Cruise © Yajima Masao & Kikuta Hiroyuki/Shogakukan [Serialized in Big Comic]
Published in Indonesia by Elex Media/Level Comics
Before I get to Level's manga premieres —
A tap on the back by keeyoot crush Himawari sends Watanuki diving to the ground from the school's second floor. His life is spared, however, thanks to the “payment” of three people. Who are they? And will Himawari-chan always bring Watanuki misfortune — just like Yuko sez?
Find out the answers in xxxHOLiC 10: Because it was necessary for her to enter,
which—like that other CLAMP manga over on Elex's side (Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle 16)—is the top DO WANT!
NEW TITLES: Eternal Sabbath by Souryo Fuyumi and Cruise by Yajima Masao & Kikuta Hiroyuki
I am a hacker. But not your average hacker; I hack into people's brains. I read the memories the mind contains, change them, adapting them to my liking. I can pretend to be whomever I want in anybody's eyes.
A scientific experiment leaves university student Akiba Ryousuke with “ES” or the “Eternal Sabbath” gene that allows its carrier to live for up to two centuries, without falling prey to viral sickness. ES was initially conceived to prove immortality is not just theoretical, but the gene has memory alteration and mind control side effects. Ryousuke now uses these psychic powers to survive, hiding among Tokyo's masses, that is, until he runs into neurophysiologist Kujo Mine at a crime scene. Kujo recognizes Ryousuke for the ES subject that he is, and together, they pursue a fugitive also possessed of the ES gene — but one with motives less noble than Ryousuke. [From Glénat's French ES, tome 1 blurb, Wikipedia's write-up, and Del Rey's ES Vol. 1: Mind Control preview, in addition to Level's back cover blurb]
So that's the lowdown on Eternal Sabbath, half of the seinen manga Level debuts this Wednesday. Baka-Updates Manga users tag this series Psychic Powers, Experiment, Genetic Modification, Clone, ESP, Older Female Younger Male, Strong Female Lead, Romantic Subplot
— a laundry list formidable enough to cater to any trope preference.
Aside from ES, Souryo Fuyumi-sensei has another Level title ongoing: the Italian Renaissance-ambienced Cesare that, unfortunately, appears to stuck on volume 2. She also created the twin-troped shoujo drama Mars.
Cruise, meanwhile, is the story of Yamada Kohei, a doctor who gives up a landlubber medical career to serve as a ship's physician, and the people he meets on board Japan's largest luxury liner, the Phoenix. He rejects a university colleague's insistence that he turn to teaching instead, preferring to stay and learn about life as it happens from the ship's passengers.
Big Comic serializes this beautifully sad human drama.
One of the stories compiled in the first Cruise features a passenger suffering from terminal cancer. Only songs can lift his heart, heavy with regret. (I apologize if the snap synopsis for story 1 misses the mark; if it does, consult your nearest クルーズ 医師山田公平航海誌 １ preview.)
Author Yajima Masao-sensei also wrote SORA, a seinen manga about a crybaby flight attendant. So from airplane passengers' stories, we go to cruise ships'. Kikuta Hiroyuki-sensei, meanwhile, illustrated the Monga's Earth shounen manga published by m&c!
Level Comics manga (2010.10.06)
Release links are hide/unhide. Click for more details and cover scans.
- A Spirit of The Sun (Taiyou no Mokushiroku) 6 of 17 by Kawaguchi Kaiji
- [Premiere] Cruise 1 of 2+ by Yajima Masao & Kikuta Hiroyuki
- [Premiere] Eternal Sabbath (ES) 1 of 8 by Souryo Fuyumi
- K2 volume 3 of 13+ by Mafune Kazuo
- Miso-Com (30 Kon Miso-com) 4 of 11+ by Yonezawa Rika
- Psychometrist Eiji (Psychometrer Eiji) 15 of 25 by Ando Yuma & Asaki Masashi
- xxxHOLiC 10 of 18+ by CLAMP
 | Cruise 「クルーズ 医師山田公平航海誌」 |
Volume 1 contains chapters:
1 Starting from song request cards
2 Sail, always a new mind set
3 A quiet storm of the month
4 Everyday life held in hydrangeas
5 Learn about our souls from work
6 Paper airplane dream
7 Sea, like a flower bloom
8 Nurse encounter
*NOT Level chapter titles (mechanically translated from the Japanese)
 | ES 「ＥＳ」 by Souryo Fuyumi |
Other languages
English ES (Del Rey; eight volumes), French (Glénat; eight volumes), Italian (Editions Star Comics)
Reissues
Re-released in five bunko volumes (2006.10 - 2007.02)
 | 30 Kon Miso-com 「３０婚 ｍｉｓｏ‐ｃｏｍ」 |
Other languages
Traditional Chinese (Tong Li Taiwan)
 | Psychometrer Eiji 「サイコメトラーＥＩＪＩ」 |
Other languages
French Psychometrer Eiji (Kana/Dargaud; 25 volumes), simplified Chinese (Chuang Yi Singapore; as 感应少年 Eiji), traditional Chinese (Tong Li)
Reissues
Re-released in 12 bunko volumes (2003.06 to 2003.11)
Adaptations
The live-action renzoku alternatively known as Simply Psychic ran for two seasons on NTV (January to March 1997 and October to December 1999). A one-episode, 45-minute anime OAV Eiji was released in August 1990.
Notes
¹ Ando Yuma's real name is Kibayashi Shin; he also writes under the pennames Agi Tadashi (The Drops of God, in collaboration with his sister); Amagi Seimaru (Kindaichi Case Files, Remote); Aoki Yuya (Get Backers); Ryuumon Ryou (Bloody Monday); Arimori Jōji (Monkey Typhoon); and Igano Hiroaki (Area no kishi).
 | xxxHOLiC 「×××ＨＯＬｉＣ」 by CLAMP |
Other languages
English xxxHOLiC (Del Rey; volume 15 per 2010.03 • volume 16 street date: 2010.10.26), French (Pika Édition; tome 16 ships 2010.10.20), Spanish (Norma Editorial Spain and Grupo Editorial Vid Mexico), Italian (Star Comics), German (Egmont), Swedish (Bonnier Carlsen), Portuguese (JBC Brazil)
Adaptations
A 24-episode anime adaptation by Production I.G aired from April to September 2006 in Japan, followed by a 13-episode sequel xxxHOLiC: Kei (2008.04 to 2008.06) and a two-episode OAD xxxHOLiC: Shunmuki (2009.02 to 2009.06). The xxxHOLiC Rō OAD shipped 23 April 2010, along with manga volume 17.
A theatrical film adaptation xxxHOLiC the Movie: A Midsummer Night's Dream premiered in Japan before the first anime season (2005.08.20). The movie was a Feature Films finalist in the 2006 Annecy International Animated Film Festival, but lost out to the France/UK/Luxembourg production Renaissance.
Seiyuu Fukuyama Jun and Ohara Sayaka play the roles of Watanuki Kimihiro and Ichihara Yuko in all adaptations.
Related
Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle (crossover) · xxxHoLic: ANOTHERHOLiC Landolt-Ring Aerosol by NisiOisiN (Novel; side story) · Soel to Larg: Mokona=Modoki no Bouken (Novel; side story)
At least three official fanbooks have been released in Japan: Gekijōban ×××HOLiC Official Fanbook (2005.08.17) · TV Animation ×××HOLiC Extra Official Guide (2006.05.17) · Shinpan ×××HOLiC Dokuhon (2006.11.17)
Level Comics European comics (2010.10.06)
- Spirou dan Fantasio di Tokyo (Spirou et Fantasio, tome 49: Spirou à Tokyo: Le ronin de Yoyogi) by José-Luis Munuera and Jean-David Morvan (Dupuis SA; 2006.09.14)
¹ Sources: Elex STO 6 October 2010 (release schedule) and Komikologi and/or Gramedia Shop (synopses, unless indicated otherwise)
² Manga are priced at IDR 18,500 each except Eternal Sabbath 1 (SRP: IDR 20,000). Spirou dan Fantasio di Tokyo is priced at IDR 38,000/volume.
³ Links like this are commercial Amazon search and/or product links (other language versions).
Volume previews continued
A Spirit of the Sun 6 of 17 by Kawaguchi Kaiji
Munakata Misao, the Japanese youth whose future radically changed after Japan split into north and south, draws the attention of Rockwell who then sends Misao to Harvard for further studies. Ten years hence, Misao returns to a government position as Rockwell's right-hand man.
But even before the cataclysm, Misao has envisioned rebuilding Japan. Rockwell disapproves of Misao's dream, forcing Misao to initiate moves to establish a new nation, one free from Chinese or American control. Little does Misao know that America has possession of a document written by Dr. Morimura; the document details the energy “M Resources” that could bring about a new world order.
What fate awaits Japan? Status quo? Revolution? Or restoration?
K2 vol 3 of 13+ by Mafune Kazuo
National treasure, kabuki artist Nakagawa Zenjuro, stands to lose his sole heir when his grandchild has to undergo a cardiac transplant. The child's mother is prepared to become a donor, but she herself suffers from heart valve disease. What other choices are open for Dr. K?
Miso-com 4 of 11+ by Yonezawa Rika
After deciding marriage to boyfriend Hayato, Emi learns the difference between just being in a relationship and being wed. She likewise understands why passive women don't make it to the altar. But will the knowledge help her realize her dream of marrying Hayato?
Psychometrist Eiji 15 of 25 by Ando Yuma & Asaki Masashi
Eiji and Ryoko go after former police inspector Todoroki Shogo, the man responsible for the serial teen murders. But Ryoko's shared past with Todoroki, who resorted to vigilante vengeance after his granddaughter's suicide, only muddies up the investigation.
UP NEXT: m&c! 6 October 2010 manga
m&c!: White Paper Ark 7 of 7 · Lovers In Paris by Akimoto Nami · Welcome to Rakuan-Inn by Minami Sachi · Dawn Aria 6 · School Baby by Shibano Yuka · Cyboy 1 by Nishikata Mai · Sandwich Girl 3
Iamque opus exegi,
~niki DBA 30uɐlnɯɐnɥ (花木蘭03)
Mistress of Adoxography
disclaimer
Cover images and source summaries used here for reference are © their respective intellectual rights holders. No infringement intended.
other upcoming manga (10 October 2010 street date)
Elex Media: Detektif Conan 20 +Plus Super Digest Book · New Legenda Naga 6 · Crayon Shinchan - Mari Mengenal Serangga by Usui Yoshito · Tsuba Kiyo - 28K4 volume 1 by Hara Asumi · Ruler of the Land 49 · Fairy Tail 8 · Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle 16 · BECK 22 · Dr. Koto 2 · Ogawa & Team Saito 2 · Sanzoku Ou: King of Bandits 4 · Sora, The Wingless Duck 18 · Tena on S String 3 · Spiral: The Bonds Of Reason 7 · Penguin Revolution 7 of 7 · Tokkyu! 15 · A Story of Heroes 32 · Kaiser Z 16 of 16
currently available manga (29 September 2010 street date)
- Elex Media: Angin Musim Gugur (Deluxe) by Hikawa Kyoko · Detektif Conan Special 33 · Yakitate!! Japan 18 · Dear Boys Act.3 vol. 4 · Vampire Knight 4 · Rakka Ryuusui 2 · Wild Life 9 · Hell Girl 8 · Kurozakuro 6 · Legend of The Cursed Sword 32 · Shonen Star 73/2010 · Shonen Magz 77/2010
- Level Comics: Fight!! Ippo 78 · The Duke and I by Hara Chieko · Love & Collage 11 · Love Affair 6 · Priest 9 · Aflame Inferno 3 · New Comic Bomber 4 · Gun Smith Cats 6 · Haruka 17 vol. 9
- m&c!: Sugar Family 4 · Shanimuni GO 31 · Jun x Ai Sensation 3 · Anemone Flower Shop by Minami Maki · Sky Blue Beach 1 by Yamada Nanpei · Shimokita Sundays by Katsuma Ayahito/Ishida Ira · Yowamushi Pedal, Go! 9 · You Are My Wing by Kitagawa Yuka · Rasetsu's Flower 7 · A Badboy Drinks Tea! 9 · Lady and the Sea 1 by Abiko Miwa · Female Wolf's Boy 5 · Confucius 4 · Cherry 47/2010
related monthly schedules
September 2010
Premiering Sky of Love by Mika & Haneda Ibuki and The Duke and I by Hara Chieko
August 2010
Premiering The Running Bus by Sahara Mizu and Until Death Do Us Part by Takashige Hiroshi & DOUBLE-S
other invaluable resources
Wikipedia · Baka-Updates Manga · 7net Shopping · Amazon France · ANN
Technorati tags
Level Comics · manga · ROMIC (BD) · josei · seinen · shounen · A Spirit of the Sun (Taiyou no Mokushiroku) · Cruise · Eternal Sabbath · K2 · Miso-com · Psychometrist Eiji · Spirou et Fantasio · xxxHOLiC
Taiyou no Mokushiroku 「太陽の黙示録」
by Kawaguchi Kaiji
Shogakukan Big Comic, seinen
Volume 6 (chapters 38-44) first published in Japan 2004.08
Awards
Best Seinen/General Manga, 51st Shogakukan Manga Awards
Grand Prize winner for the comic category, 10th Japan Media Arts Festival
Adaptations
Adapted into an anime special by Madhouse (two episodes)