1/2 no Ringo © Koyama Yukari/Kodansha [Serialized in Kiss]
Published in Indonesia as Half an Apple by Elex Media/Level Comics
Before I get to Half an Apple and its tangled relationships and astray soul mates, top DO WANT! manga first. And for this Level release, that's xxxHOLiC.
Himawari has been keeping her distance from Watanuki ever since that near fatal accident. But Watanuki waves aside Himawari's claim of being bad luck incarnate and gifts her with a bird hatched from an egg given to him by Yuko.
Can the bird erase Himawari's bad luck curse? Find out in xxxHOLiC 11, streeting the 15th. [Additions from the Kimihiro Watanuki write-up at Holic Wiki]
Meanwhile, Pika Édition's XXX Holic, tome 11 description adds that Watanuki's path leads him to another chance meeting with Zashiki Warashi, as well encountering a mother more interested in money than in her daughter's happiness; Del Rey's xxxHOLiC 11 summary points out that soon, Watanuki will have to deal with the growing threat posed by Fei-Wang Reed.
And speaking of upcoming encounters —
Half an Apple 5 of 14 by Koyama Yukari
Hikaru finds that high hopes and enthusiasm for her new job count for nothing against the reality of inexperience. But with Amano's help, she strives to realize her dream of making cosmetics for her atopic customers. Just when things appear to be looking up, Hikaru runs into Shindo, her ex, and his wife, Natsuko.
Genius Family Company 5 of 6 by Ninomiya Tomoko
A hacker wipes out the Seihodo online book store. Powerless, Katsuyuki goes home, only to encounter Haru and a house engulfed in flames. Haru deliberately withholds details of the fire from the police, fearing for the life of Yuika, kidnapped by the Taiwanese mafia.
Katsuyuki eventually stumbles upon the truth behind the string of baffling events but one question remains: What is the connection between the Nagasawa family gallery and Yano-san? As Katsuyuki tries to think his way out of the puzzle, he remembers someone. You are the one person in the world that I want to meet!
Just found out that Tensai Family Company was adapted into audio drama in 2008 starring Hirakawa Daisuke, Mitsuishi Kotono, and three of my all-time favorite seiyuu: Namikawa Daisuke (#6), Inoue Kazuhiko (#3) and Ueda Yuuji (#10).
Level Comics manga (2010.12.15)
Release links are hide/unhide. Click for more details and cover scans.
- Genius Family Company (Tensai Family Company) 5 of 6 by Ninomiya Tomoko
- Half an Apple (1/2 no Ringo) 5 of 14 by Koyama Yukari
- Haruka 17 v10 of 19 by Yamazaki Sayaka
- Last Inning 7 of 27+ by Nakahara Yu, Kamio Ryu
- Nurse Aoi (Ns' Aoi) 17 of 32+ by Koshino Ryo
- Restore Garage 251 v11 of 33+ by Tsugihara Ryuji
- xxxHOLiC 11 of 18+ by CLAMP
 | 1/2 no Ringo 「１／２の林檎」 by Koyama Yukari |
 | Haruka 17 「はるか１７」 by Yamazaki Sayaka |
Adaptations
A 10-episode live-action drama starring Hirayama Aya (Miyamae Haruka) aired on TV Asahi from July to September 2005.
 | Last Inning 「ラストイニング」 |
Volume 7 chapters:
58 強敵求む!!
59 日米決戦!!
60 一人でできた!!
61 四番の仕事
62 バイバイ沖縄
63 ディフェンス!!
64 救世主出現!?
65 秘密？兵器
66 21人いる!!
67 競争原理
 | Ns' Aoi 「Ｎｓ’あおい」 by Koshino Ryo |
Recognitions
Jury Recommended Work for Story Manga, 12th Japan Media Arts Festival
Related
Ns' Aoi - Those Days (side story; 2 of 2 volumes)
Adaptations
Live-action renzoku starring Ishihara Satomi (Misora Aoi) aired on Fuji TV from January to March 2006, followed by a special in September the same year.
 | Restore Garage 251 「レストアガレージ２５１」 |
 | xxxHOLiC 「×××ＨＯＬｉＣ」 by CLAMP |
Other languages
English xxxHOLiC (Del Rey; volume 16 per 2010.10.26), French (Pika Édition; tome 16 shipped 2010.10.20 • tome 17 street date: 2011.01.19), 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 second xxxHolic Rō OAD, xxxHolic: Rō Adayume, is scheduled for March 2011 release with manga volume 19.
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.
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 (2010.12.15)
- Yakari dan Monster Danau (Yakari, Tome 17: Le monstre du lac) by Derib, Job
¹ Sources: Elex STO 15 December 2010 (release schedule) and Komikologi and/or Gramedia Shop (synopses, unless indicated otherwise)
² Manga are priced at IDR 18,500 each except Genius Family Company (SRP: IDR 29,500), as well as Haruka 17 vol. 10 and Restore Garage 251 vol. 11 (IDR 19,500 each) and Yakari dan Monster Danau (IDR 30,000).
³ Links like this are commercial Amazon search and/or product links (other language versions).
Previews continued
Haruka 17 Vol. 10 of 19 by Yamazaki Sayaka
Haruka and Yuri appear to have been miscast; their roles are the polar opposites of their real characters. The constant flubbing of lines makes the crew despair of the project, but fortunately, Nanako realizes the problem and uses a special trick to help the pair.
What trick does Nanako employ? And will it really result in a stellar performance from Haruka and Yuri?
Last Inning 7 of 27+ Nakahara Yu, Kamio Ryu
Before the Okinawa training camp closes, beyond all expectations, freelance journalist Warabi runs into a team worthy of sparring with Saitama High. The unexpected development is exceeded only by the prospect of a a foreign student dubbed the tall lefty pitcher
consenting to enroll in Saitama.
Nurse Aoi 17 of 32+ by Koshino Ryo
Are you content to let the situation stand?
Aoi gives it her best shot to make Sawanabori Reika admit to being a victim of domestic abuse. Because of Aoi's support, Reika-san finds the courage to disclose the crime, despite fear of her husband's reprisal. But Minister Sawanobori, Reika's mother in-law, finds out and tries to cover up for her son. What will become of Reika-san now?
Restore Garage 251 vol. 11 of 33+ by Tsugihara Ryuji
Honjo attempts to persuade Mizuki to help in restoring the car of teacher Koshiba-sensei, but to no avail. Mizuki is unmoved, dooming all attempts at reconciliation. Meanwhile, despite ineptness, Tetsu tries to restore Koshiba's car.
Will Tetsu and Honjo succeed in restoring the automobile, along with the memories it holds within?
UP NEXT: m&c! 15 December 2010 manga and manhwa
m&c!: Electric Daisy 6 · Goong [Palace Story] 21 · Sugar Family 5 · Be a Naughty Girl 3 · Bakugan Battle Brawlers 13 · Monika 137
other manga available this week (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
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.
related monthly schedule(s)
December 2010
Premiering Bloody Monday by Megumi Kouji & Ryumon Ryou
other invaluable resources
Wikipedia · Baka-Updates Manga · 7net Shopping · ANN
Technorati tags
Level Comics · manga · ROMIC (BD) · josei · seinen · Genius Family Company (Tensai Family Company) · Half an Apple · Haruka 17 · Last Inning · Nurse Aoi (Ns' Aoi) · Restore Garage 251 · xxxHOLiC · Yakari
Tensai Family Company
「天才ファミリー・カンパニー」
by Ninomiya Tomoko
Gentosha Comics Manga Bunko, josei
Volume 5 (bunko) first published in Japan 2008.12
Other languages
French Tensai Family Company - Génies en tous genres (Asuka Comics)
Adaptations
Audio drama starring seiyuu Hirakawa Daisuke, Mitsuishi Kotono, Namikawa Daisuke, Inoue Kazuhiko, Ueda Yuuji and Noto Mamiko (Tensai Family Company drama CD 1 and 2 released by Geneon Entertainment 2008.08.27 and 2008.10.22)