Anime Awards Honor Manga

This story originally appeared in PW Comics Week on February 27, 2007 Sign up now!

by Kai-Ming Cha, PW Comics Week -- Publishers Weekly, 2/27/2007

The first annual American Anime Awards was all abuzz with red-carpet treatment for anime voice-over actors. Despite all the attention lavished on the performers, it was the anime and the manga from which it's all derived, that took center stage at the New Yorker Hotel in Manhattan, Feb. 24.

All anime nominations were recognizable manga series including Naruto, Bleach, Death Note, Fruits Baskets, and Full Metal Alchemist.Naruto received four nominations, including Best Anime Long Series - but it was Full Metal Alchemist that swept the awards winning the "Mecha" (the award was shaped as a giant robot) in four out of 12 categories (four of the categories went to individual actors for their work).

FLCL won two awards—one for Best Comedy Anime and one for Best Anime Short Series.But it was Fruits Baskets that won the award for Best Manga to Inspire an Anime Series.Mike Kiley was present to receive the award and upon acceptance, thanked the mangaka and said "Furuba - long live it."

Visit the Anime Awards Web Site for more information. The full broadcast of the event will air March 23 on the Anime Network.

Best Anime Long Series

Full Metal Alchemist

Best Anime Short Series

FLCL

Best Anime Feature

Final Fantasy VII

Best Anime Comedy

FLCL

Best Anime DVD Package Design

Full Metal Alchemist

Best Anime Theme Song

Full Metal Alchemist

Best Ensemble Cast

Full Metal Alchemist

Best Manga to Inspire an Anime Series

Fruits Baskets