Faster than a Kiss 1 by Tanaka Meca, Juvenile Remix 7, Yakitate Japan 24 (Elex Media 9 November 2011 manga) [UPDATED]

Elex blurbs and covers thin on the ground, so for the interim, make do with MinimaList. «Edit: Eyecandy and NikBabble™ incoming!

Kiss Yori mo Hayaku © Tanaka Meca/Hakusensha [Serialized in LaLa]
Published in Indonesia as Faster than a Kiss by Elex Media

Sprawled on a park bench beside her only remaining family, her little brother, school girl Kaji Fumino finds herself picked up by her homeroom teacher Ojiro Kazuma who insists on taking her home. Fumino challenges Ojiro-sensei to marry her instead of simply adopting her and her sib like a couple of stray puppies. Imagine Fumino's consternation when Sensei actually agrees!

Secret Marriage that leapfrogs Student-Teacher Relationship, GO! Does Ojiro-sensei succeed in captivating his young wife? Of course! To the point where she cosplays for his homecoming everyday. That sed—and Faster than a Kiss–title notwithstanding—this here shoujo comedy is the Slowest Slow Romance. The Ma-kun × Fumino tease explains why FTAK or Kiss Yori mo Hayaku continues to serialize in LaLa (10th tankou skedded for 5 December): fans are still waiting for Moar Than Just a Kiss. Faster, preferably,

Other Tanaka Meca manga
It only needed Kiss Yori mo Hayaku for Indonesia to get all caught up with Tanaka Meca-sensei's current backlist. m&c! picked up one-shot tankou Shichigatsu no Mahoutsukai (rechristening it Wizard in July) and 7 Jikanme Rhapsody (7th Lesson Rhapsody). Elex, meanwhile, cornered the series market, publishing the five-volume Omukae desu (which became Pick Up Service when it migrated to these shores); the four-volume Tennen Pearl Pink or Natural Pearl Pink; and the likewise four-volume Sailor Fuku ni Onegai! or Sweet God.

More previews after the release list.

Shonen Star 20/2011 ☆ D-LIVE!!

D-LIVE!! © Minagawa Ryouji
Shogakukan [Shonen Sunday]

On the mangazine front, the latest Indonesian Shonen Sunday—Shonen Star— streets, Minagawa Ryouji's D-LIVE!! on the cover. This time, the adventure zeroes in on Clever Owl, a spy who could give James Bond tips on espionage. Who knew a former Serbian refugee's life could change so much? But change it does, after he meets Perfect Owl and Makoto Ikaruga, an ASE multi driver, while on a mission in Yugoslavia.

Joining D-LIVE!! on the cover line-up: ARAGO by Arai Takahiro, Defense Devil by Youn InWan & Yang KyungIl, The World God Only Knows by Wakaki Tamiki, Takkoku!!! by Fukuchi Tsubasa,Magi by Ohtaka Shinobu, Dr. Koto by Yamada Takatoshi, Kekkaishi by Tanabe Yellow, Detektif Conan by Aoyama Gosho, My First Mr. Akuno by Fujiki Syun, Magical Iroha by Inoue Kazurou and Wild Life by Fujisaki Masato.

For tankou collectors, these are the latest volumes available: Dr. Koto vol 8 (per 2011.11.02), Detektif Conan vol 64 (10.26), Kekkaishi vol 10 (10.19), Wild Life vol 20 (9.28), My First Mr. Akuno vol 5 (8.15), Defense Devil vol 5 (8.10) and Takkoku!!! vol 2 (7.20).

Elex Media manga and manhwa (2011.11.09)

1. Arsène Lupin (Kaitou Lupin Series) vol 5 of 5 by Maurice Leblanc and Kazumine Daiji [Finale]

Kaitou Lupin 5 「怪盗ルパン　５　ブロンドの貴婦人」 Original story by Maurice Leblanc; Illustrations by Kazumine Daiji The Kumon Manga Library, educational manga Volume 5 first published in Japan in 1998.05

2. Dodge Fighters (Ganbare! Dodgeball Fighters) vol 8 of 10 by Murakami Toshiya & Saito Muneo

Ganbare! Dodgeball Fighters 「がんばれ！ドッジファイターズ」 by Murakami Toshiya & Saito Muneo Shogakukan Tentoumushi Comics, kodomo Volume 8 first published in Japan 2005.07

3. [Series Finale] Faster than a Kiss (Kiss Yori mo Hayaku) vol 1 of 10+ by Tanaka Meca

Kiss Yori mo Hayaku 「キスよりも早く」 by Tanaka Meca Hakusensha LaLa, shoujo Volume 1 first published in Japan 2007.07

Other languages
Traditional Chinese (Tong Li Taiwan: 新娘16歲 8 released 2011.07)

Adaptations
Faster than a Kiss drama CD included in LaLa's May 2008 and November 2009 issues.

4. Juvenile Remix (Maou - Juvenile Remix) vol 7 of 10 by Isaka Kotaro & Osuga Megumi

Maou - Juvenile Remix 「魔王　ＪＵＶＥＮＩＬＥ　ＲＥＭＩＸ」 by Isaka Kotaro & Osuga Megumi Shogakukan Shonen Sunday, shounen Volume 7 (chapters 58-67) first published in Japan 2009.02

Other languages
English Maoh: Juvenile Remix (VIZ Media: seven volumes per 2011.10.11 • volume 8 street date: 2011.12.13), French (Kurokawa Le prince des ténèbres Tome 10 shipped 2011.02), traditional Chinese (Chingwin)

5. Kariage Kun vol 46 of 51+ by Ueda Masashi «Ex-10.19

Kariage-kun 「かりあげクン」 by Ueda Masashi Futabasha Action Comics, seinen Volume 46 first published in Japan 2008.11

Awards
Ueda Masashi received the 28th Bungeishunjū Manga Award (1982) for Kariage-kun, Furiten-kun and Masashi-kun, along with Suzuki Yamato for Ai MY Tenrankai.

Related series
Sequels: Heinetsu no Salaryman Kariage-kun: Chinan dake no Kuchikara Otoko! Hen (JP release: 2004.01), Heinetsu no Salaryman Kariage-kun: Itazura Meichin Bamenhen (2004.04) and Heinetsu no Salaryman Kariage-kun: Makenai Onnatachihen (2004.06) and Chotto ecchina Kariage kun PINK and and Chotto kagekina Kariage kun BLACK and Kariage-kun Best Selection (published 2010.12 (PINK and BLACK) and 2011.01 (Best Selection) for the 30th anniversary)

Adaptations
Adapted into anime by Toei Animation (1989-1990)

6. Natane vol 4 of 6 Deluxe (Nijiiro Togarashi [Bunko]) by Adachi Mitsuru

Nijiiro Togarashi (bunko) 「虹色とうがらし　(小学館文庫)」 by Adachi Mitsuru Shogakukan Shonen Sunday, shounen Bunko volume 4 first published in Japan 2002.08

7. Otoboke Section Chief (Otoboke Kachou) vol 15 of 23+ by Ueda Masashi

Otoboke Kachou 「おとぼけ課長」 by Ueda Masashi Houbunsha Manga Time, seinen Volume 15 first published in Japan 2002.02

8. Western Shotgun vol 38 of 40 by Park MinSeo

Western Shotgun 「웨스턴 샷건」 by Park MinSeo AKA Blazin' Barrels (TOKYOPOP, discontinued) Daiwon C.I., Comic Champ, sonyun Volume 38 first published in Korea 2009.10

9. Yakitate!! Japan vol 24 of 26 by Hashiguchi Takashi

Yakitate!! Japan 「焼きたて！！ジャぱん」 by Hashiguchi Takashi Shogakukan Shonen Sunday, shounen Volume 24 (chapters 213-222) first published in Japan 2006.10

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.

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

[Value sets] Paket Komik *Harga Spesial*

1. Let's Play!, Vols. 1-3 (of 8+) by 888 & Kamino Okina (Asobi ni Iku yo!) [IDR 24,000/set]
2. Library War Love & War, Vols. 1-3 (of 8+) by Yumi Kiiro & Arikawa Hiro (Toshokan Sensou: Love & War) [IDR 24,000/set]
3. Mystery Bride, Vols. 1-5 of 5 by Huh KookHwa & Kim SuJin   –Complete–  [IDR 40,000/set]
4. Natural Honey Dormitory, Vols. 1-5 (of 7) by Oda Aya (Tennen Hachimitsu Ryou) [IDR 40,000/set]
5. Peter Panda, Vols. 1-4 of 4 by Na YeRi   –Complete–  [IDR 32,000/set]

Note: Volume tallies represent original volume totals, not (necessarily) Elex Media' latest release(s). Most recent Elex releases of ongoings: Let's Play! vol 3 (2010.06.23) and Library War Love & War vol 5 (11.02). Elex concluded Natural Honey Dormitory with volume 7 in March 2011. Mystery Bride and Peter Panda concluded in July 2011 and June 2009 respectively.

Mangazines

• Shonen Star Issue 20/2011 (Indonesian Shonen Sunday)

Read more »

Bleach 31, Triple Honey by Yamanaka Rico, Wizard in July by Tanaka Meca (m&c! 4 August 2010 manga)

Shichigatsu no Mahoutsukai © Tanaka Meca/Hakusensha
Published in Indonesia as Wizard in July by PT Gramedia/m&c!

Learning that it was Ulquiorra who spirited Orihime off to Hueco Mundo, Ichigo goes on the offensive. But despite bankai and hollow powers, Ichigo remains no match for Ulquiorra. And to think that Ulquiorra is not even the Top Espada, contrary to Ichigo's belief. What will happen to Ichigo now?

Elsewhere, the bone of contention, I mean, Orihime, faces the wrath of two very jealous Aizen-sama fangirls, Arrancar Menoly and Loly. Guess who (surprisingly) comes to her rescue? Meanwhile, Octava Espada Szayelaporro Grantz merits the Bleach 31: Don't Kill My Volupture cover because he now has Uryuu to play with, aside from Renji. (If, like me, you're wondering what Volupture means, the word seems to be Kubo Tite neonym; teh internets has it down as a portmanteau combi of voluptuous and rapture.)

[m&c!'s Bleach 31 blurb extended with Wiki's help]

NEW M&C! TITLES

“Nightmare fuel” dolls, covert assignations, and Not!Sibcest. These and more in store with m&c!'s standalones ChimaChima Papetto by Hina。 (shounen), Triple Honey by Yamanaka Rico and Wizard in July by Tanaka Meca (shoujo), plus KOLONI local comic Sejejak Harap by Gita & Rie. I will only blurb Wizard in July here; for ChimaChima Papetto, Triple Honey and Sejejak Harap, lit., A footstep of hope (thanks, Ari-chan) or A ray of hope (arigatou, Di-chan), scroll (waaay) down.

Wizard in July by Tanaka Meca

The next Tanaka Meca omnibus post-7th Lesson Rhapsody contains antho christener Shichigatsu no Mahoutsukai and three more shorts: 10-gatsu no Oujo to Boku (Queen and Me in October), Oujisama 11-gatsu no Yuutsu (The Prince Melancholy in November) and Gozen no Mori. I'm not sure to which story the blurb below alludes:

Terada Takayasu (Sports department) and Hinata Kaori (Education department) are batch mates at Tatsuno Tsume Senior High. The two departments bicker constantly, but Terada and Hinata secretly meet each other for...

(Read the manga to discover what they desire from each other.)

As you can see, m&c!'s summary doesn't match up with Baka-Updates' A love story between a magician and his princess! snap synop for the title tale.

Tanaka Meca-sensei's longer shoujo series include Natural Pearl Pink, Pick Up Service (Omukae desu.), Sweet God (Sailor Fuku ni Onegai!) and the yet unlicensed in Indonesia Kisu yori mo Hayaku, more famously known as Faster Than a Kiss.

m&c! manga (2010.08.04)

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

1. Bleach 31 of 46+ by Kubo Tite

Bleach 「ＢＬＥＡＣＨ－ブリーチ－」 by Kubo Tite Shueisha Weekly Shonen Jump, shounen Volume 31 first published in Japan 2007.12

Volume 31: Don't Kill My Volupture contains:

• 270. WARning
• 271. If You Rise From The Ashes
• 272. Don't Kill My Volupture
• 273. DOG Eat DOG
• 274. The Monster
• 275. The United Front 2[Red & White]
• 276. Blockin' Beast
• 277. Corrosion of Conformity
• 278. Heal for The Crash

Awards
Best Shounen Manga, 50th Shogakukan Manga Awards

Alternative language versions
Bleach is translated into English by VIZ Media (volume 31 released 2010.06.01 • volume 32 street date: 2010.09.01). Other languages: French (published by Glénat, tome 37 released 2010.06 • tome 38 scheduled 2010.08), Spanish (Glénat Espagne in Spain, Grupo Editorial Vid in Mexico), German (Tokyopop Germany), Dutch (Kana Netherlands), Russian (Эксмо), Polish (Japonica Polonica Fantastica), Portuguese (Planet Manga/Panini Comics) and simplified Chinese (Chuang Yi, latest volume: #45: The Burnout Inferno).

Adaptations
Studio Pierrot's anime adaptation first broadcast in October 2004 and continues to this day. Season 15, the return to the Fake Karakura Town arc, opened with episode 266 in April 2010; latest episode 282 Tamashī no chikara! Rosu Robosu, shūrai! aired on 2010.08.03). Seiyuu Morita Masakazu and Orikasa Fumiko star as leads Kurosaki Ichigo and Kuchiki Rukia. Park Romi and Namikawa Daisuke play 10th Division captain Hitsugaya Toshiro and Arrancar Ulquiorra Cifer respectively. Two OAVs and three theatrical movies—Bleach the Movie: Memories of Nobody, Bleach the Movie: The DiamondDust Rebellion, Another Hyōrinmaru, and Bleach the Movie: Fade to Black, I Call Your Name—have been released.

At least eight drama CDs have been produced. Featuring the original anime cast, the drama CDs were bundled with the DVDs.

2. [New] ChimaChima Papetto by Hina。

ChimaChima Papetto by Hina。 「ちまちまぱぺっと」 AKA Chima Chima Puppet Kadokawa Shoten Shonen Ace, shounen This volume first published in Japan 2003.05

3. The Strawberry Marshmallow (Ichigo Mashimaro) 6 of 6+ by Barasui

Ichigo Mashimaro 「苺ましまろ」 by Barasui MediaWorks Dengeki Daioh and Dengeki Moeoh, seinen Volume 6 first published in Japan 2009.02

Alternative language versions
Strawberry Marshmallow is published in English by TOKYOPOP (five volumes per 2008.06.10). The manga is published in French by Kurokawa (Les petites fraises tome 5 released 2007.12), German by Tokyopop Germany and traditional Chinese by Kadokawa Media (Taiwan).

Adaptations
A 12-episode anime adaptation by Daume aired in Japan from July to October 2005. Seiyuu Nabatame Hitomi voiced Itoh Nobue, with Chiba Saeko as Itoh Chika, Orikasa Fumiko as Matsuoka Miu, Kawasumi Ayako as Sakuragi Matsuri and Noto Mamiko as Ana Coppola. The same voice actors would reprise their roles in the three OAV episodes that followed between February and April 2007 and in the two-episode third OAV, Ichigo Mashimaro Encore, released 2009.01.23.

4. [New] Triple Honey by Yamanaka Rico

Triple Honey 「トリプル☆ハニー」 by Yamanaka Rico Shogakukan Sho-Comi, shoujo This volume first published in Japan 2008.05

5. [New] Wizard in July (Shichigatsu no Mahoutsukai) by Tanaka Meca

Shichigatsu no Mahoutsukai 「７月の魔法使い」 by Tanaka Meca Hakusensha Hana to Yume Comics, shoujo This volume first published in Japan 2009.01

6. Yowamushi Pedal, Go! (Yowamushi Pedal) 8 of 13+ by Watanabe Wataru

Yowamushi Pedal 「弱虫ペダル」 by Watanabe Wataru Akita Shoten Weekly Shonen Champion, shounen Volume 8 first published in Japan 2009.11

Alternative language versions
Published in traditional Chinese by Sharp Point Press

m&c! AMERO comics (2010.08.04)

• Toutou and Friends - Ayam Panggang (Toutou et cie, tome 2) by Soffritti/Brrémaud/Reynès (Bamboo, 2009.09)

m&c! KOLONI local comics (2010.08.04)

• [New] Sejejak Harap by Gita & Rie

¹ Sources: m&c! (artwork and synopses) and Elex Media (release schedule)
² Manga are priced at IDR 16,500 each except the Toutou and Friends - Ayam Panggang bande dessinée (IDR 25,000; price unchanged from previous series release).
³ Links like this are commercial Amazon search and/or product links for other language versions.

New Titles continued

ChimaChima Papetto by Hina。

Ex-Shonen Ace serial ChimaChima Papetto has magical doll Mume falling at first sight for Ordinary Student Satomi. Handy for Mume, she can transform into a human at will, precluding any cross-class romance. She goes to live with Satomi and ends up squabbling constantly with Kinako, a kindergartner dreaming of some day marrying Satomi. Can Mume's doll rabu rabu rival Kinako's?

(Baka-Updates Manga relates how Satomi met Mume; he won her in one of those UFO catcher/claw crane games, which teaches us this lesson: Beware of what you pick up.)

Hina-sensei's other manga include Di Gi Charat Theater - Leave it to Piyoko, Di Gi Charat - Piyo Piyo Piyoko-chan and No ni Saku Bara no You ni (seinen).

Triple Honey by Yamanaka Rico

The story that baptizes Triple Honey apparently revolves around the love lives of three Ehana sibs: Yuki, Nao and Maki. m&c! describes their stories sweet and captivating. Aside from Triple Honey, the shorts that comprise the compile are Kirai, Kirai, demo Suki, First Love Spiral, Yume Nanka ja Nakute and Bullet LOVER.

Yamanaka Rico-sensei is also the manga-ka of Unlucky Girl, Sayonara no Jikan and Romance of Herself.

KOLONI: Sejejak Harap by Gita & Rie

Sejejak Harap © Gita & Rie/PT Gramedia/m&c!

What looks like Ninomiya Tomoko art inspiration meets paranormal elements in Gita & Rie's Sejejak Harap. The first story 1+1=1 is twin-troped (albeit they're polar opposites) and the second, Gadis 'berbau' mentega (The girl who 'smells' like butter), stars a Rich Boy and a Poor girl finding love in the midst of pastries and cakes. Original Indonesian blurbs below:

1+1=1

Rio dan Bima adalah saudara kembar yang berbeda 180 derajat. Bima adalah anak yang serius mengejar impiannya, sementara Rio adalah anak yang kurang serius dan cuek. Meski begitu mereka berdua memiliki hubungan batin yang kuat. Bima akan merasakan rasa sakit Rio saat kembarannya itu berkelahi. Suatu hari sesuatu terjadi pada Bima. Kini impian dan nama baik Bima yang berprestasi berada di tangan Rio, sang looser, yang memiliki sebuah buku ajaib berhalaman kosong...

Gadis 'berbau' mentega

Danny adalah seorang playboy, putera tunggal pengusaha pastry terkenal. Karena suatu hal ia tak begitu bersemangat meneruskan usaha keluarganya...sampai suatu hari ia bertemu dengan Emmy. Emmy adalah pengusaha kue kecil di universitas Danny, yang sedang dalam masalah keuangan. Bermodalkan buku resep misterius dari sebuah toko buku antik, Danny harus menghadapi ketidaksukaannya terhadap dunia pastry demi Emmy!

Continuing series previews

In The Strawberry Marshmallow volume 6, Miu comes to cockroach-terrified Chika's help and attempts to banish said Blatta orientalis, while in Yowamushi Pedal, Go! 8, The Otaku qualifies for the Inter-High competition.

Iamque opus exegi,
~niki DBA huamulan03 (花木蘭03)

UP NEXT: 11 August 2010 manga

Look out for the continuation of Sugar Family (m&c!), the Beauty Honey premiere (Elex Media) and the latest Kyoko Karasuma's Case Files (Level Comics).

disclaimer

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

other currently available manga (4 August 2010 street date)

• Elex Media: Vampire Knight 2 · Topeng Kaca Bidadari Merah 11 · Claymore 15 · Coz We're Not Children 2 of 2 · Godhand Teru 25 · Hidamari Sketch 2 · Kurozakuro 5 · Look Up! 2 · New Sexy Simpleton 6 · Summer Storm! 3 ·Yureka 17 · Shonen Magz 75/2010
• Level Comics: ARMS 18 · Happy Hello Work at Age 21 volume 3 · Hikayat Genji 3 · Jio 8 · Love & Collage 10 · Over Rev 13 · Tomo'o 10 · Yokohama Chinatown Fantasy 1 by Nishi Yuuji · Lucky Luke - Sang Hakim · Michel Vaillant - Tragedi Bercy · Smurf - Smurf Magang · Yakari - Terbang Laksana Gagak

other invaluable resources

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

Technorati tags

m&c! · manga · shoujo · shounen · Bleach · ChimaChima Papetto · The Strawberry Marshmallow (Ichigo Mashimaro) · Triple Honey · Wizard in July (Shichigatsu no Mahoutsukai) · Yowamushi Pedal | AMERO (BD): Toutou et cie | KOLONI: Sejejak Harap