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

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

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

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

But what about Nodame?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Elex Media manga and manhwa (2011.12.28)

1. Beck vol 30 of 34 by Harold Sakuishi

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Awards
Best Shoujo Manga, 2004 Kodansha Manga Awards

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

Related
The Nodame Illustrations collection was released in Japan 2011.04.

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

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

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

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

Other languages
English Edo Nekoe Jubei Otogizoshi (JManga)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Magazines (2011.12.28)

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

Read more »

Nodame Cantabile: Finale anime premieres 1 September 2011 on Animax Asia

But before it does so, Nodame Cantabile: Paris will first wrap with an OAV on the 31st August, Wednesday, in the same Paris chapter timeslot.

© Tomoko Ninomiya ・ KODANSHA/Nodame Cantabile 3 Committee. All rights reserved. [Image from Animax Asia]

So to repeat, Nodame Cantabile: Finale premieres 1 September 2011, Thursday, 10PM WIB (UTC+7), on Animax Asia and airs every weekday thereafter. It replaces Nodame Cantabile: Paris.

In Finale's season premiere, Leçon 1, Chiaki's popularity keeps increasing while Nodame gets depressed as she feels the distance between them growing.

Read more »

The wait is over! Nodame Cantabile: Paris anime premieres 16 August 2011 on Animax Asia

Two and a half years and can't-count-'em-nemore Nodame Cantabile replays later —

© Tomoko Ninomiya ・ KODANSHA/Nodame Cantabile Committee
[Image from Animax Asia]

Nodame Cantabile: Paris premieres 16 August 2011, Tuesday, 10PM WIB (UTC+7), on Animax Asia and airs every weekday thereafter. I assume its Japanese audio with subtitles.

Having been given the opportunity to study at Paris, Nodame accompanies Chiaki to Europe. As he strives towards his dream of becoming an accomplished conductor, she dedicates herself to become a professional piano player. Although they are moving swiftly towards their professional goals, this seems to be pulling them further apart in their relationship.
–Animax synopsis

Read more »

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

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

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

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

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

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

New Elex manga

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nakayoshi 4/2011: Animal Official debuts

Watashi ni xx Shinasai!
© Toyama Ema/
Kodansha

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

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

Elex Media manga (2011.04.27)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Adaptations
A 39-episode anime adaptation by Studio Pierrot, starring seiyuu Endo Aya (Kajika Louisa Kugami Burnsworth), Morikawa Toshiyuki (Huang Li-Ren), Ono Daisuke (Eugene Alexandr De Volkan), Namikawa Daisuke (Rumaty Ivan Di Raginei) and Fukuyama Jun (Carl Rosenthal) that aired between April 2009 and February 2010 on NHK, and at least two theatrical runs of a stage adaptation, the first premiering 29 September 2010 in Tokyo

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Adaptations
J.C. Staff's 13-episode anime adaptation starring seiyuu Okamoto Nobuhiko (Fujiwara Yumeji) and Sakura Ayane (Merry Nightmare) aired in Japan between January and April 2011.

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

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

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

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

8. Kariage kun 41 of 49+ by Ueda Masashi

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

Awards
Recipient, 28th Bungeishunjū Manga Award (1982), along with Ueda Masashi's other series Furiten-kun and Masashi-kun and Suzuki Yamato's Ai MY Tenrankai

Related series
Kariage-kun: Chinan dake no Kuchikara Otoko! Hen, Kariage-kun: Itazura Meichin Bamenhen and Kariage-kun: Makenai Onnatachihen (sequels)

9. Nodame Cantabile 23 of 25 by Ninomiya Tomoko

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

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

Awards
Best Shoujo Manga, 2004 Kodansha Manga Awards

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mangazines (2011.04.27)

• Nakayoshi Gress! 4/2011 (Indonesian Nakayoshi)

Read more »

xxxHOLiC 9, Gokusen 14, Genius Family Company 3 (Level Comics 21 July 2010 manga)

Tensai Family Company © Ninomiya Tomoko/Gentosha (Gentosha Comics Manga Bunko)
Published in Indonesia as Genius Family Company by Elex Media/Level Comics

May contain [SPOILERS!]

Domeki shares Watanuki's powers and gains the Time Witch's part-timer's ability to see youkai and ayakashi. Watanuki Vision™ further allows Domeki to witness Watanuki's encounter with a girl under a sakura tree — despite his absence from the scene. Is the girl introduced in xxxHOLiC 9 a preternatural creature or a flesh and blood human?

Del Rey hints as to her real identity in its xxxHOLiC 9 blurb: Like Watanuki, she can detect spirits, and together they try to avert an exorcism. (Del Rey adds that before this, Watanuki unknowingly buys a deadly dream — although going by the later escapade with Sakura Girl, Watanuki obviously survives the man-eating nightmare.)

As for the next two most popular Level manga GET! (both josei) —

Genius Family Company 3 of 6 by Ninomiya Tomoko

Do you intend to go bankrupt??

The third bunko of Ninomiya Tomoko's Genius Family Company has Katsuyuki overnighting at Nagasawa Kyoko's gallery and ending up clobbered by Nagasawa's father who mistakes him for some pervert salaryman. Forced to look for other work to fund his studies abroad, Katsuyuki part-times at a bookstore, little knowing that the store is owned by Nagasawa's dad. Eventually, though, Katsuyuki learns of the true financial state of the business: it's struggling in Danger Red territory!

Gokusen 14 of 15 by Morimoto Kozueko

The Gokusen penult surprises us with Shinohara-sensei's kidnapping as he prepares to resign his commission as the Kuroda attorney. The abductor's identity unknown, the entire Ooedo Clan panics. Shin suggests that Yankumi pose as an Obfuscating Stupidity Normal to investigate the lawyer's abduction; she's all over the idea and with Shin and the Kuroda canine Fuji, tries to pick up Shinohara-sensei's trail.

As luck would have it, Shin runs afoul of the perp when the Hot for Teach bishounen tries to rescue the Future Mother of His Children Yankumi from a trap.

Can Bad Bad Acting, Badass Teacher Yankumi save both Shin and Shinohara? And what's the deal with taking the lawyer hostage, anyway?

(As mentioned last month, I'm amped for the Shinkumi OTP payoff that the Gokusen 2K8 special chapter reportedly brings and as such, having trouble waiting for after Morimoto Kozueko's XX-chromosomed GTO runs its course before I start reading it. *prays for volume 15's speedy release*)

FINALES: Revolution No.3 Vol. 3 of 3 by Kaneshiro Kazuki & Akishige Manabu

Fight!! Ippo 77 and Priest 7 previews are after the fake cut.

With the third Revolution No.3, it's a wrap for Kaneshiro Kazuki & Akishige Manabu's Zombies trilogy (sequels Fly, Daddy, Fly and Speed finished earlier). Level, however, didn't supply a synopsis, so I'm just going to list the Beatles' songs-inspired chapters: (22) Don't pass me by; (23) Come together; (24) Shout; (25) She loves you; (26) Do you want to know a secret; (27) Flying; (28) If I needed someone; (29) I call your name; (30) With a little help from my friends; and (31) Let it be.

Level Comics manga and manhwa (2010.07.21)

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

1. Fight!! Ippo (Hajime no Ippo) 77 of 92+ by Morikawa Joji

Hajime no Ippo 「 はじめの一歩 」 by Morikawa Joji (or George) AKA Fighting Spirit Kodansha Weekly Shonen Magazine, shounen Volume 77 (containing chapters 724-734) first published in Japan 2006.08

AWARDS
Recipient of the 1991 Kodansha Manga Award for Best Shounen Manga

OTHER LANGUAGE VERSIONS
Hajime no Ippo is translated into French as Ippo, la rage de vaincre by Kurokawa.

ADAPTATIONS
A 76-episode anime by Madhouse, starring seiyuu Kiyasu Kohei as Makunouchi Ippo, aired on NTV from October 2000 to March 2002. A sequel, Hajime no Ippo - Champion Road (special), 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.

2. Genius Family Company (Tensai Family Company) 3 of 6 by Ninomiya Tomoko

Tensai Family Company by Ninomiya Tomoko 「 天才ファミリー・カンパニー 」 Gentosha Gentosha Comics Manga Bunko, josei Volume 3 (bunko) first published in Japan 2008.09

OTHER LANGUAGE VERSIONS
Tensai Family Company is translated into French as Tensai Family Company - Génies en tous genres by Asuka Comics.

3. Gokusen 14 of 15 by Morimoto Kozueko

Gokusen 「 ごくせん 」 by Morimoto Kozueko Shueisha YOU, josei Volume 14 first published in Japan 2006.10

OTHER LANGUAGE VERSIONS/SERIALIZATIONS
The traditional Chinese Gokusen (極道鮮師) is published in Taiwan by Sharp Point Press.

RELATED
Re-released in 17.4 x 11.4 x 2.6cm “Handy Editions” (ハンディ版　ごくせん) with specially commissioned CG cover art under Shueisha's QC/Queen's Comics imprint from January to June 2008. A special chapter also appeared in the January 2008 issue of YOU. The series returned for two installments in 2009 (July 1 and 15 issues) to mark the Gokusen feature film release. (See ADAPTATIONS below)

ADAPTATIONS
Three seasons of the live-action series starring Nakama Yukie as Yamaguchi Kumiko (“Yankumi”) ran on Nippon Television in 2002, 2005, and 2008, with two TV specials (Gokusen Special: Sayonara 3-nen D-gumi; 2003.03 and Gokusen 3: Graduation Special; 2009). A feature film (directed by TV series director Sato Toya) premiered in Japanese theaters in July 2009. A 12-episode anime adaptation produced by Madhouse aired on NTV from January to March 2004, with seiyuu Hayamizu Risa and Suzumura Kenichi as Yankumi and Sawada Shin.

For her portrayal of Yankumi in the first season, Nakama Yukie received the Best Actress award at the 33rd Television Drama Academy Awards, a prize she will go on to win for the same role at the 44th and 57th Television Drama Academy Awards. Seasons 1 and 2 co-stars Matsumoto Jun (Shin) and Kamenashi Kazuya (Odagiri Ryu) won the Best Supporting Actor awards at the 33rd and 44th Television Drama Academy Awards respectively. The second season also won Best Drama at the 44th Television Drama Academy Awards.

4. Priest 7 of 16+ by Hyung MinWoo

Priest 「 프리스트 」 by Hyung MinWoo Daiwon C.I. Champ Comics, seinen Volume 7 first published in Korea 2000.07 Series on hiatus from volume 16

OTHER LANGUAGE VERSIONS
Priest is published in North America by TOKYOPOP (16 volumes). Other global releases: France (by Tokebi) · Germany (Tokyopop Germany) · Poland (Kasen Comics) · Italy (J POP) · Brazil (Lumus).

ADAPTATIONS
A film adaptation starring Paul Bettany, Cam Gigandet, and Maggie Q is expected to premiere on 13 May 2011 in the U.S. (The Indonesian screening schedule is slated to begin 20 April 2011.)

RELATED
Priest: Purgatory, an original TOKYOPOP series, is scheduled to debut in August 2010 (GN volume 1 street date: 2010.08.10).

5. Revolution No.3 Vol. 3 of 3 by Kaneshiro Kazuki & Akishige Manabu [Finale]

Revolution No.3 「 ＲＥＶＯＬＵＴＩＯＮ　Ｎｏ．３ 」 by Kaneshiro Kazuki & Akishige Manabu Shogakukan Young Sunday, seinen Volume 3 (containing chapters 22-31) first published in Japan 2004.08

RELATED
Part of the Zombies series, which includes sequels Fly, Daddy, Fly and Speed

6. xxxHOLiC 9 of 17+ by CLAMP

xxxHOLiC 「 ×××ＨＯＬｉＣ 」 by CLAMP Kodansha Young Magazine, seinen Volume 9: 信じましょう、未来を。あの子達を (Shinjimashō, Mirai o. Ano ko-tachi o or Let's believe in the future. In those children. containing chapters 52-58) first published in Japan 2006.07

OTHER LANGUAGE VERSIONS
xxxHOLiC is published in North America by Del Rey (volume 15 released 2010.03.23 • volume 16 street date: 2010.10.26). Other global releases: UK (Tanoshimi; licensed by Del Rey) · France (Pika Édition) · Norma Editorial (Spain) · Italy (Star Comics) · Germany (Egmont) · Sweden (Bonnier Carlsen) · Grupo Editorial Vid (Mexico) · Brazil (JBC)

ADAPTATIONS
A 24-episode anime adaptation by Production I.G aired from April to September 2006 in Japan, followed by a 13-episode sequel xxxHOLiC: Kei (2008.04 to 2008.06) and a two-episode OAD xxxHOLiC: Shunmuki (2009.02 to 2009.06). The xxxHOLiC Rō OAD shipped 23 April 2010, along with manga volume 17.

A theatrical film adaptation xxxHOLiC the Movie: A Midsummer Night's Dream premiered in Japan before the first anime season (2005.08.20). The movie was a Feature Films finalist in the 2006 Annecy International Animated Film Festival, but lost out to the France/UK/Luxembourg production Renaissance.

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

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

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

¹ Sources: STO 21 July 2010 (release schedule) and Komikologi (synopses, unless indicated otherwise)
² All GN cost IDR 18,500 each except Genius Family Company 3 (SRP: IDR 29,500).
³ Links like this are Amazon commercial search and/or product links, in case you're interested in another language version.

Volume previews continued...

Fight!! Ippo 77 of 92+ by Morikawa Joji

Just as Ippo's doubts over boxing reach critical mass, Mari tells him an anecdote about a certain pugilist. Mari's story reminds Ippo of why he took up boxing in the first place. Resolve rekindled, Ippo returns to the Kamogawa ring and goes up against Scarred Jimmy, the notorious boxer who sidelines his opponents — permanently.

Hajime no Ippo volume 77 contains:

• Round 724: Deep Hole
• Round 725: The Weight of Fists
• Round 726: A Different Route
• Round 727: Scarred Jimmy
• Round 728: The Fist of God
• Round 729: Disrupt the Startup
• Round 730: Gamble or Threat
• Round 731: Tornado
• Round 732: Only One Thing
• Round 733: Half-Hearted Punches
• Round 734: Unfamiliar Fight

Priest 7 of 16+ by Hyung MinWoo

With the Domas Poradas unsealed, the fallen angel Temozarela escapes, leaving Ivan Isaacs in his place. The moribund Ivan is compelled into entering into a sacrilegious contract with the demon Beliel to break free from his prison. Thus, a young priest's quest for proof of God ends (as TOKYOPOP's Priest Book 7 blurb puts it) in eternal damnation.

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 next available manga (21 July 2010 street date)

• Elex Media: Q.E.D. 34 · Juvenile Remix 4 · New Sexy Simpleton 5 · Hell Girl 5 · Sanzoku Ou: King of Bandits 2 · Kurozakuro 4 · Real 9 · Katsu! 6 · Geobreeders 13 · Coz We're not Children 1 by Seta Haruhi · Crows 10 · Shonen Magz 74/2010
• m&c!: Happy Cafe 15 of 15 · Innocent Dragon 6 · Idol Shopping 1 by Hwang MiRee · Female Wolf's Boy 1 by Han YuRang · Sandwich Girl 1 by Han YuRang · Ugly Duckling Become Swan 1 by Hwang MiRee · Long Hu Men 169 | AMERO comics (Dark Horse): Actions Speak by Sergio Aragones · Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures 7

currently available manga (14 July 2010 street date)

• Elex Media: Fairy-Tale Motif Brocade 5 of 5 · Hell Girl 4 · Kaiser Z 14 · Kumpulan Cerita Berwarna Doraemon 4 · Libero Revolution! 11 · New Sexy Simpleton 4 · Paket Doraemon Movie (Jakarta) by Fujiko F. Fujio · Penguin Revolution 5 · Red-Haired Snow White 3 · Rockwell the Scarlet Knight 1 by Nadatani Wataru · Summer Storm 2 · Tena on S String 1 by Mikabe Sesuna · Toradora 1 by Zekkou · V.B. Rose 5 · Nakayoshi 82/2010 · Shonen Star 68/2010 · [RE-STO] Eyeshield 21 volumes 1-10 | Kitchen Princess volumes 1-10 of 10 | One Piece volumes 1-10, 11-20, 21-30 ad 31-40 box sets
• Level Comics: 3x3 Eyes 31 · Akihabara@Deep 5 · Fight!! Ippo 76 · Miso-Com 3 · Nanase Fire Investigator 4 · Restore Garage 251 volume 7
• m&c!: Bakugan Battle Brawlers 8 · Go! Hiromi Go! 1 by Asou Mikoto· How to Be a Man 1 by Yamada Nanpei · The Princess Bouquet 3 of 3 · Sakura Wars 9 of 9

related monthly schedules

Level Comics July 2010 manga
Premiering Soul Eater by Ohkubo Atsushi and Yokohama Chinatown Fantasy by Nishi Yuuji · Ending Diamond Life

other invaluable resources

7net Shopping · manaworld.com · Wikipedia · ANN · TV Tropes

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