Manga journalist Deb Aoki joins the podcast this week to chat about the explosion in manga sales the past few years and what has led to it. Aoki discusses her Emerald City Comic Con experience, making connections for manga stories, how she became a manga journalist, the world of writing about manga, Japan’s manga sales, speaking to different audiences, the impact of adaptations, price and accessibility, why there are always manga “booms,” the amount of product, simplicity in manga stories, supply chain issues, the gifts of manga storytellers, and more.

You can find Aoki on Twitter, her website, and her writing on Publishers Weekly.

You can download the episode directly here on Libsyn.

Thanks to Deanna Chapman for helping edit this podcast. She’s responsible for it sounding as good as it does.

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Thanks to the sponsor of this week’s podcast: Zoop! In March, the comics crowdfunding platform brings even more projects from incredible creators! Support campaigns such such as the deluxe hardcover for We Are Scarlet Twilight from Benjamin Morse which was fully funded in 8 hours, The Other Happy Place from superstar artist, Jessi Sheron, Impostor Syndicate from War Rocket Ajax host Matt D. Wilson, and a benefit anthology for Planned Parenthood spearheaded by the legendary Trina Robbins. Head to Zoop’s website to support the live campaigns and sign up for launch alerts for what’s next. Also, Zoop is taking submissions! So creators, reach out at hello@wearezoop.com to learn more!

Also, thanks to the other sponsor of this week’s podcast: Bad Idea! Bad Idea is still doing things! What’s that currently? Well, they have some new titles in shops, including work by folks like Ramon Villalobos, David Lapham, Mark Waid, and more, so keep an eye on what they’re up to!

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Header photo is from Tatsuya Endo’s cover to Spy x Family Vol. 1. Off Panel’s opening theme music is Vulfpeck’s “Outro,” used with permission from the band (and thanks for me for them doing so!), with the rest of the music being an original track by custom music agency Upright T-Rex Music, written and performed specifically for the podcast. A huge thanks to Ross and Cody from Upright T-Rex Music for putting the track together!