Max Makowski has been signed to direct the adaptation of the Kung Fu TV series for Legendary Pictures.

Gary Cross, an editorialist in the Op-Ed section of Sunday's New York Times , tied licensed toys to the recent toy recalls, suggesting that the business model teaches kids to collect.

In Part , we talk about the state of the market and the reasons for the success of Civil War in bookstores as well as comic stores.

Platinum Studios filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission last week for the sale of shares by some of its current shareholders, and announced its plans to go public.

With the announced resignation of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, a number of candidates are being suggested to replace him, including Foreign Minister Taro Aso, who's a big supporter of Japan's anime and manga industries.

Aardman Animations, owners of the Wallace & Gromit and other animation properties, has signed with HIT Entertainment to manage its North American licensing and DVD rights.

Tsuburaya Productions, the creator of the Ultraman TV series and features, is being acquired by TYO, an advertising, film, and animation company.

We recently caught up with Viz Senior Vice President Liza Coppola to discuss the current state of the manga and anime markets, and what's coming from Viz. In Part 3, we talk about the anime market, including the relatively nascent shojo market, the sales channels for anime, Viz's live action program, and the comparison between the Japanese and American markets.

In Part 2, we talk about Viz's manga anthologies, the plans for Naruto in 2008, the 'next Naruto,' and Viz's fiction program.

In Part 1, we talk about the manga market in the states, where it's sold, the number of releases in 2007 and 2008, and OEL manga.

Viz is conducting a promotion with Langer Juice surrounding the release of the Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow DVD.

Two of the largest retailers in the U.S. are using IDW Transformers comic material to promote sales of the Transfomers DVD .