Erementar Gerad 3, Gamaran 2, Namida Usagi 5 (m&c! 4 January 2012 manga) [UPDATED]

Update: Eyecandy, anyone?

Namida Usagi ~Seifuku no Kataomoi~ © Minase Ai/Shogakukan
[Serialized in Sho-Comi]
Published in Indonesia as Namida Usagi ~Tears of First Love~ by Gramedia/m&c!

Narumi confesses to Momoka, relieving Momoka of her unrequited love. But does this mean they're officially a couple? Despite saying he loves her, Narumi doesn't ask Momoka to be his girlfriend. Is he just leading her on? What's worse, Moa reappears begging, "Don't take Taka away from me..."

I really feel like booting Moa eternally from the scene and hoping that Narumi makes Momoka happy from here on out. But looking at the bewildered Momoka on the back cover (left)—and mindful that Namida Usagi has released eight volumes in Japan, with the ninth on the way (2012.02.24 street date)—we still have some ways to go before a definitive Happy Even After :P

Now for the top DO WANT!

Erementar Gerad vol 3 of 18
By Azuma Mayumi

To protect Ren, Arc Aile decides to spirit her back to its more easily defensible HQ, but Ren has other ideas. She pleads to be set free to reach Edel Garden. Why does Ren want to go there so badly?

Gamaran vol 2 of 13+
By Nakamaru Yosuke

The daimyou's 31 sons jostle for a shot at succeeding their father and ruling Unabara: the champions they field in Unabara's tournament of attrition will determine who will ascend to power.

Kurogane Gama, representing Washitzu Naoyoshi, faces Ten'gen fighters, masters in Naginata jutsu. He manages to subdue Ren'Ge, but can he withstand the true power of Baian Maki, Ten'gen's head honcho?

Thirteen Gamaran tankou have been compiled in Japan as of November 2011. Volume 14 is scheduled for a 17 January 2012 release.

New m&c! titles
Two Cherry mangazine series graduate to tankou: Always by Your Side (Itsumo Soba ni Koi no Uta) by Nakamura Sayumi and I Love Dog and You (Inu Jikan) by Ichikawa Show. I preview the shoujo manga pair, one ex-ChuChu and the other originally serialized in Sho-Comi, below the release list.

[RE-STO] Restocked - Individual volumes and Reprints
For those still looking to complete their collections, m&c! restocks Bleach volume 1 through 40. The latest m&c! volume, however, is Volume 44: Vice It, released November 2011. Still, this restock covers four-plus years-worth of Bleach manga in Indonesia :)

m&c! also reprints "Bestseller" one-shot tankou from Fujita Nimi, Usami Tae, Yagami Chitose, Ono Eriko and Seino Shizuru. List and snap synops below.

m&c! manga (2012.01.04)

1. [Premiere] Always by Your Side (Itsumo Soba ni Koi no Uta) by Nakamura Sayumi

Itsumo Soba ni Koi no Uta 「いつもそばに恋のうた」 by Nakamura Sayumi Shogakukan Chuchu, shoujo This volume first published in Japan 2010.04

Serializations
Serialized in Cherry

2. Erementar Gerad vol 3 of 18 by Azuma Mayumi

Erementar Gerad 「ＥＲＥＭＥＮＴＡＲ　ＧＥＲＡＤ」 by Azuma Mayumi Mag Garden Comic Blade, shounen Volume 3 first published in Japan 2003.03

Other languages
English Elemental Gelade (TOKYOPOP: 12 Volumes per 2010.08; dropped), French (Kami), Spanish (Editorial Ivréa), Italian (Star Comics), German (Carlsen Comics: Band 17 street date: 2012.01.30), traditional Chinese (Tong Li Taiwan: 武器種族傳說 18 per 2010), Vietnamese (as Truyền Nhân Yuruki)

Related series
Spin-off: EG: Aozora no Senki (ongoing, volume 6 per 2010.03)

Adaptations
XEBEC's 26-episode anime adaptation aired between April and September 2005 on TV Tokyo, with seiyuu Ishida Akira as Coud Van Giruet and Takahashi Mikako as Reverie Metherlence

Light novels: Mag Garden has also published light novels written by Asaka Shou and illustrated by Azuma Mayumi

Drama CDs: Three drama CDs featuring actors different from the anime's were released by Frontier Works between October 2003 and August 2005. One drama CD featuring anime seiyuu was released by Victor Entertainment.

3. Gamaran vol 2 of 13+ by Nakamaru Yosuke

Gamaran 「我間乱～ＧＡＭＡＲＡＮ～」 by Nakamaru Yosuke Kodansha Weekly Shonen Magazine, shounen Volume 2 first published in Japan 2009.10

4. [Premiere] I Love Dog and You (Inu Jikan) by Ichikawa Show

Inu Jikan 「犬じかん」 by Ichikawa Show Shogakukan Sho-Comi, shoujo This volume first published in Japan 2008.10

Serializations
Serialized in Cherry

5. Namida Usagi ~Tears of First Love~ (Namida Usagi ~Seifuku no Kataomoi~) vol 5 of 8+ by Minase Ai

Namida Usagi ~Seifuku no Kataomoi~ 「なみだうさぎ～制服の片想い～」 by Minase Ai Shogakukan Sho-Comi, shoujo Volume 5 (Story 24–29) first published in Japan 2011.01

6. Next to You (Tonari no Atashi) vol 4 of 8+ by Namba Atsuko

Tonari no Atashi 「隣のあたし」 by Namba Atsuko Kodansha Betsufure, shoujo Volume 4 first published in Japan 2010.05

Best-seller Reprints (2012.01.04)

1. Cokelat & Mint (Choco to Mint to) by Fujita Nimi

Choco to Mint to 「チョコとミントと」 by Fujita Nimi Shogakukan Chuchu, shoujo This volume first published in Japan 2006.12 (m&c! premiere: September 2007)

2. A Heart for Money (Otome no Heart mo Kinshidai) by Usami Tae

Otome no Heart mo Kinshidai 「オトメのハートも金しだい」 by Usami Tae Shogakukan Chuchu, shoujo This volume first published in Japan 2006.11

3. Kurumitic Miracle by Yagami Chitose

Kurumitic Miracle 「くるみちっく☆ミラクル」 by Yagami Chitose Shogakukan Ciao, shoujo This volume first published in Japan 2003.06

4. Miiko Zaman Edo by Ono Eriko
5. Suki Suki Darling by Seino Shizuru

Suki Suki Darling 「スキスキ・ダーリン」 by Seino Shizuru Kodansha Betsufure, shoujo This volume first published in Japan 1998.04

Contains:
Chocolate Lover
Sakura: The Fire Heroine!
Sakura: Returns!
Sakura: The Final Battle!

6. To Get Him in 10 Days (Koi wa, Hitotsu Yane no Shita de...) by Usami Tae

Koi wa, Hitotsu Yane no Shita de... 「恋は、ひとつ屋根の下で...」 by Usami Tae Shogakukan Chuchu, shoujo This volume first published in Japan 2007.03

m&c! manhwa (2012.01.04)

1. Crab Kiss vol 10 of 10 by Hwang MiRee [Finale]

Crab Kiss 「Crab Kiss 크랩키스」 by Hwang MiRee Samyang (Kkonnim), soonjung Volume 10 first published in Korea 2006.02

2. Idol's Love Story (Idol School of Noble's Story) vol 10 of 15 by Han YuRang

Idol School of Noble's Story 「IDOL SCHOOL OF 귀족연애사」 by Han YuRang Samyang, soonjung Volume 10 first published in Korea 2006.10

3. Secret vol 9 of 10 by Han YuRang

Secret 「비밀 SECRET」 by Han YuRang Samyang (Kkonnim) soonjung Volume 9 first published in Korea 2006.08

Hong Kong manhua (2012.01.04)

• Long Hu Men - The Next Battle vol 4: "Rumput Liur Naga" by Tony Wong

Long Hu Men - The Next Battle by Tony Wong Jade Dynasty

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

Read more »

Namida Usagi 4, Love Button 4, My Clumsy Boy 1 and 2 by Kumaoka Fuyu (m&c! 22 September 2011 manga) [UPDATED]

Will replace with m&c! artwork when I luck on a big enuf cover. » Done but Moa remains on the cover of NamiUsa :P

Namida Usagi ~Seifuku no Kataomoi~ © Minase Ai/Shogakukan [Serialized in Sho-Comi]
Published in Indonesia as Namida Usagi ~Tears of First Love~ by Gramedia/m&c!

I don't remember this Namida Usagi cover girl—Narumi's girlfriend?—but whoever she is, she and her Innocence Not! don't figure in m&c!'s volume 4 preview:

Knowing that her love is destined for nowhere, Momoka tells Narumi that she wants to stop being his friend. Narumi's answer: he kisses her and then asks her to meet him the next day. Confession?? But when Momoka keeps their appointment, who should be waiting for her but...Amano.

Momoka ping-ponging between Narumi and Amano looks to continue, what with Namida Usagi ~Seifuku no Kataomoi~ logging eight volumes by 26 October, with no indications of wrapping up. (If you know otherwise, do leave a comment ^^)

‘Kiss’ also seems to be The Word in the other m&c! DO WANT!

Love Button 4 of 6+ by Usami Maki

Niina is shaken after hearing that Koga-kun once kissed his cousin Mirei, even though he claims it was a kiss without feelings. And as if challenging her to spot the difference, Koga-kun kisses Niina. But in her confusion, she scampers away and ever since that precipitous (cowardly) escape — Niina can't quit thinking about the kiss. What did Koga-kun mean?

Your mileage may vary, but that preview above is NOT guaranteed to make me give Love Button another chance, Usami Maki manga or no. :P I ab-so-lute-ly can't stand Niina, and Koga-kun doesn't endear himself to me either. (I'm with the Kisses are always significant camp.)

Kokoro · Button's latest release in Japan is volume 6, scheduled to street this 26 September. Can anyone confirm that this isn't the last tankou? (Amazon Japan has no synopsis.) Thanks~

New m&c! manga

One one-shot tankou ASSASSINS by Satogane Shou, a new ice hockey series, Eighty Eight by Namiki Hiromi, and the double-launch of My Clumsy Boy by Kumaoka Fuyu. Featuring ASSASSINS Above the Cut, so look for the other debuts below the release list.

ASSASSINS
© Satogane Shou
Mag Garden
[Blade Comics]

How does it feel to be held captive by a city closed off from contact, and the only way out is to fight to the death for egress?

Crack shot Asakura is trapped along with female assassin Sahara and several other hardened killers. Who among them will succeed in escaping? Also, who is behind the deadly confinement?

Other Satogane Shou manga
I'm pretty sure ASSASSINS is the first Satogane Shou manga to be licensed in Indonesia. I mean, can anyone tell me if Death God4, first serialized in Mag Garden's Comic Blade Masamune and collected into two tankou between May and November 2007 ever released here? Same question for the ex-Comic Blade Avarus shoujo manga Noble Savage (two volumes released in Japan in 2010.03 and 2010.10).

Definitely Dainashi, still ongoing Comic Avarus serialization hasn't registered yet on the radar, and it's still racking up tankou (volume 1 released 2011.02 in Japan, volume 2 by 2011.09.15).

m&c! manga (2011.09.22)

1. [Premiere] ASSASSINS by Satogane Shou

ASSASSINS 「ＡＳＳＡＳＳＩＮＳ」 by Satogane Shou Mag Garden Blade Comics, shounen First published in Japan 2006.02

2. [Series Premiere] Eighty Eight (88 Eighty Eight) 1 of 4+ by Namiki Hiromi

88 Eighty Eight 「８８　エイティエイト」 by Namiki Hiromi Kodansha Monthly Shonen Magazine, shounen Volume 1 first published in Japan 2009.09

3. Love Button (Kokoro · Button) 4 of 6+ by Usami Maki

Kokoro · Button 「ココロ・ボタン」 by Usami Maki Shogakukan Betsucomi, shoujo Volume 4 first published in Japan 2010.12

4. Love, Romance and the World (Orera Kourin! ~Ai toka, Koi toka, Sekai toka~) 2 of 3 by Sugiyama Miwako

Orera Kourin! 「オレら降臨！」 by Sugiyama Miwako Shogakukan ChuChu, shoujo Volume 2 first published in Japan 2009.10

5. [Series Premiere] My Clumsy Boy (My Hero!) 1 of 2 by Kumaoka Fuyu

My Hero! 「マイヒーロー！」 by Kumaoka Fuyu Kodansha Betsufure, shoujo Volume 1 first published in Japan 2009.12

6. [Premiere] My Clumsy Boy (My Hero!) 2 of 2 by Kumaoka Fuyu [Finale]

Volume 2 first published in Japan 2010.04

7. Namida Usagi ~Tears of First Love~ (Namida Usagi ~Seifuku no Kataomoi~) 4 of 8+ by Minase Ai

Namida Usagi ~Seifuku no Kataomoi~ 「なみだうさぎ～制服の片想い～」 by Minase Ai Shogakukan Sho-Comi, shoujo Volume 4 (Story 18-23) first published in Japan 2010.09

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

Hong Kong manhua (2011.09.22)

• Long Hu Men - Next Level 7: Naga Emas Mahkota Darah by Tony Wong (Jade Dynasty)

Read more »

Shanaou Yoshitsune Genpei War 15, Seiyuu-Ka! Lovely Voice 3, Kitchen Palette 1 by Takada Rie (m&c! 15 August 2011 manga) [UPDATED]

Another Hella Long NikBabble™ Version :D

Yup, you read that right. "Takada Rie." "m&c!" Also, "Takada Rie." "Hakusensha." (Not writing for Shogakukan nor licensed by 3L this time.)

Shanaou Yoshitsune: Genpei no Kassen © Sawada Hirofumi
Kodansha [Serialized in Monthly Shonen Magazine]
Published in Indonesia as Shanaou Yoshitsune Genpei War by Gramedia/m&c!

Heike leaves the capital and commences counterattack. Yoshinaka, however, forces Houou to issue an order to subdue Yoritomo, which firms up Yoritomo's resolve. Yoshitsune's war to become the supreme shadow commander begins!

The moar I wiki Genpei War and the historical belligerents involved (mentioned in m&c!'s blurb — the Taira and Minamoto clans, Yoshinaka, Yoritomo and of course, Yoshitsune), the moar I want to start Sawada Hirofumi's Shanaou Yoshitsune Genpei War, regardless that I naw have 15 volumes and 22 prequel tankou to catch up on.

Namida Usagi ~Tears of First Love~ 3 of 7+ by Minase Ai

Narumi already has a girlfriend?? Momoka heartbreak! Momoka makes up her mind to treat Narumi “only as friend” so she can remain by his side. Her decision, however, brings her even more pain, prompting Narumi's best buddy Amano to embrace the tearful Momoka, saying, “If it hurts that much, become my girlfriend instead...”

Niki sez.... This is a 7.5 of 10 ♡. I am lurvin' Amano, not only as the cover of the third Namida Usagi ~Tears of First Love~ but also because despite   [SPOILER!] Narumi finally admitting that he likes Momoka, he thoroughly irritates. Narumi better redeem himself in the next Namida Usagi, or... (I start shipping Momoka with Amano.)

Btw, if you want to follow Minase Ai-sensei, here's her twitter account. (Got that off volume 3's quarter-column free talks ^^v)

New m&c! titles

Four series premiere: Takada Rie's not quite Bambino! josei manga Kitchen Palette, Sugiyama Miwako's Love, Romance and the World (the love-triangled heroine of which looks like a grade-schooler >,<) and My Dearest Pochi that tweep MayzMeow-san speculates might turn out as angsty as Tachibana Yutaka's other shoujo offerings. (She might've been alluding to Kana, Kamo AKA Love Me, Love Me Not as a model.) The lone soonjung manhwa n00b is Moon Fighters that I ab-so-lute-ly hated when I tried it out as Moon Boy (would've preferred that m&c! liberated the latest Chiro instead :P).

These standalones also debut — (the disappointing) Perfect Boy Falls in Love by Shiumi Saki and Love at Sakura Dormitory by Morita Yuki that actually surprised me for being so 6 of 10 yummy, its Ciao creds notwithstanding.

You also have to include the Ramadhan/Idul Fitri-apropos Real Masjid local comic among the debuts.

I preview newbies—except Kitchen Palette—Below the Cut. (I even snap review some of them, if that's an incentive to scroll down.)

Kitchen Palette ~Komugi no
Ren'ai Fuumi Shuugyou Shitate~
© Takada Rie
Hakusensha [Silky]
Published in Indonesia as
Kitchen Palette ~Komugi's
Love Flavor in Training
by Gramedia/m&c!

Big Eater Komugi isn't satisfied with scarfing the entire L'aurora Italian restaurant, she wants to apprentice as a chef there, too. After much groveling, Komugi prevails on owner Tetsuri to let her work the kitchen. Chef Tetsuri's condition: that the rich brat survives on the salary he gives her, a pittance in her eyes.

Komugi's days of grumbling tummy and constant scolding — start-OH!

Nik sez.... In the initial flush after finishing the four chapters (piatti) that comprise Kitchen Palette ~Komugi's Love Flavor in Training 1, I gave it an 8.5 of 10. (It kept me company in traffic and made the Jakarta congestion bearable desu kara.) I later revised that Too High! rating to 7.5. The downgrade, however, does not detract from Enjoyable. It remains so, but Komugi—and the sharp-tongued Tetsuri—will have to pull out the romance big guns if I am to up later Kitchen Palette grades.

Other Takada Rie manga: Takada Rie is prolly not unknown among Indonesian shoujo (and josei) fans. 3L or Tiga Lancar Comic is actually built on Takada Rie's Ex-delinquent × Naive Female Lead Heart. 3L went on to license Hadashi no Aitsu, Manatsu, Wild Act, Happy Hustle High, A Hard Trainer, Love Get You, Love Tripper, Punch!!, To Be the Lady on Top AND most recently — Doctor's Love (Oshiri Ai - Shinsatsu chuu -) and its prequel Couple Who Love Buttocks (Futari wa Oshiri Ai) that finished its Indonesian run last May.

Unless its license lapses, 3L will definitely publish the third Oshiri Ai - Shinsatsu chuu - (Japan street date: 2011.09.09). But I hope m&c! follows up Kitchen Palette soon with the ongoing Calligraphy! troped Ippitsu Nyuukon!, also a Hakusensha HLC Silky series (volume 1 published in Japan last 5 July). It remains to be seen which company snaps up supernatural fantasy Gaba Kawa (Japan release: 2006.07; VIZ Media's Shojo Beat Gaba Kawa per 2008.11) —has anyone?—and the Transfer student/Soccer Trouble Kick (JP: 2004.03). I don't know who, if any, licensed the Age Gap, Orphan Dandan Aishite first published in Japan 1993.04 (rereleased as the Flower Comics Deluxe DANDAN Aishite in 2003.05) and sequel Dandan Dakishimete (JP: 1994.05).

m&c! manga (2011.08.15)

1. Flower of Queen (Jouou no Hana) 2 of 4+ by Izumi Kaneyoshi

Joou no Hana 「女王の花」 by Izumi Kaneyoshi Shogakukan Betsucomi, shoujo Volume 2 first published in Japan 2010.07

2. [Series Premiere] Kitchen Palette (Kitchen Palette ~Komugi no Renai Fuumi Shuugyou Shitate~) 1 of 3 by Takada Rie

Kitchen Palette ~Komugi no Renai Fuumi Shuugyou Shitate~ 「キッチンパレット～小麦の恋愛風味修行仕立て～」 by Takada Rie Hakusensha Silky, josei Volume 1 first published in Japan 2010.01

3. Kumpulan Cerita Terbaik Miiko 4 (Miiko Selection ~Bakushouhen~) by Ono Eriko

Miiko Selection ~Bakushouhen~ 「みい子セレクション～爆笑～」 by Ono Eriko Shogakukan Ciao Comics, shoujo First published in Japan 2009.10

Related
Miiko Selection ~Ono Eriko Best 10 Hen~ (JP release: 2004.07), Miiko Selection ~Blue~ (JP: 2005.08) and Miiko Selection ~Love~ (JP: 2006.09) AKA Kumpulan Cerita Terbaik Miiko 1-3
Miiko Desu! (four of four volumes; released in Indonesia as Namaku Miiko!) and Kocchi Muite! Miiko (23 volumes as at 2011.03 [JP]; Hai, Miiko! 23 per 2011.06)

4. [Premiere] Love at Sakura Dormitory (Sakura Kanzume) by Morita Yuki

Sakura Kanzume 「さくらかんづめ」 by Morita Yuki Shogakukan Ciao, shoujo First published in Japan 2010.04

5. [Series Premiere] Love, Romance and the World (Orera Kourin!) 1 of 3 by Sugiyama Miwako

Orera Kourin! 「オレら降臨！」 by Sugiyama Miwako Shogakukan ChuChu, shoujo Volume 1 first published in Japan 2009.07

6. [Series Premiere] My Dearest Pochi (Uchi no Pochi no Iukoto niwa) 1 of 3+ by Tachibana Yutaka

Uchi no Pochi no Iukoto niwa 「うちのポチの言うことには」 by Tachibana Yutaka Hakusensha LaLa DX, shoujo Volume 1 first published in Japan 2010.01

7. Namida Usagi ~Tears of First Love~ (Namida Usagi ~Seifuku no Kataomoi~) 3 of 7+ by Minase Ai

Namida Usagi ~Seifuku no Kataomoi~ 「なみだうさぎ～制服の片想い～」 by Minase Ai Shogakukan Sho-Comi, shoujo Volume 3 first published in Japan 2010.06

8. [Premiere] Perfect Boy Falls in Love (Koi ni Ochita Kanpeki-kun) by Shiumi Saki

Koi ni Ochita Kanpeki-kun 「恋に落ちた完璧くん」 by Shiumi Saki AKA Perfect Boy Fell in love Shogakukan Sho-Comi, shoujo First published in Japan 2010.10

9. Pudding in Love (Koi suru Purin!) 3 of 5 by Shinozuka Hiromu

Koi suru Purin! 「恋するプリン！」 by Shinozuka Hiromu Shogakukan Ciao, shoujo Volume 3 first published in Japan 2007.06

Serializations
Serialized in the Indonesian Cherry (concluded)

10. Seiyuu-Ka! Lovely Voice (Seiyuu-Ka!) 3 of 7+ by Minami Maki

Seiyuu-ka! 「声優かっ！」 by Minami Maki Hakusensha Hana to Yume, shoujo Volume 3 first published in Japan 2010.07

11. Shanaou Yoshitsune Genpei War (Shanaou Yoshitsune: Genpei no Kassen) 15 of 16+ by Sawada Hirofumi

Shanaou Yoshitsune: Genpei no Kassen 「遮那王　義経　源平の合戦」 by Sawada Hirofumi Kodansha Monthly Shonen Magazine, shounen Volume 15 first published in Japan 2011.05

Related series
Shanaou Yoshitsune (prequel, 22 of 22 volumes)

m&c! manhwa (2011.08.15)

1. [Series Premiere] Moon Fighters (Wolyoil Sonyeon) 1 of 9 by Lee YoungYou

Wolyoil Sonyeon 「月요일 소년(월요일 소년)」 by Lee YoungYou Haksan Party, soonjung Volume 1 first published in Korea 2005.05

Other languages
English Moon Boy (Ice Kunion: three volumes, absorbed by Yen Press: published all nine volumes), French (Editions Clair de Lune: Le Garçon de la lune Tome 9 per 2011.05), Japanese (Enterbrain: Getsuyoubi Shounen volume 2 per 2010.03)

2. Vanilla Frosting 2 of 2 by Romo [Finale]

Vanilla Frosting 「바닐라 프로스팅」 by Romo Haksan, soonjung Volume 2 first published in Korea 2010.07

Hong Kong manhua (2011.08.15)

1. The Impeccable Twins Final Chapters 19 of 20: Dalang Iblis (bagian kedelapan) by Khu Lung/Cai Jing Dong (Culture Com)
2. Pedang Maha Dewa 4 Amazing Weapons - The Lost Blade 3 by Tony Wong (Jade Dynasty)

KOLONI local comics (2011.08.15)

• [Premiere] Real Masjid

Read more »

Electric Daisy 8, Namida Usagi 2, Idol Shopping 10 (m&c! 20 July 2011 manga and manhwa) [UPDATED]

Update: Tweaked here and there because I can :D

Kurosaki! Narumi! SeRyun?! (Yeah, I prefer Hwang SeRyun over Seo GaYoon :P)

Dengeki Daisy © Motomi Kyousuke/Shogakukan [Serialized in Betsucomi]
Published in Indonesia as Electric Daisy by Gramedia/m&c!

Teru emails Kurosaki, telling him to get lost. Kurosaki complies, but not before leaving Teru a message admitting that he killed Souichirou. Disbelieving, Teru pleads to hear about Kurosaki's "sin."

So in the latest Electric Daisy, we're finally treated to Kurosaki's backstory: why he became a hacker and the real deal behind Teru's brother's so-called murder. This particular volume is also responsible for (at least in Japan, 7net tells me) Dengeki Daisy sales topping a million copies. (100 (hyaku)-man = one million, ne?) Wonder how many m&c! has sold?

Going by the Japanese blurb again, this tank apparently includes the previously unreleased one-shot, Akira & Kurosaki Love-Love Shot. Will confirm once I have volume 8 in my greedy hands. »Edit Most likely misread Gugel's translation because the last File 39 is Daisy's Birth Day and what follows are end notes and a volume 9 preview. Unless it's one of the intervening chapters? Oh, well. *shrugs*

As if a new Electric Daisy weren't already such munificence, m&c! also reissues Motomi Kyousuke's Love Arrow, a shoujo manga fave 'round these parts, wubbed to the tune of 9.5 of 10 ♥. (If that isn't an exhortation to GET! I don't know what is. xD) Neway, more on manga new print runs below. For now... (I know you're (also) waiting for this.)

Namida Usagi -Tears of First Love- 2 of 7+ by Minase Ai

How many tears must I shed for you to consider me special?

Momoka couldn't be more surprised nor happier; Narumi shows up at the opening day ceremony. They're even classmates again. But the new Narumi has shed his gloomy geekness, much to the squeeing approval of the school's female cohort. Additionally, he and Momoko are no longer seatmates.

Can Momoko do anything to reduce the gap widening between herself and Narumi?

Kyaaa~ The Namida Usagi emotional stakes just went up-up-UP! with this Promised Angst xDDD. Can't wait to GET! volume two >.< What, you didn't get Namida Usagi 1 last January? Then I suggest snaffling a copy, restocked along with volume 2. This Minase Ai series is Pure Adowable!

New m&c! titles

m&c! launches yet another Tony Wong manhua (only two volumes long)—Chinese Heroes: Sang Legenda—about swordsman Dao Yi Lang who wants to reach the top, no matter what, even if it means leaving wife and kid behind, and Hua Ying Xiong who will do anything to free himself from the Black Dragon's clutches, objections and threats to life be d*mned.

This being my blog, however, My Beautiful Model by Yagami Rina, originally Emperor Limited, gets the Extended NikBabble™ Mix.

Emperor Limited © Yagami Rina
Shogakukan [Sho-Comi]
Published in Indonesia as
My Beautiful Model
by Gramedia/m&c!

People call Kou the "Emperor" of the modeling world. My twin brother Ao so reveres His Majesty, he decides to apply to Kou's modeling agency. But come audition day, Ao falls sick and who else but Big Sis has to sub for him (we look alike anyway).

Unfortunately, the Powers That Be discover I am NOT Ao. Fortunately, they give me a week's grace period, until Ao recovers. Can I survive this one week? More than that, what am I doing ogling Emperor Kou??

Baka-Updates Manga adds Adapted to Kdrama to My Beautiful Model AKA Koutei Gentei's Crossdressing, Twins, modeling tags. I don't know which drama they mean, but teh internets associates the superficial premise similarity with You're Beautiful. (No, Koutei Gentei is not credited.)

Digression done. This antho comprises two more stories: Your Naughty Eyes and
Kiss Kiss Kiss ~ My Little Honey. [Babble continued after the release list]

And while you can't really call 'em "new"—

New printing in addition to ☂ Restocks

m&c! reissues 3 Colors Signal by Obara Shou, Love Me by Aikawa Saki (both Love Triangled), Magical Sweet Mermaid by Minase Itsuru (which sounds nothing so much as a Little Mermaid retelling), the Wimp Bodyguard St. Valentine's Bodyguard by Takeuchi Masami and the Teacher/Student romance Sweet Words No Love by Fujita Nimi. These aside from Motomi Kyousuke's Love Arrow already noted above and the restocks listed below. (Shanaou Yoshitsune 11-16 or a couple of Love is Everywhere manga rated 8 of 10 ♥, anyone?)

I preview the recurrents after the release list, too, so you know what to do if you want moar babble. (Scroll down :D)

m&c! manga (2011.07.20)

1. Electric Daisy (Dengeki Daisy) 8 of 9+ by Motomi Kyousuke

Dengeki Daisy 「電撃デイジー」 by Motomi Kyousuke Shogakukan Betsucomi, shoujo Volume 8 first published in Japan 2010.10

Volume 8 chapters:
File 35. Be Happy
File 36. Memory Song
File 37. Two Men
File 38. The Beginning of ‘Sin’
File 39. Daisy's Birth Day

Other languages
English Dengeki Daisy (VIZ Media: five volumes per 2011.07.05 • volume 6 street date: 2011.09.06), French (Kazé Editions: Dengeki Daisy Tome 7 shipped 2011.05 • Tome 8 street date: 2011.08.18) and traditional Chinese (Ever Glory Taiwan: 愛情接合器 7 released 2011.06)

2. My Beautiful Model (Emperor Limited) by Yagami Rina

Emperor Limited 「皇帝限定」 by Yagami Rina AKA Koutei Gentei Shogakukan Sho-Comi, shoujo This anthology (three one-shots) first published in Japan 2010.03

3. Namida Usagi ~Tears of First Love~ (Namida Usagi ~Seifuku no Kataomoi~) 2 of 7+ by Minase Ai

Namida Usagi ~Seifuku no Kataomoi~ 「なみだうさぎ～制服の片想い～」 by Minase Ai Shogakukan Sho-Comi, shoujo Volume 2 (Story 6-11) first published in Japan 2010.03

Reissues (2011.07.20)

1. 3 Colors Signal (Saniro Signal) by Obara Shou

Saniro Signal 「３色♪シグナル」 by Obara Shou Shogakukan Ciao, shoujo This volume first published in Japan 2006.12

2. Love Arrow (Purikyuu) by Motomi Kyousuke

Purikyuu 「プリキュウ」 by Motomi Kyousuke Shogakukan Betsucomi, shoujo This volume first published in Japan 2005.09

3. Love Me (Renai Joujou) by Aikawa Saki

Renai Joujou 「恋愛上々↑↑」 by Aikawa Saki Shogakukan Sho-Comi, shoujo This volume first published in Japan 2006.12

4. Magical Sweet Mermaid by Minase Itsuru

Magical☆Sweet☆Mermaid 「まじかる☆スイート☆マーメイド」 by Minase Itsuru Shogakukan Ciao, shoujo This volume first published in Japan 2004.08

5. St. Valentine's Bodyguard (St. Valentine no Bodyguard) by Takeuchi Masami

St. Valentine no Bodyguard 「Ｓｔ．バレンタインのボディーガード」 by Takeuchi Masami Shogakukan Flower Comics, shoujo This volume first published in Japan 1999.11

6. Sweet Words No Love (Hitotsu no Shigusamo) by Fujita Nimi

Hitotsu no Shigusamo 「ひとつのしぐさも」 by Fujita Nimi Shogakukan ChuChu, shoujo This volume first published in Japan 2006.09

Manhwa (2011.07.20)

1. Crab Kiss 4 of 10 by Hwang MiRee

Crab Kiss 「Crab Kiss 크랩키스」 by Hwang MiRee Samyang (Kkonnim), soonjung Volume 4 first published in Korea 2006.01

2. Idol Shopping 10 of 12 by Hwang MiRee

Idol Shopping 「아이돌 쇼핑」 by Hwang MiRee Samyang (Kkonnim), soonjung Volume 10 first published in Korea 2009.01

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

Hong Kong manhua (2011.07.20)

• [Series Premiere] Chinese Heroes: Sang Legenda 1 of 2 by Tony Wong (Jade Dynasty)

[RE-STO] Restocks (2011.07.20)

• Cold Heart (Kare wa Tsumetai Furi o Shite) by Hoshimori Yukimo »Ex-7.06
• Doctor's Naughty Kiss (Dr. wa Ijiwaru na Kiss de) by Kawamaru Shin [8 of 10 Review]
• Love Café (Kare ga Café ni Iru no nara) by Washio Mie [8 of 10 Review]
• Moon Love's Secret (Koitsukiyo no Himegoto) by Taamo »Ex-7.06
• Namida Usagi ~Tears of First Love~ (Namida Usagi ~Seifuku no Kataomoi~) 1 of 7+ by Minase Ai
• NG Boy x Paradise 1 of 3 by Miyawaki Yukino
• NG Boy x Paradise 2 of 3 by Miyawaki Yukino
• NG Boy x Paradise 3 of 3 by Miyawaki Yukino
• OMG! (Jesus!) by Aoki Kotomi »Ex-7.06
• One sided Love (Kataomoi no Mukougawa) by Yoshinaga Yuu
• Shanaou Yoshitsune 11 (of 22) by Sawada Hirofumi
• Shanaou Yoshitsune 12 (of 22) by Sawada Hirofumi
• Shanaou Yoshitsune 13 (of 22) by Sawada Hirofumi
• Shanaou Yoshitsune 14 (of 22) by Sawada Hirofumi
• Shanaou Yoshitsune 15 (of 22) by Sawada Hirofumi
• Shanaou Yoshitsune 16 (of 22) by Sawada Hirofumi
• When You Look Like an Angel by Miyawaki Yukino

Read more »