Vampire Knight 7, One Piece 59, Natsume Yujincho 1 by Midorikawa Yuki (Elex Media 27 July 2011 manga) [UPDATED]

Blooming Youth 4 and Her Idol Boy 1 postponed to 3 August. (I have it on good authority that Natsume Yujincho 1 streets as planned.)

Update: Added s'more Elex covers and blurbs

Natsume Yujincho © Midorikawa Yuki/Hakusensha [Serialized in LaLa]
Published in Indonesia by Elex Media

Before Natsume Yujincho though, manga DO WANT! #1 and #2 first —

After her arduous research gets her nowhere, Yuki decides to ask Kaname about her past. Kaname reacts by dodging her question in various ways, and asks her to become his ‘lover’. She agrees, and from that moment on, her life changes... even though she doesn't know it yet....

The Vampire Knight 7 blurb above excerpted from Chuang Yi because I couldn't find Elex's version. »Edit: Eventually found one, but since it's more or less the same as what I have here, keeping mine :D Meanwhile, VIZ's Vampire Knight, Vol. 7 contributes that Yuki suspects Kaname of memory manipulation; when Zero tackles the Pur Sang (using the word in its original sense) about it, the two come to blows over Yuki. They not only struggle violently (as Panini's French Vampire Knight, Tome 7 blurb hints), Zero also ends up quaffing Kaname's blood. (Thanks, Wiki.)

Vampire Knight 7 compiles 30th through 34th Nights: For Whom the Blood Flows, The Answer's Whereabouts, False Miniature Garden, The Pure Blood Vampire's Lover (last chapter before HanaLaLa ceased publication) and Bloody World (the last NOT HanaLaLa's title, obviously). Rounding out the seventh VK tank is the Cross Family Vacation side story. With volume 7's release, Elex surpasses what it serialized via (poor, axed) HanaLaLa.

One Piece 59 of 62+ by Oda Eiichiro

The pirates' war with the Navy reaches its climax; what fate lies in store for Luffy, Ace and every other combatant?

I refuse to say moar on grounds of   [SPOILAGE]. That's why no One Piece 59 subtitle nor chapters 574 to 584 titles.

New Elex manga: Natsume Yujincho by Midorikawa Yuki ♥

Two titles actually premiere, but I lob the NikBabble™ on proudly homegrown Geng Bokek Behind the Cut. Although I will say here that Annisa Nisfihani's art and Geng Bokek's premise, despite its Kalimantan setting, show Very Shoujo Sensibilities :D

Speaking of shoujo—with a male lead though—leads us to With friends like these, enemies are overkill Natsume Yujincho. I prolly don't need to babble, especially if you followed HanaLaLa (nine chapters serialized) and/or Brains Base's anime adapt (Natsume Yūjin-Chō, Zoku Natsume Yūjin-Chō and the ongoing Natsume Yūjin-Chō San). Enough to say that since childhood, Natsume has been able to see spirits and that one day, he discovers he has to undo what his grandmother accomplished with a certain book, "Yujincho." Meanwhile, a sealed feline spirit Nyanko-sensei ("Master Little Meow") eagerly waits for Natsume to die so that he can get paws on the problematic "Book of Friends." [Continued after release list]

☆ In other LaLa manga, Tsuda Masami's Kisah Edo di Abad 21 (Chotto Edo Made) wraps in the Japanese mangazine's upcoming 24 August issue. The Elex Kisah Edo volume 3 streets this Wednesday. I still wrote of 5+ below because I don't know the final volume number yet. [More babble below]

Elex Media manga, manhwa and local comics (2011.07.27)

1. A Story of Heroes (Heroes) 37 of 37 by Choi Mir (Daiwon C.I.) [Finale]
2. Casting 2 of 8 by KITT & Park SangYong (Daiwon C.I.)
3. Crows 19 of 26 by Takahashi Hiroshi

Crows 「クローズ」 by Takahashi Hiroshi AKA Crows: Busou Sensen Reimeihen Akita Shoten Monthly Shounen Champion, shounen Volume 19 first published in Japan 1995.12

Related series
Main story: Crows Gaiden (three volumes: 1, 2 (Sono Go no Crows) and 3 (Zoku - Crows Gaiden))
Sequel: Worst (27 volumes as at 2011.08.06)
Spin-offs: Crows Zero (nine volumes as at 2010.08); Crows Gaiden: Linda Linda (two volumes); Suzuran Danshi Koukou Nyuugaku Annai (one volume)

Adaptations
Two live-action prequel movies: Crows ZERO (Japan theatrical release: October 2007) and Crows ZERO II (April 2009), directed by Miike Takashi and starring Oguri Shun (GPS leader Takiya Genji) and Yamada Takayuki (Serizawa Tamao)

4. Culdcept 6 of 6+ [Hiatus] by Kaneko Shinya & OMIYA Soft

Culdcept 「Ｃｕｌｄｃｅｐｔ」 by Kaneko Shinya & OMIYA Soft Kodansha Magazine Z, seinen Volume 6 first published in Japan 2007.09 (On hiatus at volume 6)

Related
Based on the Culdcept video game

Other languages
English Culdcept (TOKYOPOP: five volumes per 2006.06), Italian (Star Comics), Spanish (Norma Editorial Spain: volume 6 per 2009.02)

5. Cute Children (Zettai Karen Children) 17 of 26+ by Shiina Takashi

Zettai Karen Children 「絶対可憐チルドレン」 by Shiina Takashi Shogakukan Shonen Sunday, shounen Volume 17 first published in Japan 2009.07

Adaptations
Synergy SP's 51-episode anime adaptation, starring seiyuu Hirano Aya (Akashi Kaoru), Tomatsu Haruka (Sannomiya Shiho), Shiraishi Ryoko (Nogami Aoi) and Nakamura Yuuichi (Minamoto Kōichi) aired in Japan from April 2008 to March 2009. A special episode Generous Treatment! Natsuko and Hotaru's B.A.B.E.L. Report aired 2009.01.04. An OAV released 2010.07.16.

The Zettai Karen Children no Gōka Shinsaku Audio Drama "Tsuika kōen! Pati no hime rareta kōzen no jōnetsu" drama CD was bundled with the limited edition manga volume 26 (2011.06).

6. Doraemon 10 of 45 by Fujiko F. Fujio (Right-to-left edition)

Doraemon 「ドラえもん」 by Fujiko F. Fujio Shogakukan Tentoumushi Comics, kodomo Volume 10 first published in Japan 1976.04 Premiered in Indonesia in left-to-right format (vintage ca. 1994)

Awards
Best Children's Manga, 27th Shogakukan Manga Awards, Grand Prize, the first Osamu Tezuka Culture Award (1997) and the Excellence Award, Japan Cartoonists Association Awards (1973)

Related series
Doraemon Plus (sequel; 5 of 5 volumes), Daichouhen Doraemon (side story; 24 of 24 volumes); Dorabase: Doraemon Chouyakyuu Gaiden (spin-off; 22 volumes as at 2011.05, ongoing;) and The Doraemon's Special (spin-off; 12 volumes)

Adaptations
A 52-episode anime adaptation by Nippon TV (1973.04 - 1973.09), a 1,787-episode series by Shin-Ei Animation (broadcast on TV Asahi from 1979.04 - 2005.03), a 2005 adaptation by Shin-Ei Animation and Studio Pierrot (premiered 2005.04.15; 300+ episodes) and numerous movies

7. [Premiere] Geng Bokek by Annisa Nisfihani - SL
8. Godhand Teru 33 of 58+ by Yamamoto Kazuki

GodHand Teru 「ゴッドハンド輝」 by Yamamoto Kazuki Kodansha Weekly Shonen Magazine, shounen Volume 33 first published in Japan 2007.02

Awards/Recognitions
Nominee, the first Keitai Comic Taishō/Mobile Phone Comic Award (along with Ghost Sweeper Mikami by Shiina Takashi, Itazura na Kiss by Tada Kaoru, The Drops of God by Agi Tadashi and 16 other manga titles)

Other languages
Traditional Chinese (Tong Li 天生妙手 vol. 55 per 2011.04)

Adaptations
Live-action adaptation starring Hiraoka Yuta (Mahigashi Teru) aired on TBS from 11 April to 16 May 2009.

Related
Godhand Teru novels (15 volumes as at 2009.01)
Godhand Teru Complete Dictionary (2010.03); Godhand Teru Valhalla Perfect Guide (2010.03)

9. Hitohira 5 of 7 by Kirihara Idumi

Hitohira 「ひとひら」 by Kirihara Idumi Futabasha Comic High!, seinen Volume 5 first published in Japan 2008.04

Other languages
English Hitohira (Aurora Publishing: three volumes/hiatus) and traditional Chinese (Ever Glory Taiwan: 女優大試煉 4 per 2008.02)

Related series
Sequels: Hitohira Encore (one volume, complete) and Sakaki Mirei no Tame nara Boku wa...!! (two volumes per 2011.08.11)

Adaptations
XEBEC M2's 12-episode anime adaptation, starring seiyuu Kimoto Orie (Asai Mugi), Kawasumi Ayako (Ichinose Nono), Narita Ken (Katsuragi Takashi), Hikami Kyoko (Nishida Risaki) and Kishio Daisuke (Nishida Kai), aired from March to June 2007 in Japan.

10. Inazuma Eleven 4 of 9+ by Yabuno Tenya

Inazuma Eleven 「イナズマイレブン」 by Yabuno Tenya Shogakukan Corocoro Comic, shounen Volume 4 first published in Japan 2009.10

Awards
Best Children's Manga, 34th Kodansha Manga Awards (2010)

Related
Based on the Nintendo DS game of the same name, from which an OLM anime, starring seiyuu Takeuchi Junko as Mark Evans (Endou Mamoru), Nojima Hirofumi as Axel Blaze (Gouenji Shuuya), Yoshino Hiroyuki as Jude Sharp (Yuuto Kidou) and Miyano Mamoru as Shawn Frost (Shirou Fubuki), was also adapted. The TV series premiered 2008.10.05 on TV Tokyo and its sequel, Inazuma Eleven GO, is still ongoing (episode 13 airs 2011.07.27); the Inazuma Eleven: Saikyō Gundan Ogre Shūrai sequel premiered 2010.12.23 in Japan, with Inazuma Eleven GO's movie sequel Inazuma Eleven GO: Kyūkyoku no Kizuna Griffon slated to premiere 2011.12.23.

11. Kisah Edo di Abad 21 (Chotto Edo Made) 3 of 5+ by Tsuda Masami

Chotto Edo Made 「ちょっと江戸まで」 by Tsuda Masami Hakusensha LaLa, shoujo Volume 3 first published in Japan 2010.03

12. Mixim 11 volume 3 of 12 by Anzai Nobuyuki

MiXiM 11 「ＭＩＸＩＭ☆１１」 by Anzai Nobuyuki AKA MiXiM♀12 Shogakukan Shonen Sunday, shounen Volume 3 (chapters 24-33) first published in 2009.03

Other languages
English Mixim 11 (Chuang Yi: volume 5 released 2010.05)

13. [Series Premiere] Natsume Yujincho 1 of 12+ by Midorikawa Yuki »Ex-7.20

Natsume Yuujinchou 「夏目友人帳」 by Midorikawa Yuki Hakusensha LaLa DX, then LaLa (starting 2008), shoujo Volume 1 first published in Japan 2005.10

Awards
First Manga Taishō finalist (2008)

Other languages/serializations
Serialized in the Indonesian HanaLaLa (only until chapter 9 [ex-volume 9] in Issue 55/2010)
English Natsume's Book of Friends (VIZ Media: seven volumes per 2011.06 • volume 8 street date: 2011.08.02), French (Delcourt: Le Pacte des yôkai Tome 10 shipped 2011.04), traditional Chinese (Tong Li: 妖怪連絡簿 10 released 2010.11)

Adaptations
Adapted into anime by Brains Base, featuring seiyuu Kamiya Hiroshi as Natsume Takashi and Inoue Kazuhiko as Nyanko-sensei. Thirteen episodes of Natsume Yūjin-Chō aired between July and September 2008; the second Zoku Natsume Yūjin-Chō season, also 13 episodes, aired from January to March 2009. The third 13-episode Natsume Yūjin-Chō San anime premiered 2011.07.04.

Also adapted into audio drama, the drama CDs given away with LaLa issues: LaLa Treasure Drama CD (2007.10); LaLa Excellent Drama CD (2008.11); and LaLa Double Premiere Drama CD (2009.05). Another drama CD comes as a furoku in the September 2011 issue.

14. New Kobochan (Shin Kobo-chan) 8 of 21+ by Ueda Masashi

Shin Kobo-chan 「新コボちゃん」 by Ueda Masashi Houbunsha Manga Time Comics, seinen/4-koma Volume 8 first published in Japan 2006.11

15. One Piece 59 of 63+ by Oda Eiichiro »Ex-7.20

One Piece 「ＯＮＥ　ＰＩＥＣＥ」 by Oda Eiichiro Shueisha Weekly Shonen Jump, shounen Volume 59 (chapters 574-584) first published in Japan 2010.08

Awards
Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize finalist (2000-2002)

Other languages
English One Piece (VIZ Media: 57 volumes per 2011.06 • volume 58 street date: 2011.09.13), French and Dutch (Glenat: Tome 57: Bataille décisive au sommet per 2011.04 • Tome 58 street date: 2011.09.07), Spanish (Planeta DeAgostini Comics Spain, Editorial Toukan Mexico, LARP Editores S.A. Argentina), Italian (Editions Star Comics), German, Danish and Swedish (Carlsen Comics: German Band 58 shipped 2011.04 • Band 59 street date: 2011.07.29), Portuguese (Conrad), traditional Chinese (Tong Li: 海賊王 One Piece volume 60 per 2010.12), simplified Chinese (Chuang Yi Singapore: volume 62 released 2011.06)

Adaptations
Adapted into a couple of OAVs before a full anime TV series that has aired over 500 episodes and is still ongoing (seiyuu Tanaka Mayumi plays Monkey D. Luffy). At least 10 animated movies have also been released.

Related
A series of light novels based on the anime, at least five art books and five guidebooks.

16. Princess Resurrection (Kaibutsu Oujo) 3 of 15+ by Mitsunaga Yasunori

Kaibutsu Oujo 「怪物王女」 by Mitsunaga Yasunori Kodansha Shonen Sirius, shounen Volume 3 first published in Japan 2006.12

Other languages
English Princess Resurrection (Del Rey: seven volumes per 2009.11), French (PIKA Édition: Princesse Résurrection Tome 10 shipped 2010.09 • Tome 11 street date: 2011.10.19), German (EMA: Band 7 released 2011.07.07 • Band 8 street date: 2011.09)

Adaptations
A 26 (24 + 2 Extra) episode anime adaptation by Madhouse that aired April through September 2007 (starring seiyuu Kawasumi Ayako as Hime and Oura Fuyuka as Hiyorimi Hiro) and 2 OAV episodes animated by Tatsunoko, bundled with manga volumes 13 and 14 (released 2010.12.09 and 2011.03.09 respectively), with a different voice cast (Hayami Saori as Hime and Irino Miyu as Hiro)

17. Smash! 3 of 18 by Saki Kaori

Smash! 「スマッシュ！」 by Saki Kaori Kodansha Weekly Shonen Magazine, shounen Volume 3 first published in Japan 2007.03

18. Vampire Knight 7 of 14+ by Hino Matsuri

Vampire Knight 「ヴァンパイア騎士」 by Hino Matsuri Hakusensha LaLa, shoujo Volume 7 (chapters 30-34 + side story) first published in Japan 2008.04

Other languages/serializations
English Vampire Knight (VIZ Media: 12 volumes per 2011.06 • volume 13 street date: 2011.10.04 and Chuang Yi: volume 13 per 2011.03), simplified Chinese (Chuang Yi: 吸血鬼骑士 #13 released 2011.03), traditional Chinese (Ever Glory: 吸血鬼騎士 13 shipped 2011.05), Italian and Portuguese (Panini Comics), French (Marvel Panini France tome 13 shipped 2011.05), German (Carlsen Comics Vampire Knight Band 11 released 2011.06 • Band 12 street date: 2011.11.18; serialized in Daisuki)

Adaptations
Studio DEEN's 13+13-episode anime adaptation, starring seiyuu Horie Yui (Cross Yuki), Miyano Mamoru (Kiriyu Zero) and Kishio Daisuke (Kuran Kaname), aired on Japan's TV Tokyo from April through July 2008 (first season) and October through December 2008 (second season as Vampire Knight Guilty). The anime spanned manga chapters 1 through 46.

Two drama CDs preceded the TV series. The first was Track 2 of the LaLa Kirameki Drama CD, produced for LaLa's 29th anniversary and given away as a freebie with the magazine's September 2005 issue. The second Vampire Knight Midnight CD-Pack (LaLa Oubosa Zenin Service CD Vampire Knight (Midnight CD Pack)) was exclusively released for mail order in 2006. The drama CDs feature the same cast as the anime's, with the exception of characters Headmaster Cross Kaien (Koyasu Takehito in the drama; VK anime sound director Gôda Hozumi in the anime), Hio Shizuka (Sonoda Keiko in the drama; Orikasa Fumiko in the anime) and Sayori Wakaba (Ueda Kana in the drama; Mizuno Risa in the anime).

Related
Two Hino Matsuri-illustrated light novels were written by Fujisaki Ayuna. The Vampire Knight: Ice Blue no Tsumi and Vampire Knight: Noir no Wana side stories released in Japan 2008.04.05 and 2008.10.03 respectively. Chuang Yi published the first novel in English as Vampire Knight: Ice Blue Sin in July 2010. Marvel Panini France's Vampire Knight: Coeur de glace also shipped the same month. Carlsen published the German version as Vampire Knight: Eisblaues Verbrechen in November 2009, following that up with the second Noir's Trap novel (retitled Vampire Knight: Tiefschwarzer Hinterhalt) in May 2010.

The official fanbook, Vampire Knight Fanbook: Cross, containing character and story information and details from Hino-sensei's storyboard, was published in November 2008 in Japan. (German Vampire Knight: X Official Fanbook released by Carlsen; VIZ Media launched the Vampire Knight Official Fanbook in October 2010.)

The Vampire Knight artbook 「樋野まつりイラストレーションズ－ヴァンパイア騎士（ナイト）－」 streeted concurrently with volume 12 in Japan (2010.07.05).

19. Vinland Saga 5 of 10+ by Yukimura Makoto

Vinland Saga 「ヴィンランド・サガ」 by Yukimura Makoto Kodansha Afternoon (initially in Weekly Shonen Magazine), shounen/seinen Volume 5 (chapters 29-35) first published in Japan 2007.10

Awards
Nominee, 2008 Manga Taisho award and Grand Prize winner, Manga division, Japan Media Arts awards

Other languages/serializations
Indonesian Shonen Magz (ongoing serialization)
French (Kurokawa: Tome 9 shipped 2011.03.10), Italian (Star Comics), traditional Chinese (Tong Li: 海盜戰記 9 released 2011.03.)

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

Mangazines (2011.07.27)

1. Nakayoshi Gress! 7/2011 (Kodansha)
2. Shonen Star 13/2011 (Shogakukan)

Read more »

The Ruler of Nabari 13, Wild Life 13, Red Haired Snow White 4 (Elex Media 9 February 2011 manga)

Also, the return of The Tyr Chronicles. After more than one year of waiting, here's volume 4 of the sonyun manhwa.

Nabari no Ou © Kamatani Yuhki/Square Enix
[Serialized in GFantasy]
Published in Indonesia as The Ruler of Nabari by Elex Media

Confrontation looms inevitable between Koichi, who wants to lose his immortality at any price, and Raimei, who rejects the use of the Shinrabanshô. Meanwhile, Tobari Kumohira Durandal has finished developing the Zekû, the art that will detach the Shinrabanshô from Miharu's body. But before using it, Tobari relates the truth about the events that occurred 10 years ago, events that everyone involved has “forgotten”. [Translated from the French Asuka Editions' Nabari tome 13 summary]

So The Ruler of Nabari 13 continues the To the Place that Memories Return arc begun in the preceding volume. Need I say, Don't miss this? Yeah, I didn't think so.

Oh, and if you feel you can't have enough Miharu (and Yoite), you might want to ask Kinokuniya Jakarta if it has any plans of bringing in 隠の王公式ガイド＋ドラマＣＤ－ａｌ　ｆｉｎｅ－ ＧＵＩＤＥ　ＢＯＯＫ. The Nabari no Ou: The Hidden Formula Guide + Drama CD -al fine- released in Japan last January. Find Nabari no Ou character profiles and an interview with the manga-ka in the guide book, an original drama—screenplay by Kamatani Yuhki-sensei—in the enclosed drama CD.

Red Haired Snow White 4 of 5+ by Akizuki Sorata

(I blurb DO WANT! First Runner-up Wild Life 13 Below the Cut; reserving this blog real estate for releases that have been out of circulation for half a year or more — and Red Haired Snow White definitely qualifies on that count.)

Just like Zen, Shirayuki has no qualms endangering herself for the sake of others; Zen tops the long list of people she would plunge headlong into to protect. To keep the girl he likes safe, Zen decides to tell Shirayuki just what she means to him.

[SPOILAGE INCOMING!] (Click, if you must)

Zen kisses Shirayuki in chapter 13. (Let the fangirly squees begin.)

Legend of Nereid 15 of 15 by Hwang MiRee

Before I get to the new Elex titles, concluding series first, and for this sked, that's Hwang MiRee's Legend of Nereid: Matia exerts every effort to stop the war and persuade Thaion to withdraw his troops. Meanwhile, General Themedes realizes that Matia is not the doom of the kingdom, as the oracle Atropa prophesized.

NEW ELEX TITLES: Hitohira and Witch Hunter

A pair of new series: Shy Girl turned thespian-troped Hitohira by Kirihara Idumi and (the self-explanatory) Witch Hunter by Cho JungMan. Of the two debuts, Witch Hunter nailed more GET! votes, so previewing that here. (At any rate, you already know what Hitohira is all about from the anime—OK, OK, that synopsis is below the cut.)

Witch Hunter
© Cho JungMan
Daiwon C.I.
[Super Champ]
Published in Indonesia
by Elex Media

Two-thirds of the known world falls under the domination of witches. They summon monster Supporters who obey even the least of their whims, and under orders, destroy everything in their path.

Unable to understand the reason for this murderous fury, humans call forth the Witch Hunters — fighters with extraordinary powers — to vanquish the threat.

Tasha Gospel, nicknamed The Magic Marksman, is one of the most powerful witch exterminators. Along with his sidekick Jack-O-Lantern Supporter, Halloween, Tasha fights the witches, much to his sorrow as he cannot bring himself to hate his foes... [Adapted from Ki-Oon's Witch Hunter Tome 1 description and Wikipedia's write-up]

nik sez... Tasha not hating witches seems weird juxtaposed against his quest to find the witch who killed his father. Perhaps the fact that the murdering witch is his own li'l sis has something to do with it?

Elex Media manga and manhwa (2011.02.09)

1. Animal Doctor (Doubutsu no Oishasan) 6 of 12 by Sasaki Noriko

Doubutsu no Oishasan 「動物のお医者さん」 by Sasaki Noriko AKA Mr. Veterinarian Hakusensha Hana to Yume, shoujo Volume 6 first published in Japan 1991.08

Other languages
Traditional Chinese Ai Xin Dong Wu Yi Yuan (Tong Li Taiwan; 12 volumes)

2. Global Garden 5 of 8 by Hiwatari Saki

Global Garden 「ＧＬＯＢＡＬ　ＧＡＲＤＥＮ」 by Hiwatari Saki Hakusensha Hana to Yume, shoujo Volume 5 first published in Japan 2003.09

3. Godhand Teru 30 of 55+ by Yamamoto Kazuki

GodHand Teru 「ゴッドハンド輝」 by Yamamoto Kazuki Kodansha Weekly Shonen Magazine, shounen Volume 30 first published in Japan 2006.08

Awards/Recognitions
Nominee, the first Keitai Comic Taishō/Mobile Phone Comic Award (along with Ghost Sweeper Mikami by Shiina Takashi, Itazura na Kiss by Tada Kaoru, The Drops of God by Agi Tadashi and 16 other manga titles)

Other languages
Traditional Chinese (Tong Li Taiwan 天生妙手 vol. 53 per 2010.11)

Related
Godhand Teru novel by Yamamoto Kazuki (15 volumes per 2009.01)

Adaptations
Live-action adaptation starring Hiraoka Yuta (Mahigashi Teru) aired on TBS from 11 April to 16 May 2009.

4. [Series Premiere] Hitohira 1 of 7 by Kirihara Idumi

Hitohira 「ひとひら」 by Kirihara Idumi Futabasha Comic High!, seinen Volume 1 first published in Japan 2005.08

Other languages
English Hitohira (Aurora Publishing: three volumes [hiatus]) and traditional Chinese (Ever Glory Publishing Taiwan: 女優大試煉 4 per 2008.02)

Related series
Sequels: Hitohira Encore (one volume, complete) and Sakaki Mirei no Tame nara Boku wa...!! (one volume per 2011.02.12, ongoing serialization in Comic High!)

Adaptations
A 12-episode anime adaptation by XEBEC M2, starring seiyuu Kimoto Orie (Asai Mugi), Kawasumi Ayako (Ichinose Nono), Narita Ken (Katsuragi Takashi), Hikami Kyoko (Nishida Risaki) and Kishio Daisuke (Nishida Kai), aired from March to June 2007 in Japan.

5. Legend of Nereid 15 of 15 by Hwang MiRee [Finale]

Legend of Nereid 「네레이드의 전설」 by Hwang MiRee Samyang, soonjung Volume 15 first published in Korea 2003.05

6. Ogawa and Team Saito (Ogawa to Yukai na Saitoutachi) 5 of 8+ by Sakyo

Ogawa to Yukai na Saitoutachi 「小川とゆかいな斎藤たち」 by Sakyo Kodansha Nakayoshi, shoujo Volume 5 first published in Japan 2008.08

Serializations
Indonesian Nakayoshi Gress! (ongoing)

7. Rakka Ryuusui 4 of 5+ by Sanada Ikki

Rakka Ryuusui 「落花流水」 by Sanada Ikki AKA Falling Petals, Running Water Houbunsha Manga Time Kirara Max, seinen Volume 4 first published in Japan 2009.03

Adaptations
Two audio dramas starring seiyuu Nakahara Mai (Hayama Akiho) and Endo Aya (Hokaze Minatsu) were released in 2009: the first Rakka Ryuusui drama CD shipped 2009.03; the second Rakka Ryuusui Variety CD debuted at Comiket 76 (2009.08). Houbunsha published the Akizuki Hiro-penned light novel in July 2007.

8. Red Haired Snow White (Akagami no Shirayukihime) 4 of 5+ by Akizuki Sorata

Akagami no Shirayukihime 「赤髪の白雪姫」 by Akizuki Sorata Hakusensha LaLa DX, shoujo Volume 4 (chapters 13-17 plus omake) first published in Japan 2010.01

9. The Ruler of Nabari (Nabari no Ou) 13 of 14+ by Kamatani Yuhki

Nabari no Ou 「隠の王」 by Kamatani Yuhki Square Enix GFantasy, shounen Volume 13 first published in Japan 2010.06

Awards
Finalist, 2005 Japan Media Arts Festival

Other languages/serializations
English Nabari no Ou (Yen Press: volume 5 per 2010.11 • volume 6 street date: 2011.03.29; serialized in Yen Plus), French (Asuka: Nabari tome 13 street date: 2011.03.17) and traditional Chinese (Sharp Point Press Taiwan)

Adaptations
A 26-episode anime adaptation by J.C. Staff, starring seiyuu Kugimiya Rie (Rokujou Miharu), Saiga Mitsuki (Yoite), Namikawa Daisuke (Kumohira Durandal Tobari), Hino Satoshi (Aizawa Kouichi) and Fujimura Ayumi (Shimizu Raimei), aired in Japan from April to September 2008.

Related
Square Enix released the official guide book 隠の王公式ガイド＋ドラマＣＤ－ａｌ　ｆｉｎｅ－ ＧＵＩＤＥ　ＢＯＯＫ (Nabari no Ou: The Hidden Formula Guide + Drama CD -al fine-) in Japan in January 2011. The guide book contains character profiles and an interview with the manga-ka; the drama in the enclosed CD is an original screenplay by Kamatani Yuhki-sensei.

10. Spiral: The Bonds of Reason (Spiral: Suiri no Kizuna) 11 of 15 by Shirodaira Kyo & Mizuno Eita

Spiral: Suiri no Kizuna 「スパイラル　推理の絆」 by Shirodaira Kyo & Mizuno Eita Square Enix Shonen Gangan, shounen Volume 11 first published in Japan 2004.04

Volume 11 chapters:
51. Reaching Tomorrow
52. The Creator's Choice
53. Blood Music
54. The Human's Hand Hasn't Been Touched Yet
55. The Enemy on the Board
56. As a Person Who Doesn't Believe in Spite of That

Other languages
English Spiral: The Bonds of Reasoning (Yen Press: volume 14 per 2011.01.25 • volume 15 street date: 2011.04.26) and German (Carlsen Comics; Spiral - Gefährliche Wahrheit Band 11 per 2011.03.18)

Related
Spiral Alive (prequel; five volumes); a series of light novels; Mizuno Eita artbooks: ＳＰＩＲＡＬ　水野英多画集; (2003.03) and ＳＰＩＲＡＬ　ＡＬＬ　ＡＬＯＮＧ (2006.02; released with volume 15); and the Life is Spiral 「スパイラル完全解説本　ライフ・イズ・スパ」 guide, which includes the first draft of the Spiral: Suiri no Kizuna 「それさえも貴き日々で」 drama (2003.03)

Adaptations
A series of audio dramas and a 25-episode anime adaptation by J.C. Staff, based on the first six volumes of the manga, with an alternate ending (aired on TV Tokyo from October 2002 to March 2003, starring seiyuu Suzumura Kenichi as Narumi Ayumu, Asano Masumi as Yuizaki Hiyono and Ishida Akira as Eyes Rutherford).

11. Tena on S-string (S-Senjou no Tena) 5 of 9 by Mikabe Sesuna

S-Senjou no Tena 「Ｓ線上のテナ」 by Mikabe Sesuna Houbunsha Manga Time Kirara Forward, seinen Volume 5 first published in Japan 2009.02

Other languages
English Tena on S-string (Yen Press: volume 5 per 2010.12.21)

12. The Tyr Chronicles (Tireujeongi) 4 of 11+ by Ra InSoo & Son ChangHo

Tireujeongi 「티르전기」 by Ra InSoo & Son ChangHo Daiwon C.I., Comic Champ, sonyun Volume 4 first published in Korea 2009.05

13. Want You 6 of 10 by Hwang MiRee

Want you 「원츄(Want you)」 by Hwang MiRee Samyang, soonjung Volume 6 first published in Korea 2004.07

14. Wild Life 13 of 27 by Fujisaki Masato

Wild Life 「ワイルドライフ」 by Fujisaki Masato Shogakukan Shonen Sunday, shounen Volume 13 first published in Japan 2005.07

Volume 13 chapters:
105. ドムの耳
106. 医師と獣医師
107. 派閥の壁
108. タイムリミットは2時間
109. 一つの生命
110. 生扉
111. 新しい勤務医
112. 悪徳ペット業者の実態
113. ペット達の生まれた場所

Serializations
Indonesian Shonen Star (ongoing)

15. [Series Premiere] Witch Hunter 1 of 11+ by Cho JungMan

Witch Hunter 「위치헌터」 by Cho JungMan Daiwon C.I., Super Champ, sonyun Volume 1 first published in Korea 2006.02

Other languages
French (Ki-oon: Witch Hunter tome 11 per 2011.02.10)

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

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Golden Book Deluxe by Hikawa Kyoko, New Sexy Simpleton 8, Kindaichi Special Case: Private School Murder 2 of 2 (Elex 15 December 2010 manga and manhwa)

Chizumi & Fujiomi 2 © Hikawa Kyoko/Hakusensha
Published in Indonesia as Golden Book (Deluxe) by Elex Media Komputindo

Despite being Fujiomi's girlfriend for, like, ice ages, Chizumi still can't get the hang of it and continues to display next to zero confidence. How will the couple's relationship fare when “real competition”—in the form of Fujiomi's snarky private student—appears to diss Chizumi's security issues?

Golden Book, the Deluxe or bunko sequel to Angin Musim Gugur, reminds us that Fujiomi × Chizumi (why the series even puts Chizumi first is a mystery) traverses a potholed road to definitive Happy Ever After.

(Hikawa Kyoko's Chizumi & Fujiomi series was originally a LaLa manga collected into three volumes—Haru wo Matsukoro, Pastel Kibun and Gin-iro Ehon—before rerelease as two 千津美と藤臣君のシリーズ bunkoban in 2000. Elex's Golden Book (Deluxe) is that second compilation.)

New Sexy Simpleton 8 of 9 by Hwang MiRee ♡

And finally! (About time, too; it's only the penultimate, after all.) Mi Ju realizes that the possessive lover with her all along is NOT the emperor but his doppelgänger opponent Kubilai. Cornered, Mi Ju sets fire to the Lotus (foot-binding) shoes that dragged her and Lee Jin back to ancient China. How will Korea's top model return to present time now? And what of the fate of the emperor?

Kyaaa~ I can't wait for the next New Sexy Simpleton. Kubilai ♥ fangirl, you see.

Speaking of fangirls, for those who drool over Akechi —

Kindaichi Special Case: Private School Murder 2 of 2 by Amagi Seimaru & Sato Fumiya

Kindaichi and Inspector Akechi fail to stop the mysterious Sparrow from striking and felling students at the Gokumon Juku training camp. The victims—participants separated into Arts (billeted at the Sun villa) and Sciences (the Moonlight villa) groups—died ‘replicating’ what they learned in their lines of study.

Amagi Seimaru- & Sato Fumiya's Kindaichi Shounen no Jikenbo: Gokumonjuku Satsujin Jiken (Ge) contains chapters 8-15. Private School Murder is the third Kindaichi Special Case, after Vampire Legend Murder Case and Phantom of the Opera 3rd Murder. It is succeeded by Snow Spirit Legend Murder Case.

Elex Media manga and manhwa (2010.12.15)

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

1. Artist Acro 5 of 9 by Sakurai Ato

Artist Acro 「アーティストアクロ」 by Sakurai Ato Shogakukan Shonen Sunday, shounen Volume 5 first published in Japan 2009.11

Other languages
Simplified Chinese (Chuang Yi Singapore; 魔法亚克罗 #3 per 2010.07)

2. Bakeru-kun Pika-pika 2 of 5 by Fujiko F. Fujio

Bakeru-kun 「バケルくん」 by Fujiko F. Fujio Shogakukan Pikkapika Comics, kodomo Volume 2 first published in Japan 2005.04

3. Godhand Teru 28 of 55+ by Yamamoto Kazuki

GodHand Teru 「ゴッドハンド輝」 by Yamamoto Kazuki Kodansha Weekly Shonen Magazine, shounen Volume 28 first published in Japan 2006.04

Awards/Recognitions
Nominee, the first Keitai Comic Taishō/Mobile Phone Comic Award (along with Ghost Sweeper Mikami by Shiina Takashi, Itazura na Kiss by Tada Kaoru, The Drops of God by Agi Tadashi and 16 other manga titles)

Other languages
Traditional Chinese (Tong Li Taiwan 天生妙手 vol. 51 released 2010.07)

Related
Godhand Teru novel by Yamamoto Kazuki (15 volumes per 2009.01)

Adaptations
Live-action adaptation starring Hiraoka Yuta (Mahigashi Teru) aired on TBS from 11 April to 16 May 2009.

4. [Premiere] Golden Book (Deluxe): Chizumi & Fujiomi Series 2 (Gin-iro Ehon: Chizumi & Fujiomi 2) by Hikawa Kyoko

Gin-iro Ehon: Chizumi & Fujiomi 2 「銀色絵本　千津美と藤臣君のシリーズ　２」 by Hikawa Kyoko Hakusensha, shoujo Bunko volume 2 first published in Japan 2000.09

Related series
The Chizumi & Fujiomi series was originally serialized in LaLa and collected into three volumes: Haru wo Matsukoro, Pastel Kibun and Gin-iro Ehon (re-released in two 千津美と藤臣君のシリーズ volumes in 2000).

5. Inuyasha 50 of 56 by Takahashi Rumiko

Inuyasha 「犬夜叉」 by Takahashi Rumiko Full title: Sengoku Otogizoushi Inuyasha (InuYasha, A Feudal Fairy Tale) Shogakukan Shonen Sunday, shounen Volume 50 (chapters 489-498) first published in Japan 2007.07

Serializations
Indonesian Shonen Star (ongoing)

Other languages
English Inuyasha (VIZ Media; Volume 55: Power of the Jewel releases 2010.12.14 • Volume 56: Curtain of Time street date: 2011.01.11), French (Kana tome 42 shipped 2010.12.03), Dutch (Kana), Spanish (Glénat Spain, Grupo Editorial Vid Mexico, LARP Editores Argentina), Italian (Star Comics), German (EMA, 56 volumes), Portuguese (Editora JBC Brazil), Swedish (Egmont Kärnan), Polish (Egmont Polska), traditional Chinese (Chingwin), Vietnamese (NXB Trẻ), Korean (Haksan)

Adaptations
Adapted into anime by Sunrise: the first season, based on volumes 1 through 36 and spanning 167 episodes, aired on Yomiuri TV from October 2000 until September 2004. The sequel, Inuyasha Kanketsu-hen, which picks up from volume 36 until series end, premiered October 2009 with seiyuu Yamaguchi Kappei, Yukino Satsuki, and Morikawa Toshiyuki reprising their roles as Inuyasha, Kagome, and Naraku. The sequel ended 2010.03.29

At least four originally-conceived anime features have also been released: Inuyasha the Movie: Affections Touching Across Time (2001.12), The Castle Beyond the Looking Glass (2002.12), Swords of an Honorable Ruler (2003.12) and Fire on the Mystic Island (2004.12). A prequel special Inuyasha Meguri Au Mae no Unmei Koiuta aired 2004.04.19 in Japan.

6. Kariage kun 37 of 49+ by Ueda Masashi

Kariage-kun 「かりあげクン」 by Ueda Masashi Futabasha Action Comics, seinen Volume 37 first published in Japan 2003.06

Awards
Recipient, 28th Bungeishunjū Manga Award (1982), along with Ueda Masashi's other series Furiten-kun and Masashi-kun and Suzuki Yamato's Ai MY Tenrankai

Related series
Kariage-kun: Chinan dake no Kuchikara Otoko! Hen, Kariage-kun: Itazura Meichin Bamenhen and Kariage-kun: Makenai Onnatachihen (sequels)

7. Kindaichi Special Case - Private School Murder (Kindaichi Shounen no Jikenbo: Gokumonjuku Satsujin Jiken) 2 of 2 by Amagi Seimaru & Sato Fumiya [Finale]

Kindaichi Shounen no Jikenbo: Gokumonjuku Satsujin Jiken (Ge) 「金田一少年の事件簿　獄門塾殺人事件　下」 by Amagi Seimaru & Sato Fumiya AKA Jail Gate Private School Murder Case (Second Part) Kodansha Shonen Magazine Comics, shounen Volume 2 (chapters 8-15) first published in Japan 2006.11

Related
Part of the new Kindaichi Case Files

8. Mixim 11 volume 2 of 10+ by Anzai Nobuyuki

MiXiM 11 「ＭＩＸＩＭ☆１１」 by Anzai Nobuyuki AKA MiXiM♀12 Shogakukan Shonen Sunday, shounen Volume 2 first published in 2008.12

Volume 2 chapters:
12 12-1（1）マイナス1（ワン）
13 12-1（2）1（ファースト）-CONTACT
14 12-1（3）星に願いを
15 12-1（4）星の加護覚醒
16 12-1（5）Please Call Me
17 12-1（6）GOOD NIGHT
18 12-1（7）忍び寄る影
19 12-1（8）What's your name?
20 12-1（9）0（ゼロ）の鼓動
21 12-1（10）竹蔵の×××
22 12-1（11）GOOD MORNING
23 PROMISE

Other languages
English Mixim 11 (Chuang Yi Singapore; volume 5 released 2010.05)

9. New Sexy Simpleton 8 of 9 by Hwang MiRee

New Sexy Simpleton 「新신 섹시한 못난이」 by Hwang MiRee Samyang, soonjung Volume 8 first published in Korea 2004.12

Related series
Sexy Simpleton (prequel)

¹ Sources: Elex STO 15 December 2010 (release schedule) and Komikologi and/or Gramedia Shop (synopses, unless indicated otherwise)
² Manga are priced at IDR 16,500 each except Golden Book (Deluxe) (SRP: IDR 24,000), Bakeru kun Pika-pika 2 (IDR 13,500) and Kariage Kun 37 (IDR 15,000).
³ Links like this are commercial Amazon search and/or product links (other language versions).

Previews continued

Artist Acro 5 of 9 by Sakurai Ato

Not only does Acro have to rescue Deko, he now also must save Reonji. Little does the sculptor know that he will first have to face Baku, one of the Art Organization generals famed for his cruel and unusual tactics.

But Acro's run-in with Baku actually awakens a new power in Acro, one that engulfs him in rage and pushes the confrontation to a startling climax.

Godhand Teru 28 of 55+ by Yamamoto Kazuki

The malicious rumors against Valhalla refuse to abate; what's worse, another storm is brewing. Kitami is attacked by a group of delinquents who admit to having been hired to break his arm, if not seriously injure him.

Despite the gang's failure to wound Kitami, someone snaps a picture of Kitami's retaliation. What will happen to Valhalla's reputation once the photograph is made public?

Inuyasha 50 of 56 by Takahashi Rumiko

Armed with Tetsusaiga and Tensaiga, Inuyasha and Sesshomaru reluctantly partner up to take on Shishinki, their father's old foe, who is key to the Meidou Zangetsuha power.

(Meanwhile, VIZ Media's InuYasha, Vol.50: Green Monster summary adds that the brothers' arch-nemesis Naraku strives to corrupt the spark of purity Kikyo managed to instill in the Shikon Jewel, but we already expect him to do that.)

Inuyasha 50 compiles chapters:
489. Completed Meidou
490. Tenseiga's Secret
491. Tetsusaiga and Tenseiga
492. Father's True Intent
493. Resonance
494. The Two Worlds
495. Further Thought
496. Trick
497. Kohaku's Neck
498. Reborn Hiraikotsu
*NOT the Indonesian Shonen Star serialization titles

Mixim 11 vol. 2 of 10+ by Anzai Nobuyuki

Four transfer students show up in Ichimatsu's class and attack Kacchan. They also kidnap Yumi. What is their objective?

The question bears asking because Chuang Yi's English Mixim 11 volume 2 adds that the same mysterious group start helping Ichimatsu fight off other bad guys all of a sudden. The same source goes on to point out that:

Kamina empowers the three potential heirs with the Protection of the Stars, creating weapons for the trio to deal with the impending battles ahead... but what kind of weapons will they get from a dog suit, a portable game console and... finger puppets?!

UP NEXT: Level Comics and m&c! 15 December 2010 manga and manhwa

• Level Comics: Genius Family Company 5 · xxxHOLiC 11 · Restore Garage 251 vol.11 · Haruka 17 vol.10 · Half an Apple 5 · Last Inning 7 · Nurse Aoi 17 · Yakari dan Monster Danau
• m&c!: Electric Daisy 6 · Goong [Palace Story] 21 · Sugar Family 5 · Be a Naughty Girl 3 · Bakugan Battle Brawlers 13 · Monika 137

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.

related monthly schedule(s)

December 2010
Premiering Cynical Kanoko by Tsuda Ririko, Hallelujah Overdrive by Takata Kentaro, Hitohira by Kirihara Idumi, The Recipe for Gertrude by Kusakawa Nari

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Baka-Updates Manga · Wikipedia · 7net Shopping · manaworld · ANN

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