The Anime News Network is reporting that anime sales in Japan of anime DVDs (excluding kids' anime) have rebounded during the first half of 2007 growing by 15% over the same period in 2006.  Overall sales and rentals of DVDs in Japan declined slightly during the period mirroring DVD sales here in the States during the first half of 2007.  One major difference between the two markets -- sales and rentals of anime DVDs represent 29.4% of the overall DVD market in Japan versus low single digits here.

Manga sales have declined for five straight years in Japan (they were down 4.2 % in 2006, see 'Japanese Anime, Manga Markets Decline'), while the ANN figures show that anime sales have rebounded from 2006 levels.  One area of manga sales that is increasing in Japan is downloads for cell phones, which according to USA Today 'hit $39 million in 2005 and probably doubled in 2006.'

Sales in the U.S. for manga and anime present an entirely opposite picture from Japan with manga totals still increasing in 2007 (though probably not by the double digit rate of 2006), while anime sales have declined so far in 2007.  For a more complete analysis of what is going on the U.S. markets, see the newly published ICv2 Guide #48: Anime/Manga (to obtain a copy, which is free to retailers, see 'ICv2 Releases ICv2 Guide #48: Anime/Manga').