Alice Academy 16, Natane 1 Deluxe by Adachi Mitsuru, Yozakura Quartet 1 by Yasuda Suzuhito (Elex Media 18 August 2011 manga) [UPDATED]

Updated with blurbs, artwork and NikBabble™

So this is Elex's second release for the third week of August. Per advised, the coming Idul Fitri holiday presents us with 2×skeds. Expect another twice-weekly in September after the Lebaran hiatus.

Yozakura Shijuusou ~Yozakura Quartet~ © Yasuda Suzuhito/Kodansha
[Serialized in Shonen Sirius]
Published in Indonesia as Yozakura Quartet by Elex Media

Aside from Yozakura Quartet above (the solo flight work of Durarara!! and Kamisama Kazoku light novel illustrator Yasuda Suzuhito), Elex reissues Natane—Adachi Mitsuru's Nijiiro Togarashi AKA Rainbow-Colored Chili Powder—in bunko. (Hello, IDR 24,000 price tag.)

The Yozakura Quartet AKA Nighttime Cherry Blossom Quartet consists of Akina, Hime, Ao and Kotoha— teenaged guardians of Sakurashin, a town that reckons human and youkai of Japanese folklore in its population head count. (Still a contemporary fantasy, assures Baka-Updates Manga, but you might've known that already if you followed the anime.)

Meanwhile, also eponymous Natane is the beautiful but ferocious half-sister of Shichimi who moves to Karakuri village on the outskirts of Edo (yup, historical ninja/samurai story) after his mom passes away. Natane is just one of Shichimi's eccentric sibs: the others are genius Chinpi, mischief-prone youngest Shansho, formidable monk Keshi, rakugoka Goma and eldest Asa who's made a career of wandering to parts unknown.

Completing the debut circle are Kojiro, the kanji-nescient, blond, blue-eyed surfer dude star of Muraeda Kenichi's 1990s-vintage shounen manga, ‘kin’ (which is the spin-off here?) to the currently-serialized Imouto Sensei Nagisa AKA Hot for my samurai teacher! and lest I forget — the 3, 2, 1, GO...Shoot-OH! Metal Fight Beyblade by Adachi Takafumi. [Previews resume after the cut.]

Shonen Star 15/2011 ☆ Appearance of the Yellow Dragon

[Yellow Dragon ga Arawareta!]
© Tamura Mitsuhisa/Shogakukan
[First serialized in
Shonen Sunday Super and
Club Sunday]
Published in Indonesia as
Appearance of the Yellow Dragon
by Elex Media

Tamura Mitsuhisa's Appearance of the Yellow Dragon appears for the last time in Shonen Star 15/2011. The rescue of Kimidori and Moegi gears up; Anji, do your best in the finale of Appearance of the Yellow Dragon!

Dunno what replaces Yellow Dragon ga Arawareta!—Ohtaka Shinobu's Magi doesn't even appear on the cover roll—but for sure these Shonen Sunday serials are present: ARAGO by Arai Takahiro, Defense Devil by Youn InWan & Yang KyungIl, The World God Only Knows by Wakaki Tamiki, Wild Life by Fujisaki Masato, My First Mr. Akuno by Fujiki Syun, D-LIVE!! by Minagawa Ryouji, Inuyasha by Takahashi Rumiko, Detektif Conan by Aoyama Gosho, Kekkaishi by Tanabe Yellow, Dr. Koto by Yamada Takatoshi and Takkoku!!! by Fukuchi Tsubasa.

The next issue is skedded for 14 September.

Latest volume compilations
If you're interested in the latest tankou of these ShoStars, Wild Life 19 released 10 August, as did Dr. Koto 6 and Defense Devil 5. Detektif Conan 63, Kekkaishi 8 and My First Mr. Akuno 5 streeted last 15 August. Inuyasha 53 came out 13 July and Takkoku!!! 2 followed a week later (20 July).

Elex Media manga (2011.08.18)

1. Absolute Peace Strategy (Zettai Heiwa Daisakusen) 3 of 4 by Ogura Akane

Zettai Heiwa Daisakusen 「絶対平和大作戦」 by Ogura Akane Hakusensha LaLa DX, shoujo Volume 3 (chapters 10-14 + Extra) first published in Japan 2010.04

2. Alice Academy (Gakuen Alice) 16 of 25+ by Higuchi Tachibana

Gakuen Alice 「学園アリス」 by Higuchi Tachibana Hakusensha Hana to Yume, shoujo Volume 16 (Story 89-94) first published in Japan 2008.07

Other languages/Serializations
English Gakuen Alice (TOKYOPOP: 16 volumes per 2011.04; as at May 2011, no North American publisher has picked up the license), French (Glénat: L'académie Alice Tome 22 shipped 2011.06 • Tome 23 street date: 2011.08.24), German (Carlsen Comics: latest Band 13 • Band 14 street date: 2012.01.30; serialized in Daisuki), Spanish (Glénat Espagne: Alice Escuela de Magia, latest volume 19), traditional Chinese (Ever Glory Taiwan: 學園愛麗絲 22 per 2011.08.12). Previously serialized in the Indonesian HanaLaLa (discontinued).

Adaptations
Aniplex and Group TAC's 26-episode anime adaptation, starring seiyuu Ueda Kana (Sakura Mikan), Park Romi (Hyuuga Natsume), Kugimiya Rie (Imai Hotaru) and Yasuda Miwa (Nogi Ruka), aired in Japan on NHK BS-2 from October 2004 to May 2005. Animax Asia's initial telecast ran from March to May 2006.

The anime cast also recorded dramas first broadcast on web radio. Sony Music Entertainment released Gakuen Alice Love Potion Chuiho, the first web radio CD recording, in January 2006. The second and third radio CDs Gakuen Alice Mono Wasure Machine and Gakuen Alice Chocolate Holic followed in February and March of the same year.

Related
An official Gakuen Alice Fanbook (released 2007.05), a special Pika Pika SP Fanbook given away as a Hana to Yume furoku and the Gakuen Alice 25. 5 Koushiki Fanbook scheduled for 2011.09.20.

3. Animal Doctor (Doubutsu no Oishasan) 8 of 12 by Sasaki Noriko

Doubutsu no Oishasan 「動物のお医者さん」 by Sasaki Noriko AKA Mr. Veterinarian Hakusensha Hana to Yume, shoujo Volume 8 first published in Japan 1992.07

Reissues/Other languages
Reissued in eight bunkoban between 1995.12 and 1996.06
Traditional Chinese Ai Xin Dong Wu Yi Yuan (Tong Li Taiwan; 12 volumes)

4. Blooming Youth (Hanasakeru Seishounen) 5 of 12 by Itsuki Natsumi

Hanasakeru Seishounen 「花咲ける青少年」 by Itsuki Natsumi Hakusensha LaLa and LaLa DX, shoujo Volume 5 first published in Japan 1991.08

Reissues/Other languages
Reissued in six aizōban from 2009.02 to 2009.03
Traditional Chinese 天國少女 (Tong Li, 12 volumes)

Related series
One-shot sequel (Melody 27 June 2009) and Hanasakeru Seishounen: Tokubetsuhen (one volume per 2011.03)

Adaptations
A 39-episode anime adaptation by Studio Pierrot, starring seiyuu Endo Aya (Kajika Louisa Kugami Burnsworth), Morikawa Toshiyuki (Huang Li-Ren), Ono Daisuke (Eugene Alexandr De Volkan), Namikawa Daisuke (Rumaty Ivan Di Raginei) and Fukuyama Jun (Carl Rosenthal) that aired between April 2009 and February 2010 on NHK, and at least two stage adaptations, the first premiering 29 September 2010 in Tokyo

5. Global Garden 8 of 8 by Hiwatari Saki [Finale]

Global Garden 「ＧＬＯＢＡＬ　ＧＡＲＤＥＮ」 by Hiwatari Saki Hakusensha Hana to Yume, shoujo Volume 8 first published in Japan 2005.03

6. Hitohira 6 of 7 by Kirihara Idumi

Hitohira 「ひとひら」 by Kirihara Idumi Futabasha Comic High!, seinen Volume 6 first published in Japan 2008.12

Other languages
English Hitohira (Aurora Publishing: three volumes/hiatus) and traditional Chinese (Ever Glory 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...!! (two volumes per 2011.08.11)

Adaptations
XEBEC M2's 12-episode anime adaptation, 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.

7. [Series Premiere] Kojiro 1 of 7 by Muraeda Kenichi

Kojiro 「光路郎」 by Muraeda Kenichi Shogakukan Shonen Sunday Comics, shounen Volume 1 first published in Japan 1991.04

Reissues
Rereleased in four wide-ban from 1999.03 to 1999.09 and in four bunkoban from 2010.04 to 2010.07

Related series
Imouto Sensei Nagisa AKA Hot for my samurai teacher! (ongoing serialization in Monthly Shonen Sunday)

8. [Series Premiere] Metal Fight Beyblade 1 of 9+ by Adachi Takafumi

Metal Fight Beyblade 「メタルファイト　ベイブレード」 by Adachi Takafumi AKA Beyblade: Metal Fusion Shogakukan CoroCoro Comic, shounen Shinsōban volume 1 (chapters 1-4 and 0) first published in Japan 2009.03

Related
Spin-off of the original Beyblade anime series

Adaptations
Tatsunoko Pro, Synergy SP and Nelvana collaborated on a Metal Fight Beyblade anime adaptation. Fifty-one episodes comprising Season 1 and the follow-up Battle Bladers aired on TV Tokyo from April 2009 to March 2010.

The Metal Fight Beyblade VS the Sun - The Movie: Sol Blaze, the Scorching-hot Invader animated feature premiered in Japan in August 2010.

9. Mokke 4 of 9 by Kumakura Takatoshi

Mokke 「もっけ」 by Kumakura Takatoshi Kodansha Afternoon, seinen Volume 4 first published in Japan 2005.03

10. [Premiere] Natane 1 of 6 Deluxe (Nijiiro Togarashi) by Adachi Mitsuru

Nijiiro Togarashi (bunko) 「虹色とうがらし　(小学館文庫)」 by Adachi Mitsuru Shogakukan Shonen Sunday, shounen Bunko volume 1 first published in Japan 2002.06

11. New Kobochan (Shin Kobo-chan) 9 of 21+ by Ueda Masashi

Shin Kobo-chan 「新コボちゃん」 by Ueda Masashi Houbunsha Manga Time Comics, seinen/4-koma Volume 9 first published in Japan 2007.02

12. Topeng Kaca 16 of 24+ Deluxe (Glass no Kamen) by Miuchi Suzue

Glass no Kamen 「ガラスの仮面　白泉社文庫」 by Miuchi Suzue Hakusensha Bessatsu Hana to Yume, shoujo Bunko volume 16 first published in Japan 1994.12

Related
Glass no Kamen tankoubon (47 volumes per 2011.07.26)

The Glass Mask Comic Fanbook was released in Japan 2010.09 under the Hana to Yume Comics Special label.

Adaptations
Three anime series and two live-action drama seasons

13. [Series Premiere] Yozakura Quartet (Yozakura Shijuusou ~Yozakura Quartet~) 1 of 10+ by Yasuda Suzuhito

Yozakura Shijuusou ~Yozakura Quartet~ 「夜桜四重奏　ヨザクラカルテット」 by Yasuda Suzuhito Kodansha Shonen Sirius, shounen Volume 1 first published in Japan 2006.09

Other languages
English Yozakura Quartet (Del Rey: five volumes per 2009.09), traditional Chinese (Sharp Point Press Taiwan: 夜櫻四重奏 7 per 2011.07 • Volume 8 street date: 2011.09.01)

Adaptations
A 12-episode anime produced by Nomad, starring seiyuu Kaji Yuuki (Hiizumi Akina), Fukuen Misato (Yarizakura Hime), Fujita Saki (Nanami Ao) and Sawashiro Miyuki (Isone Kotoha), aired from October to December 2008, followed by the Yozakura Quartet ~Hoshi no Umi~ OAVs (two DVDs released October 2010 and April 2011; the third is scheduled for 2011.09.09)

Related
Shooting Star Carnaval Side: Yozakura Quarter Yasuda Suzuhito Illustrations artbook (published in Japan 2011.06)

Mangazines (2011.08.18)

• Shonen Star 15/2011 (Indonesian Shonen Sunday)

Read more »

Soul Eater 6, XBlade 3, Magister Negi Magi 25 (Level Comics 4 May 2011) [UPDATED]

Finally!

Also, omitted the Johan & Pirlouit - Seruling Enam Smurf BD from this list. It reskeds to the 18th.

XBlade © Ida Tatsuhiko & Shiki Satoshi/Kodansha
[Serialized in Shonen Sirius]
Published in Indonesia by Elex Media/Level Comics

No big enuf XBlade 3 cover, but leading with the Japanese version because I now get Demonbasher-san's comment about the logo (and why bother with the additional processing that ups XBlade's price). Look at that there superimposed XBlade on the original tankou...oh, you wanted the preview?

Can Haru prevail against Seven Sheaths/Nanatsusaya's Sakura and her ojinto (Metamorphosing Guardian Blade) when he hasn't even recovered from the previous battle AND without harming bystanders?

As for the top DO WANT! manga (separated by one vote from XBlade 3) —

Soul Eater 6 of 19+ by Ohkubo Atsushi

Maka risks insanity to connect with Crona's soul as Death the Kid and Black*Star redouble efforts to halt Free and Eruka's attempt to awaken the First Kishin.

Soul Eater 6 compiles chapter 19 through 22, A Fight to the Death at the Anniversary Celebration, Parts 4 to 7.

Level Comics manga, manhwa and manhua (2011.05.04)

1. 3x3 Eyes 39 of 40 by Takada Yuzo

3×3 EYES 「３×３ＥＹＥＳ」 by Takada Yuzo Kodansha Weekly Young Magazine, seinen Volume 39 first published in Japan 2002.11

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. ARMS 19 of 22 by Minagawa Ryouji & Nanatsuki Kyouichi

ARMS 「 ＡＲＭＳ 」 by Minagawa Ryouji & Nanatsuki Kyouichi Shogakukan Shonen Sunday, shounen Volume 19 first published in Japan 2001.10

Awards
Best Shounen Manga, 44th Shogakukan Manga Awards

Other languages
English Project ARMS (VIZ Media: 22 volumes, French (Kana: 22 volumes), Italian (Panini Comics/Planet Manga), German (Planet Manga), traditional Chinese (Tong Li Taiwan).

Adaptations
TMS's 26-episode anime adaptation aired between TV Tokyo April and September 2001, starring seiyuu Canna Nobutoshi (Takatsuki Ryo), Takayama Minami (Kuruma Kei), Ueda Yuji (Tomoe Takeshi) and Miki Shinichiro (Shingu Hayato). The Project ARMS: The 2nd Chapter sequel (episodes 27-52) broadcast from October 2001 through March 2002.

3. Basara 17 of 27 by Tamura Yumi

Basara 「ＢＡＳＡＲＡ」 by Tamura Yumi Shogakukan Betsucomi, shoujo Volume 17 first published in Japan 1996.02

Awards
Best Shoujo Manga, 38th Shogakukan Manga Awards

Other versions/languages
Re-released in 16 bunko volumes
English Basara (VIZ Media; 27 volumes), French (Kana; 27 volumes), German (EMA: Band 26 ships 2011.10), Danish (Mangismo Danmark) and Swedish (Mangismo Sverige)

Adaptations
A 13-episode Legend of Basara anime by KSS, starring seiyuu Kimura Akiko (Sarasa) and Inoue Kazuhiko (Shuri), aired in Japan from April to June 1998.

4. The Fugitive Lawyer Makoto Narita (Toubou Bengoshi Narita Makoto) 5 of 6 by Takada Yu & Go Hideki

Toubou Bengoshi Narita Makoto 「逃亡弁護士　成田誠」 by Takada Yu & Go Hideki (Natsuhara Takeshi) Shogakukan Young Sunday (until July 2008 before moving to Big Comic Spirits), seinen Volume 5 first published in Japan 2008.09

Related series
Shin Toubou Bengoshi Narita Makoto (sequel by Okamoto Sou; three volumes as at 2011.04.28)

Adaptations
A live-action adaptation, Toubou Bengoshi, starring Kamiji Yusuke aired from July to September 2010 on Fuji TV.

5. Hikayat Genji (Asakiyumemishi) 8 of 13 by Yamato Waki

Asakiyumemishi 「あさきゆめみし」 by Yamato Waki Kodansha Mimi, shoujo Volume 8 first published in Japan 1987.12

Related
Adapted from Genji Monogatari by Murasaki Shikibu

Other languages
English (Kodansha Bilingual Comics; partial)

6. Magister Negi Magi (Mahou Sensei Negima!) 25 of 33+ by Akamatsu Ken

Mahou Sensei Negima! 「魔法先生ネギま！」 by Akamatsu Ken Kodansha Weekly Shonen Magazine, shounen Volume 25 (chapters 223-231) first published in Japan 2009.02

Other languages
English Negima! (Del Rey: 28 volumes and Kodansha Comics: volume 29 street date: 2011.05.17 (US) and Chuang Yi Singapore), simplified Chinese (Chuang Yi: volume 31 per 2010.10), traditional Chinese (Tong Li Taiwan), French (Pika Édition: Tome 28 shipped 2010.12), Spain (Glènat España), Germany (Egmont Manga & Anime; Band 30 ships 2011.05), Norway (Schibsted Forlag), Brazil (Editora JBC) and Croatia (Algoritam).

Adaptations
A 26-episode anime TV series starring seiyuu Satou Rina as Negi Springfield (January-June 2005), three pre-anime OAVs (2004), two post TV series OAVs (Mahou Sensei Negima!: Haru and Mahou Sensei Negima!: Natsu, 2006.10.25 and 2006.11.22), an alternate retelling anime series (Negima!?, 2006.10-2007.03), OADs or Original Animation Disc bundled with the manga (Mahou Sensei Negima!: Shiroki Tsubasa Ala Alba, 2008.08.17-2009.02.17; Mahou Sensei Negima!: Mō Hitotsu no Sekai, 2009.09.17, 2009.12.17, 2010.05.17 and 2010.07.17; and Mahou Sensei Negima! ~Ariadone-hen~ per 2010.11.17), an anime movie for the Magic World arc expected to premiere in 2011 and a live-action drama (TV Tokyo, 2007.10-2008.03)

7. Priest 16 of 16+ by Hyung MinWoo

Priest 「프리스트」 by Hyung MinWoo Daiwon C.I. Champ Comics, seinen Volume 16 first published in Korea 2006.01 Series on hiatus from volume 16

Other languages
English Priest (TOKYOPOP: 16 volumes), French (Tokebi; 16 volumes), German (Tokyopop Germany), Polish (Kasen Comics), Italian (J POP), Portuguese (Lumus Brazil) and Japanese (Enterbrain Beam comix)

Adaptations
A film adaptation starring Paul Bettany premieres on 13 May 2011 in the U.S.

8. The Ravages of Time (Huo Feng Liao Yuan) 9 of 41+ 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: 火凤燎原 41 released 2011.05.03) 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.

9. Soul Eater 6 of 19+ by Ohkubo Atsushi

Soul Eater 「ソウルイーター」 by Ohkubo Atsushi Square Enix Shonen Gangan, shounen Volume 6 (chapters 19-22) first published in Japan 2006.04

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: five volumes per 2011.02 • volume 6 street date: 2011.06.28), French (Kurokawa tome 15 ships 2011.05.12), German (Carlsen Comics Band 11 street date: 2011.06.24) 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.

10. X Blade 3 of 12+ by Ida Tatsuhiko & Shiki Satoshi

XBlade 「ＸＢＬＡＤＥ」 by Ida Tatsuhiko & Shiki Satoshi Kodansha Shonen Sirius, shounen Volume 3 first published in Japan 2008.02

11. Yokohama Chinatown Fantasy (Kachuu Hana) 5 of 13+ by Nishi Yuuji & Hikino Shinji

Kachuu Hana 「華中華」 by Nishi Yuuji & Hikino Shinji AKA Central China Blossom Shogakukan Big Comic, seinen Volume 5 (stories 29-35) first published in Japan 2008.03

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

European comics/ROMICs (2011.05.04)

1. Cubitus - Kena Kau! by Dupa
2. Michel Vaillant - Operation Mirage by Philippe & Jean Graton

Read more »

XBlade 2, Bloody Monday 3, Red River 6 (Level Comics 13 April 2011 manga)

Also, GTO 2 and the nine other manga and BD titles, including two debuts

XBlade © Ida Tatsuhiko & Shiki Satoshi/Kodansha
[Serialized in Shonen Sirius]
Published in Indonesia by Elex Media/Level Comics

After a few days spent learning about a changed world, Mana decides to go to Tokyo's 13th District. Haru, too, makes up his mind to face his childhood trauma and accompanies Mana. But before they can even find the 13th District ingress, the pair is intercepted by the Aoi Kikan organization. The situation deteriorates when two Nanatsusaya members emerge. Can Haru deal with this double-barreled attack?

Yes, XBlade 2 is the Level top DO WANT!, despite an IDR 20,000 price tag that apparently owes its priceyness to the color pages AND the special preparation of the cover. The XBlade logo—squint at the superimposed “X” on above cover—is processed separately so that it looks that good looking. (Thanks for the share, Demonbasher-san.)

Bloody Monday 3 of 11 by Ryumon Ryou & Megumi Kouji

Fujimaru's suspicions about Ms. Orihara resurfaces, after he and Otoya manage to lure the so-called teacher into admitting she was in Russia on Christmas eve. Meanwhile, Ryunosuke retrieves the files Shikimura entrusted to old friend Munakata, only to be attacked later by Jack Damon.

Can Fujimaru make it in time to save Ryunosuke? And what exactly are in the two files Okita and Shikimura left behind?

☆ Previewing the next Most Wanteds (Red River 6 and GTO 2) along with the other ongoing series (waaay below). Find the featured seinen manga—a Kubonouchi Eisaku double bill of Chocolat and Cherry penultimates—down there, too.

Level premieres

Miyoshi Yuuki's Devil Devil and Watanabe Jun's RRR launch this Wednesday. But since most everyone already knows the Unrealistic fighting Devil Devil—the clash 'n gags between devil Sword and angel Ios, who fell to earth and now possess the bodies of twin brothers—I'm spotlighting underdog RRR up here. (I like Rock 'n' Roll Ricky's afro ^^).

RRR © Watanabe Jun/
Kodansha
[Young Magazine]

At the advanced age of 27, Iwamaki Rikitaro still cherishes hopes of becoming a rock star. His band mates, however, make fun of his Jimi Hendrix! Jim Morrison! dream. Adding insult to ego injury, Rikitaro's girlfriend cheats on and then ditches him.

Just as Rikitaro is at his lowest enthusiasm nashi point, he meets world boxing champ (now retired) Oishi Raita. Raita recognizes Rikitaro's potential — just not in music, but in boxing!
[Additions from mangahelpers.com's RRR description, excerpted by Baka-Updates Manga]

Aside from the Boxing, Older Main Character, Rock Band RRR, Watanabe Jun-sensei is responsible for the 62-volume seinen science fiction/action manga, Emblem Take 2. Current serial in Weekly Young Magazine is the murder mystery drama Montage (three volumes, ongoing).

Level ROMICs (bande dessinée)

Also on tap: Lucky Luke - Alibi (Lucky Luke, Tome 27: L'Alibi) by Morris and Claude Guylouïs, in which Luke babysits Gisela, who ups and gets herself kidnapped, and Michel Vaillant - Pengkhianatan Steve Warson (Michel Vaillant, Tome 6: La trahison de Steve Warson) by Jean Graton, which per its title, deals with the alleged betrayal of Vaillante team by Michel's best friend, Steve Warson.

Level Comics manga (2011.04.13)

1. 3x3 Eyes 38 of 40 by Takada Yuzo

3×3 EYES 「３×３ＥＹＥＳ」 by Takada Yuzo Kodansha Weekly Young Magazine, seinen Volume 38 first published in Japan 2002.03

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 3 of 11 by Ryumon Ryou & Megumi Kouji

Bloody Monday 「ブラッディ・マンデイ」 by Ryumon Ryou & Megumi Kouji Kodansha Weekly Shonen Magazine, shounen Volume 3 first published in 2007.11

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 Édition: four volumes per 2011.03; Tome 5 ships 2011.05.04)

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. Cherry 3 of 4 by Kubonouchi Eisaku

Cherry 「Ｃｈｅｒｒｙ」 by Kubonouchi Eisaku Shogakukan Big Comic Spirits, seinen Volume 3 (chapters 20-30) first published in Japan 2007.06

4. Chocolat 6 of 7 by Kubonouchi Eisaku

Chocolat 「ショコラ」 by Kubonouchi Eisaku Shogakukan Big Comic Spirits, seinen Volume 6 (10 episodes/chapters 54-63) first published in Japan 2003.08

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

5. [Series Premiere] Devil Devil 1 of 15 by Miyoshi Yuuki

Devil Devil 「デビデビ」 by Miyoshi Yuuki Shogakukan Shonen Sunday, shounen Volume 1 first published in Japan 1999.04

Volume 1 chapters*
1. Falling angels
2. A strange friend
3. The Batcat
4. A mysterious baby
5. The second henchman
6. The Breath of Batcat
7. The Exorcist
*NOT Level Comics' titles; mechanically translated from PIKA Édition's Devil Devil, Tome 1 summary and the Japanese table of contents

Other languages
French (PIKA Édition: 15 volumes per 2005.10), German (Planet Manga)

6. Giant Killing 2 of 19+ by Tsunamoto Masaya & Tsujitomo

Giant Killing 「ＧＩＡＮＴ　ＫＩＬＬＩＮＧ」 by Tsunamoto Masaya & Tsujitomo Kodansha Morning, seinen Volume 2 first published in Japan 2007.07

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.

7. GTO 2 of 25 by Fujisawa Toru

GTO 「ＧＴＯ」 by Fujisawa Toru Kodansha Weekly Shonen Magazine, shounen Volume 2 first published in Japan 1997.07

Awards
Best Shounen Manga, 1998 Kodansha Manga Awards

Other languages
Bilingual Japanese/English (Kodansha International, three volumes per 1999.12), English GTO: Great Teacher Onizuka (TOKYOPOP: 25 volumes), French (PIKA Édition: 25 volumes), Italian (Dynamic Italia), German (EMA), Polish (Waneko), Swedish (Schibsted Förlagen Sverige AB; serialized in Manga Mania), traditional Chinese (Tong Li)

Related series
Prequels: Shounan Junaigumi! AKA GTO: The Early Years (31 of 31 volumes) and Bad Company (1 of 1 volume) and GTO: Shonan 14 Days (sequel, six volumes as at 2011.02, ongoing)

Adaptations
A live-action GTO: Great Teacher Onizuka TV series, starring Sorimachi Takashi (Onizuka Eikichi) and Matsushima Nanako (Fuyutsuki Azusa) telecast from July to September 1998 on Fuji TV and Kansai TV (followed by GTO Drama Special; 1999.08.28 and GTO: The Movie; 1991) and Studio Pierrot's 43-episode Great Teacher Onizuka anime adaptation, starring seiyuu Takagi Wataru as Onizuka, that aired between June 1999 and September 2000.

8. Jio 14 of 19 by Kishimoto Seishi

Jio 「６６６～サタン～」 by Kishimoto Seishi Square Enix Shonen Gangan, shounen Volume 14 first published in Japan 2006.06

Volume 14 chapters:
53. Bonds
54. Ancient People
55. Legendary O-Parts
56. New Member
*NOT Level Comics' titles

Other languages
English O-Parts Hunter (VIZ Media: 19 volumes), French (Kurokawa tome 19 released 2008.12) and Italian (JPOP)

9. Red River (Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori) 6 of 28 by Shinohara Chie

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 6 (chapters 15-16) first published in Japan 1996.09

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

Other languages
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)

10. [Series Premiere] RRR 1 of 10 by Watanabe Jun

RRR 「ＲＲＲ」 by Watanabe Jun AKA Rock 'n' Roll Ricky Kodansha Young Magazine, seinen Volume 1 first published in Japan 2007.09

11. X Blade 2 of 12+ by Ida Tatsuhiko & Shiki Satoshi

XBlade 「ＸＢＬＡＤＥ」 by Ida Tatsuhiko & Shiki Satoshi Kodansha Shonen Sirius, shounen Volume 2 first published in Japan 2007.09

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

Level Comics European comics/BDs (2011.04.13)

1. Lucky Luke - Alibi (Lucky Luke, Tome 27: L'Alibi) by Morris, Claude Guylouïs
2. Michel Vaillant - Pengkhianatan Steve Warson (Michel Vaillant, Tome 6: La trahison de Steve Warson) by Jean Graton

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