How to identify a first printing
- Right-to-left 'authentic manga' era (2002-2011 original run): identified by a number line on the copyright page, with a descending line ending in 1 indicating a first printing and the lowest digit present giving the printing number. Tokyopop popularized the unflipped, small-format manga and used standard US-trade number-line indicia.
- 1997-2001 Mixx and early Tokyopop era: earlier flipped/Westernized editions and MixxZine serializations; first printings are identified by stated date and/or number line where present. Early Mixx editions (Sailor Moon, Magic Knight Rayearth) are scarce collectibles.
- First defunct period (May 2011 to roughly 2019): Tokyopop ceased North American publishing in 2011, so titles from the original run that were never reprinted are scarce by attrition rather than by any special printing marking.
- Revival era (around 2019-present): the relaunched line (Disney manga, BL, new licenses) uses current US-trade number-line conventions; new printings are distinct from pre-2011 originals.
Notable points & cautions
- Founded as Mixx Entertainment in 1997 by Stuart (Stu) Levy; rebranded to Tokyopop around 1998-2002.
- Pioneered the 2002 'authentic' right-to-left, unflipped, affordable manga format that reshaped the US market.
- Many 2002-2011 licenses were orphaned at the 2011 shutdown, leaving incomplete series and making certain late-volume first printings genuinely scarce.
- OEL/'global manga' titles (Rising Stars of Manga winners, Bizenghast, .hack//) are a distinct collectible niche.
- Blu was the BL/yaoi imprint.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Mixx / MixxZine (historical, late 1990s), Smile (historical), Chix Comix (historical), Blu (BL/yaoi), Rising Stars of Manga (OEL anthology), Tokyopop / T-Pop. Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Tokyopop — English-language manga (and OEL) book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. Right-to-left 'authentic manga' era (2002-2011 original run): identified by a number line on the copyright page, with a descending line ending in 1 indicating a first printing and the lowest digit present giving the printing number. Tokyopop popularized the unflipped, small-format manga and used standard US-trade number-line indicia. 1997-2001 Mixx and early Tokyopop era: earlier flipped/Westernized editions and MixxZine serializations; first printings are identified by stated date and/or number line where present. Early Mixx editions (Sailor Moon, Magic Knight Rayearth) are scarce collectibles.
Does Tokyopop — English-language manga (and OEL) use a number line?
1997-2001 Mixx and early Tokyopop era: earlier flipped/Westernized editions and MixxZine serializations; first printings are identified by stated date and/or number line where present. Early Mixx editions (Sailor Moon, Magic Knight Rayearth) are scarce collectibles.
Is a book-club edition a Tokyopop — English-language manga (and OEL) first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Founded as Mixx Entertainment in 1997 by Stuart (Stu) Levy; rebranded to Tokyopop around 1998-2002.
What era does this cover?
This covers Tokyopop — English-language manga (and OEL) (1997-2011 (original); 2019-present (revival)). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.