Tomo'o 11, Ghost Mum Investigator 2, Gun Smith Cats Burst 1 by Sonoda Kenichi (Level Comics 24 November 2010 manga)

Danchi Tomoo © Oda Tobira/Shogakukan [Serialized in Big Comic Spirits]
Published in Indonesia as Tomo'o by Elex Media/Level Comics

C'est déjà l'été—oops, I mean, it's summer already. At least in Tomo'o volume 11. And what is summer but the season for ghost stories and somen, those thin white Japanese wheat noodles that, served chilled, is a popular summer treat.

Hazama-san suggests somen for the children's festivities this year, despite the apartment complex kids' preference for either curry or yakisoba. Undaunted, Hazama tries to persuade Tomoo and pals to go for the thin noodles. How does he do it? And more importantly, does he succeed? (Find out in Tomo'o 11, in stores even as I write this.)

Ghost Mum Investigator 2 of 3+ by Sato Tomokazu

First-grader shamus Tonbo and his ghost mom return. This time, their spiritual cases include helping an elderly man find his dog a good home, bringing a young man and his soul mate together and solving the mystery of a painting that can talk. (Wonder if it's a scintillating conversationist? Let's find out in the second Ghost Mum Investigator.)

NEW LEVEL MANGA: Gun Smith Cats Burst by Sonoda Kenichi

Chicago firearms mavens Rally Vincent and Minnie May Hopkins set up shop—Gunsmith Cats—not only to flog guns but also as a base of operations for fugitive apprehension. The two bounty hunters are no strangers to danger, but this time, they may have taken on more than they bargained for. Rally is caught in an inter-mob war for hunting down one the Mafia members, guilty of absconding with mob money. Not only that, the syndicate lays a trap for Rally to get its money back!

Obviously, Gun Smith Cats Burst is the sequel to Gun Smith Cats, which Level also publishes. Level has yet to conclude Rally and May's original exploits; volume 7 (preview after the cut) releases concurrently with the premiering GSC Burst manga.

Level Comics manga (2010.11.24)

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

1. Ghost Mum Investigator (Ghost Mama Sousasen) 2 of 3+ by Sato Tomokazu

Ghost Mama Sousasen 「ゴーストママ捜査線 」 by Sato Tomokazu Shogakukan Big Comics, seinen Volume 2 first published in Japan 2004.04

Volume 2 chapters:
10 クロの住む家
11 道化の顔はいつも笑顔
12 しゃべる絵画の謎
13 縁は異なもの怪奇なもの
14 仄暗いダムの底から
15 聖夜の約束
16 人鳥現る!!
17 交差点ひき逃げ事故
18 鏡の国のアカネ

2. Gun Smith Cats 7 of 9 by Sonoda Kenichi

Gun Smith Cats 「ＧＵＮ　ＳＭＩＴＨ　ＣＡＴＳ」 by Sonoda Kenichi Kodansha Afternoon, seinen Volume 7 first published in Japan 1996.10

Related series
Sequels: Gun Smith Cats Burst (5 volumes) and Gunsmith Cats: Misty's Run

Other languages
English Gunsmith Cats (Dark Horse Comics; nine volumes + four volumes revised/omnibus editions) and French (Glenat)

Adaptations
Oriental Light and Magic animated three Gunsmith Cats anime OAV episodes, released between November 1995 and September 1996: Neutral Zone, Swing High!, and High Speed Edge, starring seiyuu Neya Michiko (Rally Vincent) and Araki Kae (Minnie May Hopkins). The OAV was repackaged into the Bulletproof movie in 1997.

3. [Series Premiere] Gun Smith Cats Burst 1 of 5 by Sonoda Kenichi

Gun Smith Cats Burst 「ＧＵＮＳＭＩＴＨ　ＣＡＴＳ　ＢＵＲＳＴ」 by Sonoda Kenichi Kodansha Afternoon, seinen Volume 1 first published in Japan 2005.06

Related series
Gun Smith Cats (prequel, 9 of 9 volumes)

Other languages
English Gunsmith Cats Burst (Dark Horse Comics; 5 volumes) and French (Glenat tome 5 released 2010.03)

4. Over Rev 15 of 31 by Yamaguchi Katsumi & Team 39

Over Rev! 「オーバーレブ！」 by Yamaguchi Katsumi & Team 39 Shogakukan Young Sunday, seinen Volume 15 first published in Japan 2000.11

Volume 15 chapters:
160 決意の夜
161 二度目のチャンス
162 接近…そして
163 フィードフォワード
164 曲がる瞬間
165 星空の下で
166 告白の日
167 最後の一瞬
168 最後のメッセージ
169 400戦無敗
170 カーセックスの彼女は？

5. Tomo'o (Danchi Tomoo) 11 of 16+ by Oda Tobira

Danchi Tomoo 「団地ともお」 by Oda Tobira Shogakukan Big Comic Spirits, seinen Volume 11 first published in Japan 2007.12

Volume 11 contains chapters:
1 千年でも生きて欲しいよなともお
2 川の流れに何をまかせたのともお
3 最強コンビが何げにだなともお
4 今回もトラブルを切ったり貼ったりともお
5 世界の秘密を見つけたぞともお
6 そんなに見られてもなぁともお
7 Xは盆に返るよなともお
8 まだまだまだ夏休みなともお
9 そろそろ2学期だぜともお
10 かわいい子にはファイトだぜともお
11 ベースボールじゃなく野球だなともお
12 今、何月だと思ってんだともお
13 ツイストが大事だなともお
14 トモオとキノシタとともお
15 のろしの世界に引きずりこまれたともお
16 犯人がわかるかいともお
17 守り守られだなともお

Recognitions
Nominated for the 11th Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize

Level Comics ROMICs/BDs (2010.11.24)

1. Cubitus - Kucing Bagian dari Anjing (Cubitus, tome 27: Chat, ch'est du chien!) by Dupa (Le Lombard)
2. Lucky Luke - Penyerbuan ke Oklahoma (Lucky Luke, tome 14: Ruée sur l'Oklahoma) by Morris, René Goscinny (Lucky Comics)
3. Spirou dan Fantasio - Z Untuk Zorglub (Spirou et Fantasio, tome 15: Z comme Zorglub) by Franquin, Greg, Jidéhem (Dupuis)

¹ Sources: Elex STO 24 November 2010 (release schedule) and Komikologi and/or Gramedia Shop (synopses, unless indicated otherwise)
² Manga are priced at IDR 18,500 each except Gun Smith Cats 7 (SRP: IDR 19,500). ROMICs retail for IDR 30,000 each except for Spirou dan Fantasio - Z Untuk Zorglub (IDR 38,000/volume)
³ Links like this are commercial Amazon search and/or product links (other language versions).

Previews continued

Gun Smith Cats 7 of 9 by Sonoda Kenichi

Iron Goldie comes out of “hibernation” to market a new and improved narcotic. Not about to let the control freak have her way, Rally vows to collar Goldie. But Goldie produces an ace from up her sleeve to stop Rally in her tracks. It is someone Rally knows very well.

Who is s/he? And will s/he succeed in halting Rally's pursuit?

Over Rev 15 of 31 by Yamaguchi Katsumi & Team 39

Roadstar guy Yoshinaga's maturity and driving skills prove “fatal” to Shino Ryoko who becomes even more besotted with him, if that were at all possible. Ryoko screws up her courage to confess her feelings, but...

Iamque opus exegi,
~niki DBA 30uɐlnɯɐnɥ (花木蘭03) who thanks Level editor Lenny-san for the artwork and blurbs

disclaimer

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

other currently available manga (24 November 2010 street date)

• Elex Media: Pandora Hearts 11 · Hello Master 3 of 3 · Detektif Conan 30+ Plus Super Digest · Kindaichi Special Case - Private School Murder 1 of 2 by Seimaru Amagi & Fumiya Sato · Masked Rider Spirits 12 · Want You 3 · Animal Doctor 4 · Palette of 12 Secret Colors 1 by Kusakawa Nari · Rinne 2 · Crayon Shinchan - 20 Orang Terhebat di Dunia by Usui Yoshito · Look Up! 6 · My Fiancé is a Monster 1 of 2 by Hanamori Pink · Reborn Kumiho 19 · Pokonyan Pika-Pika 2 · Shonen Star 77/2010 · Shonen Magz 79/2010
• m&c!: Female Wolf's Boy 9 · How To Be A Man 4 · Kimi ga Suki ~ I Love You ~ 3 of 3 · Shanaou Yoshitsune Genpei War 8 · Be a Naughty Girl 2 · Secret 3 · Long Hu Men 173 · The Story of Wang Fenglei 7 · KOLONI: Purnama Kesembilan by Hira Habibi · Pancanaka by Ino Septian

related monthly schedules

November 2010
Premiering The Strange Florist by Yohna and Desert Love by Sachimi Riho (standalones) and Gun Smith Cats Burst by Sonoda Kenichi, Sky of Love by Mika & Haneda Ibuki (series)

other invaluable resources

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

Technorati tags

Level Comics · manga · ROMIC (BD) · seinen · Ghost Mum Investigator (Ghost Mama Sousasen) · Gun Smith Cats · Gun Smith Cats Burst · Over Rev · Tomo'o · Cubitus · Lucky Luke · Spirou et Fantasio

Red River 1 by Shinohara Chie, Soul Eater 2, The Black Swindler 10 (Level Comics 27 October 2010 manga)

There will be Red River fangirling. That's the only warning you get.

Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori © Shinohara Chie/Shogakukan
[First serialized in Sho-Comi]
Published in Indonesia as Red River by Elex Media/Level Comics

Yuri leads a charmed life. She just passed her senior high admissions exams AND shared her first kiss with promoted-to-boyfriend childhood friend Himuro. Everything goes down the drain, however, when she realizes that water behaves weirdly around her. The weirdness peaks one day when disembodied hands reach out of a street puddle and yank her in!

Yuri surfaces in 14th century B.C.E. Hattusa, the Hittite Empire capital, in the central Turkey region now known as Anatolia. (The reason why Red River/Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori is more commonly known as Anatolia Story.)

Why was Yuri dragged back in time? asks Level's back cover blurb.

Before I answer that question (falling back on Wiki and VIZ's Red River, Vol. 1 description for assistance), lemme (1) note that at least this Yuri (Suzuki) should thank the stars she didn't get flushed down the toilet like another Yuri (Shibuya; Kyou Kara Maoh's) and (2) list the top Baka-Updates Manga tags for this award-winning shoujo manga:

♥ Time Travel ♥ Strong Female Lead ♥ Royal Family ♥ War
♥ Politics ♥ Possessive Lover ♥ Magic ♥ Mediterranean
♥ Love Polygon ♥ Social Hierarchy

I want you to pay attention to that Strong Female Lead and Possessive Lover and see if you don't wipe away the drool like I did.

Neway, to answer the question: Yuri was abducted by the maleficent queen Nakia, who intends to sacrifice the 15-year-old maiden to eliminate two princes vying for the crown. (Wiki shares that the Hittite Empire at the time was only rivaled by Egypt, ruled then by Pharaoh Tutankhamen.) But before Yuri's blood is spilled, Prince Kail Mursili rescues her by announcing that Yuri is no longer unsullied, that he had already taken her virginity. (Another aside here: compare a similar “she may be carrying my child” claim made by the time-slipping Emperor to save girlfriend Mi ju in New Sexy Simpleton 7.)

Later, the prince agrees to help Yuri return home, but for that to happen, they first have to retrieve the 20th century clothes Yuri came in from the queen. Not a simple task as—as Baka-Updates Manga points out—the queen's persistent schemes to kill them both, plus their growing interest in each other, keep those plans delayed.

Wiki also adds: Many of the people and events in the story are drawn from known history.

Breath-taking romance AND history? And for 28 volumes, at that? What more can you (I) ask for??

While best-known for Red River, Shinohara Chie-sensei also created the (likewise award-winning) Purple Eyes in the Dark josei horror manga.

Level Comics manga (2010.10.27)

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

1. 3x3 Eyes 32 of 40 by Takada Yuzo

3x3 Eyes 「３×３ＥＹＥＳ」 by Takada Yuzo Kodansha Weekly Young Magazine, seinen Volume 32 first published in Japan 1999.10

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. The Black Swindler (Kurosagi) 10 of 20 by Kuromaru & Natsuhara Takeshi

Kurosagi 「クロサギ」 by Kuromaru & Natsuhara Takeshi Shogakukan Young Sunday, seinen Volume 10 first published in Japan 2006.07

Volume 10 contains chapters:
98～101 トリック詐欺（I～IV）
102～108 巨額投資詐欺（I～VII）
シロサギ・データ・ファイル

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

Related
Shin Kurosagi (sequel; eight volumes per 2010.09)

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

3. Glass Chair (Garasu no Isu) 6 of 8 by Nakamura Mariko

Garasu no Isu 「ガラスの椅子」 by Nakamura Mariko Kodansha Be Love, josei Volume 6 first published in Japan 2006.07

4. Nurse Aoi (Ns' Aoi) 15 of 32+ by Koshino Ryo

Ns' Aoi 「Ｎｓ’あおい」 by Koshino Ryo Kodansha Morning, seinen Volume 15 first published in Japan 2007.08

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 that same year.

5. Over Rev 14 of 31 by Yamaguchi Katsumi & Team 39

Over Rev! 「オーバーレブ！」 by Yamaguchi Katsumi & Team 39 Shogakukan Young Sunday, seinen Volume 14 first published in Japan 2000.08

Volume 14 contains chapters:
148 本当の所有者
149 父と娘
150 去りし者の遺産
151 第1日目の試練
152 免停1か月！
153 剛性強化
154 峠のヒッチハイカー
155 テストバトル
156 レインダンス
157 ドラテク求道者
158 再会の瞬間
159 ミラージュの挑戦

6. [Series Premiere] Red River (Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori) 1 of 28 by Shinohara Chie

Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori 「天は赤い河のほとり」 by Shinohara Chie AKA Anatolia Story Shogakukan Sho-Comi, shoujo Volume 1 (chapters 1-3) first published in Japan 1995.06

Awards
Best Shoujo Manga, 46th Shogakukan Manga Awards (2000)

Other languages
English Red River (VIZ Media; 28 volumes), Italian Anatolia Story (Editions Star Comics; 28 volumes), German (EMA/Egmont Manga and Anime), Vietnamese Dòng Sông Huyền Bí (Tre Publishing House) and traditional Chinese 赤河戀影 (Tong Li Taiwan)

Adaptations
Eight drama CDs were released between 1997 and 2003.

Related
An artbook (Japan release: 1999.02.24), fanbook (2002.07.26) and a two-volume novel adaptation 天は赤い河のほとり　外伝　魔が時代の黎明 written and illustrated by Shinohara Chie-sensei (2007.05 and 2007.09)

7. [Premiere] The Running Bus (Bus Hashiru) by Sahara Mizu

Bus Hashiru 「バス走る。」 by Sahara Mizu Shinchosha Bunch Comics Extra, seinen This anthology first published in Japan 2007.06

8. Soul Eater 2 of 18+ by Ohkubo Atsushi

Soul Eater 「ソウルイーター」 by Ohkubo Atsushi Square Enix Shonen Gangan, shounen Volume 2 (chapters 2-5) first published in Japan 2004.11

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; volume 4 street date: 2009.10.27; serialized in Yen Plus), French (Kurokawa tome 11 shipped per 2010.09), German (Carlsen Comics Band 7 ships 2010.10.29) and traditional Chinese 噬魂者 (Sharp Point Press Taiwan)

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.

9. Wilderness 4 of 7+ by Ito Akihiro

Wilderness 「ＷＩＬＤＥＲＮＥＳＳ」 by Ito Akihiro Shogakukan Sunday GX, seinen Volume 4 (chapters 13-15) first published in Japan in 2005.07

Level Comics European comics/ROMICs (2010.10.27)

1. Cubitus - Cubitus Jadi Hijau (Cubitus Se Met au Vert tome 26) by Dupa
2. Lucky Luke - Legenda Barat (Lucky Luke, tome 41: La Légende de l'Ouest) by Morris, Patrick Nordmann
3. Lucky Luke - Washington Man (Lucky Luke : L'Homme de Washington) by Laurent Gerra, Achdé

¹ Sources: Elex STO 27 October 2010 (release schedule) and Komikologi and/or Gramedia Shop (synopses, unless indicated otherwise)
² GN are priced at IDR 18,500 each except The Running Bus (SRP: IDR 25,000) and 3x3 Eyes 32 and The Black Swindler 10 (IDR 19,500 each). ROMICs/BDs retail for IDR 30,000 each.
³ Links like this are commercial Amazon search and/or product links (other language versions).

Volume previews continued

3x3 Eyes 32 of 40 by Takada Yuzo

Yakumo goes to Amara to save Pai, trapped in Neglowni's studio, and is attacked by Hahn who, by all rights, should already be dead.

Meanwhile, Kaiyanwan plans to blow up Amara. Can Yakumo and Pai escape before Amara disappears into oblivion?

The Black Swindler 10 of 20 by Kuromaru & Natsuhara Takeshi

Convicted stock shirosagi Kuruma Kyosuke is up to his old tricks, evidently not learning repentance lessons from four and half years of incarceration. This time, using a dummy corporation as front, he lays traps for investors. Kurosagi wants to investigate Kuruma, but Katsuragi refuses to cough up any information on the white swindler.

Aided by Hayase, Kurosagi persists in his pursuit of Kuruma. But Hayase's information miss blows Kurosagi's cover. Can Kurosagi escape Kuruma's clutches?

Glass Chair 6 of 8 by Nakamura Mariko

Her suspicions piqued by her parents' reticence, Aoi digs through old documents to discover the truth about Izuru's birth. She unearths a photograph that just might be the key to solving the mystery. Meanwhile, Izuru regains part of his lost memories and breaks down upon remembering his childhood trauma.

Who is Izuru, really? And how will Aoi react after learning his identity?

Nurse Aoi 15 of 32+ by Koshino Ryo

“We need to be more proactive!”

Seeing Ushijima-san's condition worsening, Aoi proposes an aggressive medical care regime. Fortunately, ER head Misato agrees.

Ushijima's daughter seems to welcome the more aggressive treatment and acts cheerfully around her father. Ushijima's wife, however, loses hope and decides on a shocking course of action.

Can Aoi prevent a worst case scenario from happening?

Over Rev 14 of 31 by Yamaguchi Katsumi & Team 39

Shino Ryoko falls for a guy driving Roadstar, and how! She even goes as far as letting herself get drenched by rain, just so she can meet Dream(y) Guy. She justifies the extreme measures by saying, “His driving is perfect!”

The Running Bus by Sahara Mizu

Level sez this Bus, Variations on a Theme-tagged anthology compiles nine short stories, centering around bus stops and the dreams and yearnings of the people who wait there. Storm in Heaven (description excerpted by Baka-Updates Manga) meanwhile sez the omnibus contains two parts, Bus Hashiru (originally serialized in the seinen Comic Bunch) and Nanairo Sekai (shoujo Melody), and enumerates the following as the contents:

1. Sky-Winding Bus Stop
2. Sakura Street Bus Stop
3. Wasurena Hill Bus Stop
4. Weather Forecast
5. Dudleya Road
6. The Glasses Thief (ex Nanairo Sekai)
7. Adult-Uniform (ex Nanairo Sekai)

I suggest GET! to confirm the actual contents of this IDR 25,000-priced antho.

Sahara Mizu-sensei uses Sahara Mizu for her seinen works, among them, her current Comic Bunch serial, My Girl, the Shinkai Makoto-authored Hoshi no Koe or Voices of a Distant Star and Kumo no Mukou, Yakusoku no Basho or The Place Promised in Our Early Days, as well as Watashitachi no Shiawase na Jikan, the manga adapt of South Korean author Gong JiYoung's novel. But she creates BL manga as Yumeka Sumomo.

Soul Eater 2 of 18+ by Ohkubo Atsushi

Soul and Maka's remedial lessons proceed apace, with the pair battling Dr. Franken Stein, the most powerful Death Weapon Meister Academy alumnus and the culprit behind Sid-sensei's transformation. Franken Stein's immense soul outclasses even Black*Star that Soul and Maka can only quail before it.

Can Maka overcome her fear and emerge from the assignment unscathed?

[With additions from Yen Press' Soul Eater, Vol. 2 description]

Wiki meanwhile adds that a new student enrolls at the DWMA and faces off with Soul and Black*Star.

Soul Eater volume 2 contains chapters:
002. Remedial Lesson (Part 2)
003. The ‘New Student’ and ‘Soul Observation’
004. Demon Sword (Part 1)
005. Demon Sword (Part 2)

Wilderness 4 of 7+ by Ito Akihiro

Not only are Goldsmith and Broughton hunting them down, the police are also on the tail of the three Japanese nationals on the run in the Mexican desert.

As if mortal threats weren't enough, Ena is haunted by guilt over having killed someone. She succumbs to the strain and shoots Seruma, before going off to face death herself!

Wilderness volume 4 contains chapters:
13 Somebody to Remember (1-3)
14 ALL THE SCARED RABBITS (1-3)
15 Bloodline (1-3)

UP NEXT: m&c! 27 October 2010 manga and manhwa

m&c!: Ugly Duckling Become Swan 4 · Female Wolf's Boy 7 · Misunderstand Girl and Angry Prince by Shiumi Saki · Bakugan Battle Brawlers 11 · Shanaou Yoshitsune Genpei War 7 · Love Survival by Sugiyama Miwako · Be A Naughty Girls 1 by Yeon Doo, Kim YeVin · Memory Eater 2 of 2 · Long Hu Men 172 · KOLONI: Intan Permata Rimba 1 by Hans Jaladara · Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures 10 of 10 · Cherry 48/2010

Iamque opus exegi,
~niki DBA 30uɐlnɯɐnɥ (花木蘭03) who thanks Level editor Lenny-san for the Red River artwork *bows*

disclaimer

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

other upcoming manga (27 October 2010 street date)

Elex Media: HanaLaLa 53/2010 · Detektif Conan 58 · Pokonyan Pika-pika 1 by Fujiko F. Fujio · English School Wars 1 by Matsumoto Tomo · Kindaichi Special Case - The Phantom Of The Opera 2 of 2 · Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle 17 · Otoboke Section Chief 7 · Godhand Teru 27 · Buso Renkin 10 of 10 · Lum, The Invader Girl 26 · With My Brothers 9 · Shonen Star 75/2010

related monthly schedules

October 2010
Premiering Red River by Shinohara Chie,Gun Smith Cats Burst by Sonoda Kenichi andHunt for the Thumb by Yamada Yuusuke (standalone)

September 2010
Premiering Sky of Love by Mika & Haneda Ibuki and The Duke and I by Hara Chieko

other invaluable resources

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

Technorati tags

Level Comics · manga · ROMIC (BD) · josei · seinen · shoujo · shounen · 3X3 Eyes · The Black Swindler · Glass Chair · Nurse Aoi (Ns' Aoi) · Over Rev · Red River (Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori AKA Anatolia Story) · The Running Bus (Bus Hashiru) · Soul Eater · Wilderness · Cubitus · Lucky Luke

Yugo The Negotiator 22 of 22, Jio 6, Ole! 5 of 5 (Level Comics 2 June 2010 manga)

Also, Honey Hunt 3, Revolution No.3 volume 2 (penultimate), and Team Medical Dragon 11

Yugo © Akana Shu & Makari Shinji/Kodansha (First serialized in Afternoon)
Published in Indonesia as Yugo The Negotiator by Elex Media/Level Comics
[Artwork provided by Level Comics]

Contains [SPOILERS!] and (TV) Trope Identification

Andrea-sensei, warning you now that since I sacrificed Honey Hunt's lead spot to allow Yugo 22 the headline—because you think Yugo's a bishie, and all—I'm expecting some sort of reward.

To make teh Snap is OK review easier, I'll even help out with the blurb:

Yugo's mission this time around looks easier than his Negotiation means turning words into weapons usual: He is asked by the widow of a Japanese diplomat once detailed to China to set up a meeting with Guo Boxin — ostensibly so that she can apologize to the friend of her late husband. But the “simple” request carries flashpoint potential. With Sino-Japanese relations threatened, both sides warn off Yugo from finishing his assignment.

What conspiracy is being hatched? What secrets do the Chinese and Japanese diplomats want to keep hidden?

The next question is: Is Level also licensing the Yugo II (Shimokita Hantou-hen, Kitakyushu Tsushima-hen, Tokyo Tanegashima-hen, Osaka-hen, Toyako Summit-hen, and Phillipines Oda-Hen) side stories?

Jio 6 by Kishimoto Seishi

Volume 6 of NO! For the last time, it's not a Naruto ripoff! Jio (like VIZ, Level opted for a Consumer Friendly Title) sees Jio Freed pitted against Zenom Organization's Wise Yuri. Despite having entered into a treacherous keiyaku with THE Akuma (SEE Chapter 22, A Pact With the Devil [Volume 5]) Jio comes into the fight handicapped. Not only does The Crimson Magician O.P.T. Wise possess Remote Handling and Dimension Distortion O-Parts awesomeness, Jio himself has also been weakened by his battle with the fabled O-Part Mekisis (or Mexis, if you follow the O-Parts Hunter U.S. edition). How will Jio defeat Wise? And save the residents of Entotsu City?

Teh Kishimoto twins seem to have cornered the 2nd June market. The more famous Kishimoto-sensei's manga also releases this Wednesday.

Ole! 5 of 5 by Nohda Tatsuki

In the Ole! finale, Nakajima Junji faces a tough choice: Quit his job as a local government employee and secure much needed funding for his dreams, or remain a bureacratic cog and relinquish all hope of breathing new life into the city on its last gasp. Or is there actually a way for Nakajima to strengthen the Kazusa Ole soccer team AND revitalize the city?

What do you think?

The rest of the volume previews are down below.

Level Comics manga (2010.06.02)

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

1. Hikayat Genji (Asakiyumemishi) 2 of 13 by Yamato Waki

Asakiyumemishi 「 あさきゆめみし 」 by Yamato Waki Kodansha Mimi, shoujo Volume 2 first published in Japan 1981.10

RELATED
Adapted from the Japanese classic Genji Monogatari by Murasaki Shikibu

OTHER LANGUAGE VERSIONS/SERIALIZATIONS
Partially translated into English as part of the Kodansha Bilingual Comics educational series.

2. Honey Hunt 3 of 6+ by Aihara Miki

Honey Hunt 「 Ｈｏｎｅｙ　Ｈｕｎｔ 」 by Aihara Miki Shogakukan Cheese!, shoujo Volume 3 first published in Japan 2008.06 Series on hiatus (volume 6 released 2009.12.24)

OTHER LANGUAGE VERSIONS/SERIALIZATIONS
Honey Hunt is published in English by VIZ Media (volume 4 released 2010.04.06 • volume 5 street date: 2010.08.03) and in traditional Chinese by Tong Li (Taiwan)

3. Jio 6 of 19 by Kishimoto Seishi

Jio 「 ６６６～サタン～ 」 by Kishimoto Seishi Square Enix Shonen Gangan, shounen Volume 6 first published in Japan 2003.11

Volume 6 contains chapters:

• 23. Archenemy (宿敵 Shukuteki)
• 24. Blue Sky (青空 Aozora)
• Gaiden: Justice (外伝 ジャスティス)
• Chapter Bonus: Trigger (トリガー)

OTHER LANGUAGE VERSIONS/SERIALIZATIONS
Published in English as O-Parts Hunter by VIZ Media (19 volumes); in French by Kurokawa; and in Italian by JPop/Edizioni BD s.r.l.

4. Last Inning 5 of 24+ by Nakahara Yu, Kamio Ryu

Last Inning 「 ラストイニング 」 by Nakahara Yu, Kamio Ryu, Kiyshi Kato Shogakukan Big Comic Spirits, seinen Volume 5 first published in Japan 2005.04

5. Ole! 5 of 5 by Nohda Tatsuki [Finale]

Ole! 「 オーレ！ 」 by Nohda Tatsuki Shinchosha Bunch Comics, seinen Volume 5 first published in Japan 2007.11

6. Over Rev 12 of 31 by Yamaguchi Katsumi

Over Rev! 「 オーバーレブ！ 」 by Yamaguchi Katsumi and Team39 Shogakukan Young Sunday, seinen Volume 12 (containing 11 chapters/stories) first published in Japan 2000.02

7. Revolution No.3 Vol. 2 of 3 by Kaneshiro Kazuki & Akishige Manabu

Revolution No.3 「 ＲＥＶＯＬＵＴＩＯＮ　Ｎｏ．３ 」 by Kaneshiro Kazuki & Akishige Manabu Shogakukan Young Sunday, seinen Volume 2 (containing chapters 11-21) first published in Japan 2004.05

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

8. Subaru 6 of 11 by Soda Masahito

Subaru 「 昴 」 by Soda Masahito Shogakukan Big Comic Spirits, seinen Volume 6 (comprising chapters 56-66) first published in Japan 2001.08

OTHER LANGUAGE VERSIONS/SERIALIZATIONS
Subaru is published in French by Akata/Delcourt; 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)

9. Team Medical Dragon 11 of 23+ by Nogizaka Taro and Nagai Akira

Iryuu -Team Medical Dragon- 「 医龍 」 by Nogizaka Taro and Nagai Akira Shogakukan Big Comic Superior, seinen Volume 11 (comprising chapters 82-90) first published in Japan 2006.03

AWARDS
Won the 50th Shogakukan Manga Award for the seinen/general category. The live-action Iryuu -Team Medical Dragon- drama received the Best Drama award at the 49th Television Drama Academy Awards (see ADAPTATIONS).

OTHER LANGUAGE VERSIONS/SERIALIZATIONS
Translated into French by Glénat

ADAPTATIONS
Two seasons of the live-action adaptation aired on Fuji TV (Season 1: April to June 2006; Season 2: October to December 2007). Sakaguchi Kenji played the role of Asada Ryutaro.

10. Yugo The Negotiator 22 of 22 by Akana Shu and Makari Shinji [Finale]

Yugo 「 勇午 」 by Akana Shu and Makari Shinji Kodansha Afternoon (later, Evening with the addition of The Negotiator to the title), seinen Volume 22 first published in Japan 2004.09

RELATED
Yugo II (side stories)

• Volume 1: Yugo: Shimokita Hantou-hen
• Volume 2: Yugo: Kitakyushu Tsushima-hen
• Volume 3: Yugo: Tokyo Tanegashima-hen
• Volumes 4-5: Yugo: Osaka-hen
• Volumes 6-7: Toyako Summit-hen
• Volumes 8-9 (ongoing): Phillipines Oda-Hen

ADAPTATIONS
A 13-episode anime adaptation comprising the manga's first two major arcs aired in Japan from February to May 2004. Produced by Artland (Russia Chapter) and G&G Direction (Pakistan Chapter), the anime starred Hagino Takashi (Kamen Rider Ohja/Asakura Takeshi in Kamen Rider Dragon Knight live-action TV) as hostage negotiator Yugo Beppu and seiyuu Chiba Susumu as Kogure Reiichi.

Level Comics reissues (2010.06.02)

These are NOT toggle links; they lead to the original release posts.

1. [RE-STO] Bad Guy (Warui Otoko) by Yoshimura Akemi
2. [RE-STO] The Door (Tobira) by Momochi Reiko
3. [RE-STO] Under the Rain (Ame ni Nurete mo) by Honda Keiko

NOTE
(1) Sources: Elex Media 2 June 2010 release schedule and Komikologi (synopses, except where noted)
(2) All listed manga are priced at IDR 17,000 each, except Yugo The Negotiator 22 (SRP: IDR 19,000) and Subaru 6 (IDR 18,000)
(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

Hikayat Genji 2 by Yamato Waki

Still pursuing his dream woman, Genji Hikaru is attracted to a mysterious young girl who has just lost her father. His curiosity is piqued by her reticence and reluctance to show her face. Could she be the woman Genji has been searching for?

As amply given away by the Hikayat Genji or Tale of Genji title, Yamato Waki's Asakiyumemishi manga is based off Murasaki Shikibu's Japanese literary classic Genji Monogatari.

Honey Hunt 3 by Aihara Miki

Besieged on all sides, Yura is unable to concentrate on the script reading, much to the disgust of her doyen co-star. This prompts bishounen Jerk with a Heart of Gold Haruka to step in, soothing Rinko-san's irritation and convincing the drama veteran to again take if from the top.

Will Grow a Spine, will you?? Yura be able to perform now? And what is her leading man really up to? Don't tell me he actually likes her?

I doubt Yura can pull off a Kitajima Maya, much less a Mogami Kyoko (VIZ's Honey Hunt 3 description talks about her losing one of her contact lenses before the next rehearsal), but I live in hope. I really don't want to see Yura become the next Hatsumi (Aihara Miki-sensei's Hot Gimmick heroine who, as TV Tropes points out, is so spineless, she defines the Extreme Doormat trope).

In any case, Yura's To Be Or Not To Be (a Doormat) fate hangs in the balance as Honey Hunt is on hiatus at volume 6, reportedly to allow Aihara-sensei to work on the From Five to Nine or 5-ji kara 9-ji made shoujo manga.

Last Inning 5 by Nakahara Yu

The time has come to face Kanto's reigning champ Seibo High. The Mukashi, mukashi we went to Koshien Saitama High scores first, but the Seibo baseball team comes up from behind to take the lead. The frazzled Saitama team struggles to recoup, but with its weaknesses all but apparent to the enemy, can they still stage an upset?

What are you going to do, Coach Keisuke?

Over Rev 12 by Yamaguchi Katsumi and Team39

Despite the Drift Contest conclusion, Acrobat persists in inveigling Ryoko and Sawako to join, using more foul than fair means. Ryoko turns the bait down flat, but Sawako appears to be tempted. Ryoko tries to dissuade Sawako, to no avail, prompting Aika to challenge Sawako in a race to settle matters.

Over Rev volume 12 contains these chapters/stories: (1) 波風立つ昼休み (2) 日下出走！ (3) 先手 (4) 反撃の刻（とき） (5) 秘策 (6) チャレンジ！ (7) 表彰台にて。 (8) 秘境連続暴走事件 (9) 黄色いS15（イエローシルビア） (10) 決裂 and (11) 正論か欺瞞か!?

Revolution No.3 Vol.2 by Kaneshiro Kazuki & Akishige Manabu

The festival of the all-girls Junshin High nears, but strategist Minakata still has no game plan in place. To make matters worse, Sun Shin and Hiroshi have run into trouble. Can Minakata get an Art of War scheme going when two of Zombies' VIPs are out of commission?

This manga series is the first in the It's All About Juvies Zombies trilogy. It was followed by Fly, Daddy, Fly and Speed.

The penultimate Revolution No.3 contains chapters: (11) Nowhere man (12) Helter skelter (13) The word (14) No reply (15) Tomorrow never knows (16) Ask me why (17) Act naturally (18) I don't want to spoil the party (19) There's a place (20) Free as a bird (21) I'll cry instead (Yes, these ARE the original chapter titles.)

Subaru 6 by Soda Masahito

Subaru who gave up a scholarship under her belt flies to New York, little knowing that the ballet troupe she has just joined is a small and problematic ensemble. Nerves threaten to unravel whatever harmony the group can lay claim to, starting with the staging of a special show for an audience made up of criminals. With everyone on edge, the production strains the group's ability to dance as one.

Subaru volume 6 contains chapters: (56) 冒険のはじまり (57) ルナティック (58) 輝きは消えない！ (59) ジャム・セッション (60) 解放 (61) 恐るべき子供（アン・ファン・テリブル） (62) メトロポリタン歌劇場 (63) 革命前夜 (64) 到着 (65) プロの舞台 (66) ボクサー.

Team Medical Dragon 11 by Nogizaka Taro/Nagai Akira

Hero With Bad Publicity Ryutaro returns to the operating room to execute a new Batista procedure that upends the logic of all previous surgical attempts. Meanwhile, interdepartmental politics continue to rage unabated, with the professorial meeting deciding on the pros and cons of Akira's reformation proposal.

What will happen to Akira? And will the baby in the operation theater survive?

Do I need to point out to you that the Batista procedure has been discredited and is no longer recommended for cardiac treatment?

Team Medical Dragon volume 11 contains chapters: (82) 逆位置 (83) 新バチスタ (84) 手術終了 (85) 選挙戦開幕 (86) 選管 (87) 3人目 (88) 戦略 (89) 黒船 (90) 三の男.

~niki DBA huamulan03 (花木蘭03) who thanks Lenny-san for coming through with the Level artwork and blurbs (unfortunately, this release sked is late because I was too engrossed with reading W-Juliet by EMURA, the oversight remedy taking more than a couple days

UP NEXT: More 2 June 2010 manga

m&c!: The Best Selection of Akaishi Michiyo· Bleach 27 · Cash by Kawazoe Mariko · Dragon Girl 4 · Meet the Banchou 2· When Love is Hiding by Shiumi Saki · AMERO comics: Maniak Sepakbola: Hidup FC Palajoy!!! by Sulpice & Jenfevre and Maniak Sepakbola: Priiit!!! Keluar Stadion by Jack & Beka

other next attraction manga (2010.06.02 street date)

ELEX MEDIA: Kumpulan Cerita Berwarna Doraemon 3 · InuYasha 47 · Naruto 48 · Princess Story 1 by Ebira Hiromi · A Story of Heroes 31 · V.B. Rose 3 · Wazabo 4 · Shonen Magz 72/2010

disclaimer

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

disclaimer

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

currently 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
• Level Comics: Black Lagoon 6 · Chocolat 3 · Eagle 11 of 11 · Kyoko Karasuma's Case Files 2 · Master of Sea 14 · Oh Butterfly Oh Flower 1 by Yoshihara Yuki · Rainbow 17
• 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

related monthly schedules

Level Comics June 2010 manga
Premiering Dark Edge by Aikawa Yu, Ghost Mum Investigator by Sato Tomokazu · Standalones: 1 or W by Takahashi Rumiko and Bus Hashiru by Sahara Mizu

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)

other invaluable resources

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

Technorati tags
Level Comics · manga · seinen · shoujo · shounen · Hikayat Genji · Honey Hunt · Jio · Last Inning · Ole! · Over Rev · Revolution No.3 · Subaru · Team Medical Dragon · Yugo