And 26 days after Trigun: Badlands Rumble premiered in Sakura-Con, Vash the Stampede's Trigun Maximum saga—the Indonesian version—concludes. Will Volume 14: Mind Games end in a blaze of glory or... should I even be asking?
Trigun Maximum © Nightow Yasuhiro/Shonen Gahosha (First serialized in Young King Ours)
Published in Indonesia by PT Elex Media Komputindo
May contain [SPOILERS]
Also: Takaya Natsuki's Twinkle Stars (Hoshi wa Utau) premieres in HanaLaLa, while Kunai Legend (Kunaiden) makes its debut
Tension explodes when Team Japan runs into Team USA a day before the Youth World Cup finals. Gaou and Yamato declare war on team captain Don, while Hiruma scuffles with quarterback Clifford. On edge, Sena awaits the coming battle on the pitch with future pro NFL player Panther in the penultimate Eyeshield 21, Volume 36: Sena vs. Panther.
The Ruler of Nabari 9 of 12+
Tied with Sena vs. Panther as top DO WANT! manga is volume 9 of The Ruler of Nabari, the Kamatani Yuhki series that About.com manga guide Deb Aoki-san calls the Not-Naruto Ninja Comic.
Not!Naruto volume 9 (comprising chapters 44-47) follows Yukimi as he probes deeper into Yoite's past. Elsewhere, Hattori attempts to dissuade Miharu from granting Yoite's wish — prompting Yoite into bolting with Miharu, and Hattori into ordering the Kira wielder's death and Miharu's retrieval. Meanwhile en route to Banten, Yoite reveals that he lied about planting ki fragments in Tobari, Kouichi, and Raimei (allegedly resulting in their deaths when Yoite himself dies). For his part, Miharu backtracks and tells Yoite he doesn't want to use the Shinra Banshou to erase Yoite's existence, desiring instead for Yoite to live. [Adapted from Wikipedia's volume summary]
One Piece 54 of 57+
Aided by Hancock, Luffy infiltrates Impel Down in One Piece Volume 54: Unstoppable (Mō Dare ni mo Tomerarenai). Rushing to save Ace, currently on Death Row, Luffy bumps into former foe Buggy the Clown and tips off the entire prison of his presence. Together, Luffy and Buggy race through Impel Down's first three levels, dispatching jailers who get in their way. As the clock counts down to Ace's execution, warden Magellan vows to eliminate Luffy himself.
I lurves ♡ how the One Piece manga appears (non-Chekhov's gun-like) in the dorama Mei-chan no Shitsuji.)
Fullmetal Alchemist 22 of 25+
It sez Fullmetal Alchemist 23
in the EMO thread, and the cover provided IS 23, but I believe it is Hagaren 22 that releases on the 28th. If it's not... *shrugs* I never claimed to be infallible.
In volume 22, Alphonse's plan to seal himself in a cave with Pride succeeds, effectively curbing Pride's use of his shadows. Meanwhile, in Central, Mustang and a loyal band launch a coup d'etat. Besieged, Central deploys its secret force, an undying army
that knows neither friend nor foe.
That takes care of the Big Four of this largely shounen Elex release. Now for —
NEW TITLES: Kunai Legend by Iori Tabasa
Apparently, Tabasa Iori's Kunai Legend (Kunaiden) is another Not!Naruto, but the Elex blurb carefully hides what makes this ninja action adventure different. I will follow Elex's cue.
Komori Kunai is a normal middle schooler. Normal, that is, except for his daily ninja training under his father's tutelage. Kunai trains diligently, giving no thought as to whether shinobi still have a place in the world in these times.
The day Kunai turns 14, however, he is presented with a sword, marking his ascendancy to head of the Komori family and inheritance of its duties. But what does this Komori responsibility entail?
Blurbing of other (ongoing) manga and manhwa—Kaiser Z 12, Legend of Nereid 6, Penguin Revolution 4, and With My Brothers 4—resume after the manga list.
MANGAZINES: HanaLaLa 49/20
Hoshi wa Utau © Takaya Natsuki/
Hakusensha
That other Takaya Natsuki opus has ended, and a new one—Hoshi wa Utau or Twinkle Stars—begins in this month's HanaLaLa.
The overwhelmingly ANGST!-categorized Twinkle Stars follows Sakuya, living with brother Kanade after their abandonment by their parents. Sakuya's friends don't exactly approve of Kanade, but Sakuya has no complaints.
On Sakuya's birthday, a boy named Chihiro joins in the celebrations, and it is only the following day that Sakuya learns that Chihiro, whom she thought was Kanade's friend, wasn't. Kanade, for his part, thought Chihiro was Sakuya's boyfriend.
Who is this guy??
HanaLaLa 49 also features the 49-paged third chapter of Midorikawa Yuki's first Manga Taishō finalist Natsume Yujincho and a double treat of Fujiwara Kiyo's Arakure: The Wild Ones. Here's hoping the promised chapters 28-29 returns us to the land of WAFFy Igarashi x Sachie goodness.
Other regular Hana to Yume and LaLa goodies: Alice Academy by Higuchi Tachibana (this installment: Story 77) · Darling by Uno Ayumi · Dragon's Fiancé (Ryuu no Hanawazurai) by Kusakawa Nari (Chapter 20) · La Corda D'Oro by Kure Yuki (Symphony 50) · Ouran High School Host Club by Hatori Bisco (Chapter 55) · Skip Beat! by Nakamura Yoshiki (Act 100: Off to a Good Start!) · Sugar Princess by Nakajo Hisaya (Chapter 9) · Vampire Knight by Hino Matsuri (Twenty-seventh Night) · V.B. Rose by Hidaka Banri (Chapter 49) · With My Brothers (Oniichan to Issho) by Tokeino Hari (Chapter 48).
Elex Media manga and manhwa (2010.04.28)
Release links are hide/unhide. Click for more details and cover scans.
- Adventure of Cat Mix Toraji (Neko Mix Genkitan Toraji) 3 of 3+ by Tamura Yumi
- Eyeshield 21 v36 of 37 by Inagaki Riichiro and Murata Yusuke
- Fullmetal Alchemist (Hagane no Renkinjutsushi) 22 of 25+ by Arakawa Hiromu
- Fullmetal Alchemist: The Land of Sand (砂礫の大地, Sareki no Daichi; 2003.02)
- Fullmetal Alchemist: The Abducted Alchemist (囚われの錬金術師, Toraware no Renkinjutsushi; 2003.09)
- Fullmetal Alchemist: The Valley of White Petals (白い花の舞う谷, Shiroi Hana no Mau Tani; 2004.04)
- Fullmetal Alchemist: Under the Faraway Sky (遠い空の下で, Tōi Sora no Shita de; 2004.10)
- Fullmetal Alchemist: The Ties That Bind (それぞれの絆, Sorezore no Kizuna; 2005.06)
- Fullmetal Alchemist: A New Beginning (新たなはじまり, Arata na Hajimari; 2007.03)
- Kaiser Z 12 of 16 by Uno Hiroshi
- [Premiere] Kunai Legend (Kunaiden) 1 of 4 by Iori Tabasa
- Legend of Nereid 6 of 15 by Hwang MiRee
- One Piece 54 of 57+ by Oda Eiichiro
- Penguin Revolution (Penguin Kakumei) 4 of 7 by Tsukuba Sakura
- The Puppet Master Lin (Kairaishi Lin) 6 of 10+ by Wada Shinji
- The Ruler of Nabari (Nabari no Ou) 9 of 12+ by Kamatani Yuhki
- SORA - The Wingless Duck (Ahiru no Sora) 16 of 27+ by Hinata Takeshi
- Trigun Maximum 14 of 14 by Nightow Yasuhiro [Finale]
- With My Brothers (Oniichan to Issho) 4 of 11 by Tokeino Hari
- X Zone 3 of 3+ by Aoki Takao
 | Eyeshield 21 「 アイシールド２１ 」 |
Volume 36: Sena vs. Panther contains chapters:
316. Emperor Road
(帝王学 Teiō Gaku
)
317. The Cards That Were Dealt
(配られたカードは Kubara Reta Kādo wa
)
318. Countdown 13
319. United States Of America
320. The Country Of Merit
(実力の国 Jitsuryoku no Kuni
)
321. I Am No.1
322. Sena vs. Panther
323. Double Ace Runners
(Wエースランナー W Ēsu Rannā
)
324. Poem of Resurrection
(復活の詩 Fukkatsu no Shi
)
A 145-episode anime adaptation produced by NAS and Studio Gallop, starring seiyuu Irino Miyu as Kobayakawa Sena, aired in Japan from April 2005 to March 2008.
 | Hagane no Renkinjutsushi 「 鋼の錬金術師 」 |
Volume 22 contains chapters:
088. The Understanding Between Father and Son
(親子の情 Oyako no Jō
)
089. Soldier's Return
(戦士の旗艦 Senshi no Kikan
)
090. Army of Immortals
(不死の軍団 Fushi no Gundan
)
091. A Reunion of Alchemists
(賢者の再会 Kenja no Saikai
)
AWARDS: Winner of the 49th Shogakukan Manga Award for best shounen manga
A 51-episode anime adaptation by Bones aired between October 2003 and October 2004, followed by a film sequel (Fullmetal Alchemist the Movie: Conqueror of Shamballa, July 2005) and a second series Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood, which commenced telecast on 5 April 2009 and is still ongoing (episode 54 airs 2010.04.25). A handful of OAVs were also released. Seiyuu Paku Romi and Kugimiya Rie play brothers Edward and Alphone Elric in all the Hagaren adaptations.
Related: Light novels written by Inoue Makoto and illustrated by Arakawa Hiromu (ongoing serialization in Shonen Gangan; six volumes released)
The first volume was used as source material for anime episodes 11 and 12.
 | Tenkuu no Hasha Z 「 天空の覇者Ｚ 」 by Uno Hiroshi |
 | Kunaiden 「 クナイ伝 」 by Iori Tabasa |
Volume 1 contains chapters:
1 クナイと邪紅 (Red Kunai and Evil*)
2 わしの名は幸守狭霧 (As for my name...)
3 我はあの女は好かんのよ！
4 素敵な子だもの (A child is a wonderful thing)
5 どうしても好奇心に勝てないの！
6 わがまま言ってもいいんだよ (I say I'm selfish)
*Tentative translations (c/o Google and/or Babel Fish) only
 | Legend of Nereid 「 네레이드의 전설 」 |
 | One Piece 「 ＯＮＥ ＰＩＥＣＥ 」 by Oda Eiichiro |
Volume 54: Unstoppable contains chapters:
523. Hell
(地獄 Jigoku
)
524. Unstoppable
(もう誰にも止められない Mō Dare ni mo Tomerarenai
)
525. The Underwater Prison Impel Down
(海底監獄インペルダウン Kaitei Kangoku Impel Down
)
526. Adventure in the Great Prison
(大監獄の冒険 Daikangoku no Bōken
)
527. Level 1: Crimson Hell
(LV1 紅蓮地獄 Level 1 Guren Jigoku
)
528. Jimbei, First Son of the Sea
(海俠のジンベエ Kaikyō no Jinbē
)
529. Level 2: Beast Hell
(LV2 猛獣地獄 Level 2 Mōjū Jigoku
)
530. From One Hell to Another
(地獄へ地獄へ Jigoku e Jigoku e
)
531. Level 3: Starvation Hell
(LV3 飢餓地獄 Level 3 Kiga Jigoku
)
532. Jailer Beast Minotaur
(獄卒獣ミノタウロス Gokusotsujū Minotaur
)
AWARDS: Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize finalist from 2000 to 2002
The manga was adapted into a couple of OAVs before a full anime TV series that has aired more than 400 episodes and is still ongoing. At least 13 animated movies have also been released.
 | Penguin Kakumei 「 ペンギン革命 」 |
A Penguin Kakumei drama was included in the freebie LaLa Gorgeous Drama CD accompanying LaLa November 2006. Kawakami Tomoko, Saiga Mitsuki, and Takahashi Hiroki voiced Yukari, Ryo, and Aya respectively.
 | Kairaishi Lin 「 傀儡師リン 」 by Wada Shinji |
 | Nabari no Ou 「 隠の王 」 by Kamatani Yuhki |
Volume 9 contains chapters:
044 Thus, the String Was Cut
(かくして 糸は切られた Kakushite Ito wa Kira Reta
)
045. Kotodama
(コトダマ)
046. The Time I Found You
(見つけた時間の君 Mitsuketa Jikan no Kimi
)
047. Let Us Have Good Dreams
(いざや楽しき夢を見ん Izaya Tanoshiki Yume o Min
)
AWARDS: 2005 Japan Media Arts Festival finalist
A 26-episode anime adaptation by J.C. Staff, starring seiyuu Kugimiya Rie as Rokujou Miharu, Saiga Mitsuki as Yoite, Namikawa Daisuke as Kumohira Durandal Tobari, Hino Satoshi as Aizawa Kouichi, and Fujimura Ayumi as Shimizu Raimei, aired in Japan from April to September 2008.
 | Ahiru no Sora 「 あひるの空 」 by Hinata Takeshi |
 | Trigun Maximum 「 トライガン・マキシマム 」 |
Trigun Maximum published in English in North America by Dark Horse Comics in cooperation with DMP (14 volumes) and Chuang Yi (two bunko volumes, concluded)
A 26-episode anime adaptation produced by Madhouse aired on TV Tokyo from April to September 1998. An animated theatrical release Trigun: Badlands Rumble premieres 24 April 2010. Seiyuu Onosaka Masaya, Hayami Sho, Tsuru Hiromi, and Yukino Satsuki return in their roles as Vash the Stampede, Nicolas D. Wolfwood, Meryl Stryfe, and Milly Thompson.
 | Oniichan to Issho 「 お兄ちゃんと一緒 」 |
 | X-Zone 「 世にも奇怪な物語 Ｘゾーン 」 |
Elex Media reissues (2010.04.28)
- [RE-STO] Angel's Eye by Dwiyani Christi
- [RE-STO] Doraemon Movie 1 - The Records of Nobita Spaceblazer (FIRST) by Fujiko F. Fujio
- [RE-STO] Doraemon Movie 1 - The Records of Nobita Spaceblazer (LAST) by Fujiko F. Fujio
- [RE-STO] Girl of Alps Heidi by Johanna Spyri and Igarashi Yumiko
- [RE-STO] Precious Moment by Esvandiari Sant
NOTE
(1) Sources: Elex Media STO 28 April 2010 (release schedule) and Komikologi (synopses, except where noted)
(2) All listed manga are priced at IDR 15,000 each, except the reissued Girls of Alps Heidi (SRP: IDR 12,000) and Doraemon Movie 1 - The Records of Nobita Spaceblazer (FIRST) and (LAST) (IDR 20,000/volume)
(3) Links like this are Amazon.com (or other online merchants) search and/or product links (commercial), in case you're interested in another language version.
Volume previews continued...
Kaiser Z 12 of 16
Tenkuu no Hasha Z 「 天空の覇者Ｚ 」 by Uno Hiroshi
T ingot in hand, Tenma visits the only blacksmith capable of smithing the metal into the meteor sword under Kanako's guidance. But plans remain plans as Tenma lacks knowledge of one more secret to reviving the sword.
Legend of Nereid 6 of 15
DO WANT!
「 네레이드의 전설 」 by Hwang MiRee
Attica's army plans to attack Akaron island. Themedes puts himself forward to lead the assault forces. Meanwhile, Matia is ensconced in Prince Thaion's palace.
Early fangirling about the high romance quotient of this volume *waves to Ari-chan* accounts for the GET! designation. (Click the link if you want more than my hint.)
Penguin Revolution 4 of 7
DO WANT!
Penguin Kakumei 「 ペンギン革命 」 by Tsukuba Sakura
Ryo's acting in Animalder bags him a Young Lions Award, and despite an envious nominee trying to stop him from ascending the stage, Ryo receives the award. Jubilation breaks out and Narazaki takes advantage of the festivity to kiss Yukari!
And THAT's why Narazaki is the PenKaku cover...
With My Brothers 4 of 11
DO WANT!
Oniichan to Issho 「 お兄ちゃんと一緒 」 by Tokeino Hari
Into Sakura's life whirls an off-the-charts charm wattage "guest." He's not another brother, is he?
~niki DBA huamulan03 (花木蘭03)
UP NEXT: More 28 April 2010 manga
Level Comics: Angel Heart 3 · Eagle 10 · Jio 5 · Love Affair 5 · Restore Garage 251 vol. 5 · Lucky Luke - Lucky Luke vs Joss Jamon · Lucky Luke - Nabi Palsu · Michel Vaillant - Para Sponsor · Yakari - Yakari dan Sang Rajawali
m&c!: Battle Brawlers Bakugan 3 · Bleach 22 · Born To Cook 6 · C-Blossom 1 by Shimotsuki Kayoko/Fukui Harutoshi · Goong [Palace Story] 19 · My Fragile Love 1 by Miyawaki Yukino · My Fragile Love 2 · My Fragile Love 3 of 3 · Shanaou Yoshitsune - Genpei War 1 by Sawada Hirofumi · Tokyo Angels 1 by Fujii Mihona · White Paper Ark 5 · The Story of Wang Fenglei 1 by Tony Wong · Hand 7 No. 2 · PenDragon 2 · Tengu-Do 2 · KOLONI: Garudayana 2 · Cherry 42 · Shanaou Yoshitsune volumes 7-12 (box set)
disclaimer
Cover images and source summaries used here for reference are © their respective intellectual rights holders. No infringement intended.
manga currently available (21 April 2010 street date)
- Elex Media: Beck 16 · Detektif Conan Spesial 31 · Dr. Koto 1 by Yamada Takatoshi · Flash of Wind 27 · Legend of Nereid 5 · Love Honor 2 of 2 · SC: Miracle Blue by Mitsuki Miko · Penguin Revolution 3 · Pokemon 14 of 14 · Spiral: The Bonds of Reason 1 by Shirodaira Kyou & Mizuno Eita · Shonen Star 64/2010
- Level Comics: Aflame Inferno 1 by Kim KwangHyun · Arms 17 · The Black Swindler 9 · Ice Forest 4 · Fire Investigator Nanase 2 · Nurse Aoi 11 · Pandemic by Kakizaki Masasumi · Psychometrist Eiji 12 · To Be Beautiful 3 · Wilderness 2 · Zenith 4
- m&c!: Dragon Girl 3 · Happy Tail! 2 of 2 · Monga's Earth 3 of 3 · My Secret Guy by Washio Mie · My Secret Life 6 of 6 · My Sweet Kaicho 8 · Pure Love Kamikaze Captain 12 · School Hotel 1 by Morie Satoshi · Sayaka, I Love You by Wao Akira · The Impeccable Twins Final Chapters 7 · Monika 133 · Horacic Park III · Star Wars 4 · Hellboy 2
related monthly schedules
Elex April 2010 manga
Premiering K-ON! by Kakifly, Spiral: The Bonds of Reason by Shirodaira Kyo & Mizuno Eita, Kumpulan Cerita Berwarna Doraemon by Fujiko F. Fujio, Hitsugi Katsugi no Kuro by Kiyuzuki Satoko, Kunai Legend by Iori Tabasa, Love & Honor by Yamada Daisy (double launch with volume 2), Otoboke Section Chief by Ueda Masashi, Pangeran Kacamata by Mizukami Wataru, V.B. Rose by Hidaka Banri · Standalones: Butterfly Cloud by Ashihara Hinako and Miracle Blue by Mitsuki Miko
other invaluable resources
7net Shopping · Baka-Updates Manga · manaworld.com · Wikipedia
Technorati tags
manga · manhwa · Elex Media · HanaLaLa · josei · seinen · shoujo · shounen · soonjung · Adventure of Cat Mix Toraji · Eyeshield 21 · Fullmetal Alchemist · Kaiser Z · Kunai Legend · Legend of Nereid · Nabari no Ou · One Piece · Penguin Revolution · The Puppet Master Lin · The Ruler of Nabari · SORA - The Wingless Duck · Trigun Maximum · Twinkle Stars · With My Brothers · X-Zone
Neko Mix Genkitan Toraji 「 猫ｍｉｘ幻奇譚とらじ 」 by Tamura Yumi
Shogakukan Rinka, josei
Volume 3 first published in Japan 2009.11