X Blade 8, Blood Alone 3, Perfect Girl Evolution 27 (Level Comics 14 December 2011 manga)

The three above lead the Level DO WANT!, but reserving lead pix for Blue Flame: Comic Bomber Early Years, the ongoing story of Honoo-sensei that slots before Burning Pen in the Comic Bomber timeline.

Aoi Honoo © by Shimamoto Kazuhiko/Shogakukan [Serialized in Gessan and Young Sunday]. Published in Indonesia as Blue Flame: Comic Bomber Early Years by Elex Media/Level Comics

The early 1980s. The Japanese manga and anime industry enters a new phase, and a young man burns to gain fame as a comic artist. His name: Hono Moyuru.

Yup, see our ambitious manga-ka as a poor college student (still burning but with no head for alcohol). Aoi Honoo, the Gessan and Young Sunday installment of Hono-sensei's story, was short-listed for the 3rd Manga Taisho Award in 2010. Seven volumes of the seinen manga have been compiled as of November 2011. (Scroll down if interested in other Shimamoto Kazuhiko titles other than Blue Flame, Burning Pen, Comic Bomber and New Comic Bomber.)

X Blade vol 8 of 12
By Ida Tatsuhiko & Shiki Satoshi

Haru finally reaches Babel, only to find an Ojinto-wielding warrior blocking his way. Kushiro is Mana's former master and with one slash, destroys Babel.

What of Mana, trapped inside?

Blood Alone vol 3 of 7+
By Takano Masayuki

The beauty of cherry blossoms at night, a dress associated with a precious memory and a corner of the veil that rises over Sainome's past... Blood Alone Volume 3 continues the delicate waltz of mystery and feelings.

The above lyrical preview is adapted from Edition Ki-oon's Blood Alone, Tome 3 description; Level's more prosaic version talks about how Sainome presses Kuroe to accompany her to her family home. Sainome initially planned to pay her respects at her father's grave, but now is rethinking her plan, especially after having read her father's diary.

What did Sainome uncover that brought on misgivings?

More previews after the release list.

Level Comics manga (2011.12.14)

1. Angel Heart vol 12 of 33 by Hojo Tsukasa

Angel Heart 「エンジェル・ハート」 by Hojo Tsukasa Coamix (Shinchosha) Comic Bunch, seinen Volume 12 first published in Japan 2004.09

Related series
Angel Heart 2nd Season (sequel; two volumes per 2011.09.20)

Reissues/Other languages
Reissued by Coamix under the ZENON Collection label from 2010.09 (18 volumes per 2011.05)
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. Blood Alone vol 3 of 7+ by Takano Masayuki

Blood Alone 「ＢＬＯＯＤ　ＡＬＯＮＥ」 by Takano Masayuki MediaWorks Monthly Comic Dengeki Daioh (after 2010.11 serialized in Kodansha's Evening), seinen Volume 3 first published in Japan 2006.06 (Evening KC reissue: 2010.12)

Related series
Originally published as series of doujinshi (the manga is based wholly or partly on Blood Alone dj: Wild Arts 1.2.3., Holy Night, Stroll, Vanishing Point - Kiss In the Moonlight)

Other languages
English Blood Alone (Infinity Studios: four volumes [discontinued], picked up by Seven Seas: five volumes per 2011.12.06 • volume 6 street date: 2012.04.10), French (Editions Ki-oon: Tome 6 shipped 2010.06), German (Carlsen Comics: Band 6 released 2011.02), Italian (Edizioni BD s.r.l. [JPOP Division]), Russian (Istari Comics), traditional Chinese (Kadokawa Media Taiwan), Vietnamese (as Dòng máu lạ kì)

Adaptations
Three Blood Alone drama CDs—BLOOD ALONE, BLOOD ALONE II and BLOOD ALONE III— were released between July 2006 and May 2008. Seiyuu Nakahara Mai and Morikawa Toshiyuki voiced Misaki and Kuroe. Supporting cast included Kobayashi Sanae, Tanaka Rie and Miki Shinichiro as Higure, Sainome and Slye respectively.

3. [Series Premiere] Blue Flame: Comic Bomber Early Years (Aoi Honoo) vol 1 of 7+ by Shimamoto Kazuhiko

Aoi Honoo 「アオイホノオ」 by Shimamoto Kazuhiko AKA Blue Blaze Shogakukan Gessan and Young Sunday, seinen Volume 1 (chapters 1-6 + Special Ending) first published in Japan 2008.02

Awards/recognitions
Nominee, the 3rd Manga Taisho Award in 2010

Related series
Sequel Moeyo Pen or Burning Pen and its sequels (Hoero Pen/Comic Bomber [13 volumes] and Shin Hoero Pen/New Comic Bomber [11 volumes])

4. Go-On! vol 2 of 4 by Akishige Manabu

Go-On! 「ＧＯ‐ＯＮ！」 by Akishige Manabu Shogakukan Young Sunday, seinen Volume 2 (chapters 9-19) first published in Japan 2008.07

5. Lost Man vol 6 of 14+ by Kusaba Michiteru

Lost Man 「ＬＯＳＴ　ＭＡＮ」 by Kusaba Michiteru Shogakukan Young Sunday (later moved to Big Comic Spirits after 31 July 2008), seinen Volume 6 first published in Japan 2009.11

6. Perfect Girl Evolution (Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge) vol 27 of 30+ by Hayakawa Tomoko

Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge 「ヤマトナデシコ七変化」 by Hayakawa Tomoko Kodansha Betsufure, shoujo Volume 27 (Parts 108-111) first published in Japan 2010.12

Other languages
English The Wallflower (Del Rey until volumes 22/23/24; Kodansha Comics starting volume 25; 27 volumes per 2011.11.22 • volume 28 street date: 2012.05.22) and Chuang Yi (as My Fair Lady; volume 26 per 2011.02), French (Pika Édition: Yamato Nadeshiko Tome 16 shipped 2011.12.01), German (EMA/Egmont Manga & Anime: Perfect Girl Band 26 released 2011.10 • Band 27 street date: 2012.03)

Adaptations
Anime by Nippon Animation featuring seiyuu Takaguchi Yukiko (Nakahara Sunako), Morikubo Showtaro (Takano Kyohei), Yamauchi Yuuya (Toyama Yukinojo), Sugita Tomokazu (Oda Takenaga) and Nojima Hirofumi (Mori Ranmaru) aired from October 2006 to March 2007 on Japan's TV Aichi. A live-action renzoku starring Kamenashi Kazuya (Kyohei), Oomasa Aya (Sunako), Tegoshi Yuya (Yukinojo), Uchi Hiroki (Takenaga) and Miyao Shuntaro (Ranmaru) was telecast on TBS from January to March 2010.

7. Red River (Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori) vol 11 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 11 (chapters 24-26 and Illustration Gallery) first published in Japan 1997.12

Awards
Winner, 46th Shogakukan Manga Awards (2000) in the Shoujo category

Reissues/Other languages
Reissued in 16 bunko volumes between 2006.11 and V16 2007.05
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)

In addition, the following novels were published under Shogakukan's Lululu Bunko Novels label: Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori Gaiden Tsuitachi no Tsuki (Japan release: 2008.10); Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori Gaiden Mayu tsuki (JP: 2010.01); and Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori Gaiden Jōgen (2010.06).

8. X Blade vol 8 of 12 by Ida Tatsuhiko & Shiki Satoshi

XBlade 「ＸＢＬＡＤＥ」 by Ida Tatsuhiko & Shiki Satoshi Kodansha Shonen Sirius, shounen Volume 8 first published in Japan 2009.10

Related series
XBlade Cross (sequel, two volumes per 2011.11.09)

9. Yokohama Chinatown Fantasy (Kachuu Hana) vol 8 of 15+ by Nishi Yuuji & Hikino Shinji

Kachuu Hana 「華中華」 by Nishi Yuuji & Hikino Shinji Shogakukan Big Comic, seinen Volume 8 (eight episodes [chapters 51-58] + recipes) first published in Japan 2009.02

Reissues
Kachuu Hana My First BIG Specials volumes 1-8 released between 2010.10 and 2011.05

10. Zipang vol 10 of 43 by Kawaguchi Kaiji

Zipang 「ジパング」 by Kawaguchi Kaiji Kodansha Morning, seinen Volume 10 first published in Japan 2003.03

Awards
Winner, 26th Kodansha Manga Awards (2002) in the General category

Other language versions
English (Kodansha Bilingual Comics; partial), French (Kana: Pack Fidelite Zipang Tome 30+T31 per 2011.08 • Pack Fidelite T32+33 street date: 2011.10.21) and traditional Chinese (Sharp Point Press: 次元艦隊 43 per 2010.06)

Adaptations
Anime by Studio DEEN starring seiyuu Inada Tetsu (Executive Officer Kadomatsu Yosuke), Hoshino Takanori (Gunnery Officer Kikuchi Masayuki), Ueda Yuuji (Navigation Officer Oguri Kouhei), Yara Yuusaku (Captain Umezu Saburo) and Touchi Hiroki (Lt. Commander Kusaka Takumi) aired in Japan from October 2004 to March 2005

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

European comics/BDs (2011.12.14)

• Marsupilami: Emas Boavista (Le Marsupilami, Tome 7: L'Or de Boavista) by André Franquin, Batem, Yann (Marsu Production)

Postponed titles
Smurf Hitam, Smurf Liar and Smurf dan Telur Ajaib by Peyo (new street date: 21 December 2011)

Read more »

Spiral: The Bonds of Reason 15 of 15, Ghost's Doctor 8, Q and A vol 1 by Adachi Mitsuru (Elex Media 12 October 2011 manga) [UPDATED]

So I'm back with eyecandy and NikBabble™. Rejoice! :P

Spiral: Suiri no Kizuna © Shirodaira Kyo & Mizuno Eita
Square Enix [First serialized in Shonen Gangan]
Published in Indonesia as Spiral: The Bonds of Reason by Elex Media

As Spiral: The Bonds of Reason approaches climax, Hizumi can barely believe that Ayumu refuses to kill him, even as Hizumi readies for another fire fight. What's worse, Ayumu makes Hizumi realize that he is now alone. Hopes dashed, a desperate Hizumi leaps off a building...

Will Hizumi live? Or!?

As for Ayumu and Kiyotaka, Ayumu certainly intends to meet his brother, but will he face Kiyotaka in the name of defiant hope - or broken surrender? [Quoted from Yen Press' Spiral: The Bonds of Reasoning, Vol. 15 description]

I still haven't found what I'm looking for. You know wat to do if you want to know how this boy detective story pans out. (*whispers* The key word is: touching.)

Spiral: The Bonds of Reason compiles chapters 72 through 77 (Final): Nyanyian di Hari Perpisahan (Bagian 2) or The Song Sung During the Day You Parted Ways (part 2), Di Seberang Menara Babel (Headed for Babel), Satu Hal yang Pasti (Only One Certain Thing), Dunia Indah Dewa (God's Beautiful World), Menghiasi Sayap dengan Lembut (Softly, The Wing's Decoration) and Spiral - Semoga Akan Banyak Hari-Hari Baik (If All Is As It Should Be, There Will Be Many Good Days) [English title equivalents excerpted from Wiki]

New Elex manga
Elex launches a shounen manga pair currently serializing in Gessan (Monthly Shonen Sunday): Q and A by Adachi Mitsuru (that you already saw in the post title) and Lindbergh by Ahndongshik, originally slated to debut last month. I preview the story of youth and bonds Q and A and I believe I can fly Lindbergh below the release list.

Gessan, alternatively known as Get the Sun, is kinda like Jump Square in that it targets readers in their late teens to early twenties. (Thanks, Wiki.)

☆ Speaking of mangazines belonging to the Shonen Sunday family, the Indonesian version, Shonen Star, streets its Issue 18/2011 today, too. [Continued after the release list]

Elex Media manga and manhwa (2011.10.12)

1. Blooming Youth (Hanasakeru Seishounen) vol 7 of 12 by Itsuki Natsumi

Hanasakeru Seishounen 「花咲ける青少年」 by Itsuki Natsumi Hakusensha LaLa and LaLa DX, shoujo Volume 7 first published in Japan 1993.02

Volume 7 chapters:
Act.6 Three (2)
Act.7 The Previous Night
Act.8 All Gathered!
Extra!? Costume Paradise
Profile 6

Reissues/Other languages
Reissued in six aizōban from 2009.02 to 2009.03
Traditional Chinese 天國少女 (Tong Li, 12 volumes)

Related
One-shot sequel (Melody 27 June 2009) and Hanasakeru Seishounen: Tokubetsuhen (one volume per 2011.03). A Hanasakeru Seishounen Premium Fanbook is scheduled to release 2011.12.05.

Adaptations
A 39-episode anime adaptation by Studio Pierrot, starring seiyuu Endo Aya (Kajika Louisa Kugami Burnsworth), Morikawa Toshiyuki (Huang Li-Ren), 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 stage adaptations, the first premiering 29 September 2010 in Tokyo

2. Casting vol 4 of 8 by KITT & Park SangYong
3. Crayon Shinchan vol 9 of 50 by Usui Yoshito «Ex-10.05

Crayon Shin-chan 「クレヨンしんちゃん」 by Usui Yoshito Futabasha Weekly Manga Action, seinen Volume 9 first published in Japan 1994.07

Related
Shin Crayon Shin-chan by UY Studio and Crayon Shin-chan Shin-Men by Usui Yoshito & UY Studio (volume 1 street date: 2011.11.17)

Other languages
English (partially translated by ComicsOne and CMX), French (J'ai Lu, then, Casterman), Spanish and Catalan (Planeta DeAgostini Comics Spain), German (EMA), Italian ( Panini Comics) and traditional Chinese (Tong Li Taiwan)

Adaptations
Shin'ei Doga's anime adaptation, starring seiyuu Yajima Akiko (Shin-chan), ran from April 1992 to December 2010. At least 18 movie sequels have been released between July 1993 and April 2010.

4. Cute Children (Zettai Karen Children) vol 18 of 27+ by Shiina Takashi «Ex-9.28

Zettai Karen Children 「絶対可憐チルドレン」 by Shiina Takashi Shogakukan Shonen Sunday, shounen Volume 18 first published in Japan 2009.09

Volume 18 chapters:
Chapters 1-7 Pandra Returns (1-7)
Chapters 8-10 Phantom In The Mist (1-3) [*NOT Elex chapter titles]

Adaptations
Synergy SP's 51-episode anime adaptation, starring seiyuu Hirano Aya (Akashi Kaoru), Tomatsu Haruka (Sannomiya Shiho), Shiraishi Ryoko (Nogami Aoi) and Nakamura Yuuichi (Minamoto Kōichi) aired in Japan from April 2008 to March 2009. A special episode Generous Treatment! Natsuko and Hotaru's B.A.B.E.L. Report aired 2009.01.04. An OAV released 2010.07.16.

The Zettai Karen Children no Gōka Shinsaku Audio Drama "Tsuika kōen! Pati no hime rareta kōzen no jōnetsu" drama CD was bundled with the limited edition manga volume 26 (2011.06).

5. Ghost's Doctor (Youkai no Oishasan) vol 8 of 15 by Sato Yuki

Youkai no Oishasan 「妖怪のお医者さん」 by Sato Yuki Kodansha Magazine Special, Shonen Sirius and Weekly Shonen Magazine, shounen Volume 8 first published in Japan 2008.09

Other languages/serializations
Serialized in the Indonesian Shonen Magz (ongoing)
English Yokai Doctor (Del Rey: three volumes per 2009.08), traditional Chinese (Tong Li: 妖怪醫生 15 released 2011.06)

6. [Series Premiere] Lindbergh vol 1 of 4+ by Ahndongshik «Ex-9.28

Lindbergh 「リンドバーグ」 by Ahndongshik Shogakukan Gessan, shounen Volume 1 first published in Japan 2009.12

7. Otoboke Section Chief (Otoboke Kachou) vol 14 of 23+ by Ueda Masashi «Ex-9.28

Otoboke Kachou 「おとぼけ課長」 by Ueda Masashi Houbunsha Manga Time, seinen Volume 14 first published in Japan 2001.02

8. [Series Premiere] Q and A vol 1 of 5+ by Adachi Mitsuru

Q and A 「ＱあんどＡ」 by Adachi Mitsuru Shogakukan Gessan, shounen Volume 1 first published in Japan 2009.11

9. Spiral: The Bonds of Reason (Spiral: Suiri no Kizuna) vol 15 of 15 by Shirodaira Kyo & Mizuno Eita [Finale]

Spiral: Suiri no Kizuna 「スパイラル　推理の絆」 by Shirodaira Kyo & Mizuno Eita Square Enix Shonen Gangan, shounen Volume 14 (chapters 72-77) first published in Japan 2006.01

Other languages
English Spiral: The Bonds of Reasoning (Yen Press: 15 volumes per 2011.04) and German (Carlsen Comics: Spiral - Gefährliche Wahrheit: Band 13 shipped 2011.09.29 • Band 14 street date: 2011.12.16)

Related
Spiral Alive (prequel; five volumes); a series of light novels; Mizuno Eita artbooks: SPIRAL Mizuno Eita Gashuu (2003.03) and Spiral All Along (2006.02; released with volume 15); and the Life is Spiral 「スパイラル完全解説本　ライフ・イズ・スパ」 guide, which includes the first draft of the Spiral: Suiri no Kizuna 「Sore sae mo toutoki hibi de」 drama (2003.03)

Adaptations
A series of audio dramas and a 25-episode anime adaptation by J.C. Staff, based on the first six volumes of the manga, with an alternate ending that aired on TV Tokyo from October 2002 to March 2003, starring seiyuu Suzumura Kenichi (Narumi Ayumu), Asano Masumi (Yuizaki Hiyono) and Ishida Akira (Eyes Rutherford).

10. Tena on S-string (S-Senjou no Tena) vol 8 of 9 by Mikabe Sesuna «Ex-9.28

S-Senjou no Tena 「Ｓ線上のテナ」 by Mikabe Sesuna Houbunsha Manga Time Kirara Forward, seinen Volume 8 first published in Japan 2010.06

Other languages
English Tena on S-string (Yen Press: five volumes per 2010.12)

11. Welcome to Host Detective Agency (Host-tan e Youkoso) vol 5 of 5 by Tateno Makoto [Finale]

Host-tan e Youkoso 「ホス探へようこそ」 by Tateno Makoto Hakusensha Bessatsu Hana to Yume, shoujo Volume 5 first published in Japan 2010.02

Release links are hide/unhide. Click for more details.
Postponed titles and new tentative street dates
La Corda D'Oro vol 8, Ouran High School Host Club vol 9 and Toradora! vol 3 postponed to 10.19; Princess Resurrection vol 4 to 10.26.

Box sets AKA Paket Komik *Harga Spesial* (2011.10.12)

1. Hello Master, Vols. 1-3 of 3 by Tsukuba Sakura (Yoroshiku Master) –Complete– [IDR 24,000/set]
2. Here is Greenwood Deluxe, Bunko Vols. 1-3 (of 6) by Nasu Yukie (Koko wa Greenwood) [IDR 36,000/set]
3. Katsu!, Vols. 1-10 (of 16) by Adachi Mitsuru [IDR 80,000/set]
4. Kuro Memanggul Peti Mati, Vols. 1-2 (of 2+) by Kiyuduki Satoko (Hitsugi Katsugi no Kuro.) [IDR 16,000/set]
5. Kurozakuro, Vols. 1-7 of 7 by Natsume Yoshinori –Complete– [IDR 56,000/set]
6. Wazabo, Vols. 1-4 (of 6+) by Soyama Kazutoshi [IDR 32,000/set]

Note: Volume tallies represent Japanese volume totals, not (necessarily) Elex's latest release. Most recent Elex releases: Here is Greenwood Deluxe bunko vol 4 (per 8.15), Katsu! vol 14 (10.05), Kuro Memanggul Peti Mati vol 2 (2010.05.26) and Wazabo vol 5 (7.06).

Mangazines (2011.10.12)

• Shonen Star Issue 18/2011 (Indonesian Shonen Sunday)

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