An ICv2 release.  ICv2 has announced the release of the ICv2 Retailers Guide to Anime/Manga #12, which is being distributed to the trade by Diamond Comic Distributors, Alliance Game Distributors, FM International, AAA Anime, TMZ Distribution, and more.

The manga side of the new publication includes an article about the next big 'thing' in manga, which focuses on Naruto and Full Metal Alchemist, plus a discussion of the huge but largely unnoticed success of novels based on manga and anime properties.  As always ICv2 provides a serious look at the new manga series debuting during December, January and February as well as a ranking of the Top 50 Manga Properties of 2005 so far.

One the anime side ICv2's market report provides the hard data on the shrinking number of anime releases as well as a discussion of the increasingly prevalent trend of heavy reductions in the prices of anime backlist DVDs.  A discussion of Anime on American TV notes the powerful debut of Naruto, and 'The Holiday Gift Guide' includes some excellent anime/manga related 3-D items as well as art books and re-priced DVD box sets -- all of which have potential for the holiday season. 

This great magazine is available free to retailers, simply by requesting it from DViau@icv2.com.  It is also available for a small charge to non-retailers from the ICv2 store (click here).