Until Death Do Us Part 9, Air Gear 25, Psychometrist Eiji 24 (Level Comics 16 November 2011 manga) [UPDATED]

Also, Dolls of God 5 that Imma lead with because (1) I'm a Kuga Aki fangirl and (2) I actually like Mahiru (Neither appear on the cover :P)

Kamisama Dolls © Yamamura Hajime/Shogakukan
[Serialized in Sunday GX]
Published in Indonesia as Dolls of God by Elex Media/Level Comics

Settle for the shopping MinimaList for now. I'll be back later with the rest of the Level artwork and NikBabble™ are heeeere :D

In Dolls of God 5, Koshiro and Kirio return to Tokyo to continue the manhunt for Aki, while Hirashiro dispatches another Hyuga Seki to further his agenda. The new Seki Mahiru is totally in lurve with Kyohei-sama but that doesn't stop her from attacking other Seki, Utao included...

Dolls of God 5 compiles chapters (Seg.) 25 through 30: Moyako's Visit, Girl Meets Boy (I and II), Beautiful Girl's Confusion, Magatsuhi and Aki vs Mahiru, and Then... and the Dalam Keputusasaan: Kisah di Balik Layar extra. (Yes, these ARE Level's titles.)

Sowwy, Mamoru-sama, for not leading with you and your *cough*bride*cough*. I just had to play wif Aki (and Kyohei) first :D Imma preview Until Death Do Us Part 9 (top DO WANT! this sked) nau~

Until Death Do Us Part vol 9 of 15+
By Takashige Hiroshi & DOUBLE-S

Wiseman's tactics succeed where others failed. Defeat, guilt and self-directed anger drive Mamoru to distance himself from the Element Network. Precog Loli Haruka, however, is not about to let Mamoru go. What fate awaits our Till Death Do Us Parters after they exit Network?

Until Death Do Us Part 9: Shadow collects Parts 66–74. There's the usual full-color inserts, the first featuring Haruka begging Mamoru to kill her. (Oops, did I say that out loud? :P)

Moar previews—with or without SPOIL—after the release list.

New Level titles [Just added]
Tibet & A.P. Duchateau's Ric Hochet BD (ROMIC) series double-launches with Attila's Triangle (Ric Hochet, Tome 45: Le Triangle Attila) and Teror Topeng Kematian (Ric Hochet, Tome 54: Le masque de la terreur). And who is Ric Hochet? He's a reporter for the newspaper La Rafale in Paris and depending on where his comic is published, also goes by the names Rick Master (Germany), Rik Ringers (The Netherlands and Flanders), Rick Hart (Scandinavia) and Reporter Johnny (South India). (Thanks, Wiki.)

I forgot the NikBabble™ the first, rather, the second, time around :P

Level Comics manga (2011.11.16)

1. Air Gear vol 25 of 34+ by Oh!great

AirGear 「エア・ギア」 by Oh!great Kodansha Weekly Shonen Magazine, shounen Volume 25 first published in Japan 2009.06

Awards
Winner, 2006 Kodansha Manga Awards in the Shounen category

Other languages/serializations
English Air Gear (Del Rey: until Volume 15/16/17 per 2010.08; Kodansha Comics: from volume 18; volume 20 shipped 2011.10.25 • volume 21 street date: 2011.12.13), Korean (Haksan), traditional Chinese (Tong Li Taiwan: 飛輪少年 #32 per 2011.10.12), simplified Chinese (Chuang Yi Singapore: volume 28 per 2010.08), French (Pika Édition: Tome 30 shipped 2011.11.02 • Tome 31 street date: 2012.01.04), Italy (Planet Manga), Germany (Heyne) and Sweden (Schibsted Förlagen Sverige AB/serialized in Manga Mania)

Adaptations
A 25-episode anime by Toei Animation, starring Kamakari Kenta as Ikki; a series of Satelight-animated OADs shipped with the manga tankoubon (The first Air Gear: Kuro no Hane to Nemuri no Mori -Break on the Sky- OAD streeted with volume 30 in November 2010 with seiyuu Okamoto Nobuhiko as Ikki; the second OAD was bundled with volume 31 (2011.03.17), with a third released 2011.06.17); and a series of musicals

2. Black Lagoon vol 9 of 9+ by Hiroe Rei

Black Lagoon 「ＢＬＡＣＫ　ＬＡＧＯＯＮ」 by Hiroe Rei Shogakukan Sunday GX, seinen Volume 9 first published in Japan 2009.10

Volume 9: Chapters 65–76: El Baile de la muerte Parts 22–33

Other languages
English Black Lagoon (VIZ Media: nine volumes per 2010.07) and Chuang Yi: nine volumes as at 2010.10), French (Kazé Manga: tome 9 shipped 2010.10), Spanish (Norma Editorial Spain), German (Carlsen Comics: Band 9 per 2010.07), Polish (Waneko).

Adaptations
The 12-episode Madhouse anime adaptation, starring seiyuu Toyoguchi Megumi (Revy) and Namikawa Daisuke (Rock), aired in Japan from April to June 2006. The Black Lagoon: The Second Barrage second season (episodes 13 to 24) was telecast from October through December of the same year. The OAV sequel, Black Lagoon: Roberta's Blood Trail, premiered 17 July 2010, with the fifth Roberta's Blood Trail Blu-ray/DVD released 2011.06.22.

Related
The Sunday GX Comics 10YEAR'S CHRONICLE: Black Lagoon 1: Born to Rock (JP release: 2011.01), which contains the Black Lagoon Gaiden, and Black Lagoon 2: Rock to the Core (2011.02)

The Black Lagoon: Shaitane Badi light novel written by Urobuchi Gen and illustrated by Hiroe Rei (Black Lagoon side story; Shogakukan Gagaga Bunko, 2008.07)

3. Blood Alone vol 2 of 7+ by Takano Masayuki

Blood Alone 「ＢＬＯＯＤ　ＡＬＯＮＥ」 by Takano Masayuki MediaWorks Monthly Comic Dengeki Daioh (after 2010.11 serialized in Kodansha's Evening), seinen Volume 2 first published in Japan 2005.07 (Evening KC reissue: 2010.11)

Related series
Originally published as series of doujinshi (the manga is based wholly or partly on Blood Alone dj: Wild Arts 1.2.3., Holy Night, Stroll, Vanishing Point - Kiss In the Moonlight)

Other languages
English Blood Alone (Infinity Studios: four volumes [discontinued], picked up by Seven Seas: four volumes per 2011.09 • volume 5 street date: 2011.12.06), French (Editions Ki-oon: Tome 6 shipped 2010.06), German (Carlsen Comics: Band 6 released 2011.02), Italian (Edizioni BD s.r.l. [JPOP Division]), Russian (Istari Comics), traditional Chinese (Kadokawa Media Taiwan), Vietnamese (as Dòng máu lạ kì)

Adaptations
Three Blood Alone drama CDs—BLOOD ALONE, BLOOD ALONE II and BLOOD ALONE III— were released between July 2006 and May 2008. Seiyuu Nakahara Mai and Morikawa Toshiyuki voiced Misaki and Kuroe. Supporting cast included Kobayashi Sanae, Tanaka Rie and Miki Shinichiro as Higure, Sainome and Slye respectively.

4. Dolls of God (Kamisama Dolls) vol 5 of 9+ by Yamamura Hajime

Kamisama Dolls 「神様ドォルズ」 by Yamamura Hajime Shogakukan Sunday GX, seinen Volume 5 (chapters 25-30 + omake) first published in Japan 2009.07

Other languages
Traditional Chinese (Ching Win Publishing Taiwan: 神樣DOLLS 8 per 2011.06)

Adaptations
The Kamisama Dolls anime aired from 6 July to 28 September 2011 in Japan. The TV series animated by Brains Base casts seiyuu Okamoto Nobuhiko as Kuga Kyōhei, Fukuen Misato as Kuga Utao and Kayano Ai as Shiba Hibino.

5. Giant Killing vol 9 of 21+ by Tsunamoto Masaya & Tsujitomo

Giant Killing 「ＧＩＡＮＴ　ＫＩＬＬＩＮＧ」 by Tsunamoto Masaya & Tsujitomo Kodansha Morning, seinen Volume 9 first published in Japan 2009.01

Awards
34th Kodansha Manga Award for General Manga

Adaptations
Studio DEEN's 26-episode anime adaptation, starring seiyuu Seki Tomokazu (Tatsumi Takeshi), Okiayu Ryotaro (Murakoshi Shigeyuki), Mizushima Takahiro (Tsubaki Daisuke) and Ono Daisuke (Yoshida Luigi) aired between April and September 2010 on NHK.

6. Psychometrist Eiji (Psychometrer Eiji) vol 24 of 25 by Ando Yuma & Asaki Masashi

Psychometrer Eiji 「サイコメトラーＥＩＪＩ」 by Ando Yuma & Asaki Masashi Kodansha Weekly Shonen Magazine, shounen Volume 24 first published in Japan 2000.08

Other languages
French Psychometrer Eiji (Kana/Dargaud: 25 volumes), simplified Chinese (Chuang Yi Singapore 感应少年 Eiji: 25 volumes), traditional Chinese (Tong Li Taiwan)

Related series/Reissues
Re-released in 12 bunko volumes (2003.06 to 2003.11)
Sequel: Psychometrer (began serialization in Young Magazine No. 22-23, street date: 2011.04.25; two volumes per 2011.11.04)
KPC (Kodansha Platinum Comics): Psychometrer Eiji - Satsujin Chef (one volume, 2011.11.16); Psychometrer Eiji - Aoi zameta-te (2011.10.19); Psychometrer Eiji - Jude no Mokushiroku (2011.09); Psychometrer Eiji Satsujinki Justice (2011.08); Psychometrer Eiji - Silent Stalker (2011.07); Psychometrer Eiji - Tokei Shikake no Ringo (2011.06); Psychometrer Eiji - Satsujin Oni Mebius (2011.05)
Kunimitsu (spin-off; 27 volumes)

7. Until Death Do Us Part vol 9 of 15+ by Takashige Hiroshi & DOUBLE-S

Shi ga Futari wo Wakatsu Made 「死がふたりを分かつまで」 by Takashige Hiroshi & DOUBLE-S Square Enix Young Gangan, seinen Volume 9 (Parts 66-74) first published in Japan 2009.03

Other languages
French (Ki-oon: Jusqu'à ce que la mort nous sépare Tome 14 shipped 2011.08 • Tome 15 street date: 2012.01.12), traditional Chinese (Tong Li Taiwan: 終極感應 13 per 2011.06 and Jade Dynasty Hong Kong), Korean (Haksan: 죽음이 두 사람을 갈라놓을 때까지 13 released 2011.10.06)

[Release links are hide/unhide. Click for more details.]
Postponed title(s)
Under The Rose: Spring's Paean vol 5 by Funato Akari (pending new street date)

European comics/BDs (2011.11.16)

1. Boule & Bill - Boule & Bill Bertanding (Boule et Bill, Tome 2: Boule et Bill déboulent) by Roba (Dupuis)
2. Lanfeust of Troy - Kastil Azur Emas (Lanfeust de Troy, Tome 3: Castel Or-Azur) by Arleston & Tarquin (Soleil)
3. [Premiere] Ric Hochet - Attila's Triangle (Ric Hochet, Tome 45: Le Triangle Attila) by Tibet - A.P. Duchateau (Le Lombard)
4. [Premiere] Ric Hochet - Teror Topeng Kematian (Ric Hochet, Tome 54: Le masque de la terreur) by Tibet - A.P. Duchateau (Le Lombard)
5. Smurf - Wisata Para Smurf (Les Schtroumpfs, Tome 27: Schtroumpf les Bains) by Peyo (Le Lombard)

Read more »

Jormungand seinen manga volume 1 by Takahashi Keitarou (Level Comics street date: 5 May 2010)

Jormungand © Takahashi Keitarou/Shogakukan (Serialized in Sunday GX)
Published in Indonesia by Elex Media/Level Comics
[Cover from Level Comics]

Jormungand 1 of 8+

By Takahashi Keitarou
Original title: ヨルムンガンド
Shogakukan, serialized in Sunday GX, seinen
Volume 1 first released in Japan 2006.11
Published in Indonesia 2010.05 by PT Elex Media Komputindo/Level Comics

May contain [SPOILERS]

Synopsis

Despite losing his family to a war amply provisioned by international arms dealers “Merchants of Death,” child soldier Jonah goes to work for flamboyant arms dealer Koko Hekmatyar and her merry band of mercs. Jonah's first assignment is to expedite the delivery of fighter helicopter parts critical to changing the power map of Eastern Europe, a task that one country would do everything in its power to thwart.

[With additional background from the Jormungand volume 1 description in Amazon (VIZ Media edition)]

More on the weapons-hating but perversely proficient at wielding them Jonah here.

Reiterating that I haven't a clue as to how “Jormungand” in the manga title ties in with Jormungand (properly, Jörmungandr) of Norse mythology, not having gotten hold of the Indonesian version's editor Aryaguna-san for more backstory exposition and initial thoughts/impressions. So I can only speculate: Is Jonah equivalent to Jormungand, the sea serpent slash world's end time bomb? Or is he actually Jormungand's arch-nemesis Thor?

Level Comics Volume 1 street date: 5 May 2010

~niki DBA huamulan03 (花木蘭03) who thanks Level editor Lenny-san for her cover and blurb provisioning

disclaimer

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

other invaluable resources

7net Shopping · Baka-Updates Manga

Technorati tags
manga · Level Comics · seinen · Jormungand · Takahashi Keitarou · Shogakukan

Jormungand 1, Rumiko Takahashi's Best Short Story Collection 2, Akihabara@DEEP 4 (Level Comics 5 May 2010 manga)

Update: Replaced the Jormungand 1 cover with artwork provided by Level Comics

Also, Kawaguchi Kaiji's A Spirit of the Sun (Taiyou no Mokushiroku) volume 4 and the Tokyo Juliet finale (volume 13)

Jormungand © Takahashi Keitarou/Shogakukan (Serialized in Sunday GX)
Published in Indonesia by Elex Media/Level Comics
[Cover from Level Comics]

May contain [SPOILERS]

It was because Jormungand was the top DO WANT! of this Level manga release that I went and revisited Gundam 00, what with their superficial Death is their business and business is good/child soldier protagonist similarities. (NOT because Gundam 00: A wakening of the Trailblazer's September premiere remains a brain splinter, though there is that.) But whereas Setsuna's past leads him down the war eradication path, Jormungand's reluctant hero Jonah takes up arms for reasons that clearly have nothing to do with peacekeeping.

But I'm getting ahead of myself. Let me borrow Amazon's description for Jormungand (the VIZ Media English edition) to explicate the backstory:

Jonah is a child soldier, born into the chaotic conflicts that rage across Africa, his family lost to a war fueled by weapons supplied by the so-called “Merchants of Death”—international arms dealers. Despite Jonah's hatred of weapons and violence, he employs both extremely well in the service of high-flying arms dealer Koko Hekmatyar and her band of mercenaries. Their journey through the dark underbelly of the world's arms markets may lead only to damnation, but will Jonah one day make his way back to the light?
–Jormungand volume 1 description [VIZ Media edition]

Before Jonah can scrabble his way out of the nine circles of hell, though, he will first have to clear the assignments set out for him by boss Koko. The Level back cover blurb lets us in on his first mission: assisting in the delivery of fighter helicopter parts key to upsetting the balance of power in Eastern Europe. Jonah's task is made more challenging by one country that wants the chopper spare parts for itself.

Nik's Useless(?) Speculation: I don't know how “Jormungand” in the manga title ties in with Jormungand (properly, Jörmungandr) of Norse mythology, that Wikipedia sez is the sea serpent the god Odin threw into the great ocean surrounding Midgard (our world). Jörmungandr supposedly grew so large, he was eventually able to encircle the Earth and grasp his own tail. Nordic legend (via the same Wiki source) tells us that when Jörmungandr releases his tail, the world will end.

So. Does Jonah = Jormungand? Or is he actually Jormungand's arch-nemesis Thor? If only to answer these questions, I will take this new seinen series by Takahashi Keitarou for a spin.

Blurble for Tokyo Juliet 13 as well as previews of Akihabara@DEEP 4; Gun Smith Cats 4; Rumiko Takahashi's Best Short Story Collection (Rumic World) 2; A Spirit of the Sun 4; Subaru 5; and Astrosmurf are after the release lists.

Second Engage by Aikawa Momoko

This sked's other new title is Aikawa Momoko's Second Engage, a one-volume josei manga originally published under Ohzora Shuppan's Missy Comics Renai Hakusho Pastel imprint. Second Engage (which appears in the May Komikologi unlike Jormungand) tells the story of Yukari, newly-married into a rich family and dreaming of starting a family of her own. Her rosy dreams are shattered when husband Shinichi is demoted. What will happen to their marriage now?

(I don't know about you but knowing nothing about Shinichi, DV (domestic violence) is flashing in my mind right now, which ought to indicate my current mental/emotional state.)

[REISSUES] Other Ohzora josei Guilty Pleasures: Harlequin: The Case of the Confirmed Bachelor by Diana Palmer and Harlequin: An Impossible Dream by Emma Darcy that Level is reissuing this Wednesday.

Level Comics manga (2010.05.05)

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

1. Akihabara@DEEP 4 of 6 by Ishida Ira & Akane Makoto

Akihabara@DEEP 「 アキハバラ＠ＤＥＥＰ 」 by Ishida Ira & Akane Makoto Coamix (Shinchosha) Bunch Comics, seinen Volume 4 first published in Japan 2006.09 Akihabara@Deep published in English by Media Blasters (volume 6 street date: 2009.10.07)

Related: Based on the Akihabara@DEEP novel by Ishida Ira (2004.11)

A live-action drama, comprising 11 + 1 (Special) episodes aired on TBS from June to August 2006, with Kazama Shunsuke (Konkatsu!) as Page, Ikuta Toma (Hanazakari no Kimitachi e ~ Ikemen Paradise) as Box, Himura Yuki (My Girl) as Daruma, Hoshino Gen (Ghost Friends) as Taiko, Kosaka Yuka (Uramiya Honpo Special) as Akira, Matsushima Hatsune (Tadashii Ouji no Tsukurikata) as Ism, and Honjo Manami (Futatsu no Spica) as Yui. An Akihabara@DEEP movie premiered in Japan on 2 September 2006.

2. Gun Smith Cats 4 of 9 by Sonoda Kenichi

Gun Smith Cats 「 ＧＵＮ　ＳＭＩＴＨ　ＣＡＴＳ 」 by Sonoda Kenichi Kodansha Afternoon, seinen Volume 4 first published in Japan 1994.01 Gunsmith Cats published in English by Dark Horse Comics

Related: Gun Smith Cats Burst (sequel, five volumes, complete)

Three episodes of the Gunsmith Cats OAV animated by Oriental Light and Magic were released between November 1995 and September 1996. The anime starred seiyuu Araki Kae as Minnie May Hopkins and Neya Michiko as Rally Vincent

3. [Premiere] Jormungand 1 of 8+ by Takahashi Keitarou

Jormungand 「 ヨルムンガンド 」 by Takahashi Keitarou Shogakukan Sunday GX, seinen Volume 1 first published in Japan 2006.11 Jormungand published in English by VIZ Media (volume 3 street date: 2010.05.11)

Volume 1 contains chapters:
第1話　炎兎
第2話　ガンメタル・キャリコロード
第3話　PULSARphase.1
第4話　PULSARphase.2
第5話　PULSARphase.3

4. Rumiko Takahashi's Best Short Story Collection (Rumic World) 2 of 3 by Takahashi Rumiko

Rumic World (Takahashi Rumiko Kessaku Tanpenshuu) by Takahashi Rumiko 「 高橋留美子傑作短編集 」 Shogakukan Rumic World, shounen Volume 2 first published in Japan 1995.03 Rumic World published in English by VIZ Media (three volumes)

Volume 2 contains:
• Wasted Minds (Dust Spot)
• The Golden Gods of Poverty
• The Entrepreneurial Spirit

5. [New] Second Engage by Aikawa Momoko

Second Engage 「 セカンド・エンゲージ 」 by Aikawa Momoko Ohzora Shuppan Missy Comics Renai Hakusho Pastel, josei This volume first published in Japan 2006.02

6. A Spirit of The Sun (Taiyou no Mokushiroku) 4 of 17+ by Kawaguchi Kaiji

Taiyou no Mokushiroku 「 太陽の黙示録 」 by Kawaguchi Kaiji Shogakukan Big Comic, seinen Volume 4 first published in Japan 2004.02

Volume 4 contains chapters:
第23話　喪失せしもの
第24話　父と子
第25話　家族
第26話　託されたもの
第27話　屈せざる者
第28話　国民の前へ
第29話　熱意の到達点
第30話　祖国へ

AWARDS: Won best seinen/general manga in the 51st Shogakukan Manga Awards (tied with Rainbow by Abe George and Kakizaki Masasumi) and the grand prize for the comic category at the 10th Japan Media Arts Festival in 2006.

The series was adapted into an anime special by Madhouse. Two A Spirit of The Sun episodes aired in Japan on 2006.09.17 and 2006.09.18.

7. Subaru 5 of 11 by Soda Masahito

Subaru 「 昴 」 by Soda Masahito Shogakukan Big Comic Spirits, seinen Volume 5 first published in Japan 2001.05

Related series: Moon (sequel; six volumes, ongoing)

8. Tokyo Juliet 13 of 13 by Kitagawa Miyuki [Finale]

Tokyo Juliet 「 東京ジュリエット 」 by Kitagawa Miyuki Shogakukan Sho-Comi, shoujo Volume 13 first published in Japan 1999.07 Series re-released in six volumes in 2002

A Taiwanese live action adaptation Dong Fang Zhu Li Ye 「 東方茱麗葉 」 aired on GTV from June to September 2006. The series starred Ariel Lin as Lin Lai Sui (Minori) and Wu Chun as Ji Feng Liang (Akira).

Level Comics European comics (2010.05.05)

1. Smurf - Astrosmurf (Le Cosmoschtroumpf) by Peyo

Level Comics reissues (2010.05.05)

1. [RE-STO] Harlequin: The Case of the Confirmed Bachelor by Diana Palmer
2. [RE-STO] Harlequin: An Impossible Dream by Emma Darcy

NOTE
(1) Sources: Elex Media STO 5 May 2010 (release schedule) and Komikologi (synopses, except where noted)
(2) All listed manga are priced at IDR 17,000 each, except Rumiko Takahashi's Best Short Story Collection 2 (SRP: IDR 25,000); Gun Smith Cats 4, Second Engage, and Subaru 5 (IDR 18,000 each); and the reissued Harlequin manga (The Case of the Confirmed Bachelor and An Impossible Dream, IDR 11,000/volume). The Smurf - Astrosmurf ROMIC retails for IDR 35,000 each.
(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

Tokyo Juliet 13 of 13

「 東京ジュリエット 」 by Kitagawa Miyuki

Minori's hopes of reuniting with Akira through the Milan study tour are dashed when she is kidnapped by Katsuyuki and brought to Paris to debut in Paris Cour. Learning that Eiji is showing the newest Daisy line ignites Minori's fighting spirit. But will passion be enough to beat Eiji? And what about Akira who is looking for her?

And so ends Minori and Akira's troublesome romance (insert mushroom-shaped sigh of relief here).

Akihabara@DEEP 4

「 アキハバラ＠ＤＥＥＰ 」 by Ishida Ira & Akane Makoto

Digicapi president Nakagomi Takeshi dangles the prospect of generous funding and other goodies in front of otaku hacker Page in return for AKIHABARA@DEEP's more popular than Google search engine CROOK. Page, however, turns the tempting offer down, seeing as how Nakagomi once made off with their BLUE. What will be Nakagomi's retaliation?

Gun Smith Cats 4

「 ＧＵＮ　ＳＭＩＴＨ　ＣＡＴＳ 」 by Sonoda Kenichi

Rally is drugged by the criminal she's been tailing, and to get her hands on the antidote, has to cater to sed villain's whims. Apparently, Rally's merciless enemy Goldie is behind the administration of the hallucinogenic drug, and the mob queen succeeds in implanting an order to kill Roy in Rally. Will the enslaved Rally obey?

Rumiko Takahashi's Best Short Story Collection

Rumic World (Takahashi Rumiko Kessaku Tanpenshuu) 「 高橋留美子傑作短編集 」
by Takahashi Rumiko

I didn't luck into a blurb for this volume, but according to Wiki, Rumic World 2 contains these stories:

• Wasted Minds (Dust Spot): about a pair of bickering government agents (five-part miniseries)
• The Golden Gods of Poverty: A boy's parents try to use him to make money, but they only succeed in contacting the Seven Lucky Gods who are also broke.
• The Entrepreneurial Spirit: A woman leads seminars for a get-rich quick scheme.

A Spirit of the Sun 4

Taiyou no Mokushiroku 「 太陽の黙示録 」 by Kawaguchi Kaiji

Taiwan, 2017. Depression shrouds the encampment sheltering the Japanese refugees, even as Tansui camp head Ozu tries to pacify the angered Taiwanese residents. Disgruntled evacuee Kurofuji gathers together other malcontents and leaves the camp, disregarding Ozu-san's efforts. The breakaway group turns to guns and terror to effect change.

Meanwhile, government officials resisting pro-Japan Taiwanese president Cai Qing Ling, the country's first female commander-in-chief, plan her ouster from office. Detective Hata Ryotaro, who detests his father for relinquishing Japanese citizenship and was forced to join the anti-Japan group, vows to reveal everything. The south and north Japan local governments also weaken in the face of American and Chinese occupation.

As these harrowing events unfold, what can the resourceful Genichiro Ryu do?

This volume, comprising chapters 23 through 30, wraps the Japanese refugees in Taiwan arc.

Subaru 5

「 昴 」 by Soda Masahito

Suffering a high fever, Subaru faces disqualification from the Prix de Lausanne. Doctors insist on her admittance to a hospital; Vanya and Subaru, however, refuse. Subaru goes ahead and competes, but with a raging fever, is unable to perform at her best. Does this mean good-bye to any hope of winning the prestigious international dance contest and a future professional classical ballet career?

Smurf - Astrosmurf

Le Cosmoschtroumpf by Peyo (Les Schtroumpfs nr.6, Dupuis, 1970.05)

Le Cosmoschtroumpf
© Peyo/Dupuis
Published in Indonesia as
Astrosmurf by Level Comics

One smurf dreams of visiting other planets. He tries to build a rocket ship to take him to outer space, but fails, sending the smurf into depression. But Papa Smurf has an idea that would grant the wish of this wannabe Astrosmurf.

This sixth album of the original Smurfs comic series also contains the story Le Schtroumpfeur de Pluie (The Weather Smurf) in which:

Handy Smurf invents a weather contraption that the other smurfs use to create a sunny day perfect for a picnic. Poet Smurf celebrates because he can compose an ode to the Sun; Farmer Smurf, meanwhile, grumbles that the heat will fry his crops, and appropriates the machine to make it rain. This leads to a tug of war between Farmer Smurf and Poet Smurf, and the weather alternates between sunny skies and downpour. [Adapted from Wikipedia's synopsis]

For preview pages, go here (Dupuis.com).

~niki DBA huamulan03 (花木蘭03) who thanks Level editor Lenny-san for the artwork

P.S. And who is also waiting for someone to point out that Jonah and Full Metal Panic!'s Sousuke also have (somewhat) similar backgrounds

UP NEXT: More 5 May 2010 manga

M&C!: Another Kingdom 1 by Fujita Maki · Battle Brawlers Bakugan 4 · Bleach 23 · Meet the Banchou 1 by Suzuki Nakaba · Sinful Love by Yoshinaga Yuu · Shanaou Yoshitsune volumes 13-17 (box set)

disclaimer

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

manga available this week (28 April 2010 street date)

• Elex Media: Adventure of Cat Mix Toraji 3 · Eyeshield 21 v36 · Fullmetal Alchemist 22 · Kaiser Z 12 · Kunai Legend 1 by Iori Tabasa · Legend of Nereid 6 · One Piece 54 · Penguin Revolution 4 V3 · The Puppet Master Lin 6 · The Ruler of Nabari 9 · Sora - The Wingless Duck 16 · Trigun Maximum 14 of 14 · With My Brothers 4 · X-Zone 3 · HanaLaLa 49/2010
• Level Comics: Angel Heart 3 · Eagle 10 · Jio 5 · Love Affair 5 · Restore Garage 251 vol. 5 · Lucky Luke - Lucky Luke vs Joss Jamon · Lucky Luke - Nabi Palsu · Michel Vaillant - Para Sponsor · Yakari - Yakari dan Sang Rajawali
• m&c!: Battle Brawlers Bakugan 3 · Bleach 22 · Born To Cook 6 · C-Blossom 1 by Shimotsuki Kayoko/Fukui Harutoshi · Goong [Palace Story] 19 · My Fragile Love 1 by Miyawaki Yukino · My Fragile Love 2 · My Fragile Love 3 of 3 · Shanaou Yoshitsune - Genpei War 1 by Sawada Hirofumi · Tokyo Angels 1 by Fujii Mihona · White Paper Ark 5 · The Story of Wang Fenglei 1 by Tony Wong · Hand 7 No. 2 · PenDragon 2 · Tengu-Do 2 · KOLONI: Garudayana 2 · Cherry 42 · Shanaou Yoshitsune volumes 7-12 (box set)

other manga upcoming (5 May 2010 street date)

• Elex Media: Artist Acro 1 by Sakurai Ato · Caramel Boy 1 by Morio Masami · Crows 7 · Demon King 30 · Hyde & Closer 2 · Katsu! 3 · Kekkaishi 3 · Kumpulan Cerita Berwarna Doraemon 2 · LUM, The Invader Girl 22 · Otoboke Section Chief 1 by Ueda Masashi · Pandora Hearts 9 · Raiders 4 · The Real Fake Princess 3 · Spiral: The Bonds of Reason 2 · Treasure Gaust 6 · Wild Life 4

related monthly schedules

Level Comics May 2010 manga
Premiering Dolls of God by Yamamura Hajime, Oh Butterfly Oh Flower by Yoshihara Yuki · Second Engage by Aikawa Momoko (standalone)

Level Comics April 2010 manga
Premiering Historie by Iwaaki Hitoshi and Pandemic by Kakizaki Masasumi (one-shot) · Concluding Doubt and My Lovely Honey

Level Comics March 2010 manga
Premiering Rumiko Takahashi's Best Short Story Collection 1, A Flame Inferno by Kim KwangHun, Go Go Hanasaki Detective Office by Watanabe Wataru, Fire Investigator Nanase by Hashimoto Izo, New Comic Bomber by Shimamoto Kazuhiko, Show Me the Money by Lin Xin Ying

other invaluable resources

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

Technorati tags
manga · ROMIC · Level Comics · seinen · shoujo · shounen · Akihabara@DEEP · The Astrosmurf · Gun Smith Cats · Jormungand · Rumic World · Second Engage · A Spirit of the Sun · Subaru · Taiyou no Mokushiroku · Tokyo Juliet

On the run for their lives in the Mexican desert: Wilderness seinen manga volume 2 by Ito Akihiro (Level Comics street date: 21 April 2010)

Wilderness © Ito Akihiro/Shogakukan (Serialized in Sunday GX)
Published in Indonesia by Elex Media/Level Comics

Wilderness 2 of 7+

By Ito Akihiro
Original title: ＷＩＬＤＥＲＮＥＳＳ
Shogakukan Sunday GX, seinen
Volume 2 first released in Japan 2002.12
Published in Indonesia 2010.04 by PT Elex Media Komputindo/Level Comics

May contain [SPOILERS]

Synopsis

Bank robber Seruma Takashi, the sole survivor of an attack that left all his men dead; Horita Toshio, a former detective searching for a lost child at the request of his ex-wife; Tairagi Ena, a runaway school girl. Three Japanese nationals whose paths cross in the desert of Mexico as they try to evade hitmen bent on eliminating them.

Reiterating: Volume 2 contains chapters:
第６話　THE HIDDEN FORTRESS-1
THE HIDDEN FORTRESS-2
第７話　THIS'LL KILL YOU-1
THIS'LL KILL YOU-2
第８話　SLOWBURN-1
SLOWBURN-2
第９話　Past tense

According to this Wiki stub, the manga by the creator of Geobreeders is heavily inspired by Hong Kong action cinema and the films of Robert Rodriguez.

Level Comics Volume 2 street date: 21 April 2010

~niki DBA huamulan03 (花木蘭03) who thanks Level editor Lenny-san for the cover and blurb

disclaimer

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

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Technorati tags
manga · Level Comics · seinen · Wilderness · Ito Akihiro · Shogakukan