Perhaps gearing up for new competition from Wizard's Anime Invasion (see 'Anime Invasion Goes Quarterly'), Viz has announced a redesign for Animerica, its nine-year old anime/manga magazine. The redesign features a new logo, a switch to a square-bound format from saddle-stitched, expanded content, and a new interior design. The first issue with the new design will be a double issue--Volume 9, No. 10/11 -- shipping in November. Animerica will also include a free fold-out poster in every issue. According to Viz Director of Sales and Marketing Dallas Middaugh, they are positioning the title to take advantage of the growth of the anime market. 'Viz is well aware of the growth in popularity for anime,' he said. 'Animerica is the number one monthly anime magazine, and our new look should appeal to both our loyal fans and any and all newcomers to the anime world.' This does not appear to have been noted at the time of solicitation by distributors, so it's worth a look at orders to see if you've ordered enough.
