Basara 21, Shattered Knife 11, Scrameustache by Gos & Walt (Level Comics 4 January 2012 manga and BDs) [UPDATED]

Update: Duck! NikBabble™, INCOMING!

Basara © Tamura Yumi/Shogakukan [First serialized in Betsucomi] · Oboreru Knife © George Asakura/Kodansha [Serialized in Betsufure]. Published in Indonesia as Basara and Shattered Knife by Elex Media/Level Comics

Tatara succeeds in forging alliances with the other regional commanders, swelling the rebel troops' ranks, even as Shuri takes command of the royal soldiers and declares war against Tatara. Meanwhile, Taro uncovers the Zakuro Plan and hastens to return to Kyoto, but is wounded along the way by Hagiwara's warriors. Can Taro make it back to the capital?

I noted after catching up on Level's Basara that you'd be forgiven for expecting that volume 21 would be the ultimate if not the penultimate volume. Especially after how the action has built up and the prospect of a divided Japan's unity all but sniffable. You already know that's not so, right? Five more Basara volumes sneak in between the 21st and The End.

Shattered Knife vol 11 of 12+
By George Asakura

Oji, the son of Ko's mother's half-sib, learns just how intractable Ko can be, after Ko underestimates him on their first meeting. Oji struggles to make Ko see him as a worthy rival, little realizing that they have more in common than differences.

Assuming Oji is a guy—not reading Shattered Knife—so if I'm mistaken, please be so good as to call me on it. Comment box's down there :)

Twelve Oboreru Knife tankou have been compiled in Japan as of May 2011.

New Level titles
Scrameustache By Gos & Walt

Le Scrameustache, Tome 1:
L'héritier de l'Inca
© Gos & Walt/Glénat
Published in Indonesia as
Scrameustache:
Pewaris Bangsa Inca
by Elex Media/Level Comics

Level double-launches the Franco-Belgian science fiction BD Scrameustache with volumes 1 and 2, Scrameustache: Pewaris Bangsa Inca (Le Scrameustache: L'héritier de l'Inca) and Scrameustache: Penyihir Ursa Mayor (Le Scrameustache: Le magicien de la Grande Ourse).

The adopted son of a European archeologist, Khena meets a extraterrestrial named Scrameustache, drawn to Khena by the medallion he wears. Before encountering Scrameustache, Khena never thought about where he came from, or life before his adoption by Uncle Georges. Khena and the cat-like alien soon become friends and Scrameustache takes Khena off to Peru, where Khena was first found.

What distinguishes Khena and Scrameustache's story, according to Wiki, is that a certain amount of mystery surrounded Khena himself. As a toddler he had been found in the remains of an earthquake in Peru. He was then adopted by Georges Caillau, a European scholar, archaeologist and ethnologist. Some ten years later, Khena met the Scrameustache and proved himself resistant to the alien's (non-lethal) weapons and other technology. This resistance made the Scrameustache curious and he stuck around hoping that time would provide an explanation.

Maybe the "mystery" has something to do with that "Heir to the Inca" title?

Khena and Scrameustache continue their exploits in Penyihir Ursa Mayor, in which Uncle Georges' friend inexplicably grows a bull's head, and Scrameustache runs into an alien friend who needs help defeating an evil wizard.

Level Comics manga and manhua (2012.01.04)

1. Basara vol 21 of 27 by Tamura Yumi

Basara 「ＢＡＳＡＲＡ」 by Tamura Yumi Shogakukan Betsucomi, shoujo Volume 21 first published in Japan 1997.08

Awards
Winner, 38th Shogakukan Manga Awards in the Shoujo category

Other versions/languages
Re-released in 16 bunko volumes (2002.03 to 2002.10)
English Basara (VIZ Media: 27 volumes), French (Kana: 27 volumes), German (EMA: Band 26 ships 2011.10; Band 27 per 2012.01), Danish (Mangismo Danmark), Swedish (Mangismo Sverige) and Vietnamese (Kim Dong: 27 volumes)

Adaptations
A 13-episode Legend of Basara anime by KSS, starring seiyuu Kimura Akiko (Sarasa) and Inoue Kazuhiko (Shuri), aired on Chiba TV from April to June 1998.

2. Brave Story (Brave Story - Shinsetsu) vol 7 of 20 by Miyabe Miyuki and Ono Yoichiro

Brave Story - Shinsetsu 「ブレイブ・ストーリー～新説～」 by Miyabe Miyuki and Ono Yoichiro AKA Brave Story: A Retelling of a Classic Shinchosha Comic Bunch, seinen Volume 7 first published in Japan 2005.05

Related
Adapted from Miyabe Miyuki-sensei's Brave Story light novel

Other languages
English Brave Story (TOKYOPOP: five volumes; the Brave Story novel was published by VIZ Media 2009.11), French (Kurokawa: Tome 20 shipped 2011.02) and traditional Chinese (Tong Li Taiwan)

3. Fight!! Ippo (Hajime no Ippo) vol 87 of 98+ by Morikawa Joji

Hajime no Ippo 「はじめの一歩」 by Morikawa Joji AKA Fighting Spirit Kodansha Weekly Shonen Magazine, shounen Volume 87 first published in Japan 2009.03

Volume 87 chapters:
Round 827: Best In The World
Round 828: Right Jabs
Round 829: Switch
Round 830: The Source of the Static
Round 831: Eyes of the Champion
Round 832: The Lightning God's Fists
Round 833: A Big Deal
Round 834: Miyata's Hang Up
Round 835: Payoff Of Courage
Round 836: Abnormality
[*NOT Level chapter titles]

Awards
Winner, 1991 Kodansha Manga Awards in the Shounen category

Related series
Hajime no Ippo Gaiden (one-shot prequel)

Other languages
French (Kurokawa: Ippo, Saison 2 Tome 16 per 2011.09) and traditional Chinese (Tong Li Taiwan: 第一神拳 97 per 2011.12.21)

Adaptations
A 76-episode anime by Madhouse, starring seiyuu Kiyasu Kohei (Makunouchi Ippo), aired on NTV from October 2000 to March 2002. A sequel/special, Hajime no Ippo - Champion Road, came out in June 2003, followed by the spinoff Hajime no Ippo - Mashiba vs. Kimura OAV (2003.09). The 26-episode second season Hajime no Ippo: New Challenger was telecast from January to June 2009.

4. Go-On! vol 3 of 4 by Akishige Manabu

Go-On! 「ＧＯ‐ＯＮ！」 by Akishige Manabu Shogakukan Young Sunday, seinen Volume 3 (chapters 20–27) first published in Japan 2008.11

5. The Ravages of Time (Huo Feng Liao Yuan) vol 15 of 44+ by Chan Mou

Sanguozhi Qunxiongzhuan: Huo Feng Liao Yuan 「火鳳燎原」 by Chan Mou AKA Fiery Phoenix Burns Steppes Tong Li New Youth, seinen

Other languages/serializations
Simplified Chinese (Chuang Yi: 火凤燎原 #42 released 2011.09.05), Japanese (Media Factory 三国志群雄伝　火鳳燎原 9 per 2009.12), Vietnamese Hỏa Phụng Liêu Nguyên. The manhua is also published in Mainland China, Korea and Thailand.

6. Shattered Knife (Oboreru Knife) vol 11 of 12+ by George Asakura

Oboreru Knife 「溺れるナイフ」 by George Asakura Kodansha Betsufure, shoujo Volume 11 first published in Japan 2010.11

[Release links are hide/unhide. Click for more details.]

European comics (ROMICs)/BDs (2012.01.04

1. Lanfeust of Troy: Paladin dari Eckmul (Lanfeust de Troy, Tome 4: Le paladin d'eckmül) by Arleston & Tarquin (Soleil)
2. [Series Premiere] Scrameustache: Pewaris Bangsa Inca (Le Scrameustache, Tome 1: L'héritier de l'Inca) by Gos & Walt (Glénat)
3. [Premiere] Scrameustache: Penyihir Ursa Mayor (Le Scrameustache, Tome 2: Le magicien de la Grande Ourse) by Gos & Walt (Glénat) «Ex-2011.12.21

Read more »

Gurren Lagann 3, The Drops of God 8, Blood Alone 1 by Takano Masayuki (Level Comics 5 October 2011 manga) [UPDATED]

Don't look for GTO Shonan 14 Days vol. 3 here. It's been postponed to 19 October.

Blood Alone © Takano Masayuki/MediaWorks [First serialized in Dengeki Daioh]
Published in Indonesia by Elex Media/Level Comics

Before the newbie, ongoing DO WANT! first.

In buxom babes, beastmen, and giant mechs as only GAINAX can provide! Gurren Lagann vol. 3, Kitan rushes to help Kamina and Simon kick Viral and Thymilph's *rses. Gurren Lagann proves powerless against Daigunzan, and Kamina's Do or Die recklessness isn't helping, either. But just as the sitch looks bleakest, Simon hits on a way to beat Daigunzan.

Seven Gurren Lagann volumes have come out in Japan as of 27 June. The shounen manga continues to serialize in Dengeki Daioh.

Meanwhile, in The Drops of God 8, Shizuku's dad's old pal, whodunit writer Natsuyagi Maiko, receives a threatening letter accompanied by a suspicious bottle of wine, labeled in black. Shizuku already has his hands full trying to track down the 2nd Apostle; can he juggle two riddles?

The Drops of God vol. 8 compiles chapters 69 through 78 and teh usual special chapter on wines. Toggle the release link (below) for moar deets.

By 17 November, Kami no Shizuku: Les Gouttes de Dieu will have released 31 volumes in Japan.

New Level manga
Blood Alone vol. 1 of 7+ By Takano Masayuki

I lurve Wiki's Blood Alone synopsis, so excerpting it here:

Kuroe Kurose is a former vampire hunter, turned private detective and best-selling author. He lives in a modern-day city with Misaki Minato, an adolescent girl who has recently been turned into a vampire. Kuroe's investigations often lead him to battle vampires and other undead creatures, sometimes with the support of Higure, a leading figure in the vampire world. Misaki meanwhile struggles to come to terms with her vampire nature and her love for Kuroe. –Wikipedia

Doncha think the above summary fits better with the question Level poses in its blurb: What happens when a vampire and a human (who Sees Dead People) live together? Especially when, as Baka-Updates Manga points out, Misaki is perhaps the most innocent and most sincere young lady there ever was, and Kuroe is a Handsome Male Lead.

Curious? So, don't miss it! as Level exhorts.

Blood Alone has an interesting publication history. It was originally a series of doujinshi from Takano Masayuki, manga-ka of Boogiepop Dual. Many of the manga's arcs are based wholly or partly on the Blood Alone dj. MediaWorks opted to serialize Blood Alone in Monthly Comic Dengeki Daioh and published volumes 1–4 from February 2004 to April 2010. Even after MW became ASCII Media Works, it continued the series, releasing volumes 5 and 6 in April 2008 and January 2010.

After November 2010, however, Kodansha took over and began serializing Blood Alone in Evening. Not only that, Kodansha reissued the existing volumes from November 2010 to January 2011. Kodansha published the seventh tankou on 23 February 2011.

Here's where it gets even moar interesting. Level indicates the status of the manga as seven volumes, ongoing (which you saw from my street date advisory above). But the 10.05 STO identifies MediaWorks as the publisher. How does that work out for the Indonesian version? Will Level will switch approval submissions to Kodansha after volume 6?

If you're interested in other Other Takano Masayuki manga, scroll down.

One a side note (yes, another one), Blood Alone has three drama CDs. Seiyuu Nakahara Mai, Morikawa Toshiyuki and Kobayashi Sanae voiced Misaki, Kuroe and Higure respectively.

Level Comics manga (2011.10.05)

1. Basara vol. 20 of 27 by Tamura Yumi

Basara 「ＢＡＳＡＲＡ」 by Tamura Yumi Shogakukan Betsucomi, shoujo Volume 20 first published in Japan 1998.02* *1997.02 per Amazon Japan

Awards
Winner, 38th Shogakukan Manga Awards in the Shoujo category

Other versions/languages
Re-released in 16 bunko volumes (2002.03 to 2002.10)
English Basara (VIZ Media: 27 volumes), French (Kana: 27 volumes), German (EMA: Band 26 ships 2011.10; Band 27 per 2012.01), Danish (Mangismo Danmark), Swedish (Mangismo Sverige) and Vietnamese (Kim Dong: 27 volumes)

Adaptations
A 13-episode Legend of Basara anime by KSS, starring seiyuu Kimura Akiko (Sarasa) and Inoue Kazuhiko (Shuri), aired on Chiba TV from April to June 1998.

2. [Series Premiere] Blood Alone vol. 1 of 7+ by Takano Masayuki

Blood Alone 「ＢＬＯＯＤ　ＡＬＯＮＥ」 by Takano Masayuki MediaWorks Monthly Comic Dengeki Daioh (after 2010.11 serialized in Kodansha's Evening), seinen Volume 1 first published in Japan 2005.02 (Evening KC reissue: 2010.11)

Related series
Originally published as series of doujinshi (the manga is based wholly or partly on Blood Alone dj: Wild Arts 1.2.3., Holy Night, Stroll, Vanishing Point - Kiss In the Moonlight)

Other languages
English Blood Alone (Infinity Studios: four volumes [discontinued], picked up by Seven Seas: four volumes per 2011.09.13 • volume 5 street date: 2011.12.06), French (Editions Ki-oon: Tome 6 shipped 2010.06), German (Carlsen Comics: Band 6 released 2011.02), Italian (Edizioni BD s.r.l. [JPOP Division]), Russian (Istari Comics), traditional Chinese (Kadokawa Media Taiwan), Vietnamese (as Dòng máu lạ kì)

Adaptations
Three Blood Alone drama CDs—BLOOD ALONE, BLOOD ALONE II and BLOOD ALONE III— were released between July 2006 and May 2008. Seiyuu Nakahara Mai and Morikawa Toshiyuki voiced Misaki and Kuroe. Supporting cast included Kobayashi Sanae, Tanaka Rie and Miki Shinichiro as Higure, Sainome and Slye respectively.

3. Devil Devil vol. 5 of 15 by Miyoshi Yuuki

Devil Devil 「デビデビ」 by Miyoshi Yuuki Shogakukan Shonen Sunday, shounen Volume 5 (10 episodes/chapters 38-47) first published in Japan 1999.01

Other languages
French (PIKA Édition: 15 volumes)

4. The Drops of God (Kami no Shizuku) vol. 8 of 31+ by Agi Tadashi & Okimoto Shu

Kami no Shizuku: Les Gouttes de Dieu 「神の雫」 by Agi Tadashi & Okimoto Shu AKA Les Gouttes de Dieu Kodansha Morning, seinen Volume 8 first published in Japan 2006.10

Volume 8 chapters:
69. Botol Wine dengan Niat Jahat
70. Wanita yang Tinggal Dalam Wine
71. Titik Kritis Niat Jahat
72. Pesta Penuh Darah
73. Kemudian, Dampak dari Ikatan
74. Dalam Pelukan Badai Pasir
75. Sambil Mengingat MonaLisa
76. Dalam Senyum yang Lembap dan Menyejukkan
77. Bersulang untuk Penyesalan dan Rasa Malu
78. Demi Merebut Kembali Wine
Bab Tambahan Khusus (Kolom Penjelasan Drops of God: Wine yang Tepat untuk Malam Ini; Original Wine Chart/List Drops of God; Daftar Istilah Wine yang Bisa Dimengerti Anjing Sekalipun; Wine Akhir Minggu Tadashi Agi)

Awards
Special Award of the Year - La Revue du vin de France (French wine magazine); Nominee (Glénat's Les Gouttes de Dieu, tome 1), French Angoulême Comics Awards; Nominee, 1st Keitai Comic Taishō (Mobile Phone Comic Award, along with Hiura Satoru's Hotaru no Hikari, Miyasaka Kaho's Kare First Love and 17 other manga)

Other languages
French (Glénat: Les Gouttes de Dieu Tome 20 shipped 2011.08 • Tome 21 street date: 2011.10.19), traditional Chinese (Sharp Point Press Taiwan: 神之水滴 29 per 2011.09.19), English Drops of God (Vertical: one volume per 2011.09.13 • volume 2 street date: 2011.12.13)

Adaptations
A live-action renzoku starring Kamenashi Kazuya as Kanzaki Shizuku aired from January to March 2009 in Japan on NTV.

5. Gurren Lagann (Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann) vol. 3 of 7+ by Mori Kotaro

Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann 「天元突破グレンラガン」 by Mori Kotaro, GAINAX, Nakashima Kazuki MediaWorks Dengeki Comic Gao! and Dengeki Daioh (starting 2008.04.21), shounen Volume 3 first published in Japan 2008.11

Related series
Based on the GAINAX anime that aired between April to September 2007 in Japan, starring seiyuu Kakihara Tetsuya (Simon), Konishi Katsuyuki (Kamina), Inoue Marina (Yoko), Fukui Yukari (Nia Teppelin) and Hiyama Nobuyuki (Viral).

Alternate stories: Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann: Guren Gakuenhen (one volume; 2009.03), Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann: Yoko no Obeso-hen (one volume, 4-koma; 2008) and Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann - Rasen Shounentan (one volume; 2010.02).

Other languages
English Gurren Lagann (Bandai Entertainment: six volumes per 2011.08 • volume 7 street date: 2012.01.10), French (Glénat: Tome 5 shipped 2011.08 • Tome 6 street date: 2011.10.05)

6. Half an Apple (1/2 no Ringo) vol. 14 of 14 by Koyama Yukari [Finale]

1/2 no Ringo 「１／２の林檎」 by Koyama Yukari Kodansha Kiss, josei Volume 14 first published in Japan 2009.07

7. Karakuri Circus vol. 5 of 43 by Fujita Kazuhiro

Karakuri Circus 「からくりサーカス」 by Fujita Kazuhiro Shogakukan Shonen Sunday, shounen Volume 5 (10 episodes/chapters 37-46) first published in Japan 1998.11

Reissues/Other languages
Reissued in shinsō-ban beginning July 2011 (Shonen Sunday Comics Special volume 6 street date: 2011.11.18) and in 16 wide-ban volumes (from 2008.11 to 2010.02)
French (Delcourt: Karakuri Circus Tome 21 per 2007.12)

8. RRR vol. 4 of 10 by Watanabe Jun

RRR 「ＲＲＲ」 by Watanabe Jun AKA Rock 'n' Roll Ricky Kodansha Young Magazine, seinen Volume 4 first published in Japan 2008.04

9. Yokohama Chinatown Fantasy (Kachuu Hana) vol. 7 of 15+ by Nishi Yuuji & Hikino Shinji

Kachuu Hana 「華中華」 by Nishi Yuuji & Hikino Shinji AKA Central China Blossom Shogakukan Big Comic, seinen Volume 7 (seven stories [chapters 44-50] + recipes) first published in Japan 2008.11

Reissues
Kachuu Hana My First BIG Specials volumes 1-8 released between 2010.10 and 2011.05

10. Zipang vol. 8 of 43 by Kawaguchi Kaiji

Zipang 「ジパング」 by Kawaguchi Kaiji Kodansha Morning, seinen Volume 8 first published in Japan 2002.08

Awards
Winner, 26th Kodansha Manga Awards (2002) in the General category

Other language versions
English (Kodansha Bilingual Comics; partial), French (Kana: Pack Fidelite Zipang Tome 30+T31 per 2011.08 • Pack Fidelite T32+33 street date: 2011.10.21) and traditional Chinese (Sharp Point Press: 次元艦隊 43 per 2010.06)

Adaptations
Anime by Studio DEEN starring seiyuu Inada Tetsu (Executive Officer Kadomatsu Yosuke), Hoshino Takanori (Gunnery Officer Kikuchi Masayuki), Ueda Yuuji (Navigation Officer Oguri Kouhei), Yara Yuusaku (Captain Umezu Saburo) and Touchi Hiroki (Lt. Commander Kusaka Takumi) aired in Japan from October 2004 to March 2005

[Release links are hide/unhide. Click for more details.]

ROMICs/BDs (2011.10.05)

1. Jojo - Sebastien Kapok (Jojo, Tome 10: La chance de Sébastien) by André Geerts (Dupuis)
2. Marsupilami - Baby Prinz (Le Marsupilami, Tome 5: Baby Prinz) by Franquin, Batem, Yann (Marsu Productions)
3. Petualangan Spirou & Fantasio - The Black Ray (Spirou et Fantasio, Tome 44: Le Rayon Noir) by Tome & Janry (Dupuis)

Read more »

The Drops of God 7, Soul Eater 10, Team Medical Dragon 19 (Level Comics 14 September 2011 manga)

And...Magister Negi Magi 27!

Kami no Shizuku: Les Gouttes de Dieu © Agi Tadashi & Okimoto Shu/Kodansha [Serialized in Morning] · Soul Eater © Ohkubo Atsushi/Square Enix [Serialized in Shonen Gangan] · Iryuu -Team Medical Dragon- © by Nogizaka Taro/Nagai Akira [First serialized in Big Comic Superior]. Published in Indonesia as The Drops of God, Soul Eater and Team Medical Dragon by Elex Media/Level Comics

In The Drops of God volume 7, Shizuku's work is far, far from over. Sure, it's one Apostle down, but there's still 11 to go. Instead of diving straight into looking for the 2nd Apostle, however, Shizuku is roped into finding a wine that can beat those of the top five chateaux. If he fails, Miyabi has to transfer to her friend Takasugi's company. Can Shizuku produce a wine that can delight Takasugi?

Soul Eater 10 of 20+ by Ohkubo Atsushi

Maka & Co. return to Death City after the Brew mission, only to learn that Shinigami fears a spy hides in the SPSS (DWMA) midst. Lord Death thus summons Internal Affairs to investigate. As all this is going down, Doctor Stein's madness engulfs him, and even Black Star stands no chance!

Soul Eater 10 collects chapters 36 through 39: ‘Brew’ Tempest (Part 3), ‘Brew’ Tempest (Part 4), Internal Investigation (Part 1) andInternal Investigation (Part 2). [*NOT Level's chapter titles] DON'T click the link if you don't want to know who's the DWMA traitor.

Team Medical Dragon 19 of 25 by Nogizaka Taro/Nagai Akira

Akira continues to win more support, forcing the other professor candidates to scramble if they want to secure their own positions. Meanwhile, Professor Takeo's popularity among the medical staff plunges. Only one person attends Takeo's year-end celebration. Who is s/he?

Moar previews after the release list.

Level Comics manga (2011.09.14)

1. Angel Heart 10 of 33 by Hojo Tsukasa

Angel Heart 「エンジェル・ハート」 by Hojo Tsukasa Coamix (Shinchosha) Comic Bunch, seinen Volume 10 first published in Japan 2004.03

Related series
Angel Heart 2nd Season (sequel; two volumes per 2011.09.20)
Reissued by Coamix under the ZENON Collection label from 2010.09 (18 volumes per 2011.05)

Other languages
French (Génération Comics and Panini Comics)

Adaptations
Adapted into anime by TMS, starring seiyuu Kamiya Akira as Saeba Ryo and Kawasaki Mao as Shan-In Glass Heart Lee. Fifty episodes adapting manga volumes 1 to 18 aired in Japan from October 2005 to September 2006.

2. Basara 19 of 27 by Tamura Yumi

Basara 「ＢＡＳＡＲＡ」 by Tamura Yumi Shogakukan Betsucomi, shoujo Volume 19 first published in Japan 1996.10

Awards
Best Shoujo Manga, 38th Shogakukan Manga Awards

Other versions/languages
Re-released in 16 bunko volumes (2002.03 to 2002.10)
English Basara (VIZ Media: 27 volumes), French (Kana: 27 volumes), German (EMA: Band 26 ships 2011.10; Band 27 per 2012.01), Danish (Mangismo Danmark), Swedish (Mangismo Sverige) and Vietnamese (Kim Dong: 27 volumes)

Adaptations
A 13-episode Legend of Basara anime by KSS, starring seiyuu Kimura Akiko (Sarasa) and Inoue Kazuhiko (Shuri), aired on Chiba TV from April to June 1998.

3. Blade of Immortal (Mugen no Juunin) 18 of 28+ by Samura Hiroaki

Mugen no Juunin 「無限の住人」 by Samura Hiroaki Kodansha Afternoon, seinen Volume 18 first published in Japan 2005.06

Volume 18 chapters:
Dai Hyaku Jū Yon Maku Kassatsu
Dai Hyaku Jū Go Maku Mami no Su (Sono Ichi)
Dai Hyaku Jū Roku Maku Mami no Su (Sono Ni)
Dai Hyaku Jū Nana Maku Mami no Su (Sono San)
Dai Hyaku Jū Hachi Maku Mami no Su (Sono Yon)
Dai Hyaku Jū Kyū Maku Kawauso no Su (Sono Ichi)
Dai Hyaku Ni Jū Maku Kawauso no Su (Sono Ni)

Awards
1997 Japan Media Arts Festival Excellence Prize

Other languages
English Blade of the Immortal (Dark Horse Comics: 23 volumes per 2011.02 • Volume 24: Massacre street date: 2011.11.08), French (Casterman: L'habitant de l'infini Tome 26 shipped 2011.06), Italian (Planet Manga), German and Polish (Egmont), Portuguese (Conrad Brazil) and Swedish (Schibsted Förlagen Sverige AB; serialized in Manga Mania)

Adaptations
A 13-episode anime starring seiyuu Seki Tomokazu (Manji) and Satou Rina (Rin) aired in Japan on AT-X from July to December 2008.

Related
The 小説無限の住人　刃獣異聞/Blade of the Immortal: Legend of the Sword Demon novel written by Ohsako Junichi and illustrated by Samura Hiroaki was published under the KC Novels imprint in 2008.07 and by Dark Horse Comics in 2009.11.

The 艶（あだ）浪　「無限の住人」画集/The Art of Blade of the Immortal illustration book was released 2008.06 in Japan, 2010.06 in North America by Dark Horse.

4. Blue Seal (Ao no Fuuin) 2 of 7 by Shinohara Chie

Ao no Fuuin 「蒼の封印　(小学館文庫)」 by Shinohara Chie Shogakukan Sho-Comi, shoujo Bunko volume 2 first published in Japan 1999.03 (originally published in 11 tankoubon from 1992.04 to 1994.12)

Adaptations
An audio drama CD released by Shogakukan in May 1993 and light novels written by Yamamoto Natsumi and illustrated by Shinohara Chie were published under the KSS Comic Novels imprint (three volumes from September to December 1998)

5. The Drops of God (Kami no Shizuku) 7 of 30+ by Agi Tadashi & Okimoto Shu

Kami no Shizuku: Les Gouttes de Dieu 「神の雫」 by Agi Tadashi & Okimoto Shu AKA Les Gouttes de Dieu Kodansha Morning, seinen Volume 7 first published in Japan 2006.07

Awards
Special Award of the Year - La Revue du vin de France (French wine magazine); Nominee (Glénat's Les Gouttes de Dieu, tome 1), French Angoulême Comics Awards; Nominee, 1st Keitai Comic Taishō (Mobile Phone Comic Award, along with Hiura Satoru's Hotaru no Hikari, Miyasaka Kaho's Kare First Love and 17 other manga)

Other languages
French (Glénat: Les Gouttes de Dieu Tome 20 shipped 2011.08.17 • Tome 21 street date: 2011.10.19), traditional Chinese (Sharp Point Press Taiwan: 神之水滴 23 per 2010.06), English Drops of God (Vertical: volume 1 street date: 2011.09.13)

Adaptations
A live-action renzoku starring Kamenashi Kazuya as Kanzaki Shizuku aired from January to March 2009 in Japan on NTV.

6. Jormungand 4 of 9+ by Takahashi Keitarou

Jormungand 「ヨルムンガンド」 by Takahashi Keitarou Shogakukan Sunday GX, seinen Volume 4 (chapters 18-24) first published in Japan 2008.04

Other languages
English Jormungand (VIZ Media: seven volumes per 2011.05 • volume 8 street date: 2012.01.10)

Adaptations/Related
A Jormungand drama CD was bundled with manga volume 9 (JP release: 2011.02), the Mini art book "Ricochet" drama CD with volume 5 (JP: 2008.10).

7. Lost Man 4 of 13+ by Kusaba Michiteru

Lost Man 「ＬＯＳＴ　ＭＡＮ」 by Kusaba Michiteru Shogakukan Young Sunday (later moved to Big Comic Spirits after 31 July 2008), seinen Volume 4 first published in Japan 2009.05

8. Magister Negi Magi (Mahou Sensei Negima!) 27 of 35+ by Akamatsu Ken

Mahou Sensei Negima! 「魔法先生ネギま！」 by Akamatsu Ken Kodansha Weekly Shonen Magazine, shounen Volume 27 (chapters 241-249) first published in Japan 2009.09

Other languages
English Negima! (Del Rey until volume 28 and Kodansha Comics: starting from volume 29 [2011.05] • volume 31 street date: 2011.09.20 (US) and Chuang Yi Singapore: MAGISTER NEGI MAGI, Volume 27 per 2011.02), simplified Chinese (Chuang Yi: 魔法老师 #31 per 2010.10), traditional Chinese (Tong Li Taiwan: 魔法老師! 33 per 2011.04), French (Pika Édition: Negima! Tome 32 shipped 2011.08.17 • Tome 33 street date: 2011.10.05), Spain (Glènat España), Germany (Egmont Manga & Anime: Negima! Magister Negi Magi Band 31 released 2011.08.04 • Band 32 street date: 2011.10), Norway (Schibsted Forlag), Brazil (Editora JBC) and Croatia (Algoritam).

Adaptations
A 26-episode anime TV series starring seiyuu Satou Rina as Negi Springfield (January-June 2005), three pre-anime OAVs (2004), two post TV series OAVs (Mahou Sensei Negima!: Haru and Mahou Sensei Negima!: Natsu, 2006.10.25 and 2006.11.22), an alternate retelling anime series (Negima!?, 2006.10-2007.03), OADs or Original Animation Disc bundled with the manga (Mahou Sensei Negima!: Shiroki Tsubasa Ala Alba, 2008.08.17-2009.02.17; Mahou Sensei Negima!: Mō Hitotsu no Sekai, 2009.09.17-2010.11.17; and the anime movie that concludes the Magic World arc, Mahou Sensei Negima: Anime Final (premiered 27 August 2011 in Japan as a double-bill with Hayate the Combat Butler! Heaven Is a Place on Earth). A live-action drama aired on TV Tokyo from 2007.10 to 2008.03.

9. New Comic Bomber (Shin Hoero Pen) 8 of 11 by Shimamoto Kazuhiko

Shin Hoero Pen 「新吼えろペン」 by Shimamoto Kazuhiko AKA New Be Growl, Pen Shogakukan Sunday GX, seinen Volume 8 (chapters 28-31) first published in Japan 2007.08

Related series
Burning Pen and Comic Bomber (prequels)

10. Officer Monju (Seigi Keikan Monju) 10 of 12 by Miyashita Hiroki

Seigi Keikan Monju 「正義警官モンジュ」 by Miyashita Hiroki Shogakukan Sunday GX, seinen Volume 10 first published in Japan in 2010.07

Other languages
French (Kana: Monju, au service de la justice Tome 8 per 2011.02 • Tome 9 street date: 2011.09.23), traditional Chinese (Taiwan Tohan: 正義警官毛九 volume 7 per 2011.06)

11. Over Rev 20 of 31 by Yamaguchi Katsumi & Team 39

Over Rev! 「オーバーレブ！」 by Yamaguchi Katsumi & Team 39 Shogakukan Young Sunday, seinen Volume 20 (chapters 217-228) first published in Japan 2002.02

Reissues
Released in 13 wide-ban from 2007.05 to 2008.05 and in bunko as OVER REV! A Legend of Ultimate Hot Rodder (15 volumes published as at 2009.04)

12. Soul Eater 10 of 20+ by Ohkubo Atsushi

Soul Eater 「ソウルイーター」 by Ohkubo Atsushi Square Enix Shonen Gangan, shounen Volume 10 (chapters 36-39) first published in Japan 2007.10

Related series
First appeared as one-shots in two Gangan Powered special editions (Summer and Fall 2003) and Gangan Wing's 26 November 2003 issue. (Regular Monthly Shonen Gangan serialization commenced May 2004.)

Other languages
English Soul Eater (Yen Press: six volumes per 2011.06 • volume 7 street date: 2011.10.25), French (Kurokawa Tome 16 per 2011.07 • Tome 17 street date: 2011.10.13), German (Carlsen Comics Band 12 shipped 2011.08.26 • Band 13 street date: 2011.10.28) and traditional Chinese (Sharp Point Press: 噬魂者 17 per 2011.03)

Related series
Soul Eater Not! (side story; began serialization in Shonen Gangan 2011.01.12)

Adaptations
Manga volumes 1 to 12 adapted to anime by BONES. Fifty-one episodes starring seiyuu Omigawa Chiaki (Maka Alban) and Uchiyama Kouki (Soul Eater) aired in Japan from April 2008 to March 2009.

Square Enix bundled an audio drama, Soul Eater (Vol. 1): Special Social Studies Field Trip, with an artbook in August 2005. The drama CD featured different actors (Takeuchi Junko as Maka; Hoshi Souichirou as Soul Eater); only Kobayashi Yumiko reprised her Black☆Star role in the TV series.

13. Team Medical Dragon (Iryuu -Team Medical Dragon-) 19 of 25 by Nogizaka Taro/Nagai Akira

Iryuu -Team Medical Dragon- 「医龍」 by Nogizaka Taro, Nagai Akira, Yoshinuma Mie (Medical Supervision) Shogakukan Big Comic Superior, seinen Volume 19 (chapters 150-157) first published in Japan 2008.12

Awards
Winner, Best Seinen/General Manga, 50th Shogakukan Manga Awards.

Other languages
French (Glénat: Tome 17 shipped 2011.07 • Tome 18 street date: 2011.10.19)

Related
My First BIG Special limited edition releases: Iryū Oyasumi (Japan release: 2011.01); Iryū Yōchi (2010.12); Iryū Tokken (2010.11); Iryū sennō (2010.10); Iryū Himitsu Heiki (2010.09); Iryū Sōtei-gai (2007.12); Iryū Hakui (2007.11); Iryū Kyōju no Shishitsu (2007.11); Iryū Kiken na masui (2007.10); Iryū Kango-shi to Isha (2006.06); and Iryū Kanja no Ishi (2006.04)

Adaptations
Three seasons of the live-action adaptation, starring Sakaguchi Kenji (Asada Ryutaro), aired on Fuji TV (Season 1: April to June 2006; Season 2: October to December 2007; Season 3: October to December 2010). The first season won the Best Drama award at the 49th Television Drama Academy Awards.

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European comics/BDs (2011.09.14)

1. Jojo - Tuan Serba Tahu (Jojo, Tome 8: Monsieur Je-sais-tout) by André Geerts (Dupuis)
2. Lucky Luke - Kavaleri ke 20 (Lucky Luke, Tome 27: Le 20ème de cavalerie) by Morris & Goscinny (Dupuis)
3. Petualangan Spirou & Fantasio -Tora Torapa (Spirou et Fantasio, Tome 23: Tora-Torapa) by Fournier (Dupuis)

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Soul Eater 6, XBlade 3, Magister Negi Magi 25 (Level Comics 4 May 2011) [UPDATED]

Finally!

Also, omitted the Johan & Pirlouit - Seruling Enam Smurf BD from this list. It reskeds to the 18th.

XBlade © Ida Tatsuhiko & Shiki Satoshi/Kodansha
[Serialized in Shonen Sirius]
Published in Indonesia by Elex Media/Level Comics

No big enuf XBlade 3 cover, but leading with the Japanese version because I now get Demonbasher-san's comment about the logo (and why bother with the additional processing that ups XBlade's price). Look at that there superimposed XBlade on the original tankou...oh, you wanted the preview?

Can Haru prevail against Seven Sheaths/Nanatsusaya's Sakura and her ojinto (Metamorphosing Guardian Blade) when he hasn't even recovered from the previous battle AND without harming bystanders?

As for the top DO WANT! manga (separated by one vote from XBlade 3) —

Soul Eater 6 of 19+ by Ohkubo Atsushi

Maka risks insanity to connect with Crona's soul as Death the Kid and Black*Star redouble efforts to halt Free and Eruka's attempt to awaken the First Kishin.

Soul Eater 6 compiles chapter 19 through 22, A Fight to the Death at the Anniversary Celebration, Parts 4 to 7.

Level Comics manga, manhwa and manhua (2011.05.04)

1. 3x3 Eyes 39 of 40 by Takada Yuzo

3×3 EYES 「３×３ＥＹＥＳ」 by Takada Yuzo Kodansha Weekly Young Magazine, seinen Volume 39 first published in Japan 2002.11

Other languages
English 3x3 Eyes (Dark Horse Comics; till volume 8), Korean (Young Movie Comics), French (PIKA Édition; 40 volumes), Spanish (Planeta DeAgostini Comics; dropped), Italian (Editions Star Comics) and German 3x3 Augen (Carlsen Comics)

Awards
Best Shounen Manga, 1993 Kodansha Manga Awards

Adaptations
Two anime OAVs starring seiyuu Tsujitani Kouji (Fujii Yakumo) and Hayashibara Megumi (Ayanokouji Pai)

2. ARMS 19 of 22 by Minagawa Ryouji & Nanatsuki Kyouichi

ARMS 「 ＡＲＭＳ 」 by Minagawa Ryouji & Nanatsuki Kyouichi Shogakukan Shonen Sunday, shounen Volume 19 first published in Japan 2001.10

Awards
Best Shounen Manga, 44th Shogakukan Manga Awards

Other languages
English Project ARMS (VIZ Media: 22 volumes, French (Kana: 22 volumes), Italian (Panini Comics/Planet Manga), German (Planet Manga), traditional Chinese (Tong Li Taiwan).

Adaptations
TMS's 26-episode anime adaptation aired between TV Tokyo April and September 2001, starring seiyuu Canna Nobutoshi (Takatsuki Ryo), Takayama Minami (Kuruma Kei), Ueda Yuji (Tomoe Takeshi) and Miki Shinichiro (Shingu Hayato). The Project ARMS: The 2nd Chapter sequel (episodes 27-52) broadcast from October 2001 through March 2002.

3. Basara 17 of 27 by Tamura Yumi

Basara 「ＢＡＳＡＲＡ」 by Tamura Yumi Shogakukan Betsucomi, shoujo Volume 17 first published in Japan 1996.02

Awards
Best Shoujo Manga, 38th Shogakukan Manga Awards

Other versions/languages
Re-released in 16 bunko volumes
English Basara (VIZ Media; 27 volumes), French (Kana; 27 volumes), German (EMA: Band 26 ships 2011.10), Danish (Mangismo Danmark) and Swedish (Mangismo Sverige)

Adaptations
A 13-episode Legend of Basara anime by KSS, starring seiyuu Kimura Akiko (Sarasa) and Inoue Kazuhiko (Shuri), aired in Japan from April to June 1998.

4. The Fugitive Lawyer Makoto Narita (Toubou Bengoshi Narita Makoto) 5 of 6 by Takada Yu & Go Hideki

Toubou Bengoshi Narita Makoto 「逃亡弁護士　成田誠」 by Takada Yu & Go Hideki (Natsuhara Takeshi) Shogakukan Young Sunday (until July 2008 before moving to Big Comic Spirits), seinen Volume 5 first published in Japan 2008.09

Related series
Shin Toubou Bengoshi Narita Makoto (sequel by Okamoto Sou; three volumes as at 2011.04.28)

Adaptations
A live-action adaptation, Toubou Bengoshi, starring Kamiji Yusuke aired from July to September 2010 on Fuji TV.

5. Hikayat Genji (Asakiyumemishi) 8 of 13 by Yamato Waki

Asakiyumemishi 「あさきゆめみし」 by Yamato Waki Kodansha Mimi, shoujo Volume 8 first published in Japan 1987.12

Related
Adapted from Genji Monogatari by Murasaki Shikibu

Other languages
English (Kodansha Bilingual Comics; partial)

6. Magister Negi Magi (Mahou Sensei Negima!) 25 of 33+ by Akamatsu Ken

Mahou Sensei Negima! 「魔法先生ネギま！」 by Akamatsu Ken Kodansha Weekly Shonen Magazine, shounen Volume 25 (chapters 223-231) first published in Japan 2009.02

Other languages
English Negima! (Del Rey: 28 volumes and Kodansha Comics: volume 29 street date: 2011.05.17 (US) and Chuang Yi Singapore), simplified Chinese (Chuang Yi: volume 31 per 2010.10), traditional Chinese (Tong Li Taiwan), French (Pika Édition: Tome 28 shipped 2010.12), Spain (Glènat España), Germany (Egmont Manga & Anime; Band 30 ships 2011.05), Norway (Schibsted Forlag), Brazil (Editora JBC) and Croatia (Algoritam).

Adaptations
A 26-episode anime TV series starring seiyuu Satou Rina as Negi Springfield (January-June 2005), three pre-anime OAVs (2004), two post TV series OAVs (Mahou Sensei Negima!: Haru and Mahou Sensei Negima!: Natsu, 2006.10.25 and 2006.11.22), an alternate retelling anime series (Negima!?, 2006.10-2007.03), OADs or Original Animation Disc bundled with the manga (Mahou Sensei Negima!: Shiroki Tsubasa Ala Alba, 2008.08.17-2009.02.17; Mahou Sensei Negima!: Mō Hitotsu no Sekai, 2009.09.17, 2009.12.17, 2010.05.17 and 2010.07.17; and Mahou Sensei Negima! ~Ariadone-hen~ per 2010.11.17), an anime movie for the Magic World arc expected to premiere in 2011 and a live-action drama (TV Tokyo, 2007.10-2008.03)

7. Priest 16 of 16+ by Hyung MinWoo

Priest 「프리스트」 by Hyung MinWoo Daiwon C.I. Champ Comics, seinen Volume 16 first published in Korea 2006.01 Series on hiatus from volume 16

Other languages
English Priest (TOKYOPOP: 16 volumes), French (Tokebi; 16 volumes), German (Tokyopop Germany), Polish (Kasen Comics), Italian (J POP), Portuguese (Lumus Brazil) and Japanese (Enterbrain Beam comix)

Adaptations
A film adaptation starring Paul Bettany premieres on 13 May 2011 in the U.S.

8. The Ravages of Time (Huo Feng Liao Yuan) 9 of 41+ by Chan Mou

Sanguozhi Qunxiongzhuan: Huo Feng Liao Yuan 「火鳳燎原」 by Chan Mou AKA Fiery Phoenix Burns Steppes Tong Li New Youth, seinen

Other languages/serializations
Simplified Chinese 火凤燎原 (Chuang Yi: 火凤燎原 41 released 2011.05.03) and Japanese (Media Factory 三国志群雄伝　火鳳燎原 volume 9 per 2009.12; serialized in Comic Sangokushi). The manhua is also released in Mainland China, Korea, Thailand and Vietnam.

9. Soul Eater 6 of 19+ by Ohkubo Atsushi

Soul Eater 「ソウルイーター」 by Ohkubo Atsushi Square Enix Shonen Gangan, shounen Volume 6 (chapters 19-22) first published in Japan 2006.04

Related series
First appeared as one-shots in two Gangan Powered special editions (Summer and Fall 2003) and Gangan Wing's 26 November 2003 issue. (Regular Monthly Shonen Gangan serialization commenced May 2004.)

Other languages
English Soul Eater (Yen Press: five volumes per 2011.02 • volume 6 street date: 2011.06.28), French (Kurokawa tome 15 ships 2011.05.12), German (Carlsen Comics Band 11 street date: 2011.06.24) and traditional Chinese 噬魂者 (Sharp Point Press Taiwan)

Related series
Soul Eater Not! (side story; began serialization in Shonen Gangan 2011.01.12)

Adaptations
Manga volumes 1 to 12 adapted to anime by BONES. Fifty-one episodes starring seiyuu Omigawa Chiaki (Maka Alban) and Uchiyama Kouki (Soul Eater) aired in Japan from April 2008 to March 2009.

Square Enix bundled an audio drama, Soul Eater (Vol. 1): Special Social Studies Field Trip, with an artbook in August 2005. The drama CD featured different actors (Takeuchi Junko as Maka; Hoshi Souichirou as Soul Eater); only Kobayashi Yumiko reprised her Black☆Star role in the TV series.

10. X Blade 3 of 12+ by Ida Tatsuhiko & Shiki Satoshi

XBlade 「ＸＢＬＡＤＥ」 by Ida Tatsuhiko & Shiki Satoshi Kodansha Shonen Sirius, shounen Volume 3 first published in Japan 2008.02

11. Yokohama Chinatown Fantasy (Kachuu Hana) 5 of 13+ by Nishi Yuuji & Hikino Shinji

Kachuu Hana 「華中華」 by Nishi Yuuji & Hikino Shinji AKA Central China Blossom Shogakukan Big Comic, seinen Volume 5 (stories 29-35) first published in Japan 2008.03

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European comics/ROMICs (2011.05.04)

1. Cubitus - Kena Kau! by Dupa
2. Michel Vaillant - Operation Mirage by Philippe & Jean Graton

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