the thing is wrapped or online and all I can see is the cover, and I don't like it, it doesn't get bought.)

O_O the Ai no Kusabi novels were licensed? It's about time! I've been wanting to read those for forever.

[Magami No ER]

I personally find myself skipping over a lot of what gets released because very little of it appeals to me and so much of it seems the same.
Same goes for me, as I tend to enjoy slashible characters from mainstream anime/manga with subtle hints more then full blown (hahahahah) yaoi/BL works. I suppose I prefer surprises then knowing what the sexuality entail, usually when it comes to me buying the series. It has to be special in my eyes, both in terms of character design(a little superficial, iduncare), premise, and development, most of all. One shots I usually just read in the form of scanlations, just for....fun.
I wouldn't mind supporting the domestic industry a bit more though besides Gravi, I'll have to read some reviews/research myself to better determine which title I could posisbly invest in....that's why I don't mind this "glut" so much.

[Animematt55]

I'm starting to wonder if there's a glut of yaoi titles. They seem to be doing ok, obviously, but did y'all see how many were just announced as licensed at yaoi-con? I just wonder how long the success of the niche will continue? I personally find myself skipping over a lot of what gets released because very little of it appeals to me and so much of it seems the same. If it's about high school drama, I'm likely to pass it up. If it's a one shot, I'm likely to pass it up. If it involves princes and knights, I'm likely to pass it up. Maybe I'm picky, but I don't buy yaoi just for the sake of it being yaoi. Just my crabby 2 cents this morning.
Well, it is a huge fad right now, and a lot of them are nothing but one-shots. They are kinda "jumpign on the bandwagon" tryign to get what is popular out, while they still can.
Honestly, why so many one-shots? You can't get a good story line, character development AND have a sex scene or two in one manga....

[DazzleKitty]

In a way, the one-shots are nice because you get the whole story. But I agree with those who said you can't get much character development in one volume.

My biggest gripe is how long it takes for the newer volumes to be released. I like Viz because they release their stuff much faster than other companies. Tokyopop, DMP, DramaQueen, and BeBeautiful have these horrible release schedules. It can be like 3-5 months between each book, which is too much especially for a series that's already completed in Japan. I guess I'm just a little too impatient.

[kimbeey13]

I hate it when there's over a 3 months between books, but I guess I could understand alittle why it takes so long.

[Milky Mixer]

My understanding was that many bookstores were running out of space for manga and had requested the manga companies slow their release shedules to allow books more time to sell before new volumes hit. That, I believe, was the reason why Tokyopop switched from releasing titles every other month to every 3 months. DMP, I think, just has a hard time getting their stuff out in general. Though with them I can never tell... they have so many freakin' one-shots and they all have similar covers, so I never know what's a series and what's a one-shot and what's new and what's been out for awhile. I enjoyed Yellow and am currently reading Jazz, but with them I never actually look at release dates. Their books just seem to show up when they show up. (I also really liked the first volume of their non-yaoi title Enchanter, but who knows when volume 2 comes out.)

And I typically skip over one-shots. I don't know that character development is lacking - I enjoyed the Erika Sakurazawa works and they were all one-shots, I enjoyed Skyscrapers of Oz - but most of the stuff coming out just seems like poor or identical concepts, and if they cram multiple stories into a one-shot... well, I guess I'd rather spend my money on series that will continue.

[Shiroxx]

besides the Ai no Kusabi novels.

NO kidding! Ai no Kusabi the novels are licensed?!! *gasp* I'm totally buying the novels. I loved the OVAs.

Anyway, i'm glad that YAOI is doing very good compared to the other genres. No wonder we got like over 20 licenses in a day right now. I hope the sales go more higher so we get to have more selections and more underrated yaoi titles can get picked up sooner or later.

[Yuu Kanda]

Skyscrapers of Oz has a good story line, character development AND quite a few sex scenes. And the guys are actually drawn like, well...guys. Which is good for me because most of the time I try to avoid the ultra girly bishounen drawing style.

...I haven't been paying much attention to the new yaoi books that have been coming out because I'm more of a slash fan so shounen manga are always higher on my list than yaoi ones. But I do like the occasional yaoi manga. I'm actually pretty picky about purchasing them though...I used to take anything when yaoi manga in America was more scarce, but unless something reeeeally appeals to me now, it's staying on the shelf/bookstore. But Canterella, from what other people are saying, sounds pretty good so I might have to check that out next time I go to the bookstore. In the meantime, most of my yaoi needs will keep being catered to online. ^^'

[Ariel Tsuki]

My understanding was that many bookstores were running out of space for manga and had requested the manga companies slow their release shedules to allow books more time to sell before new volumes hit. That, I believe, was the reason why Tokyopop switched from releasing titles every other month to every 3 months. DMP, I think, just has a hard time getting their stuff out in general.

Well, I don't blame them, but I think stretching it out frustrated fans more than helping the bookstores. Another problem is that alot of bookstores I frequent put like 10 copies of one manga on the shelf. Five would be fine unless it's a fast seller.

I heard that Tokyopop pushed their release dates from 3 months to 5 MONTHS (trust me, I calcuated) because they have too many titles. And frankly, they can dump some. And those horrid Cine-Manga too. Ick. They're the only company does this. Viz have no problems on releasing a new volume every two months (except the ones that they caught up on). DMP can be inconsistent at time but lately they have been on time. And other companies follow the 1 per 3 months schedule.

I've been picky with my selection of BL titles from the get. I usually stick with manga-ka or team that I know and a fan of. And I don't collect anything from BeBeautiful (unless they bring down that ridculous 15.95 price tag down and stop editing their titles). I'm upset that they had licensed a slew of Haruka Minami's works. And I'm a fan of hers too... but I'm gonna check out the one Minami book from 801 Comics. I would be upset if it's edited in some form too (unless it's the cover, which even for me is TOO racy...)

[Milky Mixer]

I find myself having to go back and re-read the previous volume before I can read the newly released volume on the Tokyopop series I collect. That gap between releases is just too long to remember what happened a lot of the time.

[typhonblue]

Well, it is a huge fad right now

But... but, Matt! Yaoi isn't the fad, *yuri* is the fad.

:P

Saying yaoi is a fad is like saying sci-fi is a fad. It's not a fad, it's a *genre*. Sometimes it's more or less popular, yes, but it's still a *genre*.

[Mods, this is why the guy pisses off the yaoi fans. He bandies about casual insults towards yaoi and yaoi fans. And *one* of them is that yaoi fans are constantly beating on yuri fans. Projection, much?]

[DazzleKitty]

I find myself having to go back and re-read the previous volume before I can read the newly released volume on the Tokyopop series I collect. That gap between releases is just too long to remember what happened a lot of the time.

Same here! I do that a lot. With Viz titles, I don't have to go back and reread things because they have such nice releases schedules and I remember everything. Almost every time Tokyopop releases something new, I'm doing lots of re-reading. For example, one would be Kamichama Karin. When they released volume 4, I had to go back and re-read the first three volumes because I forgot all the important plot points. It's really annoying...I wish they could release them faster.

[Animematt55]

But... but, Matt! Yaoi isn't the fad, *yuri* is the fad.

:P

Saying yaoi is a fad is like saying sci-fi is a fad. It's not a fad, it's a *genre*. Sometimes it's more or less popular, yes, but it's still a *genre*.

[Mods, this is why the guy pisses off the yaoi fans. He bandies about casual insults towards yaoi and yaoi fans. And *one* of them is that yaoi fans are constantly beating on yuri fans. Projection, much?]
ok, it is a hugely popular genre (although 1000 copies really arent that many to me) Genres become popular, and less popular just like everything in the consumer market. The marketers see a huge dela in it, girls will buy anythign as long as they see yaoi on it, and they capatalize on it.

[Shiroxx]

^ 1000 + copies(in the first month) in the U.S. manga industry is consider good. It's better than most of the titles out there. Most titles can't even break the top 100. Even some of the most successful shounen manga sells around 2000-3000 copies on its first month. The highest selling shounen ai manga, The last LOVELESS volume sold practically 3000 copies on its first month. And LOVELESS is already currently the 5th best selling manga property in the US already with only two volumes out. (source: http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/9478.html ). It sells more than BLEACH, Death Note, Negima this year despite having only two volumes released. I'd would say that's amazing.

[Animematt55]

^ 1000 + copies(in the first month) in the U.S. manga industry is consider good. It's better than most of the titles out there. Most titles can't even break the top 100. Even some of the most successful shounen manga sells around 2000-3000 copies on its first month. The highest selling shounen ai manga, The last LOVELESS volume sold practically 3000 copies on its first month. And LOVELESS is already currently the 5th best selling manga property in the US already with only two volumes out. (source: http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/9478.html ). It sells more than BLEACH, Death Note, Negima this year despite having only two volumes released. I'd would say that's amazing.
well like i said, yaoi fangirls are super easy to market too. Plus Loveless actully has a fairly decent story, but quite a few weak characters, So it can also sell outside the yaoi community.

[GokuMew2]

well like i said, yaoi fangirls are super easy to market too. Plus Loveless actully has a fairly decent story, but quite a few weak characters, So it can also sell outside the yaoi community.
Matt, shut up. Stop stereotyping yaoi fans, and stop making comments that are aimed to piss people off. Just because we like two boys together does not mean we like ANY boys together. We're not "easy." Saying that is like saying I like all anime because I'm an anime fan. .-_-

[Animematt55]

Matt, shut up. Stop stereotyping yaoi fans, and stop making comments that are aimed to piss people off. Just because we like two boys together does not mean we like ANY boys together. We're not "easy." Saying that is like saying I like all anime because I'm an anime fan. .-_-
i didnt say anything wrong, it is a small market, but a very dedicated market...

[Shiroxx]

^ It's no longer a small market. It's outselling other genres of manga in the industry. LOVELESS is outselling Bleach and Death Note this year, Period. And most of the yaoi manga released in the recent months have made it to the Graphics Novels top 100. And usually a limited number of manga titles can make it to the Graphic Novels Ranking.

[GokuMew2]

i didnt say anything wrong, it is a small market, but a very dedicated market...
You said we're easy to market to. You're making it sound like we're cheap hookers who will take anyone who comes our way. I find it insulting, and I'm sure there are others who feel the same.

Yaoi is a growing market. It is gaining ground on even manga targeted at general audiences. Stop belittling the genre by calling it "small." Before, you were saying how there's too much yaoi, heh.

[DazzleKitty]

Yaoi is a growing market. It is gaining ground on even manga targeted at general audiences. Stop belittling the genre by calling it "small." Before, you were saying how there's too much yaoi, heh.

LOL, I noticed that too but wasn't going to say anything.

The only reason he even comes to this part of the forum is to insult fangirls, not discuss yaoi/yuri. I think that's his biggest hobby these days. :P

[Milky Mixer]

I have to agree with the others. Matt, shut up. You don't like yaoi, ok, we get it. Why do you need to post your idiotic comments about everything that's wrong with yaoi and its fans? Don't you have something better to do with your time, something positive? Not that I'm expecting you to answer, because you always dodge questions and then pop up elsewhere to belittle yaoi fans. I believe a number of us have already commented that we are descriminating about our yaoi purchases, especially now that the market has grown and allowed for more releases to pick and choose from. I hate to go into attack made, but you make the most idiotic comments and it is becoming very difficult to like you much less tolerate you.

[Shiroxx]

[COLOR=Navy]You said we're easy to market to. You're making it sound like we're cheap hookers who will take anyone who comes our way. I find it insulting, and I'm sure there are others who feel the same.


I felt insulted too.

[Carmel]

Matt really can't find anything to do besides insult yaoi fan girls. I feel sorry for him. I think, from now on, I'm just going to report all his posts around here -- because everything he says is more or less insulting or unnecessary jibes.

That'd be better then wasting time with arguing, that's just getting down to his level, and I'm tired of it.

[Shiroxx]

Somehow i have a feeling this has happened before. I mean, the same sort of topic, the same kind of discussion.

[typhonblue]

Sci-fi fans are easy. All they need is a man in a rubber alien costume, a paper-plate on a string and a couple of lazer guns and they're set!

Ed Wood would be proud.

[DazzleKitty]

Matt really can't find anything to do besides insult yaoi fan girls. I feel sorry for him. I think, from now on, I'm just going to report all his posts around here -- because everything he says is more or less insulting or unnecessary jibes.

I reported several of his posts a few weeks ago. A lot of people did. He got a temporary ban, but that didn't do anything to change his attitude.
I know this is mean, but I would be very happy to see him banned for good.

[Animematt55]

jeez, i go away for a few hours and everyone starts attacking...i didnt mean to be insulting, jeez. Cool it down girlz.

[Defiled one]

^ Matt, you are cursed...":(sighs".......Maybe if you tried a diferent aproach.... :naughty:

[GokuMew2]

jeez, i go away for a few hours and everyone starts attacking...i didnt mean to be insulting, jeez. Cool it down girlz.
Attacking? Playing the victim, eh?

If you don't want to insult anyone then I suggest you just stay out of the yaoi threads altogether. Why the heck do you reply to them when you clearly don't like yaoi anyways? Even if you don't mean it, practically all your posts in these threads are insulting in one way or another either to the fans or the yaoi genre. If you really don't mean to be insulting anyone then the best tactic is to just keep your mouth shut and leave the yaoi threads alone.

But I don't think you will since I don't believe for a minute that you don't mean everything that you say, whether it be insulting or not.

[Shiroxx]

You know yaoi is getting more popular when mainstream blogs such as Gawker is reporting news on yaoi.

http://gawker.com/news/village-voice/voice-cannot-get-enough-japanese-buttsex-212325.php