Nodame Cantabile 25 of 25, Yozakura Quartet 2, Yakitate Japan 25 (Elex Media 28 December 2011 manga) [UPDATED]

T'is the season of hectic—I need a holiday from the holidays—but I managed to sneak away to post this MinimaList. Artwork and NikBabble™ when I can next snatch another time window. Update: Snatched enuf albeit very, VERY belated

Nodame Cantabile © by Ninomiya Tomoko/Kodansha
[First serialized in Kiss]
Published in Indonesia by Elex Media Komputindo

Even if Chiaki is still wrasslin' with White Rose until the last dress rehearsal, on D-Day, the performance stuns the audience with perfection. Chiaki, too, gets a sweet surprise smack in the middle of The Magic Flute opera.

But what about Nodame?

Well, just like Chiaki, Nodame, too, receives a delightful gift in the Nodame Cantabile finale, which means everyone who invested in our couple and the kooky cast supporting them can close their personal Nodame Cantabile chapter with goony grins and/or satisfied sighs :) (Telor Ceplok contributor Lina-chan in the comments gives the finale a 9 of 10 ♥ and deems it a Must-Have in your manga library.)

Two titles tied for the first runner-up DO WANT! — Yakitate!! Japan vol 25 and Yozakura Quartet vol 2. Find their previews below the release list.

Mangazines
Shonen Star 23/2011 ☆ Dr. Koto by Yamada Takatoshi

Dr. Koto Shinryoujo
© Yamada Takatoshi
Shogakukan
[Young Sunday Comics]

In the latest chapter of Yamada Takatoshi's Dr. Koto —

Dr. Koto's guilt over having neglected his family melts after he calls his mom and she tells him she doesn't blame him at all. The mood on Koshiki island, too, lightens. In contrast to the levity, Nurse Hoshino's attitude changes, after she discovers a lump in her chest...

These serials also run in the Indonesian Shonen Sunday: ARAGO by Arai Takahiro, Defense Devil by Youn InWan & Yang KyungIl, The World God Only Knows by Wakaki Tamiki, Alice in Borderland by Aso Haro, Wild Life by Fujisaki Masato, Magi by Ohtaka Shinobu, Kekkaishi by Tanabe Yellow, Detektif Conan by Aoyama Gosho and My First Mr. Akuno by Fujiki Syun.

(Still waiting on the premieres of Arakawa Hiromu's Silver Spoon and Mitsuda Takuya's Buyuden.)

Collecting the tankou? Reminding most recently released volumes: Dr. Koto 8 (2011.11.02), Detektif Conan 64 (10.26), Kekkaishi 10 (10.19), Wild Life 20 (9.28), My First Mr. Akuno 5 (8.15) and Defense Devil 5 (8.10).

The next issue of Shonen Star streets on the 4th of January 2012.

Elex Media manga and manhwa (2011.12.28)

1. Beck vol 30 of 34 by Harold Sakuishi

BECK 「ＢＥＣＫ」 by Harold Sakuishi Kodansha Monthly Shonen Magazine, shounen Volume 30 first published in Japan 2007.06

Awards
Winner, 2002 Kodansha Manga Awards in the Shounen category (tied with Nonaka Eiji's Cromartie High School)

Serializations/Other languages
Serialized in the Indonesian Shonen Magz (ongoing)
English BECK:Mongolian Chop Squad (TOKYOPOP: till volume 12), French (Akata/Delcourt: 34 volumes per 2010.03), Italian (Dynit), German (Tokyopop Germany; lapsed) and traditional Chinese (Tong Li Taiwan)

Adaptations
Anime adaptation (till manga volume 11) by Madhouse featuring seiyuu Namikawa Daisuke (Tanaka Yukio/Koyuki), Ueno Yuuma (Minami Ryuusuke) and Saiki Miho (Minami Maho). Twenty-six episodes aired from October 2004 to March 2005 on TV Tokyo.

A BECK live-action film directed by Tsutsumi Yukihiko, starring Mizushima Hiro (Ryuusuke) and Satoh Takeru (Koyuki), premiered 4 September 2010 in Japan.

Related
Guidebooks: BECK The Guidebook Complete Edition (Japan release: 2010.08); BECK Live! -Festival & Movie Guide- (2010.07); BECK At Last 33 1/3 (2008.10); BECK Music Guide (2005.10); BECK Volume 00 The Guidebook (2004.03); BECK Volume 0 The Guidebook (2002.11)

2. Bride of the Water God (Habaek-eui Shinbu) vol 7 of 16+ by Yun MiKyung

Habaek-eui Shinbu 「하백의 신부」 by Yun MiKyung Seoul Cultural Publishers Wink, soonjung Volume 7 first published in Korea 2008.09

Other languages/serializations
English Bride of the Water God (Dark Horse: nine volumes per 2011.11.01 • volume 10 street date: 2012.01.31), French L'épouse du dieu de l'eau (Editions Clair de Lune: Tome 5 shipped 2011.08 • Tome 6 street date: 2012.01.19)

3. The Dog's Magical Touch (Himitsu no Wantacchi) vol 2 of 3 by Anisaki Yuna

Himitsu no Wantacchi 「ヒミツのわんタッチ」 by Anisaki Yuna Shogakukan Tentoumushi Special, kodomo/shoujo Volume 2 first published in Japan 2008.08

4. More a Flower than a Flower (Hana Yori mo Hana no Gotoku) vol 2 of 9+ by Narita Minako

Hana Yori mo Hana no Gotoku 「花よりも花の如く」 by Narita Minako Hakusensha Melody, shoujo Volume 2 first published in Japan 2004.05

5. New Kobochan (Shin Kobo-chan) vol 13 of 22+ by Ueda Masashi

Shin Kobo-chan 「新コボちゃん」 by Ueda Masashi Houbunsha Manga Time Comics, seinen/4-koma Volume 13 first published in Japan 2008.07

6. Nodame Cantabile vol 25 of 25: Encore Opera Edition by Ninomiya Tomoko [Finale]

Nodame Cantabile 「のだめカンタービレ」 by Ninomiya Tomoko Kodansha Kiss, josei Volume 25 first published in Japan 2010.12

Awards
Best Shoujo Manga, 2004 Kodansha Manga Awards

Other languages
English Nodame Cantabile (Del Rey: 16 volumes per 2009.07), French (Pika Édition: Tome 13 shipped 2011.08), traditional Chinese (Tong Li: 交響情人夢 25 released 2011.01)

Related
The Nodame Illustrations collection was released in Japan 2011.04.

Adaptations
Adapted into an award-winning live-action TV series starring Ueno Juri (Nodame) and Tamaki Hiroshi (Chiaki Shinichi) that aired from October to December 2006 on Fuji TV, followed by a four-hour sequel TV special, Nodame Cantabile New Year's Special in Europe (4-5 January 2008), and two live-action movies: Nodame Cantabile Saishū Gakushō Zen-Pen (Japan premiere: 2009.12.19) and Nodame Cantabile Saishū Gakushō Kou-Hen (2010.04.17).

The first season of the Nodame Cantabile anime aired in Fuji TV's Noitamina programming block from January to June 2007. The 11-episode second season Nodame Cantabile: Paris Chapter ran from October to December 2008. An OAV was bundled with the limited edition manga volume 22 released 10 August 2009. The third season Nodame Cantabile: Finale aired from January to March 2010. Seiyuu Kawasumi Ayako and Seki Tomokazu played protagonists Nodame and Chiaki in all three seasons.

7. A Tale of The Cat Painter (Nekoe Jubei Otogizoshi) vol 2 of 4+ by Nagao Maru

Nekoe Jubei Otogizoshi 「猫絵十兵衛　御伽草紙」 by Nagao Maru Shonen Gahosha Neko Panchi, josei Volume 2 first published in Japan 2009.09

Other languages
English Edo Nekoe Jubei Otogizoshi (JManga)

8. Yakitate!! Japan vol 25 of 26 by Hashiguchi Takashi

Yakitate!! Japan 「焼きたて！！ジャぱん」 by Hashiguchi Takashi Shogakukan Shonen Sunday, shounen Volume 25 (chapters 223–231 + Gaiden) first published in Japan 2007.01

Awards
Best Shounen Manga, 49th Shogakukan Manga Awards (tied with Arakawa Hiromu's Fullmetal Alchemist)

Other languages/serializations
Serialized in the Indonesian Shonen Star (concluded)
English Yakitate!! Japan (VIZ Media: 26 volumes per 2011.04), French (Delcourt/Akata; Yakitate Ja-Pan !! un pain c'est tout tome 26 per 2010.01), Spanish (Editorial Ivréa Spain), German (EMA) and traditional Chinese (Tong Li: 新鮮出爐﹗日式麵包王 26 released 2007.06)

Adaptations
Sunrise's 69-episode anime adaptation starring seiyuu Kobayashi Yumiko as Azuma Kazuma aired from October 2004 to March 2006 on TV Tokyo.

9. Yozakura Quartet (Yozakura Shijuusou ~Yozakura Quartet~) vol 2 of 11+ by Yasuda Suzuhito

Yozakura Shijuusou ~Yozakura Quartet~ 「夜桜四重奏　ヨザクラカルテット」 by Yasuda Suzuhito Kodansha Shonen Sirius, shounen Volume 2 first published in Japan 2007.03

Other languages
English Yozakura Quartet (Del Rey: five volumes per 2009.09), traditional Chinese (Sharp Point Press Taiwan: 夜櫻四重奏 (10) released 2011.12.09)

Adaptations
A 12-episode anime produced by Nomad, starring seiyuu Kaji Yuuki (Hiizumi Akina), Fukuen Misato (Yarizakura Hime), Fujita Saki (Nanami Ao) and Sawashiro Miyuki (Isone Kotoha), aired from October to December 2008, followed by the Yozakura Quartet ~Hoshi no Umi~ OAVs (three DVDs released between October 2010 and September 2011)

Related
Shooting Star Carnaval Side: Yozakura Quarter Yasuda Suzuhito Illustrations artbook (published in Japan 2011.06)

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

Postponed title(s)
The Knight in the Area vol 2 (pending new street date)

Magazines (2011.12.28)

• Shonen Star Issue 23/2011 (Indonesian Shonen Sunday)

Read more »

Nodame Cantabile 23, Nakayoshi 4/2011 (Elex Media 27 April 2011 manga) [UPDATE2: Dream Eater Merry 1 by Ushiki Yoshitaka postponed]

Update2 Elex sez in the 4 May STO that Dream Eater Merry 1 did not release on Wednesday. Keeping it here though because it's not repeated in next week's list. It's tentatively skedded for 11 May 2011. Will confirm later.

Nodame Cantabile © Ninomiya Tomoko/Kodansha
[First serialized in Kiss]
Published in Indonesia by Elex Media

After disappearing, Nodame finally returns to Paris. She also embraces the piano again, this time playing her own Free and Gleeful music though. Chiaki begins to accept the path Nodame is determined to take, but all that changes when Nodame performs Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 31.

You can see why I didn't tack on "of 23" to Nodame 23 in the post title — to accommodate the not-so off-chance that Elex publishes the two-volume Encore Opera Hen as Nodame Cantabile 24 and 25 — just like Kodansha and (Tong Li Taiwan) did.

I reinstate Kariage kun 41, per Elex's 4.27 STO. The New Kobochan 1-4 reprints that didn't release on the 20th are skedded for 4 May. (Back story here.)

New Elex manga

Whilst the Arsène Lupin edu-manga generated favorable buzz long before volume 1 actually got a street date, Dream Eater Merry emerges as the top new manga DO WANT!, prolly owing to its recent anime adapt. Elex's summary —

Mimpi manusia adalah dunia, dan penguasa dunia-dunia yang dikunjungi saat tidur ini adalah para setan mimpi. Suatu ketika, hal sebaliknya terjadi; para setan mimpi juga ingin berkunjung ke dunia manusia. Untuk itu, mereka butuh wadah berupa tubuh manusia yang mereka kuasai kesadarannya. Mimpi buruk mengalir ke dunia nyata, dan yang menghadang mereka hanya satu, Merry Nightmare, setan mimpi yang terlempar keluar ke dunia manusia dan justru mencari jalan pulang.

—goes on about the role reversal of dream demons wanting ingress to the human world and needing to possess human vessels, which is where our heroine Merry comes in, for she needs to stop the leaking nightmares...I find the Elex blurb convoluted (but still skosh stingy on Why invest? detail), so I truncated the translate. If, like me, you prefer the Fujiwara Yumeji-centric synopsis, »here's an informative one from Wikipedia. (Of course, you won't need it if you've watched the anime.)

Edit (per 2011.05.01) As advised at the top of the post, Dream Eater Merry will likely street on the 11th.

Kaitou Lupin ©
Maurice Leblanc and
Kazumine Daiji/
The Kumon Manga Library
Published in Indonesia
Arsène Lupin
by Elex Media

Elex also apparently wants to introduce a new generation to the eponymous Arsène Lupin, gentleman burglar who can disguise himself as anyone. In volume 1 of Kazumine Daiji's Kumon Manga Library classic, the mysterious thief is rumored to have boarded the cruise ship Provence, his alleged presence unleashing terror on passengers Close Circled by an ocean.

Will Lupin get caught? And who will do the catching?

The third premiere is the boxing troped Stand Up!, the volume 1 cover of which just makes me go Pfft! and then Guffaw! (But then again, I'm not the target demographic. Not really burning to become strong(er) through boxing, you know.) Rounding out the newbies is another Doraemon Movie manga duo, Petualangan Nobita di Kota Mainan —First and Last— based on the 1997 Doraemon: Nobita's Adventure in Clockwork City film.

Nakayoshi 4/2011: Animal Official debuts

Watashi ni xx Shinasai!
© Toyama Ema/
Kodansha

That XX Me!'s Yukina is Nakayoshi Gress! 4's cover girl promises breath-stealing Shigure × Yukina doki-doki, but the conventional newsworthy is the debut of Fukushima Haruka's Animal Official. Circumstantial evidence makes a case for this a half-human creature slinks into the animal club; he evinces Dracula manga equaling 1-nen 5-kumi Ikimo Gakari, the ex-Nakayoshi Lovely Vampires and Werewolves, oh my! serial. Further assuming that Animal Official replaces CHOCOLATE by the same manga-ka.

The other Nakayoshi pals per the cover line-up are: Arisa by Ando Natsumi, Hell Girl Return by Eto Miyuki and Jigoku Shojo Project, Little Marchen and Ogawa and Team Saito by Sakyo (the latter's volume 5 released last February), Little Shugo Chara! by PEACH-PIT & Naphthalene Mizushima, Navi Runa by Kikuta Michiyo & Ikeda Miyoko and Shugo Chara! Encore! by PEACH-PIT.

Elex Media manga (2011.04.27)

1. [Series Premiere] Arsène Lupin 1 of 5 by Maurice Leblanc and Kazumine Daiji

Kaitou Lupin 「怪盗ルパン」 Original story by Maurice Leblanc; Illustrations by Kazumine Daiji The Kumon Manga Library, educational manga Volume 1 first published in Japan 1997.12

2. Blooming Youth (Hanasakeru Seishounen) 2 of 12 by Itsuki Natsumi

Hanasakeru Seishounen 「花咲ける青少年」 by Itsuki Natsumi Hakusensha LaLa and LaLa DX, shoujo Volume 2 first published in Japan 1990.05

Other languages
Traditional Chinese 天國少女 (Tong Li Taiwan, 12 volumes)

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

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

3. Doraemon 6 of 45 by Fujiko F. Fujio (right-to-left edition)

Doraemon 「ドラえもん」 by Fujiko F. Fujio Shogakukan Tentoumushi Comics, kodomo Volume 6 first published in Japan 1974.12 (Premiered in Indonesia: 1994 [left-to-right format])

Awards
Best Children's Manga, 27th Shogakukan Manga Awards, Grand Prize, the first Osamu Tezuka Culture Award (1997) and the Excellence Award, Japan Cartoonists Association Awards (1973)

Related series
Doraemon Plus (sequel; 5 of 5 volumes), Daichouhen Doraemon (side story; 24 of 24 volumes); Dorabase: Doraemon Chouyakyuu Gaiden (spin-off; 21 volumes, ongoing) and The Doraemon's Special (spin-off; 12 volumes)

Adaptations
A 52-episode anime adaptation by Nippon TV (1973.04 - 1973.09), a 1,787-episode series by Shin-Ei Animation (broadcast on TV Asahi from 1979.04 - 2005.03), a 2005 adaptation by Shin-Ei Animation and Studio Pierrot (premiered 2005.04.15; 300+ episodes) and numerous movies

4. [Premiere] Doraemon Movie: Petualangan Nobita di Kota Mainan —First— (Eiga Doraemon: Nobita to Neji maki Toshi Boukenki) by Fujiko F. Fujio

Eiga Doraemon: Nobita to Neji maki Toshi Boukenki 「映画ドラえもん　のび太のねじ卷き都市冒険記　上」 by Fujiko F. Fujio Shogakukan Tentouchuu Anime Comics, kodomo Volume 1 (Prologue-chapter 4) first published in Japan 1997.07

Related
Based on the 1997 movie Doraemon: Nobita's Adventure in Clockwork City

5. [New] Doraemon Movie: Petualangan Nobita di Kota Mainan —Last— (Eiga Doraemon: Nobita to Neji maki Toshi Boukenki) by Fujiko F. Fujio [Finale]

Eiga Doraemon: Nobita to Neji maki Toshi Boukenki 「映画ドラえもん　のび太のねじ卷き都市冒険記　下」 by Fujiko F. Fujio Shogakukan Tentouchuu Anime Comics, kodomo Volume 2 (chapter 5-8 and epilogue) first published in Japan 1997.07

Related
Based on the 1997 movie Doraemon: Nobita's Adventure in Clockwork City

6. [Series Premiere] Dream Eater Merry (Yumekui Merry) 1 of 6+ by Ushiki Yoshitaka - POSTPONED

Yumekui Merry 「夢喰いメリー」 by Ushiki Yoshitaka Houbunsha Manga Time Kirara Forward, seinen Volume 1 first published in Japan 2008.10

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.

7. Here is Greenwood (Deluxe) 3 of 6 (Koko wa Greenwood) by Nasu Yukie

Koko wa Greenwood 「ここはグリーン・ウッド」 by Nasu Yukie Hakusensha Bessatsu Hana to Yume and Hana to Yume, shoujo Bunko volume 3 first published in Japan 2001.03

Other languages
English Here is Greenwood (VIZ Media, nine volumes)

Adaptations
A six-episode anime OAV starring seiyuu Sasaki Nozomu (Hasukawa Kazuya), Sakamoto Chika (Kisaragi Shun), Iwata Mitsuo (Ikeda Mitsuru) and Seki Toshihiko (Tezuka Shinobu) released in Japan between November 1991 and March 1993 and a 13-episode live-action renzoku that aired on Tokyo MX from July to September 2008 (Cast: Izawa Yuki, Suzuki Hiroki, Miura Riki and Sato Yuuichi)

8. Kariage kun 41 of 49+ by Ueda Masashi

Kariage-kun 「かりあげクン」 by Ueda Masashi Futabasha Action Comics, seinen Volume 41 first published in Japan 2006.06

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)

9. Nodame Cantabile 23 of 25 by Ninomiya Tomoko

Nodame Cantabile 「のだめカンタービレ」 by Ninomiya Tomoko Kodansha Kiss, josei Volume 23 (chapters 131-136) first published in Japan 2009.11

Related series
Nodame Cantabile - Encore Opera Hen (two volume sequel released in Japan as Nodame Cantabile 24 and 25)

Awards
Best Shoujo Manga, 2004 Kodansha Manga Awards

Other languages
English Nodame Cantabile (Del Rey: 16 volumes per 2009.07.28), French (Pika Édition: Tome 12 per 2011.02.16), traditional Chinese (Tong Li: 交響情人夢 25 released 2011.01.29)

Adaptations
Adapted into an award-winning live-action TV series starring Ueno Juri (Nodame) and Tamaki Hiroshi (Chiaki Shinichi) that aired from October to December 2006 on Fuji TV, followed by a four-hour sequel TV special, Nodame Cantabile New Year's Special in Europe (4-5 January 2008), and two live-action movies: Nodame Cantabile Saishū Gakushō Zen-Pen (Japan premiere: 2009.12.19) and Nodame Cantabile Saishū Gakushō Kou-Hen (2010.04.17).

The first season of the Nodame Cantabile anime aired in Fuji TV's Noitamina programming block from January to June 2007. The 11-episode second season Nodame Cantabile: Paris Chapter ran from October to December 2008. An OAV was bundled with the limited edition manga volume 22 released 10 August 2009. The third season Nodame Cantabile: Finale aired from January to March 2010. Seiyuu Kawasumi Ayako and Seki Tomokazu played protagonists Nodame and Chiaki in all three seasons.

10. Otoboke Section Chief (Otoboke Kachou) 10 of 23+ by Ueda Masashi

Otoboke Kachou 「おとぼけ課長」 by Ueda Masashi Houbunsha Manga Time, seinen Volume 10 first published in Japan 2001.12

11. [Series Premiere] Stand Up! 1 of 3 by Itagaki Masaya

Stand Up! 「ＳＴＡＮＤ　ＵＰ！」 by Itagaki Masaya Shogakukan Corocoro Comic, shounen Volume 1 first published in Japan 2009.07

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

Mangazines (2011.04.27)

• Nakayoshi Gress! 4/2011 (Indonesian Nakayoshi)

Read more »

xxxHOLiC 11, Genius Family Company 5, Half an Apple 4 (Level Comics 15 December 2010 manga)

1/2 no Ringo © Koyama Yukari/Kodansha [Serialized in Kiss]
Published in Indonesia as Half an Apple by Elex Media/Level Comics

Before I get to Half an Apple and its tangled relationships and astray soul mates, top DO WANT! manga first. And for this Level release, that's xxxHOLiC.

Himawari has been keeping her distance from Watanuki ever since that near fatal accident. But Watanuki waves aside Himawari's claim of being bad luck incarnate and gifts her with a bird hatched from an egg given to him by Yuko.

Can the bird erase Himawari's bad luck curse? Find out in xxxHOLiC 11, streeting the 15th. [Additions from the Kimihiro Watanuki write-up at Holic Wiki]

Meanwhile, Pika Édition's XXX Holic, tome 11 description adds that Watanuki's path leads him to another chance meeting with Zashiki Warashi, as well encountering a mother more interested in money than in her daughter's happiness; Del Rey's xxxHOLiC 11 summary points out that soon, Watanuki will have to deal with the growing threat posed by Fei-Wang Reed.

And speaking of upcoming encounters —

Half an Apple 5 of 14 by Koyama Yukari

Hikaru finds that high hopes and enthusiasm for her new job count for nothing against the reality of inexperience. But with Amano's help, she strives to realize her dream of making cosmetics for her atopic customers. Just when things appear to be looking up, Hikaru runs into Shindo, her ex, and his wife, Natsuko.

Genius Family Company 5 of 6 by Ninomiya Tomoko

A hacker wipes out the Seihodo online book store. Powerless, Katsuyuki goes home, only to encounter Haru and a house engulfed in flames. Haru deliberately withholds details of the fire from the police, fearing for the life of Yuika, kidnapped by the Taiwanese mafia.

Katsuyuki eventually stumbles upon the truth behind the string of baffling events but one question remains: What is the connection between the Nagasawa family gallery and Yano-san? As Katsuyuki tries to think his way out of the puzzle, he remembers someone. You are the one person in the world that I want to meet!

Just found out that Tensai Family Company was adapted into audio drama in 2008 starring Hirakawa Daisuke, Mitsuishi Kotono, and three of my all-time favorite seiyuu: Namikawa Daisuke (#6), Inoue Kazuhiko (#3) and Ueda Yuuji (#10).

Level Comics manga (2010.12.15)

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

1. Genius Family Company (Tensai Family Company) 5 of 6 by Ninomiya Tomoko

Tensai Family Company 「天才ファミリー・カンパニー」 by Ninomiya Tomoko Gentosha Comics Manga Bunko, josei Volume 5 (bunko) first published in Japan 2008.12

Other languages
French Tensai Family Company - Génies en tous genres (Asuka Comics)

Adaptations
Audio drama starring seiyuu Hirakawa Daisuke, Mitsuishi Kotono, Namikawa Daisuke, Inoue Kazuhiko, Ueda Yuuji and Noto Mamiko (Tensai Family Company drama CD 1 and 2 released by Geneon Entertainment 2008.08.27 and 2008.10.22)

2. Half an Apple (1/2 no Ringo) 5 of 14 by Koyama Yukari

1/2 no Ringo 「１／２の林檎」 by Koyama Yukari Kodansha Kiss, josei Volume 5 first published in Japan 2006.10

3. Haruka 17 v10 of 19 by Yamazaki Sayaka

Haruka 17 「はるか１７」 by Yamazaki Sayaka Kodansha Morning, seinen Volume 10 first published in Japan 2006.02

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

4. Last Inning 7 of 27+ by Nakahara Yu, Kamio Ryu

Last Inning 「ラストイニング」 by Nakahara Yu, Kamio Ryu, Katou Kiyoshi Shogakukan Big Comic Spirits, seinen Volume 7 first published in Japan 2005.10

Volume 7 chapters:
58 強敵求む!!
59 日米決戦!!
60 一人でできた!!
61 四番の仕事
62 バイバイ沖縄
63 ディフェンス!!
64 救世主出現!?
65 秘密？兵器
66 21人いる!!
67 競争原理

5. Nurse Aoi (Ns' Aoi) 17 of 32+ by Koshino Ryo

Ns' Aoi 「Ｎｓ’あおい」 by Koshino Ryo Kodansha Morning, seinen Volume 17 first published in Japan 2008.01

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.

6. Restore Garage 251 v11 of 33+ by Tsugihara Ryuji

Restore Garage 251 「レストアガレージ２５１」 by Tsugihara Ryuji Shinchosha Comic Bunch, seinen Volume 11 first published in Japan 2004.06

7. xxxHOLiC 11 of 18+ by CLAMP

xxxHOLiC 「×××ＨＯＬｉＣ」 by CLAMP Kodansha Young Magazine (Bessatsu Shonen Magazine from 2010.06), seinen Volume 11 (chapters 65-72) first published in Japan 2007.05

Other languages
English xxxHOLiC (Del Rey; volume 16 per 2010.10.26), French (Pika Édition; tome 16 shipped 2010.10.20 • tome 17 street date: 2011.01.19), Spanish (Norma Editorial Spain and Grupo Editorial Vid Mexico), Italian (Star Comics), German (Egmont), Swedish (Bonnier Carlsen), Portuguese (JBC Brazil)

Adaptations
A 24-episode anime adaptation by Production I.G aired from April to September 2006 in Japan, followed by a 13-episode sequel xxxHOLiC: Kei (2008.04 to 2008.06) and a two-episode OAD xxxHOLiC: Shunmuki (2009.02 to 2009.06). The xxxHOLiC Rō OAD shipped 23 April 2010, along with manga volume 17. A second xxxHolic Rō OAD, xxxHolic: Rō Adayume, is scheduled for March 2011 release with manga volume 19.

A theatrical film adaptation xxxHOLiC the Movie: A Midsummer Night's Dream premiered in Japan before the first anime season (2005.08.20). The movie was a Feature Films finalist in the 2006 Annecy International Animated Film Festival.

Seiyuu Fukuyama Jun and Ohara Sayaka play the roles of Watanuki Kimihiro and Ichihara Yuko in all adaptations.

Related
Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle (crossover) · xxxHoLic: ANOTHERHOLiC Landolt-Ring Aerosol by NisiOisiN (Novel; side story) · Soel to Larg: Mokona=Modoki no Bouken (Novel; side story)

At least three official fanbooks have been released in Japan: Gekijōban ×××HOLiC Official Fanbook (2005.08.17) · TV Animation ×××HOLiC Extra Official Guide (2006.05.17) · Shinpan ×××HOLiC Dokuhon (2006.11.17)

Level Comics European comics (2010.12.15)

• Yakari dan Monster Danau (Yakari, Tome 17: Le monstre du lac) by Derib, Job

¹ Sources: Elex STO 15 December 2010 (release schedule) and Komikologi and/or Gramedia Shop (synopses, unless indicated otherwise)
² Manga are priced at IDR 18,500 each except Genius Family Company (SRP: IDR 29,500), as well as Haruka 17 vol. 10 and Restore Garage 251 vol. 11 (IDR 19,500 each) and Yakari dan Monster Danau (IDR 30,000).
³ Links like this are commercial Amazon search and/or product links (other language versions).

Previews continued

Haruka 17 Vol. 10 of 19 by Yamazaki Sayaka

Haruka and Yuri appear to have been miscast; their roles are the polar opposites of their real characters. The constant flubbing of lines makes the crew despair of the project, but fortunately, Nanako realizes the problem and uses a special trick to help the pair.

What trick does Nanako employ? And will it really result in a stellar performance from Haruka and Yuri?

Last Inning 7 of 27+ Nakahara Yu, Kamio Ryu

Before the Okinawa training camp closes, beyond all expectations, freelance journalist Warabi runs into a team worthy of sparring with Saitama High. The unexpected development is exceeded only by the prospect of a a foreign student dubbed the tall lefty pitcher consenting to enroll in Saitama.

Nurse Aoi 17 of 32+ by Koshino Ryo

Are you content to let the situation stand?

Aoi gives it her best shot to make Sawanabori Reika admit to being a victim of domestic abuse. Because of Aoi's support, Reika-san finds the courage to disclose the crime, despite fear of her husband's reprisal. But Minister Sawanobori, Reika's mother in-law, finds out and tries to cover up for her son. What will become of Reika-san now?

Restore Garage 251 vol. 11 of 33+ by Tsugihara Ryuji

Honjo attempts to persuade Mizuki to help in restoring the car of teacher Koshiba-sensei, but to no avail. Mizuki is unmoved, dooming all attempts at reconciliation. Meanwhile, despite ineptness, Tetsu tries to restore Koshiba's car.

Will Tetsu and Honjo succeed in restoring the automobile, along with the memories it holds within?

UP NEXT: m&c! 15 December 2010 manga and manhwa

m&c!: Electric Daisy 6 · Goong [Palace Story] 21 · Sugar Family 5 · Be a Naughty Girl 3 · Bakugan Battle Brawlers 13 · Monika 137

other manga available this week (15 December 2010 street date)

• Elex Media: Golden Book (Deluxe) · Inuyasha 50 · Kindaichi Special Case: Private School Murder 2 of 2 · Kariage kun 37 · Godhand Teru 28 · Mixim 11 vol.2 · Bakeru kun Pika-pika 2 · Artist Acro 5 · New Sexy Simpleton 8

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

disclaimer

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

related monthly schedule(s)

December 2010
Premiering Bloody Monday by Megumi Kouji & Ryumon Ryou

other invaluable resources

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

Technorati tags

Level Comics · manga · ROMIC (BD) · josei · seinen · Genius Family Company (Tensai Family Company) · Half an Apple · Haruka 17 · Last Inning · Nurse Aoi (Ns' Aoi) · Restore Garage 251 · xxxHOLiC · Yakari