To be Beautiful 6 of 6, Historie 4, Love & Collage 12 of 12 (Level Comics 19 January 2011 manga) [UPDATED]

Changed title to reflect the Most Wanted Level Manga

Historie © Iwaaki Hitoshi/Kodansha [Serialized in Afternoon]
Published in Indonesia by Elex Media/Level Comics

Beauty makeover genius Kichijoji Misako appears on TV looking like she just rolled out of bed and didn't even bother splashing water on her face before going out? What's gives in To be Beautiful volume 6? Apparently, no longer content to just make others ecstatic, Misako now wants to snatch her own happiness. To this end she invents a machine—a mold, actually—that can churn out pretty girls and wants to market it.

Will this beauty shortcut actually gladden anyone? Find out for yourself in the To be Beautiful finale.

Speaking of finales, volume 12 of Inoue Kazurou's Love & Collage dumps Hachibe in hot water, after Sakurako, who takes it upon herself to clean out his room, discovers Hachibe's parts photo collection. This as Taniyama tells Hachibe that he and Sakurako have rekindled their relationship.

Will Sakurako really depart for England? And what will Yukari do to cheer up the despondent Hachibe? And will Hachibe ever end up regretting his love and lust for discrete female parts?

Now for a detour to ancient Greece. In volume 4 of Iwaaki Hitoshi's award-winning Historie, troops from Tios launch an assault upon Boa, the village where Eumenes lives. As the soldiers surround the village, Eumenes hatches up a surprising counterattack.

What has Eumenes planned for the Tios aggressors? Will it be enough to secure a victory for the Boa residents?

Level Comics manga (2011.01.19)

1. Historie 4 of 6+ by Iwaaki Hitoshi

Historie 「ヒストリエ」 by Iwaaki Hitoshi Kodansha Afternoon, seinen Volume 4 first published in Japan 2007.07

Volume 4 chapters:
30-35: In Palphlagonia (Part 7 - 12)
36: Odysseus
37-38: Island of Lesbos - Biological Institute - (Part 1 - 2)

Awards
Finalist, 10th Osamu Tezuka Culture Award

Other languages
Traditional Chinese (Tong Li Taiwan)

2. Kyoko Karasuma's Case Files (Karasuma Kyouko no Jikenbo) 4 of 9+ by Hiroi Ohji & Kozaki Yusuke

Karasuma Kyouko no Jikenbo 「烏丸響子の事件簿」 by Hiroi Ohji & Kozaki Yusuke AKA Kyoko Karasuma - Detective of the Asakusa Police Department Gentosha Comic BIRZ, seinen Volume 4 first published in Japan 2006.01

Other languages
French (Taifu Comics: Kyoko Karasuma, Inspecteur à Asakusa tome 8 per 2010.10), German (Carlsen Comics: Kyoko Karasuma: Detective of the Asakusa Police Department latest - Band 8), Russian (Comix-ART)

3. Love & Collage (Ai Kora) 12 of 12 by Inoue Kazurou [Finale]

Ai Kora 「あいこら」 by Inoue Kazurou Shogakukan Shonen Sunday, shounen Volume 12 first published in Japan 2008.10

Other languages
French (Kurokawa: 12 volumes per 2009.11)

4. Nurse Aoi (Ns' Aoi) 18 of 32+ by Koshino Ryo

Ns' Aoi 「Ｎｓ’あおい」 by Koshino Ryo Kodansha Morning, seinen Volume 18 first published in Japan 2008.03

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.

5. Priest 13 of 16+ by Hyung MinWoo

Priest 「프리스트」 by Hyung MinWoo Daiwon C.I. Champ Comics, seinen Volume 13 first published in Korea 2003.03 Series on hiatus from volume 16

Other languages
English Priest (TOKYOPOP: 16 volumes), French (Tokebi; 16 volumes), German (Tokyopop Germany), Polish (Kasen Comics), Italian (J POP), Portuguese (Lumus Brazil) and Japanese (Enterbrain Beam comix)

Adaptations
A film adaptation starring Cam Gigandet, Paul Bettany and Maggie Q is expected to premiere on 13 May 2011 in the U.S. (Indonesian screening is slated to begin 12 May 2011.)

6. red Eyes 14 of 14+ by Shindo Jun

red Eyes 「ｒｅｄ　Ｅｙｅｓ」 by Shindo Jun Kodansha Magazine E-no, shounen Volume 14 first published in Japan 2010.04

Other languages
French, German and Italian (Panini Comics)

7. To Be Beautiful (Kirei ni Naritai!) 6 of 6 by Yorita Miyuki [Finale]

Kirei ni Naritai! 「キレイになりたい！」 by Yorita Miyuki Kodansha KC Dessert, shoujo Volume 6 first published in Japan 2006.12

Level Comics manga (2011.01.19)

• Boule & Bill - Ayo, Bersenang-senang (Boule & Bill: 'Faut rigoler!) by Roba

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

Read more »

Historie 3 by Iwaaki Hitoshi (Level Comics seinen historical manga out now)

Historie © Iwaaki Hitoshi/Kodansha [Serialized in Afternoon]
Published in Indonesia by Elex Media/Level Comics

Historie 3 of 6+

By Iwaaki Hitoshi
Original title: ヒストリエ
Kodansha, serialized in Afternoon, seinen
Volume 3 first released in Japan 2005.11
Published in Indonesia 2010.09 by PT Elex Media Komputindo/Level Comics

Synopsis

Sold off as a slave, Eumenes is marched out of Cardia, and on to a ship bound for Oldia. But before he and his new master reach their destination, a slave mutiny breaks out, preventing the vessel from riding out a storm and causing it to founder and sink off the Paphlagonian coast.

What will happen to Eumenes now? Does this calamity spell the end to his journey?

Despite the back cover art below, and considering the percipient prodigy later becomes secretary to Alexander The Great, likely not.

Volume 3 contains chapters:
20. A Buyer Appears
21. Departure
22. Antakaios
23. The Argo
24-29. In Paphlagonia (Part 1-6)
(Chapter titles c/o Wikipedia)

Awards and Recommendations

Iwaaki Hitoshi's historical series was shortlisted for the 10th Osamu Tezuka Culture Prize (2006), along with Oda Tobira's Tomo'o and nine other titles. (The Grand Prize eventually went to Azuma Hideo's Disappearance Diary.) The prize is awarded to manga modeled on the Osamu Tezuka approach.

The Japanese daily Mainichi praised Iwaaki-sensei's reimagining of the mysterious historical Eumenes's life as Bold and unique, according to a Wikipedia citation. Level editor Tika-san, meanwhile, recommends Historie for its novel take on ancient Greek politics.

Level Comics Historie 3 street date: 22 September 2010

Thank you, Lenny-san, for the artwork and summary.

Iamque opus exegi,
~niki DBA 30uɐlnɯɐnɥ (花木蘭03)
Mistress of Adoxography

disclaimer

Cover image and source summary used here for reference are © their respective intellectual rights holders. No infringement intended.

other invaluable resources

Wikipedia

Technorati tags

Level Comics · manga · seinen · Historie · Iwaaki Hitoshi · Kodansha

Yugo The Negotiator 22 of 22, Jio 6, Ole! 5 of 5 (Level Comics 2 June 2010 manga)

Also, Honey Hunt 3, Revolution No.3 volume 2 (penultimate), and Team Medical Dragon 11

Yugo © Akana Shu & Makari Shinji/Kodansha (First serialized in Afternoon)
Published in Indonesia as Yugo The Negotiator by Elex Media/Level Comics
[Artwork provided by Level Comics]

Contains [SPOILERS!] and (TV) Trope Identification

Andrea-sensei, warning you now that since I sacrificed Honey Hunt's lead spot to allow Yugo 22 the headline—because you think Yugo's a bishie, and all—I'm expecting some sort of reward.

To make teh Snap is OK review easier, I'll even help out with the blurb:

Yugo's mission this time around looks easier than his Negotiation means turning words into weapons usual: He is asked by the widow of a Japanese diplomat once detailed to China to set up a meeting with Guo Boxin — ostensibly so that she can apologize to the friend of her late husband. But the “simple” request carries flashpoint potential. With Sino-Japanese relations threatened, both sides warn off Yugo from finishing his assignment.

What conspiracy is being hatched? What secrets do the Chinese and Japanese diplomats want to keep hidden?

The next question is: Is Level also licensing the Yugo II (Shimokita Hantou-hen, Kitakyushu Tsushima-hen, Tokyo Tanegashima-hen, Osaka-hen, Toyako Summit-hen, and Phillipines Oda-Hen) side stories?

Jio 6 by Kishimoto Seishi

Volume 6 of NO! For the last time, it's not a Naruto ripoff! Jio (like VIZ, Level opted for a Consumer Friendly Title) sees Jio Freed pitted against Zenom Organization's Wise Yuri. Despite having entered into a treacherous keiyaku with THE Akuma (SEE Chapter 22, A Pact With the Devil [Volume 5]) Jio comes into the fight handicapped. Not only does The Crimson Magician O.P.T. Wise possess Remote Handling and Dimension Distortion O-Parts awesomeness, Jio himself has also been weakened by his battle with the fabled O-Part Mekisis (or Mexis, if you follow the O-Parts Hunter U.S. edition). How will Jio defeat Wise? And save the residents of Entotsu City?

Teh Kishimoto twins seem to have cornered the 2nd June market. The more famous Kishimoto-sensei's manga also releases this Wednesday.

Ole! 5 of 5 by Nohda Tatsuki

In the Ole! finale, Nakajima Junji faces a tough choice: Quit his job as a local government employee and secure much needed funding for his dreams, or remain a bureacratic cog and relinquish all hope of breathing new life into the city on its last gasp. Or is there actually a way for Nakajima to strengthen the Kazusa Ole soccer team AND revitalize the city?

What do you think?

The rest of the volume previews are down below.

Level Comics manga (2010.06.02)

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

1. Hikayat Genji (Asakiyumemishi) 2 of 13 by Yamato Waki

Asakiyumemishi 「 あさきゆめみし 」 by Yamato Waki Kodansha Mimi, shoujo Volume 2 first published in Japan 1981.10

RELATED
Adapted from the Japanese classic Genji Monogatari by Murasaki Shikibu

OTHER LANGUAGE VERSIONS/SERIALIZATIONS
Partially translated into English as part of the Kodansha Bilingual Comics educational series.

2. Honey Hunt 3 of 6+ by Aihara Miki

Honey Hunt 「 Ｈｏｎｅｙ　Ｈｕｎｔ 」 by Aihara Miki Shogakukan Cheese!, shoujo Volume 3 first published in Japan 2008.06 Series on hiatus (volume 6 released 2009.12.24)

OTHER LANGUAGE VERSIONS/SERIALIZATIONS
Honey Hunt is published in English by VIZ Media (volume 4 released 2010.04.06 • volume 5 street date: 2010.08.03) and in traditional Chinese by Tong Li (Taiwan)

3. Jio 6 of 19 by Kishimoto Seishi

Jio 「 ６６６～サタン～ 」 by Kishimoto Seishi Square Enix Shonen Gangan, shounen Volume 6 first published in Japan 2003.11

Volume 6 contains chapters:

• 23. Archenemy (宿敵 Shukuteki)
• 24. Blue Sky (青空 Aozora)
• Gaiden: Justice (外伝 ジャスティス)
• Chapter Bonus: Trigger (トリガー)

OTHER LANGUAGE VERSIONS/SERIALIZATIONS
Published in English as O-Parts Hunter by VIZ Media (19 volumes); in French by Kurokawa; and in Italian by JPop/Edizioni BD s.r.l.

4. Last Inning 5 of 24+ by Nakahara Yu, Kamio Ryu

Last Inning 「 ラストイニング 」 by Nakahara Yu, Kamio Ryu, Kiyshi Kato Shogakukan Big Comic Spirits, seinen Volume 5 first published in Japan 2005.04

5. Ole! 5 of 5 by Nohda Tatsuki [Finale]

Ole! 「 オーレ！ 」 by Nohda Tatsuki Shinchosha Bunch Comics, seinen Volume 5 first published in Japan 2007.11

6. Over Rev 12 of 31 by Yamaguchi Katsumi

Over Rev! 「 オーバーレブ！ 」 by Yamaguchi Katsumi and Team39 Shogakukan Young Sunday, seinen Volume 12 (containing 11 chapters/stories) first published in Japan 2000.02

7. Revolution No.3 Vol. 2 of 3 by Kaneshiro Kazuki & Akishige Manabu

Revolution No.3 「 ＲＥＶＯＬＵＴＩＯＮ　Ｎｏ．３ 」 by Kaneshiro Kazuki & Akishige Manabu Shogakukan Young Sunday, seinen Volume 2 (containing chapters 11-21) first published in Japan 2004.05

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

8. Subaru 6 of 11 by Soda Masahito

Subaru 「 昴 」 by Soda Masahito Shogakukan Big Comic Spirits, seinen Volume 6 (comprising chapters 56-66) first published in Japan 2001.08

OTHER LANGUAGE VERSIONS/SERIALIZATIONS
Subaru is published in French by Akata/Delcourt; in Spanish by Glènat España (Spain); in German by Egmont; and in traditional Chinese by Tong Li (Taiwan)

RELATED SERIES
Moon—Subaru Solitude Standing— (sequel, ongoing; volume 6 as at 2010.05)

9. Team Medical Dragon 11 of 23+ by Nogizaka Taro and Nagai Akira

Iryuu -Team Medical Dragon- 「 医龍 」 by Nogizaka Taro and Nagai Akira Shogakukan Big Comic Superior, seinen Volume 11 (comprising chapters 82-90) first published in Japan 2006.03

AWARDS
Won the 50th Shogakukan Manga Award for the seinen/general category. The live-action Iryuu -Team Medical Dragon- drama received the Best Drama award at the 49th Television Drama Academy Awards (see ADAPTATIONS).

OTHER LANGUAGE VERSIONS/SERIALIZATIONS
Translated into French by Glénat

ADAPTATIONS
Two seasons of the live-action adaptation aired on Fuji TV (Season 1: April to June 2006; Season 2: October to December 2007). Sakaguchi Kenji played the role of Asada Ryutaro.

10. Yugo The Negotiator 22 of 22 by Akana Shu and Makari Shinji [Finale]

Yugo 「 勇午 」 by Akana Shu and Makari Shinji Kodansha Afternoon (later, Evening with the addition of The Negotiator to the title), seinen Volume 22 first published in Japan 2004.09

RELATED
Yugo II (side stories)

• Volume 1: Yugo: Shimokita Hantou-hen
• Volume 2: Yugo: Kitakyushu Tsushima-hen
• Volume 3: Yugo: Tokyo Tanegashima-hen
• Volumes 4-5: Yugo: Osaka-hen
• Volumes 6-7: Toyako Summit-hen
• Volumes 8-9 (ongoing): Phillipines Oda-Hen

ADAPTATIONS
A 13-episode anime adaptation comprising the manga's first two major arcs aired in Japan from February to May 2004. Produced by Artland (Russia Chapter) and G&G Direction (Pakistan Chapter), the anime starred Hagino Takashi (Kamen Rider Ohja/Asakura Takeshi in Kamen Rider Dragon Knight live-action TV) as hostage negotiator Yugo Beppu and seiyuu Chiba Susumu as Kogure Reiichi.

Level Comics reissues (2010.06.02)

These are NOT toggle links; they lead to the original release posts.

1. [RE-STO] Bad Guy (Warui Otoko) by Yoshimura Akemi
2. [RE-STO] The Door (Tobira) by Momochi Reiko
3. [RE-STO] Under the Rain (Ame ni Nurete mo) by Honda Keiko

NOTE
(1) Sources: Elex Media 2 June 2010 release schedule and Komikologi (synopses, except where noted)
(2) All listed manga are priced at IDR 17,000 each, except Yugo The Negotiator 22 (SRP: IDR 19,000) and Subaru 6 (IDR 18,000)
(3) Links like this are Amazon.com (or other online merchants) search and/or product links (commercial), in case you're interested in another language version.

Volume previews continued

Hikayat Genji 2 by Yamato Waki

Still pursuing his dream woman, Genji Hikaru is attracted to a mysterious young girl who has just lost her father. His curiosity is piqued by her reticence and reluctance to show her face. Could she be the woman Genji has been searching for?

As amply given away by the Hikayat Genji or Tale of Genji title, Yamato Waki's Asakiyumemishi manga is based off Murasaki Shikibu's Japanese literary classic Genji Monogatari.

Honey Hunt 3 by Aihara Miki

Besieged on all sides, Yura is unable to concentrate on the script reading, much to the disgust of her doyen co-star. This prompts bishounen Jerk with a Heart of Gold Haruka to step in, soothing Rinko-san's irritation and convincing the drama veteran to again take if from the top.

Will Grow a Spine, will you?? Yura be able to perform now? And what is her leading man really up to? Don't tell me he actually likes her?

I doubt Yura can pull off a Kitajima Maya, much less a Mogami Kyoko (VIZ's Honey Hunt 3 description talks about her losing one of her contact lenses before the next rehearsal), but I live in hope. I really don't want to see Yura become the next Hatsumi (Aihara Miki-sensei's Hot Gimmick heroine who, as TV Tropes points out, is so spineless, she defines the Extreme Doormat trope).

In any case, Yura's To Be Or Not To Be (a Doormat) fate hangs in the balance as Honey Hunt is on hiatus at volume 6, reportedly to allow Aihara-sensei to work on the From Five to Nine or 5-ji kara 9-ji made shoujo manga.

Last Inning 5 by Nakahara Yu

The time has come to face Kanto's reigning champ Seibo High. The Mukashi, mukashi we went to Koshien Saitama High scores first, but the Seibo baseball team comes up from behind to take the lead. The frazzled Saitama team struggles to recoup, but with its weaknesses all but apparent to the enemy, can they still stage an upset?

What are you going to do, Coach Keisuke?

Over Rev 12 by Yamaguchi Katsumi and Team39

Despite the Drift Contest conclusion, Acrobat persists in inveigling Ryoko and Sawako to join, using more foul than fair means. Ryoko turns the bait down flat, but Sawako appears to be tempted. Ryoko tries to dissuade Sawako, to no avail, prompting Aika to challenge Sawako in a race to settle matters.

Over Rev volume 12 contains these chapters/stories: (1) 波風立つ昼休み (2) 日下出走！ (3) 先手 (4) 反撃の刻（とき） (5) 秘策 (6) チャレンジ！ (7) 表彰台にて。 (8) 秘境連続暴走事件 (9) 黄色いS15（イエローシルビア） (10) 決裂 and (11) 正論か欺瞞か!?

Revolution No.3 Vol.2 by Kaneshiro Kazuki & Akishige Manabu

The festival of the all-girls Junshin High nears, but strategist Minakata still has no game plan in place. To make matters worse, Sun Shin and Hiroshi have run into trouble. Can Minakata get an Art of War scheme going when two of Zombies' VIPs are out of commission?

This manga series is the first in the It's All About Juvies Zombies trilogy. It was followed by Fly, Daddy, Fly and Speed.

The penultimate Revolution No.3 contains chapters: (11) Nowhere man (12) Helter skelter (13) The word (14) No reply (15) Tomorrow never knows (16) Ask me why (17) Act naturally (18) I don't want to spoil the party (19) There's a place (20) Free as a bird (21) I'll cry instead (Yes, these ARE the original chapter titles.)

Subaru 6 by Soda Masahito

Subaru who gave up a scholarship under her belt flies to New York, little knowing that the ballet troupe she has just joined is a small and problematic ensemble. Nerves threaten to unravel whatever harmony the group can lay claim to, starting with the staging of a special show for an audience made up of criminals. With everyone on edge, the production strains the group's ability to dance as one.

Subaru volume 6 contains chapters: (56) 冒険のはじまり (57) ルナティック (58) 輝きは消えない！ (59) ジャム・セッション (60) 解放 (61) 恐るべき子供（アン・ファン・テリブル） (62) メトロポリタン歌劇場 (63) 革命前夜 (64) 到着 (65) プロの舞台 (66) ボクサー.

Team Medical Dragon 11 by Nogizaka Taro/Nagai Akira

Hero With Bad Publicity Ryutaro returns to the operating room to execute a new Batista procedure that upends the logic of all previous surgical attempts. Meanwhile, interdepartmental politics continue to rage unabated, with the professorial meeting deciding on the pros and cons of Akira's reformation proposal.

What will happen to Akira? And will the baby in the operation theater survive?

Do I need to point out to you that the Batista procedure has been discredited and is no longer recommended for cardiac treatment?

Team Medical Dragon volume 11 contains chapters: (82) 逆位置 (83) 新バチスタ (84) 手術終了 (85) 選挙戦開幕 (86) 選管 (87) 3人目 (88) 戦略 (89) 黒船 (90) 三の男.

~niki DBA huamulan03 (花木蘭03) who thanks Lenny-san for coming through with the Level artwork and blurbs (unfortunately, this release sked is late because I was too engrossed with reading W-Juliet by EMURA, the oversight remedy taking more than a couple days

UP NEXT: More 2 June 2010 manga

m&c!: The Best Selection of Akaishi Michiyo· Bleach 27 · Cash by Kawazoe Mariko · Dragon Girl 4 · Meet the Banchou 2· When Love is Hiding by Shiumi Saki · AMERO comics: Maniak Sepakbola: Hidup FC Palajoy!!! by Sulpice & Jenfevre and Maniak Sepakbola: Priiit!!! Keluar Stadion by Jack & Beka

other next attraction manga (2010.06.02 street date)

ELEX MEDIA: Kumpulan Cerita Berwarna Doraemon 3 · InuYasha 47 · Naruto 48 · Princess Story 1 by Ebira Hiromi · A Story of Heroes 31 · V.B. Rose 3 · Wazabo 4 · Shonen Magz 72/2010

disclaimer

Source summaries and cover images and used here for reference are © their respective intellectual rights holders. No infringement intended.

disclaimer

Cover images and source summaries used here for reference are © their respective intellectual rights holders. No infringement intended.

currently available manga (26 May 2010 street date)

• Elex Media: Alice Academy 13 · The Best Skilled Surgeon 3 · Crows 8 · Detektif Conan Animasi TV 21 · Fruits Basket 23 of 23 · Hell Girl 1 by Eeto Miyuki & Jigoku Shojo Project · K-ON! 2 · Kunai Legend 2 · Kuro Memanggul Peti Mati 2 · Libero Revolution 10 · Otoboke Section Chief 2 · Princess 31 · The Ruler of Nabari 10 · Tale of The Sea King 37 · With My Brothers 5 · Shonen Star 65/2010
• Level Comics: Black Lagoon 6 · Chocolat 3 · Eagle 11 of 11 · Kyoko Karasuma's Case Files 2 · Master of Sea 14 · Oh Butterfly Oh Flower 1 by Yoshihara Yuki · Rainbow 17
• m&c!: Bakugan Battle Brawlers 5 · Bleach 26 · Hand 7 Vol. 3 of 3 · Hellboy 3 · Jinco From Room 203 Vol. 3 of 3 · Panta Pan 1 by Aomata Pink · Pendragon 3 · Red Devil of Onigawara Yokocho 2 of 2 · Shanaou Yoshitsune Genpei War 2 · The Story of Wang Fenglei 2 · KOLONI: I Want To Live by Kababonken · KOLONI: Shangrila by Mage · KOLONI: Xenopet by Rizky Arrydesta · Cherry 43

related monthly schedules

Level Comics June 2010 manga
Premiering Dark Edge by Aikawa Yu, Ghost Mum Investigator by Sato Tomokazu · Standalones: 1 or W by Takahashi Rumiko and Bus Hashiru by Sahara Mizu

Level Comics May 2010 manga
Premiering Dolls of God by Yamamura Hajime, Oh Butterfly Oh Flower by Yoshihara Yuki · Second Engage by Aikawa Momoko (standalone)

other invaluable resources

7net Shopping · Baka-Updates Manga · · Wikipedia · ANN · TV Tropes

Technorati tags
Level Comics · manga · seinen · shoujo · shounen · Hikayat Genji · Honey Hunt · Jio · Last Inning · Ole! · Over Rev · Revolution No.3 · Subaru · Team Medical Dragon · Yugo

Historie 1 by Iwaaki Hitoshi (Level Comics seinen historical manga; street date: 19 May 2010)

Historie © Iwaaki Hitoshi/Kodansha (Serialized in Afternoon)
Published in Indonesia by Elex Media/Level Comics
[Cover from Level Comics]

Historie 1 of 6+

By Iwaaki Hitoshi
Original title: ヒストリエ
Kodansha, serialized in Afternoon, seinen
Volume 1 first released in Japan 2004.10
Published in Indonesia 2010.05 by PT Elex Media Komputindo/Level Comics

Synopsis

This is the story of Eumenes (Eumenes of Cardia) who would later become the secretary of Alexander the Great. Since childhood, Eumenes has been plagued by a dream about a mysterious woman. Who is she?

Volume 1 contains chapters:

1. The Globe
2. Hometown Cardia (Part 1)
3. Hometown Cardia (Part 2)
4. Hometown Cardia (Part 3)
5. Library (Part 1)
6. Library (Part 2)
7. The Same Deam
8. The Scythian Way
9. Physical Training

Awards and Recommendations

Iwaaki Hitoshi's historical manga was a 10th Osamu Tezuka Culture Award finalist. Wikipedia cites the Mainichi newspaper's view that Iwaaki's vision of Eumenes' past (which, historically, is largely a mystery) 'Bold and unique.'

Level's Historie editor Tika-san recommends the manga for its unique, Eumenes-perspectived take on ancient Greek politics. Politics is also Baka-Updates Manga's top user-voted category for this series. The other categories/themes include: War, Prodigy, Realistic, Mediterranean, and Extended Flashbacks.

A People's History Scholar's (Nik's) Observation

Owing to its ensemble of ancient Greek and Persian VIPs, the subtext of Historie appears to be the Great Man theory, or the Thomas Carlylean view that the history of the world is but the biography of great men. Aside from Eumenes and Alexander The Great, there's Alexander's tutor Aristotle, father Philip II of Macedon, and Aristotle's father-in-law, Hermias of Atarneus.

Level Comics Volume 1 street date: 19 May 2010

Historie back cover

~niki DBA huamulan03 (花木蘭03) who thanks Level editor Lenny-san for the cover, blurb, and ambush interview of Historie editor Tika-san

disclaimer

Images and source summaries used here for reference are © their respective intellectual rights holders. No infringement intended.

other invaluable resources

7net Shopping · Wikipedia

Technorati tags
Level Comics · manga · seinen · Historie · Iwaaki Hitoshi · Kodansha

Air Gear 11, Bambino! 3, Historie 1 by Iwaaki Hitoshi (Level Comics 19 May 2010 manga)

Historie © Iwaaki Hitoshi/Kodansha (Serialized in Afternoon)
Published in Indonesia by Elex Media/Level Comics
[Artwork provided by Level Comics]

Contains   [SPOILERS!] and flippant (TV) Trope Identification, The Sequel

Ikki and Team Kogarasumaru challenge lower-seed Potemkin to a duel in volume 11 of Art Major Physics Air Gear, but leveling up in rank might just be thornier than they thought. Potemkin refuses to fight, forcing Ikki to up the stakes by wagering the Fang Regalia.

(In contrast, Del Rey's Air Gear 11 blurb takes a different tack, pointing out how constant fawning has made Air Treck Idol Ikki forget his awesomeness debt to Team Kogarasumaru and asks if loyal, Can Not Spit it Out friend Ringo can save Ikki from himself.)

Bambino! 3 by Sekiya Tetsuji

To reach his Michelin-starred dream, chef wannabe Ban leaves hometown (Fukuoka) and loved ones (girlfriend Eri) for Teh Center of the World: Tokyo in Sekiya Tetsuji's cooking manga Bambino!. But forget a date with Ultimate Showdown Of Ultimate Destiny; Ban currently pays his dues wait-staffing at a posh Roppongi trattoria, downgraded for the meantime to slicing (non-wondrous) bread.

Can Ban last long enough to get back on the chef fast track (and later, probably star in his own cooking show, if not in a manga *COUGH*Bambino! Secondo*COUGH* sequel)? Well, from the Bambino! 3 cover, Ban right now is giving it his I will do my best! isshokenmei all slinging the pasta at the clientele.

Name-dropping exercise: Bambino! editor Tika-san confesses that the high point of working on this volume was the food-delishus!-food.

NEW LEVEL COMICS TITLES

Historie 1 by Iwaaki Hitoshi

We finally get to post lead Historie, the first of Level's premieres for this sked. Iwaaki Hitoshi's historical manga, an Osamu Tezuka Culture Award finalist, continues its serial run in Kodansha's largely SF/fantasy/horror-skewed Afternoon seinen mangazine.

Historie follows the story of Eumenes of Cardia who would later become secretary to Alexander III of Macedon, more famously known as Alexander The Great, propagator of the hybrid culture Hellenism and changer of the fate (not to mention, the face) of the ancient world.

Level introduces Manga!Eumenes as an intelligent boy, disturbed by a recurring dream about a mysterious woman. The back cover blurb thus asks: Who is she?, a guarenteed curiosity piquer. (Wiki's Historie manga article only hints at the subject of Eumenes' dream.) Tika-san who also edits Historie recommends the series for its unique, Eumenes-perspectived take on Greek politics.

Nik's near-useless addendum: Biography? Alternate history? Historie appears to be not-so subtly underpinned by belief in the Great Man theory, or the Thomas Carlyle view that the history of the world is but the biography of great men. I say this because of its ancient Greek and Persian personages ensemble; aside from Eumenes and Alexander The Great, there's Alexander's tutor Aristotle, father Philip II of Macedon, and Aristotle's father-in-law, Hermias of Atarneus. What's the point of this digression? No point, except I come from the people's history or history from below school of thought, which Wiki describes as:

...the story of mass movements and of the outsiders. Individuals not included in the past in other type of writing about history are part of this theory's primary focus, which includes the disenfranchised, the oppressed, the poor, the nonconformists, and the otherwise forgotten people. This theory also usually focuses on events occurring in the fullness of time, or when an overwhelming wave of smaller events cause certain developments to occur.

I call this rambling useless or near to because I don't have the first volume yet, thus reducing all this to mere speculation.

Dolls of God (Kamisama Dolls) 1 by Yamamura Hajime

Kuga Kyohei is a normal college student whose transplanted, I like it meh life in Weirdness Magnet Tokyo drastically changes when childhood friend Aki and younger sister Utao come to visit. The pair brings in their wake memories of a past best forgotten.

Scanlator Fate (via Baka-Updates Manga) adds that protagonist Kyohei finds himself standing on the corner of Bizarro and Eerie after discovering a corpse propped in an elevator — which has to be Bummer MAX!, especially at the heels of a goukon-responsible alcohol buzz.

It's originally titled Kamisama Dolls, so in addition to dead bodies, Kyohei contends with the eponyms, which like others of their unblinking, glassy-eyed doll ilk prolly promises Creepy Extraordinaire.

Level Comics manga (2010.05.19)

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

1. Air Gear 11 of 28+ by Oh! great

AirGear 「 エア・ギア 」 by Oh! great Kodansha Shuukan Shounen Magazine, shounen Volume 11 (Tricks 87-95) first published in Japan 2005.08

AWARDS: Best shounen manga, 2006 Kodansha Manga Awards

AirGear is published in English by Del Rey (volume 14 released 2009.10.27 • volumes 15-17 street date: 2010.08.31)

A 25-episode anime adaptation produced by Toei Animation and starring Kamakari Kenta as Ikki aired in Japan from April to September 2006. Kamakari Kenta also reprised his role in the musical adaptation of Air Gear (2007.01), but due to illness was absent from the rerun Musical Air Gear vs. Bacchus Super Range Remix (2007.05). A new musical was expected to premiere April 2010.

2. Bambino! 3 of 15 by Sekiya Tetsuji

Bambino! 「 バンビ～ノ！ 」 by Sekiya Tetsuji Shogakukan Big Comic Spirits, seinen Volume 3 first published in Japan 2006.01

AWARDS: Best seinen/general manga in the 53rd Shogakukan Manga Awards (tied with Kuromaru- and Natsuhara Takeshi's The Black Swindler/Kurosagi)

Related series: Bambino! Secondo (sequel; four volumes as at 2010.06.30)

An 11-episode live-action adaptation starring Matsumoto Jun as Shogo Ban and Kitamura Kazuki as Yonamine Tsukasa/Yona-san aired on NTV from April to June 2007. The TV series reaped four awards at the 53rd Television Drama Academy Awards: Best Actor (Matsumoto Jun), Supporting Actor (Kazuki Kitamura), Best Director, and a Special Award.

3. Blade of Immortal (Mugen no Juunin) 7 of 26+ by Samura Hiroaki

Mugen no Juunin 「 無限の住人 」 by Samura Hiroaki Kodansha Afternoon, seinen Volume 7 first published in Japan 1997.10

AWARDS: 1997 Japan Media Arts Festival Excellence Prize recipient

Blade of the Immortal is published in English by Dark Horse Comics (Volume 22: Footsteps released 2010.02.03)

A 13-episode anime adaptation by Bee Train starring seiyuu Seki Tomokazu as Manji and Satou Rina as Asano Rin aired in Japan on AT-X from July to December 2008.

4. [Premiere] Dolls of God (Kamisama Dolls) 1 of 6+ by Yamamura Hajime

Kamisama Dolls 「 神様ドォルズ 」 by Yamamura Hajime Shogakukan Sunday GX, seinen Volume 1 first published in Japan 2007.07

5. Gun Smith Cats 5 of 9 by Sonoda Kenichi

Gun Smith Cats 「 ＧＵＮ　ＳＭＩＴＨ　ＣＡＴＳ 」 by Sonoda Kenichi Kodansha Afternoon, seinen Volume 5 first published in Japan 1995.02

Gunsmith Cats was published in English by Dark Horse Comics (nine volumes and four volumes revised/omnibus editions)

Related: Gun Smith Cats Burst (sequel, 5 of 5 volumes)

Oriental Light and Magic animated three Gunsmith Cats anime OAV episodes, released between November 1995 and September 1996: Neutral Zone, Swing High!, and High Speed Edge. Seiyuu Neya Michiko and Araki Kae starred as Rally Vincent and Minnie May Hopkins. The OAV was repackaged into one movie—Bulletproof—in 1997.

6. [Premiere] Historie 1 of 6+ by Iwaaki Hitoshi

Historie 「 ヒストリエ 」 by Iwaaki Hitoshi Kodansha Afternoon, seinen Volume 1 first published in Japan 2004.10

Volume 1 contains chapters:

• 001. The Globe
• 002. Hometown Cardia (Part 1)
• 003. Hometown Cardia (Part 2)
• 004. Hometown Cardia (Part 3)
• 005. Library (Part 1)
• 006. Library (Part 2)
• 007. The Same Deam
• 008. The Scythian Way
• 009. Physical Training

AWARDS: Finalist, 10th Osamu Tezuka Culture Award

7. Nurse Aoi (Ns' Aoi) 12 of 30+ by Koshino Ryo

Ns' Aoi 「 Ｎｓ’あおい 」 by Koshino Ryo Kodansha Morning, seinen Karte No.12 first published in Japan 2007.02

Adapted into an 11-episode live-action renzoku that aired on Fuji TV from January to March 2006 (a special aired in September of the same year). Ishihara Satomi starred as Misora Aoi.

8. Shattered Knife (Oboreru Knife) 3 of 10+ by George Asakura

Oboreru Knife 「 溺れるナイフ 」 by George Asakura Kodansha Betsufure, shoujo Volume 3 first published in Japan 2006.04

Level Comics reissues (2010.05.19)

1. [RE-STO] Stray Chat by Yoshimura Akemi
2. [RE-STO] Harlequin: Knight to the Rescue by Miranda Lee
3. [RE-STO] Harlequin: Dark Heritage by Emma Darcy, Ohsawa Maki

NOTE
(1) Sources: Elex Media STO 19 May 2010 (release schedule) and Komikologi (synopses, except where noted)
(2) Listed manga are priced at IDR 17,000 each, except Blade of Immortal 7 and Gun Smith Cats 5 (SRP: IDR 18,000) and the reissued Stray Chat (IDR 13,500), Harlequin: Knight to the Rescue (IDR 15,000), and Harlequin: Dark Heritage (IDR 13,800)
(3) Links like this are Amazon.com (or other online merchants) search and/or product links (commercial), in case you're interested in another language version.

Volume Previews continued...

Blade of Immortal 7 by Samura Hiroaki

Driven by the desire to avenge her parents' deaths, the sole survivor of an Itto-Ryu massacre, Asano Rin, attempts to track down the murderous Anotsu Kagehisa, accompanied by immortal samurai Manji. But the leader of the renegade Itto-Ryu swordschool continues to elude them.

Fortunately, a shred of hope remains; the not-quite cold trail leads the pair to female assassin Hyakurin who just might know of Anotsu's whereabouts. Hyakurin, however, refuses to share information with Mugai-ryu outsiders Rin and Manji.

Faced with another seeming dead end, what will Rin and Manji do next?

Level's and Dark Horse Comics's Blade of the Immortal: Heart of Darkness Volume 7 descriptions both took the Very Serious road in blurbing this tankou, making me leery of cheek in my summary adaptation. But not so leery that I wouldn't include a handful of tropes TV Tropes identified with this supernatural chanbara series: Who Wants to Live Forever with an a*rse-kicking Anti-Hero Infested with Awesome (kessen-chu; Manji) and an Affably Evil bishounen Anti-Villain (Anotsu).

Gun Smith Cats 5 by Sonoda Kenichi

Action Girl gunsmith/bounty hunter Rally tries to stop Bad Ass pro wheelman Bean from transporting the designer drug Kerasine to New York. En route, they meet double-dipped in [the] '80s courier driver Riff-Raff. We subvert Rally's original mission momentarily, to give way to the trio's playing tag in fast cars detour.

Shattered Knife 3 by George Asakura

Natsume gives in to Ko's resolve and becomes his girlfriend, but not long after, one of Natsume's fans kidnap her while Ko is attending a festival.

Whichever way you look at the blurb: Ko is #Fail in the boyfriend department.

~niki DBA huamulan03 (花木蘭03) who thanks Level editor Lenny-san for the artwork, blurbs, and interview of fellow editor Tika-san

UP NEXT: More 19 May 2010 manga

m&c!: Bleach 25 · C-blossom 2 of 2 · Fu & Dragon 1-2 of 2 by Li Zhi Qing/Zhuang Han Bo · Happy Café 13 · Innocent Dragon 5 · The Impeccable Twins Final Chapters 8 · Long Hu Men 167 · School Hotel 2 of 2 · White Paper Ark 6 · · Monika 134 · Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures 5 · Komik Malaysia: Dari Alam Angker Histeria by Oga · Komik Malaysia: Call from The Grave by Kash · Komik Malaysia: Illusive by Oga · Komik Malaysia: Eli by Zint · Komik Malaysia: Punch by Aliow

disclaimer

Cover images and source summaries used here for reference are © their respective intellectual rights holders. No infringement intended.

manga currently available (12 May 2010 street date)

• 3L: Hori High School 2 · Love Trauma 2 of 2
• Elex Media: Burning Pen by Shimamoto Kazuhiko · Cross Game 16 · Eyeshield 21 V37 of 37 · Fantastic Tales 2 · The Fifth Columnist 2 of 2 · K-ON! 1 by Kakifly · Kuro Memanggul Peti Mati 1 by Kiyuduki Satoko · Pangeran Kacamata 3 · School Rumble 10 · Shugo Chara! 9 Tokkyu! 11 · V.B. Rose 1 by Hidaka Banri · Vitamin Cat 1 by Sugiyama Ryoko · Wazabo 3 · Nakayoshi 80/2010
• Level Comics: Diamond Life 2 · Go Go Hanasaki Detective Office 2 · Nanase Fire Investigator 3 · Ole! 4 · Officer Monju 5 · Priest 5 · The Ravages of Time 2 · Tomo'o 8 · Under The Rose 4 · Spirou: Air Keabadian · Spirou: Penyihir di Champignac
• m&c!: Beauty Pop 6 · Bleach 24 · Blizzard Axel 9 · Goong [Palace Story] 20 · Innocent Revenge by Hazuki Rei · Nekomachi Shop Guide 1 by Sakamoto Miku · Princess Bouquet 1 by Aomata Pink · Shanimuni GO 29 · Shanaou Yoshitsune volumes 18-22 box set

next available manga (19 May 2010 street date)

Elex Media: BECK 17 · Godhand Teru 23 · Katsu! 4 · The Moon & Lake by Ashihara Hinako · Pangeran Kacamata 4 · The Puppet Master Lin 7 · Spiral: The Bonds of Reason 3 · Summer Storm! 1 by Kobayashi Jin · V.B. Rose 2 · HanaLaLa 50/2010

related monthly schedules

Level Comics May 2010 manga
Premiering Dolls of God by Yamamura Hajime, Oh Butterfly Oh Flower by Yoshihara Yuki · Second Engage by Aikawa Momoko (standalone)

Level Comics April 2010 manga
Premiering Historie by Iwaaki Hitoshi and Pandemic by Kakizaki Masasumi (standalone)

other invaluable resources

7net Shopping · Baka-Updates Manga · Wikipedia · TV Tropes (special mentions: Air Gear, Blade of the Immortal, Gunsmith Cats)

Technorati tags
manga · Level Comics · seinen · shoujo · shounen · AirGear · Bambino! · Blade of the Immortal · Dolls of God · Gun Smith Cats · Historie · Nurse Aoi · Shattered Knife