An Official ICv2 Release.  ICv2 is pleased to announce the release of its second print publication, The ICv2 Retailers Guide to Anime/Manga #2, which is being distributed to retailers this week.  The magazine covers the market, the properties, and the second quarter releases in the rapidly growing and related fields of anime and manga as two guides in a flipbook format.  The two sides of the book are meant to be used together since many of the top properties exist as both anime and manga, and trends often carry over between the two categories.  Among the topics covered in this print exclusive content are: the number of releases in each of these burgeoning categories; the top new anime and manga properties introduced in 2003; the growing exposure on American TV that helps drive sales; the top Q2 releases for both anime and manga; and a new feature -- interviews with successful retailers who have made these categories work in their stores.

The magazine is intended to be a tool that retailers can refer back to throughout the second quarter.  ICv2 Publisher and founder Milton Griepp explains, 'We wanted to create a publication that retailers can use to learn more about these expanding fields, and then keep on their desks for future reference.  The success of our first Retailers Guide has also made it clear that there is a need for this type of publication, but to keep on top of the trends in booming categories like anime and manga we realize that we are going to have to publish these guides on a regular basis.  Therefore you can expect to see the next issue of the ICv2 Retailers Guide To Anime & Manga (covering Q3) on July 1 in time for Anime Expo.'

The publication of these guides represents a full circle for Internal Correspondence, the print predecessor of ICv2.  Capital City Distribution published Internal Correspondence monthly for over a decade until 1996, when Capital was sold.  ICv2, which stands for Internal Correspondence version 2, was launched as a Web-only news and information service for pop culture retailers in early 2001.  As a tribute to its roots, the words 'Internal Correspondence' have been incorporated into the magazine logo of the ICv2 Retailers Guide to Anime/Manga.

The Retailers Guide is free to retailers: it's being distributed by Diamond Comic Distributors and Alliance Game Distributors to each of its accounts, with delivery to retailers scheduled for Wednesday, March 19.  After that date retailers can also request copies by sending store name and address to ICv2 via e-mail (click here).  Non-retailers can order copies for $10 through our on-line store by clicking here.