Until Death Do Us Part 8, Bloody Monday 6, Cesare 7 (Level Comics 19 September 2011 manga)

Dropped Aikawa Yu's Dark Edge vol.2 from the list because it got postponed to 9.28.

Shi ga Futari wo Wakatsu Made © Takashige Hiroshi & DOUBLE-S
Square Enix [Serialized in Young Gangan]
Published in Indonesia as Until Death Do Us Part by Elex Media/Level Comics

Haruka has a vision of a classmate's assassination and in trying to save the future victim, finds herself drawn into a gang war orchestrated by Edge Turus' protégé Komura. Hunted down by hired killers and finally cornered in an old building, Haruka and three other students brace for the worst, only to find an unlikely savior in the person of...Kilo. [Additions from Ki-oon's Jusqu'à ce que la mort nous sépare, Tome 8 synopsis]

My question: Where is Mamoru while all this action is going down? (I guess I'll have to live with my curiosity until Until Death Do Us Part Volume 8: Trap streets on the 19th.)

Bloody Monday 6 of 11 by Ryumon Ryou & Megumi Kouji

BLOODY-X infects the THIRD-i command center. Fujimaru races to decrypt the Shikimura file forwarded to Mrs. Munakata for an anti-virus. Meanwhile, hiding underneath the terrorists' truck, Kano refuses to back down from tracking the criminals to their lair.

Chuang Yi's Bloody Monday: Season 1, Vol.6 synop teases by saying Fujimaru is finding it impossible to decode the Shikimura file. Let's join the CY blurb in a chorus: Impossible...? For Fujimaru?

Yugo: Shimokita Hantou-hen
© Akana Shu & Makari Shinji
Kodansha [ Evening ]
Published in Indonesia as
Yugo - Shimokita Peninsula
by Level Comics

New Level titles: Yugo - Shimokita Peninsula

Yugo is shocked by partner Kogure's implication in extortion cases involving the yakuza. He investigates and learns that the case is linked to both the yakuza and an anti-Japan group out of North Korea. What makes strange bedfellows of organized crime and a high-ranked official wanted by the Japanese police? More importantly, can Yugo save Kogure from the crossfire?

Shimokita Peninsula is the first arc of the Yugo II side stories and its 9.19 appearance answers the question I posed when the main Yugo The Negotiator series concluded in June 2010: Is Level also licensing Yugo II? The implications of this premiere ought to make "Yugo is the ult bishie!" Andrea Tezumo-sensei (The Fifth Columnist) delirious. ^^

The side stories span at least eight arcs (they're still ongoing). The first Yugo: Shimokita Hantou-hen is succeeded by Kitakyushu Tsushima-hen; Tokyo Tanegashima-hen; Osaka-hen (two volumes); Yokohama Yokosuka-hen (two volumes); Toyako Summit-hen (two volumes); Philippines Oda-Hen (three volumes); and most recently, Taiwan-hen (volume 1 published 2011.06).

Level Comics manga (2011.09.19)

1. Bloody Monday 6 of 11 by Ryumon Ryou & Megumi Kouji

Bloody Monday 「ブラッディ・マンデイ」 by Ryumon Ryou & Megumi Kouji Kodansha Weekly Shonen Magazine, shounen Volume 6 first published in 2008.07

Other languages
English Bloody Monday: Season 1 (Chuang Yi: volume 8 per 2010.08 and Kodansha Comics: Bloody Monday one volume per 2011.08 • volume 2 street date: 2011.10.25), simplified Chinese (Chuang Yi: 11 volumes, concluded), traditional Chinese 血色星期一 (Tong Li Taiwan; 11 volumes) and French (PIKA Édition: Tome 7 shipped 2011.09.07)

Related series
Bloody Monday 0 (one volume; 2009.05) and sequels Bloody Monday Season 2 - Zetsubou no Kou (AKA Bloody Monday Season 2 ~Pandora no Hako~, eight volumes as at 2011.05.17) and Bloody Monday - Last Season (began serialization in Weekly Shonen Magazine 2011.07.14; volume 1 streets 2011.10.17 in Japan)

Kodansha published Bloody Monday: Seinaru Chi no Shukusai... Hajimaru!! under its KPC (Platinum Comics) imprint on 2011.07.27.

Adaptations
An 11-episode live-action renzoku aired from October through December 2008 on TBS, followed by a second season, Bloody Monday Season2 ~Pandora no Hako~ (January to March 2010, nine episodes). Actor/singer Miura Haruma returned as protagonist Fujimaru Takagi/Falcon in the sequel.

2. Cesare: The Creator of Destruction (CESARE: Il Creatore che ha distrutto) 7 of 8+ by Souryo Fuyumi

CESARE: Il Creatore che ha distrutto 「チェーザレ　破壊の創造者」 by Souryo Fuyumi Kodansha Morning, seinen Volume 7 first published in Japan 2009.08

3. Haruka 17 volume 13 of 19 by Yamazaki Sayaka

Haruka 17 「はるか１７」 by Yamazaki Sayaka Kodansha Morning, seinen Volume 13 first published in Japan 2006.10

Adaptations
A 10-episode live-action drama starring Hirayama Aya (Miyamae Haruka) aired on TV Asahi from July to September 2005.

4. Honey Hunt 6 of 6+ (Hiatus) by Aihara Miki

Honey Hunt 「Ｈｏｎｅｙ　Ｈｕｎｔ」 by Aihara Miki Shogakukan Cheese!, shoujo Volume 6 first published in Japan 2009.12 Series on hiatus at volume 6

Other languages
English Honey Hunt (VIZ Media (six volumes per 2010.12), French (Marvel Panini France: Tome 6 shipped 2010.08), traditional Chinese (Tong Li: 獵夢甜心 ~ Honey Hunt 6 released 2010.07)

5. K2 volume 9 of 15+ by Mafune Kazuo

K2 「Ｋ２」 by Mafune Kazuo Kodansha Evening, seinen Volume 9 first published in Japan 2008.08

6. The Ravages of Time (Huo Feng Liao Yuan) 12 of 42+ 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.

7. Tokyo 23 Vol. 3 of 3 by Hashimoto Eiji and Arashida Takeshi [Finale]

Tokyo23 「ＴＯＫＹＯ２３」 by Hashimoto Eiji and Arashida Takeshi Coamix (Shinchosha) Comic Bunch, seinen Volume 3 first published in Japan in 2009.02

Adaptations
The live-action TOKYO23: Survival City, starring Yagira Yuya (Arai Noboru) and Hongō Kanata (Komori Dan) aired from September to October 2010 in Japan on WOWOW.

8. Until Death do us Part (Shi ga Futari wo Wakatsu Made) 8 of 15+ by Takashige Hiroshi & DOUBLE-S

Shi ga Futari wo Wakatsu Made 「死がふたりを分かつまで」 by Takashige Hiroshi & DOUBLE-S Square Enix Young Gangan, seinen Volume 8 (Parts 58-65) first published in Japan 2008.11

Other languages
French (Ki-oon: Jusqu'à ce que la mort nous sépare tome 14 shipped 2011.08), traditional Chinese (Tong Li Taiwan: 終極感應 13 per 2011.06.09 and Jade Dynasty Hong Kong), Korean (Haksan: 죽음이 두 사람을 갈라놓을 때까지 12 released 2011.06.17)

9. [Premiere] Yugo - Shimokita Peninsula (Yugo: Shimokita Hantou-hen) by Akana Shu & Makari Shinji

Yugo: Shimokita Hantou-hen 「勇午　下北半島編 」 by Akana Shu & Makari Shinji Kodansha Evening, seinen First published in Japan 2004.09

Related series
Part of the Yugo II side stories that include Yugo: Kitakyushu Tsushima-hen (2005.05); Yugo: Tokyo Tanegashima-hen (2006.03); Yugo: Osaka-hen (Volume 1 per 2006.10, volume 2: 2007.02); Yugo: Yokohama Yokosuka-hen (V1: 2008.01 - V2: 2008.02); Yugo: Toyako Summit-hen (V1: 2008.09 - V2: 2009.05); Yugo: Philippines Oda-Hen (V1: 2010.02 - V3: 2010.08), Yugo: Taiwan-hen (V1: 2011.06)
Main story: Yugo (22 volumes)

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

European comics/BDs (2011.09.19)

1. Leonard - Jenius Sejati (Léonard, Tome 2: Léonard est toujours un génie) by Turk - De Groot (Le Lombard)
2. Yakari dan Beruang Hantu (Yakari, Tome 24: Yakari et l'ours fantôme) by Derib + Job (Le Lombard)

Read more »

Honey Hunt 5 by Aihara Miki (Level Comics shoujo manga out now)

Honey Hunt © Aihara Miki/Shogakukan [Serialized in Cheese!]
Published in Indonesia by Elex Media/Level Comics

Honey Hunt 5 of 6+

By Aihara Miki
Original title: Ｈｏｎｅｙ　Ｈｕｎｔ
Shogakukan Cheese!, shoujo
Volume 5 first released in Japan 2009.05
Published in Indonesia 2010.09 by PT Elex Media Komputindo/Level Comics

Synopsis

Unbeknownst to manager Mizorogi, Yura sneaks off to meet Q-Ta, unable (or unwilling) to turn down the singer's “I want you to spend the night with me.” Not only that; at the hot springs resort, Yura takes it upon herself to initiate A Kiss! Meanwhile, Mizorogi lies wakeful, waiting for news of his charge and envisioning...

What awaits Yura next? For sure it can't be Mizorogi actually greenlighting her relationship with Q-Ta because she herself has shot down all possibility of that.

VIZ Media publishes the English Honey Hunt (volume 5 released 2010.08 • volume 6 street date: 2010.12.07) for North America. Marvel Panini France releases the French edition (tome 6 per 2010.08), while Tong Li publishes a traditional Chinese version in Taiwan. Whichever publisher you choose, Honey Hunt's latest tankou is volume 6, and will likely remain for some time to come — until Aihara Miki-sensei decides to bring the Skip Beat! rip-off out of hiatus. (Rip-off or not, this is still a GET!)

Level Comics Honey Hunt 5 street date: 22 September 2010

Thank you, Lenny-san, for the artwork and summary.

Iamque opus exegi,
~niki DBA 30uɐlnɯɐnɥ (花木蘭03)
Mistress of Adoxography

disclaimer

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

Technorati tags

manga · Level Comics · shoujo · Honey Hunt · Aihara Miki · Shogakukan

Perfect Girl Evolution 21, Honey Hunt 5, The Hunting of the Snark 1 by Miyabe Miyuki & Ohishi Hiroto (Level Comics 22 September 2010 manga)

Update Added The Hunting of The Snark synopsis

Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge © Hayakawa Tomoko/Kodansha (Serialized in Betsufure)
Published in Indonesia as Perfect Girl Evolution by Elex Media/Level Comics

Whoever sed that good intentions pave the road to hell must've had Kyohei in mind; he saves some random girl and next thing he knows, he supposedly has a girlfriend. Or two. Or three. The besieged My Fair Bishounen prevails on Savior Sunako to pretend She Is The One to squash the rumors flat and calm his fangirls down, but wouldn't you know, the exact opposite happens in Perfect Girl Evolution volume 21.

Instead of calming down, Kyohei's enraged fangirls goad Sunako into settling who merits the position of Kyohei's legit SO. Meanwhile, Kyohei himself is starting to get past “It's complicated” and wondering if Sunako really IS The One?!

Now for the next most popular Level manga GET! this release —

Honey Hunt 5 of 6+ by Aihara Miki

Yura bails on the party to toast her TV debut, escaping to a hot springs with Q-ta. Q-ta broaches the idea of spending the night together, and after initial reluctance, Yura sez “Um, yes...?” — even to a probable smooch! Meanwhile, manager Mizorogi spends a sleepless night, waiting for news of his wayward charge and wanting to... [Adapted from Marvel Panini France's Honey Hunt, tome 5 synopsis and VIZ's Honey Hunt 5 blurb]

Le sigh. Only one more Honey Hunt after this... Wondering when Aihara Miki-sensei will rouse this series out of its till-volume-6 hibernation?

Snark Kari © Miyabe Miyuki,
Ohishi Hiroto
Shinchosha (Comic Bunch)
Published in Indonesia as
The Hunting of The Snark
by Level Comics

Level premieres The Hunting of The Snark by Miyabe Miyuki, Ohishi Hiroto

I know next to nothing about The Hunting of The Snark, Ohishi Hiroto's manga adapt of the Snark Kari novel by Miyabe Miyuki (author of Brave Story). I'm waiting on Level to revert to me on a blurb, which I promise to share with you soon as I receive it. Found me the next best thing (Gramedia Shop book detail), which still nets you, my dear reader, the same result:

A mysterious girl drops by the bar where Shuji works on Christmas eve. She stops by again several times, before disappearing for two months. When Shuji next sees her, she's lurking at a crime scene.

Did Mystery Girl have anything to do with the man's death? And what's with the weird shadow trailing her?

This too is going down as GET!, based largely on my collecting most anything related to Alice in Wonderland.

Level Comics manga (2010.09.22)

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

1. Fist of The Blue Sky (Souten no Ken) 2 of 21+ by Hara Tetsuo & Buronson

Souten no Ken 「蒼天の拳」 by Hara Tetsuo & Buronson Shinchosha (Coamix) Comic Bunch seinen Volume 2 first published in Japan 2002.01

Related
Hokuto no Ken (sequel)

Other languages
English (Gutsoon! Entertainment; dropped), French (Marvel Panini France; KEN - Fist of the Blue Sky tome 20 shipped 2009.10) and traditional Chinese (Tong Li Taiwan; 蒼天之拳 21 per 2010.01)

Adaptations
A 26-episode anime by Studio A.P.P.P., starring seiyuu Yamadera Kouichi (Kasumi Kenshiro), aired from October 2006 to March 2007 on TV Asahi.

2. Historie 3 of 6+ by Iwaaki Hitoshi

Historie 「ヒストリエ」 by Iwaaki Hitoshi Kodansha Afternoon, seinen Volume 3 first published in Japan 2005.11

Volume 3 contains chapters:
20. A Buyer Appears
21. Departure
22. Antakaios
23. The Argo
24-29. In Paphlagonia (Part 1-6)

Awards
Finalist, 10th Osamu Tezuka Culture Award

Other languages
Traditional Chinese (Tong Li)

3. Honey Hunt 5 of 6+ by Aihara Miki

Honey Hunt 「Ｈｏｎｅｙ　Ｈｕｎｔ」 by Aihara Miki Shogakukan Cheese!, shoujo Volume 5 first published in Japan 2009.05 Series on hiatus (volume 6 released 2009.12.24)

Other languages
English Honey Hunt (VIZ Media (volume 5 released 2010.08 • volume 6 street date: 2010.12.07), French (Marvel Panini France; tome 6 released 2010.08) and traditional Chinese (Tong Li)

4. [Premiere] The Hunting of The Snark (Snark Kari) 1 of 3+ by Miyabe Miyuki, Ohishi Hiroto

Snark Kari 「スナーク狩り」 by Miyabe Miyuki, Ohishi Hiroto Shinchosha Comic Bunch seinen Volume 1 first published in Japan 2008.08

Related
Based on the Snark Kari novel by Miyabe Miyuki

5. Nanase Fire Investigator (Kasai Chousakan Nanase) 5 of 7 by Hashimoto Izo & Ichikawa Tomoshige

Kasai Chousakan Nanase 「火災調査官ナナセ」 by Hashimoto Izo & Ichikawa Tomoshige Shinchosha Bunch Comics, seinen Volume 5 first published in Japan 2006.11

Other languages
English Fire Investigator Nanase (CMX; volume 4 released 2010.05.11)

6. Nurse Aoi (Ns' Aoi) 14 of 31+ by Koshino Ryo

Ns' Aoi 「Ｎｓ’あおい」 by Koshino Ryo Kodansha Morning, seinen Volume 14 first published in Japan 2007.06

Recognitions
Jury Recommended Work for Story Manga, 12th Japan Media Arts Festival

Related
Ns' Aoi - Those Days (side story; 2 of 2 volumes)

Adaptations
Live-action renzoku starring Ishihara Satomi (Misora Aoi) aired on Fuji TV from January to March 2006, followed by a special in September that same year

7. Perfect Girl Evolution (Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge) 21 of 26+ by Hayakawa Tomoko

Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge 「ヤマトナデシコ七変化」 by Hayakawa Tomoko Kodansha Betsufure, shoujo Volume 21 first published in Japan 2008.07

Volume 21 contains chapters:
83. Special Story: Machiko-chan Returns!!
84. Kyouhei is Legend: Again
85. If It's You, I'd Walk Through Fire and Water
86. Yeah! Super Pink Unrequited Love
87. The Sunako Inside the Mirror

Other languages
English My Fair Lady (Chuang Yi) and The Wallflower (Del Rey; volume 21 released 2009.09.29 • volumes 22-24 street date: 2010.10.26), French (Pika Édition; Yamato Nadeshiko tome 12 released 2010.08) and German (EMA; from volume 21 onwards)

Adaptations
Anime by Nippon Animation featuring seiyuu Takaguchi Yukiko (Nakahara Sunako), Morikubo Showtaro (Takano Kyohei), Yamauchi Yuuya (Toyama Yukinojo), Sugita Tomokazu (Takenaga Oda) and Nojima Hirofumi (Mori Ranmaru) aired from October 2006 to March 2007 on Japan's TV Aichi. A live-action renzoku starring Kamenashi Kazuya (Kyohei), Oomasa Aya (Sunako), Tegoshi Yuya (Yukinojo), Uchi Hiroki (Takenaga) and Miyao Shuntaro (Ranmaru) was telecast on TBS from January to March 2010.

8. Priest 8 of 16+ by Hyung MinWoo

Priest 「프리스트」 by Hyung MinWoo Daiwon C.I. Champ Comics, seinen Volume 8 first published in Korea 2000.11 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) and Portuguese (Lumus Brazil)

Adaptations
A film adaptation starring Cam Gigandet, Paul Bettany and Maggie Q is expected to premiere on 13 May 2011 in the U.S. (Indonesian screening is slated to begin 12 May 2011.)

9. Shattered Knife (Oboreru Knife) 4 of 10+ by George Asakura

Oboreru Knife 「溺れるナイフ」 by George Asakura Kodansha Betsufure, shoujo Volume 4 first published in Japan 2006.10

10. Subaru 9 of 11 by Soda Masahito

Subaru 「昴」 by Soda Masahito Shogakukan Big Comic Spirits, seinen Volume 9 first published in Japan 2002.05

Volume 9 contains chapters:
89 ＳＮＯＷ
90 Ｘデー
91 “God bless You”
92 天才の弱点
93 アクロス・ザ・ユニバース
94 すばるとボレロ
95 すばるとボレロ（２）
96 支配者
97 コラボレーション
98 私に似ている
99 ＮＡＳＡで語る

Other languages
French (Akata/Delcourt; 11 volumes), Spanish (Glènat España), German (Egmont) and traditional Chinese (Tong Li)

Related
Moon—Subaru Solitude Standing— (sequel; ongoing)

¹ Sources: Elex STO 22 September 2010 (release schedule) and Komikologi (synopses, unless indicated otherwise)
² Manga are priced at IDR 18,500 each except Fist of The Blue Sky 2 (SRP: IDR 20,000) and Subaru 9 (IDR 19,500).
³ Links like this are commercial Amazon search and/or product links (other language versions).

Volume previews continued...

Nanase Fire Investigator 5 of 7 by Hashimoto Izo, Ichikawa Tomoshige

For services rendered, Nanase is promoted and two juniors, Sato and Yamagata, assigned to her team. Their first assignment: to investigate a fire in a tollway underpass. Little do they know that the tunnel has been rigged, the ignorance paid for with the deaths of both of Nanase's subordinates.

In the inquest that follows, investigator Hikawa accuses Nanase of being the serial arsonist Firebug, intimating that Nanase has been behind the torching crimes all this time.

Nurse Aoi 14 of 31+ by Koshino Ryo

Aoi and Narahashi are chosen to intern at the university-affiliated Shuto Hospital, famous for its cutting-edge facilities and disaster preparedness expertise. Aoi is assigned to the ICU, while Narahashi is put to work in the ER. Can Aoi and Narahashi keep up with the frenetic pace at Shuto?

May I just remind that Nurse Aoi is among the Jury Recommended Works for Story Manga in the 12th Japan Media Arts Festival, along with Takahashi Rumiko's InuYasha, Kanno Aya's Otomen, Ninomiya Tomoko's Nodame Cantabile and 13 other titles.

Priest 8 of 16+ by Hyung MinWoo

To crack the mysterious cases in the Southwest, federal marshal Coburn pursues Ivan, using Ester, his only lead. Ester herself needs Ivan for a cure to the plague afflicting her. But they're not the only ones after Ivan; the minions of fallen angel Temozarela are also on Ivan's trail!

Shattered Knife 4 of 10+ by George Asakura

Ko goes after Natsume, kidnapped by a stalker. Natsume is found, but questions remain over what happened during her disappearance. What's going to happen to Ko and Natsume's relationship now?

UP NEXT: More 22 September 2010 manga (and manhwa)

m&c!: Bleach 34 · Oresama Teacher 2 · Love So Life 1 by Kouchi Kaede · The Ghost Conqueror 4 · Shanaou Yoshitsune Genpei War 6 · Dawn Aria 5 · Idol Shopping 3 · Beyond the Beyond 5 · Go! Hiromi Go! 3 · Graffiti of Love by Sugata Uri · Kimi Ga Suki - I Love You - 1 of 3 by Watanabe Ayu · Memory Eater 1 by Kang KyungNam · My Dinosaur Dentist by Morio Masami · Salon for a Broken Heart by Ayumi Rin · Secret 1 by Han YuRang · Sparkling Charm by Nakajima Yuka · The Story of Wang Fenglei 6 · Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures 9

Iamque opus exegi,
~niki DBA huamulan03 (花木蘭03)

disclaimer

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

other upcoming manga (22 September 2010 street date)

Elex Media: Hello Master 1 by Tsukuba Sakura · Penguin Revolution 6 · With My Brothers 8 · One Piece 55 · Fairy Tail 7 · Beauty Honey 2 · BECK 21 · Geobreeders 14 · Global Garden 1 by Hiwatari Saki · Godhand Teru 26 · Hidamari Sketch 3 · Hyde & Closer 4 · Kariage kun 33 · Katsu! 8 · Kungfu Boy Legends 9 · Libero Revolution!! 13 of 13 · Look Up! 4 · SC: Manekineko Real Estate by Sorano Sakana · School Rumble 12 · Spiral: The Bonds of Reason 6 · Tokkyu! 14 · Nakayoshi 84/2010 · Shonen Star 72/2010

related monthly schedules

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

August 2010
Premiering The Running Bus by Sahara Mizu and Until Death Do Us Part by Takashige Hiroshi & DOUBLE-S

other invaluable resources

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

Technorati tags

Level Comics · manga · manhwa · seinen · shoujo · Fist of The Blue Sky (Souten no Ken) · Historie · Honey Hunt · The Hunting of The Snark (Snark Kari) · Nanase Fire Investigator · Nurse Aoi (Ns' Aoi) · Perfect Girl Evolution (Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge) · Priest · Shattered Knife · Subaru

Diamond Life 3 of 3, Master Of Sea 15 of 15, Honey Hunt 4 (Level Comics 30 June 2010 manga)

Honey Hunt © Aihara Miki/Shogakukan (Serialized in Cheese!)
Published in Indonesia by Elex Media/Level Comics

Contains [SPOILERS!]

Haruki keeps pushing Kanae away; however, Kanae refuses to budge from Haruki's side. The pair eventually decides to get married, but before the happy day can dawn, Haruki's condition worsens. It's critical.

Is there a Happy Even After in store for our couple? Find out in Diamond Life volume 3 that, at the very least, promises s'more tearjerking. (Won't say which kind. I will, however, (over)share that the Diamond Life finale will likely be a Very Fast Read; fellow shoujo/josei fan dalina02-san confirms: It only took one hour to finish that manga.)

I don't have a summary for the other finale—Komori Yoichi & Takemura Yuji's marine salvage saga Master Of Sea—but one assumes Rintarou eventually services (if he hasn't already done so) his dad's ¥1.5 billion debt in full. (Sorry, not reading this Level title.)

Honey Hunt 4 of 6+ by Aihara Miki: Hot Springs Episode!

The latest Honey Hunt—the shoujo manga ANN calls a transparent rip-off of Yoshiki Nakamura's Skip Beat!... with a mopey heroine instead of a magnificently angry one and a cast of pretty boys with potentially bad intentions—has Yura landing a role in screenscribe Todoh Maki's newest drama. At the same time, singer/composer Q-Ta returns from England to see her — and we all know what effect he will have on Yura's concentration, at a time she really needs it.

Deeming celebrats like Q-Ta (and his twin Haruka) so much unacceptable debauch and not wanting to see Yura's budding career go down the tubes, manager Mizorogi orders his acting protégé to Just Say No! to boys and any romantic relationships. (VIZ's Honey Hunt 4 blurb cites greater paparazzi scrutiny of Yura as Machiavelli's, I mean, Mizorogi's reason.)

So what is Yura doing, disobeying Mizorogi and escaping to an onsen with Q-Ta?

Okay, so I don't think I've seen a Hot Springs Episode (yet) in Skip Beat!, so this is a Honey Hunt one-up.

New Level Titles

Ghost Mum Investigator by Sato Tomokazu

Ghost Mama Sousasen
© Sato Tomokazu
Shogakukan (Big Comics)
Published in Indonesia as
Ghost Mum Investigator
by Level Comics

Dead Mama Helps Son Solve Cases is the (relatively) novel premise of Sato (or Satou) Tomokazu's seinen manga Ghost Mum Investigator, originally Ghost Mama Sousasen. (I say novel because I'm blanking out on any similarly-troped extramundane detective manga.)

First-grader Tonbo sorely misses his mommy, an ex-policewoman who died in an accident. Now whenever the grade-schooler wears his mother's specs, he can see and communicate with her spirit. What else to do with the newfound power, other than collaborate with mom to investigate spiritual cases?

Among the Ghost Mum & Son's initial caseload: spiritual kidnapping and a double suicide (if I read chapter title translations right). Level bills the Mediumship With a Twist story funny and poignant.

Cubitus by Dupa

I'm pretty sure this is Cubitus' debut as a Level ROMIC/bande dessinée. Cartoonist Dupa's chubby white canine protagonist was first popped his furry head in Komikologi February, but only pokes his big black nose in and wags that highlighter yellow tail this Wednesday with Cubitus - Anjing yang Selalu Beruntung (Cubitus, chien sans accroc) and Cubitus - Si Anjing Penurut (Cubitus, donne la belle papatte).

The other BDs are regulars Lucky Luke and Spirou et Fantasio
(see list below).

Cubitus, who first appeared in Tintin, also starred in his own 1988-vintage Japanese anime, Don-don Domeru to Ron that became Wowser after export to the US. Aside from fame as Dommel in Japan, Flanders and the Netherlands, the Belgian native also goes by the aliases Teodoro (Italian) and Kaaboul (Arabic).

Level Comics manga (2010.06.30)

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

1. Diamond Life 3 of 3 by Fujiwara Akira [Finale]

Diamond Life 「 ダイヤモンド・ライフ 」 by Fujiwara Akira Shogakukan Petit Comic, josei Volume 3 first published in Japan 2007.12

2. [Premiere] Ghost Mum Investigator (Ghost Mama Sousasen) 1 of 3+ by Sato Tomokazu

Ghost Mama Sousasen 「 ゴーストママ捜査線 」 by Sato Tomokazu Shogakukan Big Comics, seinen Volume 1 first published in Japan 2002.06

Volume 1 contains chapters:

• 1 とんぼのめがね
• 2 奇っ怪・霊界・誘拐・捜査!!
• 3 霊が何ぼのモンジャ!?
• 4 一人でできるモン!?
• 5 愛の降霊劇場
• 6 心霊写真は誰のもの？
• 7 犬も鳴かずば撃たれまい
• 8 心中ブルース
• 9 アリとカマキリ
3. Honey Hunt 4 of 6+ by Aihara Miki

Honey Hunt 「 Ｈｏｎｅｙ　Ｈｕｎｔ 」 by Aihara Miki Shogakukan Cheese!, shoujo Volume 4 first published in Japan 2008.11 Series on hiatus (volume 6 released 2009.12.24)

OTHER LANGUAGE VERSIONS/SERIALIZATIONS
Honey Hunt is published in English by VIZ Media (volume 4 released 2010.04.06 • volume 5 street date: 2010.08.03) and in traditional Chinese by Tong Li (Taiwan)

4. K2 2 of 13+ by Mafune Kazuo

K2 「 Ｋ２ 」 by Mafune Kazuo Kodansha Evening, seinen Volume 2 first published in Japan 2005.05

5. Master Of Sea (Waga Na wa Umishi Master Of Sea) 15 of 15 by Takemura Yuji and Komori Yoichi [Finale]

Waga Na wa Umishi Master Of Sea 「 我が名は海師－ＭａｓｔｅｒＯｆＳｅａ 」 by Takemura Yuji and Komori Yoichi Shogakukan Big Comics Spirits, seinen Volume 15 first published in Japan 2008.03

Volume 15 contains chapters:

• 139 百獣の王のやり方
• 140 技を超える力
• 141 それでもあきらめない気持ち
• 142 親父の形見
• 143 王の方法論
• 144 海の男の礼儀
• 145 噴出した本性
• 146 サルヴァーの基本
• 147 2つの流儀
• 148 重責からの解放
• 最終話　海師たちの夢
6. Psychometrist Eiji (Psychometrer Eiji) 14 of 25 by Ando Yuma, Asaki Masashi

Psychometrer Eiji 「 サイコメトラーＥＩＪＩ 」 by Ando Yuma¹ and Asaki Masashi Kodansha Weekly Shonen Magazine, shounen Volume 14 first published in Japan 1998.12 (Series re-released in 12 bunko volumes from 2003.06 to 2003.11)

OTHER LANGUAGE VERSIONS
Psychometrer Eiji is published in simplified Chinese by Chuang Yi Singapore, in traditional Chinese by Tong Li Taiwan, and in French by Kana.

ADAPTATIONS
The live-action renzoku alternatively known as Simply Psychic ran for two seasons on NTV (January to March 1997 and October to December 1999). A one-episode, 45-minute anime OAV Eiji was released in August 1990.

NOTES
¹ Ando Yuma's real name is Kibayashi Shin; he also writes under the pennames Agi Tadashi (The Drops of God, in collaboration with his sister); Amagi Seimaru (Kindaichi Case Files, Remote); Aoki Yuya (Get Backers); Ryuumon Ryou (Bloody Monday); Arimori Jōji (Monkey Typhoon); and Igano Hiroaki (Area no kishi).

7. Tomo'o (Danchi Tomoo) 9 of 16+ by Oda Tobira

Danchi Tomoo 「 団地ともお 」 by Oda Tobira Shogakukan Big Comic Spirits, seinen Volume 9 first published in Japan 2007.03

Volume 9 contains stories/chapters:

1. ズレは気になるかいともお
2. 一度は言いたいよなともお
3. システムも大事だなともお
4. 偉くなったもんだなともお
5. ノープロブレムかよともお
6. ホレボレするよなともお
7. まだ続いてるなともお
8. それも愛これも愛さともお
9. いやいや今日は私が…ともお
10. まだ間違えてたのかよともお
11. 乗り越えていくのだともお
12. せっかちでおセンチだったよともお
13. 会イタカッタデースだよなともお
14. で、赤いのは何なんだともお
15. アフターケアも大事ってことともお
16. 巡りゆくともお

Level Comics BDs or ROMICs (2010.06.30)

1. Cubitus - Anjing yang Selalu Beruntung (Cubitus, tome 25: Chien sans accroc) by Dupa (Le Lombard)
2. Cubitus - Si Anjing Penurut (Cubitus, tome 23: Cubitus donne la belle papatte) by Dupa (Le Lombard)
3. Lucky Luke - Sepupu Dalton (Lucky Luke, tome 12: Les Cousins Dalton) by Morris & René Goscinny (Dupuis, 1958)
4. Spirou - 4 Petualangan Spirou dan Fantasio (Spirou et Fantasio, tome 1: 4 aventures de Spirou... et Fantasio) by Franquin (Dupuis, 1950)
5. Spirou - Seine di Paris (Spirou et Fantasio, tome 47: Paris-sous-Seine) by Morvan & Munuera (Dupuis, 2004)

NOTE
¹ Sources: Elex Media STO 30 June 2010 and Komikologi (synopses, except where noted)
² 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

K2 vol.2 of 13+ by Mafune Kazuo

Some detective work required in the K2 medical drama —

Dr. K tries to locate nine of the 10 surgical scalpels left by his predecessor Kazuya, and gets word about Blade #2: a doctor named Takaiwa Seiji has it. Apparently, 15 years ago, Takaiwa got into an accident and was saved by Kazuya. So how did Takaiwa end up with the scalpel? And can Dr. K recover it?

Psychometrist Eiji 14 of 25 by Ando Yuma, Asaki Masashi

First it was the tragic suicide of a girl who threw herself in front of train. Next came the shooting deaths of several Shibuya youths. And now, Toru has disappeared. While investigating Toru's trail, Shima and Eiji become suspects!

~niki DBA huamulan03 (花木蘭03)

disclaimer

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

other manga available this week (30 June 2010 street date)

Elex Media: BECK 19 · Detektif Conan 10+ Super Digest by Aoyama Gosho · Detektif Conan Spesial 32 · Hayate The Combat Butler 21 · Hell Girl 3 · A Kiss for My Prince 3 · Kunai Legend 3 · Legend of the Cursed Sword 30 · Look Up! 1 by Kusaba Michiteru · Natural Honey Dormitory 1 by Oda Aya · Otomen 8 · Pandora Hearts 10 · The Puppet Master Lin 8 · The Ruler of Nabari 11 · Spiral: The Bonds of Reason 4 · V.B. Rose 4 · Wild Life 6 · HanaLaLa 51/2010

m&c!: 1/3 Romantica by Shibano Yuka · A Badboy Drinks Tea 6 · Bakugan Battle Brawlers 7 · Bleach 29 · Cherish Fight by YASUKO · Finding My Destiny by Nakamura Sayumi · Love is Sweet by Kumaki Eri · Mysterious Joker 4 · Prince of Sewing by Koito Sayo · Wounded Angel by Mitsuha Yuu | AMERO BDs: 5 × Quick and Flupke by Hergé: (1) Mainan Terlarang, (2) Baik-Baik Saja, (4) Kembangkan Layar, (5) Sekarang Giliranmu and (6) Tanpa Ampun | Hong Kong manhua: Confucius 1 by Sai Ihara/Lee Chi-Ching · The Story of Wang Fenglei 3 | KOLONI local comics: Sweethearts · The Creator Jade · Komik Cihuy Anak Band

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

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

Technorati tags
Level Comics · manga · josei · seinen · shoujo · Diamond Life · Ghost Mum Investigator (Ghost Mama Sousasen) · Honey Hunt · K2 · Master Of Sea · Psychometrist Eiji · Tomo'o
ROMIC (BD): Cubitus · Lucky Luke · Spirou et Fantasio