Oh Butterfly Oh Flower 8 of 8 ♥, Mars 3, xxxHOLiC 17 (Level Comics 20 June 2012 manga) [UPDATED]

It took just over two years, but we finally reach Oh Butterfly Oh Flower Happy Even After. If you don't want to say "Adieu" to Masayuki (Chaa-chaaan~♡) and Choko, then just *don't* GET! volume 8 :D Though I doubt you can resist, so here's hoping Level stocks are back to normal. (Word had it that they were pulled out of Gramed last week.)

That intro just might be the only NikBabble™ in this here shopping list because, as I mentioned over on the Elex side, ahm wrasslin' with RL (and RL is apparently winning.) «Update: And Nik pulls off a last-minute upset! The crowd roars! :D

Mars © Souryo Fuyumi/Kodansha [First serialized in Betsufure] · Chou yo Hana yo © Yoshihara Yuki/Shogakukan [First serialized in Petit Comic]. Published in Indonesia as Mars and Oh Butterfly Oh Flower by Level Comics

Choko's father is talking arranged marriage! Choko says "NO!" flat out, but Masayuki's behavior (strange, to say the least) wounds Choko. What is Masayuki thinking? Why isn't he opposing Choko's upcoming nuptials?

Poignant and hilarious await you in the Oh Butterfly Oh Flower finale.

Now that Yoshihara Yuki's ChouHana has wrapped—tugs on Level's sleeve—may I please have Chocolate Girl next? It's only three volumes long...

And speaking of three volumes—

Mars vol 3 of 15
By Souryo Fuyumi

Rei enters the Suzuka endurance race and invites Kira to watch him practice. Kira learns from Rei's race partner Kyoko that Sei committed suicide in front of Rei. She confronts him, and Rei finally reveals his painful past...

More previews after the release list.

Level Comics manga (2012.06.20)

1. Holy Talker vol 2 of 6 by Ayamine Rando

Holy Talker 「ホーリートーカー」 by Ayamine Rando Kodansha Shonen Rival, shounen Volume 2 first published in Japan 2008.10

Adaptations
A Holy Talker drama CD was bundled with the limited edition volume 4 released 2009.07 with Kamakari Kenta as Takayama Renga and Suzumura Kenichi as Amakusa Chitose.

2. Mars vol 3 of 15 by Souryo Fuyumi

Mars 「ＭＡＲＳ」 by Souryo Fuyumi Kodansha Betsufure, shoujo Volume 3 first published in Japan 1997.01

Reissues
Reissued in eight Kodansha Manga Bunko volumes from 2006.10 to 2007.01

Related series
Prequel: Mars Gaiden Namae no nai uma (one volume per 1999.12). AKA MARS: Horse With No Name

Other languages
English MARS (TOKYOPOP: 15 Volumes), French (Marvel Panini France, 15 volumes per 2005.06), Italian (Editions Star Comics; serialized in Amici), German (Planet Manga: Band 15 per 2003.10 and Band 16 (Mars Gaiden) released 2003.12), Polish (Waneko)

Adaptations
A 21-episode Taiwanese live-action adaptation, MARS (戰神 / Zhànshén MARS), starring Vic Zhou as Chen Ling & Sheng (Kashino Rei & Sei) and Barbie Hsu as Han Qi Luo (Aso Kira), aired on the Chinese Television System network in 2004-2005. The TV series won the Favorite Drama of the Year award at the 40th Annual 2005 Golden Bell Awards.

3. MOON - Subaru Solitude Standing vol 5 of 9 by Soda Masahito & Tomiyama Kuro

MOON—Subaru Solitude Standing— 「ＭＯＯＮ　―昴ソリチュードスタンディング」 by Soda Masahito & Tomiyama Kuro Shogakukan Big Comic Spirits, seinen Volume 5 first published in Japan 2009.12

Other languages
Traditional Chinese (Tong Li: MOON~昴‧續篇~ 7 released 2011.08)

Related series
Subaru (prequel; 11 volumes)

4. Oh Butterfly Oh Flower (Chou yo Hana yo) vol 8 of 8 by Yoshihara Yuki [Finale]

Chou yo Hana yo 「蝶よ花よ」 by Yoshihara Yuki Shogakukan Petit Comic, josei Volume 8 first published in Japan 2009.03

Other languages
English Butterflies, Flowers (VIZ Media: eight volumes per 2011.09), French (Soleil: Ma petite maîtresse tome 8 released 2010.05), traditional Chinese (Tong Li Taiwan)

5. xxxHOLiC vol 17 of 19 by CLAMP

xxxHOLiC 「×××ＨＯＬｉＣ」 by CLAMP AKA xxxHolic Rō (starting volume 16) Kodansha Young Magazine (Bessatsu Shonen Magazine from 2010.06), seinen Volume 17 (chapters 102–105) first published in Japan 2010.04

Other languages
English xxxHOLiC (Del Rey: 19 volumes as of 2012.02), French (PIKA Édition: Tome 19 shipped 2011.10), Spanish (Norma Editorial Spain and Grupo Editorial Vid Mexico), Italian (Star Comics), German (Egmont), Swedish (Bonnier Carlsen), Portuguese (JBC Brazil)

Adaptations
A 24-episode anime adaptation by Production I.G aired from April to September 2006 in Japan, followed by a 13-episode sequel xxxHOLiC: Kei (2008.04 to 2008.06) and a two-episode OAD xxxHOLiC: Shunmuki (2009.02 to 2009.06, bundled with volumes 14 and 15). The xxxHOLiC Rō OAD shipped 23 April 2010, along with manga volume 17. A second xxxHolic Rō OAD, xxxHolic: Rō Adayume, released 9 March 2011 with the limited edition manga volume 19.

A feature film adaptation xxxHOLiC the Movie: A Midsummer Night's Dream premiered in Japan before the first anime season (2005.08.20). The movie was a finalist in the 2006 Annecy International Animated Film Festival.

Seiyuu Fukuyama Jun and Ohara Sayaka play the roles of Watanuki Kimihiro and Ichihara Yuko in all adaptations.

Related
Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle (crossover) · xxxHoLic: ANOTHERHOLiC Landolt-Ring Aerosol by NisiOisiN (Novel; side story) · Soel to Larg: Mokona=Modoki no Bouken (Novel; side story)

At least four official fanbooks have been released in Japan: Gekijōban ×××HOLiC Official Fanbook (2005.08.17) · TV Animation ×××HOLiC Extra Official Guide (2006.05.17) · Shinpan ×××HOLiC Dokuhon (2006.11.17) · xxxHolic Complete Book (2011.03.17)

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

European comics/BDs (2012.06.20)

1. Scrameustache: Gua Satik (Le Scrameustache, Tome 35: L'antre de Satic) by Gos - Walt
2. Suske & Wiske: Monumen Mahakarya (Suske en Wiske 300: Het machtige monument) by Willy Vandersteen

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The Black Swindler 17, The Drops of God 11, Bambino Secondo 1 by Sekiya Tetsuji (Level Comics 4 April 2012 manga)

☞ Reiterating: Comic prices have gone up↑ as of April 2012. For Level titles, from IDR 18,500 to IDR 20,000/volume. Bunko edition Blue Seal now carries an IDR 24,000 price tag.

Bambino! Secondo © Sekiya Tetsuji/Shogakukan
[Serialized in Big Comic Spirits]
Published in Indonesia by Level Comics

After a challenging internship at the Trattoria Baccanale Roppongi, Shogo Ban has been entrusted the position of pasta chef at the newly-opened branch, Yokohama Legare. To say he stands on a new battlefield is no understatement. Opening day brings typhoon-like chaos and Ban still has trouble adjusting to having assistants, not to mention leaving behind his loved ones.

Can Ban cope? asks Level, tongue in cheek, I'm imagining. (It has only been hyping Bambino! Secondo from the time prequel Bambino! wrapped — and that was some four months ago).

Like its predecessor, Bambino! Secondo also serializes in Big Comic Spirits, and as of March this year, has been compiled in 10 tankou.

Aside from Bambino! and Bambino! Secondo, Sekiya Tetsuji is also credited with the seinen manga Django!, first serialized in Morning (two volumes published between March and April 2001), and Oudoumon (two volumes published by Takeshobo's Kindai Mahjong Comics from February to July 2003).

I babble about the other Level manga debut—Ayamine Rando's Demons, Exorcism, Student Council Holy Talker—after the release list. For nau, top DO WANT!

The Black Swindler vol 17 of 20
By Kuromaru & Natsuhara Takeshi

Kurosaki's case reunites the Swindler of Swindlers with an old school friend, a once—and apparently, future—fraud victim.

The Black Swindler volume 17 compiles two cases in chapters 175 to 179 and 180 to 185.

The Drops of God vol 11 of 32+
By Agi Tadashi & Okimoto Shu

The Third Apostle poses problems not only for inexperienced Shizuku, but even Tomine whose confidence is at an all time high from partnering with Loulan. Both guess wrong, prompting Robert Doi to deem both unworthy of Yutaka's wine legacy and threatening to strip their inheritance if they fail to identify the Third Apostle within three days.

Who will win the rematch? (Obviously) the answer lies in The Drops of God volume 11.

Thirty-two Kami no Shizuku: Les Gouttes de Dieu tankou have been published in Japan as of February 2012; the 33rd is set for a 23 May 2012 release.

Level Comics manga (2012.04.04)

1. Ami Non Stop vol 2 of 12 by Kitagawa Miyuki

Ami! Nonstop 「亜未！ノンストップ」 by Kitagawa Miyuki Shogakukan Sho-Comi, shoujo Volume 2 first published in Japan 1993.06

Reissues
Rereleased in six volumes under the Flower Comics Deluxe label from 2001.05 to 1993.09

2. [Series Premiere] Bambino! Secondo vol 1 of 10+ by Sekiya Tetsuji

Bambino! Secondo 「バンビ～ノ！ＳＥＣＯＮＤＯ」 by Sekiya Tetsuji Shogakukan Big Comic Spirits, seinen Volume 1 first published in Japan 2009.08

Related series
Prequel: Bambino! (15 volumes)

3. The Black Swindler (Kurosagi) vol 17 of 20 by Kuromaru & Natsuhara Takeshi

Kurosagi 「クロサギ」 by Kuromaru & Natsuhara Takeshi Shogakukan Young Sunday, seinen Volume 17 (chapters 175–179 and 180–185) first published in Japan 2008.02

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

Related
Sequel: Shin Kurosagi (14 volumes as of 2012.03.30)

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

4. Blue Seal (Ao no Fuuin [Bunko]) vol 6 of 7 by Shinohara Chie

Ao no Fuuin 「蒼の封印　(小学館文庫)」 by Shinohara Chie AKA The seal on deep blue Shogakukan Sho-Comi, shoujo Bunko volume 6 first published in Japan 1999.05 (originally published in 11 tankoubon from 1992.04 to 1994.12)

Adaptations
Audio drama CD released by Shogakukan in May 1993 and light novels written by Yamamoto Natsumi and illustrated by Shinohara Chie, published under the KSS Comic Novels imprint (three volumes from September to December 1998)

5. The Drops of God (Kami no Shizuku) vol 11 of 32+ by Agi Tadashi & Okimoto Shu

Kami no Shizuku: Les Gouttes de Dieu 「神の雫」 by Agi Tadashi & Okimoto Shu Kodansha Morning, seinen Volume 11 first published in Japan 2007.05

Awards
Special Award of the Year - La Revue du vin de France (French wine magazine); Nominee (Glénat's Les Gouttes de Dieu, tome 1), French Angoulême Comics Awards; Nominee, 1st Keitai Comic Taishō (Mobile Phone Comic Award, along with Hiura Satoru's Hotaru no Hikari, Miyasaka Kaho's Kare First Love and 17 other manga)

Other languages
French (Glénat: Les Gouttes de Dieu Tome 22 shipped 2012.02 • Tome 23 street date: 2012.05.09), traditional Chinese (Sharp Point Press Taiwan: 神之水滴 30 per 2011.12), English Drops of God (Vertical: three volumes as of 2012.03.27 • volume 4 street date: 2012.06.12)

Adaptations
A live-action renzoku starring Kamenashi Kazuya as Kanzaki Shizuku aired from January to March 2009 in Japan on NTV.

6. GTO vol 7 of 25 by Fujisawa Toru

GTO 「ＧＴＯ」 by Fujisawa Toru Kodansha Weekly Shonen Magazine, shounen Volume 7 (Lessons 51-59) first published in Japan 1998.06

Awards
Winner, 1998 Kodansha Manga Awards in the Shounen category

Other languages
Bilingual Japanese/English (Kodansha International, three volumes per 1999.12), English GTO: Great Teacher Onizuka (TOKYOPOP: 25 volumes), French (PIKA Édition: 25 volumes), Italian (Dynamic Italia), German (EMA), Polish (Waneko), Swedish (Schibsted Förlagen Sverige AB; serialized in Manga Mania), traditional Chinese (Tong Li)

Related series
Prequels Shounan Junaigumi! AKA GTO: The Early Years (31 volumes) and Bad Company (one volume) and sequel GTO Shonan 14 Days (nine volumes as at 2011.11, concluded)

Adaptations
A live-action GTO: Great Teacher Onizuka TV series, starring Sorimachi Takashi (Onizuka Eikichi) and Matsushima Nanako (Fuyutsuki Azusa) telecast from July to September 1998 on Fuji TV and Kansai TV, followed by GTO Drama Special (1999.08.28) and GTO: The Movie (1999) and Studio Pierrot's 43-episode Great Teacher Onizuka anime adaptation, starring seiyuu Takagi Wataru as Onizuka that aired between June 1999 and September 2000.

7. GTO Shonan 14 Days vol 5 of 9 by Fujisawa Toru

GTO Shonan 14 Days 「ＧＴＯ　ＳＨＯＮＡＮ　１４ＤＡＹＳ」 by Fujisawa Toru Kodansha Weekly Shonen Magazine, shounen Volume 5 first published in Japan 2010.10

Related series
Prequels: Shounan Junaigumi! AKA GTO: The Early Years (31 of 31 volumes); Bad Company (1 of 1 volume); and GTO (25 of 25 volumes)

Other languages
Simplified Chinese (Chuang Yi: volume 4 per 2010.10), English GTO 14 Days in Shonan (Vertical: two volumes as of 2012.03.27 • volume 3 street date: 2012.05.29)

8. [Series Premiere] Holy Talker vol 1 of 6+ by Ayamine Rando

Holy Talker 「ホーリートーカー」 by Ayamine Rando Kodansha Shonen Rival, shounen Volume 1 first published in Japan 2008.09

Adaptations
A Holy Talker drama CD was bundled with the limited edition volume 4 released 2009.07 with Kamakari Kenta as Takayama Renga and Suzumura Kenichi as Amakusa Chitose.

9. Onsen Paradise (Kirikiritei no Braun Sensei) vol 5 of 9 by Kikuchi Shota

Kirikiritei no Braun Sensei 「きりきり亭のぶら雲先生」 by Kikuchi Shota Gentosha Birz Comics Deluxe, seinen Volume 5 first published in Japan 2001.01

Related
Sequel: Kirikiri Teishujin (two volumes per 2010.12, ongoing)

Reissues
Re-released in four bunko volumes from 2009.03 to 2009.07

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

European comics/BDs (2012.04.04)

1. Agatha Christie: The Secret Adversary Musuh Dalam Selimut (Agatha Christie, Tome 5: Mister Brown) by Francois Riviere, Frank Leclercq (Heupe Sarl-Emmanuel Proust Editions)
2. Smurf: Kekacauan di Desa Smurf (Les Schtroumpfs, Tome 21: On ne schtroumpfe pas le progrès) by Peyo (Le Lombard)

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