Hoping for a revival: The Japan Times reports that Manga Action, which suspended publication in September because of low sales, is relaunching with a new focus on more "adult" subjects, such as stories about abductions and cults:

"Some people may feel that social issues make for too serious reading for the comics. But it can be entertaining if you think of it as the comic version of the tabloid press and television shows that feature gossip and current affairs."

Chief editor Katsushi Minoura said this time the magazine won't make the mistake of catering to "popular tastes," as it did a few years ago when it offered "obscene material" in hopes of attracting male readers:

"This tactic failed to revive sales, and eventually Manga Action's circulation fell to some 70,000 -- a fraction of its 1972 peak of 1 million copies -- by the time its publisher suspended publication."