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 »

Soul Eater 7, Dawn of the Arcana 1 by Toma Rei, Blade of Immortal 16 (Level Comics 1 June 2011 manga)

Kicking off with the Level manga generating the most buzz from my tweeps — Dawn of the Arcana by Toma Rei, debuting this Wednesday.

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

The southern and northern kingdoms of Senan and Belquat have long been at war. To end the conflict, Senan's Princess Nakaba is married off to Belquat's Prince Caesar. Nakaba already has two other obvious strikes against her going in — her “commoner” red hair, a slap to the face of the exclusively black-haired royal family, and her “sub-human” (half-beast) bodyguard Loki.

How will Nakaba fare, trapped behind enemy lines? Can the visions she sees stave off death threatening at every turn?

So, Arranged Marriage, Prince, Princess, War — sound familiar? You guessed it: Ogura Akane's Absolute Peace Strategy (published by Elex). The two differ, however, in the not even hidden hostility/contempt/ridicule Strong Female Lead Nakaba faces, and that's just from her husband. Also, there's her Special Power (prescience), to which the Arcana in the title alludes. Doesn't make sense? Just GET! to see what I mean. I guarantee you'll enjoy the ride.

If you're still not convinced, may I tell you that Dawn of The Arcana 3 has already entered the editing phase? Volume 3, peeps! (By contrast, North American readers only get Dawn of the Arcana, Vol. 1 in December 2011.)

Toma Rei-sensei is also the manga-ka of the game-based Star Color Present (Hoshiiro no Okurimono), the two-volume Stolen Kiss, Reverse Harem Boku wa Kiss de Uso wo Tsuku and the Maid In Love Tsukushite Agemasu, all serialized first in Cheese! like Dawn of The Arcana.

I preview the other manga premiere—the Zombie School! Dark Edge by Aikawa Yu—after the release list.

Soul Eater 7 of 19+ by Ohkubo Atsushi

To preclude the first Kishin's madness claiming more victims, Shinigami-sama assembles the world's most powerful death scythes. While the weapons discuss battle plans, the DWMA slowly reverts to its quotidian routine. But one new student has trouble adjusting to normal school life.

Yup, it's Crona, now a DWMA student and handed her/his first mission with Maka and Soul.

Soul Eater 7 compiles chapter 23 through 27: Daily Life, Experimenting School (Parts 1-3) and Bodyguard (Part 1). [*NOT Level's chapter titles]

Blade of Immortal 16 of 27+ by Samura Hiroaki

A prisoner of the Mugai-ryū, Manji serves as the guinea pig for Ayame Burando's immortality experiments. Burando has been ordered by Kagimura Habaki to graft Manji's limbs onto another—the first subject being death row inmate Dewanosuke—to replicate Manji's regenerative powers. The experiment fails, claiming the lives of many prisoners. But with Habaki egging Burando on, will the doctor persevere and eventually succeed?

[Additions from Casterman's L'habitant de l'infini, Tome 16 description and Mecha Mecha Media's Blade of the Immortal 16 review]

Level Comics manga (2011.06.01)

1. A Spirit of The Sun (Taiyou no Mokushiroku) 11 of 17 by Kawaguchi Kaiji

Taiyou no Mokushiroku 「太陽の黙示録」 by Kawaguchi Kaiji Shogakukan Big Comic, seinen Volume 11 (chapters 73-79) first published in Japan 2006.03

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

Other languages
French (Tonkam Spirit of The Sun, tome 17: Le troisième pays per 2009.12)

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

2. Attack!! 7 of 11+ by Oshima Tsukasa

Attack!! 「アタック！！」 by Oshima Tsukasa Shinchosha Comic Bunch, seinen Volume 7 first published in Japan 2008.07

3. Blade of Immortal (Mugen no Juunin) 16 of 27+ by Samura Hiroaki

Mugen no Juunin 「無限の住人」 by Samura Hiroaki Kodansha Afternoon, seinen Volume 16 first published in Japan 2004.05

Awards
1997 Japan Media Arts Festival Excellence Prize

Other languages
English Blade of the Immortal (Dark Horse Comics: 23 volumes per 2011.02 • Volume 24: Massacre street date: 2011.11.08), 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.

4. [Series Premiere] Dark Edge 1 of 15 by Aikawa Yu

Dark Edge 「ＤＡＲＫ　ＥＤＧＥ」 by Aikawa Yu Media Works Dengeki Comic Gao!, shounen Volume 1 first published in Japan 1999.02

Other languages
English Dark Edge (ComicsOne then DrMaster: 10 volumes per 2009.03.03)

5. [Series Premiere] Dawn of The Arcana (Reimei no Arcana) 1 of 7+ by Toma Rei

Reimei no Arcana 「黎明のアルカナ」 by Toma Rei Shogakukan Cheese!, shoujo Volume 1 first published in Japan 2009.05

Other languages
English Dawn of the Arcana (VIZ Media: Volume 1 street date: 2011.12.06)

6. Ghost Mum Investigator (Ghost Mama Sousasen) 3 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 3 first published in Japan 2005.12

7. Soul Eater 7 of 19+ by Ohkubo Atsushi

Soul Eater 「ソウルイーター」 by Ohkubo Atsushi Square Enix Shonen Gangan, shounen Volume 7 (chapters 23-27) first published in Japan 2006.09

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 shipped 2011.05.12 • Tome 16 street date: 2011.07.07), 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.

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

European comics/BDs (2011.06.01)

1. Rantanplan - Biang Masalah by Morris (Lucky Comics)
2. Rantanplan - Natal Bersama by Morris (Lucky Comics)
3. Spirou dan Fantasio - Jamur dan Sang Diktator (Spirou et Fantasio, tome 7: Le Dictateur et le champignon) by Franquin (Dupuis)

Read more »

Basara 15, Air Gear 18, Brave Story 4 (Level Comics 12 January 2011 manga) [UPDATED]

Basara © Tamura Yumi/Shogakukan [First serialized in Betsucomi]
Published in Indonesia by Elex Media/Level Comics

A night of sandstorms spent together provides little respite for Sarasa and Shuri who must return to the battlefield come the dawn. In the midst of battle, Sarasa as Tatara uncovers the true identity of the Red King. Will the shock prove too much for Sarasa? Find out in Basara 15, out now.

Level Comics manga (2011.01.12)

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

1. Air Gear 18 of 31+ by Oh! great

AirGear 「エア・ギア」 by Oh! great Kodansha Weekly Shonen Magazine, shounen Volume 18 (Tricks 156-165) first published in Japan 2007.08

Awards
Best Shounen Manga, 2006 Kodansha Manga Awards

Other languages/serializations
English Air Gear (Del Rey: Volume 15-17 released 2010.08.31), Korean (Haksan), traditional Chinese (Tong Li Taiwan), simplified Chinese (Chuang Yi Singapore: volume 28 per 2010.08), French (Pika Édition tome 25 shipped 2011.01.05), Italy (Planet Manga), Germany (Heyne) and Sweden (Schibsted Förlagen Sverige AB/serialized in Manga Mania)

Adaptations
A 25-episode anime by Toei Animation, starring Kamakari Kenta as Ikki, a series of Satelight-animated OADs shipped with the manga tankoubon (Air Gear: Kuro no Hane to Nemuri no Mori -Break on the Sky- OAD streeted with volume 29 in July 2010 with seiyuu Okamoto Nobuhiko as Ikki; the second OAD is expected to street with volume 31 on 2011.03.17), and a series of musicals

2. Basara 15 of 27 by Tamura Yumi

Basara 「ＢＡＳＡＲＡ」 by Tamura Yumi
Shogakukan Betsucomi, shoujo
Volume 15 first published in Japan 1995.06

Awards
Best Shoujo Manga, 38th Shogakukan Manga Awards

Other versions/languages
Re-released in 15 bunko volumes
English Basara (VIZ Media; 27 volumes), French (Kana; 27 volumes), German (EMA; Band 24 shipped 2010.11 • Band 25 street date: 2011.03), Danish (Mangismo Danmark) and Swedish (Mangismo Sverige)

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

3. Brave Story (Brave Story - Shinsetsu) 4 of 20 by Miyabe Miyuki

Brave Story - Shinsetsu 「ブレイブ・ストーリー～新説～」 by Miyabe Miyuki and Ono Yoichiro AKA Brave Story: A Retelling of a Classic Shinchosha Comic Bunch, seinen Volume 4 first published in Japan 2004.09

Volume 4 chapters:
29. Ashikawa of the Shigdra
30. The Five Orbs
31. The Mirror of Enternal Darkness
32. Not Alone
33. The Unluckiest Assassin
34. The Act
35. The Girl Who Hungered for Love
36. Beserker
37. Answer
38. Demon

Related
Adapted from Miyabe Miyuki-sensei's Brave Story light novel, post its winning the Batchelder Award (for Most Outstanding children's book originally published in a foreign language in a foreign country and subsequently published in English).

Other languages
English Brave Story (TOKYOPOP: five volumes; the Brave Story novel was published by VIZ Media 2009.11), French (Kurokawa: Tome 19 shipped 2010.12) and traditional Chinese (Tong Li)

Adaptations
The novel was adapted into an anime feature by Gonzo, which premiered in Japan on 2006.07.08. Actress/singer Matsu Takako was cast as Mitani Wataru, Wentz Eiji as Ashikawa Mitsuru, Oizumi Yo as Ki-kima, and Imai Miki as the Goddess of Destiny. The film was nominated for Animation of the Year at the 2007 Japanese Academy Awards.

Level Comics European comics/BDs (2011.01.12)

1. [ID Series Premiere] Boule dan Bill - Bubble Bill (Boule et Bill, tome 5: Bulles et Bill) by Roba
2. Spirou dan Si Pria Gelembung (Spirou et Fantasio, tome 17 : Spirou et les hommes-bulles) by Franquin, Roba
3. Yakari - Yakari dan Nanabozo (Yakari, tome 4 : Yakari et Nanabozo) by Derib, Job

Read more »

Magister Negi Magi 23, To be Beautiful 5, Basara 14 (Level Comics 8 December 2010 manga)

Kirei ni Naritai © Yorita Miyuki/Kodansha [Serialized in Dessert]
Published in Indonesia as To be Beautiful by Elex Media/Level Comics

There's a biscuit that can make a person beautiful? Satsuki meets the beautiful Shimokitazawa Seika, who flogs just such an item and is a walking, fast-talking ad for her product. Satsuki is lured into parting with her money after Misako refuses to concoct an acne medication for her.

At first, the pricey biscuit lives up to its outlandish claim and Satsuki's pimples clear up. But as more time passes, Satsuki ends up in debt and friends start giving her a wide berth.

What exactly is Seika's objective? Find out in To be Beautiful 5, out now.

The complete list of Level Comics manga (and one ROMIC/BD) below:

Level Comics manga (2010.12.08)

1. Basara 14 of 27 by Tamura Yumi
2. [Premiere] Desert Love (Sajou ni Chikau Koi) by Sachimi Riho
3. K2 vol. 4 of 13+ by Mafune Kazuo
4. Magister Negi Magi (Mahou Sensei Negima!) 23 of 32+ by Akamatsu Ken
5. Rainbow 19 of 22 by Abe George & Kakizaki Masasumi
6. Subaru 11 of 11 by Soda Masahito [Finale]
7. To Be Beautiful (Kirei ni Naritai!) 5 of 6 by Yorita Miyuki

Level Comics ROMICs/BDs (2010.12.08)

• Spirou dan Fantasio - Bayangan Z (Spirou et Fantasio, tome 16: L'Ombre du Z) by Franquin

¹ Sources: Elex STO 8 December 2010 (release schedule) and Komikologi and/or Gramedia Shop (synopses, unless indicated otherwise)
² GN are priced at IDR 18,500 each except Desert Love (SRP: 17,000), Subaru 11 (IDR 19,500) and Spirou dan Fantasio - Bayangan Z (IDR 38,000)

upcoming manga (15 December 2010 street date)

• Elex Media: Golden Book (Deluxe) · Inuyasha 50 · Kindaichi Special Case: Private School Murder 2 of 2 · Kariage kun 37 · Godhand Teru 28 · Mixim 11 vol.2 · Bakeru kun Pika-pika 2 · Artist Acro 5 · New Sexy Simpleton 8
• Level Comics: Genius Family Company 5 · xxxHOLiC 11 · Restore Garage 251 vol.11 · Haruka 17 vol.10 · Half an Apple 5 · Last Inning 7 · Nurse Aoi 17 · Yakari dan Monster Danau
• m&c!: Electric Daisy 6 · Goong [Palace Story] 21 · Sugar Family 5 · Be a Naughty Girl 3 · Bakugan Battle Brawlers 13 · Monika 137

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 currently available manga (8 December 2010 street date)

• Elex Media: Topeng Kaca 4 Deluxe · Doraemon Movie: Kenangan Nenek by Fujiko F. Fujio · Detektif Conan Seri Animasi TV 23 · Devil & Sweet 1 of 2+ by Suzuki Julietta · Shugo Chara! 11 · Hyde & Closer 5 · Natural Honey Dormitory 5 · My First Mr. Akuno 2 · Artist Acro 4 · Beauty Honey 3 of 3 · Flash of Wind 28 · Spiral: The Bonds of Reason 9 · Summer Storm! 5 · I Hate You More Than Anyone 4 · The Real Fake Princess 4 · Nakayoshi 87/2010 · HanaLaLa 55/2010 (Farewell Edition)
• m&c!: Aoizaka Baseball Club 16 · Golden Age 12 · Magical X Miracle 1 of 6 by Mizutani Yuzu · News Parade by Kumeta Natsuo

related monthly schedule(s)

December 2010
Premiering Bloody Monday by Megumi Kouji & Ryumon Ryou

other invaluable resources

7net Shopping

Technorati tags

Level Comics · manga · ROMIC (BD) · josei · seinen · shoujo · Basara · Desert Love (Sajou ni Chikau Koi) · K2 · Magister Negi Magi (Mahou Sensei Negima!) · Rainbow · Subaru · To Be Beautiful (Kirei ni Naritai!) · Spirou et Fantasio

Rainbow 18, Hotaru's Light 11, To Be Beautiful 4 (Level Comics 3 November 2010 manga)

Also, the second Yokohama Chinatown Fantasy which rates the lead because: ‘fly lice.’

Kachuu Hana © Nishi Yuuji & Hikino Shinji/Shogakukan [First serialized in Big Comic]
Published in Indonesia as Yokohama Chinatown Fantasy by Elex Media/Level Comics

A restaurant near Hana's place burns down; the disaster drains all enthusiasm from those working there. With closure a real possibility, Hana prevails upon Shanghai's owners to lend the fire victims cookware to keep the business running. But the only thing Hana can cadge is a steamer.

What kind of fried rice can Hana concoct with a steamer??

Level promises seven mouth-watering recipes in Yokohama Chinatown Fantasy volume 2, which ought to make the IDR 19,500 price tag seem like a bargain. (Or at least, make it *cough* palatable.)

Rainbow 18 of 22 by Abe George & Kakizaki Masasumi

Learning of the whereabouts of Baremoto, Penyu, Kubis and Joe, Mario and Serdadu scramble to save their friends from further torture. Meanwhile, Barandage not only succeeds in pressuring Yasuro to sign the contract, but also persuades Yasuro into forcing a meeting with Setsuko.

So that's Rainbow 18, one of two much-awaiteds topping Level's Most Wanted chart this week. This tankou encloses chapters 183 to 193: Countdown to the revolution, Die, Eat you alive, Fight to the end, Good to be bad, Hell fire, I'm not afraid, Just a miracle, Killing time, Lost and Mrs.G.

Hotaru's Light 11 of 15 by Hiura Satoru

Should friends become lovers?

The other top DO WANT! manga asks this thorny question, and our heroine Hotaru weighs in on the YES! side, opening her heart once more to Kaname. Was Hotaru's decision influenced by people around them thinking she and Kaname are already an item?

Whatever decided Hotaru, she's now romantically involved with Kaname. Can these friends stand the promotion to lovers? Unearth the answer in Hotaru's Light 11.

NEW LEVEL MANGA: Hunt for The Thumb by Yamada Yusuke & Ayamura Kirihito

Oyayubi Sagashi © Yamada Yusuke
& Ayamura Kirihito
Gentosha [Comic Birz]
Published in Indonesia as
Hunt for The Thumb
by Level Comics

Level premieres the seinen horror standalone Hunt for The Thumb, originally Yamada Yusuke & Ayamura Kirihito's Oyayubi Sagashi, first serialized in Comic Birz. As the title denotes, there's a hunt on for The Thumb, specifically, the digit missing from a corpse hewn to pieces by her murderers. A whole urban legend has sprung up over how the dead woman searches for her thumb, the most tantalizing of which concerns the supposed reward she will confer to whomever finds it.

Despite deeming the story so much gossip, a group of kids decides to join The Hunt. It was supposed to be just a lark, but things turn decidedly unfunny when one of the group, Yumi, disappears during the ‘game.’

Seven years on, Takeshi and the others decide to look for their missing friend, little knowing that The Thumb's owner hasn't stopped searching.

Other volume previews—including that of the penultimate Subaru (volume 10)—follow the lists below.

Level Comics manga and manhwa (2010.11.03)

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

1. Chocolat 5 of 7 by Kubonouchi Eisaku

Chocolat 「ショコラ」 by Kubonouchi Eisaku Shogakukan Big Comic Spirits, seinen Volume 5 first published in Japan 2001.09

Volume 5 contains chapters:
1 そんな時もあらぁ...
2 でも、もう大丈夫...
3 いつも通りに戻った？
4 戻るには戻ったけど...
5 なんか足りねぇ気がするな...
6 足りないモノはなんですか？
7 まずは素直になることでしょ。
8 それが難しいんだな...
9 そのままじゃ後悔するよ。
10 思いきってみなよ
11 思いきってみるよ!!

Other languages
Traditional Chinese (Tong Li Taiwan 流氓蛋糕店 7 released 2004.07)

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

2. Hotaru's Light (Hotaru no Hikari) 11 of 15 by Hiura Satoru

Hotaru no Hikari 「ホタルノヒカリ」 by Hiura Satoru AKA IT'S★ONLY★LITTLE★LIGHT★IN★MY★LIFE Kodansha Kiss, josei Volume 11 first published in Japan in 2008.04

Adaptations
The 11th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix award-winning Glow of Fireflies live-action adaptation aired between July and September 2007 on NTV. The 10-episode drama starred Ayase Haruka ((Amemiya Hotaru) and Fujiki Naohito (Takano Seiichi). The pair reprised their roles in the 11-episode second season that aired between July and September 2010 on the same network.

3. [Premiere] Hunt for The Thumb (Oyayubi Sagashi) by Yamada Yusuke & Ayamura Kirihito

Oyayubi Sagashi 「親指さがし」 by Yamada Yusuke & Ayamura Kirihito Gentosha Comic Birz, seinen This volume first published in Japan 2005.01

4. New Comic Bomber (Shin Hoero Pen) 5 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 5 first published in Japan 2006.07

Volume 5 contains chapters:
16 よみがえった楽曲自信
17 おれの中の定義
18 一番人道から外れてるんじゃ?
19 成功への決意
描き下ろし
あとがきまんが

Related series
Burning Pen and Comic Bomber (prequels)

5. Priest 11 of 16+ by Hyung MinWoo

Priest 「프리스트」 by Hyung MinWoo Daiwon C.I. Champ Comics, seinen Volume 11 first published in Korea 2002.03 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 Cam Gigandet, Paul Bettany and Maggie Q is expected to premiere on 13 May 2011 in the U.S. (Indonesian screening is slated to begin 12 May 2011.)

6. Rainbow 18 of 22 by Abe George & Kakizaki Masasumi

Rainbow - Nisha Rokubō no Shichinin 「ＲＡＩＮＢＯＷ　二舎六房の七人」 by Abe George & Kakizaki Masasumi Shogakukan Big Comic Spirits, seinen Volume 18 (chapters 183-193) first published in Japan 2007.09

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

Other languages
French (Kazé Rainbow: Nisha Rokubou no Shichinin tome 15 shipped 2010.10.14) and traditional Chinese (Sharp Point Press Taiwan RAINBOW少年犯罪檔案 20 per 2009.10)

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.

7. Subaru 10 of 11 by Soda Masahito

Subaru 「昴」 by Soda Masahito Shogakukan Big Comic Spirits, seinen Volume 10 first published in Japan 2002.08

Volume 10 contains chapters:
100 ニアミス！
101 Ticket To Ride
102 開演
103 主役と観客
104 才能の行使
105 任意の技
106 アンプラグド
107 絶望と歓喜
108 集団幻想（１）
109 集団幻想（２）
110 祝祭

Other languages
French (Akata/Delcourt; 11 volumes), Spanish (Glènat España), German (Egmont) and traditional Chinese (Tong Li)

Related series
Moon—Subaru Solitude Standing— (sequel; six volumes as at 2010.05)

8. To Be Beautiful (Kirei ni Naritai!) 4 of 6 by Yorita Miyuki

Kirei ni Naritai! 「キレイになりたい！」 by Yorita Miyuki Kodansha KC Dessert, shoujo Volume 4 first published in Japan 2003.02

9. Yokohama Chinatown Fantasy (Kachuu Hana) 2 of 12+ by Nishi Yuuji & Hikino Shinji

Kachuu Hana 「華中華」 by Nishi Yuuji & Hikino Shinji AKA Central China Blossom Shogakukan Big Comic, seinen Volume 2 first published in Japan 2006.09

Volume 2 contains chapters:
1 幽霊と火事場の馬鹿力
2 お嬢様!?と幽霊
3 幽霊と娘の欲望
4 幽霊と秋の王様
5 幽霊と黄金
6 幽霊と大叔父さん
7 幽霊と白猫
コラム
楊貴妃直伝!!星の数ほどチャーハンレシピ物語

Level Comics European comics (2010.11.03)

1. Spirou - Kepanikan di Champignac (Spirou et Fantasio, tome 19: Panade à Champignac) by Franquin (Dupuis)

[RE-STO] Reissues (2010.11.03)

1. Fly, Daddy, Fly 1 of 2 by Kaneshiro Kazuki & Akishige Manabu
2. Fly, Daddy, Fly 2 of 2 by Kaneshiro Kazuki & Akishige Manabu [Finale]
3. Triple Kiss 1 of 2 by Shimaki Ako
4. Triple Kiss 2 of 2 by Shimaki Ako [Finale]
5. Boy Girl Romance 1 of 3 by George Asakura
6. Boy Girl Romance 2 of 3 by George Asakura
7. Boy Girl Romance 3 of 3 by George Asakura [Finale]

¹ Sources: Elex STO 3 November 2010 (release schedule) and Komikologi and/or Gramedia Shop (synopses, unless indicated otherwise)
² GN are priced at IDR 18,500 each except Hunt for The Thumb (SRP: 19,500). Subaru 10 and Yokohama Chinatown Fantasy 2 are priced the same. The Spirou - Kepanikan di Champignac ROMIC retails for IDR 38,000. The reissued Fly, Daddy, Fly! and Triple Kiss go for IDR 17,000 each, while the reissued Boy Girl Romance series carries price tags of IDR 16,000 each.
³ Links like this are commercial Amazon search and/or product links (other language versions).

Previews continued

Chocolat 5 of 7 by Kubonouchi Eisaku

The name's Shuzo? Omugi's Phantom Hitman and expert chef, thanks to my mentor Maya. There's no doubt that I'm great, but no way am I butting into my seniors Ichigo and Shiina's fight!

They used to be partners! But what's worse, I get the feeling this battle will end in a tragedy...

New Comic Bomber 5 of 11 by Shimamoto Kazuhiko

After GJ9's premiere, Hono Moyuru-sensei returns to everyday life as a manga-ka. His daily routine, however, is ruffled when he meets former Sunset magazine editors, Nagarehoshi and Denaoshi. The pair is involved in the launch of a new magazine, and with Nagarehoshi's egging, Hono-sensei presents himself as a candidate for editor-in-chief!

Does this mean Hono-sensei is ‘resigning’ as a manga-ka?

Priest 11 of 16+ by Hyung MinWoo

Ivan's icy distance firms up Esther's resolve to search for the truth by herself. Meanwhile, the order of St. Vertinez—which forced Ivan to rouse Temozarela in the first place—reappears and, sparing no one, commences mop-up operations.

Subaru 10 of 11 by Soda Masahito

A showdown looms between Subaru, debuting as a professional ballet dancer, and the ‘Queen of Ballet’ Priscilla. Both ballerinas are slated to perform Bolero on the same day.

The day before the performance, Subaru meets rival Mana, who has flown in to watch Priscilla. Mana surprises Subaru by helping Subaru and Sisteron, stating curiosity over Subaru's ballet as reason.

Can Subaru elevate ballet to a higher level with her performance? And what of Priscilla?

To Be Beautiful 4 of 6 by Yorita Miyuki

Middle schooler Yuri transforms into a beauty under Kichijoji Misako's hands. So beautiful is she that she is immediately scouted by model agencies. Having fallen for her manager Kanzaki, Yuri resolves to lose weight on her own.

Things seem to be going well, that is, until Yuri's childhood friend Reiko, also a model, finds out Yuri's secret.

Can Yuri succeed in slimming down before everyone finds out she's not who she pretends to be?

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 manga available this week (3 November 2010 street date)

• Elex Media: Black Butler 9 · Crayon Shinchan 1 by Usui Yoshito · Kome si Belang 1 by Hoshino Natsumi · The Pitcher 73 · Crows 13 · BECK 23 · English School Wars 2 of 2 · Katsu! 9 · Our Dear Tamura-kun 2 · Rockwell The Scarlet Knight 2 · Sanzoku Ou: King of Bandits 5 · Tena on S String 4 · Legend of Nereid 11 · Shonen Magz 78/2010
• m&c!: Alive 20 · Cyboy 2 of 2 · Love So Life 2 · Falling into You Like A Magic by Chiba Kozue · Rifle Girl by Taamo · Sky Blue Beach 2 · My Sweet Home 2

related monthly schedules

November 2010
Premiering The Strange Florist by Yohna and Desert Love by Sachimi Riho (standalones) and Gun Smith Cats Burst by Sonoda Kenichi, Sky of Love by Mika & Haneda Ibuki (series)

October 2010
Premiering Red River by Shinohara Chie, Gun Smith Cats Burst by Sonoda Kenichi and Hunt for the Thumb by Yamada Yuusuke (standalone)

other invaluable resources

Baka-Updates Manga · Wikipedia · 7net Shopping · manaworld · ANN

Technorati tags

Level Comics · manga · manhwa · ROMIC (BD) · josei · seinen · shoujo · Chocolat · Hotaru's Light (Hotaru no Hikari) · Hunt for The Thumb (Oyayubi Sagashi) · New Comic Bomber (Shin Hoero Pen) · Priest · Rainbow · Subaru · To Be Beautiful (Kirei ni Naritai!) · Yokohama Chinatown Fantasy (Kachuu Hana) · Spirou et Fantasio: Panade à Champignac