Anime USA 2003 - Studio Ironcat Returns
by Mikhail Koulikov,
Anime USA 2003 was held at the Sheraton Premiere in Tysons Corner, Vienna, VA on November 21-23, 2003.
Guests in attendance included Shimpei Itoh, Mio Odagi, Amy Howard Wilson.
Studio Ironcat is the only company to have held a :
Studio Ironcat Returns
Company representative: Steve Bennett
(freelance manga translator Dan Kanemitsu and Japanese manga artists Shimpei Itoh and Mia Odagi also participated)
Following recent cash flow problems and controversy, Amerimanga compilation, but it will return sometime in 2004 as well, and will feature the work of both American and Japanese artists. Ironcat is also hoping to return to releasing art books and other non-manga items. Finally, the Studio Ironcat website will feature "Third Name," an original online comic.
When asked to talk about the future of Studio Ironcat in the North American manga market, Mr. Bennett commented that Ironcat will thrive in the face of competition because of the strong relationship it has built with both fans and a number of Japanese artists. At the same time, he acknowledged that Ironcat will most likely remain a niche publisher, committed to releasing titles that were ed over or ignored by the larger companies in the industry.
At the same , Mr. Shimpei Itoh, author and artist of Hyper Dolls, discussed that title's publishing history. The Ironcat release is the original run of the manga in Hideaki Anno. Although he was not able to comment on the title at any length, Mr. Itoh is confident this manga adaptation will see a U.S. release.
