Manga for the Military (?)

[Rem Akimichi]

Well, I don't know if anyones ever thought about this, or of it's in the right forum, but I'll give it a shot and you can tell me if I'm in the right place ^_^

First, let me say: I have a cousin in the Navy, a best friend in the Air Force, and at least 6 other friends and aquaintences all gone into service. Most of them are manga/anime/game fans, and so I do my best to help out when I can by sending them a manga or just some drawings. My best friend is the one I focus on most, because since we're both away from our old home and both pretty friendless in our new enviorments, I understand how it feels for him to feel out of touch and alone over there.

Unfortunatly, buying and shipping manga can be expensive. I don't even buy it for myself that often, and as big a fan as I am, I still have a very limited collection that I don't really feel like parting with (only 25 books or so, mostly Kodocha and FB). I send Joe what I can, but even I know it's not much. And from what he and a few of the others have told me, it's really hard for them to get their hands on some stuff for themselves. I mean, B&N doesn't open up bookstores in the middle of boot camps or tech schools, you know? Plus, for the kids over in Iraq, it's almost IMPOSSIBLE for them to get their hands on any unless their friends or family send it.

So, what I was wondering was, does Tokyopop or will TP ever consider doing something about getting manga to our military? Like a discount, free promo books, care packages for overseas kids, or anything to help out all the Manga fans in the service. I know they would appriciate it TONS and their friends and family would appriciate it because you'd be helping the people we love.

It's just an idea, but I think it's a good one.

If you're already doing something, could you let me know? I'd like to pass along the info to my friends so they can get in on it ^_^

[crispy]

Somehow I don't think manga comes at the top of the "support our troops!" list. How about we worry about getting them toilet paper that isn't made of sand-paper first?

[Rem Akimichi]

Somehow I don't think manga comes at the top of the "support our troops!" list. How about we worry about getting them toilet paper that isn't made of sand-paper first?

*facepalm* Somehow, I feel like that was a very barbed remark. I don't wan't to have this thread become a "anti-war/pro-war" discussion, debate, or argument AT ALL, so for anyone with that kind of idea, please don't post it. This is a suggestion for the editors about doing something to make some people in difficult positions a little happier.

[crispy]

It's not a duty. It's a decision they've made by which they have to follow through. A duty is something that you're obligated to do. I don't see donating manga to soldiers as being a wise decision for any publishing company -- how many of them read it, anyway? At that, these companies major market lies in teens. So... what? Should Tokyopop donate books to public school libraries, as well as send it over seas? It's not a wise decision to begin with. The way it seems to me -- this company runs off of pennies ANYWAY. Making major contributions and donations wouldn't help anything.

[Rem Akimichi]

It's not a duty. It's a decision they've made by which they have to follow through. A duty is something that you're obligated to do.

That's your opinion, and I respect that.

I don't see donating manga to soldiers as being a wise decision for any publishing company -- how many of them read it, anyway? At that, these companies major market lies in teens. So... what? Should Tokyopop donate books to public school libraries, as well as send it over seas? It's not a wise decision to begin with. The way it seems to me -- this company runs off of pennies ANYWAY. Making major contributions and donations wouldn't help anything.

Now heres something that actually ties in to the original post. That's another thing that would be neat: Discounts for libraries that buy a whole series (or as much of a whole series as is compleated) all at once. Having worked in libraries that run on tight budgets, I know first hand how manga is usually overlooked when it comes time to buy new books, simply because it's considered a waste of money when the book isn't self-contained and needs usually 10+ to complete the story. I don't know if TP has something in place for libraries, but thats a good idea too.

About Tokyopops own budget, see, thats where I don't know anything. Most people besides it's immediate employees probably don't. Whether or not they have the budget to even give discounts is unknown to me. But I wanted to put the idea out there, in case they do or in case they ever do in the future, you see? No need to become hostile, it's just an idea.

[UrbanRevolution]

it's a good idea, i have a cousin in Iraq... he'd dig it...

it would be a tax break or write off aswell.

[Blu_Moon]

Howdy.
My mom and I sign up to give care packages to soldiers. (We don't support the war, but, we are concerned for the men and women over there.) When I can, I send some manga and dvds in my care packages for them. I know how important relaxing reading material can be.

To be completely honest, I don't think TOKYOPOP has the time, manpower, or funding (even with a tax break) for such a venture, (plus, it could be seen as a political gesture, which we do not make, as a standard policy) and I'd hate to start a free manga program or discount program and not be able to back it up for however many more years the war takes.

But, on a very small, personal scale, I will do what I can for the units that I've signed up for.
Thank you for your suggestion!

[chocopocko]

I am with Blu_Moon i dont think that TP would want to be involved with the war in any way with all of the backstabbing and what not going on. But sending care packages are important you can send useful stuff and some manga if you want. The discount for libraries is a good idea for both Tokyopop and the library. It would promote the Tokyopop label and i know some people would never go in a library but love manga so it would bring people in the library. oh yeah... i dont know about Tokyopops amount of profit but it cant be pennies if theyre charging $10 a book with the ten series books...that must be a lot for ink and paper. And Rem_Akimichi if you are really desperate you could send over the pengu....errrr....secret agents no government would mess with them.

[PeterAhlstrom]

We do have some programs directly targeted at libraries, but I don't know the details or what discounts, if any (beyond standard wholesale), might be involved.

[LillianDP]

I don't know about care packages, but I'm pretty sure that we distribute our titles to military commissaries.

[YamPuff]

I can see it all now: Tokypop planes with robo-fish plastered all over it dropping bags and boxes of hentai to all the little troopers, bless their souls. No more lonely nights, nuh-uh. Of course, the food was delayed, the guys are starving and the death rate is up, but hey! the girl witht the boobs is H-O-T-T hot!

[KaYoKitten]

O__O Actually...I believe most of them have the internet in their camps. ^^; Johnston does, at least. He reads the online version and that's what is getting him by at the moment. Most people can't afford to send much at the moment. The country is in the highest amount of debt since the South lost the Civil War, relatively speaking. For those who can afford, do what you can, when you can. But TP shouldn't have to foot a bill to support a war that only those with short sight would have entered. (It's Vietnam all over again...T__T) Sorry, my dad was in the Navy, and they just don't pay these men (and women) enough as it is. It's a good idea in theory, but in the end, it comes down to the things that matter. They're happy just to get cookies once or twice. Getting shot at ain't a picnic. Pluuuuuus...^^; Johnston says it's not a good idea to have prized personal possessions. They tend to get destroyed/stolen. And from experience, nobody wants that, either. -_-()

[Cojiro]

The only suggestion i have is sending some one shot manga, as in, manga that isn't a series, just contained in one ook.

Yeah...Not so great, but it's all I can think of. XD