In issue #9 of the ICv2 Retailers Guide to Anime/Manga , we report that the manga market continued its robust growth in 2004.

Bob Cosner of Bob's Baseball Cards in Des Moines, Iowa saw a recent interview with an Upper Deck spokesperson and was 'amazed' at the answers in the context of current Upper Deck release patterns to its sales channels.

Paula Fuge of Gnome Games in Green Bay, Wisconsin has some comments on when Upper Deck releases products to its sales channels.

Daniel McAbee of The Tangled Web in Spartanburg, South Carolina saw the news of Blockbuster's short-term exclusive on Upper Deck's Shaman King and adds his voice to those that are upset about this step.

Ken Akamatsu's Negima Vol. 4 published by Del Rey has sold more copies in bookstores 2005 than any other graphic novel.

Variety is reporting that Warner Bros. has acquired theatrical rights in Japan and an option for rights in the rest of the world for Fuji TV's first animated feature film, Brave Story .

This week, Bates shares his store's experience with trading cards.

License Magazine estimates that in 2003, sales of licensed products were flat over-all, but down in the character and entertainment categories,.

'Cyber-Stein,' a Yu-Gi-Oh! card first given away at GenCon SoCal a little over a week ago, has been listed on eBay; the most recent bid as of this writing is $25,300.

Upper Deck is planning a new program of launch events in hobby stores in 2005.