xxxHOLiC 9, Gokusen 14, Genius Family Company 3 (Level Comics 21 July 2010 manga)

天才ファミリー・カンパニー 3

Tensai Family Company © Ninomiya Tomoko/Gentosha (Gentosha Comics Manga Bunko)
Published in Indonesia as Genius Family Company by Elex Media/Level Comics

May contain [SPOILERS!]

Domeki shares Watanuki's powers and gains the Time Witch's part-timer's ability to see youkai and ayakashi. Watanuki Vision™ further allows Domeki to witness Watanuki's encounter with a girl under a sakura tree — despite his absence from the scene. Is the girl introduced in xxxHOLiC 9 a preternatural creature or a flesh and blood human?

Del Rey hints as to her real identity in its xxxHOLiC 9 blurb: Like Watanuki, she can detect spirits, and together they try to avert an exorcism. (Del Rey adds that before this, Watanuki unknowingly buys a deadly dream — although going by the later escapade with Sakura Girl, Watanuki obviously survives the man-eating nightmare.)

As for the next two most popular Level manga GET! (both josei) —

Genius Family Company 3 of 6 by Ninomiya Tomoko

Do you intend to go bankrupt??

The third bunko of Ninomiya Tomoko's Genius Family Company has Katsuyuki overnighting at Nagasawa Kyoko's gallery and ending up clobbered by Nagasawa's father who mistakes him for some pervert salaryman. Forced to look for other work to fund his studies abroad, Katsuyuki part-times at a bookstore, little knowing that the store is owned by Nagasawa's dad. Eventually, though, Katsuyuki learns of the true financial state of the business: it's struggling in Danger Red territory!

Gokusen 14 of 15 by Morimoto Kozueko

The Gokusen penult surprises us with Shinohara-sensei's kidnapping as he prepares to resign his commission as the Kuroda attorney. The abductor's identity unknown, the entire Ooedo Clan panics. Shin suggests that Yankumi pose as an Obfuscating Stupidity Normal to investigate the lawyer's abduction; she's all over the idea and with Shin and the Kuroda canine Fuji, tries to pick up Shinohara-sensei's trail.

As luck would have it, Shin runs afoul of the perp when the Hot for Teach bishounen tries to rescue the Future Mother of His Children Yankumi from a trap.

Can Bad Bad Acting, Badass Teacher Yankumi save both Shin and Shinohara? And what's the deal with taking the lawyer hostage, anyway?

(As mentioned last month, I'm amped for the Shinkumi OTP payoff that the Gokusen 2K8 special chapter reportedly brings and as such, having trouble waiting for after Morimoto Kozueko's XX-chromosomed GTO runs its course before I start reading it. *prays for volume 15's speedy release*)

FINALES: Revolution No.3 Vol. 3 of 3 by Kaneshiro Kazuki & Akishige Manabu

Fight!! Ippo 77 and Priest 7 previews are after the fake cut.

With the third Revolution No.3, it's a wrap for Kaneshiro Kazuki & Akishige Manabu's Zombies trilogy (sequels Fly, Daddy, Fly and Speed finished earlier). Level, however, didn't supply a synopsis, so I'm just going to list the Beatles' songs-inspired chapters: (22) Don't pass me by; (23) Come together; (24) Shout; (25) She loves you; (26) Do you want to know a secret; (27) Flying; (28) If I needed someone; (29) I call your name; (30) With a little help from my friends; and (31) Let it be.

Level Comics manga and manhwa (2010.07.21)

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

  1. Fight!! Ippo (Hajime no Ippo) 77 of 92+ by Morikawa Joji
  2. Fight!! Ippo 77 (Level Comics)

    Hajime no Ippoはじめの一歩
    by Morikawa Joji (or George)
    AKA Fighting Spirit
    Kodansha Weekly Shonen Magazine, shounen
    Volume 77 (containing chapters 724-734) first published in Japan 2006.08

    AWARDS
    Recipient of the 1991 Kodansha Manga Award for Best Shounen Manga

    OTHER LANGUAGE VERSIONS
    Hajime no Ippo is translated into French as Ippo, la rage de vaincre by Kurokawa.

    ADAPTATIONS
    A 76-episode anime by Madhouse, starring seiyuu Kiyasu Kohei as Makunouchi Ippo, aired on NTV from October 2000 to March 2002. A sequel, Hajime no Ippo - Champion Road (special), came out in June 2003, followed by the spinoff Hajime no Ippo - Mashiba vs. Kimura OAV (2003.09). The second season Hajime no Ippo: New Challenger (26 episodes) was telecast from January to June 2009.

  3. Genius Family Company (Tensai Family Company) 3 of 6 by Ninomiya Tomoko
  4. Genius Family Company 3 (Level Comics)

    Tensai Family Company by Ninomiya Tomoko
    天才ファミリー・カンパニー
    Gentosha Gentosha Comics Manga Bunko, josei
    Volume 3 (bunko) first published in Japan 2008.09

    OTHER LANGUAGE VERSIONS
    Tensai Family Company is translated into French as Tensai Family Company - Génies en tous genres by Asuka Comics.

  5. Gokusen 14 of 15 by Morimoto Kozueko
  6. Gokusen 14 (Level Comics)

    Gokusenごくせん 」 by Morimoto Kozueko
    Shueisha YOU, josei
    Volume 14 first published in Japan 2006.10

    OTHER LANGUAGE VERSIONS/SERIALIZATIONS
    The traditional Chinese Gokusen (極道鮮師) is published in Taiwan by Sharp Point Press.

    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.

  7. Priest 7 of 16+ by Hyung MinWoo
  8. Priest 7 (Level Comics)

    Priest프리스트 」 by Hyung MinWoo
    Daiwon C.I. Champ Comics, seinen
    Volume 7 first published in Korea 2000.07
    Series on hiatus from volume 16

    OTHER LANGUAGE VERSIONS
    Priest is published in North America by TOKYOPOP (16 volumes). Other global releases: France (by Tokebi) · Germany (Tokyopop Germany) · Poland (Kasen Comics) · Italy (J POP) · Brazil (Lumus).

    ADAPTATIONS
    A film adaptation starring Paul Bettany, Cam Gigandet, and Maggie Q is expected to premiere on 13 May 2011 in the U.S. (The Indonesian screening schedule is slated to begin 20 April 2011.)

    RELATED
    Priest: Purgatory, an original TOKYOPOP series, is scheduled to debut in August 2010 (GN volume 1 street date: 2010.08.10).

  9. Revolution No.3 Vol. 3 of 3 by Kaneshiro Kazuki & Akishige Manabu [Finale]
  10. Revolution No.3 (Level Comics)

    Revolution No.3REVOLUTION No.3
    by Kaneshiro Kazuki & Akishige Manabu
    Shogakukan Young Sunday, seinen
    Volume 3 (containing chapters 22-31) first published in Japan 2004.08

    RELATED
    Part of the Zombies series, which includes sequels Fly, Daddy, Fly and Speed

  11. xxxHOLiC 9 of 17+ by CLAMP
  12. xxxHOLiC 9 (Level Comics)

    xxxHOLiC×××HOLiC 」 by CLAMP
    Kodansha Young Magazine, seinen
    Volume 9: 信じましょう、未来を。あの子達を (Shinjimashō, Mirai o. Ano ko-tachi o or Let's believe in the future. In those children. containing chapters 52-58) first published in Japan 2006.07

    OTHER LANGUAGE VERSIONS
    xxxHOLiC is published in North America by Del Rey (volume 15 released 2010.03.23 • volume 16 street date: 2010.10.26). Other global releases: UK (Tanoshimi; licensed by Del Rey) · France (Pika Édition) · Norma Editorial (Spain) · Italy (Star Comics) · Germany (Egmont) · Sweden (Bonnier Carlsen) · Grupo Editorial Vid (Mexico) · Brazil (JBC)

    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)

¹ Sources: STO 21 July 2010 (release schedule) and Komikologi (synopses, unless indicated otherwise)
² All GN cost IDR 18,500 each except Genius Family Company 3 (SRP: IDR 29,500).
³ Links like this are Amazon commercial search and/or product links, in case you're interested in another language version.

Volume previews continued...

Fight!! Ippo 77 of 92+ by Morikawa Joji

Just as Ippo's doubts over boxing reach critical mass, Mari tells him an anecdote about a certain pugilist. Mari's story reminds Ippo of why he took up boxing in the first place. Resolve rekindled, Ippo returns to the Kamogawa ring and goes up against Scarred Jimmy, the notorious boxer who sidelines his opponents — permanently.

Hajime no Ippo volume 77 contains:

  • Round 724: Deep Hole
  • Round 725: The Weight of Fists
  • Round 726: A Different Route
  • Round 727: Scarred Jimmy
  • Round 728: The Fist of God
  • Round 729: Disrupt the Startup
  • Round 730: Gamble or Threat
  • Round 731: Tornado
  • Round 732: Only One Thing
  • Round 733: Half-Hearted Punches
  • Round 734: Unfamiliar Fight

Priest 7 of 16+ by Hyung MinWoo

With the Domas Poradas unsealed, the fallen angel Temozarela escapes, leaving Ivan Isaacs in his place. The moribund Ivan is compelled into entering into a sacrilegious contract with the demon Beliel to break free from his prison. Thus, a young priest's quest for proof of God ends (as TOKYOPOP's Priest Book 7 blurb puts it) in eternal damnation.

Iamque opus exegi,
~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 next available manga (21 July 2010 street date)

  • Elex Media: Q.E.D. 34 · Juvenile Remix 4 · New Sexy Simpleton 5 · Hell Girl 5 · Sanzoku Ou: King of Bandits 2 · Kurozakuro 4 · Real 9 · Katsu! 6 · Geobreeders 13 · Coz We're not Children 1 by Seta Haruhi · Crows 10 · Shonen Magz 74/2010
  • m&c!: Happy Cafe 15 of 15 · Innocent Dragon 6 · Idol Shopping 1 by Hwang MiRee · Female Wolf's Boy 1 by Han YuRang · Sandwich Girl 1 by Han YuRang · Ugly Duckling Become Swan 1 by Hwang MiRee · Long Hu Men 169 | AMERO comics (Dark Horse): Actions Speak by Sergio Aragones · Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures 7

currently available manga (14 July 2010 street date)

  • Elex Media: Fairy-Tale Motif Brocade 5 of 5 · Hell Girl 4 · Kaiser Z 14 · Kumpulan Cerita Berwarna Doraemon 4 · Libero Revolution! 11 · New Sexy Simpleton 4 · Paket Doraemon Movie (Jakarta) by Fujiko F. Fujio · Penguin Revolution 5 · Red-Haired Snow White 3 · Rockwell the Scarlet Knight 1 by Nadatani Wataru · Summer Storm 2 · Tena on S String 1 by Mikabe Sesuna · Toradora 1 by Zekkou · V.B. Rose 5 · Nakayoshi 82/2010 · Shonen Star 68/2010 · [RE-STO] Eyeshield 21 volumes 1-10 | Kitchen Princess volumes 1-10 of 10 | One Piece volumes 1-10, 11-20, 21-30 ad 31-40 box sets
  • Level Comics: 3x3 Eyes 31 · Akihabara@Deep 5 · Fight!! Ippo 76 · Miso-Com 3 · Nanase Fire Investigator 4 · Restore Garage 251 volume 7
  • m&c!: Bakugan Battle Brawlers 8 · Go! Hiromi Go! 1 by Asou Mikoto· How to Be a Man 1 by Yamada Nanpei · The Princess Bouquet 3 of 3 · Sakura Wars 9 of 9

related monthly schedules

Level Comics July 2010 manga
Premiering Soul Eater by Ohkubo Atsushi and Yokohama Chinatown Fantasy by Nishi Yuuji · Ending Diamond Life

other invaluable resources

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