ICv2 announces 2004 Manga Awards

Retailer website ICv2 has presented its first Manga Awards, splitting manga into a separate category because "the size and continued growth of the manga market in North America in 2004 clearly indicates to us that manga is worthy of its own series of awards."

Top Manga Publisher of the Year: Viz

Top New Manga Publisher of the Year: Random House's Del Rey Manga imprint

Top Manga Releases of the Year: Rurouni Kenshin (Viz) and Fruits Basket (Tokyopop)

Phenomenon of the Year: publisher shakeout and release slowdown