Ciuman Dewa 6, Ghost's Doctor 7, Dragon's Fiance 1 by Kusakawa Nari (Elex Media 14 September 2011 manga)

Also, the premiere of Manhwa of the Year Chunchu (2003 winner), Kungfu Boy 5, the Premium or bunko edition, and V.B. Rose 8. (Bags and fashion accessories, anyone? *pokes @eveanna-san :D)

Ryuu no Hanawazurai © Kusakawa Nari/Hakusensha
[First serialized in LaLa]
Published in Indonesia as Dragon's Fiancé by Elex Media

Shakuya got into "marriage politics" early, but almost as soon as, lost her fiancé Lushin Rakka to a sandstorm. Now Shakuya is engaged to Kwan and she's not complainin' except...Lushin chooses this time to reappear to wrest back his fiancée!

That's Elex's summary for Kusakawa Nari's Dragon's Fiancé. Let me continue with the one I wrote when I reviewed Ryuu no Hanawazurai's serial debut in (now defunct) HanaLaLa mangazine:

The amnesiac Lushin succeeds in returning to his hometown, guided by the clue of the rose tattoo on his hand, a tattoo that marks him as the rightful fiancé of Shakuya—who bears the tattoo's magical twin on her right hand. Following his presumed death, Lushin's engagement to Shakuya was dissolved, his position replaced by Kwan who (unlike Lushin when he was younger) is apparently the only person capable of keeping his cool even when the power of Shakuya's emotions force her into dragon mode. Shakuya professes to like Kwan more; the five gentian tattoos on her left hand versus the one rose tattoo on her right for Lushin prove this (the more the tattoos, the greater the supposed affection Shakuya holds for the tattoo's "owner"). Her honesty, however, only spurs to Lushin confess that he likes Shakuya.

To settle the matter of two bridegrooms, the mate capable of making more of his tattoos bloom on Shakuya's hand after a year will become her husband.

If you're interested in what I had to say back then (especially about Shakuya's Lushin tattoos), go here »Dragon's Fiancé, A love triangle decided by who's got more tattoos.

Dragon's Fiancé debuted in the Indonesian Hana to Yume and LaLa in 2008. It serialized until chapter 26 (compiled in RyuuHana volume 5) and is prolly one of the most-missed HanaLaLa serials after the magazine was axed last December. The English Two Flowers for the Dragon fared not much better: CMX Manga managed only six volumes (of seven) before the company folded. But as Elex recommends collecting the manga because it doesn't span that many volumes, I think it's safe to say that Dragon's Fiancé won't suffer Two Flowers's fate and emerge like Tong Li's traditional Chinese version, the 龍族花印記 volume 7 of which released January 2010.

As for the Vietnamese Gia tộc rồng — Aki Shichiban-san? Care to help me out with the name of the publisher and how many volumes? Thank you~ :) »Edit: Seven volumes published by Kim Dong; Sankyuu, Aki Shichiban-san, for the info ^^

In case you missed it, it is Shakuya, not her fiancés; who is the titular dragon. Yup, whenever Shakuya gets upset, she turns into a fearsome dragon.

The other premiere generating a lot of buzz is —

Chunchu by Kim SungJae & Kim ByungJin

Chunchu © Kim SungJae
& Kim ByungJin/Haksan

In a barbarous age, twins are born, one of whom, prophecy says, is the devil's spawn. The parents abandon one child, hoping for his swift death, but the forsaken one lives.

What happens now to the devil's son Chunchu? Well... saved from death by his mother, banished by his people, hunted by his brother, and tortured by the demons within. Living and fighting with a low-born warrior tribe who can never trust him, Chunchu lives a life of blood and violence, every day a struggle to survive. But something mysterious lurks within his cold exterior, something that could be awakened by the touch of a woman. (Thanks, Dark Horse, for teh lowdown on this 2003 Manhwa of the Year awardee [from Chunchu: The Genocide Fiend, Vol. 1 blurb].

Aside from Award-Winning Work, Prophecy, Twins, Baka-Updates Manga users tag ChunChu with the additional Royal Family (that's a hint, gotta be!) and Ssaurabi that Wiki explains is a Modern Korean compound which literally means ‘a father who fights’. Intrigued yet? Let me just warn you though that Chunchu is 15 volumes long, and is on HIATUS.

Other debuts—another manhwa series, Be Good by Kim GiJung & Shin InChol that eludes even Gugel (save for hits pointing to Elex's version), the Crayon Shinchan World Heritage edu-manga Warisan Dunia and the Doraemon Movie Nobita Dalam Dunia Misteri mangafication—are previewed Below the Cut, as are top DO WANT! Ciuman Dewa (Kamisama Hajimemashita) volume 6, Ghost's Doctor (Youkai no Oishasan) 7 and the above-mentioned Kungfu Boy Premium 5.

Mangazines: Shonen Magz 9/2011 and Shonen Star 16/2011

Shigahaku's Ninja Clan (Shiinake no Hitobito) premieres in Shonen Magz Issue 9 of 2011, and while no new serials appear in Shonen Star 16 to replace just-concluded Appearance of the Yellow Dragon by Tamura Mitsuhisa, Magical Iroha by Inoue Kazurou returns. [moar (waaay) below]

Elex Media manga and manhwa (2011.09.14)

1. [Series Premiere] Be Good 1 of 6+ by Kim GiJung & Shin InChol (Orange Agency)
2. [Series Premiere] Chunchu 1 of 15 (Hiatus) by Kim SungJae & Kim ByungJin

Chunchu 「천추」 by Kim SungJae & Kim ByungJin Haksan Booking, seinen

Other languages
English Chunchu: The Genocide Fiend (Dark Horse Comics: four volumes as at 2009.01), French (Tokebi: 15 volumes per 2005.10), German (Tokyopop Germany: Chonchu - Der Erbe des Teufelssteins 15: Abschlussband shipped 2010.05), Polish Chonchu: Syn Demona (Mandragora)

3. Ciuman Dewa (Kamisama Hajimemashita) 6 of 10+ by Suzuki Julietta

Kamisama Hajimemashita 「神様はじめました」 by Suzuki Julietta Hakusensha Hana to Yume, shoujo Volume 6 first published in Japan 2010.05

Other languages
English Kamisama Kiss (VIZ Media: four volumes per 2011.08 • volume 5 street date: 2011.10.04), French (Delcourt: Divine Nanami Tome 2 shipped 2011.06 • Tome 3 street date: 2011.09.14)

4. [Premiere] Crayon Shinchan - Warisan Dunia by Usui Yoshito

Crayon Shin-chan no Manga Sekai Isan Omoshiro Bukku (Crayon Shin-chan no Nandemo Hyakka series) 「クレヨンしんちゃんのまんが世界遺産おもしろブック (クレヨンしんちゃんのなんでも百科シリーズ)」 by Usui Yoshito (Futabasha) First published in Japan 2009.07

Related series
Part of the Crayon Shin-chan no Nandemo Hyakka series 「クレヨンしんちゃんのなんでも百科シリーズ」 that also includes Crayon Shin-chan no Manga Mono no Kazoe-kata Zukan Kokugo no Benkyō ni! Kazoku de tsukaeru! and Crayon Shin-chan no Manga Uchū no Fushigi Naze Nani Bukku Chikyū ya Uchū ga yoku wakaru (both released 2011.07), Crayon Shin-chan no Manga Shizen Kansatsu Naruhodo Bukku Shizen no Shikumi ga yoku wakaru (JP: 2011.04), Crayon Shin-chan no Manga Sansū Hirameki Bukku (2011.02), Crayon Shin-chan no 47 Todōfuken Naruhodo chizu-chō (2010.12), Crayon Shin-chan no Manga Sekai no Kuni Omoshiro Bukku (JP: 2005.07; published by Elex as Crayon Shinchan: Jalan-Jalan Keliling Dunia) and at least 19 more titles.
Crayon Shin-chan (main story, 50 volumes)

5. Doraemon 12 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 12 first published in Japan 1976.11 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

6. Doraemon: Gadget Cat from The Future 9 of 10 by Fujiko F. Fujio

Doraemon: Gadget Cat from the Future 「ドラえもん　日本語訳付」 by Fujiko F. Fujio Shogakukan Shogakukan English Comics, kodomo Volume 9 first published in Japan 2004.08

Related series
Doraemon (main story; 45 volumes)

7. [Premiere] Doraemon Movie: Nobita Dalam Dunia Misteri (Eiga Doraemon Nobita no Daimakyō) by Fujiko F. Fujio

Eiga Doraemon Nobita no Daimakyō 「映画ドラえもん　のび太の大魔境」 by Fujiko F. Fujio Shogakukan no Terebi Ehon series, kodomo First published in Japan 1988.01

Related
Based on the 1982 Doraemon movie, Nobita and the Haunts of Evil

8. [Series Premiere] Dragon's Fiancé (Ryuu no Hanawazurai) 1 of 7 by Kusakawa Nari

Ryuu no Hanawazurai 「龍の花わずらい」 by Kusakawa Nari Hakusensha LaLa, shoujo Volume 1 first published in Japan 2006.01

Other languages/serializations
Serialized until chapter 26 (compiled in tankoubon #5) in the Indonesian HanaLaLa (magazine discontinued per December 2010)
English Two Flowers for the Dragon (CMX: six volumes per 2010.06, cancelled), traditional Chinese (Tong Li Taiwan: 龍族花印記 7 per 2010.01), Vietnamese as Gia tộc rồng

9. Ghost's Doctor (Youkai no Oishasan) 7 of 15 by Sato Yuki

Youkai no Oishasan 「妖怪のお医者さん」 by Sato Yuki Kodansha Magazine Special, Shonen Sirius and Weekly Shonen Magazine, shounen Volume 7 first published in Japan 2008.06

Other languages/serializations
Serialized in the Indonesian Shonen Magz (ongoing)
English Yokai Doctor (Del Rey: three volumes per 2009.08), traditional Chinese (Tong Li: 妖怪醫生 15 released 2011.06)

10. Inazuma Eleven 5 of 10 by Yabuno Tenya

Inazuma Eleven 「イナズマイレブン」 by Yabuno Tenya Shogakukan Corocoro Comic, shounen Volume 5 first published in Japan 2010.02 The manga ends in Monthly CoroCoro Comic's October 2011 issue.

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

Related
Based on LEVEL-5's soccer RPG game, from which an Oriental Light and Magic 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, aired episode 14 on 2011.08.03; 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. Katsu! 13 of 16 by Adachi Mitsuru

Katsu! 「ＫＡＴＳＵ！」 by Adachi Mitsuru Shogakukan Shonen Sunday, shounen Volume 13 (chapters 118-127) first published in Japan 2004.07

Reissues
Re-released in 8 volumes in Japan from 2009.07 to 2010.02.

Other languages/serializations
Serialized in Indonesian in Shonen Star (concluded)
French (Pika Édition: 16 volumes)

12. Kungfu Boy Premium (Tekken Chinmi [Bunko]) 5 of 18 by Maekawa Takeshi

Tekken Chinmi 「鉄拳チンミ　(講談社漫画文庫)」 by Maekawa Takeshi AKA Ironfist Chinmi Kodansha Manga Bunko, shounen Bunko volume 5 first published in Japan 2002.09

Awards
1987 Kodansha Manga Awardee for the Shounen Category

Related series
Sequels: New Kungfu Boy (20 volumes), Kungfu Boy Legends (11 volumes per 2011.06 in Japan); serialized in Shonen Magz, ongoing) and side story Tekken Chinmi Gaiden (3 volumes per 2010.04; serialized in Shonen Magz; Chinmi Other Story: Chinmi & Shie Fan released 2011.06)

13. Lum, The Invader Girl (Urusei Yatsura) 31 of 34 by Takahashi Rumiko

Urusei Yatsura 「新装版　うる星やつら」 by Takahashi Rumiko Shogakukan Shonen Sunday, shounen New edition (shinsoban) volume 31 released in Japan 2008.02

Awards
Winner, 26th Shogakukan Manga Awards, Shounen/Shoujo category

Other languages
English (VIZ Media), French and Spanish (Glenat)

Adaptations
A 195 episode-anime adaptation by Kitty Films, starring seiyuu Hirano Fumi (Lum) and Furukawa Toshio (Moroboshi Ataru), that aired from October 1981 through March 1986 on Fuji TV, 11 OAVs and six theatrical movies.

14. Princess & The 3 Beasts (Himegimi to Sanbiki no Kemono) 3 of 4 by Miyuki Mitsubachi

Himegimi to Sanbiki no Kemono 「姫君と三匹の獣」 by Miyuki Mitsubachi Hakusensha Hana to Yume, shoujo Volume 3 first published in Japan 2010.08

15. V.B. Rose 8 of 14 by Hidaka Banri

V.B. Rose 「Ｖ・Ｂ・ローズ」 by Hidaka Banri Hakusensha Hana to Yume, shoujo Volume 8 first published in Japan 2006.12

Other languages/serialization
Serialized until chapter 56 in HanaLaLa (discontinued)
English V.B. Rose (TOKYOPOP: 12 volumes per 2011.04), traditional Chinese (Ever Glory Taiwan: V．B．R 絲絨藍玫瑰 14 per 2009.10)

Adaptations
A V.B. Rose drama CD was released in Japan in 2006.12, starring seiyuu Mizuki Nana as Shiroi Ageha, Sakurai Takahiro as Arisaka Yukari, and Suwabe Junichi as Kuromine Mitsuya.

Related
The Hana to Yume Comics Special V.B. Rose Illustration Fan Book streeted in Japan 2009.05

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

Mangazines (2011.09.14)

1. Shonen Magz 9/2011 (Indonesian Shonen Magazine)
2. Shonen Star 16/2011 (Indonesian Shonen Sunday)

Read more »

Ciuman Dewa 5, Spiral - The Bonds of Reason 13, Twinkle Stars 1 by Takaya Natsuki (Elex Media 22 June 2011 manga) [UPDATED]

07-Ghost 1 should've headlined this post as it led the 22 June DO WANT! by a   w—i—d—e   margin. But it got postponed to 6 July. So what emerges as the Most Wanted manga is Ciuman Tomoe, I mean, Ciuman Dewa :D

Kamisama Hajimemashita © Suzuki Julietta/Hakusensha
[Serialized in Hana to Yume]
Published in Indonesia as Ciuman Dewa by Elex Media

Thanks to Mizuki, Nanami gets Tomoe out of that giant oyster and free of the Dragon King's clutches. Tomoe, of course, is one unhappy camper, especially after learning that he's no longer Nanami's sole familiar. To stop Tomoe and Mizuki from drenching the temple with blood every day, Nanami drags her familiars off to a festival to ‘make nice.’

But the fox and snake refuse to cease bickering. What will it take to enforce a truce?

Tweep @freakenari-san was actually the first to rename this series Ciuman Tomoe (Tomoe's Kiss); I would add Ciuman Mizuki. :D

Later, Nanami has to face the truth that townsfolk consider her shrine “haunted” and regard it only good for kimodameshi. To banish that misconception, our teen deity decides to hold a festival of her own. This attracts the attention of a sissy god, and before Nanami can even master the kagura dance, she is flung into a dream world where Tomoe clings to her like...whatever it is that clings plus looks on adoringly.

Spiral - The Bonds of Reason 13 of 15 by Shirodaira Kyo & Mizuno Eita

Kirie tries to determine whether Ayumu and Hizumi are blood brothers to Narumi Kiyotaka and Mizushiro Yaiba. But the DNA test she conducts produces results beyond expectations...

I can add this bit from Yen Press's Spiral: The Bonds of Reasoning, Vol. 13: Big brother Kiyotaka has always cast a shadow over Ayumu's life, but what kind of despair has Hizumi known that would make him so ready to die? Hizumi still hasn't laid all of his cards on the table, and his next play could take out one of the Blade Children for good.

Spiral The Bonds of Reason 13 spans chapters 62-66: Holy Invasion, Wing's Rustle, In a Graceful Hand That Can Go Out of Order, Toward the Zeroth Hour and The Lost World. [*NOT Elex Media's titles]

New Elex manga and manhwa

In addition to Twinkle Stars by Takaya Natsuki, Elex launches Casting by KITT & Park Sang-yong, the Comic Champ manhwa set in the world of showbiz and...wait for it...PSME Next Generation, I mean, The Moonlight That Surrounds Me, the sequel to Hiwatari Saki's Please Save My Earth science fiction classic. The Moonlight That Surrounds Me, originally Boku wo Tsutsumu Tsuki no Hikari, top-bills Alice and Rin's son Ren. Longer previews for the latter two after the release list; Above The Cut is reserved for —

Hoshi wa Utau
© Takaya Natsuki
Hakusensha [Hana to Yume]
Published in Indonesia as
Twinkle Stars by Elex Media

Shiina Sakuya has always turned to stargazing whenever she's down. Orphaned, she lives with her cousin Miyako Kanade. On her eighteenth birthday, a mysterious boy named Chihiro gifts her with a pink dress. Sakuya thinks Chihiro is Kanade's friend, while Kanade assumes that Chihiro is Sakuya's boyfriend.

So, who exactly is Chihiro?

Elex Book Reviews recommends Twinkle Stars (despite its Angst, Star Admirer, Unrequited Love, Painful Past, Absent Parents, Depression, Nice Girl, Tsundere Male Lead, Person with an Attitude baggage) for the art, the compelling story and Only 11 volumes! Though you don't really need the hype if you already followed Twinkle Stars before HanaLaLa was axed.

Everyone knows Takaya Natsuki-sensei, right? *cough*Fruits Basket*cough*

New serials also on tap on the mangazine side. Your Melody by Fukushima Haruka and Love is the Devil by Pedro Toriumi debut in Nakayoshi Gress! 6/2011 , while The World God Only Knows by Tamiki Wakaki starts its serial run in Indonesia's Shonen Sunday, Shonen Star, Issue 11/2011. [NikBabble™ continued after the release list]

Box sets: Moar Kariage kun Hilarity Ensues!

Volumes 21 to 30 of Ueda Masashi's 4-koma Kariage kun ships as a boxed set, but unlike the volumes 1-10 and 11-20 predecessors, this value bundle costs Rp 5,000 more (IDR 150,000). Oh, and Kariage kun 43? It's skedded for next week, 28 June.

Elex Media manga and manhwa (2011.06.22)

1. Arsène Lupin 2 (Kaitou Lupin Series 2. Fushigi na Ryokousha) of 5 by Maurice Leblanc and Kazumine Daiji

Kaitou Lupin Series 2. Fushigi na Ryokousha 「怪盗ルパン」 Original story by Maurice Leblanc; Illustrations by Kazumine Daiji The Kumon Manga Library, educational manga Volume 2 first published in Japan in 1998

2. [Series Premiere] Casting 1 of 8 by KITT & Park SangYong (Daewon C.I./Comic Champ)
3. Ciuman Dewa (Kamisama Hajimemashita) 5 of 9+ by Suzuki Julietta

Kamisama Hajimemashita 「神様はじめました」 by Suzuki Julietta Hakusensha Hana to Yume, shoujo Volume 5 (chapters 25-30) first published in Japan 2010.01

Other languages
English Kamisama Kiss (VIZ Media: three volumes per 2011.06 • volume 4 street date: 2011.08.02)

4. Doraemon 8 of 45 by Fujiko F. Fujio (right-to-left edition)

Doraemon 「ドラえもん」 by Fujiko F. Fujio Shogakukan Coro Coro Comics, kodomo Volume 8 first published in Japan 1975.07 Premiered in Indonesia: 1994 (left-to-right format)

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

5. Hitohira 4 of 7 by Kirihara Idumi

Hitohira 「ひとひら」 by Kirihara Idumi Futabasha Comic High!, seinen Volume 4 first published in Japan 2007.06

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.

6. Mokke 3 of 9 by Kumakura Takatoshi

Mokke 「もっけ」 by Kumakura Takatoshi Kodansha Afternoon, seinen Volume 3 first published in Japan 2004.03

7. [Series Premiere] The Moonlight That Surrounds Me (Boku wo Tsutsumu Tsuki no Hikari) 1 of 10+ by Hiwatari Saki

Boku wo Tsutsumu Tsuki no Hikari 「ボクを包む月の光」 by Hiwatari Saki AKA PSME Next Generation and Boku wo Tsutsumu Tsuki no Hikari - Boku Tama Jisedai-hen Hakusensha Bessatsu Hana to Yume, shoujo Volume 1 (chapters 1-3) first published in Japan 2005.06

Other languages
Traditional Chinese (Sharp Point Press: 包圍我的月光 4 per 2011.03)

Related series
Please Save My Earth/Boku no Chikyuu wo Mamotte (prequel; 21 of 21 volumes per 1994.08)

8. Mystery Bride 4 of 5 by Huh KookHwa & Kim SuJin

Jeongchebulmyeong Saesaegsi [Unknown New Bride] 「정체불명새색시」 by Huh KookHwa & Kim SuJin AKA Pig Bride Haksan Party, soonjung Volume 4 first published in Korea 2008.07

Other languages/serializations
English Pig Bride (Yen Press: five volumes per 2010.07; serialized in Yen Plus)

9. Ruler of The Land (Yul Hyul Gang Ho) 52 of 54+ by Jeon KeukJin & Yang JaeHyun

Yul Hyul Gang Ho 「열혈강호」 by Jeon KeukJin & Yang JaeHyun AKA Yul Hyul Kang Ho or Yulgang Daiwon C.I. Young Champ, seinen Volume 52 first published in Korea 2010.05

Other languages
English (ADV Manga; till volume 8), French Sabre et Dragon (Tokebi) and simplified Chinese (Chuang Yi: 热血江湖 volume 40 per 2008.03.04)

Adaptations
MMORPG Yulgang or Scions of Fate (US)

10. Spiral: The Bonds of Reason (Spiral: Suiri no Kizuna) 13 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 13 (chapters 62-66) first published in Japan 2005.04

Other languages
English Spiral: The Bonds of Reasoning (Yen Press: 15 volumes per 2011.04) and German (Carlsen Comics; Spiral - Gefährliche Wahrheit: Band 12 ships 2011.06.24 • Band 13 street date: 2011.09.29)

Related
Spiral Alive (prequel; five volumes); a series of light novels; Mizuno Eita artbooks: SPIRAL Mizuno Eita Gashuu (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 「Sore sae mo toutoki hibi de」 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 that aired on TV Tokyo from October 2002 to March 2003, starring seiyuu Suzumura Kenichi (Narumi Ayumu), Asano Masumi (Yuizaki Hiyono) and Ishida Akira (Eyes Rutherford).

11. [Series Premiere] Twinkle Stars (Hoshi wa Utau) 1 of 11 by Takaya Natsuki

Hoshi wa Utau 「星は歌う」 by Takaya Natsuki Hakusensha Hana to Yume, shoujo Volume 1 (chapters 1-5 and Twinkle Ponta omake) first published in Japan 2008.01

Other languages/serializations
Serialized until chapter 7 in the Indonesian HanaLaLa [discontinued])
English and simplified Chinese (Chuang Yi: English volume 5 per 2010.12; 星歌恋曲 #6 per 2010.06), traditional Chinese (Tong Li Taiwan; 星歌戀曲 9 released 2011.03), French (Delcourt Twinkle Stars: Le Chant des Etoiles tome 9 per 2011.04 • tome 10 street date: 2011.07.01), German (Carlsen Comics Band 3 street date: 2011.10.28), Italian Le stelle cantano (Panini Comics) and Spanish La melodía de las estrellas (Norma Editorial Spain)

Adaptations
Geneon Entertainment's Hoshi wa Utau drama CD, starring seiyuu Tomatsu Haruka, Kondo Takashi and Takahashi Hiroki, released 2010.02 in Japan.

12. Western Shotgun 37 of 40 by Park MinSeo

Western Shotgun 「웨스턴 샷건」 by Park MinSeo AKA Blazin' Barrels (TOKYOPOP, discontinued) Daiwon C.I., Comic Champ, sonyun Volume 37 first published in Korea 2009.07

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

Box sets (2011.06.22)

• [Box set @ IDR 150,000] Kariage kun, Vols. 21-30 (of 50+) by Ueda Masashi

Mangazines (2011.06.22)

1. Nakayoshi Gress! 6/2011
2. Shonen Star 11/2011

Read more »

Skip Beat 19, Defense Devil 3, Ciuman Dewa 4 (Elex Media 13 April 2011 manga and manhwa)

Also, Ghost's Doctor 3, actually the GET! 2nd Runner-up, after Defense Devil 3 and Ciuman Dewa 4 (Kamisama Hajimemashita) tied for 1st Runner-up

Now for the top DO WANT!

Skip Beat! © Nakamura Yoshiki/Hakusensha [Serialized in Hana to Yume]
Published in Indonesia by Elex Media

His objective in Japan achieved, Hizuri Kuu decides to return earlier to the United States. Kyoko, having gotten her first taste of a mentor-slash-father, feels saddened at the thought of no more Kuu.

To the “rescue” comes Ren who encourages Kyoko to call Kuu Daddy! (again) — within earshot of everyone AND while wearing her hot-pink Love Me uniform.

If you've been sniffling because of No more Kuu/Kyoko/Ren/Shou because no more HanaLaLa, rejoice in Elex's release of Skip Beat! 19, which picks up the father and daughter bonding with Act 109, And Then Someone Stirs. (The other compiled chapters that wrap the Kuu arc are Acts 110-114: Clearing Up the Matter, Unfading Feelings, Parent and Child Memorial Day, The Depth of the 5th Year and Kuon's Oath [*NOT Elex's titles]). And much as I miss monthly Skip Beat! doses via HanaLaLa, the mangazine folding does promise faster tankou release. (Look at it this way: if we were still on a one Act per issue sked, we'd finish volume 19 in June, and will prolly have to wait an equivalent number of months, if not more, for the actual tank.)

Before I move to the next manga preview, two words: Blond. Ren. (Kyaaa~)

Ciuman Dewa 4 of 9+ by Suzuki Julietta

Nanami acts on her feelings for Tomoe, asking her aloof familiar out on a date. Around the deafening doki-doki and oblivious aquarium fish, Nanami resolves to tell Tomoe she likes him. But as fate would have it, Tomoe's reaction leaves much to be desired.

Elex promises that aside from flowers of love wilting, we also get dark secrets—Tomoe's, of course—exposed. Find out what our smexy Tomoe-sama hides somewhere in between chapters 19 and 24 of Ciuman Dewa 4.

(The third Hana to Yume shoujo manga, Hidaka Banri's I Hate You More Than Anyone 6, is previewed Behind The Cut.)

Defense Devil 3 of 8+by Youn In-wan & Yang Kyung-il

May contain   [SPOILERS!]

He's one hell of a defense attorney is Kucabara, the demon prince evicted from his kingdom for crimes of unacceptable kindness. Now he delivers human “sinners” from eternal damnation. Little does Kucabara expect to have to gate-crash his former home, to save it from his own brother, the architect of escalating entropy and the one who plotted Kucabara's exile in the first place.

Can Kucabara take on Legato who assumed Kucabara's not inconsiderable powers upon the the former's banishment? Before that, Kucabara must circumvent the barrier between worlds, and for that, he will need female exorcist Idamaria's help. But Idamaria's mission is to slay Kucabara... [Additions from Wikipedia]

Defense Devil 3 collects Judgments 4 through 6: Judgment 4: Mysterious Woman (Parts 4-5), Judgment 5: Kucabara's Wisdom (Parts 1-6) and Judgment 6: The Key to the Demon World (Parts 1-2). (In conventional numbers, that translates to chapters 18-27).

☆ If you want to know how the Youkai Doctor diagnoses and treats his patients, scroll down. But if you're looking for Vinland Saga 2's preview, it's up here; the back cover blurb simply reiterates the manga's THORZ's death leaves lasting scars on his son (and prompts Thorfinn to pursue vengeance at any cost) raison d'être.

Elex Media manga and manhwa (2011.04.13)

1. Ciuman Dewa (Kamisama Hajimemashita) 4 of 9+ by Suzuki Julietta

Kamisama Hajimemashita 「神様はじめました」 by Suzuki Julietta Hakusensha Hana to Yume, shoujo Volume 4 (chapters 19-24) first published in Japan 2009.09

Other languages
English Kamisama Kiss (VIZ Media: two volumes per 2011.03 • volume 3 street date: 2011.06.07)

2. Culdcept 3 of 6+ by Kaneko Shinya and OMIYA Soft

Culdcept 「Ｃｕｌｄｃｅｐｔ」 by Kaneko Shinya and OMIYA Soft Kodansha Magazine Z, seinen Volume 3 first published in Japan 2002.12 (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)

3. Defense Devil 3 of 8+ by Youn InWan & Yang KyungIl

Defense Devil 「ＤＥＦＥＮＳＥ　ＤＥＶＩＬ」 by Youn InWan & Yang KyungIl Shogakukan Shonen Sunday, shounen Volume 3 (chapters 18-27) first published in Japan 2009.12

Related
Adapted from the Sunday GX Akuma Bengoshi Kucabara one-shot

Other languages/serializations
Serialized in the Indonesian Shonen Star (ongoing)
English and simplified Chinese volumes (Chuang Yi: English volume 2 released 2010.09 • simplified Chinese #6 per 2011.03.08)

4. Demon King (Majeh) 33 of 37+ by Ra InSoo & Kim JaeHwan

Majeh 「마제(魔帝)」 by Ra InSoo & Kim JaeHwan Daiwon C.I. Champ Comics, sonyun Volume 33 first published in Korea 2009.09

Other languages
English King of Hell (TOKYOPOP: 25 volumes per 2009.08.04) and simplified Chinese (Chuang Yi: 魔帝 #34 released 2010.10)

5. Doraemon 5 of 45 by Fujiko F. Fujio (right-to-left version)

Doraemon 「ドラえもん」 by Fujiko F. Fujio Shogakukan Tentoumushi Comics, kodomo Volume 5 first published in Japan 1974.11 (Premiered in Indonesia: 1994 [left-to-right format])

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; 21 volumes, 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

6. Ghost's Doctor (Youkai no Oisha-san) 3 of 15 by Sato Yuki

Youkai no Oisha-san 「妖怪のお医者さん」 by Sato Yuki Kodansha Magazine Special, Shonen Sirius and Weekly Shonen Magazine, shounen Volume 3 first published in Japan 2007.10

Other languages/serializations
Serialized in the Indonesian Shonen Magz (ongoing)
English Yokai Doctor (Del Rey: three volumes per 2009.08), traditional Chinese 妖怪醫生 (Tong Li Taiwan: volume 13 released 2010.10)

7. I Hate You More Than Anyone (Sekai de Ichiban Daikirai) 6 of 13 by Hidaka Banri

Sekai de Ichiban Daikirai 「世界でいちばん大嫌い」 by Hidaka Banri AKA Akiyoshi Family Series 5 Hakusensha Hana to Yume, shoujo Volume 6 first published in Japan 1999.10

Related series
Akiyoshi Family Series 1-4 (Pacar 365 Hari, For Endless Love, Stay the Same, Let Me Hear the Lyric), Oki ni Mesu Mama? (one volume prequel released 2010.09) and Tenshi 1/2 Houteishiki (alternate story serialized in Hana to Yume).

A Hidaka Banri artbook, Hitsuji no Namida/Sekai de Ichiban Daikirai Hidaka Banri Gashuu, was released 2004.03.

Other languages
English I Hate You More Than Anyone (CMX: nine volumes per 2010.03; cancelled)

8. Inazuma Eleven 2 of 8+ by Yabuno Tenya

Inazuma Eleven 「イナズマイレブン」 by Yabuno Tenya Shogakukan Corocoro Comic, shounen Volume 2 first published in Japan 2009.02

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 is still ongoing; the Inazuma Eleven: Saikyō Gundan Ogre Shūrai movie sequel premiered 2010.12.23 in Japan.

9. Masked Rider Spirits (Kamen Rider Spirits) 14 of 16 by Ishinomori Shotaro & Muraeda Kenichi

Kamen Rider Spirits 「仮面ライダーＳＰＩＲＩＴＳ」 by Muraeda Kenichi (Art), Ishinomori Shotaro (Original story) AKA The Legend of Masked Riders Kodansha Magazine Z, seinen Volume 14 first published in Japan 2008.04

Volume 14 chapters:
80. Warrior's Essence
81. Surpassing Greed
82. Return
83. Fiery Giant
84. With the Soul
85. Setup
86. Father
*NOT Elex Media titles

Related series
Kamen Riders (main story) · Shin Kamen Rider Spirits (sequel) · Kamen Rider Spirits - Uketsugareru Tamashii (adapted from)

10. Mystery Bride 2 of 5 by Huh KookHwa & Kim SuJin

Unknown New Bride 「정체불명새색시」 by Huh KookHwa & Kim SuJin AKA Pig Bride Haksan Party, soonjung Volume 2 first published in Korea 2007.09

Other languages/serializations
English Pig Bride (Yen Press: five volumes per 2010.07; serialized in Yen Plus)

11. Skip Beat! 19 of 27+ by Nakamura Yoshiki

Skip Beat! 「スキップ・ビート！」 by Nakamura Yoshiki Hakusensha Hana to Yume, shoujo Volume 19 (Acts 109-114) first published in Japan 2008.07

Other languages/serializations
Serialized in the Indonesian HanaLaLa (discontinued).
English Skip Beat! (VIZ Media: 23 volumes per 2011.04.05 • volume 24 street date: 2011.07.05), French (Casterman: tome 14 released 2011.03 • tome 15 per 2011.05.04), German (Carlsen Comics: Band 18 ships 2011.04.22; serialized in Daisuki) and traditional Chinese (Tong Li: SKIP. BEAT!華麗的挑戰 26 per 2010.12)

Adaptations
A 25-episode anime adaptation by Hal Film Maker aired in Japan from October 2008 through March 2009. Seiyuu Inoue Marina, Konishi Katsuyuki and Miyano Mamoru replaced the 2002 drama CD cast comprising Nagasawa Miki, Narita Ken and Kanna Nobutoshi as Mogami Kyoko, Tsuruga Ren, and Fuwa Shou respectively.

After being plagued by internal problems, the Taiwanese live-action drama adaptation, Extravagant Challenge, resumes filming in April, with a change in the acting line-up: Ivy Chen as Kyoko (instead of Ariel Lin), Choi Siwon as Ren (in place of Jerry Yan) and and Lee Donghae as Shou.

Related
Hakusensha released the Skip Beat! Fan Book ~ LOVE ME in March 2009.

12. Vinland Saga 2 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 2 first published in Japan 2006.09

Volume 2 chapters:
5. Troll
6. Messenger from the Battlefield
7. Sword
8. Beginning of the Journey
9. A Trap in Distant Seas
10. Night Wake
11. Cage
12. Greater Than Any Monster
13. Smell
14. The Sword of Thors
15. A True Warrior
16. The Death of Thors
Extra. Special Report: I Went to the Land of Aurora Borealis
*NOT the Indonesian Shonen Magz chapter titles; Thors rendered as THORZ in the Indonesian version

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 海盜戰記 (Tong Li)

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