Perfect Girl Evolution 23, Air Gear 21, Angel Heart 6 (Level Comics 6 April 2011 manga) [UPDATED]

NikBabble©: If you ask me why Perfect Girl Evolution's Takenaga doesn't lead this post, it's because I couldn't find a big enuf Level cover. In any case, Cruise 2 IS the finale —

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

—though you wouldn't know it from the back cover blurb:

The luxury liner Phoenix continues its voyage around Japan, and medical fast lane “dropouts” Dr. Yamada Kohei and nurse Shinbashi Megumi get to know all manner of passengers, each with his or her poignant story: a band consisting of four sexagenarian musicians; a woman who met her soul mate before marriage [And presumably didn't marry him —Nik]; and a model who feigns cheerfulness on the outside but hides pain within.

Now for the top GET!

Perfect Girl Evolution 23 of 28+ by Hayakawa Tomoko

The “uncle” who approached Sunako at the Halloween party is apparently a Real Deal Vampire, which thrills our Dark Princess to no end. Vampire-sama, mistaking Sunako for his Elizabeth, insists on spiriting her away, an abduction Kyouhei and the other fair bishounen (and Auntie) are not about to let happen. But as Kyouhei attempts to stop the vampire, he loses his strength and ends up in the undead's clutches.

What will happen to Kyouhei and The Future Mother of His Children Sunako now?

The above alludes to chapter 92, The Path to Becoming a Dark Lady (Part II), which closes the Vampire×Sunako mini-arc. New Perfect Girl Evolution stories begin with chapter 93, Welcome F*ckin' Xmas Night (censorship mine), A Seasoned Pro's Paradise (94) and Sleepless Tonight (95). [*NOT Level's chapter titles]

☆ Moar previews after the manga and ROMICs/BDs lists, the latter including the rude awakening of Sleeping Beauty, I mean, Lazy Smurf — Smurf - Mimpi Aneh Smurf Pemalas (AKA The Strange Awakening of Lazy Smurf) and the former, the second tankou of Dolls of God, which gets the anime treatment this July with seiyuu Okamoto Nobuhiko (Usui!) as Kuga Kyōhei.

Level Comics manga (2011.04.06)

1. A Spirit of The Sun (Taiyou no Mokushiroku) 9 of 17 by Kawaguchi Kaiji

Taiyou no Mokushiroku 「太陽の黙示録」 by Kawaguchi Kaiji Shogakukan Big Comic, seinen Volume 9 (chapters 59-65) first published in Japan 2005.08

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. Air Gear 21 of 31+ by Oh! great

AirGear 「エア・ギア」 by Oh! great Kodansha Weekly Shonen Magazine, shounen Volume 21 (Tricks 186-196) first published in Japan 2008.06

Awards
Best Shounen Manga, 2006 Kodansha Manga Awards

Other languages/serializations
English Air Gear (Del Rey: until Volume 15/16/17 released 2010.08 • Kodansha Comics' volume 18 street date: 2011.06.14), Korean (Haksan), traditional Chinese (Tong Li Taiwan), simplified Chinese (Chuang Yi Singapore: volume 28 per 2010.08), French (Pika Édition tome 26 shipped 2011.03 • tome 27 street date: 2011.05.04), 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 (The first Air Gear: Kuro no Hane to Nemuri no Mori -Break on the Sky- OAD streeted with volume 30 in November 2010 with seiyuu Okamoto Nobuhiko as Ikki; the second OAD was bundled with volume 31 (2011.03.17), with a third scheduled for 2011.06.17); and a series of musicals

3. Angel Heart 6 of 33 by Hojo Tsukasa

Angel Heart 「エンジェル・ハート」 by Hojo Tsukasa Shinchosha (Coamix) Comic Bunch, seinen Volume 6 first published in Japan 2003.03

Related series
City Hunter (Adapted from; 35 of 35 volumes), Angel Heart 2nd Season (sequel; one volume per 2011.03.19)

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.

4. Black Lagoon 7 of 9+ by Hiroe Rei

Black Lagoon 「 ＢＬＡＣＫ　ＬＡＧＯＯＮ 」 by Hiroe Rei Shogakukan Sunday GX, seinen Volume 7 (chapters 47-55: El Baile de la muerte, Parts 4-12) first published in Japan 2007.10

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. An OAV sequel, Black Lagoon: Roberta's Blood Trail, premiered 17 July 2010, with the fifth Roberta's Blood Trail Blu-ray Disc/DVD scheduled for 2011.06.22 release.

Related
Black Lagoon: Shaitane Badi light novel written by Urobuchi Gen and illustrated by Hiroe Rei (Black Lagoon side story; Shogakukan Gagaga Bunko, 2008.07.18)

5. Cruise 2 of 2 by Yajima Masao & Kikuta Hiroyuki [Finale]

Cruise: Ishi Yamada Kouhei Koukai Shi 「クルーズ　医師山田公平航海誌」 by Yajima Masao & Kikuta Hiroyuki Shogakukan Big Comic, seinen Volume 2 first published in Japan 2009.10

6. Dolls of God (Kamisama Dolls) 2 of 8+ by Yamamura Hajime

Kamisama Dolls 「神様ドォルズ」 by Yamamura Hajime Shogakukan Sunday GX, seinen Volume 2 (chapters 7-12 + Extra chapter and Commentary) first published in Japan 2008.03

Other languages
Traditional Chinese (Ching Win Publishing Taiwan: latest 神樣DOLLS 6)

Adaptations
A Kamisama Dolls anime has been confirmed for a July 2011 premiere. The TV series animated by Brains Base casts seiyuu Okamoto Nobuhiko as Kuga Kyōhei, Fukuen Misato as Kuga Utao and Kayano Ai as Shiba Hibino.

7. Jepang Tenggelam (Nihon Chinbotsu) 12 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 12 (chapters 95-103) first published in Japan 2008.09

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

8. Over Rev 18 of 31 by Yamaguchi Katsumi & Team 39

Over Rev! 「オーバーレブ！」 by Yamaguchi Katsumi & Team 39 Shogakukan Young Sunday, seinen Volume 18 (chapters 194-204) first published in Japan 2001.08

9. Perfect Girl Evolution (Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge) 23 of 28+ by Hayakawa Tomoko

Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge 「ヤマトナデシコ七変化」 by Hayakawa Tomoko Kodansha Betsufure, shoujo Volume 23 (chapters 92-95) first published in Japan 2009.05

Other languages
English The Wallflower (Del Rey: volumes 22/23/24 per 2010.10; Kodansha Comics by volume 25 [2011.06.21 street date] and Chuang Yi (as My Fair Lady; volume 26 per 2011.02), French (Pika Édition: Yamato Nadeshiko tome 14 ships 2011.04.20), German (EMA/Egmont Manga & Anime from volume 21 onwards)

Adaptations
Anime by Nippon Animation featuring seiyuu Takaguchi Yukiko (Nakahara Sunako), Morikubo Showtaro (Takano Kyohei), Yamauchi Yuuya (Toyama Yukinojo), Sugita Tomokazu (Oda Takenaga) and Nojima Hirofumi (Mori Ranmaru) aired from October 2006 to March 2007 on Japan's TV Aichi. A live-action renzoku starring Kamenashi Kazuya (Kyohei), Oomasa Aya (Sunako), Tegoshi Yuya (Yukinojo), Uchi Hiroki (Takenaga) and Miyao Shuntaro (Ranmaru) was telecast on TBS from January to March 2010.

10. Sky of Love (Koizora) 4 of 10 by Haneda Ibuki, Mika

Koizora: Setsunai Koi Monogatari 「恋空～切ナイ恋物語～」 by Haneda Ibuki & Mika Futabasha Comic Mahou no iland, shoujo Volume 4 first published in Japan 2008.03

Related
Based on the best-selling coming of age/romance novel written by Mika (two volumes published by Starts Publications), originally posted on the cell phone website "Mahou no iLand."

Adaptations
Loosely adapted into a movie (2007.11.03 premiere), starring Aragaki Yui as Mika and Miura Haruma as Hiro, and a six-episode live-action series on TBS from August to September 2008 with Mizusawa Erena as Mika and Seto Koji as Hiro.

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

European comics/BDs

1. Lucky Luke - Nitroglicerin (Lucky Luke, Tome 25: Nitroglycérine) by Morris, Lo Hartog Van Banda
2. Smurf - Mimpi Aneh Smurf Pemalas (5 Histoires de Schtroumpfs: L'Étrange réveil du schtroumpf paresseux, tome 15) by Peyo
3. Yakari dan Si Paus Putih (Yakari, Tome 21: Le souffleur de nuages) by Derib, Job

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