Web Otaku
WEB OTAKU USA is the online component of Otaku USA magazine, and is the perfect compliment to the magazine.

WEB OTAKU provides in-depth coverage by expanding on stories in the magazine, along with daily updates of what's hot in Japanese pop culture, additional manga chapters, game coverage, interviews with artists and writers too extensive to fit in print pages, writing contests, drawing contests, web-only reviews and tips, reader forums and an online community program, bringing an immediacy to the market that has never before been seen.

Here are answers to some FAQs about Otaku USA. If you have a question not answered here, feel free to contact us and we'll answer it for you.

Q: It's been a month since the last issue, where is the new one? Did I miss it!?
A: Nope! Otaku USA has always been a bi-monthly magazine,  meaning it comes out once every 2 months. Given that all the monthly anime magazines have gone out of business, it could also be said that we are bi-winning (in the Charlie Sheen sense.)

Q: How long does it take to get your first issue after you subscribe?
A: You should receive your first magazine within 3-4 weeks, usually less. If you don't, please call our subscription services number at 800-219-1187 and they will set things right for you.

Q: I subscribed but I never got my issue/need to change my address!
A: Call our customer service number at 800-219-1187, or email us here.

Q: I live outside the United States, can I still subscribe to the magazine?
A: Yes! However, the price for international subscriptions is higher due to the costs of overseas mailing; $31.95 for one year and $63.95 for two years. Simply fill out our online subscription form; your international order will automatically be recognized when you select your country.

Q: When is the new issue coming out?
A: Here's a trick: look under the bar code on the cover of the last issue. Where it says "Retailer: Display Until"; that's when the next one is coming out. We also usually announce it on facebook.

Q: How can I get a job at Otaku USA?
A: Um, we're not really hiring. Otaku USA is not run from a huge office full of people; we have freelance writers spread all over the country (and Japan) and a central office of only about 5 people. We have everyone we need and don't constantly hire interns. Sorry! :(

Q: Can you publish my manga?
A: Unfortunately, Otaku USA is not a manga publisher and we only run previews in the magazine from US licensors of true published Japanese manga.

Q: What happened to the free DVD?
A: The DVD became obsolete with the advent of streaming video. Manufacturing DVD's is expensive for all involved, why should we charge readers $10 for a magazine + DVD when they can pay $6 and sample all the new series they want for free at Crunchyroll, FUNimation, Hulu, etc.?

Q:  You guys used to be Newtype right? Are you going out of business?
A: Nope. Otaku USA is run by an independant publishing company called Sovereign Media and has absolutely no affiliation with any anime licensor or manga publisher; past or present. We were Newtype's competition, we survived and they didn't, and despite any unfounded worries to the contrary, we are still not in any danger of going out of business.

Q: How come my magazine says "June" on the cover even though it's only April?
1) Magazines don't all come out at the exact beginning of every month, many hit newsstands in the middle or end of the month. Think about it. If they all came out at the same time, printing plants would be swamped with more material than they could physically print for the 1-2 weeks before the beginning of every month, and have nothing to do for the other 2/3rds of the year.

2) Magazines aren't labeled for the month they enter newsstands, they're labeled for the month they leave. Otherwise if a magazine hit newsstands towards the end of September, then readers in October would think it was "old" and not pick it up even if it was only been out for 1-2 weeks. Its the same as cars; all the 2012 models hit dealers in 2011.

3) Otaku USA is bi-monthly, meaning it comes out once every 2 months, so every issue has to be labeled 2 months ahead of its release date to avoid appearing out of date for part of its shelf life.

Get away from me, you FAQ!