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Manga fans are offered
related novels

With all of the manga taking over growing chunks of space at many bookstores recently, it's possible that hard-core manga fans might have forgotten that bookstores also sell these things called "novels." You remember those -- they're like manga, except with more words and fewer pictures.

Recent announcements by various publishers have ensured manga fans won't have to venture far to find a novel or two as translated Japanese titles with ties to anime and manga properties make their way to store shelves.

Viz, which first translated the gore-filled novel "Battle Royale" in 1999, recently announced it would be releasing novels based on "Fullmetal Alchemist" and "Ghost in the Shell: Innocence" in October, and "Steamboy" in December.

Tokyopop, which is currently bringing out the "Slayers" novels, also plans ".hack//AI buster," the latest element in the multimedia ".hack" universe of anime, video games and manga, in August; "Mobile Suit Gundam SEED" in October; and "Scrapped Princess" in November.

They join Dark Horse, which is bringing out the "Vampire Hunter D" novels; DrMaster Publications' "Rahxephon"; and ComicsONE's "Onegai Twins" and "Onegai Teacher" novels (although the latter one is probably best forgotten).

In 'Drawn & Quartered'

They might look like innocent little girls, but they're actually cybernetically enhanced assassins working for an Italian intelligence agency. Wilma J. will explore the assorted tragedies of "Gunslinger Girl" Sunday in the Today section.

DVD pick of the week

"Area 88" Vol. 1, from ADV Films: Studio representative David Williams previewed this show at Kawaii Kon, and its blend of aerial warplane acrobatics and pilot intrigue makes these first four episodes worth checking out.