As promised, I'm back with the extended babble.
Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge © Hayakawa Tomoko/Kodansha (Serialized in Betsufure)
Published in Indonesia as Perfect Girl Evolution by Elex Media/Level Comics
Contains (TV) Tropes and other [SPOILERS!]
Can you believe it's been over a year since Level last released Perfect Girl Evolution? Boy, was that ever a long wait for volume 20. Good thing investment in Sunako-chan and the four dazzling creatures she lives with supply the necessary (and necessarily antsy) C'mon, c'mon! patience.
(I couldn't stand the 15 month-hold up, however, and already gots The Wallflower 20—Del Rey's edition subtitled Princess Sunako?—way back, so I'm borrowing that blurb for here.)
Sunako is a great cook, but her croissant recipe needs help. Luckily, the landlady happens to know a royal family famous for its master bakers. Sunako and the gang are whisked off to the small kingdom of Grimmel, but the landlady has ulterior motives: The young prince of Grimmel is looking for a bride, and his tastes are almost as morbid as Sunako's. It looks like Sunako might accept the prince's proposal—unless Kyohei is willing to speak now or forever hold his peace.
TV Tropes notes that the manga also known variously as YamaNade and My Fair Lady is completely food-obsessed
—the You will probably get hungry reading it observation more than confirmed by the synopsis above. That it's also Always Saving Your Love Interest makes it equally delish. Wanna see how He's Usually the One Distressed Kyohei rescues FMOHC (Future Mother of His Children) Sunako from Grimmel's ouji? Then GET! volume 20. I'm also still getting the Indonesian version this weekend to make Level friends (waves to editor Lenny-san) happy. See, Perfect Girl Evolution, despite being uncompromisingly Aww... Look They Really Do Love Each Other shoujo, is THE Level bestseller. (And I'm SO sure Hayakawa Tomoko-sensei's sustained concert resume freetalks have nothing to do with the achievement. Unless of course the Indonesian PGE market is as crazy about Kiyoharu as the manga-ka, which I doubt.)
The other two manga in the post title both undergo dorama treatment in prep for July premieres. (For Hotaru's Light, it's actually the second live-action outing.)
The Fugitive Lawyer Makoto Narita 3 by Go Hideki & Takada Yu
Betrayed by the legal system, disbarred lawyer Narita Makoto struggles to acquit himself of trumped up charges of murder, arson, and embezzlement by tracking down the true felon.
The manga's titular hero grapples with dura lex sed lex and life on the lam by losing himself in crowds, assuming false names, and constantly exchanging job for other menial jobs. Despite being wronged by the judicial sytem, Narita Makoto still believes in justice and goes out of his way to aid other people in trouble.
DORAMA UPDATE, I: Kamiji Yusuke (Shoji Tsutsumoto, Crows ZERO and Crows ZERO II) stars as the nationally-wanted Narita Makoto in the upcoming Fuji TV live-action series. Toubou Bengoshi represents Kamiji's first TV drama starring role. Ishihara Satomi (Sayama Hitomi, Hidarime Tantei EYE) and Yada Akiko (Asuka Nozomi, Top Caster) are cast as a murdered lawyer's daughter and a prosecutor respectively.
Author Go Hideki also wrote the award-winning Kurosagi manga (published by Level as The Black Swindler) under the pseudonym Natsuhara Takeshi.
Hotaru's Light 9 by Hiura Satoru
Before she can move in with Makoto, Hotaru reveals her dried fish side worst, and Shonan living arrangements, not to mention their relationship, are off! This obviously throws Hotaru into despondency, but she can't really afford debilitating depression because she has just been assigned to handle Makoto's first showing!
Guess where Hotaru ends up bunking? *wink* *wink*
DORAMA UPDATE, II: Hotaru no Hikari Season 2 is also scheduled to premiere this July on Nippon Television. Ayase Haruka (Haruka, Oblivion Island: Haruka and the Magic Mirror movie) and Fujiki Naohito (Higuchi Juntaro, Ikemen Sobaya Tantei seasons 1 and 2) reprise their roles as OL Amemiya Hotaru and boss Takano Seiichi. The first Glow of Fireflies season aired in the latter half of 2007.
Level Comics manga (2010.06.09)
Release links are hide/unhide. Click for more details and cover scans.
- Blade of Immortal (Mugen no Juunin) 8 of 26+ by Samura Hiroaki
- Brave Story (Brave Story - Shinsetsu) 2 of 20 by Miyabe Miyuki
- 9.
To Vision
(ビジョンへBijon He
) - 10.
Traveler
(トラベラーToraberā
) - 11.
The Third Traveler
(3番目の旅行者San Banme no Ryokō Sha
) - 12.
The Clown's True Power
(の男の真のパワーNo Otoko no Shin no Pawā
) - 13.
Awakening
(目覚めMezame
) - 14.
Forfeiture
(没収Bosshū
) - 15.
Promise
(約束Yakusoku
) - 16.
Journey Begun
(旅行開始Ryokō Kaishi
) - 17.
Water People
(水と人Mizu to Hito
) - 18.
The Branch
(の支店No Shiten
) - The Fugitive Lawyer Makoto Narita (Toubou Bengoshi Narita Makoto) 3 of 6+ by Takada Yu & Go Hideki
- 22-24 後継人（前・中・後編）
- 25-29 呪いの声（I～V）
- 30-32 癒えぬ傷（前・中・後編）
- ザ・冤罪ファイル
- Gokusen 13 of 15 by Morimoto Kozueko
- Half an Apple (1/2 no Ringo) 2 of 14 by Koyama Yukari
- Hotaru's Light (Hotaru no Hikari) 9 of 15 by Hiura Satoru
- New Comic Bomber (Shin Hoero Pen) 2 of 11 by Shimamoto Kazuhiko
- 5 限りなくでかい魂
- 6 ラヴ・ウィズ・ミー
- 7 そのコを返すな!!
- 8 挑発
- 特別掲載
- 吼えろペン～コリアより愛をこめて～
- Perfect Girl Evolution (Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge) 20 of 26+ by Hayakawa Tomoko
- 79
Capture the Princess!
- 80
House Arrest! Beautiful Sacrifice!
- 81
Who is 'Mister' Morikou?
- 82
The Japanese New Year
- Wilderness 3 of 7+ by Ito Akihiro
 | Brave Story - Shinsetsu |
Volume 2 contains chapters:
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 LANGUAGE VERSIONS/SERIALIZATIONS
TOKYOPOP published five volumes of the Brave Story manga (the sixth compilation is advertised but remains unreleased; the Brave Story novel was published by VIZ Media in November 2009). The manga is also translated into French by Kurokawa and in traditional Chinese by Tong Li (Taiwan).
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.
 | Toubou Bengoshi Narita Makoto |
Volume 3 contains chapters:
ADAPTATIONS
A live-action adaptation, Toubou Bengoshi, starring Kamiji Yusuke (Tsutsumoto Shoji, Crows ZERO live-action movies) is slated to premiere July 2010 on Fuji TV.
 | Gokusen 「 ごくせん 」 by Morimoto Kozueko |
OTHER LANGUAGE VERSIONS/SERIALIZATIONS
Published in traditional Chinese by Sharp Point Press (Taiwan)
RELATED
Re-released in 17.4 x 11.4 x 2.6cm “Handy Editions” (ハンディ版 ごくせん) with specially commissioned CG cover art under Shueisha's QC/Queen's Comics imprint from January to June 2008. A special chapter also appeared in the January 2008 issue of YOU. The series returned for two installments in 2009 (July 1 and 15 issues) to mark the Gokusen feature film release. (See ADAPTATIONS below)
ADAPTATIONS
Three seasons of the live-action series starring Nakama Yukie as Yamaguchi Kumiko (“Yankumi”) ran on Nippon Television in 2002, 2005, and 2008, with two TV specials (Gokusen Special: Sayonara 3-nen D-gumi; 2003.03 and Gokusen 3: Graduation Special; 2009). A feature film (directed by TV series director Sato Toya) premiered in Japanese theaters in July 2009. A 12-episode anime adaptation produced by Madhouse aired on NTV from January to March 2004, with seiyuu Hayamizu Risa and Suzumura Kenichi as Yankumi and Sawada Shin.
For her portrayal of Yankumi in the first season, Nakama Yukie received the Best Actress award at the 33rd Television Drama Academy Awards, a prize she will go on to win for the same role at the 44th and 57th Television Drama Academy Awards. Seasons 1 and 2 co-stars Matsumoto Jun (Shin) and Kamenashi Kazuya (Odagiri Ryu) won the Best Supporting Actor awards at the 33rd and 44th Television Drama Academy Awards respectively. The second season also won Best Drama at the 44th Television Drama Academy Awards.
 | 1/2 no Ringo 「 １／２の林檎 」 by Koyama Yukari |
 | Hotaru no Hikari 「 ホタルノヒカリ 」 by Hiura Satoru |
ADAPTATIONS
A 10-episode Glow of Fireflies live-action adaptation aired on NTV between July and September 2007, starring Ayase Haruka (Hirose Aki, Crying out Love in the Centre of the World) as Amemiya Hotaru and Fujiki Naohito (Ikemen Sobaya Tantei) as Takano Seiichi. The pair reprise their roles in the upcoming second season, set to premiere July 2010 on the same network.
 | Shin Hoero Pen 「 新吼えろペン 」 |
Volume 2 contains chapters:
RELATED SERIES
Prequels: Burning Pen (Moeyo Pen, one volume) and Comic Bomber (Hoero Pen, 13 volumes)
 | Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge |
Volume 20 contains chapters:
OTHER LANGUAGE VERSIONS/SERIALIZATIONS
Published in English as My Fair Lady by Chuang Yi (latest volume 24) and Del Rey as The Wallflower (volume 21 released 2009.09.29 • volumes 22-24 street date: 2010.10.26). Translated into French by Pika Édition and into German by Tokyopop Germany and Egmont Manga and Anime (from volume 21 onwards).
ADAPTATIONS
A 25-episode anime adaptation by Nippon Animation aired from October 2006 to March 2007 on Japan's TV Aichi. Seiyuu Takaguchi Yukiko, Morikubo Showtaro, Yamauchi Yuuya, Sugita Tomokazu, and Nojima Hirofumi were cast as leads Nakahara Sunako, Takano Kyohei, Toyama Yukinojo, Takenaga Oda, and Morii Ranmaru. Series director Nabeshin (Watanabe Shinichi) voiced Sunako's former crush in the first episode, The Light that Shines through the Darkness.
Three years later, the manga was (loosely) adapted into a 10-episode live-action renzoku, which aired on TBS from January to March 2010. Kamenashi Kazuya, Oomasa Aya, Tegoshi Yuya, Uchi Hiroki, and Miyao Shuntaro were cast as Kyohei, Sunako, Yukinojo, Takenaga, and Ranmaru. The series also included the drama-only character Nakahara Takeru (the landlady's son, played by Kato Seishiro). Japanese boy band KAT-TUN (obviously) performed the theme Love yourself ~Kimi ga Kirai na Kimi ga Suki~.
 | Wilderness 「 ＷＩＬＤＥＲＮＥＳＳ 」 by Ito Akihiro |
Level Comics European comics (2010.06.09)
- Smurf - Kekacauan di Desa Smurf by Peyo
- Yakari - Di Negeri Para Serigala by Derib
NOTE
(1) Sources: Elex Media 9 June 2010 schedule and Komikologi (synopses, except where noted)
(2) All listed manga are priced at IDR 17,000 each, except Blade of Immortal 8 and Wilderness 3 (SRP: IDR 18,000). ROMICs retail for IDR 27,000 apiece
(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
Gokusen 13 by Morimoto Kozueko
The wheels of Operation: Boot Yankumi out of Shirokin Gakuen continue turning, but fortunately, the PTA and then Sawada Shin's formidable dad, Go, refuse to play ball. Undeterred, the school foundation head turns to the last resort: the mother of first-year trouble-maker Shibata.
I don't know aboutchu, but I'm on edge for the Shinkumi OTP payoff; already have the Gokusen 2K8 special chapter and am having trouble keeping it on the TBR queue until the Indonesian series runs its course (only one more tankou before the finale).
Half An Apple 2 by Koyama Yukari
Hikaru's belief in fate and soul mates appears vindicated when she is reunited a decade hence with high school crush Shindo. They become a couple and it's only a matter of time before wedding bells start to peal.
But what's this? Hikaru's co-worker Natsuko is scheming to keep the two halves of the apple apart?
How will Hikaru cope with the loss of trust, the end of friendship, and a relationship going from Committed
to Complicated
now?
New Comic Bomber 2 by Shimamoto Kazuhiko
Manga-ka Hono-sensei attends a Kogakukan Manga Awards* ceremony with his assistants and there meets award recipient Mariyabashi-sensei. But just because she won doesn't mean Mariyabashi-sensei gets any breaks when it comes to deadlines. Too busy to attend the second party, she requests for Hono-sensei's help — using Look into my eyes hypnotism to do so.
Can Hono-sensei break the “spell” or will he end up Mariyabashi-sensei's puppet?
*Tongue-in-cheek Bland Name Product-ing the Shogakukan Manga Awards? Or wishful thinking, given that New Comic Bomber manga-ka Shimamoto Kazuhiko-sensei has yet to win the prestigious award?
Wilderness 3 by Ito Akihiro
The chase across the Mexican desert continues. Without permission from higher-ups, Enora drags Jim and Rosenman into an illegal investigation across borders. Meanwhile, Horita and Seruma are in the same town.
What's the connection? I don't know. I just translate these blurbs; I don't actually follow Wilderness. If you do, you can probably make sense of the above blurb. Tell me about it, please?
Wilderness volume 3 contains chapters:
- 10 THE EVIL MEN DO
- 11 Trabajo duro (1-3)
- 12 Glass Tightrope (1-3)
~niki DBA huamulan03 (花木蘭03)
disclaimer
Cover images and source summaries used here for reference are © their respective intellectual rights holders. No infringement intended.
other manga currently available (9 June 2010 street date)
- Elex Media: BECK 18 · Dear Boys Act III vol. 2 · Ghost Sweeper Mikami 39 of 39 · Hayate the Combat Butler 20 · Hidamari Sketch 1 · Kaiser Z 13 · A Kiss for My Prince 1 by Kim Hee-Eun · Kungfu Boy Legends 8 · Legend of Nereid 7 · LUM, The Invader Girl 23 · New Sexy Simpleton 1 by Hwang Mi-Ree · Sora, The Wingless Duck 17 · Tokkyu! 12 · Wild Life 5 by Fujisaki Masato
- m&c!: Another Kingdom 2 of 2 · Bleach 28 · Bakugan Battle Brawlers 6 · Find a New Love! by Sugiyama Miwako · Nekomachi Shop Guide 2 · The Princess Bouquet 2 · Shanimuni GO 30
related monthly schedules
Level Comics June 2010 manga
Premiering Dark Edge by Aikawa Yu, Ghost Mum Investigator by Sato Tomokazu · Standalones: 1 or W by Takahashi Rumiko and Bus Hashiru by Sahara Mizu
Level Comics May 2010 manga
Premiering Dolls of God by Yamamura Hajime, Oh Butterfly Oh Flower by Yoshihara Yuki · Second Engage by Aikawa Momoko (standalone)
other invaluable resources
7net · Amazon JP · Baka-Updates Manga · Wikipedia · ANN · TV Tropes · DramaWiki
Technorati tags
Level Comics · manga · ROMIC · josei · seinen · shoujo · Blade of the Immortal · Brave Story · Fugitive Lawyer Makoto Narita · Gokusen · Half an Apple · Hotaru's Light · New Comic Bomber · Wilderness · Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge · Smurfs · Yakari
Mugen no Juunin 「 無限の住人 」 by Samura Hiroaki
Kodansha Afternoon, seinen
Volume 8 first published in Japan 1998.07
AWARDS
1997 Japan Media Arts Festival Excellence Prize recipient
OTHER LANGUAGE VERSIONS/SERIALIZATIONS
Blade of the Immortal is published in English by Dark Horse Comics (Volume 22: Footsteps released 2010.02.03). The manga is published in French by Casterman; in Italian by Planet Manga/Panini Comics; in German and Polish by Egmont; in Portuguese by Conrad (Brazil); and in Swedish Schibsted Förlagen Sverige AB (serialized in Manga Mania).
ADAPTATIONS
A 13-episode anime adaptation by Bee Train starring seiyuu Seki Tomokazu as Manji and Satou Rina as Asano Rin aired in Japan on AT-X from July to December 2008.