Bambino 14, Black Lagoon 8, Jepang Tenggelam 15 of 15 (Level Comics 22 September 2011 manga) [UPDATE3]

The Gave In to Anality Version — Final

Update 3: Reinstated Red River 10 and Shattered Knife 9—with details—as both ARE already available in stores, even if they still appear in the 28 September STO. (But for sure, Sky of Love 7 has been reskedded to the above street date.)

Also replaced the lead cover (formerly Lanfeust of Troy - Gading Magohamoth) because that Arleston & Tarquin ROMIC was also postponed (word is it streets on 12 October). Needless to say, I chose to omit its synopsis from this release list. So if it's a Then you saw it, now you don't, you know what happened.

Bambino! © Sekiya Tetsuji/Shogakukan [First serialized in Big Comic Spirits] · Black Lagoon © Hiroe Rei/Shogakukan [Serialized in Sunday GX] · Nihon Chinbotsu © Komatsu Sakyou and Ishiki Tokihiko/Shogakukan [First serialized in Big Comic Spirits]. Published in Indonesia as Bambino!, Black Lagoon and Jepang Tenggelam by Elex Media/Level Comics

In the penultimate Bambino!

Ban's still trying to win over mafiosi palates, but Coyote's cowardly brother Lorenzo interferes!

Above Bambino! preview extracted from a mechanical translation of バンビ～ノ！　１４ episode 143 sneak peek. Level's late-breaking version —

Ban returns to Japan, only to be told by Chef Tekkan to swing by Fukuoka. There Ban finds that his parents are getting a divorce, the apartment he calls home is up for sale, his ex-girlfriend is getting married and his best friend has become little more than a thug. Talk about problems! Can Ban overcome these non-food challenges?

Bambino! concluded in Japan with volume 15's April 2009 release. Bambino! Secondo's first tankou premiered in August that same year. Eight volumes of the sequel have been compiled as at August 2011.

More previews after the release list.

Level Comics manga (2011.09.22)

1. Bambino! 14 of 15 by Sekiya Tetsuji

Bambino! 「バンビ～ノ！」 by Sekiya Tetsuji Shogakukan Big Comic Spirits, seinen Volume 14 (chapters 143-153) first published in Japan 2008.12

Awards
Winner, 53rd Shogakukan Manga Awards for the Seinen/General category, tied with Kuromaru- & Natsuhara Takeshi's The Black Swindler (Kurosagi).

Related series
Bambino! Secondo (sequel; eight volumes as at 2011.08.30)

Adaptations
An 11-episode live-action adaptation starring Matsumoto Jun (Shogo Ban) and Kitamura Kazuki (Yonamine Tsukasa/Yona-san) aired on NTV from April to June 2007. The TV series reaped four awards at the 53rd Television Drama Academy Awards: Best Actor (Matsumoto Jun), Supporting Actor (Kazuki Kitamura), Best Director and a Special Award.

2. Black Lagoon 8 of 9+ by Hiroe Rei

Black Lagoon 「ＢＬＡＣＫ　ＬＡＧＯＯＮ」 by Hiroe Rei Shogakukan Sunday GX, seinen Volume 8 (chapters 56-64) first published in Japan 2008.07

Other languages
English Black Lagoon (VIZ Media: nine volumes per 2010.07) and Chuang Yi: nine volumes as at 2010.10), French (Kazé Manga: tome 9 shipped 2010.10), Spanish (Norma Editorial Spain), German (Carlsen Comics: Band 9 per 2010.07), Polish (Waneko).

Adaptations
The 12-episode Madhouse anime adaptation, starring seiyuu Toyoguchi Megumi (Revy) and Namikawa Daisuke (Rock), aired in Japan from April to June 2006. The Black Lagoon: The Second Barrage second season (episodes 13 to 24) was telecast from October through December of the same year. The OAV sequel, Black Lagoon: Roberta's Blood Trail, premiered 17 July 2010, with the fifth Roberta's Blood Trail Blu-ray/DVD released 2011.06.22.

Related
The Sunday GX Comics 10YEAR'S CHRONICLE: Black Lagoon 1: Born to Rock (JP release: 2011.01), which contains the Black Lagoon Gaiden, and Black Lagoon 2: Rock to the Core (2011.02)

The Black Lagoon: Shaitane Badi light novel written by Urobuchi Gen and illustrated by Hiroe Rei (Black Lagoon side story; Shogakukan Gagaga Bunko, 2008.07)

3. Eternal Sabbath (ES) 6 of 8 by Souryo Fuyumi

ES 「ＥＳ」 ＥＳ　６ by Souryo Fuyumi Kodansha Morning, seinen Volume 6 first published in Japan 2004.05

Other languages/Reissues
English ES (Del Rey: eight volumes), French (Glénat: eight volumes), Italian (Editions Star Comics)
Re-released in five bunko volumes (2006.10 - 2007.02)

4. Fight!! Ippo (Hajime no Ippo) 84 of 97+ by Morikawa Joji

Hajime no Ippo 「はじめの一歩」 by Morikawa Joji AKA Fighting Spirit Kodansha Weekly Shonen Magazine, shounen Volume 84 first published in Japan 2008.06

Volume 84 chapters:
Round 799: The Remaining Round
Round 800: That is Ippo Makunouchi
Round 801: Right and Left
Round 802: An Enviable Pit
Round 803: The Main Event and the Main Event
Round 804: A Higher Level
Round 805: Because of Their Meeting
Round 806: The Unexpected Possibility
Hajime No Ippo Gaiden: Naniwa Tiger
*NOT Level chapter titles

Awards
Best Shounen Manga, 1991 Kodansha Manga Awards

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

Other languages
French (Kurokawa: Ippo, Saison 2: Destins de Boxeurs Tome 16 shipped 2011.09.08) and traditional Chinese (Tong Li Taiwan: 第一神拳 96 per 2011.08)

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

5. Giant Killing 7 of 21+ by Tsunamoto Masaya & Tsujitomo

Giant Killing 「ＧＩＡＮＴ　ＫＩＬＬＩＮＧ」 by Tsunamoto Masaya & Tsujitomo Kodansha Morning, seinen Volume 7 first published in Japan 2008.10

Awards
34th Kodansha Manga Award for General Manga

Adaptations
Studio DEEN's 26-episode anime adaptation, starring seiyuu Seki Tomokazu (Tatsumi Takeshi), Okiayu Ryotaro (Murakoshi Shigeyuki), Mizushima Takahiro (Tsubaki Daisuke) and Ono Daisuke (Yoshida Luigi) aired between April and September 2010 on NHK.

6. Jepang Tenggelam (Nihon Chinbotsu) 15 of 15 by Komatsu Sakyou/Ishiki Tokihiko [Finale]

Nihon Chinbotsu 「日本沈没」 by Komatsu Sakyou/Ishiki Tokihiko AKA Japan Sinks Shogakukan Big Comic Spirits, seinen Volume 15 (chapters 122-130: Nihon Chinbotsu, Parts 1-9) first published in Japan 2009.02

Related
Based on the award-winning disaster novel by Komatsu Sakyou, also adapted into film and live-action TV.

7. Jio 18 of 19 by Kishimoto Seishi

Jio 「６６６～サタン～」 by Kishimoto Seishi Square Enix Shonen Gangan, shounen Volume 18 (chapters 69-72) first published in Japan 2007.10

Other languages
English O-Parts Hunter (VIZ Media: 19 volumes), French (Kurokawa: 19 volumes) and Italian (JPOP)

8. Miso-Com (30 Kon Miso-com) 11 of 13+ by Yonezawa Rika

30 Kon Miso-com 「３０婚　ｍｉｓｏ‐ｃｏｍ」 by Yonezawa Rika Kodansha Kiss, josei Volume 11 first published in Japan 2010.10

Other languages
Traditional Chinese (Tong Li: 待嫁熟女 11 per 2011.02)

9. Red River (Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori) 10 of 28 by Shinohara Chie »Not postponed

Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori 「天は赤い河のほとり」 by Shinohara Chie AKA Anatolia Story Shogakukan Sho-Comi, shoujo Volume 10 (chapter 23 and Illustration Gallery) first published in Japan 1997.08

Awards
Best Shoujo Manga, 46th Shogakukan Manga Awards (2000)

Reissues/Other languages
Reissued in 16 bunko volumes between 2006.11 and V16 2007.05
English Red River (VIZ Media: 28 volumes), Italian Anatolia Story (Editions Star Comics: 28 volumes), German (EMA/Egmont Manga and Anime), Vietnamese Dòng Sông Huyền Bí (Tre Publishing House) and traditional Chinese 赤河戀影 (Tong Li)

Adaptations
Eight drama CDs were released between 1997 and 2003.

Related
An artbook (Japan release: 1999.02.24), fanbook (2002.07.26) and a two-volume novel adaptation Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori Gaiden Ma ga Jidai no Reimei written and illustrated by Shinohara Chie-sensei (2007.05 and 2007.09)

In addition, the following novels were published under Shogakukan's Lululu Bunko Novels label: Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori Gaiden Tsuitachi no Tsuki (Japan release: 2008.10); Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori Gaiden Mayu tsuki (JP: 2010.01); and Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori Gaiden Jōgen (2010.06).

10. Shattered Knife (Oboreru Knife) 9 of 12+ by George Asakura »Not postponed

Oboreru Knife 「溺れるナイフ」 by George Asakura Kodansha Betsufure, shoujo Volume 9 first published in Japan 2010.01

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

European comics/BDs (2011.09.22)

1. [Series Premiere] Lanfeust of Troy - Gading Magohamoth (Lanfeust de Troy, Tome 1: L'ivoire du Magohamoth) by Christophe Arleston, Didier Tarquin (Soleil) »Postponed to 10.12
2. Marsupilami - Serbuk Sari Urticando (Le Marsupilami, Tome 4: Le Pollen du Monte Urticando) by Franquin, Batem, Yann (Marsu Production)

Read more »

Soul Eater 9, Dawn of The Arcana 2, Angel Heart 9 (Level Comics 3 August 2011 manga) [UPDATED]

Updated with manga covers and Level editor resources, and I still can't lead with Loki-chan and Dawn of the Arcana 2 because of Maka & Co. :P

Soul Eater © Ohkubo Atsushi/Square Enix [Serialized in Shonen Gangan]
Published in Indonesia by Elex Media/Level Comics

Showdown between SPSS and Arachnophobia on Lost Island!

To prepare for battle against the Arachnophobia Syndicate, the SPSS or the Death Weapon Meister Academy drills its students in soul resonance. But Maka, Kid and Black Star's training isn't going so well. Meanwhile, Arachnophobia is on the move to snatch Brew, the magical chaos Madogu.

Can Maka et al. succeed in synchronizing their souls' wavelengths before they have to face Arachnophobia?

Soul Eater editor Lenny-san marvels at how SPSS's best and brightest achieve Awesome! soul resonance.

Soul Eater 9 compiles chapters 32 through 35 (and the interstitial Special between chapters 32 and 33): The Corner of The Room, The Legend of the Holy Sword Special, A Class Full of Rivalry and ‘Brew’ Tempest (Parts 1 and 2). [*NOT Level's chapter titles]

Dawn of The Arcana 2 of 7+ by Toma Rei

Nakaba's words after the jousting tournament so thrills Caesar, he ditches all plans to kill his red-haired wife. For her part, Nakaba finds herself reluctantly attracted to hubby's gentle(r) side. How will Nakaba reconcile her emerging feelings for Caesar with her loyalty to Loki — Loki who plans to use Nakaba's Arcana of Time against Belquat's royal family?

Can Caesar seduce Nakaba over to his side? See for yourself in Dawn of the Arcana 2 and confirm what editor Adisti-san sez about the awkwardness between Nakaba and Caesar leaving anyone exasperated enough to Grrrr! >w< under his or her breath (at the very least), or shove Nakaba into Caesar's waiting arms to relieve the frustration. (For a Caesar × Nakaba WAFF tease, go »here.)

But enuf Caesar-centrism. I say —

Reimei no Arcana © Toma Rei/Shogakukan [Serialized in Cheese!]
Published in Indonesia as Dawn of The Arcana by Level Comics

Team Loki for-EVAH!
(He's got cute ears and an evil plan, what moar d'ya want?)

Wonder if Level plans to license the Reimei no Arcana light novel published in Japan last February? *pokes Adisti-san* :D

European comics/BDs

Le Marsupilami, tome 3:
Mars le noir
© Franquin, Batem
& Yann/Marsu Production
Published in Indonesia as
Marsupilami -
Mars Si Hitam
by Elex Media

Four ROMICs or bande dessinée release, including Franquin, Batem & Yann's Marsupilami - Mars Si Hitam that editor Adis-san notes is populated by not just your regular yellow-and-black marsupilami, but also a charcoal-furred variety ;). Mars, the Black One dubbed "The Troublemaker" faces extermination at the hands of goons hired by the company that plans to build a road through Palombi forest.

There's also Franquin's solo flight Spirou & Fantasio - Para Perompak Keheningan that includes The Quick Super aside from the Pirates of Silence title story. Fantasio, sent to Incognito City to sniff out sensational news, not only fails to locate Count Champignac, he also ends up kidnapped. But before he goes missing, he and Spirou are shocked to learn that...marsupilami can talk??

Sez Spirou editor Niken-san: We'd previously thought Marsupilami can only go ‘Houba-houba’; in this volume, we learn that the keeyoot critter has the makings of a sparkling conversationalist ^_^

(The other BDs are Jojo - Papa Pulang by André Geerts, in which Jojo and grandma trek all over France, just for Jojo to see his dad, and Lucky Luke - Dalton Bersaudara Bertobat by Morris & Goscinny, in which Luke's arch foes, the Daltons, actually...repent!?

Level Comics manga (2011.08.03)

1. Angel Heart 9 of 33 by Hojo Tsukasa

Angel Heart 「エンジェル・ハート」 by Hojo Tsukasa Coamix (Shinchosha) Comic Bunch, seinen Volume 9 first published in Japan 2003.12

Related series
City Hunter (Adapted from; 35 of 35 volumes), Angel Heart 2nd Season (sequel; one volume per 2011.03)
Reissued by Coamix under the ZENON Collection label from 2010.09 (18 volumes per 2011.05)

Other languages
French (Génération Comics and Panini Comics)

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

2. Dawn of The Arcana (Reimei no Arcana) 2 of 7+ by Toma Rei

Reimei no Arcana 「黎明のアルカナ」 by Toma Rei Shogakukan Cheese!, shoujo Volume 2 first published in Japan 2009.09

Other languages
English Dawn of the Arcana (VIZ Media: Volume 1 street date: 2011.12.06), French (Kazé Editions: L'Arcane de l'aube: Tome 2 per 2011.06 • Tome 3 street date: 2011.09.15)

Related
The Reimei no Arcana -Hajimari no Koku- 「黎明のアルカナ－始まりの刻－」 light novel was published in Japan in 2011.02 under Shogakukan's Flower Comics Lululu Novels label

3. Iliad 5 of 15 by Uoto Osamu & Toshusai Garaku

ILIAD 「イリヤッド～入矢堂見聞録～」 by Uoto Osamu & Toshusai Garaku Shogakukan Big Comics, seinen Volume 5 (8 episodes/chapters 33-40) first published in Japan in 2004.04

4. Miso-Com (30 Kon Miso-com) 10 of 13+ by Yonezawa Rika

30 Kon Miso-com 「３０婚　ｍｉｓｏ‐ｃｏｍ」 by Yonezawa Rika Kodansha Kiss, josei Volume 10 first published in Japan 2010.05

Other languages
Traditional Chinese (Tong Li: 待嫁熟女 11 per 2011.02)

5. Soul Eater 9 of 19+ by Ohkubo Atsushi

Soul Eater 「ソウルイーター」 by Ohkubo Atsushi Square Enix Shonen Gangan, shounen Volume 9 (chapters 32-25 + Special) first published in Japan 2007.05

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

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

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

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

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

6. Tokyo 23 Vol. 2 of 3 by Hashimoto Eiji and Arashida Takeshi

Tokyo23 「ＴＯＫＹＯ２３」 by Hashimoto Eiji and Arashida Takeshi Coamix (Shinchosha) Comic Bunch, seinen Volume 2 first published in Japan in 2008.12

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.

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

European comics/BDs (2011.08.03)

1. Jojo - Papa Pulang (Jojo, N°9: Le Retour de papa) by André Geerts (Dupuis)
2. Lucky Luke - Dalton Bersaudara Bertobat (Lucky Luke, tome 26: Les Dalton se rachètent) by Morris & Goscinny (Dupuis)
3. Marsupilami - Mars Si Hitam (Le Marsupilami, tome 3: Mars le noir) by Franquin, Batem & Yann (Marsu Production)
4. Petualangan Spirou & Fantasio - Para Perompak Keheningan (Spirou et Fantasio, tome 10: Les Pirates du silence) by Franquin (Dupuis)

Read more »

Love Affair 8, Half an Apple 9, Blade of Immortal 15 (Level Comics 20 April 2011 manga) [UPDATED]

Love Affair 8 and Half an Apple 9 actually tied for Most Wanted manga, but since the former continues to serialize (volume 11 released February), Kotori can has the lead.

Bokutachi wa Shitte Shimatta © Miyasaka Kaho/Shogakukan
[Serialized in Cheese!]
Published in Indonesia as Love Affair by Elex Media/Level Comics

Determined to change, Yukito takes on a part-time job to pay for his dream bike, with which he plans to pursue Kotori, now even more of a sweetie after Natsume's makeover. Thanks to Abecchi, Kotori ends up working alongside Yukito. Their relationship has nowhere to go but up, that is, until a guy who once confessed to Kotori starts working at the same place.

Now for the Really Complicated —

Half an Apple 9 of 14 by Koyama Yukari

Look straight ahead. I am not there behind you.

After learning of Shizuka's love for Amano, Hikaru decides to throw her support behind her friend. But despite striving not to rely on Amano anymore, Hikaru realizes how much he means to her. Meanwhile, Shindo, suspicious of his wife, fast approaches his limit on restraining his love for Hikaru.

What happens next!? Level asks; you know what to do to dig out the answer.

ROMICs/BDs: Boule & Bill

Roba's Boule & Bill - Terserah Bill, deh! BD also quizzes: What if Bill were a king? What's going to happen to Boule's plan to enroll his beloved dog into K-9 training? For sure there go Bill's dreams of yummy bones and a soft bed all his own.

Level Comics manga (2011.04.20)

1. Blade of Immortal (Mugen no Juunin) 15 of 27+ by Samura Hiroaki

Mugen no Juunin 「無限の住人」 by Samura Hiroaki Kodansha Afternoon, seinen Volume 15 first published in Japan 2004.01

Awards
1997 Japan Media Arts Festival Excellence Prize

Other languages
English Blade of the Immortal (Dark Horse Comics: 23 volumes per 2011.02), French (Casterman: L'habitant de l'infini tome 25 per 2010.10 • Tome 26 ships 2011.06.29), Italian (Planet Manga), German and Polish (Egmont), Portuguese (Conrad Brazil) and Swedish (Schibsted Förlagen Sverige AB; serialized in Manga Mania)

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

2. Half an Apple (1/2 no Ringo) 9 of 14 by Koyama Yukari

1/2 no Ringo 「１／２の林檎」 by Koyama Yukari Kodansha Kiss, josei Volume 9 first published in Japan 2007.12

3. Love Affair (Bokutachi wa Shitte Shimatta) 8 of 11+ by Miyasaka Kaho

Bokutachi wa Shitte Shimatta 「僕達は知ってしまった」 by Miyasaka Kaho AKA We Experienced the Affair Shogakukan Cheese!, shoujo Volume 8 first published in Japan 2009.12

4. Miso-Com (30 Kon Miso-com) 7 of 12+ by Yonezawa Rika

30 Kon Miso-com 「３０婚　ｍｉｓｏ‐ｃｏｍ」 by Yonezawa Rika Kodansha Kiss, josei Volume 7 first published in Japan 2009.02

Other languages
Traditional Chinese (Tong Li Taiwan: 待嫁熟女 11 per 2011.02)

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

European comics/BDs (2011.04.20)

• Boule & Bill - Terserah Bill, deh! (Boule et Bill, Tome 4: Système Bill) by Roba

Read more »

Soul Eater 4, Bloody Monday 2, Kyoko Karasuma's Case Files 5 (Level Comics 9 March 2011 manga) [UPDATED]

Edited because Elex postponed xxxHOLiC 12 to next week (16 March 2011 release)

Update2 Blog regular KiRai-san reports that she got xxxHOLiC 12 this week. Keeping it in the 3.16 post per the Elex STO 16 March 2011

Soul Eater © Ohkubo Atsushi/Square Enix [Serialized in Shonen Gangan]
Published in Indonesia by Elex Media/Level Comics

The witch Medusa connives to have the undying werewolf Free sprung from prison to test the black blood Soul has been infected with during the fight with Crona. Maka and Soul rout Free, but Maka later learns that she has been contaminated with Soul's black blood.

The above I think refers to Soul Eater chapters 10 and 11, The Experiment (Part 1) and The Experiment (Part 2), c/o Wikipedia (because Level's blurb simply translates Yen Press' Soul Eater, Volume 4 description and I don't want to transliterate back when there's no need). The other Soul Eater chapters are Ultimate Written Exam, the principal DWMA exam that Soul, Black Star and Kid fail and Maka aces, and Black Dragon (Part 1) andBlack Dragon (Part 2). (You know, right, that these are NOT Level's chapter titles?)

Bloody Monday 2 of 11 by Ryumon Ryou & Megumi Kouji

Fujimaru uncovers proof that Ms. Orihara was not in Russia during Christmas Eve. Meanwhile, Ryunosuke witnesses in horror as Professor Shikimura is gunned down before his eyes. The hitman Jack Damon later kidnaps Fujimaru's sister Haruka and Dr. Tominaga. With Tominaga's husband and a Third-i operative under his father, Fujimaru struggles to rescue Haruka. Does he succeed?

He does, but according to Level, there's a spy in the ranks because Haruka gets abducted again.

Kyoko Karasuma's Case Files 5 of 9+ by Hiroi Ohji & Kozaki Yusuke

The war between the Oni and humankind throws Japanese politics and the economy into chaos. Kano pushes through with the plan to make North-East Japan an Oni state. Why does Kano want to establish a country for Oni?

☆ Also, the finales of A Hint of Purple by Saito Chiho and The Hunting of The Snark by Miyabe Miyuki & Ohishi Hiroto (both series end at volume 3; previews after the manga list)

Level Comics manga and manhua (2011.03.09)

1. 3x3 Eyes 36 of 40 by Takada Yuzo

3×3 EYES 「３×３ＥＹＥＳ」 by Takada Yuzo Kodansha Weekly Young Magazine, seinen Volume 36 first published in Japan 2001.05

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

Awards
Best Shounen Manga, 1993 Kodansha Manga Awards

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

2. Bloody Monday 2 of 11 + Ver. 0 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 2 first published in 2007.09

Other languages
English Bloody Monday: Season 1 (Chuang Yi: volume 8 per 2010.08 and Kodansha Comics: Bloody Monday volume 1 street date: 2011.08.23), simplified Chinese (Chuang Yi: 11 volumes, concluded), traditional Chinese 血色星期一 (Tong Li Taiwan; 11 volumes) and French (Pika Éditions: Tome 4 per 2011.03.04)

Related series
Bloody Monday Season 2 - Zetsubou no Kou (sequel, AKA Bloody Monday Season 2 ~Pandora no Hako~, seven volumes as at 2011.03.17)

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.

3. A Hint of Purple (Honoka ni Purple) 3 of 3 by Saito Chiho [Finale]

Honoka ni Purple 「ほのかにパープル」 by Saito Chiho Shogakukan Flower Comics, shoujo Volume 3 first published in Japan 1987.04

Related series
My Knight (side story; published by Elex Media ca. 1998-1999)

4. The Hunting of The Snark (Snark Gari) 3 of 3 by Miyabe Miyuki & Ohishi Hiroto [Finale]

Snark Gari 「スナーク狩り」 by Miyabe Miyuki & Ohishi Hiroto Shinchosha Comic Bunch seinen Volume 3 first published in Japan 2009.02

Related
Based on the Snark Gari novel by Miyabe Miyuki

5. Kyoko Karasuma's Case Files (Karasuma Kyouko no Jikenbo) 5 of 9+ by Hiroi Ohji & Kozaki Yusuke

Karasuma Kyouko no Jikenbo 「烏丸響子の事件簿」 by Hiroi Ohji & Kozaki Yusuke AKA Kyoko Karasuma - Detective of the Asakusa Police Department Gentosha Comic BIRZ, seinen Volume 5 first published in Japan 2006.12

Other languages
French (Taifu Comics: Kyoko Karasuma, Inspecteur à Asakusa tome 8 per 2010.10), German (Carlsen Comics: Kyoko Karasuma: Detective of the Asakusa Police Department latest - Band 8), Russian (Comix-ART)

6. Miso-Com (30 Kon Miso-com) 6 of 12+ by Yonezawa Rika

30 Kon Miso-com 「３０婚　ｍｉｓｏ‐ｃｏｍ」 by Yonezawa Rika Kodansha Kiss, josei Volume 6 first published in Japan 2008.09

Other languages
Traditional Chinese (Tong Li Taiwan)

7. The Ravages of Time (Huo Feng Liao Yuan) 8 of 40+ by Chan Mou

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

Other languages/serializations
Simplified Chinese 火凤燎原 (Chuang Yi: volume 40 shipped 2011.02.22) and Japanese (Media Factory 三国志群雄伝　火鳳燎原 volume 9 per 2009.12; serialized in Comic Sangokushi). The manhua is also released in Mainland China, Korea, Thailand and Vietnam.

8. Soul Eater 4 of 18+ by Ohkubo Atsushi

Soul Eater 「ソウルイーター」 by Ohkubo Atsushi Square Enix Shonen Gangan, shounen Volume 4 (chapters 10-14) first published in Japan 2005.08

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

Other languages/serializations
English Soul Eater (Yen Press: five volumes per 2011.02.22 • volume 6 street date: 2011.06.28; serialized in Yen Plus), French (Kurokawa tome 14 ships 2011.03.10), German (Carlsen Comics Band 10 street date: 2011.04.22) and traditional Chinese 噬魂者 (Sharp Point Press Taiwan)

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

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

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

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

Level Comics European comics/BDs (2011.03.09)

1. Lucky Luke - Bayangan Menara Minyak (Lucky Luke, tome 18: À l'ombre des derricks) by Morris, René Goscinny
2. Yakari - Rahasia Halilintar Kecil (Yakari, tome 6: Yakari et le secret de Petit Tonnerre) by Job, Derib

Read more »

xxxHOLiC 10, Eternal Sabbath 1 by Souryo Fuyumi, Cruise 1 by Yajima Masao & Kikuta Hiroyuki (Level Comics 6 October 2010 manga)

Cruise © Yajima Masao & Kikuta Hiroyuki/Shogakukan [Serialized in Big Comic]
Published in Indonesia by Elex Media/Level Comics

Before I get to Level's manga premieres —

A tap on the back by keeyoot crush Himawari sends Watanuki diving to the ground from the school's second floor. His life is spared, however, thanks to the “payment” of three people. Who are they? And will Himawari-chan always bring Watanuki misfortune — just like Yuko sez?

Find out the answers in xxxHOLiC 10: Because it was necessary for her to enter, which—like that other CLAMP manga over on Elex's side (Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle 16)—is the top DO WANT!

NEW TITLES: Eternal Sabbath by Souryo Fuyumi and Cruise by Yajima Masao & Kikuta Hiroyuki

I am a hacker. But not your average hacker; I hack into people's brains. I read the memories the mind contains, change them, adapting them to my liking. I can pretend to be whomever I want in anybody's eyes.

A scientific experiment leaves university student Akiba Ryousuke with “ES” or the “Eternal Sabbath” gene that allows its carrier to live for up to two centuries, without falling prey to viral sickness. ES was initially conceived to prove immortality is not just theoretical, but the gene has memory alteration and mind control side effects. Ryousuke now uses these psychic powers to survive, hiding among Tokyo's masses, that is, until he runs into neurophysiologist Kujo Mine at a crime scene. Kujo recognizes Ryousuke for the ES subject that he is, and together, they pursue a fugitive also possessed of the ES gene — but one with motives less noble than Ryousuke. [From Glénat's French ES, tome 1 blurb, Wikipedia's write-up, and Del Rey's ES Vol. 1: Mind Control preview, in addition to Level's back cover blurb]

So that's the lowdown on Eternal Sabbath, half of the seinen manga Level debuts this Wednesday. Baka-Updates Manga users tag this series Psychic Powers, Experiment, Genetic Modification, Clone, ESP, Older Female Younger Male, Strong Female Lead, Romantic Subplot — a laundry list formidable enough to cater to any trope preference.

Aside from ES, Souryo Fuyumi-sensei has another Level title ongoing: the Italian Renaissance-ambienced Cesare that, unfortunately, appears to stuck on volume 2. She also created the twin-troped shoujo drama Mars.

Cruise, meanwhile, is the story of Yamada Kohei, a doctor who gives up a landlubber medical career to serve as a ship's physician, and the people he meets on board Japan's largest luxury liner, the Phoenix. He rejects a university colleague's insistence that he turn to teaching instead, preferring to stay and learn about life as it happens from the ship's passengers.

Big Comic serializes this beautifully sad human drama. One of the stories compiled in the first Cruise features a passenger suffering from terminal cancer. Only songs can lift his heart, heavy with regret. (I apologize if the snap synopsis for story 1 misses the mark; if it does, consult your nearest クルーズ　医師山田公平航海誌　１ preview.)

Author Yajima Masao-sensei also wrote SORA, a seinen manga about a crybaby flight attendant. So from airplane passengers' stories, we go to cruise ships'. Kikuta Hiroyuki-sensei, meanwhile, illustrated the Monga's Earth shounen manga published by m&c!

Level Comics manga (2010.10.06)

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

1. A Spirit of The Sun (Taiyou no Mokushiroku) 6 of 17 by Kawaguchi Kaiji

Taiyou no Mokushiroku 「太陽の黙示録」 by Kawaguchi Kaiji Shogakukan Big Comic, seinen Volume 6 (chapters 38-44) first published in Japan 2004.08

Awards
Best Seinen/General Manga, 51st Shogakukan Manga Awards
Grand Prize winner for the comic category, 10th Japan Media Arts Festival

Adaptations
Adapted into an anime special by Madhouse (two episodes)

2. [Premiere] Cruise 1 of 2+ by Yajima Masao & Kikuta Hiroyuki

Cruise 「クルーズ　医師山田公平航海誌」 by Yajima Masao & Kikuta Hiroyuki Shogakukan Big Comic, seinen Volume 1 first published in Japan 2008.10

Volume 1 contains chapters:
1 Starting from song request cards
2 Sail, always a new mind set
3 A quiet storm of the month
4 Everyday life held in hydrangeas
5 Learn about our souls from work
6 Paper airplane dream
7 Sea, like a flower bloom
8 Nurse encounter
*NOT Level chapter titles (mechanically translated from the Japanese)

3. [Premiere] Eternal Sabbath (ES) 1 of 8 by Souryo Fuyumi

ES 「ＥＳ」 by Souryo Fuyumi Kodansha Morning, seinen Volume 1 first published in Japan 2002.02

Other languages
English ES (Del Rey; eight volumes), French (Glénat; eight volumes), Italian (Editions Star Comics)

Reissues
Re-released in five bunko volumes (2006.10 - 2007.02)

4. K2 volume 3 of 13+ by Mafune Kazuo

K2 「Ｋ２」 by Mafune Kazuo Kodansha Evening, seinen Volume 3 first published in Japan 2005.10

5. Miso-Com (30 Kon Miso-com) 4 of 11+ by Yonezawa Rika

30 Kon Miso-com 「３０婚　ｍｉｓｏ‐ｃｏｍ」 by Yonezawa Rika Kodansha Kiss, josei Volume 4 first published in Japan 2007.09

Other languages
Traditional Chinese (Tong Li Taiwan)

6. Psychometrist Eiji (Psychometrer Eiji) 15 of 25 by Ando Yuma & Asaki Masashi

Psychometrer Eiji 「サイコメトラーＥＩＪＩ」 by Ando Yuma¹ & Asaki Masashi Kodansha Weekly Shonen Magazine, shounen Volume 15 first published in Japan 1999.02

Other languages
French Psychometrer Eiji (Kana/Dargaud; 25 volumes), simplified Chinese (Chuang Yi Singapore; as 感应少年 Eiji), traditional Chinese (Tong Li)

Reissues
Re-released in 12 bunko volumes (2003.06 to 2003.11)

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. xxxHOLiC 10 of 18+ by CLAMP

xxxHOLiC 「×××ＨＯＬｉＣ」 by CLAMP Kodansha Young Magazine, seinen Volume 10 (chapters 59-64) first published in Japan 2006.11

Other languages
English xxxHOLiC (Del Rey; volume 15 per 2010.03 • volume 16 street date: 2010.10.26), French (Pika Édition; tome 16 ships 2010.10.20), Spanish (Norma Editorial Spain and Grupo Editorial Vid Mexico), Italian (Star Comics), German (Egmont), Swedish (Bonnier Carlsen), Portuguese (JBC Brazil)

Adaptations
A 24-episode anime adaptation by Production I.G aired from April to September 2006 in Japan, followed by a 13-episode sequel xxxHOLiC: Kei (2008.04 to 2008.06) and a two-episode OAD xxxHOLiC: Shunmuki (2009.02 to 2009.06). The xxxHOLiC Rō OAD shipped 23 April 2010, along with manga volume 17.

A theatrical film adaptation xxxHOLiC the Movie: A Midsummer Night's Dream premiered in Japan before the first anime season (2005.08.20). The movie was a Feature Films finalist in the 2006 Annecy International Animated Film Festival, but lost out to the France/UK/Luxembourg production Renaissance.

Seiyuu Fukuyama Jun and Ohara Sayaka play the roles of Watanuki Kimihiro and Ichihara Yuko in all adaptations.

Related
Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle (crossover) · xxxHoLic: ANOTHERHOLiC Landolt-Ring Aerosol by NisiOisiN (Novel; side story) · Soel to Larg: Mokona=Modoki no Bouken (Novel; side story)

At least three official fanbooks have been released in Japan: Gekijōban ×××HOLiC Official Fanbook (2005.08.17) · TV Animation ×××HOLiC Extra Official Guide (2006.05.17) · Shinpan ×××HOLiC Dokuhon (2006.11.17)

Level Comics European comics (2010.10.06)

• Spirou dan Fantasio di Tokyo (Spirou et Fantasio, tome 49: Spirou à Tokyo: Le ronin de Yoyogi) by José-Luis Munuera and Jean-David Morvan (Dupuis SA; 2006.09.14)

¹ Sources: Elex STO 6 October 2010 (release schedule) and Komikologi and/or Gramedia Shop (synopses, unless indicated otherwise)
² Manga are priced at IDR 18,500 each except Eternal Sabbath 1 (SRP: IDR 20,000). Spirou dan Fantasio di Tokyo is priced at IDR 38,000/volume.
³ Links like this are commercial Amazon search and/or product links (other language versions).

Volume previews continued

A Spirit of the Sun 6 of 17 by Kawaguchi Kaiji

Munakata Misao, the Japanese youth whose future radically changed after Japan split into north and south, draws the attention of Rockwell who then sends Misao to Harvard for further studies. Ten years hence, Misao returns to a government position as Rockwell's right-hand man.

But even before the cataclysm, Misao has envisioned rebuilding Japan. Rockwell disapproves of Misao's dream, forcing Misao to initiate moves to establish a new nation, one free from Chinese or American control. Little does Misao know that America has possession of a document written by Dr. Morimura; the document details the energy “M Resources” that could bring about a new world order.

What fate awaits Japan? Status quo? Revolution? Or restoration?

K2 vol 3 of 13+ by Mafune Kazuo

National treasure, kabuki artist Nakagawa Zenjuro, stands to lose his sole heir when his grandchild has to undergo a cardiac transplant. The child's mother is prepared to become a donor, but she herself suffers from heart valve disease. What other choices are open for Dr. K?

Miso-com 4 of 11+ by Yonezawa Rika

After deciding marriage to boyfriend Hayato, Emi learns the difference between just being in a relationship and being wed. She likewise understands why passive women don't make it to the altar. But will the knowledge help her realize her dream of marrying Hayato?

Psychometrist Eiji 15 of 25 by Ando Yuma & Asaki Masashi

Eiji and Ryoko go after former police inspector Todoroki Shogo, the man responsible for the serial teen murders. But Ryoko's shared past with Todoroki, who resorted to vigilante vengeance after his granddaughter's suicide, only muddies up the investigation.

UP NEXT: m&c! 6 October 2010 manga

m&c!: White Paper Ark 7 of 7 · Lovers In Paris by Akimoto Nami · Welcome to Rakuan-Inn by Minami Sachi · Dawn Aria 6 · School Baby by Shibano Yuka · Cyboy 1 by Nishikata Mai · Sandwich Girl 3

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.

other upcoming manga (10 October 2010 street date)

Elex Media: Detektif Conan 20 +Plus Super Digest Book · New Legenda Naga 6 · Crayon Shinchan - Mari Mengenal Serangga by Usui Yoshito · Tsuba Kiyo - 28K4 volume 1 by Hara Asumi · Ruler of the Land 49 · Fairy Tail 8 · Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle 16 · BECK 22 · Dr. Koto 2 · Ogawa & Team Saito 2 · Sanzoku Ou: King of Bandits 4 · Sora, The Wingless Duck 18 · Tena on S String 3 · Spiral: The Bonds Of Reason 7 · Penguin Revolution 7 of 7 · Tokkyu! 15 · A Story of Heroes 32 · Kaiser Z 16 of 16

currently available manga (29 September 2010 street date)

• Elex Media: Angin Musim Gugur (Deluxe) by Hikawa Kyoko · Detektif Conan Special 33 · Yakitate!! Japan 18 · Dear Boys Act.3 vol. 4 · Vampire Knight 4 · Rakka Ryuusui 2 · Wild Life 9 · Hell Girl 8 · Kurozakuro 6 · Legend of The Cursed Sword 32 · Shonen Star 73/2010 · Shonen Magz 77/2010
• Level Comics: Fight!! Ippo 78 · The Duke and I by Hara Chieko · Love & Collage 11 · Love Affair 6 · Priest 9 · Aflame Inferno 3 · New Comic Bomber 4 · Gun Smith Cats 6 · Haruka 17 vol. 9
• m&c!: Sugar Family 4 · Shanimuni GO 31 · Jun x Ai Sensation 3 · Anemone Flower Shop by Minami Maki · Sky Blue Beach 1 by Yamada Nanpei · Shimokita Sundays by Katsuma Ayahito/Ishida Ira · Yowamushi Pedal, Go! 9 · You Are My Wing by Kitagawa Yuka · Rasetsu's Flower 7 · A Badboy Drinks Tea! 9 · Lady and the Sea 1 by Abiko Miwa · Female Wolf's Boy 5 · Confucius 4 · Cherry 47/2010

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 · Baka-Updates Manga · 7net Shopping · Amazon France · ANN

Technorati tags

Level Comics · manga · ROMIC (BD) · josei · seinen · shounen · A Spirit of the Sun (Taiyou no Mokushiroku) · Cruise · Eternal Sabbath · K2 · Miso-com · Psychometrist Eiji · Spirou et Fantasio · xxxHOLiC