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)

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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 »

Pandora Hearts 14, Fairy Tail 10, RAVE - Plue's Dog Diaries 1 by Mashima Hiro (Elex Media 20 July 2011 manga)

One Piece 59, Natsume Yujincho 1, Her Idol Boy 1 and Library War Love & War 4 postponed to 27 July (OP and Natsume Yujincho) and 3 August (Her Idol Boy and LWLW).

Rave: Plue no Inu Nikki © Mashima Hiro/Kodansha [First serialized in BonBon]
Published in Indonesia as RAVE - Plue's Dog Diaries by Elex Media

Yup, Plue gets his own manga starrer. Not that he's ever been a slouch in hogging spotlights. :D But before we let Plue monopolize the attention, DO WANT! #1 and 2 first —

Pandora Hearts 14 of 15+ by Mochizuki Jun

When the Tragedy of Sabrie threatens anew, The Head Hunter brandishes his weapon once more. Everything points to the House of Fiana and the Chain Humpty Dumpty. A luminous truth flickers in the darkness, an illusion-like reality that brooks no resistance.

Yeah, yeah, you're more excited about Eliot Nightray's promotion to Pandora Hearts cover boy, but sawry I couldn't lead with Eliot (couldn't find a big enough Elex cover). In any case, Eliot's Pandora Hearts 14 retraces chapters LIV-LVII: Blank Smile, Back To Back, Rabbit Eyes and Humpty Dumpty had a Great Fall. [*NOT Elex Media's chapter titles]

You realize, right, that the last Fairy Tail streeted in October 2010? But at least, that's not as patience-s-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g as the December 2009 to July 2011 gap between the Steel Rose 1 and 2 manhua, the latter skedded the same day as Fairy Tail 10. Additionally, Shonen Magz continues to feed teh FT fix, whereas Steel Rose... :P

Fairy Tail 10 of 28+ by Mashima Hiro

A body needs to relax every once in a while, so it's off to the beach for Natsu and the Fairy Tail gang. But tick-tock on the clock and a mysterious group attacks our mages and spirits Elsa off to the ominous Tower of Heaven.

Who's this "Gerald" dude who ordered Elsa kidnapped?

You prolly know Elsa/Erza's kidnapper as "Jellal," one of manga's most BBB (Beauteous Blue-haired Bishounen, along with Siegrain and Mystogan xD). And, of course, you know what Jellal/Gerald needs Erza for—*cough*sacrifice*cough*

Volume 10—which relates Erza's sad slave past—compiles chapters 75 through 82: Dream of a Butterfly, The Tower of Heaven, Jellal, Heaven Over There, Siegrain's Decision, Joan of Arc, The Voice in the Darkness, Howling at the Moon and the omake Special Request: Watch Out for that Guy You Like! [*NOT Shonen Magz chapter titles]

New Elex manga

Elex reskedding the Natsume Yujincho and Her Idol Boy (Mishounen Produce) premieres means we get only two new series on the 20th: RAVE - Plue's Dog Diaries is one and the other is The Heroine is not suitable for me. I preview Shimaki Ako's Hikitate Yaku no Koi antho (published here under Elex's standalone shoujo line, Serial Cantik) below; this here real estate's reserved for Plue.

After Groove Adventure Rave, Mashima Hiro-sensei brings back that white, ice-cream-cone-for-a-muzzle...dog?, this time as The Hero. Plue makes new friends as cuddly and unique, including a piece of Paper(?), a hairy caterpillar(?) and a ghost grandma(?!)

What diary observations does Plue make about his newfound pals? Wait...he keeps a journal? Moreover, Plue can write??

Elex Media manga and manhua (2011.07.20)

1. Dorabase (Dorabase: Doraemon Chouyakyuu Gaiden) 20 of 22+ by Mugiwara Shintaro & Fujiko F. Fujio Production

Dorabase: Doraemon Chouyakyuu Gaiden 「ドラベース　ドラえもん超野球外伝」 by Mugiwara Shintaro & Fujiko F. Fujio Production Shogakukan CoroCoro Comic, kodomo Volume 20 first published in Japan 2010.08

Related series
Doraemon (main story; 45 volumes)

2. Fairy Tail 10 of 28+ by Mashima Hiro

Fairy Tail 「ＦＡＩＲＹ　ＴＡＩＬ」 by Mashima Hiro Kodansha Weekly Shonen Magazine, shounen Volume 10 (chapter 75-82 + Omake) first published in Japan 2008.05

Awards
Best Shounen Manga, 2009 Kodansha Manga Awards (tied with Katou Motohiro's Q.E.D.)
Best Comedy Manga, 2009 Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation's Industry Awards

Other languages/Serializations
Serialized in the Indonesian Shonen Magz (ongoing)
English Fairy Tail (Del Rey until volume 12; Kodansha Comics from volume 13 [2011.05], volume 14 [2011.07.12], volume 15 street date: 2011.09.27), French (Pika Édition: Tome 19 shipped 2011.06 • Tome 20 street date: 2011.09.07), traditional Chinese (Tong Li Taiwan: FAIRY TAIL魔導少年 26 released 2011.06), simplified Chinese (Chuang Yi: FAIRY TAIL #22 per 2010.10)

Adaptations
The A-1 Pictures and Satelight anime co-production starring seiyuu Hirano Aya (Lucy Heartfilia), Kakihara Tetsuya (Natsu Dragneel), Nakamura Yuuichi (Gray Fullbuster) and Kugimiya Rie (Happy) continues to air (episode 88 scheduled for 2011.07.16). The Animax Asia run premiered 30 September 2010. Anime OAVs have been bundled with the manga volumes: Fairy Tail: Yōkoso Fairy Hills! (with limited edition volume 26; 2011.04.15) and Yōsei Gakuen Yankee-kun to Yankee-chan (volume 27; 2011.06.17).

Related
Fairy Megane, a one-shot crossover between Fairy Tail and Yoshikawa Miki's Yankee-kun to Megane-chan (AKA Flunk Punk Rumble), appeared in Weekly Shonen Magazine in 2008.

The official ＦＡＩＲＹ　ＴＡＩＬ＋ fanbook released 2010.05 in Japan.

3. Ghost's Doctor (Youkai no Oishasan) 6 of 15 by Sato Yuki

Youkai no Oishasan 「妖怪のお医者さん」 by Sato Yuki Kodansha Magazine Special, Shonen Sirius and Weekly Shonen Magazine, shounen Volume 6 first published in Japan 2008.04

Other languages/serializations
Serialized in the Indonesian Shonen Magz (ongoing)
English Yokai Doctor (Del Rey: three volumes per 2009.08), traditional Chinese (Tong Li: 妖怪醫生 15 released 2011.06)

4. [Premiere] The Heroine is not suitable for me (Hikitate Yaku no Koi) by Shimaki Ako - Serial Cantik

Hikitate Yaku no Koi 「ひきたて役の恋」 by Shimaki Ako Shogakukan Cheese!, shoujo This anthology first published in Japan 2008.10

5. Nodame Cantabile 24 of 25 by Ninomiya Tomoko

Nodame Cantabile 「のだめカンタービレ」 by Ninomiya Tomoko Kodansha Kiss, josei Volume 24 first published in Japan 2010.04

Awards
Best Shoujo Manga, 2004 Kodansha Manga Awards

Other languages
English Nodame Cantabile (Del Rey: 16 volumes per 2009.07), French (Pika Édition: Tome 12 shipped 2011.02 • Tome 13 street date: 2011.08.24), traditional Chinese (Tong Li: 交響情人夢 25 released 2011.01)

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

6. Pandora Hearts 14 of 15+ by Mochizuki Jun

Pandora Hearts 「Ｐａｎｄｏｒａ　Ｈｅａｒｔｓ」 by Mochizuki Jun Square Enix GFantasy, shounen Volume 14 (Retrace LIV-LVII) first published in Japan 2011.03

Other languages
English Pandora Hearts (Broccoli Books (dropped) and Yen Press: five volumes per 2011.04 • volume 6 street date: 2011.07.19), French (Ki-oon: Tome 8 per 2011.06 • Tome 9 street date: 2011.09.08), traditional Chinese (Sharp Point Press Taiwan: 潘朵拉之心 13 released 2011.06)

Adaptations
A 25-episode XEBEC anime adaptation starring seiyuu Minagawa Junko (Oz Vessalius), Kawasumi Ayako (Alice) and Toriumi Kousuke (Raven) that aired in Japan from April to September 2009 and a Pandora Hearts Drama CD released by Frontier works in December 2007

The first Pandora Hearts ~Caucus race~ novel released 2011.03.26.

Related
Pandora Hearts Official Guide 8.5 mine of mine guide book (2009.03) and Pandora Hearts Official Animation Guide and the 望月 淳 画集　Pandora Hearts～odds and ends～ artbook (both released 2009.09).

7. [Series Premiere] RAVE - Plue's Dog Diaries (Rave: Plue no Inu Nikki) 1 of 3 by Mashima Hiro

Rave: Plue no Inu Nikki 「ＲＡＶＥ　プルーの犬日記」 by Mashima Hiro Kodansha BonBon, shounen Volume 1 first published in Japan 2004.04

Related series
Groove Adventure RAVE (main story; 35 volumes)

8. Stand Up! 3 of 3 by Itagaki Masaya [Finale]

Stand Up! 「ＳＴＡＮＤ　ＵＰ！」 by Itagaki Masaya Shogakukan Corocoro Comic, shounen Volume 3 first published in Japan 2010.05

9. Steel Rose 2 of 7 by Lai Ann

Steel Rose 「钢铁玫瑰」 by Lai Ann Tong Li, shoujo Volume 2 first published in Taiwan 2005.04

Related series
Ingènuo (prequel; 15 volumes)

10. Takkoku!!! 2 of 6 by Fukuchi Tsubasa

Takkoku!!! 「タッコク！！！」 by Fukuchi Tsubasa Shogakukan Shonen Sunday Super, shounen Volume 2 first published in Japan 2010.01

Serializations
Serialized in the Indonesian Shonen Star

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

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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

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Mangazines (2011.04.27)

• Nakayoshi Gress! 4/2011 (Indonesian Nakayoshi)

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