New Website Launched

[JimDeVico]

In case you bookmark the message boards and completely skip over the TOKYOPOP home page, now would be a good time to go check it out. We just launched a new version of our site.

http://www.tokyopop.com

Let us know what you think or if you run into any problems and post a comment. Afterall, this is a beta of our site so feel free to suggest and report away.

[Vicious]

Does this mean that the Takuhai website will also be updated?

*pokes fingers together* Lately I've been unable to read any new mangas that are coming out.

Wooh. Alot has changed. @_@ It really is different. I'll need to get used to this one now.

[Klawzie]

This is nutso-crazy. I think in the good way. XD *poke it*

[crispy]

I really hate the new design...

Like... really.

[Vicious]

Woooh... crispy... you'll get used to it. Like how everyone got used to the Wii. ^_^

Anyways, I was wondering if it was possible to change the avatar. Our members icon. Cause I see the same one over and over again for each member.

[crispy]

Wii was just a name change -- the product is still the same.

The new Tokyopop website is trying to be the next myspace for manga.

You guys are a publishing company... and now you sure as hell do not look like one. It just looks like another teenage-run web-zine.

[DescentfromOblivion]

I like the new look its better than the previous one. I didnt hate the other design, it was just little boring.

[Klawzie]

I'd like to note that the confirmation email you get when you register goes to the Junkmail folder if you register with a Hotmail account. (Note for the people registering, not for Tokyopop 'cause I'm not sure they can do much about that.)

[MephistoWaltz]

Wii was just a name change -- the product is still the same.

The new Tokyopop website is trying to be the next myspace for manga.

You guys are a publishing company... and now you sure as hell do not look like one. It just looks like another teenage-run web-zine.

I'm happy that you guys updated the site *Way to go!* But I'd have to agree with Crispy that it looks like a myspace. And I hate myspace.

[crispy]

By the way, please bring the optional forum styles back... this red hurts my eyes.

[nixon]

This is YOUR version of myspace! Honestly, Crispy, some people...

[MephistoWaltz]

Ok..... so does that mean we can expect sexual predators?

[crispy]

I'm not a huge fan of myspace. I have one, but that doesn't meant hat OMFGS I LOVE THAT WEBSITE AND I WANT EVERY WEBSITE I GO TO TO BE LIKE MYSPACE!

Ok..... so does that mean we can expect sexual predators?

ROFLMAO!!! I love you... just for that.

[MephistoWaltz]

I'm not a huge fan of myspace. I have one, but that doesn't meant hat OMFGS I LOVE THAT WEBSITE AND I WANT EVERY WEBSITE I GO TO TO BE LIKE MYSPACE!
Agreed.

[nixon]

Say, CafeSociety, what is wrong with you? This has been built so that we can build and enjoy the community together. You remind me of the comic book shop guy from the Simpsons!

Cafe Society says: "Oh, I will now go back to my comic book shop...so I can dispense the insults rather than absord them."

Crispy says: "I like to bite the hand that feeds me."

[MephistoWaltz]

I like the Comic Book Shop Guy, he's freakin funny. I know what you guys are doing but one of the reasons I came to this place was to get AWAY from stupid myspace.

[nixon]

PAY ATTENTION, Cafe Society: This is not myspace. Get it? This is your site to make your own. Stop whining and register! Cripes!

[crispy]

The website says nothing / very little about what the comapny does. That does not seem professional to me. Granted, me bitching about it on the forums isn't either -- but seriously. Creating a community is one thing ... but doing it all over your main web-venue is just... innapropriate IMO. That, and, the coding is messed up and there's this giant blank maroon space underneith the TPOP header, and the main cell that everything links into is too far to the left.

I love what TPop has tried to do in the industry... but this new website -- I'm just not feeling it.

[MephistoWaltz]

JC, calm down, it's just a site. And I did register. It's not like I have to use it anyway. Crispy is right btw. But like I said I'm just glad you guys are trying to make something that's good better.

[nixon]

Thanks, Crispy

I think we all should be happy that a message board troll is giving the world free advice about professionalism.

Great...

[nixon]

That's the spirit, Cafe Society!

[MephistoWaltz]

That's the spirit, Cafe Society!
Yes thank you. :D
What's wrong with a little advice? If I were running this company I'd love to know what the fans of this place would think. Besides the customer is always right. (Says McDonalds)

[YamPuff]

Eheheheheh...now the ultimate irony would be for Arcademan to end this fight between a Tokyopop mod and an employee.

And, I'm with Crispy on this one. I don't like the look and if I had never been to Tokyopop before, I would have said 'sheesh what is this place' and left at once. My favorite design was the first one I ever saw, the one before the one before this one.

[Horizon]

I like it. I need to figure out the new features you all have though.

[Klawzie]

I'm still trying to figure out how to see a list of members. I'm sure there are people who've signed up already who I'd like to friend. :3

[KaYoKitten]

Okay, THAT'S why the red is here and my little blue Azuri page is gone...I agree with Crispy...bring back the old ones. Red is my favorite color, but this is just too much. Ze red, she burns the eyes! @__@

The front page is way too cluttered now. I thought it was cluttered before! X_X Now, it's like someone went crazy with spray paint and made checkered boxes all over! It's nice when it's subtle--but this ain't subtle. You're a website with...*mostly* cool stuff on it. But you distract everything with that wild BG. It burns! *writhing on the ground* Then the white on top of that?! @____@ I'm being drowned in acid. Of the hydrochloric variety, I'd say.

WAIT! Art section. o.o Okay, I'm happy. Just...give us a change-of-BG-colors over there, too, and I'll be satisfied. I think. Wait...ya'll got blogs, too? 0.o Uh...all right, I guess...any...particular reason for that? ^^; And please...what is the purpose of this manga section here? o.0 Cause now, little UK ish confuzzled. I think I'll change my username while I'm over on the "other" Tpop, though. See if ya'll can "guess who". ^_~

[TheBohemian]

I think my head just exploded... :eek:

[Akanke]

talk about weird @_@

[sferrick]

I think my head just exploded...
Ditto.
There's sooo much fan stuff on the main page. I thought that was what the forums were for. This just seems like too much...

[Rayechu]

I think the idea for creating a website like this is interesting, however I agree with some of the earlier posters on a few points.
1. Please consider* making the main tokyopop page less cluttered, and a little more user friendly. The information about the manga titles and the catalogue page are fine, once you find them. "Books" was actually the 3rd category I tried when searching for manga descriptions.
2. Your main page is literally covered in ad/promotional space. I, like many people am here because I have bought your manga, not vice versa. Please consider revising the layout to be a little less obtrusive.

Please do not think I am trying to be a whiner, as I know this is only my opinion, but I believe both suggestions have value.
Thank you.
Edited for a spelling error.
*Edited for spelling again. And I spellchecked this sucker!

[chocopocko]

its a bit much, i must say. but not too many complaints, i will sign up of course, it looks like fun. you dont need to over advertise though, and all the flashing makes it hard to focus.


but i must say one thing: PLEASE, please let the background have color options, i really miss my purple2!!

[MomoxD]

It's interesting... lol. I sort of laughed at all the "我" XD. My, my, my, my. lol.. ^^;; It's certainly...black..and red. ._.;;

*edits: Why does the top say "Welcome back Sammi!"? O.o

[nixon]

Now this is useful advice:

1. Please considering making the main tokyopop page less cluttered, and a little more user friendly. The information about the manga titles and the catalogue page are fine, once you find them. "Books" was actually the 3rd category I tried when searching for manga descriptions.
2. Your main page is literally covered in ad/promotional space. I, like many people am here because I have bought your manga, not vice versa. Please consider revising the layout to be a little less obtrusive.

Thanks, Rayechu.

Doc

[shadowmose]

I also don't like the new design of the web page. It feels like TP is trying to follow in the footsteps of Myspace. Rather then being innovative, TP might be seen as a follower. Myspace is popular for now but a new trend will eventually come around to replace it and Myspace is already producing a backlash. I hope TP won't bite off more then the company can handle. Attacking someone because they don't like the site isn't really classy. But, I thought its supposed our community until you say something the TP doesn't agree with.

[adichappo]

Yes. The first think I thought of when I saw the new look was MySpace, which I don't really like. I mainly use the site to see what's the latest manga releases and info. If I want to talk to other manga/anime lovers, I'll come here to the message board. Even the home page is a bit too busy for my liking, but perhaps some of the younger fans will like it. Sorry to be negative, but that just my little humble opinion.

[Kaoru]

I don't really like the new site.
The first think I thought of when I saw the new look was MySpace, which I don't really like. I mainly use the site to see what's the latest manga releases and info. If I want to talk to other manga/anime lovers, I'll come here to the message board.
My thoughts exactly.

BTW what happened to the the themes on this site? I want my Purple 2 back!

[odinmm]

MY EYES!!! :eek:

Now I just spend a few minuets looking at the new Tokyopop website and I already miss the nice older lay out. It was more user friendly before, but it isn’t now. It now looks messy and unorganized. You are, as crispy said, a publishing company and the site doesn’t scream publishing company, more like Myspace if not worse. And I miss that I can’t go into the manga section and see the small little picture sampler next to the name, it helped me to see that (as in if I wanted to look at the book or not).

So next time, if you’re going to changed the design and/or lay out of your web site, I would ask around on the boards to see what we want to see. I know I don’t want to see what I see, it confuses me allot. :(

P.S. WHERE IS MY GREEN BACK GROUND!!! :mad:

[AnimeDudde]

Wow, I ask for a new profile and we get TokyoPop Spaces... nice :rolleyes: I look forward to TokyoPop Dating :P

[Arcademan]

Oy vey!!!

So this is what happens when I go to work, come home and see all of this.

Heh. I'm there however if you expect to see me blog or do anything there, you're sadly mistaken. I don't do online things like that: I tend to keep my personal life just that...personal. That said though I may pull off a surprise or two...you never know ;)

[AnimeDudde]

Oy vey!!!

So this is what happens when I go to work, come home and see all of this.

Heh. I'm there however if you expect to see me blog or do anything there, you're sadly mistaken. I don't do online things like that: I tend to keep my personal life just that...personal. That said though I may pull off a surprise or two...you never know ;)

Yea, like your hentai escapade :D

[Arcademan]

I did a quick tour of the TOKYOPOP website...very informative but at the same time very busy. Please take the time to see all the options before jumping to conclusions however also let the powers-to-be know what they should do and/or not do to make it a better site. If there's any questions, comments or complaints, air them out here in a civilized tone and as detailed as possible. Please don't PM or email me about it since when it comes to the website, I'm just a common member like everyone else here ;)

Thank you for your patience and understanding in this change.

[Kaoru]

Question...did this new redesign have anything to do with the fact the themes are gone on this site? Because I never realized how much the red hurt my eyes.

[AnimeDudde]

Question...did this new redesign have anything to do with the fact the themes are gone on this site? Because I never realized how much the red hurt my eyes.

same... I want the Blue :( Ah well

[Nikora]

I quite like the new design, but it feels a lil bit crowded to me. The grungy look works well tho^__^

[strawz]

Is anyone else having alignment problems?

Internet explorer displays each page with the middle section pushed all the way up with half of it hidden, and although firefox works fine it is not my preferred browser :P

[Klawzie]

I'm using Netscape 7.2 with no problems with the layout - what browser were you trying to use, Strawz?

[strawz]

Internet Explorer 7 - It's a beta version so that might be why x_X

[Kaoru]

I'm using Opera 9.0, and it displys it fine.

[Bejaarde]

The friends section seems to be hosed. I got an email about a member that wanted me to add them as a friend but the friends space is a big blank with no controls or anything. Is anybody else having that problem? I checked in both IE 6 and Firefox current version.

[alucard666]

There's sooo much fan stuff on the main page. I thought that was what the forums were for. This just seems like too much...

i'm wondering why there are so many youtube clips on the tokyopop page. i don't really like like the new website as much as the old one but i guess i'll get use to it.

[ZukoJin]

Hee hee, I'm probably the only one who didn't really notice the skin changes gone. I just use the red.

But yeah, the new site is a little cluttered and I'm still trying to figure it all out. I'd also like an easier way to veiw member profiles. A member list would be nice. Right now, I just go to my profile and change the part that says 'ZukoJin' to whatever name I want to look for.

And another thing, I can't get certain parts of my profile to be private, even though I check the little box. Yeah, that needs to be changed.

[crispy]

If you have virus softwear that blocks out ads like mine does, it creates a large blank maroon space that makes it look like there are alignment problems :/ There are big flashing ads in those maroon blocks. However, at the bottom, you're right. That's just blank space -_-

[AnimeDudde]

So I actually checked out the website and.. I dont see anything wrong with it :S Everythings still easy to find and organized. Whatever, I think everyone's just too used to complaining, seriously, its just a website, and even though I only go on it like once every 6 months, I still think the change is better. The only thing that looks stupid is the add right at the top, wtf is that there for? I mean, on the forums its okay but I dont think there needs to be an add right at your face as soon as you enter the website... whatever, otherwise its okay. At least we can get better profiles now, my dream comes true~!

I have 2 questions to Admins...or Mods that work for TP, whoever:
1) Did my sexy profile thread influence anything? (no...) BUT:
2) Why didnt any of the mods reply about this in the sexy profile thread? Was it supposed to be a surprise or what? @.@

[JimDeVico]

1) Did my sexy profile thread influence anything? (no...) BUT:
2) Why didnt any of the mods reply about this in the sexy profile thread? Was it supposed to be a surprise or what? @.@

Can you point me at it? I haven't been on the boards in quite some time.

[Joanna]

Hmm, well... I like the new columns, (Yay Chris Arrant!) But I must confess, I'm not very keen on the new website at all. The main page is very cluttered and confusing.... to the point where I'd feel pretty uncomfortable sending friends and family there, unless they were very web-savvy. ... (And I used to send people to the Tpop website all the time, to look up information on Roadsong, after all.) There's a LOT of fan-content to wade through, for a person who is just trying to look up information on a specific title or titles.

It's nice that TP is providing more interactive content to web-savvy fans, but I miss the previous designs. They were clearer, and much more inclusive to the general public.

[ZeKarmiSama]

The page is pretty spiffy... @_@ yet another place to plug my arts...until I find...

When I try to upload manga, it tells me that it needs to be jpeg when all my files are indeed already jpeg!!

[Rayechu]

So I actually checked out the website and.. I dont see anything wrong with it :S Everythings still easy to find and organized.

Perhaps I am not that web savvy, but as I mentioned earlier I had a bit of a problem finding the information on a specific manga. I first clicked manga, then manga serials, then "books" which I think is misleading. When I hear book I think of a traditional book without pictures, and with the merging of Harper Collins and some manga novels out there I don't think I was really thinking too strangely.

I don't want to come off as complaining, I am simply expressing my finding that I had a hard time on the website with the primary function I (and perhaps many other people) use it for. I know they are still working out bugs and such so hopefully someone will take my input into consideration.

[DescentfromOblivion]

1.Theres to many manga bottons, manga serials, books, manga, then ya got the very top manga botton there should be only 1 manga botton.

2. I'll more than likey never use the video I can just go to Youtube for that and the audio dout it. basicaly it shoud be simpler.

I do like the checkerd BG.

[AnimeDudde]

Here's the thread: http://messageboard.tokyopop.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3828

I was just wondering if the music limit could go up a little :S to at least like 4? maybe its asking too much heh.

Anyway, I dont know about the whole manga thing, but I think itd be nice to try out a TP Space thingie... it might just not go as bad as the others :P

[Vicious]

Up to 4 mb? Yeah I wish it was possible. Who the hell listens to a 1mb music file!? That's not even a minute! Like 20 seconds or something.

About the manga thing; I don't think it's a good idea. People might be posting stuff that isn't theres... or scanlated mangas that have already been licensed. O_O

[Arcademan]

Here's the thread: http://messageboard.tokyopop.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3828


You foresaw the future and that's what scared the TP mods and administrators into replying :p

[AnimeDudde]

Ah, I was about to post my favorite pages of manga (scanned from my own books of coruse) like pages that I found funny and stuff, crediting the original author of course.. is that okay? Because really, any music or videos that you post aren't really going to be your own either, but I guess as long as it isnt entire anime episodes or anything it wouldnt hurt.

lol Arc, TP is full of surprises, honestly :rolleyes:

[odinmm]

Ok I am playing around with some of the new features and it isn’t bad. I am now getting used of it, but it will still take time.

I have some suggestions for the web site:

Add some gray or white, as there is way too much red. and it seems dark.
I would use a scroll down feature at the top of the home page (like for manga, anime, forums, help, personal page, stuff like that). Like you use to have a few months back, but for some odd reason got rid of. It would free up space and allow for more breathing room, not to mention a cleaner look. Now you can still keep the Art one up there, that one is nice.
Put the blogs, art, video, etc. in its own category and put it up at the top of the page next to manga, forums, and such.
This is in my own opinion but I think that Tokyopop should bring back the old way of looking for manga, anime, and such. It was to me, easier and it did show a little picture next to it. Unless you can change the way you have it now. Like when a cursor goes over the name and a picture shows up just like at Justmanga.com. Oh and move this up to the top of the site, I got lost till I figured out were you managed to put it, not a good location. I liked it where it was before the change.
Another thing to clear up some room is to switch around a few things. Where you have manga specials, anime, games, film and TV, ext. All that could go into scroll bars from the top of the page (like for some of those I would put an “exciting extra” bar in or something like that), and move “Latest Member Uploads” section in its place, then you can put the “today on Tokyopop” in the middle with breathing room on both sides of it.I know that seemed a bit confusing. But I tried giving the best advice that I can give n such. And I know I kept on saying about the scroll bar thing, but really to me that seems to save a lot of space I think.

But at least the red is a deeper red then what is on the TP forms now. O_O my eyes still hurt. T_T I still want my green back, if not more colors to chose from. Red makes me think of hate and green makes me think of money.

Now this is my thought and opinion on how it is now and how i think it would be better.

P.S. you will never see me use the blogs, just to say. ^_^ now if you had journals, I would reconsider.

[Klawzie]

any music or videos that you post aren't really going to be your own either

Are you kidding?

My computer does its own audio recording. I could record an mp3 of myself singing and post it.

My digital camera takes video. I could record a clip of me doing some sort of art technique.

I wouldn't do either, but all media on the web is not inherently "not the poster's original property".

[KaYoKitten]

Okay, now that I've had more than thirty seconds to look at it...I can say the red's grown on me a little. The darker red is a nice touch. But that pattern has GOT to go. It makes everything feel extremely claustrophobic. However, as you can see from multiple posters here already, most of us have very different preferences for what we view the FORUMS with. This brilliant red is hurting my eyes and I doubt I'll be on here for very long because of it. I prefer the blue page with Azuri on it (mainly because I loved Azuri, because even that blue was just a tad bright).

But seriously! Clutter clutter clutter, it makes me feel like I'm boxed into a tiny little corner. Here are some suggestions, because I'm feeling oh-so-organizing-ish tonight:

The way you organized the page for Rising Stars? Much easier to navigate. I think someone up there heard me or something. XD But, it's still a little difficult to find on the page for a very simple reason: There are so many things to look at that the person looking at the screen is OVERWHELMED with information, to the point where if you're not looking for something specific, you give up.

That is the bad thing about clutter--if you can't find what you need in five seconds, you're going to give up. Period.

There are so many links in so many places that I don't know where to begin. That is the problem. (Ya'll asked for specifics...)

Okay, say I wanted to look for the street date for oh...let's say...I didn't know that Fool's Gold was already out (and I bought it already XD). So, I go to look. Here pops up the front page: Loaded with stuff, including the Today on TPOP thing, an ad for East Coast Rising, links at the top, links on BOTH sides, and several more ads as I scroll down. I do not mind ads. Really. But when you've got that many on a single page, something is up...and honestly, I'm having a hard time finding it. Manga comes up with something completely different from what I'd thought. I hadn't even thought about Books until the second time. You've already made me annoyed as a customer and as a frequent user. I have to get used to the page--I shouldn't have to.

Here's something a few other companies (most notably Borders) have done. Take a short survey from your people (users like me) on what titles interest them every month (after all, you do your release schedule by the month, right?). Then, once you've gathered that data, use it as a marketing tool: advertise something similar to those titles on their front page!

I love that ya'll are trying something new. But it makes it extremely difficult to find things when I just want to see them. Easy navigation should be at the top of your lists--not looking cool. Yes, looking awesome is a good idea, too...but trying to do TOO much will make you look like...well...amateurs.

[Kaoru]

They need'a little simplification on there site.
I think one thing that'll help is getting rid of the textures and replacing them with solid colors. Kinda like how this forum is. You should make the layout (colorwise) match this forum. Also with solid colors in comparison to textures and such, you think it'd seem less crowded.
I just hope Tokyopop doesn't plan do it backward and make this forum more like how the site now looks now, that'd probably piss off some people.

PS why did you guys get rid of the themes here on here? Was there a reason?

[Aratos]

the register page wouldn't let me fill in the last three digits of my postcode.

Apart from that and what appears to be a complete lack of user manual and acceptable use policy, I like it. Hmm.

[MephistoWaltz]

I like the old website style.

[Kaoru]

Nooooooes!
The forums anf the mainsite are one...

[Aratos]

And not only that, they have annoying login bugs all of a sudden. This'll be fun.

[leaking_leaki]

is ther like aguide on how to use this new update,?

[Aratos]

Aparently not.

I'm still trying to work out how to get a deecent avatar, for one.

[Kaoru]

I have a new complaint.

Can you change the default avatar people get? I don't know...maybe to nothing! I'm already getting suck of seeing under the "newest members" thing 6 of the same smug-looking guys.

BTW am I the only one who on the mainsite keeps saying is logged on as Will?

[MephistoWaltz]

Nooooooes!
The forums anf the mainsite are one...

I know I was hoping they would remain separate.

[Aratos]

BTW am I the only one who on the mainsite keeps saying is logged on as Will?

Nope. I made a seperate thread about it as it happens. I only get it on the forum though, and it won't let me muck with his account. Just suddenly says I'm logged off.

...not that I _would_ muck about with anyone elses account, obviously.

[Kurapica]

When I'm reading posts or PMing, everything's at the very bottom of the page. Not only that, the left side of ppls' name and avi are cut off. Ugh.

[crispy]

Oh dear. This is even worse.... Yesterday it looked like the forum had exploded all over the Tokyopop main site... and now it really has.

[YamPuff]

Nooooooes!
The forums anf the mainsite are one...
For once we are in perfect unison on this case. I HATE IT. HATE. H-A-T-E.
...not that I _would_ muck about with anyone elses account, obviously.
Who are you trying to kid?

[AnimeDudde]

I wouldn't do either, but all media on the web is not inherently "not the poster's original property".

True, but how many people would post 'their own' stuff? They would probably want to uplaod there favorite song/soundtrack or music video or something.

Anyway, hopefully when Im back from vacation things turn out fine >.>

[Aratos]

I'll wait a few weeks to try an' get used to it before I start with the hating, methinks.

[YamPuff]

Giving hatred time is good. The forums are too skinny; I can't concentrate on them. >< I like wider pages.

Hey, how do I add friends to my friends list? :confused:

[Aratos]

look on their profile, under the avatar there's a box abelled "connect with me", which contains an "add as friend" button.

[Kurapica]

Giving hatred, eh? Okay, I hate the red color. It's too dull and I don't like the color red. It could at least have more variety of colors. And the forums are rather skinny. I wonder if they will make us go for even smaller sig sizes instead of 150 pixels.

[Aratos]

it's red? I thought it was dark brown.

[Kurapica]

Ah, geez. Well, whatever color it is. It's just so boring.

[Meowchi]

So do you have to reregister for the site stuff even though we are signed up for the fourms?

[Kaoru]

The forums are too skinny; I can't concentrate on them. >< I like wider pages.
I wish it was wider too.

[Aratos]

So do you have to reregister for the site stuff even though we are signed up for the fourms?

yep.
.

[YamPuff]

I had to do over the access code thingie ten times to get it right. I couldn't tell if they wanted caps or not, spaces or not, etc. Sheesh. ><
look on their profile, under the avatar there's a box abelled "connect with me", which contains an "add as friend" button.
Thanks! ^^ Now to figure out the other gazillion thingums...If only I had a BRAIN!
I wish it was wider too.
So its not just moi

EDIT: o.o Oh my...people have to approve your friendship? I smell trouble. Now I can go around seeing who like me...

[Aratos]

Yeah, well, could be worse.

Anyone else wonder what it shows as an avatar if y'say "hide photo"? I'm guessing just the default, but still.

[Angel_Nosaj]

This new site is awesome, I love everything about it, basically the same sentence in different words.

[Mitzuki]

I have to agree i love the Site but i dont quite like how the forum is put into it

[AnimeDudde]

I have to agree i love the Site but i dont quite like how the forum is put into it

Yo Mitz!! Are you finally back for good? :D Donuts, Kurama are sort of back too, they post every now and then xD Miako is still deciding I guess xD

[kakashi]

I wish it was wider too.
I agree. ...I really don't like the new layout...but there isn't much that I can do about it. And why this color? Is it supposed to look sophisticated (sorry, reminds me of museums T.T)? I hope that there will be skins to choose from (again) in the future.

@_@ so confusing...

But I guess change is good.

[ZukoJin]

Whoa! What happened since I went to bed last night? Everything changed! I don't like how I have to scroll to the side to read everything. Not good. Please make the forums wider again. Also, the color is kind of dull. It'll take some getting used to, but it's not that big of a deal.

[MephistoWaltz]

Wide is good, well in this case anyway.

[ZukoJin]

Another thing I've noticed is that in the longer threads, I have to scroll down alot just to find that the part where it has the person's username has been cut off! I can't figure out who posted what unless I recognize the sig or avi!

[Kurapica]

Yeah, same thing with me. Sux! I don't think we're the only ones. Everything just seems so... out of place.

[ZukoJin]

Yeah, same thing with me. Sux! I don't think we're the only ones.
That's good. It really sucks in the 'caption the avatar above you game' where the avis are chopped in half. How am I supposed to know what to say if I can't see them?

[KingN]

I have to agree i love the Site but i dont quite like how the forum is put into it

i feel the same way

[Kurapica]

That's good. It really sucks in the 'caption the avatar above you game' where the avis are chopped in half. How am I supposed to know what to say if I can't see them?
The hard way: click on their profile and look at their avi that way. Well, it's not that hard. :rolleyes: If you can't click on their name cuz it's too short or their avi is cut off like mine, click on their post number and look at their individual post.

[ZukoJin]

The hard way: click on their profile and look at their avi that way. Well, it's not that hard. :rolleyes:
Oh, yeah. Didn't think of that. I guess I could do that to find out who posted, too.

[odinmm]

what the. all i did was go to bed and now the Forums are this way, well at least the red i can live with but there are to much distractions and as people have mentioned the forums are skinny too. tokyopop please fix this as a costumer and as a visitor to the boards i beg of you. :(

[alucard666]

i was fine that they changed the site, but i wish they would put the forums back how they were.

[Vicious]

I'm not a big fan of the new forums either.

But... I really don't care anymore. The layout is just a distraction.

[odinmm]

i was fine that they changed the site, but i wish they would put the forums back how they were.

ya, why did they mess with something that was already good if not better then this, but the dark red i do like, but as i have mentioned before i dont like that it is skinny and cluttered. :(

[marukufusen]

i was fine that they changed the site, but i wish they would put the forums back how they were.

me too.but i like the changes it looks more interesting.

[Nanfoodle]

Nice layout and it's really nice but.It's a little ard to navigate.Before I could just sign on, click on manga and have a little drop screen go down,find the letter my manga began with and there we go.Now it's like navigating a ship or something.When I clicked on manga this time I got fan made manga and such and not the manga made by the manga-ka in Japan.So now itstad of taking a few seconds to find the realese date for the next volume in my favorit series,it takes minutes.And I'm not saying this cause I'm some odd 'My minutes!I could be doing something else with that five minutes it took for me to find that!' type of person I'm just saying it takes longer now....:(

[alucard666]

it's just annoying, the page keeps coming up pushed so far to the side that it's cut.

[YamPuff]

I'm not a big fan of the new forums either.

But... I really don't care anymore. The layout is just a distraction.
Distractions aren't good, especially when some of us spend a lot of time on the forums here. If it don't look nice, they'll find a place that does. Themes is the best way to go, but I do wish they'd make this back into a professional site and put the interactive stuff to the side.

Like amazon.com; there are forums and reviews and stuff, but the main site is kept uncluttered.

[ZukoJin]

it's just annoying, the page keeps coming up pushed so far to the side that it's cut.
Yeah, I really hate that.

[DescentfromOblivion]

The Submission thread link doesn't work either.

[Comic_Burn]

This page is WAY TOO BUSY looking. The TP forums used to be very comfortable on the eyes with a very nice design. This just gives me a headache. Isn't good web design important anymore?

Oh-well. Manga Academy forums here I come.

[crispy]

Distractions aren't good, especially when some of us spend a lot of time on the forums here. If it don't look nice, they'll find a place that does. Themes is the best way to go, but I do wish they'd make this back into a professional site and put the interactive stuff to the side.

Like amazon.com; there are forums and reviews and stuff, but the main site is kept uncluttered.

I'm totally with you on that one. I mean -- seriously. If Tokyopop wants to go and have its own myspace, that's cool -- just keep it off the main page, and don't make THAT the first thing I see when I look at your website.

I can't but help imagine what an older investor or japanese investor may think when they look at the site. If it weren't for the giant TOKYOPOP logo at the very top, one could very likely mistake this for some fansite. Those older less-savvy people wont be able to navigate the site, and just skip over it. I mean... I'm already doing that, and I AM pretty savvy.

[alucard666]

for all of you who are unhappy with the new forum setup i have started a thread to discuss your issues with it. not about the new website overall just the forums.

http://messageboard.tokyopop.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4369

[MephistoWaltz]

Words of wisdom from Crispy, I once again, agree.

[Chuplayer]

For those of us who still run 800x600, this new layout is really annoying :mad:

[Kokoro]

I hate how everything is now all squished into the center. :mad:

I'm also really disappointed by the reviews/columns - the writing doesn't impress me. Most of the stuff is incredible...rambly...and more opinionated than objective.

[Vicious]

I'm using a 1280 x 1024 screen resolution and it still looks squished together. Heh.

Oh? I honestly haven't checked any reviews / columns but... then again... what were we going to expect? They were looking for people HERE who were willing to work as a columnist. Heh.

[Kaoru]

For those of us who still run 800x600, this new layout is really annoying :mad:
Same thing for people with wide displays. I fell ridiculous having all the forum cramped into this narrow column when half the display isn't being used (I run a 1680x1050 display mind you).
I liked how the old site had an adjustable width, so it worked for everybody.

[Kokoro]

Oh? I honestly haven't checked any reviews / columns but... then again... what were we going to expect? They were looking for people HERE who were willing to work as a columnist. Heh.

Yeah, well, I'm sure there are a lot of good writers here! :D

[crispy]

Some of the columns and art were done by TP staff, too.

I dunno -- I don't think the columns are that bad. I think they're a pretty neat idea. However -- I wouldn't be surprised if it just ends up the same way as Manga Online. Updates that were once monthly will come weeks later, and when they do come, they'll just be haphazard and careless.

I would have preferred Tokyopop keep up with Manga Online than unnecessarily rehaul their entire website. Give us a consistent product.

[Shizu-san]

I'm starting to feel a little claustrophobic all of a sudden, but maybe that's just me. I have a feeling that I'll get used to it sooner or later. It's just quite a drastic change, I think.

[Kokoro]

Some of the columns and art were done by TP staff, too.

I dunno -- I don't think the columns are that bad. I think they're a pretty neat idea. However -- I wouldn't be surprised if it just ends up the same way as Manga Online. Updates that were once monthly will come weeks later, and when they do come, they'll just be haphazard and careless.

I thought it was a really cool idea, but now that it's actually here I'm not so sure. Of course, I'll keep reading it, but...

I dunno. I love English - I've taken all Honors and AP courses, tested out of all the required English classes for college through my placement score, and won multiple awards and scholarships for my essays and stories. In short, I do know a thing or two about writing!

When I read some of these columns I was just really not impressed. Some of them sound too much like entries in a thirteen year old's MySpace. I was hoping for something a bit more mature, but given what the target audience probably is here at Tokyopop.com, it's understandable.

[Will]

Some of the columns and art were done by TP staff, too.

I dunno -- I don't think the columns are that bad. I think they're a pretty neat idea. However -- I wouldn't be surprised if it just ends up the same way as Manga Online. Updates that were once monthly will come weeks later, and when they do come, they'll just be haphazard and careless.

I would have preferred Tokyopop keep up with Manga Online than unnecessarily rehaul their entire website. Give us a consistent product.

The columns will be weekly. They're already planned out. Since no one likes to be judged unfairly, it's only right that you give the site & content time. This is a daily site -- not a monthly.

[lymhfeubdach]

I have to agree with some of the members the company is trying to be like myspace, even thou it different and it will take a while for everyone to learn the new features. I have some suggests less stuff on the main site, put the forms back to normal size please, then in the future to set tokyopop website a part from the rest, show free streaming anime. I know that CN and Viz is alreading do website that show free streaming anime.

[Mecha]

having a search function to find friends with similar interests would be helpful. Right now I have no idea how to find people to add as a friend without going through tons of blog posts and art/manga submissions.

[Aratos]

Y'mena it's even possible to find folk without going profile-hoping through the comments folk've made??

[Kokoro]

having a search function to find friends with similar interests would be helpful. Right now I have no idea how to find people to add as a friend without going through tons of blog posts and art/manga submissions.

Yeah, same here.

I also agree with everyone how this website is too MySpace-ish now. It doesn't look half as professional as it used to. Then again, it is brand new, and I'll give it some time to fix itself up. :)

[Will]

They are working on a members list and more. It takes a little time but new features, fixes, and tweaks will be coming. That's why it's called Beta. :)

[lymhfeubdach]

I have another suggest, add a homework help and Tech section to the site. That why people can get help on lessons like math and writing. On the tech section show the least tech from Japan and tutiuals on how to build a web page, photo shop, and build their own robot.

[Aratos]

And a website for a publisher of manga and other japanese stuffs would want to give homework advice why?

Some people...

[PeterAhlstrom]

I would have preferred Tokyopop keep up with Manga Online than unnecessarily rehaul their entire website. Give us a consistent product.
That was the PROBLEM with Manga Online. It wasn't integrated into the rest of the site. There were two pages for My Cat Loki, for example, one on the main TP site and one on Manga Online, and no way to go between the two. Now it's more of a consistent experience. Maybe not yet perfected, but...

I don't think the old TOKYOPOP website was perfect with no need for change. If this company is going to grow and expand its market, we have to be willing to adapt and try new things.

The way things were going for this company earlier in the year, something needed to be done. This new website is a large part of the new strategy. Maybe it will work out, maybe it won't, but it's a start.

[crispy]

That could have very easily been remidied without saying "HAY LET'S THROW EVERYTHING ONTO ONE BIG WEBSITE!"

I'm more willing to give it a go now, though. It hurts my face, but whatever.

[KaYoKitten]

Okay...now that I've gotten a chance to get used to this...I really have only a few things to say.

*I'd like my forums fat again, please. Fat forums are happy forums.

*I'd like to keep corporate sections of the site separate (with perhaps a large link list) from the fan sections.

*Nix the entire right-hand side of the front page. The good majority of it is UN-NEED-ED!
----I realize ya'll need to advertise Manga Studio. Do it somewhere else, because I all but missed it on that side of the page.
----There is an entire space that I see ya'll are not using at the HORIZONTAL areas of the pages. Instead of putting that stuff that is ACTUALLY NEEDED, why not put them BETWEEN the different places on the site?

*I thought those new articles were awesome and should be kept.

*The Newest Members bar isn't really needed in so vital a space. My suggestion would be at the bottom of the page, just like it is on the forums.

*Some of the links (like Manga Serials, Books, and Manga) are very confusing. Maybe put a little blurb under each link to explain what is there when you move your cursor over it. Like, for Manga, it'd be like "All of our manga books, all in one place!". Or, at least, I hope they're all in one place. o.0

* It is EXTREMELY difficult to navigate the Books page. And it was very confusing which one was which to find them, too. X_X The above suggestion might fix that somewhat. But ya'll have a LOT of books. What if I just wanted a certain book type? A magical girl manga or just OEL/OGM/whenever-whoever-makes-up-they're-mind-about-this-naming-thing? I'd suggest a few more subcategories, because the current one isn't very helpful at all. X__X (Plus, I'm REALLY curious about how many OEL ya'll have out/planned for!)

I'll make more suggestions as the website keeps going, but I do hope ya'll take the biggest one almost everyone here has given you: reduce that clutter.

[Vicious]

Yeah the "Newest member" thing is a bit annoying. I agree with what Uglykitten said.

And I didn't even know where the hell the Tokyopop manga were! Put that on the manga section, not the book section! It's manga for crying out loud! *cough*

And I don't feel like using the blog thing anymore. I still have my LJ. Yosh!

[MephistoWaltz]

I wonder if all this complaning will make them change the website. I hope so, I'm getting a little used to it but I still want the old site back.

[Arcademan]

I wonder if all this complaning will make them change the website. I hope so, I'm getting a little used to it but I still want the old site back.

I'm sure the powers-to-be are taking many of the suggestions and complaints to heart. Remember...Rome wasn't built in a day ;)

[MephistoWaltz]

I'm sure the powers-to-be are taking many of the suggestions and complaints to heart. Remember...Rome wasn't built in a day ;)
Ah yes very true indeed.;)

[ZukoJin]

Another thing I've noticed is that I'm not getting anymore email reminders. The last one I got was sometime Fri. afternoon. I really miss them and want them back.

[sonia]

Agree with the general consensus that the front page is very cluttered. If I were to come to this website, I want to see clear links to
"what is Tokyopop? and what do we mainly do?"
"Here are all main things we sell"
"Here are all the other things we sell"
"Other things we get involved with and would like you to know"
"How would you like to get involved"

I think that fan stuff is taking too much priority at the moment. And there needs to be a clearer line drawn between your professional statements/sections, and hobby/fan/profile sections.

That said, I like the profiles, pics etc. It's great for getting to know people.

[PeterAhlstrom]

I agree that designing for a fixed-width screen is a mistake. One of my previously favorite sites that I visited every day, macnn.com, did this, and I stopped going there almost immediately. Bad use of space makes me not visit a website.

I do NOT think you need to accomodate 800x600 users--c'mon, join the 21st century, but not accommodating wide screens (my current resolution is 1440x900) is a mistake. On the main site it would be fairly easy to make sections of the layout expandable to fill the space available. And in the forum the way this would be done is a no-brainer. This forum is now uncomfortable to use, and if it stays this way, I will visit no more than strictly necessary.

[EDIT: Getting rid of the right-side ad in the forums was a big help so far! :) ]

[unit898]

I like it. keep it this way.

[ddr tatsujin]

Looks like crap, jim. Looks like crap.....


By the by, your side banner for "BLAME!" (a great series, I think you are doing a commendable job with it) isn't working. When I click on it, it says "invalid user."

[Wolfman]

i think the new layout looks pretty cool, however, some of the new features like posting your own art section SUCKS!!! Dont get me wrong, the idea is great and all, but whats crap about it is this stupid pop poll thing!! I posted a drawing of mine only to find it stacked new in at page 9 because everyother drawing before it has at least 1 pop. Isnt fair for new drawings being added thats all.

[Aratos]

Same with blogs, actually. The same ones basically are stuck at the top becasue they have pops, and get more becasue they're on the front page.

[Sailor Mars]

Wow, I'm gone for a few days and the forum layout completely changes.

No, I don't like it. However, I'm still a newbie and therefore my opinion doesn't really matter. I didn't have time to get 'used' to the old layout, but I did prefer it. I like when the posts take up the width of the screen, but whatever. The newest members thingy is kind of distracting though, IMO.

I'll get used to it. :)

[alucard666]

Wow, I'm gone for a few days and the forum layout completely changes.

No, I don't like it. However, I'm still a newbie and therefore my opinion doesn't really matter. I didn't have time to get 'used' to the old layout, but I did prefer it. I like when the posts take up the width of the screen, but whatever. The newest members thingy is kind of distracting though, IMO.

I'll get used to it. :)

it doesn't matter if you're a newbie, you're still a member on this forum, everyone's opinion counts.

[Lin West]

Its incrediblely stupid and I don't see a point to it. I like the idea of myspace for us nerds but this is just really sloppy. Random blogs, random profiles, random everything, and it's impossible to find the directory of your manga that you're actually SELLING. You have all these other random categories too (TV, fashion, food, people), what is this? An anime newspaper?

Please declutter your site. My eyeballs are bleeding. :mad:

The "manga viewers" for example. I really the idea but you need to allow other files besides just JPEG. Like I want to post my webmanga SIX here to get more exposure and since tokyopop is a well-known manga publisher it would be wonderful to post here. However, I save all my files as GIF images so they come out crisper because I just use black and white. They average 100k a page so they're small and don't take much waiting time. If I have to save them as JPEG they save as 400k trashy-looking images. Not very pretty. PNG should also be allowed so you can post more high-quality images.

Not only that you need to allow the webmanga to be seperated into categories or something. Model it off some automated webcomic site and it'll be more popular and easier to use. Like, if there isn't one already, a rating option and a comment option would be fabulous. Trust me, invest in a good webcomic automation system and the visitors will go crazy; the only thing better than manga is FREE manga we created.

Edited for content: Do NOT start swinging around accusations!!!

EDIT: I was stating rumor not accusing anyone of anything. And your angry response just makes me more suspicious. :)

And my question was valid, I don't understand why that was edited out. Does tokyopop claim the rights to what members publish on their site?

[Will]

Its incrediblely stupid and I don't see a point to it. I like the idea of myspace for us nerds but this is just really sloppy. Random blogs, random profiles, random everything, and it's impossible to find the directory of your manga that you're actually SELLING.

What manga who is selling? Do you mean TOKYOPOP's? If so it's listed exactly where it was on the old site and much the same way -- under BOOKS. It's that easy. And what's so random about the blogs or profiles here any more so than anywhere else? There is nothing random about them. They're blogs. They are profiles.


You have all these other random categories too (TV, fashion, food, people), what is this? An anime newspaper?

There is nothing random about this either. These are categories that are covered revolving around the manga lifestyle which the site is supporting, growing and championing. It's not an anime newspaper, it's a site about manga (and some anime) and there will be columns, interviews and news covering the subject. Again, nothing random about that. And so far some of the new columns have proven quite popular with visitors.

However, I save all my files as GIF images so they come out crisper because I just use black and white. They average 100k a page so they're small and don't take much waiting time. If I have to save them as JPEG they save as 400k trashy-looking images. Not very pretty. PNG should also be allowed so you can post more high-quality images.

All of the black & white images TP uses for their viewers are JPGs. Are you somehow suggesting those incredibly sharp images are not crisp? There is nothing trashy about them and they are about 100k each on average.

Not only that you need to allow the webmanga to be seperated into categories or something.

They are assigned to genres by the users when people upload them. The categories have yet to be added in by the programmers but they will be. :)

In terms of what was edited out from your comments, assuming something was, I have no idea. But opinions and comments are welcome, just not insulting, unnecessary comments. Constructive, useful criticism is one thing. Just criticism is another. Calling something someone has created "stupid" and trivializing isn't really the most positive way to help bring about change.

[Arcademan]

EDIT: I was stating rumor not accusing anyone of anything. And your angry response just makes me more suspicious. :)

And my question was valid, I don't understand why that was edited out. Does tokyopop claim the rights to what members publish on their site?

Your post was edited because the way it was stated. Now if you would've stated it the way you did in your above quote, I wouldn't have an issue about it since this time you said it was a RUMOR...that key word being left out in your previous post.

No angry response or malicious intent on my part...just trying to keep the forum operating smoothly and within the rules set forth by the administration...and no need to be suspicious about it since I DON'T work for TOKYOPOP ;)

[Shamdu]

Sorry to say, but I really don't like it. ^^;
While all the my-space-ish stuff are cute, it's not befitting of a big, respectable publishing company like TP.... It kinda loses the original meaning and purpose of the website. ^^;

I think that ideally, TP's website should be as simple, clean and professional looking as possible, with info on everything that's needed, samples, whatever, while maintaining a hip, cool atmosphere and maybe having some cute extras (columns, articles, etc.). The fan/interactive stuff are unnecessary and simply don't fit - I think it's best either to remove them or seperate them from the main site.

[MephistoWaltz]

it doesn't matter if you're a newbie, you're still a member on this forum, everyone's opinion counts.
Yes that is very true. You're still a human being. :D

[Kaoru]

I got a question...are the blogs monitored?? I really wanna know. Like is there anyone who has the power to edit you entries? Or can you say anything you want? Just curious.

[LKK6144]

All of the black & white images TP uses for their viewers are JPGs.

Speaking of the viewers, I assume Will is referring to those sample pages of individual manga titles, right? They used to be with the specific title's home page. But now, they're not. Did they move to somewhere else on the site?

I always found those sample manga pages very useful in deciding whether to order a book that I couldn't examine in person. I hope they're not gone. I hope I just can't find them right now. :o

[Will]

Speaking of the viewers, I assume Will is referring to those sample pages of individual manga titles, right? They used to be with the specific title's home page. But now, they're not. Did they move to somewhere else on the site?

I always found those sample manga pages very useful in deciding whether to order a book that I couldn't examine in person. I hope they're not gone. I hope I just can't find them right now. :o

They are not gone. :) The company decided to call them Manga Serials now. The "previews" are in there laid out pretty much the same way as they used to be. They are making some changes to how they will be presented and viewed but they will continue to be offered.

[LKK6144]

They are not gone. :) The company decided to call them Manga Serials now. The "previews" are in there laid out pretty much the same way as they used to be. They are making some changes to how they will be presented and viewed but they will continue to be offered.
Aha! So that's what Manga Serials means. I'd been wondering what that category was going to be about. I didn't delve too deeply when I was looking over the new site. So I didn't connect that section with the old preview pages. Thanks, Will. I'm relieved to know that the previews aren't gone. :)

[C. Babb]

The new website is hiding some cool easter eggs. You can customize it to your liking if you know what to do...

[ouch]

hummm... I think there is some table width problem with the forum. In some thread, if people post image too big, the whole forum section will shift at the buttom of the page...werid. And I also like the old auto width function better instead of the fix one right now.

[SweetNymph]

This has probably been mentioned, but...

Where's the Manga Online section? Is there one anymore? How about the Manga magazine?

[Will]

This has probably been mentioned, but...

Where's the Manga Online section? Is there one anymore? How about the Manga magazine?

The whole site is in essence Manag Online now. If you want to see "manga" related articles, then check out the MANGA section. If you want to see previews then check out the MANGA SERIALS section. It's all still there.

When you sign up for the main site, you are given the choice to once again confirm your mailing address for receiving the magazine which will be sent out two to three times a year now.

[SweetNymph]

Ah, I see. Guess I didn't notice because of the new format.

Thanks. ^^

[Shamdu]

Oh, looks like the thread is sinking....

So I'll just ask, in light of all the bad feedback it's been recieving, are there any plans to change the site any time soon? Switch it back to normal publisher site mode? Or will the MySpace horror be left as it is? XD

(Sorry for using strong words like that, but it's just.... >_<)

[Will]

There are no plans to change anything back. With as much time & effort that was put into building all this out, one does not simply "switch" back.

The site will continue to evolve. Changes and tweaks will be made. :)

[Shamdu]

Hmm, that's a pity... I didn't necessary mean switch back, but I just think all the community stuff should be seperated from the main website.

[PeterAhlstrom]

That's simply not going to happen. The whole point is to build a community on the website so people will like coming to the website every day and will check out the new books while they're there.

[Aratos]

Surely the forum's already a community? I mean, sure, if the user accounts on the site where linked to forum accounts it might work, but as it stands it's a bit half-hearted seeming.

[Shamdu]

Even if it would keep people coming everyday, the site is just messy and painful to the eyes - there's better ways to integrate a community into the site rather than smearing it all over the main page. It just doesn't look like a manga publisher site anymore, but a site that isn't quite sure what it wants to be....

[JimDeVico]

I keep reading in this thread and elsewhere, that our site doesn't look like a manga publisher site. Could someone please illuminate for me what one actually looks like? As far as I can tell, we've been a manga publisher for quite some time and isn't it us that determines what a US manga publishing website should look like? I don't mean to be pompous here but we've been blazing a trail for quite some time and you have been enjoying the fruits of our efforts.

As a trail blazer, we think that this kind of site will help all of you.

How?

How many of you have been frustrated that your favorite manga hasn't been licensed here in the US? How many of you have wanted your favorite titles to come out more frequently? How many of you have ever forgotten to go to the store for a month or so to get the next release and then be upset at yourself for doing so? How many of you have ever wished that us or Viz or Del Rey or others would pick up that long forgotten title and bring it to the US?

Here's how.

We think that this kind of site will bring in more fans to manga and the Manga lifestyle. Yes the Manga lifestyle - with a capital M. The more fans we can bring in, to all of the US publishers, the more titles you will have access to and possibly the more frequently these titles will be released. We think it's now time to start pushing the Manga lifestyle and this revision to our site is representative of that. In the coming months you will see much more content as well as different types of content here. It's an exciting time to be a manga fan in the US because you're in on the ground floor of an exciting and relatively new form of entertainment here.

As proof of this, how more often are you now seeing creators in the US and at conventions? Was this true a few years ago?

Now criticism on the "messy" or "cluttered" state of the site, I understand. We'll consider such comments as the site evolves so please don't stop sending us the suggestions.

But please everyone, try to be more expressive than simply saying this doesn't look like a manga publishing site. Most of you are quite imaginative and creative - certainly more than I am (just check out my avatar for proof of this. :) ) - so please try to be when expressing your frustrations with the new site. We want to know what you are thinking.

Thanks!

Jim

[MephistoWaltz]

Yeah but making this site look like a Myspace isn't going to make it any better. <-- Not meant to sound harsh.

[JimDeVico]

Yeah but making this site look like a Myspace isn't going to make it any better. <-- Not meant to sound harsh.

Why not?

[MephistoWaltz]

Because people like me don't like Myspace. One of the reasons I came to TP was to get away from Myspace, not see the manga version of it.

[JimDeVico]

Because people like me don't like Myspace. One of the reasons I came to TP was to get away from Myspace, not see the manga version of it.

While I realize the functionality of the site is similar to Myspace, I've got to say that I find it better organized and easier to navigate.

Do you think it looks like Myspace or is it simply a matter of function?

[crispy]

It doesn't look like a publisher's website because all of the fan-made stuff is splattered all over the front page. Before, your site essentially said what the company was all about, what books you published, and what was going on news-wise. Now, while it makes mention of those things, it puts far more emphasis on what the fans are doing -- which quite honestly isn't something I really care about. I mean... I care about fans, but I don't want to come here looking for the next release date for Off*Beat and then be confused as hell when I click the "manga" button at the top and am re-directed to a bunch of amateur manga on the manga players.

I think I could liken this to the New Coke fiasco in the eighties. People hated New Coke because you took away what they were used to and what they enjoyed. Coke saw what people liked after the Pepsi Sip-Test Challenge, and decided that they were going to change their formula. In the end, it may have been the same as Pepsi (the comparative Myspace) , but because you gave them no option to choose and simply said "this is how it is," the new site has really become something to look down upon. By making the site one giant stew of "Manga Lifestyle", you're essentially pushing that kind of "lifestyle" onto people who may otherwise not want to be part of it. Just because we buy your books and come to your website does not mean that we're living the "Manga Lifestyle."

Honestly – how is this a lifestyle to begin with? A lifestyle is a way of life or style of living that reflects the attitudes and values of a person or group. Comics are not a value. Manga is not an attitude. I really don't like the whole "Manga Lifestyle" because it leaves no room for variation. Everyone's automatically being grouped into being rabid flashy fans by saying that they're part of the "Manga Lifestyle." Manga is, at most, perhaps a job or hobby, depending on what side of the line you're on. It's an interest – it's an interest that may relate to other interests, but it is by no means an all encompassing way of living your life.

So, that's why I think I don't like the site. There's little deviation between what is made by fans and what is published by the company. All the information about the company is stored in a little link at the very bottom of the page that the average browser couldn't even find if they tried. The book list isn't nearly as easy to use as it was before (when it was split into different categories and had little pictures of each comic) and it's not the prominent feature of the websites functionality, like it was before. I admire Tokyopop's efforts to bring in more content, but lumping it together with their professional work just makes it seem very sophomoric from a business standpoint. Jim, you're right – Tokyopop has been a leading trailblazer for a long time; however, there's only so much change that you can force on people before they get a bit annoyed. This is nothing like when Tokyopop lowered the price of manga and made it more accessible. If anything, with the way the site is set up, information about the product and the producer have now become less accessible.

[GlazedDonuts]

I personally think the new site is fine, it looks neat and it readily gives me acces to what I'm looking for. I prefer it to Viz or Dark Horses sites (those being the other manga publisher sites that I check).

And I still see this site as an escape from MySpace, I didn't leave MySpace because of the format, I left MySpace because of the idiots that reside there.

I say good job Tokyopop, keep leading the Manga Revolution!
*wipes brown off nose and eats a pizza pop*

Although, and this may have been addressed, some pages dont load properly, I'm nearly sure this isn't my computers fault, makes some actions requiring the left side of the screen hard to perform.

[MephistoWaltz]

It doesn't look like a publisher's website because all of the fan-made stuff is splattered all over the front page. Before, your site essentially said what the company was all about, what books you published, and what was going on news-wise. Now, while it makes mention of those things, it puts far more emphasis on what the fans are doing -- which quite honestly isn't something I really care about. I mean... I care about fans, but I don't want to come here looking for the next release date for Off*Beat and then be confused as hell when I click the "manga" button at the top and am re-directed to a bunch of amateur manga on the manga players.

I agree with this statement, along with other stuff he said. Seriously I don't come to this website to look at other peoples art, I couldn't careless. Not saying anybody sucks or anything. I look at the website for release dates and news and nothing else besides the forums. When the site first updated I clicked on Manga and was confused as to why the manga titles weren't there. The last thing I wanted to see was fan art.

[alucard666]

i agree with cafesociety, there's more fan stuff on the tokyopop site now then there is tokyopop stuff.

[nikitia]

has anyone else noticed that the forums are being a little ignored now...i admit i have a bit...i'm too busy playing meet and greet. i like the new design, but man its hard finding other forum users now

[alucard666]

i only use the forums now.

[odinmm]

I find my self warming up to the site, but still it is hard to find info n'stuff and as people are saying TOO MUCH FAN STUFF! I just use my DA account for such things. if you wanted all that fan stuff, why didn't you just add it to forums in our profiles and then left your professional site alone, now it is just a pain to go look for info *has a headache*.

Oh, now before the changed to this “better layout”, there was something called manga pods on the manga online page, what happened to them? I really like the idea.

Oh and I found that on your new fan stuff and the forums don’t mix well, sense I have to re-log into the main site for submitting “art” and “blogs” and junk (don’t have to on the forums).

[KaYoKitten]

*just went to find the street date for second Steady Beat* Rawr. Just...it is extremely frustrating trying to find a simple street date. It really, really, really is. Please, just PLEASE reconsider separating your professional site from all this...fan...stuff...it's giving me a major headache. I'm here often enough to prolly raise some eyebrows around the rest of the 'net. This invasion of the sardine site is incentive enough to not hang around as much.

We don't need the art stuff, quite frankly--we have dA, which has a better system anyway.

We don't need blogs--we have LJ, and it, too, has a better system.

Manga...we could do with another webcomics site. But honestly, I'd rather it'd stay separate.

I LOVE the idea of the articles--but it's extremely difficult to navigate them and locate them when you've got this entire list of places I can go. I don't know which articles I've read and which I haven't sometimes, mainly because they seem to be posted out of order...but that may be my fault.

I honestly don't get the purpose of audio, video, and photo sections. The reason? The site itself seems aimed for younger teenagers (nothing wrong with that), but all three of those sections suggests that they can afford to get things to record audio, video, and photo. 'Rents aren't nearly so inclined. -__- And the things that they CAN get ahold of...aren't theirs to begin with. o.0

The forums were the best idea ya'll've had since you started Manga Online. Maybe if I'd had the chance to gradually get used to having more and more fan stuff around, it wouldn't be so bad. But seriously...please make it easier to get to the professional sections of your site. >_<

[alucard666]

just in case you didn't find it, it comes out 10-10-06.

[ewlmonkey]

i have to agree with alot of people its a real pain to switch identidys on and off and their is way too many fan stuff and its really hard to just find info on a manga without finding the cosplay or fanart first. i still perfer to come to the fourum.

[chocopocko]

*since i believe this is what we were talking about in the first place ...*

the new site. if you want a myspace-esque catchy, cool place to hang with other manga lovers and see there art and talk to them it is a wonderful place to go. but it sort of reminds me of the forums.you already have those tho. the RSoM section and the Share Your Artwork section and so on here serve the same purpose. it just seems to have a bit more freedom and (to be honest) a little less control. create blogs saying "im new here..." and so on. and if i see another "artwork thiefs..." and "what is the deal with the art work thefts" blogs i shall scream.

it just isnt the Tokyopop site i used to go to to look up new release dates and check out series that i havent heard of (usually published before i got into manga). it lacks correct displays of information. it is crowded and hard to navigate. i do not think it would be a very proffesional place that people could look up and get a very good feel for what you do.

also, if i may ask, why did you combine the Manga Online and the main site? the Manga online site i thought was perfect. it wasnt crowded, it told you what you wanted to know, and it gave you free chapters of new manga. what more do you want?

i dont think that your new site is doing what it is supposed to do, sell me manga and get me interested. as a site, the new one is fine, but not as a homepage. its just not where the info is anymore, ja? (and now you made me give a speech of sorts)

[Klawzie]

In the interests of full-disclosure, I've removed three posts from this thread to submit them for further moderation from other Mods of this board. I felt they were extremely inappropriate as well as off-topic for this thread. One of them, I felt, was tandamount to a personal attack, which was uncalled for.

If the admins/mods/whatever of the site feel I removed those posts inappropriately, they will be returned.

Thank you.

[Kaoru]

I knew that was gonna happen.

[Mitzuki]

If you knew kaoru then why not think of a way to put it less bluntly that its considderd offensive.

Just for the record that was not a question

[Kaoru]

Well I was actually referring to ddr [insert name I can't spell]'s post (about being deleted), and I though my post just got deleted because it was purely in response to it. And a post expressing your dislike for something is pretty hard to make universally inoffensive, but next time I'll sugar coat it.

But I do have a real suggestion, can you make it so when you log into the blogs that it takes you to your profile, not the homepage. It'd make more sense.

[Klawzie]

Having it take you to your profile would be a good thing, I think!

I'd also wish for a button that would let me click and see what new blogs my "Fans" have posted recently. Like a "most recent ____" list for the people you have "Fanned".

Though "Fanning" people sounds odd. XD;

[KaYoKitten]

It almost sounds like you're fanning out a deck of cards...o.0 Klawzie's right! XD lol

Okay. I admit it. -__- The fan stuff is...slowly...but surely...beginning to warm up to me. However. I would still like to see some of this stuff...separated. Or at least better organized. This site is a designer's nightmare at the present time. It's confused and...looks like one of those guys with the odd-looking stubble he missed trying to shave, along with a couple nicks and a band-aid. (Sorry, I just got out of a writing drabble...)

Maybe you should have like a front-page. A spiderweb, if you will, that links to different parts of the site. You don't HAVE to separate everything from everything...just please organize it. In an APPEALING way. Show off that art of organization we all know and love. Right now, it makes me want to throw up and my eyes look like those anime ones with the swirlies in them. @__@ Actually, it makes me want to scratch my eyes out. To be bluntly honest.

Or-ga-ni-za-tion. Please. Pretty please? ^^

[Arcademan]

I've been mostly a bystander in the website changes (I might have posted once here before and it was in a moderative nature). My opinion on the changes...it's different and I've seen many complaints...and compliments on the new look. The purpose of this thread is to throw in your suggestions on how to make TOKYOPOP a better place. Keep in mind that this is a 'Beta Version' and will change.

When commenting on how good or bad on how the place has become, please try to leave personal attacks out of the equations. We're not telling you to change how you feel however let TOKYOPOP know how the changes affected your viewing of the website and forum and your recommendations on how it should be changed. Trust me that Will, Jim and the administration are reading all suggestions, comments and complaints here and have the best interest of their fans in mind. If you start with the insults and the personal attacks about the site, all that does is make YOU look bad so please try and keep it a little professional.

For those who wonder how I feel about the changes, I pretty much are 'for it' but am not a fan of 'busy' websites so when I come here, I use a direct link only to the forum to bypass the rest. I do visit the other parts of TOKYOPOP and though confusing at first, have found it going good.

It will take some more time but I do believe TOKYOPOP will become the place that everyone will enjoy. I know not everyone will like it but at least they're trying their best at getting what they believe their fans want.

Note that the following message was my own opinion stated. Though I am a moderator of the TOKYOPOP Forum, I am NOT an employee or affiliatted with the company, unless you count the hundreds of books I've bought from them LOL!!! :D

[ddr tatsujin]

I would like my post returned. It wasn't a personal attack. It was an observation. I also included useful information about how the top banner offends me and reminds me of an illegal art form. The ending sentence I believe was "but seriously, you have the best looking manga website out there."

[Mitzuki]

I recomend you rethink about the post you made and post it again if your sure it wont offend people. The post you stated may not have been a personal attack to you but it sure looked that way and thus it will remain removed

[YamPuff]

I HATE the 'fans' thing. I want friends, not fans. I hate fans.

Secondly, now that the boards are wider I like them much better. I look forward to more improvements. ^^

Now to watch Mitzuki and DDr fight it out. *munches popcorn*

[Kaoru]

I HATE the 'fans' thing. I want friends, not fans. I hate fans.
I agree.

[Aratos]

thirded

[Kurapica]

Fourtheded... O_o I don't know why, but fans just sounds annoying to me.

[YamPuff]

Not just me, huh? If you ask me, Tokyopop tries to hard to be cool and mainstream. Way too hard and it makes them corny. They really should tone it down a few.

Now for suggestions: when I check out a blog or a manga submitted by fans, it says 'falg it' or 'pop it'. I found out what flag was by clicking on it. Now it seems I've deemed a cute manga as inappropriate and an admin will now have to check it out. ><

So...have a little more information telling us what these things mean? Especially if you're going to use new words and phrases for it. Think of all teh little newbs out there.

[Aratos]

Flagging's existed since the days of USENET though. If you weren't around then, evidently that your own fault, no?

[YamPuff]

No...it's not. I've never heard of it before and there are many others that haven't either. Why not 'report this'? There are people other than net junkies on this site.

[Aratos]

I repeat: Becasue "flag" has been around a lot longer than "report". It's an internet standard. At least that's the standard logic. There used to be a time when us net junkies where the only ones who mattered you know.

[Kaoru]

On Youtube you flag stuff too.

[Aratos]

Told you! See! See!

[YamPuff]

On youtube, (I just looked now) it says 'flag as inappropriate'. Meaning that even if you don't know what flag is you figure it out right away. Whether its an internet standard or not, not everyone knows what it is. Thus it is will cause problems, which it why I pointed it out.

But if its better for people to start flagging things as trial and error...
There used to be a time when us net junkies where the only ones who mattered you know.
Oh, when will their reign of terror end? *throws up hands*

[Aratos]

Just saying. The internet's a meritocracy, and unfortunately the sudden availability of the damned thing means we've got so many people that just don't seem to want to learn what's acceptable and what isn't, then complain when things don't work as they want them to.

[Kaoru]

On youtube, (I just looked now) it says 'flag as inappropriate'. Meaning that even if you don't know what flag is you figure it out right away.
Same thing. You're still flagging.
But alas, I do think they need a FAQ for the blogs. Like I had to experiment to figure out that it's HTML code you use in the entries.

[ddr tatsujin]

Flagging has been around in nearly every single e-mailing system since I started using a computer (and that was back when dial-up was all we had and aol was the only option!). If you didn't know what flagging was...then don't effing click it. You little curious kitty.

[shadowmose]

Yeah but making this site look like a Myspace isn't going to make it any better. <-- Not meant to sound harsh.

This true because what your site is trying doing, Myspace does it better. Why would anyone use TP's main site when Live Journal and Myspace does it better.

[Klawzie]

IMHO, MySpace is crap. Tokyopop's page is more intuitive and less buggy.

[JoannaZhou]

I really like the new website! The design is quite reminiscient of japanese ephemera (packaging, magazines etc) where it's deliberately cluttered to create a feast for your eyes. I only have a few small suggestions (apologies if they're been brought up before):

1) A place on the profile to write a short message about yourself, or to other people. Loads of people seem to be using blog entries to make disclaimers or general announcements and those go down pretty quickly.

2) "Favourite TV Show" as a profile category. Many people feel "closer" to TV shows/anime series since they're ongoing, rather than movies which they might have only seen a few times.

3) An option to edit the text to art/comic? I'm guessing this is in the works anyway ^_^! At the moment the only way seems to be deleting and re-uploading the entries but that'll get rid of the pops as well!

[AnimeDudde]

So I came back a week later from vacation, and nothing has changed.. Im wondering if TP still plans to keep the same layout when there arent many people liking it... And the TP Spaces, how exactly do they fit in with the whole 'leading the manga revolution' thing? Like, as if a forum wasnt weird enough (it did start off good though), why is there a need for a TP space? Honestly, the money could have been spent for things like sending the free magazine to Canada or something. It's pretty much useless. Im not even joking anymore when I said if TP was planning to make an online dating site or something o_O;

[flyingpeachbun]

I have to agree, I really do not like the myspace thing. I like my manga separate from that trendy crap.

The art thing is a bit of a problem since I've found PLENTY of stolen art and no one who comments on it seems to know any better... I think its an okay idea, but if you're going to have it - there needs to be some moderating.

The whole design is pretty squished and is an eye sore. It's not easy to navigate at all.. It went from easy - with the drop down menus, to another layout without them, to this where it's not so user friendly...I think with some reorganization it could be good.

These links, Manga Serials, Manga, Books and the Manga at the top are pretty confusing to decide which actually has the products for sale. Once you click books you'll find out, but the others don't sound like there is something different to find.
I mean, "Manga"... I think Im going to find the manga there! But no, I find Manga Features... or the Manga button at the top, no I find fan drawn manga....
and Manga Serials sooounds like the product right?.. but it's for Manga Previews...

So, I think you need to change Manga Serials to Manga Previews

and change Manga to something like Manga Features or Manga Articles- because just having the word Manga doesnt get across that this link goes to a page for manga related articles- not the books.
And the Manga button at the top should be called fan manga or something….
The books need to be the first thing on the list in my opinion, not under the previews.
Maybe since you have other features, like People and Music you could put a subtitle that says Features or Articles and put all of those links underneath of that and keep the books and previews separate?....

Also, when you go to the books, where did the pictures go? There used to be a thumbnail image for each title next to it. Now Im just looking at a boring page with nothing jumping out making me want to click it. Also when I do click on something, there are no pictures once again - so I don't even know what the book looks like. Unless I click yet again on the individual volume I won't see anything. I hope you intend to put the images back...
I've also noticed another change. You've removed the previews for each book. There used to be about 8 page previews for some of the titles - other than the ones you have up on the " Manga Serials" page. Like I remember there was one for Forbidden Dance, now it's gone... I hope those will be returning as well... I don't like to buy a book unless I know what it looks like.

I think the one vertical ad at the top would be enough, having two really makes the site feel too compact.

About Us | Contact Us | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy These are at the very bottom... you won't find the submissions page unless you go down there.. so why not have it at the top somewhere too? I mean, aren’t these important parts to the company to have on their site?....

To me it’s like Tokyopop is whoring ( for lack of a better word >_>; sorry ) itself out because it feels like all of this fan stuff is the main point of the site now instead of the manga. There is just TOO MUCH!
I like the columns, features, how to, interviews, manga previews and the forum.. and even the fan manga upload thing ( maybe add a comment feature to that so people can give their opinions on the manga )... But I think that's enough. The blogs, video, photos and music are definitely not needed. I'll be lenient with the fiction.

For art there are plenty of places online for people to post where other fans see there work. One in particular is Deviant Art. For blogging there is MySpace and LiveJournal.
For videos there is YouTube… and Music.. I don’t know where you’re going with that because a majority of the people don’t have recording equipment, so they’ll just post copyrighted material....
And for Manga… .....Tokyopop? maybe, I’m not sure….

But if you need every feature under the sun that you can possibly jam pack into this site to up your sales.. well.. I dont know what to say…. goodluck!
I go to the Viz site and I see a professional site, that knows exactly what it’s doing.
It’s clean and easy to navigate… I know I’m looking at a company site and not some fan made thing.

I don’t get this Manga Lifestyle idea… I mean, I am a manga fan, Im an artist who draws in that style, but it’s not a lifestyle, it’s an interest. It may be a big interest, but it’s not a lifestyle… so this makes no sense to me…
Im sure plenty of kids will enjoy the site and all its nifty features, but for me there is way too much emphasis on the fan stuff. I think if at the least.. it was all better organized, separating the company stuff from the fan stuff, I could enjoy it too.

[AnimeDudde]

To me it’s like Tokyopop is whoring ( for lack of a better word >_>; sorry ) itself out because it feels like all of this fan stuff is the main point of the site now instead of the manga.


Exactly! I mean come on, how is a TP Space going to boost sales? Might get sued for copyright infringement though :P The way I see it the Spaces arent going to work anyway... Wouldnt it just be great if they just went back to the nomal forum already and focused on publishing manga >.>

[SOAA]

I dislike how cluttered everything looks on the main page. Even though everything is sectioned off, everything still seems to be... everywhere and all over the place because there's so much - almost too much - to see. ^^;;;

Also, there are a few random errors occuring when loading the forums - next time I get the error, I'll copy and paste it here - and one of the biggest errors (or maybe not quite an error) and confusions happen when old TP members log in to create a new MR account and don't use the same password.

For some reason, even though the log-in uses the same email address, there is the option for old TP members to input a new password for their MR account along with a screenname when they're registering.

When I created my MR account, I assumed that I was creating a completely different account - you know, the whole SN/username and password bit - and I changed my password.

Little did I know that when I did that, I must have created another account under my name in the database using the same email address, but a different password.

Since the log-in for both TP (now MR) uses the same method via email and password, I tried logging in with the password I associated with my original TP account, thinking that once I logged in, I could log in again using my MR username or something.

There wasn't an option to log in via username, after all, hence my assumption.

At any rate, I logged in and... nothing. I was being asked AGAIN to register for MR.

I thought that it was weird to be asked that since I had already confirmed, but I tried anyway... and it wouldn't let me.

I boggled over this for a long long time until it occurred to me to use the password I set up for MR to log into TP.

Of course, that changed everything and I logged in just fine much to my surprise.

Maybe this sounds silly and even 'duh' to some people, but this was really surprising and greatly frustrating for me as a user. I've coded for the web before and I've never run into such an issue before where one log-in with one password yields a different account than a log-in with the same email address but a different password.

I'm guessing that what happened shouldn't have happened and that I should have ended up with just one account for both TP and MR, but now I have two - one TP accessible and the other MR accesible along with TP accessible.

And both are accessed by the same email address.

It's weird and a little funky; was that supposed to happen?

Maybe instead of giving the option to use a brand new password for old TPers you can ask to verify their old TP password so two entries aren't created by accident?

This incident was by far the most boggling and most troublesome.

The new features are really neat though and it's nice to be able to contribute both material for the General Audience and for the more Mature audience.

A suggestion I'd like to make is to post a Guidelines or FAQs somewhere for MR that outlines what is and isn't acceptable - ie: what exactly IS Adult Only - and to allow an option for people to explain WHY they're flagging an art piece or a fiction or whatever.

Inappropriate material is more easily spotted, but if someone is flagging art because they think it's been stolen, and if the moderator/admin doesn't recognize it as such, then the possibly stolen artwork will go back into the gallery because it looks fine and doesn't break and rules otherwise.

[nikitia]

i have a request about the messages and personal messages. i dunno if this bothers anyone else but me but when someone sends me a message it sometimes gets mixed in with messages a few days old, and lets face it i don't really ever look back at past pages unless i need something to read, and a name of someone to talk to. can't u make it so the messages are at least in order by date, whether the newest are on the fist page or the 10000th page i don't care, so long as they are at least in order. so i know whats new. i ask this because i don't deleat the messages i get, i like to know what i was talking about before hand.

oh and can there be a contact info section on the profile page?

[Otaku_Chan]

Im not to fond of the new look myself and everyone has made very good points on both sides of the argument. I think the main problem is that if you want to just find out something, like what volume has something in it or whatever or a s