Half-Time Poll: Best New Manga of 2009
We’re officially halfway through 2009 (!), so now seems like a great time to take stock of what’s been released so far. The first six months have yielded some clunkers — Tantric Stripfighter Trina, anyone? — as well as several strong contenders for Best Manga of the Year. I have my own curmudgeonly opinions on the subject, but would love to know what y’all think: is Tatsumi’s A Drifting Life a shoo-in for December’s inevitable best-of lists, or are there other books that have a stronger claim on your affections?
UPDATE, 7/2/09: Several folks took me to task for omitting Detroit Metal City, and rightly so. I can’t imagine why I left it off the list (senility? blondness? exhaustion?), but I’ve updated the poll to include it as an option for all of Krauser II’s devotees. Me? I’m slinking off to eat some cheese tarts.
Didn’t see your favorite title listed above? Then tell us what should have been on the list above and why.
[...] Dacey isn’t waiting for the end of the year—she has a poll up now for the best manga of 2009. Oddly, I don’t see Witchblade up [...]
That was a tough one! I ultimately went with Pluto, since it has the highest “cumulative effect” factor for me. But something tells me that a similar poll for the second half of 2009 will be virtually impossible.
I know! With Children of the Sea, A Distant Neighborhood, Ooku, Summit of the Gods, Swallowing the Earth and What a Wonderful World all due in stores later this year, I have a feeling that my year-end “best of” list might just go to eleven.
[...] Manga | Katherine Dacey asks what’s the best new manga released so far this year. [The Manga Critic] [...]
Hate to be a bother, but isn’t Clover a re-release?
Oh, man, Detroit Metal City came out in the first half of 2009! I might have to reconsider my vote!
I’m with David. Go to DMC!
David and Keith: I can’t believe I forgot to include Detroit Metal City! Clearly I need a spanking. I just updated the poll so that option will be available for all of you who wish to vote early and often.
Misterclock: You’re right about Clover; the series was originally released eight years ago. Because the license was transferred from Tokyopop to Dark Horse, however, the new edition isn’t simply a reprint; it has new lettering, a new translation, and (if memory serves) a new page orientation. Hence I’m including it in the list.
[...] View original post here: The Manga Critic » Blog Archive » Half-Time Poll: Best New Manga … [...]
Totally Pluto for me, but I refuse to believe “Tantric Stripfighter Trina” exists. If it does exist, that’s my vote.
Trina is real, though it isn’t a Japanese import – it’s one of the few original OEL properties left in the Tokyopop catalog. Unfortunately, Trina isn’t quite stupid or bold enough to rise to the level of awesomely bad.
Oooooh. Pluto, for sure. We’re about to do our midterm report card over at Manga Recon. This gives me ideas =).
Pluto!
I just picked up vol. 8 today, and even in a language I barely understand, it rocked my socks.
Issac: Nice to hear from you! I look forward to seeing the official PCS Midterm Report Card, if for no other reason than to see what else makes the cut besides Pluto.
William: Urasawa seems to be leading the pack in the survey, with the lion’s share of the votes going to Pluto. I have a feeling that we’re going to be seeing Pluto at the top of a lot of year-end lists, too. Thanks for stopping by!
Isaac: Nice to hear from you! Looking forward to the PCS Midterm Report card. I’m curious to see what else makes the cut besides Pluto, which seems to be the hands-down favorite right now.
William: The two Urasawa books are leading the rest of the field by a mile. I’ll be curious see if wither Pluto or 20th Century Boys make mainstream best-of lists, or if NPR and The NY Times will stick to the predictable titles like Drifting Life. Thanks for stopping by!
I think that would depend upon how well the Astroboy movies does this summer.
REAL
astral project
I wouldn’t nominate DMC personally as it’s only been out for a couple weeks. Then again maybe it has rocked the whole half year that hard.
[...] 2009 is halfway over! Not wanting to finish out the rest of the year The Manga Critic presents the Half-Time Poll: Best New Manga of 2009. [...]
You must be psychic, Ed, because you’ve anticipated this week’s follow-up poll: what are the best continuing series of 2009? (Hint: the good doc is on the list of choices.)
[...] like to extend a big thank-you to all the folks who participated in last week’s “half-time” poll. Whatever title pundits crown “Best Manga of 2009,” it’s obvious that readers [...]
Why all the manga listed here is old manga?
Why all the manga listed here are old manga?
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