Air Gear 15, Hikayat Genji 4, Akihabara@DEEP 6 of 6 (Level Comics 20 October 2010 manga)

Also, ROMIC (BDs): Smurf Hijau dan Hijau Smurf, Spirou dan Fantasio - Petualangan di Australia and 2 × Yakari: Yakari - Lompatan Pertama and Yakari - Terowongan Raksasa

Akihabara@DEEP © Ishida Ira & Akane Makoto/Shinchosha
[First serialized in Comic Bunch]
Published in Indonesia by Elex Media/Level Comics

Before I get to “Protecting The Geek Domination Dream” —

Benkei and Ohmu clash. Seeing Benkei overwhelmed by Sleeping Forest's Water Queen, Kazu recalls Emiri and Bucca's words and dives into the brawl. What can the ad interim leader do? Can they defeat Ohmu?

Consult the latest Air Gear volume 15 (Tricks 123-132), streeting tomorrow, for answers.

Akihabara@DEEP 6 of 6 by Ishida Ira & Akane Makoto

Under cover of an IT symposium, Page, Akira and Box infiltrate Digicapi. Zannen desu ga, their bid to make off with Crook appears destined to #Fail. A formidable security system, not to mention equally formidable security dudes, obstruct their efforts.

Does this mean the only victory our Akiba otaku can win is a Pyrrhic one? One obtained only at the cost of great sacrifice?

Level Comics manga (2010.10.20)

Release links are hide/unhide. Click for more details and cover scans.

1. Air Gear 15 of 29+ by Oh! great

AirGear 「エア・ギア」 by Oh! great Kodansha Weekly Shonen Magazine, shounen Volume 15 first published in Japan 2006.09

Awards
Best Shounen Manga, 2006 Kodansha Manga Awards

Other languages/serializations
English Air Gear (Del Rey; Volume 15-17 released 2010.08.31), Korean (Haksan), traditional Chinese (Tong Li Taiwan), simplified Chinese (Chuang Yi Singapore; latest volume 28), French (Pika Édition), Italy (Planet Manga), Germany (Heyne) and Sweden (Schibsted Förlagen Sverige AB/serialized in Manga Mania)

Adaptations
A 25-episode anime by Toei Animation, starring Kamakari Kenta as Ikki, a Satelight-animated Air Gear: Kuro no Hane to Nemuri no Mori -Break on the Sky- OAD shipped with volume 29 in July 2010 with seiyuu Okamoto Nobuhiko as Ikki and a series of musicals

2. Akihabara@DEEP 6 of 6 by Ishida Ira & Akane Makoto [Finale]

Akihabara@DEEP 「アキハバラ＠ＤＥＥＰ」 by Ishida Ira & Akane Makoto Shinchosha (Coamix) Bunch Comics, seinen Volume 6 first published in Japan 2007.06

Other languages
English Akihabara@Deep (Media Blasters; six volumes) and French (12 Bis)

Related
Based on Ishida Ira's Akihabara@DEEP novel

Adaptations
A live-action drama starring Kazama Shunsuke (Page), Ikuta Toma ((Box), Himura Yuki (Daruma), Hoshino Gen (Taiko), Kosaka Yuka (Akira), Matsushima Hatsune (Ism) and Honjo Manami (Yui) and a theatrical release (September 2006.09.02)

3. Chocolat 4 of 7 by Kubonouchi Eisaku

Chocolat 「ショコラ」 by Kubonouchi Eisaku Shogakukan Big Comic Spirits, seinen Volume 4 first published in Japan 2001.04

Volume 4 contains chapters:
1 自分の気持ちが確かならいいの
2 そういうおまえがいちばん変わったよ。
3 もう簡単には変わらないわ
4 俺が本気で変えてやる
5 本気なところ見て見たい
6 早く本気になってみせてよ
7 そんなに焦るなよ
8 ぼちぼちイッてみっか。
9 そんなに余裕で大丈夫？
10 大丈夫じゃねえかも...
11 珍しく弱気じゃない？

Other languages
Traditional Chinese (Tong Li)

Adaptations
Live-action adaptation starring Otsuka Chihiro, Natsuyagi Isao, Takahashi Kazuya, and Ishii Teruyuki

4. Half an Apple (1/2 no Ringo) 4 of 14 by Koyama Yukari

1/2 no Ringo 「１／２の林檎」 by Koyama Yukari Kodansha Kiss KC, josei Volume 4 first published in Japan 2006.06

5. Hikayat Genji (Asakiyumemishi) 4 of 13 by Yamato Waki

Asakiyumemishi 「あさきゆめみし」 by Yamato Waki Kodansha Mimi, shoujo Volume 4 first published in Japan 1983.05

Related
Adapted from Genji Monogatari by Murasaki Shikibu

Others languages
English (Kodansha Bilingual Comics; partial)

6. Jio 10 of 19 by Kishimoto Seishi

Jio 「６６６～サタン～」 by Kishimoto Seishi Square Enix Shonen Gangan, shounen Volume 10 first published in Japan 2005.02

Volume 10 contains chapters:
37. A Real Monster, Part 1
38. A Real Monster, Part 2
39. The Bird Inside a Cage
40. The Shape of One's Heart
NOT Level's titles

Other languages
English O-Parts Hunter (VIZ Media; 19 volumes), French (Kurokawa tome 19 released 2008.12) and Italian (JPOP)

7. Restore Garage 251 v10 of 33+ by Tsugihara Ryuji

Restore Garage 251 「レストアガレージ２５１」 by Tsugihara Ryuji Shinchosha Comic Bunch, seinen Volume 10 first published in Japan 2004.03

8. Shattered Knife (Oboreru Knife) 5 of 11+ by George Asakura

Oboreru Knife 「溺れるナイフ」 by George Asakura Kodansha Betsufure, shoujo Volume 5 first published in Japan 2007.02

Level Comics ROMICs (2010.10.20)

1. Smurf Hijau dan Hijau Smurf (Schtroumpf vert et vert Schtroumpf, tome 9) by Peyo & Yvan Delporte
2. Spirou - Petualangan di Australia (Spirou et Fantasio, tome 34: Aventure en Australie) by Tome & Janry
3. Yakari - Lompatan Pertama (Yakari, tome 16: Le premier galop) by Derib & Job
4. Yakari - Terowongan Raksasa (Yakari, tome 10: Le grand terrier) by Derib & Job

¹ Sources: Elex STO 20 October 2010 (release schedule) and Komikologi and/or Gramedia Shop (synopses, unless indicated otherwise)
² Manga are priced at IDR 18,500 each except for Restore Garage 251 vol. 10 (SRP: IDR 19,500). All ROMICs listed retail for IDR 30,000 each.
³ Links like this are commercial Amazon search and/or product links (other language versions).

Volume previews (continued)

Chocolat 4 of 7 by Kubonouchi Eisaku

My—my name is Amon!! My body may be big, but I'm actually a coward who can only annoy the people around me. But I understand the feelings of Omugi's family.

Chiyoko finally finds the courage to invite Ichigo to the school's cultural festival, but Nana-san is kidnapped on the very day the festival opens! Saying that it's gonna be a problem is severely understating it!

Half an Apple 4 of 14 by Koyama Yukari

I don't want to be separated; I don't want to lose. But...

Despite vowing to marry each other, despite Hikaru's love for Shindo eclipsing all others', Hikaru continues to contend with Natsuko who hasn't given up on getting Shindo. What fiendish plot is Natsuko hatching now? Can Hikaru and Shindo protect their relationship from Natsuko's predations?

Hikayat Genji 4 of 13 by Yamato Waki

Consorting with a hime with the wrong political affiliations exiles Genji to Suma. There, fate leads him to Akashi and a love affair with the beautiful Akashi princess. Meanwhile, unrest in the capital worsens; the Okami falls ill and summons Genji back.

What will happen to Genji's relationship with the Akashi princess? And will Genji's return bring peace to the capital?

Jio 10 of 19 by Kishimoto Seishi

As Yulia and Paison go at it in the O.P.T. Olympics, Jio senses the presence of a Kabbalah demon. Which one is it?

Restore Garage 251 v.10 of 33+ by Tsugihara Ryuji

To finance his daughter Saori's schooling abroad, Satoshi dips into his laboriously squirreled away savings. Unfortunately, Saori's stepfather uses up the education fund, prompting Saori's mom to plead with Satoshi for more money.

Learning that her mother is pressuring her father for money, Saori sees red and refuses to continue further studies. An oblivious Satoshi, meanwhile, searches for a gift for Saori when work lets him.

How will this situation resolve itself?

Shattered Knife 5 of 11+ by George Asakura

After Natsume's kidnapping by a stalker, Natsume and Ko's relationship starts to fray. Natsume also grows distant from friends, especially Kana.

Kana likes Ko and the only thing preventing her from getting in between Natsume and Ko is her belief that the two are the perfect couple. But what will happen once Natsume and Ko break up and Ko starts going out with another girl?

UP NEXT: m&c! 20 October 2010 manga and manhwa

m&c!: Oresama Teacher 3 · Kingdom of the Beast by Takagi Shigeyoshi · A Badboy Drinks Tea! 10 · To The Top! 2 of 2 · Idol Shopping 4 · Canon by Usami Maki · Beauty Pop 8 · Cold Heart by Hoshimori Yukimo · Go! Hiromi Go! 4 · Secret 2

Iamque opus exegi,
~niki DBA 30uɐlnɯɐnɥ (花木蘭03) who thanks Level editor Hyasinta-san for the artwork and blurbs

disclaimer

Cover images and source summaries used here for reference are © their respective intellectual rights holders. No infringement intended.

other upcoming manga (20 October 2010 street date)

Elex Media: Vampire Knight 5 · Fullmetal Alchemist 24 · Hello Master 2 · Topeng Kaca 2 Deluxe · Rinne 1 by Takahashi Rumiko · Artist Acro 3 · Natural Honey Dormitory 3 · New Sexy Simpleton 7 · Want You 1 by Hwang MiRee · Our Dear Tamura-kun 1 by Kurafuji Sachi · Legend of Nereid 10 · Nakayoshi 85/2010 · Shonen Star 74/2010

related monthly schedules

October 2010
Premiering Red River by Shinohara Chie,Gun Smith Cats Burst by Sonoda Kenichi andHunt for the Thumb by Yamada Yuusuke (standalone)

September 2010
Premiering Sky of Love by Mika & Haneda Ibuki and The Duke and I by Hara Chieko

other invaluable resources

Wikipedia · 7net Shopping · Baka-Updates Manga

Technorati tags

Level Comics · manga · ROMIC (BD) · josei · seinen · shounen · AirGear · Akihabara@Deep · Chocolat · Half an Apple · Hikayat Genji · Jio · Restore Garage 251 · Shattered Knife · Smurfs · Spirou et Fantasio · Yakari

Upcoming: Sky of Love, The Duke and I, Akihabara@DEEP 6 of 6 manga (Level Comics September 2010 advisory)

Updated with the 29 September manga schedule

Koizora © Haneda Ibuki
Futabasha

Level Comics skeds 36 manga, manhwa and manhua alongside eight bande dessinée (ROMIC) possibles for September. With 11 manga titles getting September street dates, Level posts a 30% fulfillment rate. (The BDs fared better at 87.5%.)

Only a couple of premieres make it to the latest Komikologi: Sky of Love, Mika- and Haneda Ibuki's (weepy, based on a light novel, adapted to live-action) Koizora shoujo series, and Hara Chieko's The Duke & I (Koushaku to Watashi) Emerald Comics Romance Comics josei standalone. That both are non-seinen is skosh surprising for Level (though the possibility was never 0 percent). Akihabara@DEEP (volume 6) and Show Me the Money (volume 2), meanwhile, comprise the expected September finales.

Tankou previews are reserved for the actual weeklies, but the full Level list hides behind the fake cut.

Read more »

Akiharabara@Deep 5, Restore Garage 251 volume 7, Fight!! Ippo 76 (Level Comics 14 July 2010 manga)

Another minimalist post.

Hajime no Ippo © Morikawa Joji/Kodansha (Serialized in Weekly Shonen Magazine)
Published in Indonesia as Fight!! Ippo by Elex Media/Level Comics

The only (sorta) news: the return of Fight!! Ippo and 3X3 Eyes (volume 31) that probably due to their three-month absence, were NOT the most popular DO WANT! of this Level manga release. Despite the award-winner stature of both Kodansha series.

Level Comics manga (2010.07.14)

1. 3X3 Eyes (Sazan Eyes) 31 of 40 by Takada Yuzo
2. Akihabara@DEEP 5 of 6 by Ishida Ira & Akane Makoto
3. Fight!! Ippo (Hajime no Ippo) 76 of 92+ by Morikawa Joji
4. Miso-Com (30 Kon Miso-com) 3 of 10+ by Yonezawa Rika
5. Nanase Fire Investigator (Kasai Chousakan Nanase) 4 of 7 by Hashimoto Izo & Ichikawa Tomoshige
6. Restore Garage 251 volume 7 of 32+ by Tsugihara Ryuji

NOTE
¹ Sources: Elex Media STO 14 July 2010 and Komikologi
² All manga are priced at IDR 18,500, except 3x3 Eyes 31 and Restore Garage 251 vol. 7 (IDR 19,500 apiece)

~niki DBA huamulan03 (花木蘭03)

disclaimer

Cover images used here for reference are © their respective intellectual rights holders. No infringement intended.

other next available manga (14 July 2010 street date)

• Elex Media: Fairy-Tale Motif Brocade 5 of 5 · Hell Girl 4 · Kaiser Z 14 · Kumpulan Cerita Berwarna Doraemon 4 · Libero Revolution! 11 · New Sexy Simpleton 4 · Paket Doraemon Movie (Jakarta) by Fujiko F. Fujio · Penguin Revolution 5 · Red-Haired Snow White 3 · Rockwell the Scarlet Knight 1 by Nadatani Wataru · Summer Storm 2 · Tena on S String 1 by Mikabe Sesuna · Toradora 1 by Zekkou · V.B. Rose 5 · Nakayoshi 82/2010 · Shonen Star 68/2010 · [RE-STO] Eyeshield 21 volumes 1-10 | Kitchen Princess volumes 1-10 of 10 | One Piece volumes 1-10, 11-20, 21-30 ad 31-40 box sets
• m&c!: Bakugan Battle Brawlers 8 · Go! Hiromi Go! 1 by Asou Mikoto· How to Be a Man 1 by Yamada Nanpei · The Princess Bouquet 3 of 3 · Sakura Wars 9 of 9

currently available manga (7 July 2010 street date)

• Elex Media: Otomen 9 · Caramel Boy 2 · Hero Tales 1 by Huang Jin Zhou & Arakawa Hiromu · Hyde & Closer 3 · Dorabase 17 · A Kiss For My Prince 4 · Kurozakuro 3 · LUM, The Invader Girl 24 · Shinagawa Cat Story 1 by Nishida Kana ·Otoboke Section Chief 4 ·Winter's Love by Mamura Mio · Shonen Magz 73/2010
• Level Comics: Airgear 13 · Hellsing 4 · Jepang Tenggelam 7 · Restore Garage 251 vol.6 · Subaru 7 · Zipang 3
• m&c!: Electric Daisy 5 · Rasetsu's Flower 6 · Dawn ARIA 3 · Gorgeous Twins by Shiiba Nana · Love Letter by Chiba Kozue · Meet the Banchou 3 · Sayaka's Special Attack, Big Victory! by Wao Akira · Welcome to Lovers Café Marina by Kitamura Yuka

related monthly schedules

Level Comics July 2010 manga
Premiering Soul Eater by Ohkubo Atsushi and Yokohama Chinatown Fantasy by Nishi Yuuji · Ending Diamond Life

Level Comics June 2010 manga
Premiering Dark Edge by Aikawa Yu, Ghost Mum Investigator by Sato Tomokazu · Standalones: 1 or W by Takahashi Rumiko and Bus Hashiru by Sahara Mizu

other invaluable resources

Amazon Japan

Technorati tags
Level Comics · manga · josei · seinen · 3X3 Eyes · 30 Kon Miso-com · Akihabara@Deep · Fire Investigator Nanase · Hajime no Ippo · Restore Garage 251

Jormungand 1, Rumiko Takahashi's Best Short Story Collection 2, Akihabara@DEEP 4 (Level Comics 5 May 2010 manga)

Update: Replaced the Jormungand 1 cover with artwork provided by Level Comics

Also, Kawaguchi Kaiji's A Spirit of the Sun (Taiyou no Mokushiroku) volume 4 and the Tokyo Juliet finale (volume 13)

Jormungand © Takahashi Keitarou/Shogakukan (Serialized in Sunday GX)
Published in Indonesia by Elex Media/Level Comics
[Cover from Level Comics]

May contain [SPOILERS]

It was because Jormungand was the top DO WANT! of this Level manga release that I went and revisited Gundam 00, what with their superficial Death is their business and business is good/child soldier protagonist similarities. (NOT because Gundam 00: A wakening of the Trailblazer's September premiere remains a brain splinter, though there is that.) But whereas Setsuna's past leads him down the war eradication path, Jormungand's reluctant hero Jonah takes up arms for reasons that clearly have nothing to do with peacekeeping.

But I'm getting ahead of myself. Let me borrow Amazon's description for Jormungand (the VIZ Media English edition) to explicate the backstory:

Jonah is a child soldier, born into the chaotic conflicts that rage across Africa, his family lost to a war fueled by weapons supplied by the so-called “Merchants of Death”—international arms dealers. Despite Jonah's hatred of weapons and violence, he employs both extremely well in the service of high-flying arms dealer Koko Hekmatyar and her band of mercenaries. Their journey through the dark underbelly of the world's arms markets may lead only to damnation, but will Jonah one day make his way back to the light?
–Jormungand volume 1 description [VIZ Media edition]

Before Jonah can scrabble his way out of the nine circles of hell, though, he will first have to clear the assignments set out for him by boss Koko. The Level back cover blurb lets us in on his first mission: assisting in the delivery of fighter helicopter parts key to upsetting the balance of power in Eastern Europe. Jonah's task is made more challenging by one country that wants the chopper spare parts for itself.

Nik's Useless(?) Speculation: I don't know how “Jormungand” in the manga title ties in with Jormungand (properly, Jörmungandr) of Norse mythology, that Wikipedia sez is the sea serpent the god Odin threw into the great ocean surrounding Midgard (our world). Jörmungandr supposedly grew so large, he was eventually able to encircle the Earth and grasp his own tail. Nordic legend (via the same Wiki source) tells us that when Jörmungandr releases his tail, the world will end.

So. Does Jonah = Jormungand? Or is he actually Jormungand's arch-nemesis Thor? If only to answer these questions, I will take this new seinen series by Takahashi Keitarou for a spin.

Blurble for Tokyo Juliet 13 as well as previews of Akihabara@DEEP 4; Gun Smith Cats 4; Rumiko Takahashi's Best Short Story Collection (Rumic World) 2; A Spirit of the Sun 4; Subaru 5; and Astrosmurf are after the release lists.

Second Engage by Aikawa Momoko

This sked's other new title is Aikawa Momoko's Second Engage, a one-volume josei manga originally published under Ohzora Shuppan's Missy Comics Renai Hakusho Pastel imprint. Second Engage (which appears in the May Komikologi unlike Jormungand) tells the story of Yukari, newly-married into a rich family and dreaming of starting a family of her own. Her rosy dreams are shattered when husband Shinichi is demoted. What will happen to their marriage now?

(I don't know about you but knowing nothing about Shinichi, DV (domestic violence) is flashing in my mind right now, which ought to indicate my current mental/emotional state.)

[REISSUES] Other Ohzora josei Guilty Pleasures: Harlequin: The Case of the Confirmed Bachelor by Diana Palmer and Harlequin: An Impossible Dream by Emma Darcy that Level is reissuing this Wednesday.

Level Comics manga (2010.05.05)

Release links are hide/unhide. Click for more details and cover scans.

1. Akihabara@DEEP 4 of 6 by Ishida Ira & Akane Makoto

Akihabara@DEEP 「 アキハバラ＠ＤＥＥＰ 」 by Ishida Ira & Akane Makoto Coamix (Shinchosha) Bunch Comics, seinen Volume 4 first published in Japan 2006.09 Akihabara@Deep published in English by Media Blasters (volume 6 street date: 2009.10.07)

Related: Based on the Akihabara@DEEP novel by Ishida Ira (2004.11)

A live-action drama, comprising 11 + 1 (Special) episodes aired on TBS from June to August 2006, with Kazama Shunsuke (Konkatsu!) as Page, Ikuta Toma (Hanazakari no Kimitachi e ~ Ikemen Paradise) as Box, Himura Yuki (My Girl) as Daruma, Hoshino Gen (Ghost Friends) as Taiko, Kosaka Yuka (Uramiya Honpo Special) as Akira, Matsushima Hatsune (Tadashii Ouji no Tsukurikata) as Ism, and Honjo Manami (Futatsu no Spica) as Yui. An Akihabara@DEEP movie premiered in Japan on 2 September 2006.

2. Gun Smith Cats 4 of 9 by Sonoda Kenichi

Gun Smith Cats 「 ＧＵＮ　ＳＭＩＴＨ　ＣＡＴＳ 」 by Sonoda Kenichi Kodansha Afternoon, seinen Volume 4 first published in Japan 1994.01 Gunsmith Cats published in English by Dark Horse Comics

Related: Gun Smith Cats Burst (sequel, five volumes, complete)

Three episodes of the Gunsmith Cats OAV animated by Oriental Light and Magic were released between November 1995 and September 1996. The anime starred seiyuu Araki Kae as Minnie May Hopkins and Neya Michiko as Rally Vincent

3. [Premiere] Jormungand 1 of 8+ by Takahashi Keitarou

Jormungand 「 ヨルムンガンド 」 by Takahashi Keitarou Shogakukan Sunday GX, seinen Volume 1 first published in Japan 2006.11 Jormungand published in English by VIZ Media (volume 3 street date: 2010.05.11)

Volume 1 contains chapters:
第1話　炎兎
第2話　ガンメタル・キャリコロード
第3話　PULSARphase.1
第4話　PULSARphase.2
第5話　PULSARphase.3

4. Rumiko Takahashi's Best Short Story Collection (Rumic World) 2 of 3 by Takahashi Rumiko

Rumic World (Takahashi Rumiko Kessaku Tanpenshuu) by Takahashi Rumiko 「 高橋留美子傑作短編集 」 Shogakukan Rumic World, shounen Volume 2 first published in Japan 1995.03 Rumic World published in English by VIZ Media (three volumes)

Volume 2 contains:
• Wasted Minds (Dust Spot)
• The Golden Gods of Poverty
• The Entrepreneurial Spirit

5. [New] Second Engage by Aikawa Momoko

Second Engage 「 セカンド・エンゲージ 」 by Aikawa Momoko Ohzora Shuppan Missy Comics Renai Hakusho Pastel, josei This volume first published in Japan 2006.02

6. A Spirit of The Sun (Taiyou no Mokushiroku) 4 of 17+ by Kawaguchi Kaiji

Taiyou no Mokushiroku 「 太陽の黙示録 」 by Kawaguchi Kaiji Shogakukan Big Comic, seinen Volume 4 first published in Japan 2004.02

Volume 4 contains chapters:
第23話　喪失せしもの
第24話　父と子
第25話　家族
第26話　託されたもの
第27話　屈せざる者
第28話　国民の前へ
第29話　熱意の到達点
第30話　祖国へ

AWARDS: Won best seinen/general manga in the 51st Shogakukan Manga Awards (tied with Rainbow by Abe George and Kakizaki Masasumi) and the grand prize for the comic category at the 10th Japan Media Arts Festival in 2006.

The series was adapted into an anime special by Madhouse. Two A Spirit of The Sun episodes aired in Japan on 2006.09.17 and 2006.09.18.

7. Subaru 5 of 11 by Soda Masahito

Subaru 「 昴 」 by Soda Masahito Shogakukan Big Comic Spirits, seinen Volume 5 first published in Japan 2001.05

Related series: Moon (sequel; six volumes, ongoing)

8. Tokyo Juliet 13 of 13 by Kitagawa Miyuki [Finale]

Tokyo Juliet 「 東京ジュリエット 」 by Kitagawa Miyuki Shogakukan Sho-Comi, shoujo Volume 13 first published in Japan 1999.07 Series re-released in six volumes in 2002

A Taiwanese live action adaptation Dong Fang Zhu Li Ye 「 東方茱麗葉 」 aired on GTV from June to September 2006. The series starred Ariel Lin as Lin Lai Sui (Minori) and Wu Chun as Ji Feng Liang (Akira).

Level Comics European comics (2010.05.05)

1. Smurf - Astrosmurf (Le Cosmoschtroumpf) by Peyo

Level Comics reissues (2010.05.05)

1. [RE-STO] Harlequin: The Case of the Confirmed Bachelor by Diana Palmer
2. [RE-STO] Harlequin: An Impossible Dream by Emma Darcy

NOTE
(1) Sources: Elex Media STO 5 May 2010 (release schedule) and Komikologi (synopses, except where noted)
(2) All listed manga are priced at IDR 17,000 each, except Rumiko Takahashi's Best Short Story Collection 2 (SRP: IDR 25,000); Gun Smith Cats 4, Second Engage, and Subaru 5 (IDR 18,000 each); and the reissued Harlequin manga (The Case of the Confirmed Bachelor and An Impossible Dream, IDR 11,000/volume). The Smurf - Astrosmurf ROMIC retails for IDR 35,000 each.
(3) Links like this are Amazon.com (or other online merchants) search and/or product links (commercial), in case you're interested in another language version.

Volume previews continued

Tokyo Juliet 13 of 13

「 東京ジュリエット 」 by Kitagawa Miyuki

Minori's hopes of reuniting with Akira through the Milan study tour are dashed when she is kidnapped by Katsuyuki and brought to Paris to debut in Paris Cour. Learning that Eiji is showing the newest Daisy line ignites Minori's fighting spirit. But will passion be enough to beat Eiji? And what about Akira who is looking for her?

And so ends Minori and Akira's troublesome romance (insert mushroom-shaped sigh of relief here).

Akihabara@DEEP 4

「 アキハバラ＠ＤＥＥＰ 」 by Ishida Ira & Akane Makoto

Digicapi president Nakagomi Takeshi dangles the prospect of generous funding and other goodies in front of otaku hacker Page in return for AKIHABARA@DEEP's more popular than Google search engine CROOK. Page, however, turns the tempting offer down, seeing as how Nakagomi once made off with their BLUE. What will be Nakagomi's retaliation?

Gun Smith Cats 4

「 ＧＵＮ　ＳＭＩＴＨ　ＣＡＴＳ 」 by Sonoda Kenichi

Rally is drugged by the criminal she's been tailing, and to get her hands on the antidote, has to cater to sed villain's whims. Apparently, Rally's merciless enemy Goldie is behind the administration of the hallucinogenic drug, and the mob queen succeeds in implanting an order to kill Roy in Rally. Will the enslaved Rally obey?

Rumiko Takahashi's Best Short Story Collection

Rumic World (Takahashi Rumiko Kessaku Tanpenshuu) 「 高橋留美子傑作短編集 」
by Takahashi Rumiko

I didn't luck into a blurb for this volume, but according to Wiki, Rumic World 2 contains these stories:

• Wasted Minds (Dust Spot): about a pair of bickering government agents (five-part miniseries)
• The Golden Gods of Poverty: A boy's parents try to use him to make money, but they only succeed in contacting the Seven Lucky Gods who are also broke.
• The Entrepreneurial Spirit: A woman leads seminars for a get-rich quick scheme.

A Spirit of the Sun 4

Taiyou no Mokushiroku 「 太陽の黙示録 」 by Kawaguchi Kaiji

Taiwan, 2017. Depression shrouds the encampment sheltering the Japanese refugees, even as Tansui camp head Ozu tries to pacify the angered Taiwanese residents. Disgruntled evacuee Kurofuji gathers together other malcontents and leaves the camp, disregarding Ozu-san's efforts. The breakaway group turns to guns and terror to effect change.

Meanwhile, government officials resisting pro-Japan Taiwanese president Cai Qing Ling, the country's first female commander-in-chief, plan her ouster from office. Detective Hata Ryotaro, who detests his father for relinquishing Japanese citizenship and was forced to join the anti-Japan group, vows to reveal everything. The south and north Japan local governments also weaken in the face of American and Chinese occupation.

As these harrowing events unfold, what can the resourceful Genichiro Ryu do?

This volume, comprising chapters 23 through 30, wraps the Japanese refugees in Taiwan arc.

Subaru 5

「 昴 」 by Soda Masahito

Suffering a high fever, Subaru faces disqualification from the Prix de Lausanne. Doctors insist on her admittance to a hospital; Vanya and Subaru, however, refuse. Subaru goes ahead and competes, but with a raging fever, is unable to perform at her best. Does this mean good-bye to any hope of winning the prestigious international dance contest and a future professional classical ballet career?

Smurf - Astrosmurf

Le Cosmoschtroumpf by Peyo (Les Schtroumpfs nr.6, Dupuis, 1970.05)

Le Cosmoschtroumpf
© Peyo/Dupuis
Published in Indonesia as
Astrosmurf by Level Comics

One smurf dreams of visiting other planets. He tries to build a rocket ship to take him to outer space, but fails, sending the smurf into depression. But Papa Smurf has an idea that would grant the wish of this wannabe Astrosmurf.

This sixth album of the original Smurfs comic series also contains the story Le Schtroumpfeur de Pluie (The Weather Smurf) in which:

Handy Smurf invents a weather contraption that the other smurfs use to create a sunny day perfect for a picnic. Poet Smurf celebrates because he can compose an ode to the Sun; Farmer Smurf, meanwhile, grumbles that the heat will fry his crops, and appropriates the machine to make it rain. This leads to a tug of war between Farmer Smurf and Poet Smurf, and the weather alternates between sunny skies and downpour. [Adapted from Wikipedia's synopsis]

For preview pages, go here (Dupuis.com).

~niki DBA huamulan03 (花木蘭03) who thanks Level editor Lenny-san for the artwork

P.S. And who is also waiting for someone to point out that Jonah and Full Metal Panic!'s Sousuke also have (somewhat) similar backgrounds

UP NEXT: More 5 May 2010 manga

M&C!: Another Kingdom 1 by Fujita Maki · Battle Brawlers Bakugan 4 · Bleach 23 · Meet the Banchou 1 by Suzuki Nakaba · Sinful Love by Yoshinaga Yuu · Shanaou Yoshitsune volumes 13-17 (box set)

disclaimer

Cover images and source summaries used here for reference are © their respective intellectual rights holders. No infringement intended.

manga available this week (28 April 2010 street date)

• Elex Media: Adventure of Cat Mix Toraji 3 · Eyeshield 21 v36 · Fullmetal Alchemist 22 · Kaiser Z 12 · Kunai Legend 1 by Iori Tabasa · Legend of Nereid 6 · One Piece 54 · Penguin Revolution 4 V3 · The Puppet Master Lin 6 · The Ruler of Nabari 9 · Sora - The Wingless Duck 16 · Trigun Maximum 14 of 14 · With My Brothers 4 · X-Zone 3 · HanaLaLa 49/2010
• Level Comics: Angel Heart 3 · Eagle 10 · Jio 5 · Love Affair 5 · Restore Garage 251 vol. 5 · Lucky Luke - Lucky Luke vs Joss Jamon · Lucky Luke - Nabi Palsu · Michel Vaillant - Para Sponsor · Yakari - Yakari dan Sang Rajawali
• m&c!: Battle Brawlers Bakugan 3 · Bleach 22 · Born To Cook 6 · C-Blossom 1 by Shimotsuki Kayoko/Fukui Harutoshi · Goong [Palace Story] 19 · My Fragile Love 1 by Miyawaki Yukino · My Fragile Love 2 · My Fragile Love 3 of 3 · Shanaou Yoshitsune - Genpei War 1 by Sawada Hirofumi · Tokyo Angels 1 by Fujii Mihona · White Paper Ark 5 · The Story of Wang Fenglei 1 by Tony Wong · Hand 7 No. 2 · PenDragon 2 · Tengu-Do 2 · KOLONI: Garudayana 2 · Cherry 42 · Shanaou Yoshitsune volumes 7-12 (box set)

other manga upcoming (5 May 2010 street date)

• Elex Media: Artist Acro 1 by Sakurai Ato · Caramel Boy 1 by Morio Masami · Crows 7 · Demon King 30 · Hyde & Closer 2 · Katsu! 3 · Kekkaishi 3 · Kumpulan Cerita Berwarna Doraemon 2 · LUM, The Invader Girl 22 · Otoboke Section Chief 1 by Ueda Masashi · Pandora Hearts 9 · Raiders 4 · The Real Fake Princess 3 · Spiral: The Bonds of Reason 2 · Treasure Gaust 6 · Wild Life 4

related monthly schedules

Level Comics May 2010 manga
Premiering Dolls of God by Yamamura Hajime, Oh Butterfly Oh Flower by Yoshihara Yuki · Second Engage by Aikawa Momoko (standalone)

Level Comics April 2010 manga
Premiering Historie by Iwaaki Hitoshi and Pandemic by Kakizaki Masasumi (one-shot) · Concluding Doubt and My Lovely Honey

Level Comics March 2010 manga
Premiering Rumiko Takahashi's Best Short Story Collection 1, A Flame Inferno by Kim KwangHun, Go Go Hanasaki Detective Office by Watanabe Wataru, Fire Investigator Nanase by Hashimoto Izo, New Comic Bomber by Shimamoto Kazuhiko, Show Me the Money by Lin Xin Ying

other invaluable resources

7net Shopping · Baka-Updates Manga · Wikipedia · Dupuis

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