The Drops of God 9, Love Affair 11 and The Black Swindler 15 (Level Comics 9 November 2011 manga) [UPDATED]

As I mentioned over on the Elex side, it's slim pickins for synops and covers, so MinimaList—and ROMICs for lead—for nau. «Edit: Sorry, Leonard and Marsupilami fans, but I went and replaced the lead pix.

Kami no Shizuku: Les Gouttes de Dieu © Agi Tadashi & Okimoto Shu/Kodansha [Serialized in Morning] · Bokutachi wa Shitte Shimatta © Miyasaka Kaho/Shogakukan [Serialized in Cheese!]. Published in Indonesia as The Drops of God and Love Affair by Elex Media/Level Comics

In The Drops of God 9, we interrupt the regularly-scheduled Apostles treasure hunt for a new mission —

Shizuku wants to make Kido, the wine division newbie, like wines and he's willing to go all the way to his father's vacation house for clues to a certain special vintage. Does Shizuku find it? More to the point, what secrets does Shizuku unearth in the memory-filled house?

(You can bet that whatever Shizuku discovers, it will still have bearing on the Third Apostle.)

Kami no Shizuku: Les Gouttes de Dieu will have compiled 31 volumes in Japan by 17 November. We have quite a way to go.

Meanwhile, memory plays some tricks in Love Affair 11:

Yukito and Kotori's relationship improves after both come clean about their feelings. Yukito even gets to stay with Kotori after her older sib leaves him alone to look after the sick Kotori. How good are Yukito's nursing skills? More importantly, can he keep up the platonic bedside manner when there's no one else in the house?

Kotori doesn't help matters any when she calls out for Kenken...

The 13th Bokutachi wa Shitte Shimatta tankou streets 26 December in Japan.

More previews of ongoings after the release list. Up here, the Ranko The Governor premiere.

Chiji Ranko
© Takahashi Noboru
Shogakukan [Big Comics]
Published in Indonesia as
Ranko The Governor
by Level Comics

Beautiful young widow Akatsuki Ranko is elected governor of the (fictitious) Waga prefecture. Gossip has it she won on a sympathy vote after her politician husband's death. Little wonder that many look down her, including one shady businessman colluding with an equally shady politico to embezzle public funds. But is Madam Governor as callow as people think?

Ranko The Governor volume 1 compiles chapters 1–7 and 8. Four Chiji Ranko volumes have been published in Japan as of November 2005.

Other Takahashi Noboru manga
More current than Chiji Ranko is Mogura no Uta, the ongoing Big Comic Spirits seinen action drama that will have logged 29 volumes in Japan by 27 December. Takahashi Noboru-sensei also created Ahoudori no Uta serialized in Business Jump (Young Jump Comics volume 2 per October 2010) and the psychological drama series Riman Gambler Mouse, first serialized in Morning (four of four volumes per 2001.11), and its one-volume sequel, Riman Gambler Mouse: Jotai Jigokuhen, serialized in MiChao! (KCDX MiChao KC: 2008.09).

Level Comics manga and manhua (2011.11.09)

1. The Black Swindler (Kurosagi) vol 15 of 20 by Kuromaru & Natsuhara Takeshi

Kurosagi 「クロサギ」 by Kuromaru & Natsuhara Takeshi Shogakukan Young Sunday, seinen Volume 15 (chapters 153-155 and 156-163) first published in Japan 2007.10

Awards
Best Seinen/General Manga, 53rd Shogakukan Manga Awards (2007), along with Sekiya Tetsuji's Bambino!

Related
Shin Kurosagi (sequel, volume 13 street date: 2011.12.27)

Adaptations
An 11-episode live-action renzoku starring Yamashita Tomohisa (Kurosaki) and Horikita Maki (Yoshikawa Tsurara) aired on TBS from April to June 2006. A movie starring the same leads premiered in Japan on 8 March 2008.

2. Brave Story (Brave Story - Shinsetsu) vol 6 of 20 by Miyabe Miyuki and Ono Yoichiro

Brave Story - Shinsetsu 「ブレイブ・ストーリー～新説～」 by Miyabe Miyuki and Ono Yoichiro AKA Brave Story: A Retelling of a Classic Shinchosha Comic Bunch, seinen Volume 6 first published in Japan 2005.03

Related
Adapted from Miyabe Miyuki-sensei's Brave Story light novel

Other languages
English Brave Story (TOKYOPOP: five volumes; the Brave Story novel was published by VIZ Media 2009.11), French (Kurokawa: Tome 20 shipped 2011.02) and traditional Chinese (Tong Li Taiwan)

3. The Drops of God (Kami no Shizuku) vol 9 of 31+ by Agi Tadashi & Okimoto Shu

Kami no Shizuku: Les Gouttes de Dieu 「神の雫」 by Agi Tadashi & Okimoto Shu Kodansha Morning, seinen Volume 9 first published in Japan 2006.11

Awards
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; 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)

Other languages
French (Glénat: Les Gouttes de Dieu Tome 21 shipped 2011.10.19 • Tome 22 street date: 2012.02.08), traditional Chinese (Sharp Point Press Taiwan: 神之水滴 29 per 2011.09), English Drops of God (Vertical: one volume per 2011.09 • volume 2 street date: 2011.12.13)

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

4. Lost Man vol 5 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 5 first published in Japan 2009.08

5. Love Affair (Bokutachi wa Shitte Shimatta) vol 11 of 13+ by Miyasaka Kaho

Bokutachi wa Shitte Shimatta 「僕達は知ってしまった」 by Miyasaka Kaho AKA We Experienced the Affair Shogakukan Cheese!, shoujo Volume 11 first published in Japan 2011.02

Other languages
German (Egmont Manga & Anime: Lebe deine Liebe Band 11 released 2011.11.04 • Band 12 street date: 2012.01), French (Marvel Panini France: A Romantic Love Story Tome 11 per 2011.10.19 • Tome 12 street date: 2012.02.15)

Adaptations
The Bokutachi wa Shitte Shimatta ~ Kare to Kanojo to Aitsu no Himitsu light novel written by Takase Yunoka was released under the Flower Comics Lululu novels label on 2011.07.26.

Related
The official Bokutachi wa Shitte Shimatta Kōshiki Fanbook (JP release: 2011.07)

6. Over Rev vol 21 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 21 (chapters 229-239) first published in Japan 2002.05

Reissues
Released in 13 wide-ban from 2007.05 to 2008.05 and in bunko as OVER REV! A Legend of Ultimate Hot Rodder (15 volumes published as at 2009.04)

7. [Series Premiere] Ranko The Governor (Chiji Ranko) vol 1 of 4 by Takahashi Noboru

Chiji Ranko 「知事ラン子」 by Takahashi Noboru Shogakukan Big Comics, seinen Volume 1 (chapters 1-7 and 8) first published in Japan 2004.09

8. The Ravages of Time (Huo Feng Liao Yuan) vol 14 of 43+ by Chan Mou

Sanguozhi Qunxiongzhuan: Huo Feng Liao Yuan 「火鳳燎原」 by Chan Mou AKA Fiery Phoenix Burns Steppes Tong Li New Youth, seinen

Other languages/serializations
Simplified Chinese (Chuang Yi: 火凤燎原 #42 released 2011.09.05), Japanese (Media Factory 三国志群雄伝　火鳳燎原 9 per 2009.12), Vietnamese Hỏa Phụng Liêu Nguyên. The manhua is also published in Mainland China, Korea and Thailand.

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

[ROMICs] European comics/BDs

1. Leonard - Jenius Tingkat Tinggi (Léonard, Tome 4: Hi-Fi génie) by Turk - De Groot (Le Lombard)
2. Marsupilami - Fordlandia (Le Marsupilami, Tome 6: Fordlandia) by Franquin, Batem & Yann (Marsu Production)

Read more »

Iliad 6, The Black Swindler 14, Dark Edge 2 (Level Comics 28 September 2011 manga) [UPDATED]

No Longer Just a List Version

Reiterating that Red River 10 and Shattered Knife 9 appear in my Level 9.22 list—not here—regardless that they were re-advised for 9.28, because they were already available on the earlier street date.

ILIAD © Uoto Osamu & Toshusai Garaku/Shogakukan [Big Comics] · Kurosagi © Kuromaru & Natsuhara Takeshi/Shogakukan [First serialized in Young Sunday] · Dark Edge © Aikawa Yu/MediaWorks [First serialized in Dengeki Comic Gao!]. Published in Indonesia as Iliad, The Black Swindler and Dark Edge by Elex Media/Level Comics

In the Geek out! Iliad 6 —

Thanks to a forgetful Viennese professor, Iriya succeeds in extracting a name for he who accompanied the Nazis' Atlantis quest during WWII: "Rot Hase" or The Red Rabbit. Rot Hase hails from Izumo, prompting Iriya to fly to the so-called Land of the Gods, whence grew myths of Japan's deities. Little does Iriya expect that cornering The Red Rabbit in his den would pit him against a demon that devours humans.

(For another "human devourer"—of the female kind—check out Blue Seal vol. 3, also streeting on the 28th.)

The Black Swindler vol. 14 of 20 by Kuromaru & Natsuhara Takeshi

"The tenant's security deposit becomes collateral."

Kurosaki and Shiraishi cooperate to bust a tenant contract fraud. What trick will the pair use to counterswindle the fraudsters?

Above The Black Swindler synop refers to the eight-part Tenant contract fraud story that spans chapters 145 through 152. Volume 14 also wraps Debut swindle (chapters 142–144). [*NOT Level's chapter titles]

I preview the lone Level manga premiere—Akishige Manabu's Go-On!—below the release list.

Level Comics manga (2011.09.28)

1. The Black Swindler (Kurosagi) vol. 14 of 20 by Kuromaru & Natsuhara Takeshi

Kurosagi 「クロサギ」 by Kuromaru & Natsuhara Takeshi Shogakukan Young Sunday, seinen Volume 14 (chapters 142-152) first published in Japan 2007.07

Awards
Best Seinen/General Manga, 53rd Shogakukan Manga Awards (2007), along with Sekiya Tetsuji's Bambino!

Related
Shin Kurosagi (sequel; 12 volumes per 2011.09.30)

Adaptations
An 11-episode live-action renzoku starring Yamashita Tomohisa (Kurosaki) and Horikita Maki (Yoshikawa Tsurara) aired on TBS from April to June 2006. A movie starring the same leads premiered in Japan on 8 March 2008.

2. Blue Seal (Ao no Fuuin [Bunko]) vol. 3 of 7 of 7 by Shinohara Chie

Ao no Fuuin 「蒼の封印　(小学館文庫)」 by Shinohara Chie Shogakukan Sho-Comi, shoujo Bunko volume 3 first published in Japan 1999.05 (originally published in 11 tankoubon from 1992.04 to 1994.12)

Adaptations
An audio drama CD released by Shogakukan in May 1993 and light novels written by Yamamoto Natsumi and illustrated by Shinohara Chie were published under the KSS Comic Novels imprint (three volumes from September to December 1998)

3. Dark Edge vol. 2 of 15 by Aikawa Yu «Ex-9.19

Dark Edge 「ＤＡＲＫ　ＥＤＧＥ」 by Aikawa Yu Media Works Dengeki Comic Gao!, shounen Volume 2 first published in Japan 1999.07

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

4. [Series Premiere] Go-On! vol. 1 of 4+ by Akishige Manabu

Go-On 「ＧＯ‐ＯＮ！」 by Akishige Manabu Shogakukan Young Sunday, seinen Volume 1 (chapters 1-8) first published in Japan 2008.04

5. Hellsing vol. 9 of 10 by Hirano Kohta

Hellsing 「ＨＥＬＬＳＩＮＧ」 by Hirano Kohta Shonen Gahosha Young King Ours, seinen Volume 9 first published in Japan 2007.11

Volume 9 chapters:
71. Castle Vania 2
72. Heart of Dream
73. Heart of Dream 2
74. Relics
75. Heart of Iron
76–80. Finest Hour 1–5
81. Lunatic Dawn"
82. Operation Wolf
83–85. Warcraft 1–3 [*NOT Level's titles]

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

Related series
Hellsing: The Dawn (prequel; serialized in Young King Ours special editions, six chapters as at 2008.09, on hiatus) and Crossfire (three-chapter side story)

Adaptations
A 13-episode anime adaptation by Gonzo aired on Fuji TV from October 2001 to January 2002, starring seiyuu Nakata Jouji (Alucard), Orikasa Fumiko (Seras Victoria) and Sakakibara Yoshiko (Sir Integra Hellsing). A Hellsing Ultimate OAV (starring the same voice cast) premiered in Japan in January 2006. The first four episodes were produced by Satelight, with Madhouse taking over as of OAV V. Hellsing VIII premiered 27 July 2011, while Hellsing IX is slated for an early 2012 release, along with the first episode of The Dawn.

A Crossfire drama CD has also been released.

6. Hikayat Genji (Asakiyumemishi) vol. 11 of 13 by Yamato Waki

Asakiyumemishi 「あさきゆめみし」 by Yamato Waki Kodansha Mimi, shoujo Volume 10 first published in Japan 1991.07

Related/reissues
Adapted from Genji Monogatari by Murasaki Shikibu
Reissued in seven volumes in 1993 under the KCDX imprint. Also re-released in bunkoban (Asakiyumemishi Genji Monogatari Kodansha Manga bunko: seven volumes, 2001.08 and Asakiyumemishi Genji Monogatari Kodansha Aoi Tori bunko: five volumes, 2006.10–2008.02) and kanzenban (Kanzenban KCDX Asakiyumemishi The Tale of Genji: 10 volumes, 2008.04–2008.07)

A Genji Monogatari Asakiyumemishi Illustrations book was published in December 1984, while the Asakiyumemishi no Sekai Genji Monogatari Navi BOOK guide was issued in April 2005.

Other languages
English (Kodansha Bilingual Comics; partial)

7. Iliad vol. 6 of 15 by Uoto Osamu & Toshusai Garaku

ILIAD ~Nyuu ya dou kenbun roku~ 「イリヤッド～入矢堂見聞録～」 by Uoto Osamu & Toshusai Garaku Shogakukan Big Comics, seinen Volume 6 (eight episodes/chapters 41-48) first published in Japan in 2004.10

8. Sky of Love (Koizora: Setsunai Koi Monogatari) vol. 7 of 10 by Haneda Ibuki, Mika «Ex-9.22

Koizora: Setsunai Koi Monogatari 「恋空～切ナイ恋物語～」 by Haneda Ibuki, Mika Futabasha Comic Mahou no iland, shoujo Volume 7 first published in Japan 2008.12

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.

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

European comics/BDs (2011.09.28)

1. Boule & Bill - Sahabat Setia (Boule et Bill, Tome 3: Les copains dabord) by Roba (Dupuis)
2. Rantanplan - Badut Sirkus (Rantanplan, Tome 4: Le Clown) by Morris, Jean Léturgie, Xavier Fauche (Lucky Comics)
3. Smurf - Pengacau di Desa Smurf (Les Schtroumpfs, Tome 25: Un enfant chez les Schtroumpfs) by Peyo (Le Lombard)

Read more »

The Black Swindler 13, The Drops of God 5, Rainbow 21 (Level Comics 22 June 2011 manga) [UPDATED]

Also, ROMICs (BDs) but excluding Franquin's Spirou & Sang Ahli Waris which got postponed to 6 July.

Kurosagi © Kuromaru & Natsuhara Takeshi/Shogakukan
[First serialized in Young Sunday]
Published in Indonesia as The Black Swindler by Elex Media/Level Comics

Kurosaki investigates a money laundering ring in China. The scam stalls because of a Shirosagi named Hayashi. What tactics will Kurosaki employ to finish off the fraudsters?

The Black Swindler editor Sina-san notes that Kurosaki's experience in China brings him closer to uncovering ‘Fixer’ Katsuragi's past. And speaking of China, the money laundering chapters (134-141) represent Kurosagi's first overseas outing, or so sez the Japanese blurb.

But before Kurosaki leaves for Shanghai, he wraps up the pet fraud story in chapters 131 to 133 first.

The Drops of God 5 of 29+ by Agi Tadashi & Okimoto Shu

To identify the 1st Apostle and restore Mrs. Kaori's memories, Shizuku works as a sommelier at Mishima's restaurant. There he meets a famous musician who sparks an epiphany about the first of the 13 wines Shizuku has single out. To aid his quest, Shizuku turns to Robert.

But will his dad's old friend help Shizuku?

The Drops of God editor Nickyta Oliver Fonda-san comments that Finally, the destined date with the 1st Apostle dawns and promises that the battle between snooty Issei and wuvable Shizuku will strain your curiosity to the limits.

New Level manga: Blue Seal by Shinohara Chie

Ao no Fuuin
© Shinohara Chie
Shogakukan
Published in Indonesia
as Blue Seal
by Level Comics

I assume Level's launching the bunko because the Komikologi July-advised total volumes is 7 (the tankou originally numbered 11 and Level's Blue Seal cover is the first tankoubon's). If I'm wrong, then just add four more to the volume count.

When a girl opens her eyes, the portal of legend gapes wide.

Only death awaits the beautiful transfer student Kiryu Souko at her new school — why?

Because once the seal is broken, Souko inherits the crown of the Demon Queen, the Blue Dragon of the Tou family who devours humans. Contributes Wiki: Unfortunately, the latest reincarnation of Sōryū (or “Seiryū”) has fallen in love with a boy named Akira who is the reincarnation of Byakko, the legendary white tiger who is destined to kill her.

A dilemma that promises off-the-charts tension, chemistry and Kyaaa~ :D

Wiki also points out that Ao no Fuuin is loosely based on the tale of Four Gods in oriental cultures, namely the Azure Dragon (east), the White Tiger (west), the Black Turtle (north) and the Red Phoenix (south) and invites you to compare it with Watase Yuu's Fushigi Yuugi, another shoujo manga series based on the same legends.

Level has published Shinohara Chie's Escape Express and is installing Red River, a breath-taking pair I rate a 9 of 10 ♡.

Level Comics manga (2011.06.22)

1. Air Gear 22 of 32+ by Oh!great

AirGear 「エア・ギア」 by Oh! great Kodansha Weekly Shonen Magazine, shounen Volume 22 (Tricks 197-207) first published in Japan 2008.09

Awards
Best Shounen Manga, 2006 Kodansha Manga Awards

Other languages/serializations
English Air Gear (Del Rey: until Volume 15/16/17 per 2010.08; Kodansha Comics: volume 18 released 2011.06.14 • volume 19 street date: 2011.08.16), Korean (Haksan), traditional Chinese (Tong Li Taiwan: 飛輪少年 #31 per 2011.05), simplified Chinese (Chuang Yi Singapore: volume 28 per 2010.08), French (Pika Édition: Tome 28 ships 2011.06.29 • Tome 29 street date: 2011.09.07), Italy (Planet Manga), Germany (Heyne) and Sweden (Schibsted Förlagen Sverige AB/serialized in Manga Mania)

Adaptations
A 25-episode anime by Toei Animation, starring Kamakari Kenta as Ikki; a series of Satelight-animated OADs shipped with the manga tankoubon (The first Air Gear: Kuro no Hane to Nemuri no Mori -Break on the Sky- OAD streeted with volume 30 in November 2010 with seiyuu Okamoto Nobuhiko as Ikki; the second OAD was bundled with volume 31 (2011.03.17), with a third released 2011.06.17); and a series of musicals

2. The Black Swindler (Kurosagi) 13 of 20 by Kuromaru & Natsuhara Takeshi

Kurosagi 「クロサギ」 by Kuromaru & Natsuhara Takeshi Shogakukan Young Sunday, seinen Volume 13 first published in Japan 2007.04

Volume 13 chapters:
131-133 Pet fraud
134-141 Money laundering scam (I ~ VIII)
Shirosagi Data File.

Awards
Best Seinen/General Manga, 53rd Shogakukan Manga Awards (2007), along with Sekiya Tetsuji's Bambino!

Related
Shin Kurosagi (sequel; 11 volumes per 2011.06.30)

Adaptations
An 11-episode live-action renzoku starring Yamashita Tomohisa (Kurosaki) and Horikita Maki (Yoshikawa Tsurara) aired on TBS from April to June 2006. A movie starring the same leads premiered in Japan on 8 March 2008.

3. [Series Premiere] Blue Seal (Ao no Fuuin) 1 of 7 by Shinohara Chie

Ao no Fuuin 「蒼の封印」 by Shinohara Chie Shogakukan Sho-Comi, shoujo Bunko volume 1 first published in Japan 1999.02

Adaptations
An audio drama CD released by Shogakukan in May 1993 and light novels written by Yamamoto Natsumi and illustrated by Shinohara Chie were published under the KSS Comic Novels imprint (three volumes from September to December 1998)

4. The Drops of God (Kami no Shizuku) 5 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 5 first published in Japan 2006.01

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 19 shipped 2011.06.08 • tome 20 street date: 2011.08.17), 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. Eternal Sabbath (ES) 3 of 8 by Souryo Fuyumi

ES 「ＥＳ」 by Souryo Fuyumi Kodansha Morning, seinen Volume 3 first published in Japan 2003.02

Other languages
English ES (Del Rey: eight volumes), French (Glénat: eight volumes), Italian (Editions Star Comics)

Reissues
Re-released in five bunko volumes (2006.10 - 2007.02)

6. Homunculus 11 of 15 by Yamamoto Hideo

Homunculus 「 ホムンクルス 」 by Yamamoto Hideo Shogakukan Big Comic Spirits, seinen Volume 11 first published in Japan 2009.12

7. Karakuri Circus 2 of 43 by Fujita Kazuhiro

Karakuri Circus 「からくりサーカス」 by Fujita Kazuhiro Shogakukan Shonen Sunday, shounen Volume 2 (chapters 9-17) first published in Japan 1998.03

8. Rainbow 21 of 22 by Abe George & Kakizaki Masasumi

Rainbow - Nisha Rokubō no Shichinin 「ＲＡＩＮＢＯＷ　二舎六房の七人」 by Abe George & Kakizaki Masasumi Shogakukan Big Comic Spirits, seinen Volume 21 first published in Japan 2009.12

Awards
Best Seinen/General Manga, 51st Shogakukan Manga Awards (2005), tied with Kawaguchi Kaiji's A Spirit of the Sun

Other languages
French (Kazé Editions: Rainbow: Nisha Rokubou no Shichinin tome 17 shipped 2011.04 • tome 18 street date: 2011.07.13) and traditional Chinese (Sharp Point Press: RAINBOW少年犯罪檔案 22 per 2011.05.23)

Adaptations
A 26-episode anime adaptation by Madhouse, starring Oguri Shun (Minakami Mario), Kanjiya Shihori (Setsuko), Koyama Rikiya (Sakuragi Rokurouta/An-chan), Park Romi (Maeda Noboru AKA Suppon/Turtle), Fujiwara Keiji (Nomoto Ryuuji/Baremoto or Scam), Waki Tomohiro (Matsuura Mansaku/Cabbage), Kuroda Takaya (Tooyama Tadayoshi/Heitai or Soldier) and Hasome Tatsuya (Yokosuka Jou/Joe), aired in Japan between April and September 2010.

9. Zipang 6 of 43 by Kawaguchi Kaiji

Zipang 「ジパング」 by Kawaguchi Kaiji Kodansha Morning, seinen Volume 6 first published in Japan 2002.02

Awards
Best General Manga, 26th Kodansha Manga Awards (2002)

Other language versions
English (Kodansha Bilingual Comics; partial), French (Kana: tome 29 shipped 2011.02 • Pack Fidelite Zipang T30+T31 street date: 2011.08.26) 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 (2011.06.22)

1. Jojo - Janji Persahabatan (Jojo 6: Le serment d'amitié) by André Geerts (Dupuis)
2. Smurf Reporter (Une histoires des Schtroumpfs: Les Schtroumpfs, tome 22: Le Schtroumpf reporter) by Peyo (Le Lombard)

Read more »

The Black Swindler 12, Angel Heart 7, Moon - Subaru Solitude Standing 1 (Level Comics 27 April 2011 manga)

I lead with the third Most Wanted Manga because I can.

Moon © Soda Masahito & Tomiyama Kuro/Shogakukan
[Serialized in Big Comic Spirits]
Published in Indonesia by Elex Media/Level Comics

If Subaru 11 left discontent like prickles on your skin, grumble no more. The sequel Moon premieres this Wednesday.

After leaving New York, Miyamoto Subaru joins a German ballet company in Berlin where she meets Nico, a talented ballet dancer who has lost his vision. Subaru asks Nico to pair up with her and dance the Blue Bird pas de deux, promising to show Nico “another world.” Sadly, their dance disappoints.

To add, Baka-Updates Manga sez that Nico lost his ballet partner and lover in the same accident that took away his sight and asks Will Subaru be able to reach out to him, and help him to once again dance with a partner? In doing so, will she be able to find her own place in this world?

So, Ballet, Blind Dancer, Strong Female Lead, Romantic Subplot on tap.

The Black Swindler 12 of 20 by Kuromaru & Natsuhara Takeshi

Kurosaki's bankruptcy fraud case appears to be linked to a similar fraud perpetrated by the Tachimoto company 12 years previously, which caused 100 Tachimoto partner firms to go belly up.

Who's the perp behind the original crime? And can Kurosaki close this case with his brand of justice served?

Previews of the Pair of Sevens (Angel Heart 7 and K2 volume 7) after the release list.

New ROMICs/BDs

Le temps des copains
© André Geerts/Dupuis
Published by Level Comics
as Jojo - Sahabat Sejati

On the bande dessinée side, Level double launches Jojo, the late André Geerts's slice of life series, starring the seven-year-old eponym. In Sahabat Sejati ("True Friend," originally Jojo 1: Le temps des copains), Jojo shares his new experiences of school, camp and play with buddy Louis. Everything is fair game, even dreams.

Meanwhile, in Kabur Dari Rumah ("Runaway," Jojo 2: La fugue de Jojo), bad grades net Jojo punishment from grandma and provisioned with what amounts to snacks, Jojo runs away from home, making grand-mère cry.

With the premiering Jojo, that makes—what?—nine BD series for Level? Can you name them? (The comment box is below ^^)

Level Comics manga (2011.04.27)

1. Angel Heart 7 of 33 by Hojo Tsukasa

Angel Heart 「エンジェル・ハート」 by Hojo Tsukasa Shinchosha (Coamix) Comic Bunch, seinen Volume 7 first published in Japan 2003.06

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. The Black Swindler (Kurosagi) 12 of 20 by Kuromaru & Natsuhara Takeshi

Kurosagi 「クロサギ」 by Kuromaru & Natsuhara Takeshi Shogakukan Young Sunday, seinen Volume 12 (chapters 120-130) first published in Japan 2006.12

Awards
Best Seinen/General Manga, 53rd Shogakukan Manga Awards (2007), along with Sekiya Tetsuji's Bambino!

Related
Shin Kurosagi (sequel; 10 volumes per 2011.03.30)

Adaptations
An 11-episode live-action renzoku starring Yamashita Tomohisa (Kurosaki) and Horikita Maki (Yoshikawa Tsurara) aired on TBS from April to June 2006. A movie starring the same leads premiered in Japan on 8 March 2008.

3. K2 volume 7 of 14+ by Mafune Kazuo

K2 「Ｋ２」 by Mafune Kazuo Kodansha Evening, seinen Volume 7 first published in Japan 2007.09

4. [Series Premiere] Moon - Subaru Solitude Standing 1 of 7+ by Soda Masahito & Tomiyama Kuro

Moon—Subaru Solitude Standing— 「ＭＯＯＮ」 by Soda Masahito & Tomiyama Kuro Shogakukan Big Comic Spirits, seinen Volume 1 (chapters 1-10) first published in Japan 2008.02

Other languages
Traditional Chinese (Tong Li Taiwan: MOON~昴‧續篇~ 6 released 2011.01.20)

Related series
Subaru (prequel; 11 volumes)

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European comics/BDs (2011.04.27)

• [Premiere] Jojo - Kabur Dari Rumah (Jojo 2: La fugue de Jojo) by André Geerts (Dupuis)
• [Series Premiere] Jojo - Sahabat Sejati (Jojo 1: Le temps des copains) by André Geerts (Dupuis)

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Giant Killing 1, The Black Swindler 11, Jepang Tenggelam 10 (Level Comics 2 March 2011 manga)

Giant Killing © Tsunamoto Masaya, Tsujitomo/Kodansha
[Serialized in Morning]
Published in Indonesia by Elex Media/Level Comics

Level Comics presents the 34th Kodansha Manga Awardee for General Manga—Giant Killing—Tsunamoto Masaya- & Tsujitomo's seinen sports drama.

Those who've watched the anime adapt already know Giant Killing's plot, but for the benefit of those (like me), who don't, blurb:

Under former soccer player Tatsumi's coaching, an English amateur club manages to beat an elite team. For precisely this reason, Goto and Yuri scout Tatsumi to coach East Tokyo United or ETU.

Problem: Will the England club let Tatsumi go? And what kind of reception awaits Tatsumi in Japan?

Tsujitomo-sensei appears to have only the ongoing Morning-serialized Giant Killing in teh back list, but Tsunamoto Masaya-sensei is also credited for the likewise soccer-troped Goal Den Age, published here by m&c!

The Black Swindler 11 of 20 by Kuromaru & Natsuhara Takeshi

Our favorite Swindler of Swindlers Kurosaki is back and this time, he's on the side of big business, helping an honest (if careless) insurance employee defrauded by a shirosagi.

Jepang Tenggelam 10 of 15 by Komatsu Sakyou, Ishiki Tokihiko

With Kanto, Kyoto and Kyushu lying in ruins, the Japanese citizens pin their final hopes on a plan to prevent Japan from sinking further. Lights flash green for the Dismantle A strategy.

Will the dangerous plan work? Or does more tragedy lie ahead?

Level Comics manga (2011.03.02)

1. Attack!! 6 of 11+ by Oshima Tsukasa

Attack!! 「アタック！！」 by Oshima Tsukasa Shinchosha Comic Bunch, seinen Volume 6 first published in Japan 2008.04

2. The Black Swindler (Kurosagi) 11 of 20 by Kuromaru & Natsuhara Takeshi

Kurosagi 「クロサギ」 by Kuromaru & Natsuhara Takeshi Shogakukan Young Sunday, seinen Volume 11 (chapters 109-119) first published in Japan 2006.10

Awards
Best Seinen/General Manga, 53rd Shogakukan Manga Awards (2007), along with Sekiya Tetsuji's Bambino!

Related
Shin Kurosagi (sequel; 10 volumes per 2011.03.30)

Adaptations
An 11-episode live-action renzoku starring Yamashita Tomohisa (Kurosaki) and Horikita Maki (Yoshikawa Tsurara) aired on TBS from April to June 2006. A movie starring the same leads premiered in Japan on 8 March 2008.

3. Blade of Immortal (Mugen no Juunin) 14 of 27+ by Samura Hiroaki

Mugen no Juunin 「無限の住人」 by Samura Hiroaki Kodansha Afternoon, seinen Volume 14 first published in Japan 2003.07

Awards
1997 Japan Media Arts Festival Excellence Prize

Other languages/serializations
English Blade of the Immortal (Dark Horse Comics: 23 volumes per 2011.02.15), French (Casterman; L'habitant de l'infini tome 25 per 2010.10); 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. Fight!! Ippo (Hajime no Ippo) 81 of 95+ by Morikawa Joji

Hajime no Ippo 「はじめの一歩」 by Morikawa Joji AKA Fighting Spirit Kodansha Weekly Shonen Magazine, shounen Volume 81 first published in Japan 2007.09

Volume 81 chapters:
Round 768: Fixing The Fight Fixer
Round 769: Heavy Money
Round 770: Open for Business
Round 771: A Casual Down
Round 772: Magic Show
Round 773: Bewitching Glove
Round 774: The Magician's True Strength
Round 775: The Arm Extends!!
Round 776: The Winner of the Dual Exchanges
Round 777: Guns and Gloves
*NOT Level chapter titles

Awards
Best Shounen Manga, 1991 Kodansha Manga Awards

Related series
Hajime no Ippo Gaiden (one-shot prequel)

Other languages
French (Kurokawa: Ippo, Saison 2: Destins de Boxeurs tome 9 per 2011.02.10 • tome 10 street date: 2011.03.10) and traditional Chinese (Tong Li Taiwan)

Adaptations
A 76-episode anime by Madhouse, starring seiyuu Kiyasu Kohei (Makunouchi Ippo), aired on NTV from October 2000 to March 2002. A sequel/special, Hajime no Ippo - Champion Road, came out in June 2003, followed by the spinoff Hajime no Ippo - Mashiba vs. Kimura OAV (2003.09). The second season Hajime no Ippo: New Challenger (26 episodes) was telecast from January to June 2009.

5. Fist of The Blue Sky (Souten no Ken) 4 of 22 by Hara Tetsuo & Buronson

Souten no Ken 「蒼天の拳」 by Hara Tetsuo & Buronson Shinchosha (Coamix) Comic Bunch seinen Volume 4 first published in Japan 2002.08

Related
Hokuto no Ken (sequel; 27 volumes)

Other languages
English (Gutsoon! Entertainment; dropped), French (Marvel Panini France; KEN - Fist of the Blue Sky tome 20 shipped 2009.10) and traditional Chinese (Tong Li Taiwan; 蒼天之拳 22 per 2010.11)

Adaptations
A 26-episode anime by Studio A.P.P.P., starring seiyuu Yamadera Kouichi (Kasumi Kenshiro), aired from October 2006 to March 2007 on TV Asahi.

6. [Series Premiere] Giant Killing 1 of 17+ by Tsunamoto Masaya & Tsujitomo

Giant Killing 「ＧＩＡＮＴ　ＫＩＬＬＩＮＧ」 by Tsunamoto Masaya & Tsujitomo Kodansha Morning, seinen Volume 1 first published in Japan 2007.04

Awards
34th Kodansha Manga Award for General Manga

Adaptations
Studio DEEN's 26-episode anime adaptation, starring seiyuu Seki Tomokazu (Tatsumi Takeshi), Okiayu Ryotaro (Murakoshi Shigeyuki), Mizushima Takahiro (Tsubaki Daisuke) and Ono Daisuke (Yoshida Luigi) aired between April and September 2010 on NHK.

7. Hikayat Genji (Asakiyumemishi) 7 of 13 by Yamato Waki

Asakiyumemishi 「あさきゆめみし」 by Yamato Waki Kodansha Mimi, shoujo Volume 7 first published in Japan 1986.12

Related
Adapted from Genji Monogatari by Murasaki Shikibu

Others languages
English (Kodansha Bilingual Comics; partial)

8. Jepang Tenggelam (Nihon Chinbotsu) 10 of 15 by Komatsu Sakyou, Ishiki Tokihiko

Nihon Chinbotsu 「日本沈没」 by Komatsu Sakyou, Ishiki Tokihiko AKA Japan Falling, Japan Sinks Shogakukan Big Comic Spirits, seinen Volume 10 (chapters 80-85) first published in Japan 2008.04

Related
Based on the award-winning disaster novel by Komatsu Sakyou, also adapted into film and live-action TV.

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