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

Oh Butterfly Oh Flower 1 ♥, Black Lagoon 6, Rainbow 17 (Level Comics 26 May 2010 manga)

Contains   [SPOILERS!], sometimes in the form of (TV) Trope identification. Also, hearts ♥.

Chou yo Hana yo © Yoshihara Yuki/Shogakukan (First serialized in Petit Comic)
Published in Indonesia as Oh Butterfly Oh Flower by Elex Media/Level Comics
[Artwork provided by Level Comics]

Bankruptcy boots the Kuze family out of a manor complete with That Thing That Goes Doink, landing them in a plebeian soba-ya and downgrading ojou-sama Choko to Office Ladyship.

Choko's hopes for a peaceful life from here on out go down the drain (rotation otherwise unaffected by the Bad Coriolis urban myth) when she interviews for a job with a top real estate firm: her Inquisitor interviewer asks questions that transcend nosy.

What is he thinking?? Who IS this guy??

As TV Tropes reveals, he's “Say it with ♥! ‘Director Domoto ♥,’” the absolutely droolicious (need baskom/basin here) and LOLarious former baby-sitter, now turned slave-driver romantic lead of Yoshihara Yuki's Chou yo Hana yo, released in Indonesia as Oh Butterfly Oh Flower.

LMAO! attends Administrative Department Director Domoto ♥ Masayuki's shenanigans (look forward to Gundam. Snort.), but its dem “♥”s that yank out emotional investment. The pull ♥ is such that not only readers/fangirls rejoice in Level's release of this josei manga. Oh Butterfly Oh Flower editor Lenny-san admits to ^__^ grinning non-stop over her luck in being assigned this title. She recommends it as a must-have for romance comedy lovers, pointing out that Yoshihara-sensei is the best ♥ in combining these two aspects in her comics, before punctuating with: The art is beautiful!

(I agree on all points, but I still would've dearly wubbed ♥ to have been a (butter)fly on the wall during the Level To License or Not to License discussions. They must've been hilarious, given that Oh Butterfly Oh Flower's not exactly stingy on smut.)

To keep teh ‘Director Domoto ♥.’s undiluted, summaries for Black Lagoon 6, Rainbow 17, Eagle 11 of 11, and the rest of the Level manga streeting this Wednesday have been relocated to after the manga and reissues lists.

Level Comics manga (2010.05.26)

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

1. Black Lagoon 6 of 9+ by Hiroe Rei

Black Lagoon 「 ＢＬＡＣＫ　ＬＡＧＯＯＮ 」 by Hiroe Rei Shogakukan Sunday GX, seinen Volume 6 (containing chapters 38-46) first published in Japan 2006.11

OTHER LANGUAGE VERSIONS/SERIALIZATIONS
Black Lagoon is published in English by VIZ Media (volume 8 released 2009.10.13 • volume 9 street date: 2010.07.13) and Chuang Yi (latest: volume 4). The manga is translated into French by Kabuto; in Spanish by Norma Editorial; in German by Carlsen Comics; and in Polish by Waneko.

ADAPTATIONS
A 12-episode anime adaptation produced by Madhouse, starring seiyuu Toyoguchi Megumi as Revy and Namikawa Daisuke as Rock, aired in Japan from April tp June 2006. The Black Lagoon: The Second Barrage second season (episodes 13 to 24) was telecast from October through December of the same year. An OAV sequel, Black Lagoon: Roberta's Blood Trail, is expected to premiere this July 2010, with the fourth Roberta's Blood Trail Blu-ray Disc scheduled for release in December 2010.

RELATED
Black Lagoon light novel by Urobuchi Gen (Shogakukan Gagaga Bunko, 2008.07.18)

2. Chocolat 3 of 7 by Kubonouchi Eisaku

Chocolat 「 ショコラ 」 by Kubonouchi Eisaku Shogakukan Big Comic Spirits, seinen Volume 3 (containing 11 chapters/stories) first published in Japan 2000.12

ADAPTATIONS
A live-action adaptation aired in Japan from May to July 2003, starring Otsuka Chihiro, Natsuyagi Isao, Takahashi Kazuya, and Ishii Teruyuki.

3. Eagle 11 of 11 by Kawaguchi Kaiji [Finale]

Eagle 「 イーグル 」 by Kawaguchi Kaiji Shogakukan Big Comic, seinen Volume 11 (containing chapters 82-89)first published in Japan 2001.04

AWARDS
Eagle: The Making of an Asian-American President was nominated for five Eisner Awards (The Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards), including Best New Series, Best Continuing Series, Best Writer/Artist, Best U.S. Edition of Foreign Material (2001 and 2002)

OTHER LANGUAGE VERSIONS/SERIALIZATIONS
Eagle: The Making of an Asian-American President was published in English by VIZ Media (five volumes, complete); in French by J'ai Lu (discontinued after 8 volumes) and Casterman; and in German by EMA.

4. Kyoko Karasuma's Case Files (Karasuma Kyouko no Jikenbo) 2 of 8+ by Hiroi Ouji and Kozaki Yusuke

Karasuma Kyouko no Jikenbo 「 烏丸響子の事件簿 」 by Hiroi Ouji and Kozaki Yusuke AKA Kyoko Karasuma - Detective of the Asakusa Police Department Gentosha Comic BIRZ, seinen Volume 2 first published in Japan 2004.08

OTHER LANGUAGE VERSIONS/SERIALIZATIONS
Karasuma Kyouko no Jikenbo is published in German by Carlsen Comics and in Russian by Comix-ART.

5. Master Of Sea (Waga Na wa Umishi Master Of Sea) 14 of 15 by Takemura Yuji and Komori Yoichi

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 14 (containing chapters 129-138) first published in Japan 2008.02

6. [Premiere] Oh Butterfly Oh Flower (Chou yo Hana yo) 1 of 8 by Yoshihara Yuki

Chou yo Hana yo 「 蝶よ花よ 」 by Yoshihara Yuki Shogakukan Petit Comic, josei Volume 1 first published in Japan 2006.02

OTHER LANGUAGE VERSIONS/SERIALIZATIONS
Butterflies, Flowers is published in English VIZ Media (volume 2 released 2010.04.06 • volume 3 street date: 2010.06.01). The manga is translated into French by Soleil and in traditional Chinese by Tong Li (Taiwan).

Volume 1 contains chapters:

1. Even If It Breaks, It'll End
2. Candy and Whip and Caramel
3. Secret Secretary
4. Love Sickness
5. 108

*Chapter titles from Serenus-Dreamers' scanlation

7. Rainbow 17 of 22 by Abe George and Kakizaki Masasumi

Rainbow - Nisha Rokubō no Shichinin 「 ＲＡＩＮＢＯＷ　二舎六房の七人 」 by Abe George and Kakizaki Masasumi Shogakukan Big Comic Spirits (originally in Young Sunday before the magazine folded), seinen Volume 17 first published in Japan 2007.06

AWARDS
Won the 51st Shogakukan Manga Award for the Seinen/General category (tied with A Spirit of the Sun by Kawaguchi Kaiji)

OTHER LANGUAGE VERSIONS/SERIALIZATIONS
Rainbow - Nisha Rokubō no Shichinin is published in French by Editions Kabuto and in traditional Chinese by Tong Li (Taiwan).

ADAPTATIONS
A 13-episode anime adaptation by Madhouse premiered in Japan on NTV in April 2010 (latest episode 8 Freedom aired 2010.05.25). Oguri Shun stars as Minakami Mario (his first broadcast anime lead role), with actor Koyama Rikiya as Sakuragi Rokurouta (An-chan), seiyuu Park Romi as Maeda Noboru (Suppon/Turtle), Fujiwara Keiji as Nomoto Ryuuji (Baremoto), Waki Tomohiro as Matsuura Mansaku (Cabbage), Kuroda Takaya as Tooyama Tadayoshi (Heitai/Army Corps or Soldier), Hasome Tatsuya as Yokosuka Jou (Joe), Kanjiya Shihori as Setsuko, and Hayashibara Megumi as the Narrator.

Level Comics reissues (2010.05.26)

1. [RE-STO] Harlequin: The Case of Mesmerizing Boss by Diana Palmer
2. [RE-STO] Harlequin: Free Spirit by Penny Jordan
3. [RE-STO] Harlequin: On The Way Wedding by Inggrid Weaver

NOTE
(1) Sources: Elex Media 26 May 2010 release schedule and Komikologi (synopses, except where noted)
(2) All listed manga are priced at IDR 17,000 each, except the reissued Harlequin manga: The Case of Mesmerizing Boss and On The Way Wedding (SRP: IDR 11,000) and Free Spirit (IDR 12,000)
(3) Links like this are Amazon.com (or other online merchants) search and/or product links (commercial), in case you're interested in another language version.

Volume previews continued

Black Lagoon 6 of 9+

Rock and Revy! UST (if not DAL), please!*

The Black Lagoon crew members return to home base Roanapur for some needed R&R, but rest, never mind recreation**, proves elusive as they are contracted to protect counterfeiter Greenback Jane from the mafia she has rubbed the wrong way. With minimal weaponry at their disposal, can the Lagoon Company clear this latest mission?

(And get paid. That's the important thing. Especially if you follow Revy's guns + money = the world's a great place formula for happiness.)

Volume 6 contains chapters 38-43, Greenback Jane Parts 1-6 of 6, and 44-46, El Baile de la muerte Parts 1-3 (to be continued).

NIK SEZ...
*Yes, I know the lock 'n load action's supposed to be the draw in Black Lagoon and the Greenback Jane arc has this in (The Siege) spades. (If you want more of what TV Tropes calls bullet spam, check out the Black Lagoon: Roberta's Blood Trail OAV premiering in July.) But albeit coming to this OTP late, I still want my Rock x Revy! Or should that be Revy x Rock? Either way, as TV Tropes (again) sez, the girlfriend part isn't confirmed yet, but the [UST] hints are there on both sides.

**Yes, I know, The Sequel: R&R is really Rest and Rehabilitation, but give me some artistic license here. In any case, more people think it stands for rest and relaxation (if not recreation).

Chocolat 3 of 7

After her debtor father is thrown into jail, Tatsumi Chiyoko lodges with past mobster/present legit pâtisserie owner Omugi Matsukichi and meets parolees like Katou Ichigo (now a baker) on a regular basis.

Level's blurb for Chocolat 3 is from the viewpoint of —

The name's Kurio. I'm a fighter and a lady-killer. My battle with the Inamushi group landed me in hospital, but I'm good now. When I returned home after a long absence, I found Ichigo and Chiyoko acting weird. What's up with them?

Volume 3 contains 11 chapters/stories (translate the titles on your own, please):

1. それって寂しくない？
2. 寂しいわけないでしょ!!
3. 強がり言っちゃダメ！
4. 強がってないわよ!!
5. じゃあ、なんで泣いてるの？
6. アタシにもよくわかんない...
7. わかんない事だらけだよな...
8. でもひとつわかったことがあるの。
9. 何がわかったんだよ？
10. 人は簡単に変われないって...
11. 人ほど不確かなものはねぇ。

EAGLE 11 OF 11 [Finale]

Kenneth and Grant's bid for the U.S. presidency reaches its peak with the televised presidential debate. Despite Grant using up his trump cards to sway the war of words-watching electorate, Kenneth emerges the victor. Does this mean that the U.S. will have its first Asian-American president?

Meanwhile, journalist Takashi uncovers conclusive evidence of his mother's murder and sets out to entrap the killer who also threatens Takashi's life.

Whodunit? Who is the murderer? Find out in the Eagle series finale.

Volume 11 contains chapters:

• 82 首都の闇
• 83 最終遊説地
• 84 賭け
• 85 ３の動機
• 86 虚栄の果て
• 87 富子
• 88 富子（２）
• 89 話（最終話）
• 父と子

Kyoko Karasuma's Case Files 2 of 8+

The truth about monsters, a secret the police have concealed all this time, is blown wide open: the demons begin appearing and preying upon humans, apparently in retaliation against those who have failed to honor a century-old contract.

At the same time, Kyoko's memory of her true self starts to return.

What does the contract between the monsters and humans entail? Does this signal the start of a war? Who is Karasuma Kyoko? Lenny-san sez if you like the Blood+ anime, you'll definitely love the similarly dark Kyoko Karasuma's Case Files. Though the Asakusa PD paranormal detective's story reportedly doesn't spurt as much blood as, say, Hellsing, there's still enough Oni, Tengu and assorted monster fiends from Asian myths and legends to please Eastern supernatural buffs.

Master Of Sea 14 of 15

Rintaro's joint salvage with Eguchi successfully refloats the grounded construction ship and brings good fortune to Nanba Salvage. Eguchi recommends Nanba Salvage to oil and gas company Ocean Oil, currently locked in competition with Ginga Oil and its marine salvage partner. Can Rintaro's company take on SMATT, unarguably the world's most formidable salvors and their unblemished rescue record?

The penultimate Master Of Sea contains chapters:

• 129 総力戦の結末
• 130 最強の敵、日本上陸
• 131 やりたい仕事（ヤマ）
• 132 過去の因縁と新たな因縁
• 133 鬼教官の恩人
• 134 弱小の強み
• 135 小さな勇者
• 136 女も度胸
• 137 改めて知った醍醐味
• 138 百獣の王の本気

Rainbow 17 of 22

Ruriko lucks into information about the group manipulating Setsuko's husband Yasuro, enabling Baremoto to draft a plan to halt Yasuro's further dealings with the criminals by stopping the contract signing. But the scheme excluding Mario and Serdadu (Heitai) fails and Baremoto, Penyu (Suppon), Kubis (Cabbage), and Joe are captured. Harry and his boss are thus free to pressure Yasuro to push through with the contract.

Volume 17 contains chapters:

• 172 Rock bottom
• 173 Super heroes
• 174 Trigger
• 175 Under the ice
• 176 Valley of the Kings
• 177 White evil
• 178 Xerces
• 179 You are the fire
• 180 Zero signal
• 181 Atomic
• 182 Bringing back the balls to rock

~niki DBA huamulan03 (花木蘭03) who huggles Lenny-san and thanks her for the artwork and summaries

P.S. And since she brought up Darling wa Namamono ni Tsuki in conjunction with Oh Butterfly Oh Flower, now expecting to see that other Yoshihara Yuki manga among Level's new licenses list.

UP NEXT: More 26 May 2010 manga

m&c!: Bakugan Battle Brawlers 5 · Bleach 26 · Hand 7 Vol. 3 of 3 · Hellboy 3 · Jinco From Room 203 Vol. 3 of 3 · Panta Pan 1 by Aomata Pink · Pendragon 3 · Red Devil of Onigawara Yokocho 2 of 2 · Shanaou Yoshitsune Genpei War 2 · The Story of Wang Fenglei 2 · KOLONI: I Want To Live by Kababonken · KOLONI: Shangrila by Mage · KOLONI: Xenopet by Rizky Arrydesta · Cherry 43

disclaimer

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

manga currently available (19 May 2010 street date)

• Elex Media: BECK 17 · Godhand Teru 23 · Katsu! 4 · The Moon & Lake by Ashihara Hinako · Pangeran Kacamata 4 · The Puppet Master Lin 7 · Spiral: The Bonds of Reason 3 · Summer Storm! 1 by Kobayashi Jin · V.B. Rose 2 · HanaLaLa 50/2010
• Level Comics: AirGear 11 · Bambino 3 · Blade of Immortal 7 · Dolls of God 1 by Yamamura Hajime · Gun Smith Cats 5 · Historie 1 by Iwaaki Hitoshi · Nurse Aoi 12 · Shattered Knife 3
• m&c!: Bleach 25 · C-blossom 2 of 2 · Fu & Dragon 1-2 of 2 by Li Zhi Qing/Zhuang Han Bo · Happy Café 13 · Innocent Dragon 5 · The Impeccable Twins Final Chapters 8 · Long Hu Men 167 · School Hotel 2 of 2 · White Paper Ark 6 · · Monika 134 · Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures 5 · Komik Malaysia: Dari Alam Angker Histeria by Oga · Komik Malaysia: Call from The Grave by Kash · Komik Malaysia: Illusive by Oga · Komik Malaysia: Eli by Zint · Komik Malaysia: Punch by Aliow

other next available manga (26 May 2010 street date)

• Elex Media: Alice Academy 13 · The Best Skilled Surgeon 3 · Crows 8 · Detektif Conan Animasi TV 21 · Fruits Basket 23 of 23 · Hell Girl 1 by Eeto Miyuki & Jigoku Shojo Project · K-ON! 2 · Kunai Legend 2 · Kuro Memanggul Peti Mati 2 · Libero Revolution 10 · Otoboke Section Chief 2 · Princess 31 · The Ruler of Nabari 10 · Tale of The Sea King 37 · With My Brothers 5 · Shonen Star 65/2010

related monthly schedules

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

APR-10

other invaluable resources

7net Shopping · Baka-Updates Manga · Wikipedia · ANN · TV Tropes · DramaWiki

Technorati tags
Level Comics · manga · josei · seinen · Black Lagoon · Chocolat · Eagle · Karasuma Kyouko no Jikenbo · Kyoko Karasuma's Case Files · Master Of Sea · Oh Butterfly Oh Flower · Rainbow