Soul Eater 4, Bloody Monday 2, Kyoko Karasuma's Case Files 5 (Level Comics 9 March 2011 manga) [UPDATED]

Edited because Elex postponed xxxHOLiC 12 to next week (16 March 2011 release)

Update2 Blog regular KiRai-san reports that she got xxxHOLiC 12 this week. Keeping it in the 3.16 post per the Elex STO 16 March 2011

Soul Eater © Ohkubo Atsushi/Square Enix [Serialized in Shonen Gangan]
Published in Indonesia by Elex Media/Level Comics

The witch Medusa connives to have the undying werewolf Free sprung from prison to test the black blood Soul has been infected with during the fight with Crona. Maka and Soul rout Free, but Maka later learns that she has been contaminated with Soul's black blood.

The above I think refers to Soul Eater chapters 10 and 11, The Experiment (Part 1) and The Experiment (Part 2), c/o Wikipedia (because Level's blurb simply translates Yen Press' Soul Eater, Volume 4 description and I don't want to transliterate back when there's no need). The other Soul Eater chapters are Ultimate Written Exam, the principal DWMA exam that Soul, Black Star and Kid fail and Maka aces, and Black Dragon (Part 1) andBlack Dragon (Part 2). (You know, right, that these are NOT Level's chapter titles?)

Bloody Monday 2 of 11 by Ryumon Ryou & Megumi Kouji

Fujimaru uncovers proof that Ms. Orihara was not in Russia during Christmas Eve. Meanwhile, Ryunosuke witnesses in horror as Professor Shikimura is gunned down before his eyes. The hitman Jack Damon later kidnaps Fujimaru's sister Haruka and Dr. Tominaga. With Tominaga's husband and a Third-i operative under his father, Fujimaru struggles to rescue Haruka. Does he succeed?

He does, but according to Level, there's a spy in the ranks because Haruka gets abducted again.

Kyoko Karasuma's Case Files 5 of 9+ by Hiroi Ohji & Kozaki Yusuke

The war between the Oni and humankind throws Japanese politics and the economy into chaos. Kano pushes through with the plan to make North-East Japan an Oni state. Why does Kano want to establish a country for Oni?

☆ Also, the finales of A Hint of Purple by Saito Chiho and The Hunting of The Snark by Miyabe Miyuki & Ohishi Hiroto (both series end at volume 3; previews after the manga list)

Level Comics manga and manhua (2011.03.09)

1. 3x3 Eyes 36 of 40 by Takada Yuzo

3×3 EYES 「３×３ＥＹＥＳ」 by Takada Yuzo Kodansha Weekly Young Magazine, seinen Volume 36 first published in Japan 2001.05

Other languages
English 3x3 Eyes (Dark Horse Comics; till volume 8), Korean (Young Movie Comics), French (Pika Édition; 40 volumes), Spanish (Planeta DeAgostini Comics; dropped), Italian (Editions Star Comics) and German 3x3 Augen (Carlsen Comics)

Awards
Best Shounen Manga, 1993 Kodansha Manga Awards

Adaptations
Two anime OAVs starring seiyuu Tsujitani Kouji (Fujii Yakumo) and Hayashibara Megumi (Ayanokouji Pai)

2. Bloody Monday 2 of 11 + Ver. 0 by Ryumon Ryou & Megumi Kouji

Bloody Monday 「ブラッディ・マンデイ」 by Ryumon Ryou & Megumi Kouji Kodansha Weekly Shonen Magazine, shounen Volume 2 first published in 2007.09

Other languages
English Bloody Monday: Season 1 (Chuang Yi: volume 8 per 2010.08 and Kodansha Comics: Bloody Monday volume 1 street date: 2011.08.23), simplified Chinese (Chuang Yi: 11 volumes, concluded), traditional Chinese 血色星期一 (Tong Li Taiwan; 11 volumes) and French (Pika Éditions: Tome 4 per 2011.03.04)

Related series
Bloody Monday Season 2 - Zetsubou no Kou (sequel, AKA Bloody Monday Season 2 ~Pandora no Hako~, seven volumes as at 2011.03.17)

Adaptations
An 11-episode live-action renzoku aired from October through December 2008 on TBS, followed by a second season, Bloody Monday Season2 ~Pandora no Hako~ (January to March 2010, nine episodes). Actor/singer Miura Haruma returned as protagonist Fujimaru Takagi/Falcon in the sequel.

3. A Hint of Purple (Honoka ni Purple) 3 of 3 by Saito Chiho [Finale]

Honoka ni Purple 「ほのかにパープル」 by Saito Chiho Shogakukan Flower Comics, shoujo Volume 3 first published in Japan 1987.04

Related series
My Knight (side story; published by Elex Media ca. 1998-1999)

4. The Hunting of The Snark (Snark Gari) 3 of 3 by Miyabe Miyuki & Ohishi Hiroto [Finale]

Snark Gari 「スナーク狩り」 by Miyabe Miyuki & Ohishi Hiroto Shinchosha Comic Bunch seinen Volume 3 first published in Japan 2009.02

Related
Based on the Snark Gari novel by Miyabe Miyuki

5. Kyoko Karasuma's Case Files (Karasuma Kyouko no Jikenbo) 5 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 5 first published in Japan 2006.12

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)

6. Miso-Com (30 Kon Miso-com) 6 of 12+ by Yonezawa Rika

30 Kon Miso-com 「３０婚　ｍｉｓｏ‐ｃｏｍ」 by Yonezawa Rika Kodansha Kiss, josei Volume 6 first published in Japan 2008.09

Other languages
Traditional Chinese (Tong Li Taiwan)

7. The Ravages of Time (Huo Feng Liao Yuan) 8 of 40+ 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 火凤燎原 (Chuang Yi: volume 40 shipped 2011.02.22) and Japanese (Media Factory 三国志群雄伝　火鳳燎原 volume 9 per 2009.12; serialized in Comic Sangokushi). The manhua is also released in Mainland China, Korea, Thailand and Vietnam.

8. Soul Eater 4 of 18+ by Ohkubo Atsushi

Soul Eater 「ソウルイーター」 by Ohkubo Atsushi Square Enix Shonen Gangan, shounen Volume 4 (chapters 10-14) first published in Japan 2005.08

Related series
First appeared as one-shots in two Gangan Powered special editions (Summer and Fall 2003) and Gangan Wing's 26 November 2003 issue. (Regular Monthly Shonen Gangan serialization commenced May 2004.)

Other languages/serializations
English Soul Eater (Yen Press: five volumes per 2011.02.22 • volume 6 street date: 2011.06.28; serialized in Yen Plus), French (Kurokawa tome 14 ships 2011.03.10), German (Carlsen Comics Band 10 street date: 2011.04.22) and traditional Chinese 噬魂者 (Sharp Point Press Taiwan)

Related series
Soul Eater Not! (side story; began serialization in Shonen Gangan 2011.01.12)

Adaptations
Manga volumes 1 to 12 adapted to anime by BONES. Fifty-one episodes starring seiyuu Omigawa Chiaki (Maka Alban) and Uchiyama Kouki (Soul Eater) aired in Japan from April 2008 to March 2009.

Square Enix bundled an audio drama, Soul Eater (Vol. 1): Special Social Studies Field Trip, with an artbook in August 2005. The drama CD featured different actors (Takeuchi Junko as Maka; Hoshi Souichirou as Soul Eater); only Kobayashi Yumiko reprised her Black☆Star role in the TV series.

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

Level Comics European comics/BDs (2011.03.09)

1. Lucky Luke - Bayangan Menara Minyak (Lucky Luke, tome 18: À l'ombre des derricks) by Morris, René Goscinny
2. Yakari - Rahasia Halilintar Kecil (Yakari, tome 6: Yakari et le secret de Petit Tonnerre) by Job, Derib

Read more »

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 »

Kyoko Karasuma's Case Files 3, A Spirit of the Sun 5, Blade of Immortal 9 (Level Comics 11 August 2010 manga)

Karasuma Kyouko no Jikenbo © Hiroi Ohji & Kozaki Yusuke
Gentosha (Serialized in Comic BIRZ)
Published in Indonesia as Kyoko Karasuma's Case Files by Elex Media/Level Comics

The uneasy treaty-mandated peace between the Oni and humanity finally shatters: Oni start attacking people even in broad daylight. With war imminent, Chief Mitamura Kanba welcomes SAS' Sugiura Miki as the linchpin of a new anti-Oni combat unit. Meanwhile, Asakusa detective Karasuma Kyoko races against time and escalating violence for the key to uncovering the origins of the monsters terrorizing Tokyo 2050.

Level summary nashi, devised the Kyoko Karasuma's Case Files 3 blurb above from the French Kyoko Karasuma, Inspecteur à Asakusa and German Kyoko Karasuma: Detective of the Asakusa Police Department tome 3 and band 3 synopses (Taifu and Carlsen Comics editions). So, for any mistakes, blame (sasuga) ore.

Still in Tokyo, but almost half a century earlier —

A Spirit of the Sun 5 of 17+ by Kawaguchi Kaiji

“This is the only chance for a new life!”

10:20AM. Tokyo is devastated by an earthquake. In 2017, beneath the submerged city submerged, a man dreams of a new future. Munakata Misao, a local government aide, thinks of a way to rebuild the nation by delving into his memories of that fateful day in 2002 when the cataclysm struck. Then, Misao was in Shibuya with girlfriend Eri, and having decided to run away with his father and little sister to escape debt collectors, Misao found himself rejoicing over the tragedy that not only destroyed the capital but also wiped out his family's debts.

Level hypes this new “Heart of Darkness” tale to kick off the Japan arc in A Spirit of the Sun volume 5.

Blade of Immortal 9 of 26+ by Samura Hiroaki

As Rin and Manji separately pursue their quarry in Blade of Immortal 9, Ibane Kensui strikes a deal with Kagehisa Anotsu. He offers the Ittō-ryū leader the Shingyoto-ryū dojo on platter — if Anotsu consents to wed Ibane's foster daughter Hisoka. [Adapted from the L'habitant de l'infini, Tome 9 description (Casterman edition), with additions from Wikipedia]

Moar blurbs after the manga and bande dessinée lists.

Level Comics manga (2010.08.11)

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

1. A Spirit of The Sun (Taiyou no Mokushiroku) 5 of 17+ by Kawaguchi Kaiji

Taiyou no Mokushiroku 「太陽の黙示録」 by Kawaguchi Kaiji Shogakukan Big Comic, seinen Volume 5 first published in Japan 2004.04

Volume 5 contains chapters:
31 15年目の贈り物
32 宗方操の未来
33 崩壊せしもの
34 地の叫び
35 二人の王
36 政治家の気概
37 ロックウェル・プラン

Awards
Best seinen/general manga, 51st Shogakukan Manga Awards (tied with Abe George and Kakizaki Masasumi's Rainbow) and Grand Prize winner for the comic category, 10th Japan Media Arts Festival.

Adaptations
Adapted into an anime special by Madhouse. Two episodes aired on 2006.09.17 and 2006.09.18 in Japan.

2. Blade of Immortal (Mugen no Juunin) 9 of 26+ by Samura Hiroaki

Mugen no Juunin 「無限の住人」 by Samura Hiroaki Kodansha Afternoon, seinen Volume 9 first published in Japan 1999.06

Awards
1997 Japan Media Arts Festival Excellence Prize recipient

Other language versions/serializations
Blade of the Immortal is published in English by Dark Horse Comics (Volume 22: Footsteps released 2010.02.03 • volume 23 street date: 2011.01.18). Published in French by Casterman (L'habitant de l'infini tome 24 released 2010.04); in Italian by Planet Manga/Panini Comics; in German and Polish by Egmont; in Portuguese by Conrad (Brazil); and in Swedish by Schibsted Förlagen Sverige AB (serialized in Manga Mania).

Adaptations
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.

3. Half an Apple (1/2 no Ringo) 3 of 14 by Koyama Yukari

1/2 no Ringo 「１／２の林檎」 by Koyama Yukari Kodansha Kiss KC, josei Volume 3 first published in Japan 2006.03

4. Hotaru's Light (Hotaru no Hikari) 10 of 15 by Hiura Satoru

Hotaru no Hikari 「ホタルノヒカリ」 by Hiura Satoru AKA It's Only Little Light in My Life Kodansha Kiss, josei Volume 10 first published in Japan in 2007.10

Adaptations
The 11th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix award-winning live-action adaptation aired between July and September 2007 on NTV. The 10-episode Glow of Fireflies drama starred Ayase Haruka (Hirose Aki, Crying out Love in the Centre of the World) as Amemiya Hotaru and Fujiki Naohito (Ikemen Sobaya Tantei) as Takano Seiichi. The pair reprise their roles in the second season that premiered July 2010 on the same network.

5. Kyoko Karasuma's Case Files (Karasuma Kyouko no Jikenbo) 3 of 8+ 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 3 first published in Japan 2005.04

Other language versions
Karasuma Kyouko no Jikenbo is published in French by Taifu Comics (tome 8 scheduled 2010.10); in German by Carlsen Comics (latest Band 8); and in Russian by Comix-ART.

6. Subaru 8 of 11 by Soda Masahito

Subaru 「昴」 by Soda Masahito Shogakukan Big Comic Spirits, seinen Volume 8 first published in Japan 2002.02

Other language versions
Published in French by Akata/Delcourt (11 of 11 volumes); 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)

Level Comics European comics (2010.08.11)

1. Lucky Luke - Hukuman Gantung (Les Aventures de Lucky Luke d'après Morris, tome 2: La Corde au cou) by Laurent Gerra, Achdé, Anne-Marie Ducasse, Morris (Dupuis, 2006)
2. Spirou - Sarang Marsupilami (Spirou et Fantasio, tome 12: Le Nid des Marsupilamis) by Franquin (Dupuis, 1960)
3. Yakari - Para Tawanan Pulau (Yakari, tome 9: Yakari et les prisonniers de l'île) Florence Mortimer, Derib, Job (Le Lombard, 1983)

Level Comics reissues (2010.08.11)

Links are NOT toggle links; they will take you to the original release posts.

1. [RE-STO] Grass Crown by Yoshimura Akemi
2. [RE-STO] Harlequin: Marriage Without Love by Penny Jordan, Shibata Ayako
3. [RE-STO] Still Dreaming by Yoshimura Akemi

¹ Sources: Elex STO 11 August 2010 (release schedule) and Komikologi (synopses, unless indicated otherwise)
² Manga are priced at IDR 18,500 each except Blade of Immortal and Subaru 8 (SRP: IDR 19,500). ROMICs are IDR 30,000 each except Spirou - Sarang Marsupilami (IDR 38,000/volume). The reissued manga retail at pre-hike prices: Grass Crown - IDR 17,000; Still Dreaming - IDR 18,000; and Harlequin: Marriage Without Love - IDR 13,800.
³ Links like this are commercial Amazon search and/or product links for other language versions.

Manga volume previews continued...

Half An Apple 3 of 14 by Koyama Yukari

“I dream of a future with you.”

With his wedding to Hikaru fast approaching, Shindo bends over backwards to book the highest sales at work; sadly, a last-minute mistake by Hikaru forbids Shindo from further client dealings. The couple asks for Natsuko's help to set the misunderstanding straight, but instead of aiding, Natsuko capitalizes on Hikaru's error to steal Shindo away.

Hotaru's Light 10 of 15 by Hiura Satoru

Hotaru returns to her old haunt with Seiichi-san insolvent. Into her dried fish despondency shines a little light: she meets the broken-hearted Kaname and finds renewed energy in a plan to reunite Kaname and Yuka. But instead of being praised for concocting the most romantic of dates for the couple, Hotaru faces censure from colleagues — and Yuka herself!

Subaru 8 of 11 by Soda Masahito

Subaru meets NYCB leading light Priscilla who escaped to watch the Sisteron ballet company perform for convicts. So impressed is she with the principal dancer that Subaru leaves her friends and follows Priscilla to New York. Priscilla initially welcomes Subaru, even inviting her to a performance, but then changes her mind and orders Subaru to go home. What could Priscilla be thinking?

Iamque opus exegi,
~niki DBA huamulan03 (花木蘭03)

disclaimer

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

other upcoming manga (11 August 2010 street date)

• Elex Media: The Ruler of Nabari 12 · Vampire Knight 3 · Beauty Honey 1 by Matsumoto Tomo · Piano Hutan 17 · Dorabase 18 · Kaiser Z 15 · Magic Peddler Roma 1 by Kurazono Norihiko · Otoboke Section Chief 5 | Shonen Star 70/2010
• m&c!: Sparkling Gingachou 10 of 10 · Bleach 32 · Bakugan Battle Brawlers 9 · Go! Hiromi Go! 2 · Ijime: The Invisible Malice by Igarashi Kaoru · Miracle Ball 10 · Sugar Family 2 · Yabuuchi Yuu Fan Book | Confucius 2

currently available manga (4 August 2010 street date)

• Elex Media: Vampire Knight 2 · Topeng Kaca Bidadari Merah 11 · Claymore 15 · Coz We're Not Children 2 of 2 · Godhand Teru 25 · Hidamari Sketch 2 · Kurozakuro 5 · Look Up! 2 · New Sexy Simpleton 6 · Summer Storm! 3 ·Yureka 17 · Shonen Magz 75/2010
• Level Comics: ARMS 18 · Happy Hello Work at Age 21 volume 3 · Hikayat Genji 3 · Jio 8 · Love & Collage 10 · Over Rev 13 · Tomo'o 10 · Yokohama Chinatown Fantasy 1 by Nishi Yuuji · Lucky Luke - Sang Hakim · Michel Vaillant - Tragedi Bercy · Smurf - Smurf Magang · Yakari - Terbang Laksana Gagak
• m&c!: Bleach 31 · ChimaChima Papetto by Hina · The Strawberry Marshmallow 6 · Triple Honey by Yamanaka Rico · Wizard in July by Tanaka Meca · Yowamushi Pedal, Go! 8 · Toutou and Friends - Ayam Panggang by Soffritti/Brrémaud/Reynès · Sejejak Harap by Gita & Rie

related monthly schedules

August 2010
Premiering The Running Bus by Sahara Mizu and Until Death Do Us Part by Takashige Hiroshi

other invaluable resources

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

Technorati tags
Level Comics · manga · josei · seinen · Blade of the Immortal · Half an Apple · Hotaru's Light · Kyoko Karasuma's Case Files (Karasuma Kyouko no Jikenbo) · A Spirit of the Sun (Taiyou no Mokushiroku) · Subaru | ROMIC (BD): Lucky Luke · Spirou et Fantasio · Yakari

Oh Butterfly Oh Flower 1 ♥, Black Lagoon 6, Rainbow 17 (Level Comics 26 May 2010 manga)

Contains   [SPOILERS!], sometimes in the form of (TV) Trope identification. Also, hearts ♥.

Chou yo Hana yo © Yoshihara Yuki/Shogakukan (First serialized in Petit Comic)
Published in Indonesia as Oh Butterfly Oh Flower by Elex Media/Level Comics
[Artwork provided by Level Comics]

Bankruptcy boots the Kuze family out of a manor complete with That Thing That Goes Doink, landing them in a plebeian soba-ya and downgrading ojou-sama Choko to Office Ladyship.

Choko's hopes for a peaceful life from here on out go down the drain (rotation otherwise unaffected by the Bad Coriolis urban myth) when she interviews for a job with a top real estate firm: her Inquisitor interviewer asks questions that transcend nosy.

What is he thinking?? Who IS this guy??

As TV Tropes reveals, he's “Say it with ♥! ‘Director Domoto ♥,’” the absolutely droolicious (need baskom/basin here) and LOLarious former baby-sitter, now turned slave-driver romantic lead of Yoshihara Yuki's Chou yo Hana yo, released in Indonesia as Oh Butterfly Oh Flower.

LMAO! attends Administrative Department Director Domoto ♥ Masayuki's shenanigans (look forward to Gundam. Snort.), but its dem “♥”s that yank out emotional investment. The pull ♥ is such that not only readers/fangirls rejoice in Level's release of this josei manga. Oh Butterfly Oh Flower editor Lenny-san admits to ^__^ grinning non-stop over her luck in being assigned this title. She recommends it as a must-have for romance comedy lovers, pointing out that Yoshihara-sensei is the best ♥ in combining these two aspects in her comics, before punctuating with: The art is beautiful!

(I agree on all points, but I still would've dearly wubbed ♥ to have been a (butter)fly on the wall during the Level To License or Not to License discussions. They must've been hilarious, given that Oh Butterfly Oh Flower's not exactly stingy on smut.)

To keep teh ‘Director Domoto ♥.’s undiluted, summaries for Black Lagoon 6, Rainbow 17, Eagle 11 of 11, and the rest of the Level manga streeting this Wednesday have been relocated to after the manga and reissues lists.

Level Comics manga (2010.05.26)

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

1. Black Lagoon 6 of 9+ by Hiroe Rei

Black Lagoon 「 ＢＬＡＣＫ　ＬＡＧＯＯＮ 」 by Hiroe Rei Shogakukan Sunday GX, seinen Volume 6 (containing chapters 38-46) first published in Japan 2006.11

OTHER LANGUAGE VERSIONS/SERIALIZATIONS
Black Lagoon is published in English by VIZ Media (volume 8 released 2009.10.13 • volume 9 street date: 2010.07.13) and Chuang Yi (latest: volume 4). The manga is translated into French by Kabuto; in Spanish by Norma Editorial; in German by Carlsen Comics; and in Polish by Waneko.

ADAPTATIONS
A 12-episode anime adaptation produced by Madhouse, starring seiyuu Toyoguchi Megumi as Revy and Namikawa Daisuke as Rock, aired in Japan from April tp June 2006. The Black Lagoon: The Second Barrage second season (episodes 13 to 24) was telecast from October through December of the same year. An OAV sequel, Black Lagoon: Roberta's Blood Trail, is expected to premiere this July 2010, with the fourth Roberta's Blood Trail Blu-ray Disc scheduled for release in December 2010.

RELATED
Black Lagoon light novel by Urobuchi Gen (Shogakukan Gagaga Bunko, 2008.07.18)

2. Chocolat 3 of 7 by Kubonouchi Eisaku

Chocolat 「 ショコラ 」 by Kubonouchi Eisaku Shogakukan Big Comic Spirits, seinen Volume 3 (containing 11 chapters/stories) first published in Japan 2000.12

ADAPTATIONS
A live-action adaptation aired in Japan from May to July 2003, starring Otsuka Chihiro, Natsuyagi Isao, Takahashi Kazuya, and Ishii Teruyuki.

3. Eagle 11 of 11 by Kawaguchi Kaiji [Finale]

Eagle 「 イーグル 」 by Kawaguchi Kaiji Shogakukan Big Comic, seinen Volume 11 (containing chapters 82-89)first published in Japan 2001.04

AWARDS
Eagle: The Making of an Asian-American President was nominated for five Eisner Awards (The Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards), including Best New Series, Best Continuing Series, Best Writer/Artist, Best U.S. Edition of Foreign Material (2001 and 2002)

OTHER LANGUAGE VERSIONS/SERIALIZATIONS
Eagle: The Making of an Asian-American President was published in English by VIZ Media (five volumes, complete); in French by J'ai Lu (discontinued after 8 volumes) and Casterman; and in German by EMA.

4. Kyoko Karasuma's Case Files (Karasuma Kyouko no Jikenbo) 2 of 8+ by Hiroi Ouji and Kozaki Yusuke

Karasuma Kyouko no Jikenbo 「 烏丸響子の事件簿 」 by Hiroi Ouji and Kozaki Yusuke AKA Kyoko Karasuma - Detective of the Asakusa Police Department Gentosha Comic BIRZ, seinen Volume 2 first published in Japan 2004.08

OTHER LANGUAGE VERSIONS/SERIALIZATIONS
Karasuma Kyouko no Jikenbo is published in German by Carlsen Comics and in Russian by Comix-ART.

5. Master Of Sea (Waga Na wa Umishi Master Of Sea) 14 of 15 by Takemura Yuji and Komori Yoichi

Waga Na wa Umishi Master Of Sea 「 我が名は海師−ＭａｓｔｅｒＯｆＳｅａ 」 by Takemura Yuji and Komori Yoichi Shogakukan Big Comics Spirits, seinen Volume 14 (containing chapters 129-138) first published in Japan 2008.02

6. [Premiere] Oh Butterfly Oh Flower (Chou yo Hana yo) 1 of 8 by Yoshihara Yuki

Chou yo Hana yo 「 蝶よ花よ 」 by Yoshihara Yuki Shogakukan Petit Comic, josei Volume 1 first published in Japan 2006.02

OTHER LANGUAGE VERSIONS/SERIALIZATIONS
Butterflies, Flowers is published in English VIZ Media (volume 2 released 2010.04.06 • volume 3 street date: 2010.06.01). The manga is translated into French by Soleil and in traditional Chinese by Tong Li (Taiwan).

Volume 1 contains chapters:

1. Even If It Breaks, It'll End
2. Candy and Whip and Caramel
3. Secret Secretary
4. Love Sickness
5. 108

*Chapter titles from Serenus-Dreamers' scanlation

7. Rainbow 17 of 22 by Abe George and Kakizaki Masasumi

Rainbow - Nisha Rokubō no Shichinin 「 ＲＡＩＮＢＯＷ　二舎六房の七人 」 by Abe George and Kakizaki Masasumi Shogakukan Big Comic Spirits (originally in Young Sunday before the magazine folded), seinen Volume 17 first published in Japan 2007.06

AWARDS
Won the 51st Shogakukan Manga Award for the Seinen/General category (tied with A Spirit of the Sun by Kawaguchi Kaiji)

OTHER LANGUAGE VERSIONS/SERIALIZATIONS
Rainbow - Nisha Rokubō no Shichinin is published in French by Editions Kabuto and in traditional Chinese by Tong Li (Taiwan).

ADAPTATIONS
A 13-episode anime adaptation by Madhouse premiered in Japan on NTV in April 2010 (latest episode 8 Freedom aired 2010.05.25). Oguri Shun stars as Minakami Mario (his first broadcast anime lead role), with actor Koyama Rikiya as Sakuragi Rokurouta (An-chan), seiyuu Park Romi as Maeda Noboru (Suppon/Turtle), Fujiwara Keiji as Nomoto Ryuuji (Baremoto), Waki Tomohiro as Matsuura Mansaku (Cabbage), Kuroda Takaya as Tooyama Tadayoshi (Heitai/Army Corps or Soldier), Hasome Tatsuya as Yokosuka Jou (Joe), Kanjiya Shihori as Setsuko, and Hayashibara Megumi as the Narrator.

Level Comics reissues (2010.05.26)

1. [RE-STO] Harlequin: The Case of Mesmerizing Boss by Diana Palmer
2. [RE-STO] Harlequin: Free Spirit by Penny Jordan
3. [RE-STO] Harlequin: On The Way Wedding by Inggrid Weaver

NOTE
(1) Sources: Elex Media 26 May 2010 release schedule and Komikologi (synopses, except where noted)
(2) All listed manga are priced at IDR 17,000 each, except the reissued Harlequin manga: The Case of Mesmerizing Boss and On The Way Wedding (SRP: IDR 11,000) and Free Spirit (IDR 12,000)
(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

Black Lagoon 6 of 9+

Rock and Revy! UST (if not DAL), please!*

The Black Lagoon crew members return to home base Roanapur for some needed R&R, but rest, never mind recreation**, proves elusive as they are contracted to protect counterfeiter Greenback Jane from the mafia she has rubbed the wrong way. With minimal weaponry at their disposal, can the Lagoon Company clear this latest mission?

(And get paid. That's the important thing. Especially if you follow Revy's guns + money = the world's a great place formula for happiness.)

Volume 6 contains chapters 38-43, Greenback Jane Parts 1-6 of 6, and 44-46, El Baile de la muerte Parts 1-3 (to be continued).

NIK SEZ...
*Yes, I know the lock 'n load action's supposed to be the draw in Black Lagoon and the Greenback Jane arc has this in (The Siege) spades. (If you want more of what TV Tropes calls bullet spam, check out the Black Lagoon: Roberta's Blood Trail OAV premiering in July.) But albeit coming to this OTP late, I still want my Rock x Revy! Or should that be Revy x Rock? Either way, as TV Tropes (again) sez, the girlfriend part isn't confirmed yet, but the [UST] hints are there on both sides.

**Yes, I know, The Sequel: R&R is really Rest and Rehabilitation, but give me some artistic license here. In any case, more people think it stands for rest and relaxation (if not recreation).

Chocolat 3 of 7

After her debtor father is thrown into jail, Tatsumi Chiyoko lodges with past mobster/present legit pâtisserie owner Omugi Matsukichi and meets parolees like Katou Ichigo (now a baker) on a regular basis.

Level's blurb for Chocolat 3 is from the viewpoint of —

The name's Kurio. I'm a fighter and a lady-killer. My battle with the Inamushi group landed me in hospital, but I'm good now. When I returned home after a long absence, I found Ichigo and Chiyoko acting weird. What's up with them?

Volume 3 contains 11 chapters/stories (translate the titles on your own, please):

1. それって寂しくない？
2. 寂しいわけないでしょ!!
3. 強がり言っちゃダメ！
4. 強がってないわよ!!
5. じゃあ、なんで泣いてるの？
6. アタシにもよくわかんない...
7. わかんない事だらけだよな...
8. でもひとつわかったことがあるの。
9. 何がわかったんだよ？
10. 人は簡単に変われないって...
11. 人ほど不確かなものはねぇ。

EAGLE 11 OF 11 [Finale]

Kenneth and Grant's bid for the U.S. presidency reaches its peak with the televised presidential debate. Despite Grant using up his trump cards to sway the war of words-watching electorate, Kenneth emerges the victor. Does this mean that the U.S. will have its first Asian-American president?

Meanwhile, journalist Takashi uncovers conclusive evidence of his mother's murder and sets out to entrap the killer who also threatens Takashi's life.

Whodunit? Who is the murderer? Find out in the Eagle series finale.

Volume 11 contains chapters:

• 82 首都の闇
• 83 最終遊説地
• 84 賭け
• 85 ３の動機
• 86 虚栄の果て
• 87 富子
• 88 富子（２）
• 89 話（最終話）
• 父と子

Kyoko Karasuma's Case Files 2 of 8+

The truth about monsters, a secret the police have concealed all this time, is blown wide open: the demons begin appearing and preying upon humans, apparently in retaliation against those who have failed to honor a century-old contract.

At the same time, Kyoko's memory of her true self starts to return.

What does the contract between the monsters and humans entail? Does this signal the start of a war? Who is Karasuma Kyoko? Lenny-san sez if you like the Blood+ anime, you'll definitely love the similarly dark Kyoko Karasuma's Case Files. Though the Asakusa PD paranormal detective's story reportedly doesn't spurt as much blood as, say, Hellsing, there's still enough Oni, Tengu and assorted monster fiends from Asian myths and legends to please Eastern supernatural buffs.

Master Of Sea 14 of 15

Rintaro's joint salvage with Eguchi successfully refloats the grounded construction ship and brings good fortune to Nanba Salvage. Eguchi recommends Nanba Salvage to oil and gas company Ocean Oil, currently locked in competition with Ginga Oil and its marine salvage partner. Can Rintaro's company take on SMATT, unarguably the world's most formidable salvors and their unblemished rescue record?

The penultimate Master Of Sea contains chapters:

• 129 総力戦の結末
• 130 最強の敵、日本上陸
• 131 やりたい仕事（ヤマ）
• 132 過去の因縁と新たな因縁
• 133 鬼教官の恩人
• 134 弱小の強み
• 135 小さな勇者
• 136 女も度胸
• 137 改めて知った醍醐味
• 138 百獣の王の本気

Rainbow 17 of 22

Ruriko lucks into information about the group manipulating Setsuko's husband Yasuro, enabling Baremoto to draft a plan to halt Yasuro's further dealings with the criminals by stopping the contract signing. But the scheme excluding Mario and Serdadu (Heitai) fails and Baremoto, Penyu (Suppon), Kubis (Cabbage), and Joe are captured. Harry and his boss are thus free to pressure Yasuro to push through with the contract.

Volume 17 contains chapters:

• 172 Rock bottom
• 173 Super heroes
• 174 Trigger
• 175 Under the ice
• 176 Valley of the Kings
• 177 White evil
• 178 Xerces
• 179 You are the fire
• 180 Zero signal
• 181 Atomic
• 182 Bringing back the balls to rock

~niki DBA huamulan03 (花木蘭03) who huggles Lenny-san and thanks her for the artwork and summaries

P.S. And since she brought up Darling wa Namamono ni Tsuki in conjunction with Oh Butterfly Oh Flower, now expecting to see that other Yoshihara Yuki manga among Level's new licenses list.

UP NEXT: More 26 May 2010 manga

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

disclaimer

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

manga currently available (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
• Level Comics: AirGear 11 · Bambino 3 · Blade of Immortal 7 · Dolls of God 1 by Yamamura Hajime · Gun Smith Cats 5 · Historie 1 by Iwaaki Hitoshi · Nurse Aoi 12 · Shattered Knife 3
• 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

other next 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

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)

APR-10

other invaluable resources

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

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