Doctor's Love 2 by Takada Rie and My Goddess by Arai Cherry (3L josei and seinen manga out now)

Yes, 3L licenses seinen manga (and a 4-koma one, at that). Here's proof.

Oshiri Ai - Shinsatsu chuu - © Takada Rie/Shogakukan
Itsuka Mata Kaeru © Arai Cherry/Ichijinsha
Published in Indonesia by Tiga Lancar Semesta/3L as
Doctor's Love ~ during a medical examination and My Goddess

But before the newbie, Takada Rie's Doctor's Love 2 first. The second Oshiri Ai - Shinsatsu chuu comes as so much welcome news, having just finished and lurved, lurved, lurved! the prequel Futari wa Oshiri Ai, two volumes of which have been released here under the Pfft! title Couple Who Love Buttocks. Actually, I wanted 3L to liberate the third CWLB, but will settle for DL 2 in the interim.

In Doctor's Love 2, thirty-something Ujou Asako-sensei is still assisting wunderkind colorectal surgeon Kuraku Budou at the clinic he owns and operates. Kuraku-sensei hasn't changed much (or so goes the back cover blurb); he persists at displaying May I faint? bedside manner and mirabile visu surgical precision whilst on the clock, but subjects Asako to prankish whimsies after closing time. (They live together.)

Childishness aside, Asako remains besotted with My Prince!, leading her to all sorts of shenanigans when she and Kuraku-sensei go to the beach. But who would've thought that she would... Yup, the blurb over at Angelzon stops there. Now, go and fill in your prescription of this unique (hemorrhoidal) love comedy.

☆ I talk about My Goddess, originally the Itsuka Mata Kaeru four-cell manga ex Ichijinsha's Manga 4-Koma KINGS Palette, After the Cut.

3L manga (2011.03.30)

1. Doctor's Love ~ during a medical examination (Oshiri Ai - Shinsatsu chuu -) 2 of 2+ by Takada Rie

Oshiri Ai - Shinsatsu chuu - 「おしり愛－診察中－」 by Takada Rie
Shogakukan Anekei Petit Comic and Petit Comic Zoukan, josei
Volume 2 first published in Japan 2010.05

Related series
Couple Who Love Buttocks (Futari wa Oshiri Ai; prequel; 3 of 3 volumes)

2. [Premiere] My Goddess (Itsuka Mata Kaeru) by Arai Cherry

Itsuka Mata Kaeru 「いつかまたかえる」 by Arai Cherry
Ichijinsha Manga 4-Koma KINGS Palette, seinen/4-koma
This volume first published in Japan 2009.03

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

Read more »

March Media

The Picture Works have been busy for the past couple of weeks. The legendary AMI ( Alternative Miss Ireland If you ain't in the know) printed a City Card to promote their show in the Olympia. The postcard was designed by Niall Sweeney of pony design . We also ran a campaign for 'Charlie Casanova' which was being shown at SXSW during the month.

This month we announced our annual art competition with a slightly later closing date this year of June 21st. Check out our site for more information on how to enter the competition.

We had campaigns running on our Super Screens (which just for Eco watchers have a carbon offset, every time they are used) for Jameson Dublin Film Festival and for Guinness Rugby. They looked as impressive as ever in both in day light and at night.

Recently we have been working on developments with these screens and can now offer them displaying 3D , yes we will organise the glasses and the venue. We also developed the capability link these screens to tablet computers and means we can bring interactive apps to the big screen. When we say big we mean big 100 mtr screen.

Not resting on our laurels we have also fine tuned our interactive light projections to turn high street windows into interactive screens, think minority report and you more or less have the idea.

Not to neglect the media research side of things our media has performed really well in tgi research with City Cards blowing all other Out of Home Media out of the water for 15-24 year olds. Check out our website for more information and stats. We are also eagerly waiting results of an independent research on our I-site media.

i-Site: Cycle 5 and 6

We ran campaigns for Image Interiors, Jack Daniels JD Set, Dublin Bus, and Powers Whiskey which is always popular in Cheltenham week.

Bleach 39, My Sweet Kaicho 10, Rival Next Door 2 of 2 (m&c! 30 March 2011 manga) [UPDATED]

Manhwa, too, that you can see below.

(This incarnation reboots the earlier blitz listing. Warning: Hella long.)

Kaichou wa Maid-sama! © Fujiwara Hiro/Hakusensha [Serialized in LaLa]
Published in Indonesia as My Sweet Kaicho by PT Gramedia/m&c!

Miyabigaoka's student council prez invites Seika's Kaichou to a high-level bilateral conference. What is actually Igarashi Tora's motive? More importantly, why does Misaki's newfound knowledge about Usui give her the jitters?

So Perverted Alien© Usui lets Misaki (and us) in on his secrets, but what's the deal with Tora? Find out in My Sweet Kaicho 10 by Fujiwara Hiro, the First Runner-up DO WANT! of this m&c! release.

As for the most popular manga GET! —

Bleach 39 of 49+ by Kubo Tite

Had it not been for Bleach Wiki, would never have guessed the cover of Bleach 39: El Verdugo to be Ayon, the Chimera-esque “pet” created from the limbs of Tia Hallibel's Fracciónes, Apacci, Mila Rose and Sung-Sun. But without it, I still would've known that

All-out war breaks out in Karakura Town. Gotei 13 Soul Reapers face off with the ridiculously-powerful Fracciónes, but appear outmatched, outclassed, out-everythinged. Hinamori comes to the rescue of a cornered Rangiku, only to have them both swatted by Ayon, forcing Supreme Commander Yamamoto to...

OK, there are additions there from Bleach Wiki and the regular Wiki. In any case, you know what to do to find out what goes down in this latest Indonesian Bleach, compiling chapters 332 through 340.

New m&c! titles

Fully half of m&c!'s 3.30 asplosion discharges newbies, if you include the two Jagoan Koloni local titles (launching KOLONI's high-octane action comics line). But even if you don't, 40% are still Pleased to Make Your Acquaintance. Let's not quibble over the fact that the 2×Watase Yuu anthologies—Books One and Two of Watase Yuu's The Best Selection—are actually recompiles of old one-shots, repackaged. Volume 1 DOKIDOKI Yagamin story!! My Kingdom 1 by Yagami Chitose is definitely new, as are the triple-launched P.A.R.T.N.E.R comedy manhwa by Ryu Seung-soon that Lina-chan recs as a definite GET! and the vampire-troped Ultramix Collection 1 by Mizuto Aqua. The Koloni Jagoan omnibuses are The Dreamcatchers and 1000 Giga Volts (click the orange titles for covers). The Dreamcatchers includes the eponymous story from Sweta Kartika, La Mia Indonezia by Satrio Galih Wicaksono & Muhammad Ismail and Fatamorgana by Mukhlis Nur & Wing Yudha. 1000 Giga Volts, meanwhile, consists of the antho christener by Bayu Harditama (creator of Jalan Komik), Atlas Chronicle from Kababonken Comics (I Want to Live) and Samu'I by Bening Andyani.

Watase Yuu the Best Selection
© Watase Yuu/Shogakukan

The lowdown on these new titles hides Behind The Cut, but mentioning up here that my only reason for contemplating buying Watase Yuu's The Best Selection—Book One, specifically—is the one-shot Touch You! Despite or prolly because it is the Stay in Touch! one-shot that closes Imadoki! volume 5, first published by m&c! in February 2003. (My copy carbon dates back to the April 2003 print run.) If only to read that short in original right-to-left, I would consider getting the first Watase Yuu Best antho. [Continued...]

Mangazines: Cherry 52/2011

[Kare to Kanojo to Kanojo]
© Morita Yuki/Shogakukan

The latest Cherry's front cover is Morita Yuki's Love Triangled Kare to Kanojo to Kanojo—ungrammatically rendered as She, Between He and Me—instead of “She, Between Him and Me” (yes, I'm a grammar nazi), or the canon subtitle Distance of our Love. I speculate Episode 3 of the ex-Ciao manga installs in this issue. (m&c! didn't provide a Table of Contents.)

Absence of a contents listing, however, doesn't stop me from assuming that these ChuChu/Ciao/Flowers serials can be found within: 7 Centi! by Nanajima Kana, I am not a Maid! by Iwaoka Meme, Kiss & Harmony by Takamiya Satoru, The Ring of God by Obara Shou, Super Sweet Honey by Aoi Michiru, Yomogi Loves Money? by Arai Kiyoko, Dawn Aria by Akaishi Michiyo and perhaps, My Lovely Class Leader by Nishimura Tomoko, the latter caveat based on how only a Gokujou!! Mecha Mote Iinchou side story, Blue Prince (Oujisama wa Blue), appeared in Cherry 51.

m&c! manga, manhwa and AMERO comics (2011.03.30)

1. Bleach 39 of 49+ by Kubo Tite

Bleach 「ＢＬＥＡＣＨ－ブリーチ－」 by Kubo Tite Shueisha Weekly Shonen Jump, shounen Volume 39 first published in Japan 2009.06

Volume 39: El Verdugo chapters:
332. Stingy Stinger
333. Ash & Salamander
334. Dregs of Hypnosis
335. chimaera chord
336. El Verdugo
337. Hall In Your Inferno
338. Fall Into My Inferno
339. The Deathbringer Numbers
340. The Antagonizer

Awards
Best Shounen Manga, 50th Shogakukan Manga Awards

Other languages
English Bleach (34 volumes per 2011.03 • volume 35 street date: 2011.06.07), French (Glénat; tome 42 ships 2011.05.04), Spanish (Glénat in Spain, Grupo Editorial Vid in Mexico), German (TOKYOPOP Germany), Dutch (Kana), Russian (Эксмо), Polish (JPF), Portuguese (Planet Manga) and simplified Chinese (Chuang Yi: volume 48 per 2011.01.18)

Related
Kubo Tite and Makoto Matsubara co-authored two Bleach novels: BLEACH-letters from the other side: The Death and The Strawberry (Japan release: 2004.12) and BLEACH: The Honey Dish Rhapsody (2006.10).

The Bleach All Colour But The Black artbook, compiling color spreads from manga volumes 1 through 19 with original art and author annotations, released in Japan (2006.12), USA (The Art of Bleach, 2008.10) and France (All colour but the black: Recueil des illustrations de Bleach, 2008.11).

Companion guidebooks have also been published: Bleach SOULs and Bleach VIBEs released 2006.02 in Japan (The English Bleach SOULs. Official Character Book shipped 2008.11 in North America, while the French version streeted 2009.11). A third Bleach Official Bootleg: KaraBuri+ guidebook released 2007.08 in Japan. (English Color Bleach+: The Bleach Official Bootleg street date: 2010.08.10.)

Adaptations
Studio Pierrot's Bleach anime adaptation first broadcast in October 2004, continuing to this day. Season 14 opened with episode 266 in April 2010; latest episode 315 aired 2011.03.29). Seiyuu Morita Masakazu and Orikasa Fumiko star as Kurosaki Ichigo and Kuchiki Rukia, with Park Romi and Namikawa Daisuke playing 10th Division captain Hitsugaya Toshiro and Arrancar Ulquiorra Cifer respectively. Two OAVs and four theatrical movies—Memories of Nobody, The DiamondDust Rebellion, Another Hyōrinmaru, Fade to Black, I Call Your Name and Bleach: The Hell Verse—have been released. (Novelizations of these movies have also been published by JUMP J Books: Fade to Black, I Call Your Name in December 2008 and Bleach: The Hell Verse in December 2010.) Additionally, Warner Bros. has confirmed it will be producing a Bleach live-action film.

At least eight drama CDs have been produced. Featuring the original anime cast, the drama CDs were bundled with the DVDs.

2. Female Wolf's Boy 14 of 17 by Han YuRang

[Female Wolf's BOY] 「암컷늑대의 보이 (암컷늑대의 Boy)」 by Han YuRang Samyang (Kkonnim), soonjung Volume 14 first published in Korea 2007.11

Related
Based on the Korean Internet novel 암컷늑대의 BOY by i쿠키i조아 (iCookieiLike).

3. Idol Shopping 7 of 12 by Hwang MiRee

Idol Shopping 「아이돌 쇼핑」 by Hwang MiRee Samyang (Kkonnim), soonjung Volume 7 first published in Korea 2009.01

4. Love in the Sky (Sora Log) 2 of 4 by Mitsuki Kaco

Sora Log 「ソラログ」 by Mitsuki Kaco Shogakukan Betsucomi, shoujo Volume 2 first published in Japan 2009.09

Also includes a Love in the Sky ~Extra edition

5. Monika dan Kawan-Kawan (Turma da Mônica) 139 by Mauricio
6. [Series Premiere] My Kingdom (Ore-sama Kingdom) 1 of 4+ by Yagami Chitose

Ore-sama Kingdom 「オレ様キングダム」 by Yagami Chitose AKA Kings of My Love Shogakukan Ciao, shoujo Volume 1 first published in Japan 2009.10

7. My Sweet Home 5 of 6 by MARU & Kim JinHee

My Sweet Home. 「My Sweet Home 마이 스위트 홈」 by MARU & Kim JinHee Daiwon C.I., soonjung Volume 5 first published in Korea 2007.09

8. My Sweet Kaicho (Kaichou wa Maid-sama!) 10 of 12+ by Fujiwara Hiro

Kaichou wa Maid-sama! 「会長はメイド様！」 by Fujiwara Hiro Hakusensha LaLa, shoujo Volume 10 first published in Japan 2010.06

Awards
Fujiwara Hiro-sensei won the 'Outstanding Debut' award at the 31st Hakusensha Athena Newcomers Awards in Japan for this manga.

Other languages
English Maid Sama! (eight volumes per 2011.03 • volume 9 street date: 2011.05.31), French (Pika Édition: Maid Sama! tome 7 ships 2011.05.04), German (Carlsen Comics: Maid-sama Band 7 street date: 2011.08.26; serialized in Daisuki), simplified Chinese (Chuang Yi: 会长是女仆 #11 released 2011.02), traditional Chinese (Ever Glory Taiwan: 學生會長是女僕！ 10 per 2010.12)

Adaptations
J.C. Staff's 26-episode anime adaptation, starring seiyuu Fujimura Ayumi (Ayuzawa Misaki) and Okamoto Nobuhiko (Usui Takumi) aired from April through September 2010 on TBS and Animax Asia. An earlier released Kaichou wa Maid-sama! drama CD featured Kobayashi Sanae and Sugita Tomokazu as Misaki and Usui.

Related
An official fan book, Kaichou wa Maid-sama! Koushiki Fan Book Goshujin-sama mo dai manzoku was released June 2010 by Hana to Yume Comics Special.

9. [Series Premiere] P.A.R.T.N.E.R 1 of 3 by Ryu Seung-soon

Partner 「Partner 파트너」 by Ryu Seung-soon Daiwon C.I. Issue, soonjung Volume 1 first published in Korea 2006.03

10. [New] P.A.R.T.N.E.R 2 of 3 by Ryu Seung-soon

Volume 2 first published in Korea 2006.09

11. [New] P.A.R.T.N.E.R 3 of 3 by Ryu Seung-soon [Finale]

Volume 3 first published in Korea 2007.04

12. Rival Next Door (Tonari no Koigataki) 1 of 2 by Shiraishi Yuki [Finale]

Tonari no Koigataki 「となりの恋がたき」 by Shiraishi Yuki Shogakukan Sho-Comi, shoujo Volume 2 first published in Japan 2009.11

13. Together in Love (Ai no Moto ni Tsudoe) 2 of 4 by Sakamoto Miku

Ai no Moto ni Tsudoe 「愛のもとに集え」 by Sakamoto Miku Hakusensha Bessatsu Hana to Yume, shoujo Volume 2 first published in Japan 2008.12

14. Ugly Duckling Become Swan (Miunohri to Swan) 9 of 13 by Hwang MiRee

Miunohri to Swan 「미운오리 백조되기」 by Hwang MiRee Samyang (Kkonnim), soonjung Volume 9 first published in Korea 2007.12

15. [Series Premiere] Ultramix Collection 1 of 2 by Mizuto Aqua

Ultramix Collection 「Ｕｌｔｒａｍｉｘこれくしょん」 by Mizuto Aqua Shogakukan ChuChu, shoujo Volume 1 first published in Japan 2009.11

16. [New] Watase Yuu's The Best Selection Book One by Watase Yuu

Watase Yuu The Best Selection 「渡瀬悠宇　Ｔｈｅ　Ｂｅｓｔ　Ｓｅｌｅｃｔｉｏｎ」 by Watase Yuu Shogakukan Flower Comics Special, shoujo This anthology first published in Japan 2008.03

Other languages
Simplified Chinese (Chuang Yi: 渡濑悠宇 The Best Selection 1 released 2009.06.02)

17. [New] Watase Yuu's The Best Selection Book Two by Watase Yuu

Watase Yuu The Best Selection 2 「渡瀬悠宇　Ｔｈｅ　Ｂｅｓｔ　Ｓｅｌｅｃｔｉｏｎ　２」 by Watase Yuu Shogakukan Flower Comics Special, shoujo This anthology first published in Japan 2009.06

Other languages
Simplified Chinese (Chuang Yi: 渡濑悠宇 The Best Selection 2 released 2010.09.07)

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

Mangazines

• Cherry 52/2011

KOLONI local comics

1. [New] Jagoan Koloni: The Dreamcatchers by Sweta Kartika et al.
2. [New] Jagoan Koloni: 1000 Giga Volts by Bayu Harditama et al.

Read more »

Soul Eater 5, GTO 1 by Fujisawa Toru, Team Medical Dragon 16 (Level Comics 30 March 2011 manga)

I lurve the Team Medical Dragon cover ^^ so leading with it.

Iryuu -Team Medical Dragon- © Nogizaka Taro & Nagai Akira/Shogakukan
[First serialized in Big Comic Superior]
Published in Indonesia as Team Medical Dragon by Elex Media/Level Comics

Ryutaro, Akira and Gunji operate on Tahara-san, but blood for transfusion is running low. More blood is on the way, but congestion from a traffic accident delays delivery. Ferrying by helicopter is equally a no-go because of a brewing storm. Finally, Noboru decides to pick the blood up himself, but can he make it back to the hospital in time?

Find the answer somewhere between chapters 123 (卑怯/Hikyou) and 131 (対自/Tai ji) of Team Medical Dragon 16.

As for the #1 DO WANT! this Level manga release —

Soul Eater 5 of 19+ by Ohkubo Atsushi

Weapon meisters and partners assemble to mark the school's foundation day. But just like at Sleeping Beauty's christening, one unwelcome witch pops up — Medusa. She imprisons the students before hurrying to awaken Asura, the first Kishin, sealed deep within the building. Fortunately, Sid is able to free the meisters, but can they stop Medusa from unleashing the madness that sleeps in the SPSS (DWMA) underground chamber? [Additions from Wikipedia]

Soul Eater 5 compiles chapters 15 through 18: The Anniversary Celebration, A Fight to the Death at the Anniversary Celebration (Part 1), A Fight to the Death at the Anniversary Celebration (Part 2) and A Fight to the Death at the Anniversary Celebration (Part 3).

New Level series

Level premieres three manga titles—Saito Chiho's Based on a True Story Bronze Angel, Fujisawa Toru's GTO, another sports manga from Kusaba Michiteru, this time with an Amnesia twist, Lost Man—and one BD/bande dessinée series: Rantanplan, the Lucky Luke spin-off starring prison guard dog Rin Tin Can, I mean, Rantanplan, a spoof of Rin Tin Tin, as idiotic as Rin Tin Tin is clever. Two Rantanplan compilations launch this Wednesday: Rantanplan - Kapak Perang and Rantanplan - Kumpulan Kebodohan. Because I go babble mode ON! on GTO (the First Runner-up DO WANT!) look for the debut previews Below The Cut.

Level Comics manga and manhwa (2011.03.30)

1. Aflame Inferno 5 of 6+ by Lim DallYoung & Kim KwangHyun

Aflame Inferno 「불꽃의 인페르노」 by Lim DallYoung & Kim KwangHyun Haksan, seinen Volume 5: [Accident] first published in Korea 2008.06

Other languages/serializations
Japanese 炎のインフェルノ (Kill Time Communication, Voltex Valkyrie Comics: six volumes per 2010.11; serialized in Comic Valkyrie)

2. Basara 16 of 27 by Tamura Yumi

Basara 「ＢＡＳＡＲＡ」 by Tamura Yumi Shogakukan Betsucomi, shoujo Volume 16 first published in Japan 1995.10

Awards
Best Shoujo Manga, 38th Shogakukan Manga Awards

Other versions/languages
Re-released in 16 bunko volumes
English Basara (VIZ Media; 27 volumes), French (Kana; 27 volumes), German (EMA: Band 25 shipped 2011.03), Danish (Mangismo Danmark) and Swedish (Mangismo Sverige)

Adaptations
A 13-episode Legend of Basara anime by KSS, starring seiyuu Kimura Akiko (Sarasa) and Inoue Kazuhiko (Shuri), aired in Japan from April to June 1998.

3. [Series Premiere] Bronze Angel (Bronze no Tenshi) 1 of 7 by Saito Chiho

Bronze no Tenshi 「ブロンズの天使」 by Saito Chiho Shogakukan Flowers, shoujo Volume 1 first published in Japan 2009.04

Other versions
Re-released in five bunko volumes (per 2011.03)

Related series
Bronze no Tenshi Gaiden (one volume spin-off; 2009.01)

4. Exit 5 of 11+ by Fujita Takami

Exit 「ＥＸＩＴ」 by Fujita Takami Gentosha Birz Comics Girls Collection, shoujo Volume 5 published in Japan 2003.02*

*Volumes 1-5 published between 1998.08 and 1999.06 under Sony Magazines Comics Kimi to Boku (KB) Collection imprint

5. [Series Premiere] GTO 1 of 25 by Fujisawa Toru

GTO 「ＧＴＯ」 by Fujisawa Toru Kodansha Weekly Shonen Magazine, shounen Volume 1 first published in Japan 1997.05

Awards
Best Shounen Manga, 1998 Kodansha Manga Awards

Other languages
Bilingual Japanese/English (Kodansha International, three volumes per 1999.12), English GTO: Great Teacher Onizuka (TOKYOPOP: 25 volumes), French Pika Édition (25 volumes), Italian (Dynamic Italia), German (EMA), Polish (Waneko), Swedish (Schibsted Förlagen Sverige AB; serialized in Manga Mania), traditional Chinese (Tong Li Taiwan)

Related series
Prequels: Shounan Junaigumi! AKA GTO: The Early Years (31 of 31 volumes) and Bad Company (1 of 1 volume) and GTO: Shonan 14 Days (sequel, six volumes as at 2011.02, ongoing)

Adaptations
A live-action GTO: Great Teacher Onizuka TV series, starring Sorimachi Takashi (Onizuka Eikichi) and Matsushima Nanako (Fuyutsuki Azusa) telecast from July to September 1998 on Fuji TV and Kansai TV (followed by GTO Drama Special; 1999.08.28 and GTO: The Movie; 1991) and Studio Pierrot's 43-episode Great Teacher Onizuka anime adaptation, starring seiyuu Takagi Wataru as Onizuka, that aired between June 1999 and September 2000.

6. Half an Apple (1/2 no Ringo) 8 of 14 by Koyama Yukari

1/2 no Ringo 「１／２の林檎」 by Koyama Yukari Kodansha Kiss, josei Volume 8 first published in Japan 2007.08

7. Haruka 17 volume 11 of 19 by Yamazaki Sayaka

Haruka 17 「はるか１７」 by Yamazaki Sayaka Kodansha Morning, seinen Volume 11 first published in Japan 2006.05

Adaptations
A 10-episode live-action drama starring Hirayama Aya (Miyamae Haruka) aired on TV Asahi from July to September 2005.

8. Hellsing 6 of 10 by Hirano Kohta

Hellsing 「ＨＥＬＬＳＩＮＧ」 by Hirano Kohta Shonen Gahosha Young King Ours, seinen Volume 6 (chapters 38-47) first published in Japan 2003.11

Other languages
English Hellsing (Dark Horse Comics: 10 volumes and Chuang Yi; 10 volumes), French (Tonkam, 10 volumes), Italian (Dynit), German (Planet Manga), Polish (Japonica Polonica Fantastica) and Denmark and Sweden (Mangismo)

Related series
Hellsing: The Dawn (prequel; serialized in Young King Ours special editions, six chapters as at 2008.09, on hiatus)

Adaptations
A 13-episode anime adaptation by Gonzo aired on Fuji TV from October 2001 to January 2002, starring seiyuu Nakata Jouji (Alucard), Orikasa Fumiko (Seras Victoria) and Sakakibara Yoshiko (Sir Integra Hellsing). A Hellsing Ultimate OAV (starring the same voice cast) premiered in Japan in January 2006 and as of December 2009, seven episodes have been released. The first four episodes were produced by Satelight, with Madhouse taking over as of OAV V.

9. K2 volume 6 of 14+ by Mafune Kazuo

K2 「Ｋ２」 by Mafune Kazuo Kodansha Evening, seinen Volume 6 first published in Japan 2007.04

10. [Series Premiere] Lost Man 1 of 11+ by Kusaba Michiteru

Lost Man 「ＬＯＳＴ　ＭＡＮ」 by Kusaba Michiteru Shogakukan Young Sunday (later moved to Big Comic Spirits after 31 July 2008), shounen Volume 1 first published in Japan 2008.09

Volume 1 chapters:
1. 仕事ですよ!! (Shigoto desu yo!!)
2. デモンストレーション (Demonstration)
3. 契約 (Keiyaku)
4. 心理戦 (Shinrisen)
5. 契約満了 (Keiyaku manryou)
6. ナンデヤネン!! (Nandeyanen!!)
7. ドロボウを追いつめろ！ (Dorobou wo oitsumero!)
8. すべて計算 (Subete keisan)
[Titles mechanically translated via Japanese Dictionary]

11. Soul Eater 5 of 19+ by Ohkubo Atsushi

Soul Eater 「ソウルイーター」 by Ohkubo Atsushi Square Enix Shonen Gangan, shounen Volume 5 (chapters 15-18) first published in Japan 2005.12

Related series
First appeared as one-shots in two Gangan Powered special editions (Summer and Fall 2003) and Gangan Wing's 26 November 2003 issue. (Regular Monthly Shonen Gangan serialization commenced May 2004.)

Other languages/serializations
English Soul Eater (Yen Press: five volumes per 2011.02.22 • volume 6 street date: 2011.06.28; serialized in Yen Plus), French (Kurokawa tome 14 shipped 2011.03.10), German (Carlsen Comics Band 10 street date: 2011.04.22) and traditional Chinese 噬魂者 (Sharp Point Press Taiwan)

Related series
Soul Eater Not! (side story; began serialization in Shonen Gangan 2011.01.12)

Adaptations
Manga volumes 1 to 12 adapted to anime by BONES. Fifty-one episodes starring seiyuu Omigawa Chiaki (Maka Alban) and Uchiyama Kouki (Soul Eater) aired in Japan from April 2008 to March 2009.

Square Enix bundled an audio drama, Soul Eater (Vol. 1): Special Social Studies Field Trip, with an artbook in August 2005. The drama CD featured different actors (Takeuchi Junko as Maka; Hoshi Souichirou as Soul Eater); only Kobayashi Yumiko reprised her Black☆Star role in the TV series.

12. Team Medical Dragon (Iryuu -Team Medical Dragon-) 16 of 25 by Nogizaka Taro & Nagai Akira

Iryuu -Team Medical Dragon- 「医龍」 by Nogizaka Taro, Nagai Akira, Yoshinuma Mie (Medical Supervisor) Shogakukan Big Comic Superior, seinen Volume 16 first published in Japan 2008.02

Volume 16 chapters:
123. 卑怯 (Hikyou)
124. カミングアウト (Kaminguauto)
125. まだか... (Mada ka)
126. バカ (Baka)
127. 敬礼 (Keirei)
128. 凡人の選択 (Bonjin no sentaku)
129. 意識30 (Ishiki 30)
130. 血液の重さ (Ketsueki no omosa)
131. 対自 (Tai ji)
[Titles mechanically translated via Japanese Dictionary and WebSaru Japanese Dictionary]

Awards
Winner, Best Seinen/General Manga, 50th Shogakukan Manga Awards

Other languages
French (Glénat: tome 15 per 2011.02.16)

Adaptations
Two seasons of the live-action adaptation, starring Sakaguchi Kenji (Asada Ryutaro), aired on Fuji TV (Season 1: April to June 2006; Season 2: October to December 2007). The series won the Best Drama award at the 49th Television Drama Academy Awards.

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

Level Comics European comics/BDs (2011.03.30)

1. Lucky Luke - Bukit Hitam (Lucky Luke Tome 21: Les Collines noires) by Morris & Goscinny
2. Lucky Luke - Karavan (Lucky Luke Tome 24: La Caravane) by Morris & Goscinny
3. [Premiere] Rantanplan - Kapak Perang (Rantanplan: bêtisier, Tome 7: Sur le pied de guerre) by Xavier Fauche, Janvier, Morris & Jean Léturgie
4. [Premiere] Rantanplan - Kumpulan Kebodohan (Rantanplan: bêtisier, Tome 2) by Xavier Fauche, Jean Léturgie, Morris & Janvie
5. Petualangan Spirou & Fantasio - Sarang Moray (Spirou et Fantasio, tome 9 : Le Repaire de la murène) by Franquin (Dupuis)
6. Spirou dan Fantasio - Spirou dan Fantasio di New York (Spirou et Fantasio, Tome 39: A New York) by Janry

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Peggy's Prom

Last weekend, my neighbors had a party to celebrate Peggy's 50th birthday. Those invited to "Peggy's Prom" were required to dress the part, wearing prom dresses and tuxedos to the Hotel Coolidge in White River Junction, Vt. I did the prom portraits and a few candids — there was even a chaperone in attendance! It was a great idea, as friends and family came from across the country. More photos can be seen on my Facebook page, or in the Prints section of my Web site.

Fountain-Dobson engagement

Last weekend, I met up with my former co-worker and her fiance in Hanover, N.H., to take engagement photos (which is part of booking me for a minimum of five hours of wedding photography). They're getting married in October at the Round Barn Farm in Waitsfield, Vt. I'm looking forward to being there!

Topeng Kaca: Dua Akoya 1 by Miuchi Suzue, Here we are 14, Red Haired Anne 4 (Elex Media 30 March 2011 manga) [UPDATE 2]

Binding mistake on Topeng Kaca: Dua Akoya 1 (deets below)

Glass no Kamen © Miuchi Suzue/Hakusensha
[Serialized in Bessatsu Hana to Yume]
Published in Indonesia as Serial Topeng Kaca: Dua Akoya by Elex Media

Did Topeng Kaca: Dua Akoya pique your interest? Yup, it's the Topeng Kaca continuation—specifically, Glass no Kamen volume 45—picking up from where Crimson Angel/Bidadari Merah 11/Glass no Kamen 44 left off.

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[This Just In]
Elex Media advises and apologizes for the binding mistake in Topeng Kaca: Dua Akoya. Contents follow Western orientation (reads from left-to-right), but were published in Japanese binding (right-to-left).

To avoid confusion, Elex recommends reading BOTH the right-hand side pages (recto) and the left-hand side pages (verso) from left to right.

Source: Elex Media per 2011.04.01 [Via Lina-chan]

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Actually, Dua Akoya isn't the only 3.30 Elex shoujo manga that numbers/titles differently from the Japanese original. Red Haired Anne 4, for instance, is actually the one-volume mangafication of L.M. Montgomery's Anne of Avonlea classic — Anne no Seishun, in which Anne begins teaching at Avonlea school. The story brings back characters from Akage no Anne/Anne of Green Gables (Red Haired Anne 1-3 here), but also introduces Green Gables' newest residents, adopted twins Davy and Dora. Anne no Seishun is succeeded by Anne no Aijou/Anne of the Island (also one volume).

☆ Previewing Reverse Harem Blooming Youth 1 by Itsuki Natsumi and the first Goddess of a Department Store by Morino Aki Below The Cut, but noting up here how I missed reporting the Indonesian debut of Project X, the non-fiction manga series following the ordeals of successful entrepreneurs, among them, the founders of the Japanese 7-Eleven chain, the original Datsun 240 Z designer and the Cup Noodle inventor, among others. Elex released Project X: CUP NOODLE last February, Project X: Digital Camera in December 2010 and Project X: HONDA: Conquer The World's Top Race in June 2010.

For this release sked, Elex launches Project X: SHINKANSEN. I spotlight this particular manga-format economics/business reference because the speed record breaking bullet train symbolized Japan's postwar revival, and the same kind of tenacity that gave birth to the Shinkansen will be needed to pull the country out of the its present crisis. (So let's all continue to pray for Japan and do what we can to help.)

Here we are 14 14+ by Obata Yuuki

The second most popular DO WANT!—Obata Yuuki's Here we are 14—makes me feel old, cuz, you know, Nanami has gone from 17 to 24, and I can't even remember when I first started this series. In any case, the summary helps to remind just Where We Are:

After refusing Takeuchi's marriage proposal, Nanami realizes her true feelings and resolves to see Yano. Six years of no contact, however, means more than Six Degrees Separate the two, the distance evidently not contracting any time soon. Yano, on the other hand, decides to visit Takeuchi, angering his friend because Yano still cares for Nanami.

Mangazines: Shonen Star 6/2011

Demon counsel Kucabara from Youn InWan- & Yang KyungIl's Defense Devil undertakes a rescue from hell in Shonen Star 6/2011. Moar on Atty. Kucabara's underworld exploits (waaay) below.

Elex Media manga and manhwa (2011.03.30)

1. [Series Premiere] Blooming Youth (Hanasakeru Seishounen) 1 of 12 by Itsuki Natsumi

Hanasakeru Seishounen 「花咲ける青少年」 by Itsuki Natsumi Hakusensha LaLa and LaLa DX, shoujo Volume 1 first published in Japan 1990.01

Other languages
Traditional Chinese 天國少女 (Tong Li Taiwan)

Related series
One-shot sequel (Melody 27 June 2009) and Hanasakeru Seishounen: Tokubetsuhen (one volume per 2011.03)

Adaptations
A 39-episode anime adaptation by Studio Pierrot, starring seiyuu Endo Aya (Kajika Louisa Kugami Burnsworth), Morikawa Toshiyuki (Lee-Leng Huang), Ono Daisuke (Eugene Alexandr De Volkan), Namikawa Daisuke (Rumaty Ivan Di Raginei) and Fukuyama Jun (Carl Rosenthal) that aired between April 2009 and February 2010 on NHK, and at least two theatrical runs of a stage adaptation, the first premiering 29 September 2010 in Tokyo

2. Cynical Kanoko (Warau Kanoko-sama) 3 of 3 by Tsujita Ririko [Finale]

Warau Kanoko-sama 「笑うかのこ様」 by Tsujita Ririko Hakusensha LaLa DX, shoujo Volume 3 first published in Japan 2009.10

Related series
Koi dano Ai dano (sequel; two volumes per 2011.02, ongoing)

Other languages
English The Secret Notes of Lady Kanoko (TOKYOPOP: one volume; volume 2 ships 2011.04.05)

3. [Series Premiere] Goddess of a Department Store (Depato no Megami) by Morino Aki - Serial Cantik

Depato no Megami 「デパートの女神」 by Morino Aki Hakusensha Silky, josei This volume first published in Japan 2009.09

Related series
Missing Cindella/Yukue Fumei no Cinderella (Depato no Megami volume 2 per 2010.04) and Kissing the Princess/Princess ni Kuchizuke wo (Depato no Megami volume 3 per 2010.11)

4. Here we are (Bokura ga Ita) 14 of 14+ by Obata Yuuki

Bokura ga Ita 「僕等がいた」 by Obata Yuuki Shogakukan Betsucomi, shoujo Volume 14 first published in Japan 2010.08

Awards
Best Shoujo Manga, 50th Shogakukan Manga Awards (tied with Ashihara Hinako's Sand's Chronicle)

Other languages
English We Were There (11 volumes per 2010.07 • volume 12 street date: 2011.05.03), French C'était Nous (Soleil: tome 14 per 2011.02.16), German (EMA: Band 13 ships 2011.04.08), Spanish (Editorial Ivrea Spain and Argentina), traditional Chinese 我們的存在 (Tong Li: volume 13 per 2010.04).

Adaptations
ArtLand's 26-episode anime adaptation starring seiyuu Sasaki Nozomi (Takahashi Nanami), Yazaki Hiroshi (Yano Motoharu), Kawakubo Takuji (Takeuchi Masafumi) and Nakayama Erina (Yamamoto Yuri) aired between July and December 2006 in Japan.

A live-action film adaptation was announced in the Betsucomi April 2011 issue.

At least one light novel has been released: Bokura ga Ita - Kimi ga Ita Kisetsu - by Takase Yunoka & Obata Yuuki (Flower Comics Novels, 2010.08)

Related
Bokuga ga Ita Koushiki Fan Book (2005.11), Obata Yuuki Bokura ga Ita Postcard Book (2007.12), Bokura ga Ita Obata Yuuki Sakuhinshu (Flower Comics Special) (2010.08)

5. Hitohira 3 of 7 by Kirihara Idumi

Hitohira 「ひとひら」 by Kirihara Idumi Futabasha Comic High!, seinen Volume 3 first published in Japan 2006.12

Other languages
English Hitohira (Aurora Publishing: three volumes [hiatus]) and traditional Chinese (Ever Glory Publishing Taiwan: 女優大試煉 4 per 2008.02)

Related series
Sequels: Hitohira Encore (one volume, complete) and Sakaki Mirei no Tame nara Boku wa...!! (one volume per 2011.02.12, ongoing serialization in Comic High!)

Adaptations
A 12-episode anime adaptation by XEBEC M2, starring seiyuu Kimoto Orie (Asai Mugi), Kawasumi Ayako (Ichinose Nono), Narita Ken (Katsuragi Takashi), Hikami Kyoko (Nishida Risaki) and Kishio Daisuke (Nishida Kai), aired from March to June 2007 in Japan.

6. New Legenda Naga (Ryuurouden: Chuugen Ryouranhen) 8 of 8+ by Yamahara Yoshito

Ryuurouden: Chuugen Ryouranhen 「龍狼伝　中原繚乱編」 by Yamahara Yoshito AKA New Legend of the Dragon's Son Kodansha Monthly Shonen Magazine, shounen Volume 8 first published in Japan 2010.12

Related series
Legenda Naga (prequel)

Other languages
Korean (Final), traditional Chinese (Tong Li), simplified Chinese (Chuang Yi: 龙狼传 中原缭乱篇 #8 per 2011.02.09)

7. Piano Hutan (Piano no Mori: The Perfect World of Kai) 19 of 19+ by Isshiki Makoto

Piano no Mori: The Perfect World of Kai 「ピアノの森」 by Isshiki Makoto Kodansha Morning (formerly in Uppers), seinen Volume 19 first published in Japan 2010.11

Awards
Recipient, Grand Prize for Best Manga, 2008 Japan Media Arts Festival

Other languages
Traditional Chinese (Sharp Point Press Taiwan)

Adaptations
The Piano Forest, an animated movie adaptation by Madhouse, starring Ueto Aya (Ichinose Kai) and Kamiki Ryunosuke (Amamiya Shuuhei), premiered 2007.07.21 in Japan. The film was nominated for the 2008 Japan Academy Prize for Animation of the Year and in the Theatrical Film category at the 2008 Annecy International Animated Film Festival.

8. [Premiere] Project X: Shinkansen: The Tenacity of Shinkansen's Invention (Project X Chousensha-tachi Comic-ban 2) by Project X Team

Project X Chousensha-tachi Comic-ban 2 「プロジェクトＸ挑戦者たち　コミック版　〔２〕　 執念が生んだ新幹線」 by Project X Team (Rokuda Noboru, Shinohara Tohru) Ohzora Shuppan, non-fiction/business This volume (chapters 1-6) first published in Japan 2002.12

9. The Recipe For Gertrude (Gertrude no Recipe) 3 of 5 by Kusakawa Nari

Gertrude no Recipe 「ガートルードのレシピ」 by Kusakawa Nari Hakusensha LaLa DX, shoujo Volume 3 (chapters 9-13 + Side story) first published in Japan 2002.11

Other languages
English The Recipe For Gertrude (CMX: five volumes)

10. [Premiere] Red Haired Anne (Anne no Seishun) 4 of 5* by Igarashi Yumiko

Anne no Seishun 「アンの青春」 by Igarashi Yumiko, L. M. Montgomery The Kumon Manga Library, shoujo This volume first published in Japan 1998.04

Related series
Akage no Anne (prequel), also released in Indonesia as Red Haired Anne* and Anne no Aijou (Anne of the Island, sequel)
Based on Anne of Avonlea by L. M. Montgomery

11. Shade 2 of 3 by Ahn NohEun & CATTY

Shade: The Other Side of Light 「쉐이드」 by Ahn NohEun (also Ahn No-Uhn) & CATTY AKA Shade: The Other Side of Light Seoul Cultural IQ Jump, sonyun Volume 2 first published in Korea 2007.05

12. [Premiere] Topeng Kaca - Dua Akoya (Glass no Kamen) 1/2+ by Miuchi Suzue

Glass no Kamen 「ガラスの仮面」 by Miuchi Suzue Hakusensha Bessatsu Hana to Yume, shoujo Volume 45 first published in Japan 2010.10

Related
Rereleased in bunko (24 volumes as at 2010.01, ongoing; Indonesian release as Topeng Kaca Deluxe)

Other languages/serializations
Italian (Editions Star Comics; serialized in Orion) and traditional Chinese (Tong Li Taiwan and Hong Kong)

Adaptations
At least three Glass no Kamen anime adaptations have been produced: The first by Eiken, spanning 23 episodes, aired between April and September 1984 on Japan's NTV. Seiyuu Katsuki Masako voiced Kitajima Maya, Matsushima Minori as Maya's rival Himekawa Ayumi, Nakanishi Taeko as Maya's mentor Tsukikage Chigusa and Nozawa Nachi as businessman Hayami Masumi.

TMS Entertainment produced the next anime, a three-episode OAV Garasu no Kamen: Sen no Kamen wo Motsu Shōjo (Glass Mask: The Girl Who Wears A Thousand Masks), released December 1998. The OAV retelling of the first three manga arcs featured a different voice cast: Ogata Megumi (Maya), Matsui Naoko (Ayumi), Toda Keiko (Tsukikage) and Kosugi Juurouta (Hayami).

TMS remade the series in 2005, this time casting Kobayashi Sanae, Yajima Akiko, Fujita Toshiko and Morikawa Toshiyuki as Maya, Ayumi, Tsukikage and Hayami, with the 1984 anime Maya returning as Ayumi's mother, Himekawa Utako. Fifty-one episodes aired between April 2005 and March 2006 on TV Tokyo.

The live-action version adapting the first 38 manga volumes ran for two seasons on TV Asahi (Season 1: July to September 1997, 11 episodes; Season 2: April to June 1998, 12 episodes), with the Season 1 episode 12 airing on 30 September 1999 (the Special Ending). The TV drama Seasons 1-2 cast comprised Adachi Yumi as Maya, Matsumoto Megumi as Ayumi, Nogiwa Yoko as Tsukikage and Tanabe Seiichi as Hayami. All reprised their roles for the Special Ending except Ayumi's actor (replaced by Nakamura Aimi).

13. Want You 8 of 10 by Hwang MiRee

Want you 「원츄(Want you)」 by Hwang MiRee Samyang, soonjung Volume 8 first published in Korea 2004.08

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

Mangazines (2011.03.30)

• Shonen Star 6/2011

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