Spotlight: SakuraPakk and RumblePak

As I was browsing Wikipedia, preparing a proposal for my essay, I came across two interesting-looking graphic novel anthologies. SakuraPakk and RumblePak are two OEL manga anthologies featuring artists and writers from around the world (but primarily America). The anthologies are released bi-monthly, and both are paperback. They are made available by EigoMANGA, a media production company based out of California. They started as a web comic distributor, so that should give some hope to some of you web artists out there!

SakuraPakk focuses on shoujo OEL manga, or manga that is directed toward a young female audience. They feature romance, historical drama, comedy, and fantasy among other genres. According to the website, in SakuraPakk you also get drawing tutorials and primers on Japanese customs, holidays, and language. Several volumes have already been released for this one. The fifth appears slated for 2009.

On the flip side, RumblePakk showcases shounen OEL manga, or manga that is directed toward a young male audience. It features themes most commonly represented in shounen manga, such as action/adventure, fantasy, sci-fi, cyberpunk, and comedy.

I haven't gotten my hands on one of these yet, but from the previews on the sites they're looking pretty good. Much of the art is beautiful though the art styles represented range from amateurish to I-can't-believe-it's-not-manga. The stories of each artist/writer are another thing. I won't be able to tell if they're any good or not until I read one.

I would imagine these two anthologies are particularly hard to locate. SakuraPakk's website says it is only available through Amazon, Wal-Mart, Barnes & Noble, and Google, and RumblePak's was even more vague, saying only it was available in comic book stores. I tried searching for SakuraPakk on Barnes & Noble, but it brought up no results, so I'm guessing folks are gonna have to resort to Ebay or buying directly from the source: the eigoMANGA Shop Online website. (I'm a bit worried though: the website also sells merchandise, and Sakura Pakk is spelled differently on the peraphernalia than on the actual book. Whoops!)

These anthologies are a good way to get your name out there if you're interested in the world of manga and you're a non-Japanese. If you're purely a fan, you can catch one of these rarities for a mere $10.95. So come on, folks! Let's support these OEL manga artists!