Soul Eater 12, Dawn of The Arcana 4, Under the Rose 5 (Level Comics 23 November 2011 manga) [UPDATED]

So I've filled in the eyecandy, mindcandy and NikBabble™ :D

Soul Eater © Ohkubo Atsushi/Square Enix [Serialized in Shonen Gangan]
Published in Indonesia by Elex Media/Level Comics

Medusa finally comes clean about her exchange deal: she wants SPSS (DWMA)'s help in obliterating Arachnophobia. Shinigami dispatches Maka, Kid, Ox Ford and Kilik Rung to assault Baba Yaga's castle, but can the strike team work with Medusa? And why does Medusa want to destroy Arachnophobia?

Additional deets from Wiki, which goes on to say (may contain [SPOILERS!]): With Medusa's aid, the team manages to evade the perimeter defenses around Baba Yaga's castle and they successfully infiltrate it. Medusa explains that there are eight locks to Arachne's throne room and that the group will have to separate to destroy them. Ox attempts to search for Kim, who he has feelings for, in the castle. He finds her manipulated by a machine that lowers morality, and she stabs him, claiming her allegiance is to Arachnophobia. (from Wikipedia)

With all the action and drama, not to mention tangled motives, is it any wonder that Soul Eater editor Lenny-san observes that the enemy of my enemy is my friend befits this volume ^ 0 ^?

Soul Eater volume 12 compiles chapters 45 through 48: Trade and Operation: Capture Baba Yaga's Castle (Part 1) ~ (Part 3). [*NOT Level's chapter titles] The latest Soul Eater chapter bound in tankoubon is 87, Just a Simple Murder Story, collected in volume 20 (Japan release: 2011.09.22).

Meanwhile, in the other DO WANT! that tied with one of Level Comics' best sellers! Soul Eater for first place —

Dawn of The Arcana vol 4 of 8+
By Toma Rei

Prince Caesar is horrified to learn of King Guran's plans, and whisks Nakaba off to a palace hideaway—ostensibly for a honeymoon—but with Loki, Velinas, Lito and Velinas's sister Remilia tagging along, is actually a bid to warn the Hybrids. The prince doesn't realize that a traitor hides among them...

Dawn of The Arcana editor Adisti-san promises that the appearance of new chara Remilia bodes ... something? :P

Eight Reimei no Arcana volumes have been published in Japan as of 26 October. Imma still hope that Level licenses the Reimei no Arcana -Hajimari no Koku- light novel, too; wanna join me? :)

New Level titles
After Yugo - Shimokita Peninsula comes the second Yugo II arc, Yugo in Tsushima, Kitakyushu. I preview it after the release list, along with Under the Rose volume 5.

Level Comics manga (2011.11.23)

1. Dawn of The Arcana (Reimei no Arcana) vol 4 of 8+ by Toma Rei

Reimei no Arcana 「黎明のアルカナ」 by Toma Rei Shogakukan Cheese!, shoujo Volume 4 first published in Japan 2010.06

Other languages
English Dawn of the Arcana (VIZ Media: Volume 1 street date: 2011.12.06), French (Kazé Editions: L'Arcane de l'aube: Tome 4 shipped 2011.11.24 • Tome 5 street date: 2012.01.02)

Related
The Reimei no Arcana -Hajimari no Koku- 「黎明のアルカナ－始まりの刻－」 light novel was published in Japan in 2011.02 under Shogakukan's Flower Comics Lululu Novels label

2. Soul Eater vol 12 of 20+ by Ohkubo Atsushi

Soul Eater 「ソウルイーター」 by Ohkubo Atsushi Square Enix Shonen Gangan, shounen Volume 12 (chapters 45-48) first published in Japan 2008.06

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
English Soul Eater (Yen Press: seven volumes as of 2011.10.25 • volume 8 street date: 2012.02.28), French (Kurokawa: Tome 17 per 2011.10.13 • Tome 18 street date: 2011.12.08), German (Carlsen Comics: Band 13 shipped 2011.10.28 • Band 14 street date: 2011.12.16) and traditional Chinese (Sharp Point Press Taiwan: SOUL EATER噬魂者 18 released 2011.08)

Related series
Soul Eater Not! (spin-off; began serialization in Shonen Gangan 2011.01.12; volume 1 released in Japan 2011.09.22)

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.

3. Under the Rose: Spring's Paean (Under the Rose - Haru no Sanka) vol 5 of 7+ by Funato Akari «Ex-11.16

Under the Rose - Haru no Sanka 「 Ｕｎｄｅｒ　ｔｈｅ　Ｒｏｓｅ　春の賛歌 」 by Funato Akari Gentosha Comic Birz, Spica and Web Spica, seinen Volume 5 first published in Japan 2008.03

4. [Premiere] Yugo in Tsushima, Kitakyushu (Yugo: Kitakyushu Tsushima-hen) by Makari Shinji and Akana Shu

Yugo: Kitakyushu Tsushima-hen 「勇午　北九州・対馬編 」 by Makari Shinji and Akana Shu Kodansha Evening, seinen First published in Japan 2005.05; reissued as Yugo The negotiator Kitakyushu Tsushima-hen (Kodansha Manga Bunko per 2011.08)

Related series
Part of the Yugo II side stories that include Yugo: Shimokita Hantou-hen (2004.09), published by Level Comics as Yugo - Shimokita Peninsula; Yugo: Tokyo Tanegashima-hen (2006.03); Yugo: Osaka-hen (Volume 1 per 2006.10, volume 2: 2007.02); Yugo: Yokohama Yokosuka-hen (V1: 2008.01 - V2: 2008.02); Yugo: Toyako Summit-hen (V1: 2008.09 - V2: 2009.05); Yugo: Philippines Oda-Hen (V1: 2010.02 - V3: 2010.08), Yugo: Taiwan-hen (V1 2011.06 - V2: 2011.10.21)
Main story: Yugo (22 volumes)

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

[Value sets] Paket Komik *Harga Spesial*

1. Half an Apple, Vols. 1–5 of 14 by Kodama Yukari (1/2 no Ringo) [IDR 45,000/set]
2. Happy Hello Work at Age 21, Vols. 1–4 (of 5+) by Yamaguchi Katsumi (Takunabi) [IDR 36,000/set]
3. Hikayat Genji, Vols. 1–5 (of 13) by Yamato Waki (Asakiyumemishi) [IDR 45,000/set]
4. Honey Hunt, Vols. 1–5 (of 6+) by Aihara Miki [IDR 45,000/set]
5. Hurt Me Softly, Vols. 1–2 of 2 by Kitagawa Miyuki (Shinayaka ni Kizutsuite) –Complete–  [IDR 18,000/set]
6. Officer Monju, Vols. 1–6 (of 12) by Miyashita Hiroki (Seigi Keikan Monju) [IDR 54,000/set]
7. Red River, Vols. 1–5 (of 28) by Shinohara Chie (Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori) [IDR 45,000/set]
8. Revolution No.3, Vols. 1–3 of 3 by Kaneshiro Kazuki and Akishige Manabu –Complete–  [IDR 27,000/set]
9. Rumiko Takahashi's Best Story Collection, Vols. 1–2 by Takahashi Rumiko (Takahashi Rumiko Kessaku Tanpenshuu) [IDR 25,000/set]
10. Show Me the Money, Vols. 1–2 of 2 by Lin Xing Ying (Qiang Qian Nue Shen) –Complete–  [IDR 18,000/set]
11. Wilderness, Vols. 1–4 (of 7+) by Ito Akihiro [IDR 36,000/set]
12. Zenith, Vols. 1–6 of 6 by Yoshida Satoshi & Big O (Jinasu - Zenith) –Complete–  [IDR 54,000/set]

Note: Volume tallies represent volume totals in country of origin, which may or may not coincide with Level's latest releases: Hikayat Genji vol 12 (2011.10.26); Red River vol 10 (9.22); Honey Hunt vol 6 (9.19); and Officer Monju vol 10 (9.14). Half an Apple concluded with Level's release of volume 14 on 5 October.

Read more »

Diamond Life 2, Under the Rose 4, Nanase Fire Investigator 3 (Level Comics manga out now)

Diamond Life © Fujiwara Akira/Shogakukan (First serialized in Petit Comic)
Published in Indonesia by Elex Media Komputindo/Level Comics
[Artwork provided by Level Comics]

Also, Priest 5, Ole! 4 (penultimate), The Ravages of Time 2, and Go Go Hanasaki Detective Office 2

Disregarding the Keep away! warning signs posted by Itaru, Kanae declares her love for Money is the best! wunderkind Haruki, only to be rejected. Not long after, Haruki also issues a cease and desist order to stop Kanae from ever coming over to his mansion again, before blithely going off to play shogi. Quo vadis the Haruki x Kanae relationship? Find out in the penultimate volume of Diamond Life, the top DO WANT! of this Level manga release.

Meanwhile, in the increasingly frantic, tragic, melodramatic(?) Under the Rose: Spring's Paean, Rachel, the virtuous governess of Roland's children, continues to suffer at the hands of cold-blooded second son William. Desperate, Rachel decides to drown herself. But before she can do so, she learns that the darkness enshrouding Roland's family extends farther than William...

Level Comics manga, manhua, and manhwa (2010.05.12)

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

1. Diamond Life 2 of 3 by Fujiwara Akira

Diamond Life 「 ダイヤモンド・ライフ 」 by Fujiwara Akira Shogakukan Petit Comic, josei Volume 2 first published in Japan 2007.08

2. Go Go Hanasaki Detective Office (Go-Go Kochira Shiritsu Hanasaki Tantei Jimusho) 2 of 4 by Watanabe Wataru

Go-Go Kochira Shiritsu Hanasaki Tantei Jimusho. 「 ゴーゴー♪こちら私立華咲探偵事務所 」 by Watanabe Wataru Shinchosha Comic Bunch, seinen Volume 2 first published in Japan in 2006.12

3. Nanase Fire Investigator (Kasai Chousakan Nanase) 3 of 7 by Hashimoto Izo & Ichikawa Tomoshige

Kasai Chousakan Nanase 「 火災調査官ナナセ 」 by Hashimoto Izo & Ichikawa Tomoshige Shinchosha Bunch Comics, seinen Volume 3 first published in Japan 2006.06

Fire Investigator Nanase published in English by CMX (volume 4 released 2010.05.11 • volume 5 street date: 2010.08.24)

4. Officer Monju (Seigi Keikan Monju) 5 of 9+ by Miyashita Hiroki

Seigi Keikan Monju 「 正義警官モンジュ 」 by Miyashita Hiroki Shogakukan Sunday GX, seinen Volume 5 first published in Japan in 2008.03

5. Ole! 4 of 5 by Nohda Tatsuki

Ole! 「 オーレ！ 」 by Nohda Tatsuki Shinchosha Bunch Comics, seinen Volume 4 first published in Japan 2007.09

6. Priest 5 of 16+ by Hyung MinWoo

Priest 「 프리스트 」 by Hyung MinWoo Daiwon C.I. Champ Comics, seinen Volume 5 first published in Korea 2000.01 Series on hiatus from volume 16

Priest published in English by TOKYOPOP (16 volumes; Priest: Purgatory, an original GN, is slated for release August 2010, before the Screen Gems film adaptation starring Paul Bettany, Cam Gigandet, and Maggie Q premieres on 14 January 2011 in the U.S. (It had been formerly scheduled for an August 2010 release; the movie will start its Indonesian run on 2 February 2011.)

7. The Ravages of Time (Huo Feng Liao Yuan) 2 of 37+ by Chan Mou

Sanguozhi Qunxiongzhuan: Huo Feng Liao Yuan 「 火鳳燎原 」 by Chan Mou Tong Li New Youth, seinen Volume 2 first published in Japan 2001.07

Published in simplified Chinese by Chuang Yi (latest: volume 37)

8. Tomo'o (Danchi Tomoo) 8 of 16+ by Oda Tobira

Danchi Tomoo 「 団地ともお 」 by Oda Tobira Shogakukan Big Comic Spirits, seinen Volume 8 first published in Japan 2006.09

9. Under the Rose: Spring's Paean (Under the Rose - Haru no Sanka) 4 of 6+ by Funato Akari

Under the Rose - Haru no Sanka by Funato Akari 「 Ｕｎｄｅｒ　ｔｈｅ　Ｒｏｓｅ　春の賛歌 」 Gentosha Birz Comics Deluxe, josei Volume 4 first published in Japan 2006.11

Related series: Honey Rose (prequel; one volume, complete)

Level Comics European comics (2010.05.12)

1. Spirou: Air Keabadian (Spirou et Fantasio, tome 48: L'homme qui ne voulait pas mourir) by Morvan, Munuera, Nemiri, Lerolle
2. Spirou: Penyihir di Champignac (Spirou et Fantasio, tome 2: Il y a un sorcier à Champignac) by Franquin

Level Comics reissues (2010.05.12)

1. [RE-STO] Harlequin: The Case of Missing Secretary by Diana Palmer
2. [RE-STO] Harlequin: Emma and The Earl 1 by Paula Marshall
3. [RE-STO] Harlequin: Emma and The Earl 2 by Paula Marshall

NOTE
(1) Sources: Elex Media STO 12 May 2010 (release schedule) and Komikologi (synopses, except where noted)
(2) All listed manga are priced at IDR 17,000 each, except Officer Monju 5 and Under the Rose: Spring's Paean 4 (SRP: IDR 18,000). The reissued Harlequin manga retail for IDR 12,000 apiece; the Spirou ROMICS are IDR 35,000 per volume.
(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.

Moar summaries

Officer Monju 5 by Miyashita Hiroki

Junpei accidentally unearths a prototype of Red Monju and brings it to the police station. Christened Fugen, Red Monju captures the hearts of everyone around, inciting Monju's envy. But all of a sudden, Fugen goes berserk and attacks Junpei and Monju! What caused Fugen to go nuts? And can Monju and Junpei stop the rampaging Fugen?

Ole! 4 by Nohda Tatsuki

Finally, the deciding match in the N2 Division kicks off, but the rival team has the funding, player, and home team advantage. Can Kazusa Ole stay in N2 or will it be demoted to the amateurs' league?

Priest 5 by Hyung MinWoo

Vascar de Guillon, the Holy Knight who has lost his faith in God after his wife and children were burned alive, finds Temazorela's “crypt” and is possessed by the fallen angel. Temozarela in Vascar de Guillon's body encounters Betheal, the priest who would later turn into Beliel. Thus marks the beginning of the protracted war between the two.

[With additions from Wikipedia's Priest article]

The Ravages of Time 2 by Chan Mou

The retelling of the Three Kingdoms classic from the viewpoint of the Sima clan that would unite the warring Wei, Shu, and Wu nations continues with the Canbing assault to save Sima Lang—Sima Yi's brother—from the Luoyang prison.

Canbing leader Liaoyuan Huo succeeds in infiltrating the Guandong forces and Luoyang. But before the fearless Liaoyuan Huo can free Sima Lang, he first has to face the God of War, Lu Bu.

ROMICs: Spirou et Fantasio

Spirou and Fantasio, as Wikipedia points out, are the journalist protagonists of one of the most popular classic Franco-Belgian comic strips around, along with Hergé's Tintin and Goscinny and Uderzo's Asterix. (Not to mention the also Level-released Smurfs and Lucky Luke series.) Accompanying the newshound pair on their exploits are Spip, Spirou's pet squirrel, and scientist friend, the Count of Champignac. Franquin (André Franquin) is considered the comics' definitive author, even though it was originally created by Robert Velter (Rob-Vel) in 1938. Spirou et Fantasio would later be handled by a long line of cartoonists, among them, Jijé (Joseph Gillain); Jean-Claude Fournier; Yves Chaland; and Tome & Janry. Morvan (Jean-David Morvan) & Munuera (José-Luis Munuera) brought Spirou et Fantasio to the 21st century — with a hint of manga about it.

Level brings us two of Spirou and Fantasio's adventures in this release, one by the original Franquin and the other by the Morvan & Munuera team.

Spirou: Air Keabadian by Morvan & Munuera

Spirou et Fantasio, tome 48: L'homme qui ne voulait pas mourir (The Man Who Didn't Want To Die)
by Morvan & Munuera (Dupuis SA, 2005)

Spirou and Fantasio travel to Guaracha to help Fantasio's uncle Tanzafio hunt down Fantasio's cousin Zantafio, after Zantafio stole his uncle's journal containing the map to the fabled fountain of youth. The chase leads Spirou and Fantasio and squirrel Spip through the dense South American jungle, facing warring Guaracha Indian tribes along the way. But whatever happens, the trio will do everything to keep the petty (and not so petty) tyrant Zantafio from hogging the eternal springs.

[With additions from Spirou et Fantasio: L'homme qui ne voulait pas mourir (Amazon France)]

Spirou: Penyihir di Champignac

Spirou et Fantasio, tome 2: Il y a un sorcier à Champignac (There is a Sorcerer in Champignac)
by Franquin (Dupuis, 1951)

Spirou and Fantasio's bicycle camping trip is disturbed by strange happenings in the village of Champignac-en-Cambrousse, where they meet the egotistic windbag, Mayor Gustave Labarbe, and local aristocrat Pacôme Hégésippe Adélard Ladislas de Champignac, a genius inventor. The bizarre phenomena besetting the village include mushrooms sprouting everywhere, small animals suddenly becoming huge, calves turning into full-grown cattle only to die — all occurring in the space of mere hours. The villagers blame a passing gypsy, but the perp is actually...

[With addition's from Spirou et Fantasio: Il y a un sorcier à Champignac (Wikipedia)]

Written by Henri Gillain, this volume features the first appearance of the recurring character, the Mayor of Champignac, and the Count of Champignac who would go on to accompany Spirou and Fantasio in later adventures.

~niki DBA huamulan03 (花木蘭03) who owes a debt of gratitude to Priest editor Lenny-san for the Level covers and blurbs

disclaimer

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

manga currently available (12 May 2010 street date)

• Elex Media: Burning Pen by Shimamoto Kazuhiko · Cross Game 16 · Eyeshield 21 V37 of 37 · Fantastic Tales 2 · The Fifth Columnist 2 of 2 · K-ON! 1 by Kakifly · Kuro Memanggul Peti Mati 1 by Kiyuduki Satoko · Pangeran Kacamata 3 · School Rumble 10 · Shugo Chara! 9 Tokkyu! 11 · V.B. Rose 1 by Hidaka Banri · Vitamin Cat 1 by Sugiyama Ryoko · Wazabo 3 · Nakayoshi 80/2010
• m&c!: Beauty Pop 6 · Bleach 24 · Blizzard Axel 9 · Goong [Palace Story] 20 · Innocent Revenge by Hazuki Rei · Nekomachi Shop Guide 1 by Sakamoto Miku · Princess Bouquet 1 by Aomata Pink · Shanimuni GO 29 · Shanaou Yoshitsune volumes 18-22 box set

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

other invaluable resources

7net Shopping ·Baka-Updates Manga · Wikipedia · manaworld.com · Amazon France

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