The Bride's Stories 2, Hikayat Genji 10, Hellsing 7 (Level Comics 6 July 2011 manga)

Also, the finale to Kubonouchi Eisaku's Chocolat (volume 7)

Otoyome-Gatari © Mori Kaoru/Enterbrain
[Serialized in Fellows!]
Published in Indonesia as The Bride's Stories by Elex Media

Despite rejection of their request, the Hargal family envoys insist on forcing Amira to exchange her young husband for another. Fortunately, Smith manages to divert the Hargals' attention and protect Karluk and Amira's marriage. Still, with a land deal on the line, a feud between the two families is inevitable and the Ayhan family might not be able to stop Amira leaving.

Bride's Stories editor Lenny-san worries about the threat to Karluk and Amira's domestic harmony in the second volume, but distracts herself with studying the specifications and significance of embroidery for Persian women of the time. Me? I'm not reading, but if I were, I'd hang on to how Yen Press' A Bride's Story, Vol. 2 describes Karluk's love for his bride: a force to be reckoned with. ^^

Chocolat 7 of 7 by Kubonouchi Eisaku

Chiyoko is thrown into a tizzy by the sudden appearance of her real father, but her reluctance to let her father live alone makes up her mind. On the day of her departure, however, Inamushi's hired killer confronts Ichigo.

Chocolat's editor reveals that the climax and ending are so addictive, it makes you want to reread from volume 1 ^_^

Level Comics manga (2011.07.06)

1. The Bride's Stories (Otoyome-Gatari) 2 of 3+ by Mori Kaoru

Otoyome-Gatari 「乙嫁語り」 by Mori Kaoru Enterbrain Fellows!, seinen Volume 2 first published in Japan 2010.06

Awards
Nominee, 4th Manga Taisho awards (2011), along with I am a Hero by Hanazawa Kengo; March comes in like a lion by Umino Chika (award winner); Hana no Zubora-Meshi by Kusumi Masayuki, Mizusawa Etsuko; Un chocolatier de l'amour perdu by Mizushiro Setona and eight other manga

Other languages
English A Bride's Story (Yen Press: one volume per 2011.05 • volume 2 street date: 2011.10.25) and traditional Chinese (Kadokawa Media Taiwan: 姊嫁物語 2 per 2010.10)

2. Chocolat 7 of 7 by Kubonouchi Eisaku [Finale]

Chocolat 「ショコラ」 by Kubonouchi Eisaku Shogakukan Big Comic Spirits, seinen Volume 7 (10 episodes/chapters 64-73) first published in Japan 2003.10

Other languages
Traditional Chinese 流氓蛋糕店 (Tong Li: seven volumes per 2004.07)

Adaptations
Live-action adaptation starring Otsuka Chihiro, Natsuyagi Isao, Takahashi Kazuya and Ishii Teruyuki aired in Japan from May to July 2003

3. Hellsing 7 of 10 by Hirano Kohta

Hellsing 「ＨＥＬＬＳＩＮＧ」 by Hirano Kohta Shonen Gahosha Young King Ours, seinen Volume 7 (chapters 48-57) first published in Japan 2004.12

Other languages
English Hellsing (Dark Horse Comics: 10 volumes and Chuang Yi; 10 volumes), French (Tonkam, 10 volumes), Italian (Dynit), German (Planet Manga), Polish (Japonica Polonica Fantastica) and Denmark and Sweden (Mangismo)

Related series
Hellsing: The Dawn (prequel; serialized in Young King Ours special editions, six chapters as at 2008.09, on hiatus)

Adaptations
A 13-episode anime adaptation by Gonzo aired on Fuji TV from October 2001 to January 2002, starring seiyuu Nakata Jouji (Alucard), Orikasa Fumiko (Seras Victoria) and Sakakibara Yoshiko (Sir Integra Hellsing). A Hellsing Ultimate OAV (starring the same voice cast) premiered in Japan in January 2006 and as of December 2009, seven episodes have been released. The first four episodes were produced by Satelight, with Madhouse taking over as of OAV V. Hellsing VIII is slated for a 27 July 2011 release.

4. Hikayat Genji (Asakiyumemishi) 10 of 13 by Yamato Waki

Asakiyumemishi 「あさきゆめみし」 by Yamato Waki Kodansha Mimi, shoujo Volume 10 first published in Japan 1990.01

Related
Adapted from Genji Monogatari by Murasaki Shikibu

Other languages
English (Kodansha Bilingual Comics; partial)

5. Iliad 4 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 4 (8 episodes/chapters 25-32) first published in Japan in 2003.11

6. Jepang Tenggelam! (Nihon Chinbotsu) 14 of 15 by Komatsu Sakyou/Ishiki Tokihiko

Nihon Chinbotsu 「日本沈没」 by Komatsu Sakyou/Ishiki Tokihiko AKA Japan Falling, Japan Sinks Shogakukan Big Comic Spirits, seinen Volume 14 (chapters 113-121: Sinking country 1-9) first published in Japan 2009.01

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

7. K2 volume 8 of 15+ by Mafune Kazuo

K2 「Ｋ２」 by Mafune Kazuo Kodansha Evening, seinen Volume 8 first published in Japan 2008.02

8. Lost Man 2 of 12+ by Kusaba Michiteru

Lost Man 「ＬＯＳＴ　ＭＡＮ」 by Kusaba Michiteru Shogakukan Young Sunday (later moved to Big Comic Spirits after 31 July 2008), shounen Volume 2 (chapters 9-18) first published in Japan 2008.09

9. New Comic Bomber (Shin Hoero Pen) 7 of 11 by Shimamoto Kazuhiko

Shin Hoero Pen 「新吼えろペン」 by Shimamoto Kazuhiko AKA New Be Growl, Pen Shogakukan Sunday GX, seinen Volume 7 (chapters 24-27) first published in Japan 2007.04

Related series
Burning Pen and Comic Bomber (prequels)

10. Rainbow 22 of 22 by Abe George & Kakizaki Masasumi [Finale]

Rainbow - Nisha Rokubō no Shichinin 「ＲＡＩＮＢＯＷ　二舎六房の七人」 by Abe George & Kakizaki Masasumi Shogakukan Big Comic Spirits, seinen Volume 22 first published in Japan 2010.02

Awards
Best Seinen/General Manga, 51st Shogakukan Manga Awards (2005), tied with Kawaguchi Kaiji's A Spirit of the Sun

Other languages
French (Kazé Editions: Rainbow: Nisha Rokubou no Shichinin tome 17 shipped 2011.04 • tome 18 street date: 2011.07.13) and traditional Chinese (Sharp Point Press: RAINBOW少年犯罪檔案 22 per 2011.05.23)

Adaptations
A 26-episode anime adaptation by Madhouse, starring Oguri Shun (Minakami Mario), Kanjiya Shihori (Setsuko), Koyama Rikiya (Sakuragi Rokurouta/An-chan), Park Romi (Maeda Noboru AKA Suppon/Turtle), Fujiwara Keiji (Nomoto Ryuuji/Baremoto or Scam), Waki Tomohiro (Matsuura Mansaku/Cabbage), Kuroda Takaya (Tooyama Tadayoshi/Heitai or Soldier) and Hasome Tatsuya (Yokosuka Jou/Joe), aired in Japan between April and September 2010.

11. Tomo'o (Danchi Tomoo) 12 of 18+ by Oda Tobira

Danchi Tomoo 「団地ともお」 by Oda Tobira Shogakukan Big Comic Spirits, seinen Volume 12 first published in Japan 2008.08

Recognitions
Nominated for the 11th Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize

12. Yokohama Chinatown Fantasy (Kachuu Hana) 6 of 14+ by Nishi Yuuji & Hikino Shinji

Kachuu Hana 「華中華」 by Nishi Yuuji & Hikino Shinji AKA Central China Blossom Shogakukan Big Comic, seinen Volume 6 (eight episodes/stories 36-43) first published in Japan 2008.07

European comics/BDs (2011.07.06)

1. Boule & Bill - Geng Bill (Boule et Bill: La bande à Bill) by Verron, Roba (Dargaud)
2. Johan & Pirlouit - Negeri Terkutuk (Johan et Pirlouit, tome 12: Le pays maudit) by Peyo (Dupuis)
3. Marsupilami - Bayi dari Ujung Dunia (Le Marsupilami, tome 2: Le Bébé du bout du monde) by Batem, Greg, André Franquin (Dupuis)
4. Spirou & Sang Ahli Waris (Spirou et Fantasio, tome 4: Spirou et les héritiers) by Franquin (Dupuis) »Ex-6.22
5. Yakari - Yakari dan Burung Salju (Yakari, tome 18: L'Oiseau de neige) by Derib, Job, Dominique (Le Lombard)

Read more »

Bambino 11, The Bride's Stories 1 by Mori Kaoru, Ice Forest 6 (Level Comics 11 May 2011 manga) [UPDATED]

Level babbled a lot, too; I'm just following the standard. *straight face*

Otoyome-Gatari © Mori Kaoru/Enterbrain
[Serialized in Fellows!]
Published in Indonesia as The Bride's Stories by Elex Media

Bambino!, you already won an award, so give way to The Bride's Stories, nominated for the fourth Manga Taisho awards. The series (which lost to Umino Chika's March comes in like a lion by 20 points) premieres 11 May.

Married couple Karluk Ayhan and Amira Hargal are separated in age by eight years: Amira is 20 years old and Karluk, 12. They live together with Karluk's family. Their harmonious relationship is disturbed by Amira's brother and cousin who descend upon the couple, intending to take Amira home.

What's behind their decision?

Not that Mori Kaoru-sensei needs any more hyping (*cough*Emma*cough*), but if name-dropping alone doesn't convince, editor Lenny-san rapturizes over this tribal historical romance, her favorite comic right now >.< for the Amira × Karluk thweetness she claims induces melting, gripping inter-clan conflict and Awesome! super-detailed art. (See the preview on the right. Don't you agree that that such ornateness, also evident on the cover, is delish? There's more 19th century Silk Road/Central Eurasian/Persian pretties, but you will have to visit Level's fesbuk for further droolage.)

And moar more: the hero(ine) or the eponymous Bride is a consummate archer and rider. Aside from Age Gap, Arranged Marriage, Older Female Younger Male, Baka-Updates Manga associates the seinen manga with Mono no Aware—what Wiki describes as the awareness of the transience of things, and wistfulness at their passing—the term first applied to the literary classic Genji Monogatari. I personally think The Bride's Stories radiates the same vibes as Red River, and I'm not the only one to think so.

☆ I preview the other debut—Karakuri Circus by Fujita Kazuhiro—an equally intriguing new series (how would you like it if death awaits should you fail to make people laugh?) After The Cut. Why? Because Bene! tied with The Bride's Stories as #1 GET!

Bambino! 11 of 15 by Sekiya Tetsuji

Ban is promoted pasta chief of a Trattoria Baccanale branch. Before he can take up his new post, however, he and Asuka first have to train at a restaurant owned by Chef Tekkan's buddy in New York. They get to the Big Apple safely, but minutes from landing are cheated out of hundreds of dollars. Furthermore, largely monolingual Ban becomes the butt of jokes and pranks by the other staff.

Editor Sina-san highlights the b(^o^)d charm point of this here Bambino! tank: non-English fluent, first-timer Ban's “interesting times” in New York and how he deals.

Level Comics manga (2011.05.11)

1. Bambino! 11 of 15 by Sekiya Tetsuji

Bambino! 「バンビ～ノ！」 by Sekiya Tetsuji Shogakukan Big Comic Spirits, seinen Volume 11 (chapters 110-120) first published in Japan 2008.02

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

Related series
Bambino! Secondo (sequel; six volumes per 2011.02.26)

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. [Series Premiere] The Bride's Stories (Otoyome-Gatari) 1 of 2+ by Mori Kaoru

Otoyome-Gatari 「乙嫁語り」 by Mori Kaoru Enterbrain Fellows!, seinen Volume 1 first published in Japan 2009.10

Awards
Nominee, 4th Manga Taisho awards (2011), along with I am a Hero by Hanazawa Kengo; March comes in like a lion by Umino Chika (award winner); Hana no Zubora-Meshi by Kusumi Masayuki, Mizusawa Etsuko; Un chocolatier de l'amour perdu by Mizushiro Setona and eight other manga

Other languages
English A Bride's Story (Yen Press: volume 1 per 2011.05.31 • volume 2 street date: 2011.10.25) and traditional Chinese (Kadokawa Media Taiwan: 姊嫁物語 2 per 2010.10)

3. Giant Killing 3 of 19+ by Tsunamoto Masaya & Tsujitomo

Giant Killing 「ＧＩＡＮＴ　ＫＩＬＬＩＮＧ」 by Tsunamoto Masaya & Tsujitomo Kodansha Morning, seinen Volume 3 first published in Japan 2007.10

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.

4. Half an Apple (1/2 no Ringo) 10 of 14 by Koyama Yukari

1/2 no Ringo 「１／２の林檎」 by Koyama Yukari Kodansha Kiss, josei Volume 10 first published in Japan 2008.04

5. Homunculus 10 of 15 by Yamamoto Hideo

Homunculus 「 ホムンクルス 」 by Yamamoto Hideo Shogakukan Big Comic Spirits, seinen Volume 10 first published in Japan 2009.08

6. Ice Forest 6 of 9+ by Saito Chiho

Ice Forest 「 アイスフォレスト 」 by Saito Chiho Shogakukan Flowers, josei Volume 6 first published in Japan 2009.12

7. Jio 15 of 19 by Kishimoto Seishi

Jio 「６６６～サタン～」 by Kishimoto Seishi Square Enix Shonen Gangan, shounen Volume 15 first published in Japan 2006.10

Volume 15 chapters:
57. Break In!
58. Everyone's Fight
59. Magic Trick
60. Miko's Truth
*NOT Level Comics' titles

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

8. [Series Premiere] Karakuri Circus 1 of 43 by Fujita Kazuhiro

Karakuri Circus 「からくりサーカス」 by Fujita Kazuhiro Shogakukan Shonen Sunday, shounen Volume 1 (chapters 1-8) first published in Japan 1997.12

9. Psychometrist Eiji (Psychometrer Eiji) 20 of 25 by Ando Yuma & Asaki Masashi

Psychometrer Eiji 「サイコメトラーＥＩＪＩ」 by Ando Yuma & Asaki Masashi Kodansha Weekly Shonen Magazine, shounen Volume 20 first published in Japan 1999.12

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

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.

10. Shadow Skill 3 of 7+ by Okada Megumu

Shadow Skill 「ＳＨＡＤＯＷ　ＳＫＩＬＬ」 by Okada Megumu Kodansha Afternoon, seinen Volume 3 first published in Japan 2003.12

Adaptations
Studio DEEN's 26-episode anime adaptation, starring seiyuu Matsuoka Akio (Gau Ban) and Hayashibara Megumi (Elle Lagu), aired in Japan from July to December 1998. Four OAVs preceded the series (four episodes released between 1995 and 1996).

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

European comics/ROMICs (2011.05.11)

1. Boule & Bill - Kau Ingat, Bill? by Roba
2. Jojo - Louis Gendut Operasi by André Geerts
3. [New] Tanguy & Laverdure - Demi Kehormatan by Charlier, Uderzo
4. [Series Premiere] Tanguy & Laverdure - Pendidikan Para Elang by Charlier, Uderzo
5. Yakari - Yakari dan Pagar Api by Derib & Job

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