Just when things started looking like they'd turn around for Tokyopop...

Word comes from MangaBlog that Kodansha is letting its licenses with Tokyopop expire, meaning that some of the biggest titles that helped Tokyopop get where it is today will revert to the Japanese publisher, and some of their current ones will not be completed and will go out of print as well.

Of course, this means that Kodansha USA is finally acquiring more titles under its wings so that it can launch a real presence here in the US -- at least that's the only thing that makes any level of sense. Deb Aoki brought up that several Tokyopop titles had been handed off to other Kodansha-friendly companies Del Rey and Dark Horse.

Well, all I can say is 'wow.' Not that I'm totally surprised, but now I'm curious to see what'll happen at Tokyopop's next webinar, scheduled for September 2nd. I'm sure some harsh questions will be asked.