Spiral: The Bonds of Reason 15 of 15, Ghost's Doctor 8, Q and A vol 1 by Adachi Mitsuru (Elex Media 12 October 2011 manga) [UPDATED]

So I'm back with eyecandy and NikBabble™. Rejoice! :P

Spiral: Suiri no Kizuna © Shirodaira Kyo & Mizuno Eita
Square Enix [First serialized in Shonen Gangan]
Published in Indonesia as Spiral: The Bonds of Reason by Elex Media

As Spiral: The Bonds of Reason approaches climax, Hizumi can barely believe that Ayumu refuses to kill him, even as Hizumi readies for another fire fight. What's worse, Ayumu makes Hizumi realize that he is now alone. Hopes dashed, a desperate Hizumi leaps off a building...

Will Hizumi live? Or!?

As for Ayumu and Kiyotaka, Ayumu certainly intends to meet his brother, but will he face Kiyotaka in the name of defiant hope - or broken surrender? [Quoted from Yen Press' Spiral: The Bonds of Reasoning, Vol. 15 description]

I still haven't found what I'm looking for. You know wat to do if you want to know how this boy detective story pans out. (*whispers* The key word is: touching.)

Spiral: The Bonds of Reason compiles chapters 72 through 77 (Final): Nyanyian di Hari Perpisahan (Bagian 2) or The Song Sung During the Day You Parted Ways (part 2), Di Seberang Menara Babel (Headed for Babel), Satu Hal yang Pasti (Only One Certain Thing), Dunia Indah Dewa (God's Beautiful World), Menghiasi Sayap dengan Lembut (Softly, The Wing's Decoration) and Spiral - Semoga Akan Banyak Hari-Hari Baik (If All Is As It Should Be, There Will Be Many Good Days) [English title equivalents excerpted from Wiki]

New Elex manga
Elex launches a shounen manga pair currently serializing in Gessan (Monthly Shonen Sunday): Q and A by Adachi Mitsuru (that you already saw in the post title) and Lindbergh by Ahndongshik, originally slated to debut last month. I preview the story of youth and bonds Q and A and I believe I can fly Lindbergh below the release list.

Gessan, alternatively known as Get the Sun, is kinda like Jump Square in that it targets readers in their late teens to early twenties. (Thanks, Wiki.)

☆ Speaking of mangazines belonging to the Shonen Sunday family, the Indonesian version, Shonen Star, streets its Issue 18/2011 today, too. [Continued after the release list]

Elex Media manga and manhwa (2011.10.12)

1. Blooming Youth (Hanasakeru Seishounen) vol 7 of 12 by Itsuki Natsumi

Hanasakeru Seishounen 「花咲ける青少年」 by Itsuki Natsumi Hakusensha LaLa and LaLa DX, shoujo Volume 7 first published in Japan 1993.02

Volume 7 chapters:
Act.6 Three (2)
Act.7 The Previous Night
Act.8 All Gathered!
Extra!? Costume Paradise
Profile 6

Reissues/Other languages
Reissued in six aizōban from 2009.02 to 2009.03
Traditional Chinese 天國少女 (Tong Li, 12 volumes)

Related
One-shot sequel (Melody 27 June 2009) and Hanasakeru Seishounen: Tokubetsuhen (one volume per 2011.03). A Hanasakeru Seishounen Premium Fanbook is scheduled to release 2011.12.05.

Adaptations
A 39-episode anime adaptation by Studio Pierrot, starring seiyuu Endo Aya (Kajika Louisa Kugami Burnsworth), Morikawa Toshiyuki (Huang Li-Ren), Ono Daisuke (Eugene Alexandr De Volkan), Namikawa Daisuke (Rumaty Ivan Di Raginei) and Fukuyama Jun (Carl Rosenthal) that aired between April 2009 and February 2010 on NHK, and at least two stage adaptations, the first premiering 29 September 2010 in Tokyo

2. Casting vol 4 of 8 by KITT & Park SangYong
3. Crayon Shinchan vol 9 of 50 by Usui Yoshito «Ex-10.05

Crayon Shin-chan 「クレヨンしんちゃん」 by Usui Yoshito Futabasha Weekly Manga Action, seinen Volume 9 first published in Japan 1994.07

Related
Shin Crayon Shin-chan by UY Studio and Crayon Shin-chan Shin-Men by Usui Yoshito & UY Studio (volume 1 street date: 2011.11.17)

Other languages
English (partially translated by ComicsOne and CMX), French (J'ai Lu, then, Casterman), Spanish and Catalan (Planeta DeAgostini Comics Spain), German (EMA), Italian ( Panini Comics) and traditional Chinese (Tong Li Taiwan)

Adaptations
Shin'ei Doga's anime adaptation, starring seiyuu Yajima Akiko (Shin-chan), ran from April 1992 to December 2010. At least 18 movie sequels have been released between July 1993 and April 2010.

4. Cute Children (Zettai Karen Children) vol 18 of 27+ by Shiina Takashi «Ex-9.28

Zettai Karen Children 「絶対可憐チルドレン」 by Shiina Takashi Shogakukan Shonen Sunday, shounen Volume 18 first published in Japan 2009.09

Volume 18 chapters:
Chapters 1-7 Pandra Returns (1-7)
Chapters 8-10 Phantom In The Mist (1-3) [*NOT Elex chapter titles]

Adaptations
Synergy SP's 51-episode anime adaptation, starring seiyuu Hirano Aya (Akashi Kaoru), Tomatsu Haruka (Sannomiya Shiho), Shiraishi Ryoko (Nogami Aoi) and Nakamura Yuuichi (Minamoto Kōichi) aired in Japan from April 2008 to March 2009. A special episode Generous Treatment! Natsuko and Hotaru's B.A.B.E.L. Report aired 2009.01.04. An OAV released 2010.07.16.

The Zettai Karen Children no Gōka Shinsaku Audio Drama "Tsuika kōen! Pati no hime rareta kōzen no jōnetsu" drama CD was bundled with the limited edition manga volume 26 (2011.06).

5. Ghost's Doctor (Youkai no Oishasan) vol 8 of 15 by Sato Yuki

Youkai no Oishasan 「妖怪のお医者さん」 by Sato Yuki Kodansha Magazine Special, Shonen Sirius and Weekly Shonen Magazine, shounen Volume 8 first published in Japan 2008.09

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

6. [Series Premiere] Lindbergh vol 1 of 4+ by Ahndongshik «Ex-9.28

Lindbergh 「リンドバーグ」 by Ahndongshik Shogakukan Gessan, shounen Volume 1 first published in Japan 2009.12

7. Otoboke Section Chief (Otoboke Kachou) vol 14 of 23+ by Ueda Masashi «Ex-9.28

Otoboke Kachou 「おとぼけ課長」 by Ueda Masashi Houbunsha Manga Time, seinen Volume 14 first published in Japan 2001.02

8. [Series Premiere] Q and A vol 1 of 5+ by Adachi Mitsuru

Q and A 「ＱあんどＡ」 by Adachi Mitsuru Shogakukan Gessan, shounen Volume 1 first published in Japan 2009.11

9. Spiral: The Bonds of Reason (Spiral: Suiri no Kizuna) vol 15 of 15 by Shirodaira Kyo & Mizuno Eita [Finale]

Spiral: Suiri no Kizuna 「スパイラル　推理の絆」 by Shirodaira Kyo & Mizuno Eita Square Enix Shonen Gangan, shounen Volume 14 (chapters 72-77) first published in Japan 2006.01

Other languages
English Spiral: The Bonds of Reasoning (Yen Press: 15 volumes per 2011.04) and German (Carlsen Comics: Spiral - Gefährliche Wahrheit: Band 13 shipped 2011.09.29 • Band 14 street date: 2011.12.16)

Related
Spiral Alive (prequel; five volumes); a series of light novels; Mizuno Eita artbooks: SPIRAL Mizuno Eita Gashuu (2003.03) and Spiral All Along (2006.02; released with volume 15); and the Life is Spiral 「スパイラル完全解説本　ライフ・イズ・スパ」 guide, which includes the first draft of the Spiral: Suiri no Kizuna 「Sore sae mo toutoki hibi de」 drama (2003.03)

Adaptations
A series of audio dramas and a 25-episode anime adaptation by J.C. Staff, based on the first six volumes of the manga, with an alternate ending that aired on TV Tokyo from October 2002 to March 2003, starring seiyuu Suzumura Kenichi (Narumi Ayumu), Asano Masumi (Yuizaki Hiyono) and Ishida Akira (Eyes Rutherford).

10. Tena on S-string (S-Senjou no Tena) vol 8 of 9 by Mikabe Sesuna «Ex-9.28

S-Senjou no Tena 「Ｓ線上のテナ」 by Mikabe Sesuna Houbunsha Manga Time Kirara Forward, seinen Volume 8 first published in Japan 2010.06

Other languages
English Tena on S-string (Yen Press: five volumes per 2010.12)

11. Welcome to Host Detective Agency (Host-tan e Youkoso) vol 5 of 5 by Tateno Makoto [Finale]

Host-tan e Youkoso 「ホス探へようこそ」 by Tateno Makoto Hakusensha Bessatsu Hana to Yume, shoujo Volume 5 first published in Japan 2010.02

Release links are hide/unhide. Click for more details.
Postponed titles and new tentative street dates
La Corda D'Oro vol 8, Ouran High School Host Club vol 9 and Toradora! vol 3 postponed to 10.19; Princess Resurrection vol 4 to 10.26.

Box sets AKA Paket Komik *Harga Spesial* (2011.10.12)

1. Hello Master, Vols. 1-3 of 3 by Tsukuba Sakura (Yoroshiku Master) –Complete– [IDR 24,000/set]
2. Here is Greenwood Deluxe, Bunko Vols. 1-3 (of 6) by Nasu Yukie (Koko wa Greenwood) [IDR 36,000/set]
3. Katsu!, Vols. 1-10 (of 16) by Adachi Mitsuru [IDR 80,000/set]
4. Kuro Memanggul Peti Mati, Vols. 1-2 (of 2+) by Kiyuduki Satoko (Hitsugi Katsugi no Kuro.) [IDR 16,000/set]
5. Kurozakuro, Vols. 1-7 of 7 by Natsume Yoshinori –Complete– [IDR 56,000/set]
6. Wazabo, Vols. 1-4 (of 6+) by Soyama Kazutoshi [IDR 32,000/set]

Note: Volume tallies represent Japanese volume totals, not (necessarily) Elex's latest release. Most recent Elex releases: Here is Greenwood Deluxe bunko vol 4 (per 8.15), Katsu! vol 14 (10.05), Kuro Memanggul Peti Mati vol 2 (2010.05.26) and Wazabo vol 5 (7.06).

Mangazines (2011.10.12)

• Shonen Star Issue 18/2011 (Indonesian Shonen Sunday)

Read more »

Detektif Conan 63, Arsene Lupin 3, Welcome to Host Detective Agency 4 (Elex Media 15 August 2011 manga) [UPDATED]

The Updated with NikBabble™ Version

Idul Fitri holidays ＼（＾ ＾）／ at the end of the month till early September = 2×release skeds for this week—on the 15th and 18th—and the third week of September. The Elex top DO WANT! for this accelerated release are exclusively detective manga—oops, right, Lupin represents the opposite side of the crime divide :D

Meitantei Conan © Aoyama Gosho/Shogakukan [Serialized in Shonen Sunday]
Published in Indonesia as Detektif Conan by Elex Media

Shinichi returns to his original form, but as Haibara's antidote remains strictly experimental, is forced into hiding to wait out the drug's effects.

Later, the Detective Boys have to solve a murder at the Kaitenzushi sushi restaurant, where a customer dies from cyanide poisoning; find out who killed the host of the All-Japan Kojima tournament (a contest in which participants are surnamed Kojima) and bring the mysterious "Silver Witch" to justice.

Wiki points out that the ghost racer Silver Witch, the alleged culprit of a string of accidents on a fog-enshrouded mountain, can apparently drive in the air.

Detektif Conan 63 compiles chapters 653 through 663: My Deduction, Deduction Answer, The Revolving Weapon, Sharpshooting, Whereabouts of the Poison, Pig, Deer, Butterfly, 801 and Shakuhachi and First Class, Truth about the Contest, The Silver-White Witch White FD and The True Identity of the Witch. [*NOT* Elex chapter titles]

If you want the latest chapters available in Indonesia, check out Shonen Star, which serializes Aoyama Gosho's Meitantei Conan (along with other Shonen Sunday stars like Kekkaishi and Wild Life). ShoStar 15/2011 is slated to street on the 18th.

Meanwhile, halfway through the Kaitou Lupin Series —

Arsène Lupin 3 of 5 by Maurice Leblanc and Kazumine Daiji

Years before there was an Arsène Lupin, there were already jewelry thieves. One of the most notorious made off with the so-called Queen's Necklace. No clues were ever found and the case remains unsolved. Until now, when gentleman thief Lupin explains how the heist went down.

Before I preview another case (that the bishieful Host Detectives solve), newbies first.

A Tale of the Cat Painter by Nagao Maru

Long ago in Edo, there lived an artist named Jube...

Nekoe Juubee Otogi Soushi
© Nagao Maru
Shonen Gahosha
[Serialized in Neko Panchi]
Published in Indonesia as
A Tale of the Cat Painter
by Elex Media

Every day, this young man peddles his ability to paint cats that can scare off mice. (Talk about novel pest eradication.) Of course, he's accompanied by a cat — an invisible one. As Jube goes around Edo, he meets all sorts of people and the cats that deign to live with them.

The exploits of Jube and his yokai cat comrade continue to serialize in the josei Neko Panchi, home of another (corporeal) feline, Kome si Belang. Four Nekoe Juubee Otogi Soushi tankou have been compiled as of 11 April. A unique and funny classic tale, is how Elex describes the series. I'm a dog person myself, but am intrigued enough to try A Tale of the Cat Painter just because of its Edo-jidai setting ^^

★ The other debut also stars a cat, but a very famous (robot) one — Doraemon Movie: The Doraemons - Operasi Besar Serangga Bersemi. Even Elex sez this Doraemon movie mangafication by Fujiko F. Fujio resembles other Doraemon Movie manga Elex has published. So I'm just gonna say that it's based on the 16-minute, 1998-vintage The Doraemons: The Great Operation of Springing Insects; that The Doraemons have to choose one robot insect each if they want to graduate from the Robot School; and that one volume sets you back IDR 24,000.

Mangazines: Nakayoshi 8/2011

Toriumi Pedoro's supernova debut series Love is the Devil (Amai Akuma ga Warau) topbills the latest NakaGress. An Arisa Special also on tap, in addition to Ando Natsumi's regular Twins, Suicidal Arisa series and Issue 7's shoujo manga debuts, A Gift for My Teacher by Yamada Daisy (mistakenly reported as titled My Teacher) and Angel or Devil? by Moro Orie. [For other Kodansha shoujo manga serialized in the Indonesian Nakayoshi, scroll down.]

Elex Media manga and manhwa (2011.08.15)

1. Arsène Lupin (Kaitou Lupin Series) 3 of 5 by Maurice Leblanc and Kazumine Daiji

Kaitou Lupin 3 Joō no Kubikazari Kyōryoku 「怪盗ルパン　３　女王の首飾り　協力」 Original story by Maurice Leblanc; Illustrations by Kazumine Daiji The Kumon Manga Library, educational manga Volume 3 first published in Japan in 1998.02

2. BECK 26 of 34 by Harold Sakuishi

BECK 「ＢＥＣＫ」 by Harold Sakuishi Kodansha Monthly Shonen Magazine, shounen Volume 26 first published in Japan 2006.04

Awards
Best Shounen Manga, 2002 Kodansha Manga Awards (tied with Nonaka Eiji's Cromartie High School)

Serializations/Other languages
Indonesian Shonen Magz (ongoing)
English BECK:Mongolian Chop Squad (TOKYOPOP: till volume 12), French (Akata/Delcourt: 34 volumes per 2010.03), Italian (Dynit), German (Tokyopop Germany; lapsed) and traditional Chinese (Tong Li Taiwan)

Adaptations
Anime adaptation (till manga volume 11) by Madhouse featuring seiyuu Namikawa Daisuke (Tanaka Yukio/Koyuki), Ueno Yuuma (Minami Ryuusuke) and Saiki Miho (Minami Maho). Twenty-six episodes aired from October 2004 to March 2005 on TV Tokyo.

A BECK live-action film directed by Tsutsumi Yukihiko, starring Mizushima Hiro (Ryuusuke) and Satoh Takeru (Koyuki), premiered 4 September 2010 in Japan.

3. Casting 3 of 8 by KITT & Park SangYong
4. Crayon Shinchan 8 of 50 by Usui Yoshito

Crayon Shin-chan 「クレヨンしんちゃん」 by Usui Yoshito Futabasha Weekly Manga Action, seinen Volume 8 first published in Japan 1994.03

Other languages
English (partially translated by ComicsOne and CMX), French (J'ai Lu, then, Casterman), Spanish and Catalan (Planeta DeAgostini Comics Spain), German (EMA), Italian ( Panini Comics) and traditional Chinese (Tong Li Taiwan)

Adaptations
Shin'ei Doga's anime adaptation, starring seiyuu Yajima Akiko (Shin-chan), ran from April 1992 to December 2010. At least 18 movie sequels have been released between July 1993 and April 2010.

5. Detektif Conan (Meitantei Conan) 63 of 73+ by Aoyama Gosho

Meitantei Conan 「名探偵コナン」 by Aoyama Gosho Shogakukan Shonen Sunday, shounen Volume 63 (chapters 653-663) first published in Japan 2008.11

Awards
Best Shounen Manga, 46th Shogakukan Manga Awards (tied with Nishimori Hiroyuki's Cheeky Angel)

Other languages/serializations
Ongoing serialization in the Indonesian Shonen Star
English Case Closed (39 volumes per 2011.07 • volume 40 street date: 2011.10.11), French (Kana: Détective Conan Tome 65 ships 2011.08.26 • Tome 66 street date: 2011.12.02), Dutch (Kana), Spanish (Planeta DeAgostini Comics Spain), German and Swedish (Egmont), simplified Chinese (Chuang Yi Singapore: 名侦探柯南 #72 per 2011.08.16)

Related
Detektif Conan Seri Animasi TV (based on the TV series) and Detektif Conan Spesial (special editions by Aoyama-sensei's assistants that diverge from the main plot)

Adaptations
Ongoing anime (episode 626 aired 2011.07.30), starring seiyuu Takayama Minami (Edogawa Conan) and Yamazaki Wakana (Mori Ran), at least 19 OAVs (Shonen Sunday Original animation, Magic File and Phantom Thief Kid specials), 15 animated films and four live-action TV drama, including the prequel Detective Conan: Shinichi Kudo's Written Challenge - The Good-bye Prologue (Oguri Shun as Kudo Shinichi and Kurokawa Tomoka as Ran), the follow-up Shinichi Kudo Returns! Showdown with the Black Organization (Fujisaki Nao as Conan), the third Shinichi Kudo's Written Challenge! The Mystery of the Legendary Strange Bird special (aired 2011.04.15 starring Mizobata Junpei as Kudo Shinichi) and the Kudo Shinichi he no Chosenjo TV drama that premiered 7 July 2011 (episode 6 aired 2011.08.11; also stars Mizobata Junpei as Kudo Shinichi).

6. [Premiere] Doraemon Movie: The Doraemons - Operasi Besar Serangga Bersemi (Eiga Za★ Doraemonzu―Mushimushi Pyonpyon Daisakusen!) by Fujiko F. Fujio (Shogakukan) »EX 8.03

Eiga Za★ Doraemonzu―Mushimushi Pyonpyon Daisakusen! 「映画ザ★ドラえもんズ―ムシムシぴょんぴょん大作戦!」 by Fujiko F. Fujio Shogakukan no Terebi Ehon, kodomo First published in Japan 1998.05

Related
Based on The Doraemons: The Great Operation of Springing Insects (Japan premiere: 1998.03.07)

7. Here is Greenwood (Koko wa Greenwood) Deluxe 4 of 6 by Nasu Yukie

Koko wa Greenwood 「ここはグリーン・ウッド」 by Nasu Yukie Hakusensha Bessatsu Hana to Yume and Hana to Yume, shoujo Bunko volume 4 first published in Japan 2001.03

Other languages
English Here is Greenwood (VIZ Media, nine volumes)

Adaptations
A six-episode anime OAV starring seiyuu Sasaki Nozomu (Hasukawa Kazuya), Sakamoto Chika (Kisaragi Shun), Iwata Mitsuo (Ikeda Mitsuru) and Seki Toshihiko (Tezuka Shinobu) released in Japan between November 1991 and March 1993. A 13-episode live-action renzoku that aired on Tokyo MX from July to September 2008 (Cast: Izawa Yuki, Suzuki Hiroki, Miura Riki and Sato Yuuichi)

8. Kekkaishi 8 of 35 by Tanabe Yellow

Kekkaishi 「結界師」 by Tanabe Yellow Shogakukan Shonen Sunday, shounen Volume 8 (chapters 66-75) first published in Japan 2005.07

Awards
Best Shounen Manga, 52nd Shogakukan Manga Awards

Other languages/serializations
Serialized in the Indonesian Shonen Star (ongoing)
English Kekkaishi (VIZ Media: 27 volume per 2011.08.09 • volume 28 street date: 2011.10.11), French (PIKA Édition: tome 27 shipped 2011.06), German (Carlsen Comics: Band 17 released 2011.05 • Band 18 per 2011.11.18), simplified Chinese (Chuang Yi: 结界师 #34 released 2011.07), traditional Chinese (Rightman Publishing Limited HK and Tong Li Taiwan), Italian (Planet Manga), Malaysian (PCM Comics), Korean (Bookbox), Spanish (Editorial Ivrea Spain), Vietnamese (Kim Dong)

Adaptations
Sunrise's 52-episode anime adaptation, starring seiyuu Yoshino Hiroyuki (Sumimura Yoshimori) and Saitou Rie (Yukimura Tokine), aired in Japan from October 2006 to February 2008. The anime aired on Animax Asia from 15 February to 27 April 2011.

Related
An official TV animation guide book (released 2006.12 under the Shonen Sunday Comics Special imprint) and two official strategy guides for Wii and Nintendo DS (Wonderlife Special: 2007.06 (Nintendo DS), 2007.11 (Wii))

9. My First Mr. Akuno (Hajimete no Aku) 5 of 10+ by Fujiki Syun

Hajimete no Aku 「はじめてのあく」 by Fujiki Syun Shogakukan Shonen Sunday, shounen Volume 5 first published in Japan 2010.05

10. Otoboke Section Chief (Otoboke Kachou) 13 of 23+ by Ueda Masashi

Otoboke Kachou 「おとぼけ課長」 by Ueda Masashi Houbunsha Manga Time, seinen Volume 13 first published in Japan 2000.02

11. RAVE - Plue's Dog Diaries (Rave: Plue no Inu Nikki) 2 of 3 by Mashima Hiro

Rave: Plue no Inu Nikki 「ＲＡＶＥ　プルーの犬日記」 by Mashima Hiro Kodansha BonBon, shounen Volume 2 first published in Japan 2005.07

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

12. [Series Premiere] A Tale of the Cat Painter (Nekoe Juubee Otogi Soushi) 1 of 4+ by Nagao Maru

Nekoe Juubee Otogi Soushi 「猫絵十兵衛　御伽草紙」 by Nagao Maru Shonen Gahosha Neko Panchi, josei Volume 1 first published in Japan 2008.12

13. Welcome to Host Detective Agency (Host-tan e Youkoso) 4 of 5 by Tateno Makoto

Host-tan e Youkoso 「ホス探へようこそ」 by Tateno Makoto Hakusensha Bessatsu Hana to Yume, shoujo Volume 4 first published in Japan 2009.08

14. Witch Hunter 3 of 12+ by Cho JungMan

Witch Hunter 「위치헌터」 by Cho JungMan Daiwon C.I., Super Champ, sonyun Volume 3 first published in Korea 2006.09

Other languages
French (Ki-oon: Witch Hunter tome 11 per 2011.02)

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

Mangazines (2011.08.15)

• Nakayoshi Gress! 8/2011 (Kodansha shoujo)

Read more »

Pandora Hearts 12, Absolute Peace Strategy 1 by Ogura Akane, Welcome to Host Detective Agency 1 by Tateno Makoto (Elex Media 29 December 2010 manga)

Zettai Heiwa Daisakusen © Ogura Akane/Hakusensha [Serialized in LaLa DX]
Published in Indonesia as Absolute Peace Strategy by Elex Media

I will get to Pandora Hearts 12 (and Spiral 10, Wild Life 11 plus the other premieres) in a bit. Johanne-sama and Euda-sama (above) won't wait.

Fighting breaks out between the kingdoms of Meteora to the north and Cannan to the south. But Meteora's war hero, Prince Johanne, and Cannan's Florence Nightingale, Princess Euda, fall in love with one another and prevail upon their sovereigns to end the conflict. Peace finally reigns over the two kingdoms, now awaiting the wedding of Prince Johanne and Princess Euda. The End.

NOT!

Apparently, Johanne and Euda are in cahoots guarding The Secret to the fragile peace.

MUST-HAVE!

To find out what the “lovebirds” are hiding, GET! Absolute Peace Strategy 1. If you lurve Rome×Juli-esque (bickering) romances, you won't regret investing in this four-volume confection. Cute Couple prolly best describes our protagonists: the Johanne × Euda combi is one of the keeyootest in the manga biz, and that's saying a lot, especially in a genre strong with pinchables. And aside from blond bishieness, Johanne-sama can open up a serious can of whoop-ass, while Euda-sama, who normally resembles a weather paper doll, provides the LOLarious comic relief.

Absolute Peace Strategy 1 compiles chapters 1 through 4 and the omake When They were Young.

You might already know creator Ogura Akane-sensei from Mademoiselle Butterfly, the two-volume Geisha, Live-in Lover, Older Male Younger Female-troped shoujo manga released by m&c!.

Pandora Hearts 12 of 13+ by Mochizuki Jun

To give Oz a break from the relentless hunt for the seal, Oscar Vessalius invites his nephew and Oz's close friends to a tea party (that hopefully won't have the party-goers stuck at 6:00 forever nor require answering unanswerable riddles like Why is a raven like a writing desk?). As Oz sips his tea on this Unbirthday, he cherishes only one wish: that these peaceful days continue... forever.

Pandora Hearts 12 Retraces XLVI through XLIX: Persona, Unbirthday, Isla=Yura and Night in gale. (NOT Elex's titles.)

NEW ELEX SERIES

Year-end debuts include the Hakusensha shoujo trifecta Absolute Peace Strategy already blurbed above, The Recipe For Gertrude by Kusakawa Nari and Welcome to Host Detective Agency by Tateno Makoto. On the kodomo and shounen side, there's Dodge Fighters, the Japan Dodge Ball Association-approved Ganbare! Dodgeball Fighters manga from Murakami Toshiya & Saito Muneo and the Demons, Summoned creatures-troped Traumeister by Nakayama Atsushi that should've premiered months ago. All completed series. (Aren't you glad?)

Per usual, only training the spotlight on one newbie here — half of the pair that garnered the most LXO interest. (The other was Absolute Peace Strategy.)

Welcome to Host Detective Agency 1 of 5 by Tateno Makoto

Host-tan e Youkoso
© Tateno Makoto/Hakusensha
[Bessatsu Hana to Yume]
Published in Indonesia as
Welcome to Host Detective Agency
by Elex Media

Ever since he was a kid, Kobayashi has dreamed of becoming a detective — cracking mysteries and running down thieves while he's at it. So, he's understandably over the moon when he is accepted into a detective agency and meets the burning with tantei passion manager Akechi, I mean, Aketomo, a deduction paragon Kobayashi can look up to.

The same idol, however, bursts Kobayashi's euphoria bubble when he tells the newest employee of the agency's side business (because simple detecting can't pay all the bills). The detectives by day become Lady Killers (hosts) by night! [Additional info from Twee Quidam Scans]

Despite Tateno Makoto-sensei's fame as a yaoi manga-ka (Yellow, anyone?), she does dabble into non-fujoshi offerings, one of which is this tantei meets hosuto and Host-Tan hilarity ensues and the gender-bending Cute Guy (also released by Elex). To say that Welcome to Host Detective Agency is fujo-unfriendly, however, would be stretching it; BL sparks start flying from the get-go between newbie Kobayashi (host alias: Shinobu-kun) and ex-rookie and third most wanted host Rindo. (The other Lady Killer hosts are Aketomo, the legendary #1 host in Shinjuku, and hosts #2, 3 and 5 — Shiranui, Akane and Shigure.)

The first order of the day is solving the mystery of a host club customer's message ring, but there are three more Orders (chapters) in volume 1.

MANGAZINES: Shonen Star 78/2010 ☆ Detektif Conan by Aoyama Gosho

Meitantei Conan
© Aoyama Gosho
Shogakukan [Shonen Sunday]

Phantom Thief Kid is back! This time, Jirokichi-ojisan, Sonoko's eccentric uncle, lays a trap for Kid that leads to another showdown between Conan and the high-profile kaitou.

Aoyama Gosho's Detektif Conan rates the Shonen Star 78 front cover. The rest of the the ShoStar pack follow: Dr. Koto by Yamada Takatoshi, Inuyasha by Takahashi Rumiko, Kekkaishi by Tanabe Yellow, Magical Iroha by Inoue Kazurou, Defense Devil by Youn InWan & Yang KyungIl, Yakitate!! Japan by Hashiguchi Takashi, D-LIVE!! by Minagawa Ryouji, Katsu! by Adachi Mitsuru, My First Mr. Akuno by Fujiki Syun, Takkoku!!! by Fukuchi Tsubasa and Wild Life by Fujisaki Masato (volume 11 also streets 12.29).

Elex Media manga and manhwa (2010.12.29)

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

1. [Series Premiere] Absolute Peace Strategy (Zettai Heiwa Daisakusen) 1 of 4 by Ogura Akane

Zettai Heiwa Daisakusen 「絶対平和大作戦」 by Ogura Akane Hakusensha LaLa DX, shoujo Volume 1 (chapters 1-4 + omake) first published in Japan 2008.08

2. Animal Doctor (Doubutsu no Oishasan) 5 of 12 by Sasaki Noriko

Doubutsu no Oishasan 「動物のお医者さん」 by Sasaki Noriko AKA Mr. Veterinarian Hakusensha Hana to Yume, shoujo Volume 5 first published in Japan 1991.03

Other languages
Traditional Chinese Ai Xin Dong Wu Yi Yuan (Tong Li Taiwan; 12 volumes)

3. [Series Premiere] Dodge Fighters (Ganbare! Dodgeball Fighters) 1 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 1 first published in Japan 2003.06

Volume 1 chapters:
1. 転校生はスーパーアタッカー!!
2. エースＶＳエース!!力の対決
3. たのもしいチームメイト
4. ファイターズ絶体絶命!?
5. 本気で勝負!!女同士の戦い
6. 華麗なミラクルキャッチ
7. こしぬけなんて言わせない!!
8. サルとカニの必殺シュート!!
9. 暴走する熱意
10. オレたちのドッジボール
11. 新生!!ドッジファイターズ
12. 敵は忍者!?強烈な自己紹介

4. Kisah Edo di Abad 21 (Chotto Edo Made) 2 of 4+ by Tsuda Masami

Chotto Edo Made 「ちょっと江戸まで」 by Tsuda Masami Hakusensha LaLa, shoujo Volume 2 first published in Japan 2009.08

5. Legend of Nereid 12 of 15 by Hwang MiRee

Legend of Nereid 「네레이드의 전설」 by Hwang MiRee Samyang, soonjung Volume 12 first published in Korea 2003.04

6. LUM, The Invader Girl (Urusei Yatsura) 27 of 34 by Takahashi Rumiko

Urusei Yatsura 「うる星やつら」 by Takahashi Rumiko Shogakukan Shonen Sunday, shounen New edition volume 28 released in Japan 2007.12 Re-released in shinsoban from 2006.11 to 2008.03

Volume 28 contents:
1. 星に願いを
2. 口づけ速達小包
3. 兄妹愛の闘い　前編
4. 兄妹愛の闘い　後編
5. 怒りのプール
6. つるつるソープ
7. 浜茶屋の夏
8. 風鈴樹の音色
9. 涙の家庭訪問
10. 妖精のパラソル
11. 写真の中の女
［うる星やつら］完全データファイル28
［MyLum×34］28
34くらもちふさこ

Awards
Winner, 26th Shogakukan Manga Awards, Shounen/Shoujo category

Other languages
English (VIZ Media), French and Spanish (Glenat)

Adaptations
The 195 episode-anime adaptation by Kitty Films, starring seiyuu Hirano Fumi (Lum) and Furukawa Toshio (Moroboshi Ataru), aired from October 1981 through March 1986 on Fuji TV. Eleven OAVs and six theatrical movies were also released.

7. Pandora Hearts 12 of 13+ by Mochizuki Jun

Pandora Hearts 「Ｐａｎｄｏｒａ　Ｈｅａｒｔｓ」 by Mochizuki Jun Square Enix GFantasy, shounen Volume 12 (Retrace XLVI-XLIX) first published in Japan 2010.07

Other languages
English Pandora Hearts (Broccoli Books (dropped) and Yen Press; volume 3 per 2010.10 • volume 4 street date: 2011.01.25), French (Ki-oon tome 4 per 2010.11; tome 5 ships 2011.01.06) and traditional Chinese (Sharp Point Press Taiwan 潘朵拉之心 10 released 2010.07)

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

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

8. Pokonyan Pika-pika (Pokonyan) 3 of 3 by Fujiko F. Fujio [Finale]

Pokonyan 「ポコニャン」 by Fujiko F. Fujio AKA Rocky Rackat! Shogakukan Pikkapika Comics, kodomo Volume 3 released in Japan 2004.10

Related
A 170-episode anime adaptation by Animation 21, starring seiyuu Mita Yuko as Pokonyan, aired from April 1993 to March 1996 on NHK.

9. [Series Premiere] The Recipe For Gertrude (Gertrude no Recipe) 1 of 5 by Kusakawa Nari

Gertrude no Recipe 「ガートルードのレシピ」 by Kusakawa Nari Hakusensha LaLa DX, shoujo Volume 1 (chapters 1-4) first published in Japan 2001.07

Other languages
English The Recipe For Gertrude (CMX; five volumes)

10. Spiral: The Bonds of Reason (Spiral: Suiri no Kizuna) 10 of 15 by Shirodaira Kyo & Mizuno Eita

Spiral: Suiri no Kizuna 「スパイラル　推理の絆」 by Shirodaira Kyo & Mizuno Eita Square Enix Shonen Gangan, shounen Volume 10 (chapters 46-50) first published in Japan 2003.12

Other languages
English Spiral: The Bonds of Reasoning (Yen Press; volume 13 released 2010.10 • volume 14 street date: 2011.01.25) and German (Carlsen Comics; Spiral - Gefährliche Wahrheit Band 9 per 2010.12.24)

Related
Spiral Alive (prequel; five volumes); a series of light novels; Mizuno Eita artbooks: ＳＰＩＲＡＬ　水野英多画集; (2003.03) and ＳＰＩＲＡＬ　ＡＬＬ　ＡＬＯＮＧ (2006.02; released with volume 15); and the Life is Spiral 「スパイラル完全解説本　ライフ・イズ・スパ」 guide, which includes the first draft of the Spiral: Suiri no Kizuna 「それさえも貴き日々で」 drama (2003.03)

Adaptations
A series of audio dramas and a 25-episode anime adaptation by J.C. Staff, based on the first six volumes of the manga, with an alternate ending (aired on TV Tokyo from October 2002 to March 2003, starring seiyuu Suzumura Kenichi as Narumi Ayumu, Asano Masumi as Yuizaki Hiyono and Ishida Akira as Eyes Rutherford).

11. Summer Storm! (Natsu no Arashi!) 6 of 8 by Kobayashi Jin

Natsu no Arashi! 「夏のあらし！」 by Kobayashi Jin Square Enix Monthly Gangan Wing and Monthly Gangan Joker, shounen Volume 6 first published in Japan 2009.09

Other languages
Traditional Chinese 夏日風暴 (Tong Li Taiwan).

Adaptations
SHAFT's 13-episode anime adaptation aired in Japan from April through June 2009, starring seiyuu Sanpei Yuko (Yasaka Hajime) and Shiraishi Ryoko (Arashiyama Sayoko AKA “Arashi”). A 13-episode sequel Natsu no Arashi! Akinai-chū ran from October to December 2009.

12. [Series Premiere] Traumeister 1 of 5 by Nakayama Atsushi

Traumeister 「トラウマイスタ」 by Nakayama Atsushi Shogakukan Shonen Sunday, shounen Volume 1 first published in Japan 2008.11

Volume 1 chapters:
1. 真実の自己（アートマン）
2. ピカソとゲルニカ
3. 可愛い赤ちゃん
4. 初陣
5. 湯煙に浮かぶ傷
6. 始めてのデート
7. 危険因子

13. [Series Premiere] Welcome to Host Detective Agency (Host-tan e Youkoso) 1 of 5 by Tateno Makoto

Host-tan e Youkoso 「ホス探へようこそ」 by Tateno Makoto Hakusensha Bessatsu Hana to Yume, shoujo Volume 1 (chapters 1-4) first published in Japan 2008.05

14. Wild Life 11 of 27 by Fujisaki Masato

Wild Life 「ワイルドライフ」 by Fujisaki Masato Shogakukan Shonen Sunday, shounen Volume 11 first published in Japan 2005.02

Volume 11 chapters:
87. 新展開？
88. 王様ゲーム!!
89. 盟央大の夜
90. 観月の「初めて」
91. 自分だけ寝ていた男
92. 食い逃げ？
93. 平波の受難
94. R.E.D.最後の夜
95. 犬の危機

Awards
Best Shounen Manga, 51st Shogakukan Manga Awards

Serializations
Indonesian Shonen Star (ongoing)

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