Soul Eater 7, Dawn of the Arcana 1 by Toma Rei, Blade of Immortal 16 (Level Comics 1 June 2011 manga)

Kicking off with the Level manga generating the most buzz from my tweeps — Dawn of the Arcana by Toma Rei, debuting this Wednesday.

Reimei no Arcana © Toma Rei/Shogakukan [Serialized in Cheese!]
Published in Indonesia as Dawn of The Arcana by Elex Media/Level Comics

The southern and northern kingdoms of Senan and Belquat have long been at war. To end the conflict, Senan's Princess Nakaba is married off to Belquat's Prince Caesar. Nakaba already has two other obvious strikes against her going in — her “commoner” red hair, a slap to the face of the exclusively black-haired royal family, and her “sub-human” (half-beast) bodyguard Loki.

How will Nakaba fare, trapped behind enemy lines? Can the visions she sees stave off death threatening at every turn?

So, Arranged Marriage, Prince, Princess, War — sound familiar? You guessed it: Ogura Akane's Absolute Peace Strategy (published by Elex). The two differ, however, in the not even hidden hostility/contempt/ridicule Strong Female Lead Nakaba faces, and that's just from her husband. Also, there's her Special Power (prescience), to which the Arcana in the title alludes. Doesn't make sense? Just GET! to see what I mean. I guarantee you'll enjoy the ride.

If you're still not convinced, may I tell you that Dawn of The Arcana 3 has already entered the editing phase? Volume 3, peeps! (By contrast, North American readers only get Dawn of the Arcana, Vol. 1 in December 2011.)

Toma Rei-sensei is also the manga-ka of the game-based Star Color Present (Hoshiiro no Okurimono), the two-volume Stolen Kiss, Reverse Harem Boku wa Kiss de Uso wo Tsuku and the Maid In Love Tsukushite Agemasu, all serialized first in Cheese! like Dawn of The Arcana.

I preview the other manga premiere—the Zombie School! Dark Edge by Aikawa Yu—after the release list.

Soul Eater 7 of 19+ by Ohkubo Atsushi

To preclude the first Kishin's madness claiming more victims, Shinigami-sama assembles the world's most powerful death scythes. While the weapons discuss battle plans, the DWMA slowly reverts to its quotidian routine. But one new student has trouble adjusting to normal school life.

Yup, it's Crona, now a DWMA student and handed her/his first mission with Maka and Soul.

Soul Eater 7 compiles chapter 23 through 27: Daily Life, Experimenting School (Parts 1-3) and Bodyguard (Part 1). [*NOT Level's chapter titles]

Blade of Immortal 16 of 27+ by Samura Hiroaki

A prisoner of the Mugai-ryū, Manji serves as the guinea pig for Ayame Burando's immortality experiments. Burando has been ordered by Kagimura Habaki to graft Manji's limbs onto another—the first subject being death row inmate Dewanosuke—to replicate Manji's regenerative powers. The experiment fails, claiming the lives of many prisoners. But with Habaki egging Burando on, will the doctor persevere and eventually succeed?

[Additions from Casterman's L'habitant de l'infini, Tome 16 description and Mecha Mecha Media's Blade of the Immortal 16 review]

Level Comics manga (2011.06.01)

1. A Spirit of The Sun (Taiyou no Mokushiroku) 11 of 17 by Kawaguchi Kaiji

Taiyou no Mokushiroku 「太陽の黙示録」 by Kawaguchi Kaiji Shogakukan Big Comic, seinen Volume 11 (chapters 73-79) first published in Japan 2006.03

Awards
Best Seinen/General Manga, 51st Shogakukan Manga Awards
Grand Prize winner for the comic category, 10th Japan Media Arts Festival

Other languages
French (Tonkam Spirit of The Sun, tome 17: Le troisième pays per 2009.12)

Adaptations
Adapted into an anime special by Madhouse (two episodes)

2. Attack!! 7 of 11+ by Oshima Tsukasa

Attack!! 「アタック！！」 by Oshima Tsukasa Shinchosha Comic Bunch, seinen Volume 7 first published in Japan 2008.07

3. Blade of Immortal (Mugen no Juunin) 16 of 27+ by Samura Hiroaki

Mugen no Juunin 「無限の住人」 by Samura Hiroaki Kodansha Afternoon, seinen Volume 16 first published in Japan 2004.05

Awards
1997 Japan Media Arts Festival Excellence Prize

Other languages
English Blade of the Immortal (Dark Horse Comics: 23 volumes per 2011.02 • Volume 24: Massacre street date: 2011.11.08), French (Casterman: L'habitant de l'infini tome 25 per 2010.10 • Tome 26 ships 2011.06.29), Italian (Planet Manga), German and Polish (Egmont), Portuguese (Conrad Brazil) and Swedish (Schibsted Förlagen Sverige AB; serialized in Manga Mania)

Adaptations
A 13-episode anime starring seiyuu Seki Tomokazu (Manji) and Satou Rina (Rin) aired in Japan on AT-X from July to December 2008.

4. [Series Premiere] Dark Edge 1 of 15 by Aikawa Yu

Dark Edge 「ＤＡＲＫ　ＥＤＧＥ」 by Aikawa Yu Media Works Dengeki Comic Gao!, shounen Volume 1 first published in Japan 1999.02

Other languages
English Dark Edge (ComicsOne then DrMaster: 10 volumes per 2009.03.03)

5. [Series Premiere] Dawn of The Arcana (Reimei no Arcana) 1 of 7+ by Toma Rei

Reimei no Arcana 「黎明のアルカナ」 by Toma Rei Shogakukan Cheese!, shoujo Volume 1 first published in Japan 2009.05

Other languages
English Dawn of the Arcana (VIZ Media: Volume 1 street date: 2011.12.06)

6. Ghost Mum Investigator (Ghost Mama Sousasen) 3 of 3+ by Sato Tomokazu

Ghost Mama Sousasen 「ゴーストママ捜査線 」 by Sato Tomokazu Shogakukan Big Comics, seinen Volume 3 first published in Japan 2005.12

7. Soul Eater 7 of 19+ by Ohkubo Atsushi

Soul Eater 「ソウルイーター」 by Ohkubo Atsushi Square Enix Shonen Gangan, shounen Volume 7 (chapters 23-27) first published in Japan 2006.09

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
English Soul Eater (Yen Press: five volumes per 2011.02 • volume 6 street date: 2011.06.28), French (Kurokawa tome 15 shipped 2011.05.12 • Tome 16 street date: 2011.07.07), German (Carlsen Comics Band 11 street date: 2011.06.24) 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.

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

European comics/BDs (2011.06.01)

1. Rantanplan - Biang Masalah by Morris (Lucky Comics)
2. Rantanplan - Natal Bersama by Morris (Lucky Comics)
3. Spirou dan Fantasio - Jamur dan Sang Diktator (Spirou et Fantasio, tome 7: Le Dictateur et le champignon) by Franquin (Dupuis)

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i-site: Cycle 9 and 10

Appearing on our i-site network in this historic month of May has been Bulmers, West Coast Cooler, Coors Light, Tia Maria, Bank of Ireland, Becks, Budweiser and Jagermeister.

One Piece 58, Dream Eater Merry 2, Kome Si Belang 3 (Elex Media 1 June 2011 manga) [UPDATE2]

Update 2: Crayon Shinchan 6 has been postponed. No new street date advised, so, keeping it here. Moved to the 8th

Actually, the post title should've read One Piece 58, Dream Eater Merry 2 AND Hyde & Closer 6, but GET! third-placer Hyde & Closer got reskedded to the 15th. Otherwise, the manga list is the same as Elex's.

One Piece © Oda Eiichiro/Shueisha
[Serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump]
Published in Indonesia by Elex Media

Shirohige is stabbed, further tilting the balance against the Whitebeard pirates, already suffering heavy losses in the Battle of Marineford. Meanwhile, Luffy, determined to rescue Ace, faces off against one Navy admiral after another.

Go »here for moar summary specificity than Elex's Indonesian take on One Piece 58's Japanese blurb. Wiki's not-so mini spoilage builds up the suspense better.

One Piece volume 58, The Name of This Era is ‘Whitebeard’, compiles chapters 563 through 573: One Man, One Heart, The Man Who Shook the World, Oars' Path, Raid, Marineford Navy Headquarters - Oris Plaza, Have It Your Way!, White Monster, The Bridge of Life, The Execution Platform, The Times They Are A-Changin’ and The Name of This Era is ‘Whitebeard’. (*NOT Elex chapter titles)

Dream Eater Merry 2 of 6+ by Ushiki Yoshitaka

Not all dream demons exchange their dream domain for an earthly one; some access the human world to eliminate other dream demons. Engi Threepiece is one such, ingressing into the real world to avenge her sister's death at the hands of Pharos Hercules, who leads the charge to replace humans with dream demons.

I'm still waiting for an Elex back cover blurb that actually mentions Dream Eater Merry's male protagonist, Yumeji. Maybe next volume.

Now for some huggable keeyootness —

Kome Si Belang 3 of 4+ by Hoshino Natsumi

Awww...you just gotta cuddle Kome for patience above and beyond the call of duty. She lets Koyuki snatch away her toys, finishes off the diet kibble Koyuki turns her cute nose up at and allows Koyuki to relieve teething troubles on Kome's back. In short, Kome takes good care of Koyuki when mom and Taku are busy.

But with the arrival of Koyuki's kitten pals Gonta and Hime to Nakarai Manor, Kome needs to stretch her patience threefold.

Nyan~?!

Elex Media manga and manhwa (2011.06.01)

1. Crayon Shinchan 6 of 50 by Usui Yoshito Postponed to 6.08
2. Crows 18 of 26 by Takahashi Hiroshi

Crows 「クローズ」 by Takahashi Hiroshi AKA Crows: Busou Sensen Reimeihen Akita Shoten Monthly Shounen Champion, shounen Volume 18 first published in Japan 1995.08

Related series

Worst (sequel, 26 volumes as at 2011.04) and Crows Zero (spin-off; nine of nine volumes as at 2010.08)

Adaptations
Two live-action prequel movies: Crows ZERO (Japan theatrical release: October 2007) and Crows ZERO II (April 2009), directed by Miike Takashi and starring Oguri Shun (GPS leader Takiya Genji) and Yamada Takayuki (Serizawa Tamao)

3. Doraemon: Gadget Cat from the Future 6 of 10 by Fujiko F. Fujio (Shogakukan English Comics)
4. Dream Eater Merry (Yumekui Merry) 2 of 6+ by Ushiki Yoshitaka

Yumekui Merry 「夢喰いメリー」 by Ushiki Yoshitaka Houbunsha Manga Time Kirara Forward, seinen Volume 2 first published in Japan 2009.05

Adaptations
J.C. Staff's 13-episode anime adaptation starring seiyuu Okamoto Nobuhiko (Fujiwara Yumeji) and Sakura Ayane (Merry Nightmare) aired in Japan between January and April 2011.

5. Hyde & Closer (Juhou Kaikin!! Hyde & Closer) 6 of 7 by Aso Haro Postponed to 6.15
6. Inazuma Eleven 3 of 9+ by Yabuno Tenya

Inazuma Eleven 「イナズマイレブン」 by Yabuno Tenya Shogakukan Corocoro Comic, shounen Volume 3 first published in Japan 2009.06

Awards
Best Children's Manga, 34th Kodansha Manga Awards (2010)

Related
Based on the Nintendo DS game of the same name, from which an OLM anime, starring seiyuu Takeuchi Junko as Mark Evans (Endou Mamoru), Nojima Hirofumi as Axel Blaze (Gouenji Shuuya), Yoshino Hiroyuki as Jude Sharp (Yuuto Kidou) and Miyano Mamoru as Shawn Frost (Shirou Fubuki), was also adapted. The TV series premiered 2008.10.05 on TV Tokyo and is still ongoing; the Inazuma Eleven: Saikyō Gundan Ogre Shūrai movie sequel premiered 2010.12.23 in Japan.

7. Kariage kun 42 of 50+ by Ueda Masashi

Kariage-kun 「かりあげクン」 by Ueda Masashi Futabasha Action Comics, seinen Volume 42 first published in Japan 2006.12

Awards
Recipient, 28th Bungeishunjū Manga Award (1982), along with Ueda Masashi's other series Furiten-kun and Masashi-kun and Suzuki Yamato's Ai MY Tenrankai

Related series
Kariage-kun: Chinan dake no Kuchikara Otoko! Hen, Kariage-kun: Itazura Meichin Bamenhen and Kariage-kun: Makenai Onnatachihen (sequels)

Adaptations
Adapted into anime by Toei Animation (1989-1990)

8. Kome si Belang (Kijitora Neko no Koume-san) 3 of 4+ by Hoshino Natsumi

Kijitora Neko no Koume-san 「キジトラ猫の小梅さん」 by Hoshino Natsumi Shonen Gahosha Neko Panchi, josei Volume 3 first published in Japan 2010.04

9. Lum, The Invader Girl (Urusei Yatsura) 29 of 34 by Takahashi Rumiko

Urusei Yatsura 「新装版　うる星やつら」 by Takahashi Rumiko Shogakukan Shonen Sunday, shounen New edition (shinsoban) volume 29 released in Japan 2008.01

Awards
Winner, 26th Shogakukan Manga Awards, Shounen/Shoujo category

Other languages
English (VIZ Media), French and Spanish (Glenat)

Adaptations
The 195 episode-anime adaptation by Kitty Films, starring seiyuu Hirano Fumi (Lum) and Furukawa Toshio (Moroboshi Ataru), aired from October 1981 through March 1986 on Fuji TV. Eleven OAVs and six theatrical movies were also released.

10. One Piece 58 of 62+ by Oda Eiichiro

One Piece 「ＯＮＥ　ＰＩＥＣＥ」 by Oda Eiichiro Shueisha Weekly Shonen Jump, shounen Volume 58 (chapters 563-573) first published in Japan 2010.06

Awards
Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize finalist (2000-2002)

Other languages
English One Piece (VIZ Media: 56 volumes per 2011.02 • volume 57 street date: 2011.06.07), French and Dutch (Glenat: Tome 57 per 2011.04.06 • Tome 58 street date: 2011.09.07), Spanish (Planeta DeAgostini Comics Spain, Editorial Toukan Mexico, LARP Editores S.A. Argentina), Italian (Editions Star Comics), German, Danish and Swedish (Carlsen: German Band 58 shipped 2011.04.22 • Band 59 street date: 2011.07.29), Portuguese (Conrad), traditional Chinese (Tong Li: 海賊王 One Piece volume 60 per 2010.12) and simplified Chinese (Chuang Yi Singapore: volume 61 released 2011.03.22)

Adaptations
Adapted into a couple of OAVs before a full anime TV series that has aired over 400 episodes and is still ongoing (seiyuu Tanaka Mayumi plays Monkey D. Luffy). At least 10 animated movies have also been released.

Related
A series of light novels based on the anime, at least five art books and five guidebooks.

11. The Recipe For Gertrude (Gertrude no Recipe) 4 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 4 (chapters 14-18 + omake) first published in Japan 2003.07

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

12. Tena on S-string (S-Senjou no Tena) 7 of 9 by Mikabe Sesuna

S-Senjou no Tena 「Ｓ線上のテナ」 by Mikabe Sesuna Houbunsha Manga Time Kirara Forward, seinen Volume 7 first published in Japan 2010.01

Other languages
English Tena on S-string (Yen Press: volume 5 per 2010.12.21)

13. The Tyr Chronicles (Tireujeongi) 6 of 11+ by Ra InSoo & Son ChangHo

Tireujeongi 「티르전기」 by Ra InSoo & Son ChangHo AKA Legend of Tyr Daiwon C.I., Comic Champ, sonyun Volume 6 first published in Korea 2009.12

14. V.B. Rose 7 of 14 by Hidaka Banri

V.B. Rose 「Ｖ・Ｂ・ローズ」 by Hidaka Banri Hakusensha Hana to Yume, shoujo Volume 7 first published in Japan 2006.07

Other languages/serialization
Serialized until chapter 56 in HanaLaLa)
English V.B. Rose (TOKYOPOP: 12 volumes as at 2011.04.05), traditional Chinese (Ever Glory Taiwan: V．B．R 絲絨藍玫瑰 14 per 2009.10)

Adaptations
A V.B. Rose drama CD was released in Japan in 2006.12, starring seiyuu Mizuki Nana as Shiroi Ageha, Sakurai Takahiro as Arisaka Yukari, and Suwabe Junichi as Kuromine Mitsuya.

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

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[Review] Shingeki no Kyojin by Isayama Hajime: Humans vs Giants (or Titans), who will win? [UPDATED]

Update: Level Comics confirms it has licensed this series (See Editor in Chief demonbasher-san's comment below). Remember, you heard it here first :D

Shingeki no Kyojin © Isayama Hajime/Kodansha
[First serialized in Bessatsu Shounen Magazine]
Licensed for Indonesian release by Level Comics

Shingeki no Kyojin by Isayama Hajime: Humans vs Giants (or Titans), who will win?
Review/recommendation by baka-girl (Some rights reserved)
Rating: 8.5 of 10 ♥

Finally! Time for a shounen manga review! This one was good enough to inspire me to write a review. You know what that means right? It means I really like it! :D. This one is spoiler free, I don't want to spoil your fun. Though actually I wanted to write more about the recent volume. Well, maybe in another post xD

Summary

Several hundred years ago, humans were nearly exterminated by giants. Giants are typically several stories tall, seem to have no intelligence, devour human beings and, worst of all, seem to do it for the pleasure rather than as a food source. A small percentage of humanity survived by walling themselves in a city protected by extremely high walls, even taller than the biggest of giants.

Flash forward to the present and the city has not seen a giant in over 100 years. Teenage boy Eren and his foster sister Mikasa witness something horrific as the city walls are destroyed by a super giant that appears out of thin air. As the smaller giants flood the city, the two kids watch in horror as their mother is eaten alive. Eren vows that he will murder every single giant and take revenge for all of mankind.
-Excerpted from Baka-Updates Manga

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Who will bring her back? The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya movie premieres 1 June 2011 on Animax Asia

You know by now, right, that The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya S2 finale'd on Animax last Wednesday? Well, this bookends.

© 2009 Nagaru Tanigawa · Noizi Ito/a member of SOS

The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya premieres 1 June 2011, Wednesday, 7PM WIB (UTC+7), on Animax Asia. Japanese audio with subtitles.

One morning Kyon arrives only to find that everything has changed. Haruhi and Koizumi are both missing and Ryoko has mysteriously returned. On top of this, Asahina can't seem to recognize Kyon and Nagato is just an ordinary human. For some reason, Kyon is the only one aware of the changes and no one remembers about Haruhi or the SOS Brigade.

Kyon finds a clue left by the alien version of Nagato in the form of a bookmark. She tells him that he has to gather ‘keys’ to run a program. After bringing all the necessary keys for the program built by the alien version of Nagato, Kyon is shocked to find who is behind everything.
–Animax synopsis

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Lina-chan and Niki's polar opposites review of Sugishippo's To Love a Cool Boy...

...that strangely arrives at the same Grade Point Average for this m&c! shoujo manga.

Hieshou Danshi Kouryakuhou © Sugishippo/Shogakukan
[First serialized in Sho-Comi]
Published in Indonesia as To Love a Cool Boy by Gramedia/m&c!

Review by Lina-chan × huamulan03 (Some rights reserved)

To Love a Cool Boy compiles three stories:

1) To Love a Cool Boy
Imagine Azusa's consternation when one snowy day, classmate Satsuki glomps her and doesn't let go, saying, “From now on, you're my personal heater!” See, Azusa's metabolism runs faster than most people's: her normal body heat registers above 38 degrees Celsius (over 41° in summer). Meanwhile, Satsuki's thermometer reading plunges considerably below that of Azusa's. So, as the temperature drops, Satsuki glues himself to Azusa. But is Satsuki really just using Azusa?

2) My Lovely Alien
Suzumura Kayo has always harbored suspicions about her smart, athletic, blond-haired, green-eyed classmate Kashiwagi Iori and he proves her suspicions...right?

3) Suzuko's Room
Painfully shy Mizumoto Suzuko gets partnered with class Mr. Popular Mochizuki Suguru for the lunch hour school broadcasts. To cure Suzuko of her shyness, Suguru forces her host an interview segment, Suzuko's Room.

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[Review] Catwalk Romance by Shiraishi Yuki: Pretty can only take you so far

Catwalk Romance street date: 25 May 2011

Plastic Girl © Shiraishi Yuki/Shogakukan
[First serialized in Sho-Comi]
Published in Indonesia as Catwalk Romance by Gramedia/m&c!

Catwalk Romance by Shiraishi Yuki: Pretty can only take you so far
Shoujo manga review by huamulan03 (Some rights reserved)
Rating: 5.75 of 10 ♥

The lowdown

Model Maya has a BIG problem. Every time the camera snaps her pic, she freezes and ends up smiling as if contemplating the photographer's (gruesome) demise. Her only respite from work stress comes during lunch break, when bishie “Pierre,” the Lowes Pierre delivery boy, hands over her bento.

Her ePIC #Fail aside, Maya is entered into the New Model Grand Prix by her boss, along with a Plot Device, I mean, another agency ingénue who (conveniently) no-shows on D-day, having taken a header off some stairs. Who should fill in to save Maya but...Pierre!

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Lina-chan snap reviews... My Boyfriend in 16 shoujo manga by Yoshinaga Yuu

My Boyfriend in 16 street date: 25 May 2011

Koibito wa 16-sai © Yoshinaga Yuu/Shogakukan
[First serialized in Betsucomi]
Published in Indonesia as My Boyfriend in 16 by Gramedia/m&c!

I can't write a full review coz I've been dealing with sore throat + influenza since Sunday ｡･ﾟ(´□｀)ﾟ･｡ But don't worry, I still have time to make a quick review.

My Boyfriend in 16 by Yoshinaga Yuu
Rating: 7 of 10 ♥

Ada 3 kisah yang dirangkum dalam 1 tanko ini, My Boyfriend in 16, Prince K dan Trouble Maker Girlfriend namun hanya kisah My Boyfriend in 16 yang cukup menarik untuk dibaca hingga tuntas. Berkisah tentang kerisauan hati Rika, cewek kuliahan berusia 20 tahun yang jatuh cinta pada Kuroki, cowok yang masih duduk di bangku SMU dan berusia 16 tahun. Akankah perbedaan usia mempengaruhi keseriusan mereka dalam menjalin hubungan percintaan?

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My Youth With You 5 and Galism 3 (3L shoujo manga out now)

Galism - Renai Joutou 3 Shimai © Yokoyama Mayumi/Shogakukan [Betsucomi]
Kimi no Tonari de Seishunchuu © Fujisawa Shizuki/Shogakukan [Betsucomi]
Published in Indonesia as Galism ~ 3 Sisters first-class Love ~ and My Youth With You by PT Tiga Lancar Semesta/Tiga Lancar Comic (3L)

Michael's skiing challenge to Miu ends with the both of them crashing into a ravine. Does this mean Keita and Miu will go through a really long-distance love?

Okay, those two lines shouldn't probably transition into each other, but I'm just following the My Youth With You 5 blurb from Angelzon, which goes Namun, mereka malah terjatuh dalam jurang!? Lalu, apakah Keita dan Miu akan menjalani cinta jarak jauh?

Don't remember Michael? He's Alex's younger brother. Don't remember Alex? Review My Youth With You from volume 2 onwards. :D

Galism 3 of 6 by Yokoyama Mayumi

The three Ugajin sisters keep the peace at Manten Academy. Their strength levels up, thanks to the support of Kent, the academy founder's grandson, and Yuudai, the juvie who is now dating Ran. Ran and Yuudai's relationship, however, is rocky at best; Yuudai's connection to the university dean needs some explaining as well.

Again, doesn't make sense? Here are the pertinent lines from the Galism 3 summary: Namun hubungan Ran dan Yuudai tidak berjalan begitu mulus karena banyak sekali masalah yang mengganggu hubungan mereka! Nah apakah hubungan antara Yuudai dan rektor universitas pun akhirnya menjadi jelas...!?

Galism 3 is rated for a Mature or    DEWASA audience.

3L shoujo manga (2011.05.24)

1. Galism ~ 3 Sisters first-class Love ~ (Galism - Renai Joutou 3 Shimai) 3 of 6 by Yokoyama Mayumi

Galism - Renai Joutou 3 Shimai 「ギャリズム」 by Yokoyama Mayumi
Shogakukan Betsucomi, shoujo
Volume 3 first published in Japan 2006.02

2. My Youth with You (Kimi no Tonari de Seishunchuu) 5 of 7+ by Fujisawa Shizuki

Kimi no Tonari de Seishunchuu 「キミのとなりで青春中。」
by Fujisawa Shizuki
Shogakukan Betsucomi, shoujo
Volume 5 first published in Japan 2010.08

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

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Shanaou Yoshitsune Genpei War 12, Beauty Pop 10 of 10, Jun★Ai Sensation 5 of 5 (m&c! 25 May 2011 manga)

Shanaou Yoshitsune: Genpei no Kassen © Sawada Hirofumi/Kodansha
[Serialized in Monthly Shonen Magazine]
Published in Indonesia as Shanaou Yoshitsune Genpei War by Gramedia/m&c!

Hyota (Yoshitsune) manages to prevent a war between Yoritomo and Yoshinaka's troops. His next challenge: an arranged marriage. His own to be exact :D

Doncha just wub his sweatdroppy droopy befuddlement, shown on the Shanaou Yoshitsune Genpei War 12 above? I do ♡.

Jun'ai Sensation
© Oobayashi Miyuki
Shogakukan [ChuChu]
Published as
Jun★Ai Sensation
by Gramedia/m&c!

Series finales

Two shoujo series finish — Arai Kiyoko's Beauty Pop (volume 10) and Oobayashi Miyuki's Jun★Ai Sensation (volume 5).

In the final Beauty Pop, can SP win the All Japan Beauty Contest when Narumi and Ochiai are feuding?

Meanwhile, as Jun★Ai Sensation counts down to wrap... Die, Fukunaga Ai! Whoops. Someone has it in for Ai who stars in a drama and inadvertently becomes famous. Someone who gives Ai's kissing scene two thumbs down.

New m&c! titles

One of these things is not like the others~♪, or so goes the Sesame Street song. First, m&c! lines up six omnibuses: Catwalk Romance by Shiraishi Yuki and To Love a Cool Boy by Sugishippo (both ex-Sho-Comi); Himegirl Attack by Wao Akira, Love Tricks by Ibuki Kaede × CHOCHO and Moriko in The Wonder Forest by Notoyama Keiko (from Ciao); and My Boyfriend in 16 by Yoshinaga Yuu (Betsucomi). And then it drags in Pedang Maha Dewa - Future 1 by Tony Wong. Can you spot the odd one out?

What else but the one that's not a manga and not a standalone.

According to m&c!, the Pedang Maha Dewa F manhua represents the final appearance of Weapons of the Gods characters Wen Tian and Tay Ping. The setting moves to the modern era, specifically, the WWI time window when foreign powers held Hong Kong as a concession territory. The story's main antagonists are the Demon forces, smaller in stature than the Sky Demons (the enemy in Pedang Maha Dewa 3 and 3.5), but more numerous and capable of transforming into humans. In Tony Wong's alternate history, they triggered the Great War and it is now up to Wen Tian and Tay Ping to rid the planet of these critters.

(For the new shoujo manga previews, scroll down.)

☂, VIII [RE-STO]: .hack anyone? Specifically, Hack XXXX and Hack// G.U.+? Complete sets on tap this week.

m&c! manga (2011.05.25)

1. Beauty Pop 10 of 10 by Arai Kiyoko [Finale]

Beauty Pop 「ビューティーポップ」 by Arai Kiyoko AKA Beauty Pop Stage 2 Shogakukan Ciao, shoujo Volume 10 first published in Japan 2008.02

Other languages
Serialized in the Indonesian Cherry (concluded)
English Beauty Pop (VIZ Media: 10 volumes), French (Soleil: tome 10 per 2010.04) and traditional Chinese 俏麗魔髮師 (Tong Li Taiwan)

Adaptations
A drama CD was released in November 2004, starring seiyuu Minagawa Junko (Koshiba Kiri), Seki Tomokazu (Narumi Shogo), Makoto Aoki (Ochiai Kazuhiko), Shimono Hiro (Minami Kei), Kurata Masayo (Aoyama Kanako), Shimozaki Hiroshi (Komatsu Taro) and Hoshino Mitsuaki (Koshiba Seiji).

2. [Premiere] Catwalk Romance (Plastic Girl) by Shiraishi Yuki

Plastic Girl 「プラスチック・ガール」 by Shiraishi Yuki Shogakukan Sho-Comi, shoujo This volume first published in Japan 2009.03

3. [Premiere] Himegirl Attack (Himegal Yoroshiku) by Wao Akira

Himegal Yoroshiku 「姫ギャル・夜露死苦」 by Wao Akira Shogakukan Ciao, shoujo This volume first published in Japan 2010.10

4. Jun★Ai Sensation (Jun'ai Sensation) 5 of 5 by Oobayashi Miyuki [Finale]

Jun'ai Sensation 「純★愛センセーション」 by Oobayashi Miyuki Shogakukan ChuChu Comics, shoujo Volume 5 first published in Japan 2010.06

5. [Premiere] Love Tricks (Koakuma 7) by Ibuki Kaede, CHOCHO

Koakuma 7 JS no tame no atarashii renai kyouka 「小悪魔７　ＪＳのためのアタラシイ恋愛教科」 by Ibuki Kaede, CHOCHO Shogakukan Ciao, shoujo This volume first published in Japan 2010.07

6. [Premiere] Moriko in The Wonder Forest (Fushigi no Mori no Moriko) by Notoyama Keiko

Fushigi no Mori no Moriko 「ふしぎの森のモリコ」 by Notoyama Keiko Shogakukan Ciao, shoujo This volume first published in Japan 2010.07

7. [Premiere] My Boyfriend in 16 (Koibito wa 16-sai) by Yoshinaga Yuu

Koibito wa 16-sai 「恋人は１６さい」 by Yoshinaga Yuu Shogakukan Betsucomi, shoujo This volume first published in Japan 2010.05

8. Neon Genesis Evangelion Iron Maiden the 2nd (Shinseiki Evangelion: Koutetsu no Girlfriend 2nd) 5 of 6 by Hayashi Fumino/GAINAX · khara

Shinseiki Evangelion: Koutetsu no Girlfriend 2nd 「新世紀エヴァンゲリオン　鋼鉄のガールフレンド２ｎｄ」 by Hayashi Fumino/GAINAX · khara Kadokawa Shoten Asuka, shoujo Volume 5 first published in Japan 2005.07

Other languages
English Neon Genesis Evangelion: Angelic Days (ADV; six volumes)

Related
Neon Genesis Evangelion (adapted from; 12 volumes as at 2010.04)

9. Shanaou Yoshitsune Genpei War (Shanaou Yoshitsune: Genpei no Kassen) 12 of 15+ by Sawada Hirofumi

Shanaou Yoshitsune: Genpei no Kassen 「遮那王　義経　源平の合戦」 by Sawada Hirofumi Kodansha Monthly Shonen Magazine, shounen Volume 12 first published in Japan 2010.08

Related series
Shanaou Yoshitsune (prequel, 22 of 22 volumes)

10. [Premiere] To Love a Cool Boy (Hieshou Danshi Kouryakuhou) by Sugishippo

Hieshou Danshi Kouryakuhou 「冷え性男子攻略法」 by Sugishippo Shogakukan Sho-Comi, shoujo This volume first published in Japan 2009.09

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

Hong Kong manhua (2011.05.25)

1. The Impeccable Twins Final Chapters 17 of 20: Dalang Iblis (bagian keenam) by Khu Lung, Cai Jing Dong (Culturecom) [IDR 19,900]
2. Long Hu Men - The Next Level 3: Jurus Nadi Setan by Tony Wong (Jade Dynasty) [IDR 70,000]
3. [Series Premiere] Pedang Maha Dewa - Future 1 of 6 by Tony Wong (Jade Dynasty) [IDR 95,000]
4. Pedang Maha Dewa 4: Amazing Weapons - The Lost Blade 2 by Tony Wong (Jade Dynasty) [IDR 80,000]

[RESTO] Restocked (2011.05.25)

• Gorgeous Doctors (Dr. wa sotto dakishimeru) by Kawamaru Shin
• Hack XXXX (.hack//XXXX) 1 of 2 by Kikuya Megane, Matsuyama Hiroshi
• Hack XXXX (.hack//XXXX) 2 of 2 by Kikuya Megane, Matsuyama Hiroshi [Finale]
• .hack//G.U.+ 1 of 5 by Morita Yuzuka, Hamazaki Tatsuya
• .hack//G.U.+ 2 of 5 by Morita Yuzuka, Hamazaki Tatsuya
• .hack//G.U.+ 3 of 5 by Morita Yuzuka, Hamazaki Tatsuya
• .hack//G.U.+ 4 of 5 by Morita Yuzuka, Hamazaki Tatsuya
• .hack//G.U.+ 5 of 5 by Morita Yuzuka, Hamazaki Tatsuya [Finale]
• Kalau Besar Nanti: Aku Ingin Jadi Bintang by Curd Ridel [IDR 25,000]
• Kalau Besar Nanti: Aku Ingin Jadi Ibu by Curd Ridel [IDR 25,000]
• Pedang Mahadewa Fore Stories IV Book 1 of 2 by Tony Wong [IDR 75,000]
• Pedang Mahadewa Fore Stories IV Book 2 of 2 by Tony Wong [Finale] [IDR 75,000]
• Rhythmical Style by Aoi Michiru
• Shadow of Pink Summer (Karei naru Ai no Rekishi Emaki series) by Nagaoka Yoshiko [IDR 17,000]
• The Sound of Love (Karei naru Ai no Rekishi Emaki series) by Nagaoka Yoshiko [IDR 20,000]

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Until Death Do Us Part 6, Bronze Angel 2, GTO Shonan 14 Days 1 by Fujisawa Toru (Level Comics 25 May 2011)

Shi ga Futari wo Wakatsu Made © Takashige Hiroshi & DOUBLE-S
Square Enix [Serialized in Young Gangan]
Published in Indonesia as Until Death Do Us Part by Elex Media/Level Comics

Assassins gather in Tokyo, all after the 100 million dollar prize, among them, a criminal planner dubbed Wiseman. But beyond the man with the mysterious aura is Juliet, who shows up before Mamoru & Co. to replace the injured Sierra.

Juliet's sharp tongue provokes Haruka to no end. Who knows if they can work together?

Level editor Lenny-san guarantees the usual yummy color spreads for Until Death Do Us Part 6 and super cool fighting scenes >0< that show off His Blind Swordsman Badassness, like this Mamoru in action sample.

Bronze Angel 2 of 7 by Saito Chiho

Natalya remains doubtful of Pushkin's love and who could blame her? Problem after problem buffet their shaky relationship. It's almost a miracle that finally Pushkin manages to convince Natalya to marry him.

But fate is not done conspiring against our star-crossed lovers and throws an emperor, irate with Pushkin, in the happiness works.

Instead of focusing on an infuriated, poetry-averse ruler, editor Sina-san suggests drooling over the jealousy-inducing power of Pushkin's love for Natalya (>o<).

New Level manga: GTO Shonan 14 Days by Fujisawa Toru

GTO Shonan 14 Days
© Fujisawa Toru
Kodansha
[Weekly Shonen Magazine]
Published in Indonesia
by Level Comics

Onizuka Eikichi, 22 years old, teaches at the Tokyo Kissho Junior High. Onizuka returns to his hometown Shonan to lie low after accidentally claiming to have nearly buried a student alive. Who would've thought that this would mark the beginning of a 14-day challenge to help troubled kids at the White Swan youth shelter?

Explains editor Adisti-san: The GTO Shonan 14 Days story takes place roughly around GTO volume 19 and boasts action and excitement to rival its predecessor. Baka-Updates Manga specifies that it follows the Teshigawara arc, and warns of massive SPOILAGE, tangenting on a point often *cough*leveled*cough* against Level: Why publish the sequel when the prequel is still current? (Not complainin', just askin'.)

Adisti-san adds that there's an eight color pages bonus in volume 1; I tag on: And no, that doesn't up the price. GTO Shonan 14 Days is priced at the regular IDR 18,500/volume.

Cherry 4 of 4 by Kubonouchi Eisaku

Kaoru is torn between two choices and the identity of Fuko is finally revealed.

THE FINALE!! as Lenny-san raves.

Level Comics manga (2011.05.25)

1. Angel Heart 8 of 33 by Hojo Tsukasa

Angel Heart 「エンジェル・ハート」 by Hojo Tsukasa Shinchosha (Coamix) Comic Bunch, seinen Volume 8 first published in Japan 2003.09

Related series
City Hunter (Adapted from; 35 of 35 volumes), Angel Heart 2nd Season (sequel; one volume per 2011.03.19)

Other languages
French (Génération Comics and Panini Comics)

Adaptations
Adapted into anime by TMS, starring seiyuu Kamiya Akira as Saeba Ryo and Kawasaki Mao as Shan-In Glass Heart Lee. Fifty episodes adapting manga volumes 1 to 18 aired in Japan from October 2005 to September 2006.

2. Bronze Angel (Bronze no Tenshi) 2 of 7 by Saito Chiho

Bronze no Tenshi 「ブロンズの天使」 by Saito Chiho Shogakukan Flowers, shoujo Volume 2 first published in Japan 2004.12

Other versions
Rereleased in five bunko volumes (per 2011.03)

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

3. Cherry 4 of 4 by Kubonouchi Eisaku [Finale]

Cherry 「Ｃｈｅｒｒｙ」 by Kubonouchi Eisaku Shogakukan Big Comic Spirits, seinen Volume 4 (chapters 31-41) first published in Japan 2008.01

4. The Drops of God (Kami no Shizuku) 4 of 29+ by Agi Tadashi & Okimoto Shu

Kami no Shizuku 「神の雫」 by Agi Tadashi & Okimoto Shu AKA Les Gouttes de Dieu Kodansha Morning, seinen Volume 4 first published in Japan 2005.11

Awards
Nominee, 1st Keitai Comic Taishō (Mobile Phone Comic Award, along with Hiura Satoru's Hotaru no Hikari, Miyasaka Kaho's Kare First Love and 17 other manga); Special Award of the Year, La Revue du vin de France (French wine magazine); Nominee (Glénat's Les Gouttes de Dieu, tome 1), French Angoulême Comics Awards

Other languages
French (Glénat: Les Gouttes de Dieu tome 18 shipped 2011.04.20 • tome 19 street date: 2011.06.08), traditional Chinese 神之水滴 (Sharp Point Press Taiwan), English Drops of God (Vertical: volume 1 street date: 2011.09.13)

Adaptations
A live-action renzoku starring Kamenashi Kazuya as Kanzaki Shizuku aired from January to March 2009 in Japan on NTV.

5. [Series Premiere] GTO Shonan 14 Days 1 of 6+ by Fujisawa Toru

GTO Shonan 14 Days 「ＧＴＯ　ＳＨＯＮＡＮ　１４ＤＡＹＳ」 by Fujisawa Toru Kodansha Weekly Shonen Magazine, shounen Volume 1 first published in Japan 2009.10

Related series
Prequels: Shounan Junaigumi! AKA GTO: The Early Years (31 of 31 volumes); Bad Company (1 of 1 volume); and GTO (25 of 25 volumes)

Other languages
Simplified Chinese (Chuang Yi: volume 4 per 2010.10)

6. ILIAD 3 of 15 by Uoto Osamu & Toshusai Garaku

ILIAD 「イリヤッド～入矢堂見聞録～」 by Uoto Osamu & Toshusai Garaku Shogakukan Big Comics, seinen Volume 3 (chapters 17-24) first published in Japan in 2003.07

7. Over Rev 19 of 31 by Yamaguchi Katsumi & Team 39

Over Rev! 「オーバーレブ！」 by Yamaguchi Katsumi & Team 39 Shogakukan Young Sunday, seinen Volume 19 (chapters 205-216) first published in Japan 2001.11

8. Red River (Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori) 7 of 28 by Shinohara Chie

Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori 「天は赤い河のほとり」 by Shinohara Chie AKA Anatolia Story Shogakukan Sho-Comi, shoujo Volume 7 (chapters 17-19) first published in Japan 1996.11

Awards
Best Shoujo Manga, 46th Shogakukan Manga Awards (2000)

Other languages
English Red River (VIZ Media: 28 volumes), Italian Anatolia Story (Editions Star Comics: 28 volumes), German (EMA/Egmont Manga and Anime), Vietnamese Dòng Sông Huyền Bí (Tre Publishing House) and traditional Chinese 赤河戀影 (Tong Li)

Adaptations
Eight drama CDs were released between 1997 and 2003.

Related
An artbook (Japan release: 1999.02.24), fanbook (2002.07.26) and a two-volume novel adaptation Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori Gaiden Ma ga Jidai no Reimei written and illustrated by Shinohara Chie-sensei (2007.05 and 2007.09)

9. Sky of Love (Koizora) 5 of 10 by Haneda Ibuki, Mika

Koizora: Setsunai Koi Monogatari 「恋空～切ナイ恋物語～」 by Haneda Ibuki & Mika Futabasha Comic Mahou no iland, shoujo Volume 5 first published in Japan 2008.06

Related
Based on the best-selling coming of age/romance novel written by Mika (two volumes published by Starts Publications), originally posted on the cell phone website "Mahou no iLand."

Adaptations
Loosely adapted into a movie (2007.11.03 premiere), starring Aragaki Yui as Mika and Miura Haruma as Hiro, and a six-episode live-action series on TBS from August to September 2008 with Mizusawa Erena as Mika and Seto Koji as Hiro.

10. Until Death Do Us Part (Shi ga Futari wo Wakatsu Made) 6 of 14+ by Takashige Hiroshi & DOUBLE-S

Shi ga Futari wo Wakatsu Made 「死がふたりを分かつまで」 by Takashige Hiroshi & DOUBLE-S Square Enix Young Gangan, seinen Volume 6 (chapters 41-48) first published in Japan 2007.10

Other languages
French (Ki-oon: Jusqu'à ce que la mort nous sépare tome 13 shipped 2011.05.12), traditional Chinese (Tong Li Taiwan and Jade Dynasty Hong Kong)

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European comics/BDs (2011.05.25)

1. Jojo - Misteri Violaine (Jojo 4: Le mystère Violaine) by André Geerts
2. Jojo - Petir di Musim Panas (Jojo 5: Un été du tonnerre) by André Geerts
3. Spirou dan Fantasio - Si Sial Vito (Spirou et Fantasio, tome 43: Vito la déveine) by Tome & Janry
4. Spirou dan Fantasio - Spirou dan Fantasio di Moskow (Spirou et Fantasio, tome 42: Spirou et Fantasio À Moscou) by Tome & Janry

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