Naruto 56, Vampire Knight 9, You Are So Cool 2 (Elex Media manga and manhwa out nau~)

Street date: 1 August 2012

Naruto © Kishimoto Masashi
Shueisha [Serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump]
Published in Indonesia by Elex Media

The Allied Shinobi Forces engage the zombie ninja. On the front line, Darui faces legendary Kumogakure shinobi, brothers Ginkaku and Kinkaku. Is loss inevitable?

As Ginkaku and Kinkaku possess the Nine-Tails' chakra, their attacks resonate on Naruto who is unaware that the Ninja Alliance Army is hiding him. [From Wikipedia]

I assume Naruto vol. 56: Reuni Kelompok Azuma (Saikai, Asuma han!) is titled thus (not to mention it's the [531st] Chapter Drop) for Asuma Sarutobi reunites with and confronts his former students Shikamaru Nara, Ino Yamanaka and Choji Akimichi. In any case, that's also from Wiki, as are these title translations of Naruto 56 chapters 525–534: The Kage Ressurected!! · D Unit's Battle Challenge!! · Forbidden Words · Transcendent Drab · Golden Bonds · Choji's Decision · Team Asuma Reunited! · Mifune vs. Hanzo, Decided!! · A Time of Oaths · Farewell, Ino-Shika-Cho!! [*NOT Elex titles]

Sixty-one Naruto volumes have been compiled in Japan as of 27 July 2012. The 61st Kyōdai, kyōtō!! (Uchiha Brothers United Front) collects chapters 576 through 587.

Vampire Knight vol 9 (of 16+)
By Hino Matsuri

Realizing his weakness, Ichiru makes the ultimate sacrifice, to allow Zero's transformation into an even more powerful vampire. In so doing, Shizuka's vendetta against Kuran Rido comes full circle.

But what of Zero? Will he just let his twin die?

Yes, yes, you know what Zero decides. Though I doubt that'll stop a Vampire Knight 9 GET! :p Not when later, Zero tells Yuuki that he intends to kill all of the Purebloods, including   ...

Vampire Knight compiles 39th to 43rd Nights: The Academy in Turmoil, The Arms That Held the Original Sin, Artemis, Bloody Rose and Vampire Night. [*NOT Elex titles]

Sixteen VK volumes have been released in Japan as of May 2012. The 16th tank compiles chapters 74 to 78 and throws in Kaname's Secret as a bonus.

Elex Serial Cantik reissues
Elex continues its shoujo manga reissues this week with Akimoto Nami's Snow Drop. The interest Snow Drop generated even rivaled that of second runner-up DO WANT! You Are So Cool 2, meriting the ex-Nakayoshi reissue a Before the Jump lowlight. Look for the Snow Drop preview (also You Are So Cool 2's) after the cut. I went crazy NikBabbling™ over what Akimoto Nami-sensei had been up to since the 1997-vintage Snow Drop - Anata e no Omoi.

Mangazines: Shonen Magz Issue 08/2012
Shigahaku's Ninja Clan, about a dedicated female shinobi and her reluctant master grabs the cover of the newest Shonen Magz, but the featured series is CLAMP's Tsubasa RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE. Syaoran battles Seishiro and... [Continued below]

Elex Media manga and manhwa (2012.08.01)

1. Aoba Bicycle Shop (Namiki Bashidoori: Aoba Jitenshaten) 7 of 20 by Miyao Gaku

Namiki Bashidoori: Aoba Jitenshaten 「並木橋通りアオバ自転車店」 by Miyao Gaku AKA Aoba Bicycle Shop on Namikibashi Street Shonen Gahosha Young King, seinen Volume 7 first published in Japan 2003.02

Reissues/Related series
Released in 12 Shonen Gahosha Bunko volumes from 2009.10 to 2010.12
Sequel: Aoba Jitenshaten (20 volumes as of 2012.06, ongoing)

2. Naruto vol 56 of 61+ by Kishimoto Masashi

Naruto 「ＮＡＲＵＴＯ－ナルト－」 by Kishimoto Masashi Shueisha Weekly Shonen Jump, shounen Volume 56: Saikai, Asuma han! (chapters 525–534) first published in Japan 2011.06

Awards/Accomplishments
The American volume 7 won the 2006 Quill Award in the graphic novel category. Manga sales have topped 100 million copies in Japan, with over 89 million sold globally. Naruto is the #1 bestselling manga in Indonesia, with upwards of one million copies sold nationwide.

Other languages
English Naruto (VIZ Media: 57 volumes as of 2012.07.10 • volume 58 street date: 2012.09.11; serialized in Shonen Jump USA), French (Kana: Tome 55 shipped 2012.07.06 • Tome 56 street date: 2012.09.07), Spanish (Ediciones Glénat Spain: latest edition #60; Grupo Editorial Vid Mexico; LARP Editores Argentina), Catalan (Glénat: latest volume #54), German (Carlsen Comics: Band 55 per 2012.05 • Band 56 street date: 2012.08.28, serialized in Banzai!), Dutch (Kana), Russian (Comix-ART), Polish (Japonica Polonica Fantastica), Swedish (Bonnier Carlsen; serialized in Shonen Jump Sweden), traditional Chinese (Tong Li Taiwan: NARUTO火影忍者 60 released 2012.07.02) and simplified Chinese (Chuang Yi Singapore: 火影忍者 #58 per 2012.03)

Adaptations
Studio Pierrot and Aniplex's 220-episode anime co-production, based on manga volumes 1–27, aired from October 2002 to February 2007 in Japan. Seiyuu Takeuchi Junko, Nakamura Chie and Sugiyama Noriaki returned in their roles as Uzumaki Naruto, Haruno Sakura and Uchiha Sasuke in the sequel (manga volume 28 onwards) that premiered February 2007 on TV Tokyo. Naruto Shippūden is still ongoing (episode 272: Mifune vs Hanzō airs 2012.08.02).

At least five OAVs, nine films and three light novels have also been released:

OAVS: Find the Crimson Four-leaf Clover! (2003) · Mission: Protect the Waterfall Village! (2004) · Konoha Sports Festival (2004.08) · Finally a clash! Jonin VS Genin!! Indiscriminate grand melee tournament meeting!! (2005.12) · Naruto: The Cross Roads (2010).

A short OAV was also included within the DVD Naruto x UT Original DVD (shipped 2011.01.01).

Films: Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow (2004.08) · Naruto the Movie: Legend of the Stone of Gelel (2005.08) · Naruto the Movie: Guardians of the Crescent Moon Kingdom (2006.08) · Naruto Shippūden (2007.08) · Naruto Shippūden 2: Bonds (2008.08) · Naruto Shippūden 3: Inheritors of the Will of Fire (2009.08) · Naruto Shippūden 4: The Lost Tower (2010.07), Naruto Shippūden 5: Blood Prison (2011.07.30) · Naruto Shippuden: Road to Ninja (2012.07.28).

Three light novels written by Kusakabe Masatoshi: Naruto: Innocent Heart, Demonic Blood (2002.12) · Naruto: Mission: Protect the Waterfall Village! (2003.12) · Adaptation of the first Naruto movie (2004.08)

Jump J Books also released Kishimoto Masashi- and Higashiyama Akira's Naruto Dokonjo Ninden, an autobiographical novel left by Jiraiya, in the same month as the Gekijouban Naruto Shippūden: The Lost Tower novelization (2010.08)

Related
So far, eight movie-based manga: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow (2004.08), Great Clash! The Illusionary Ruins at the Depths of the Earth (2005.08), Great Excitement! The Animal Riot of Crescent Moon Island (2006.08), Naruto: Shippūden: the Movie (2007.08), Naruto Shippūden 2: Bonds (2008.08), Naruto Shippūden 3: Inheritors of the Will of Fire (2009.08), Naruto Shippūden 4: The Lost Tower (2010.08) and Naruto Shippūden 5: Blood Prison (2011.07)

Spin-off: Rock Lee no Seishun Full-Power Ninden by Taira Kenji, serialized in Saikyou Jump (two volumes as of 2012.07.27, ongoing)

3. Snow Drop by Akimoto Nami (Serial Cantik) – Reissue

Snow Drop - Anata e no Omoi 「スノードロップ―あなたへの想い」 by Akimoto Nami Kodansha Nakayoshi, shoujo This volume first published in Japan 1997.10

Related series
Sequel: Mille Fleurs (three volumes)

4. Vampire Knight vol 9 of 16+ by Hino Matsuri

Vampire Knight 「ヴァンパイア騎士」 by Hino Matsuri Hakusensha LaLa, shoujo Volume 9 (chapters 39–43) first published in Japan 2008.11

Other languages/serializations
Serialized in the Indonesian HanaLaLa until Thirty Third Night: The Pure Blood Vampire's Lover
English Vampire Knight (VIZ Media: 14 volumes as of 2012.07.03 • volume 15 street date: 2012.11.06 and Chuang Yi: volume 14 released 2011.08), simplified Chinese (Chuang Yi: 吸血鬼骑士 #14 per 2011.09), traditional Chinese (Ever Glory: 吸血鬼騎士 15 released 2012.05), Italian and Portuguese (Panini Comics), French (Marvel Panini France Tome 14 shipped 2011.11), German (Carlsen Comics Vampire Knight Band 13 released 2012.04 • Band 14 street date: 2012.10.30, serialized in Daisuki)

Adaptations
Studio DEEN's 13+13-episode anime adaptation, starring seiyuu Horie Yui (Cross Yuki), Miyano Mamoru (Kiriyu Zero) and Kishio Daisuke (Kuran Kaname), aired on Japan's TV Tokyo from April through July 2008 (first season) and October through December 2008 (second season as Vampire Knight Guilty). The anime spanned manga chapters 1 through 46.

Two drama CDs preceded the TV series. The first was Track 2 of the LaLa Kirameki Drama CD, produced for LaLa's 29th anniversary and given away as a freebie with the magazine's September 2005 issue. The second Vampire Knight Midnight CD-Pack (LaLa Oubosa Zenin Service CD Vampire Knight (Midnight CD Pack)) was exclusively released for mail order in 2006. The drama CDs feature the same cast as the anime's, with the exception of characters Headmaster Cross Kaien (Koyasu Takehito in the drama; VK anime sound director Gôda Hozumi in the anime), Hio Shizuka (Sonoda Keiko in the drama; Orikasa Fumiko in the anime) and Sayori Wakaba (Ueda Kana in the drama; Mizuno Risa in the anime).

Related
Two Hino Matsuri-illustrated light novels were written by Fujisaki Ayuna. The Vampire Knight: Ice Blue no Tsumi and Vampire Knight: Noir no Wana side stories released in Japan 2008.04.05 and 2008.10.03 respectively. Chuang Yi published the first novel in English as Vampire Knight: Ice Blue Sin in July 2010. Marvel Panini France's Vampire Knight: Coeur de glace also shipped the same month. Carlsen published the German version as Vampire Knight: Eisblaues Verbrechen in November 2009, following that up with the second Noir's Trap novel (retitled Vampire Knight: Tiefschwarzer Hinterhalt) in May 2010.

The official fanbook, Vampire Knight Fanbook: Cross, containing character and story information and details from Hino-sensei's storyboard, was published in November 2008 in Japan. (German Vampire Knight: X Official Fanbook released by Carlsen; VIZ Media launched the Vampire Knight Official Fanbook in October 2010.)

The Vampire Knight artbook 「樋野まつりイラストレーションズ－ヴァンパイア騎士（ナイト）－」 streeted concurrently with volume 12 in Japan (2010.07.05).

5. You Are So Cool vol 2 of 6 by Lee YoungHee

You Are So Cool 「넌 너무 멋져」 by Lee YoungHee Seoul Cultural Publishers soonjung Volume 2 first published in Korea 2003.04

Other languages
English You're So Cool (Ice Kunion, later absorbed by Yen Press: six volumes released as of 2010.03)

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

Mangazines (2012.08.01)

• Shonen Magz Issue 8/2012 (Indonesian Shonen Magazine)

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Nube 29, Crazy Girl Shin Bia 15, Hai, Miiko! Cilik by Ono Eriko (m&c! manga and manhwa out nau~) [UPDATED]

Street date: 11 July 2012
Albeit this m&c! list isn't the NikBabble™ version, warning that I rate volume 1 of Hwang MiRee's You Are My Everything a 6 of 10, or C+, which translates to a Borrow first if you're that intrigued. :p
Update: ‘Upgraded’ to NikBabble™ version

Jigoku Sensei Nube © by Makura Shou, Okano Takeshi/Shueisha [First serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump]. Published in Indonesia as Guru Ahli Roh Nube by Gramedia/m&c!

Nube's Training Period!?

Yup, m&c! only has that surprised Nube Masa Latihan?! yelp as its Nube 29 blurb (taken from the Jigoku Sensei Nube volume 29 title Nube ~Shugyou Jidai!? no Maki).

To lessen the pain of a one-liner after a wait of one year and eight months, lemme add the titles of Nube chapters 248 to 256 from Wikipedia: The Trial Jar, Nube's Training Period!?, I Want To Call You ‘Big Brother’!, Hiroshi, Become Micro!?, Spirit Charmer • Yan Kailun, Oni no Te, Fury!!, Clash!! Oni no Te vs. Oni no Te!!, The Wielder of the Oni no Te and The Youkai Circus is Here!

New m&c! titles: a new Hai, Miiko!
The m&c! editor enthuses over the previously unpublished Hai Miiko! story in the latest Hai Miiko! Cilik, actually the Miiko Selection Wide Ichinensei! Miiko-chan published by Shogakukan under Ciao Comics Special in March 2012.

Dem packed with 30 full-color pages and the chance to see Miiko's first day in elementary school ought to compensate for the wait-till-dunno-when Hai, Miiko! volume 25.

☞ A new Hwang MiRee manhwa—You Are My Everything—also premieres this street date, but you already know what I think of this debut (up ↑ there). So look for the preview after the jump (down ↓ there).

m&c! manga (2012.07.11)

1. Guru Ahli Roh Nube (Jigoku Sensei Nube) vol 29 of 31 by Makura Shou, Okano Takeshi

Jigoku Sensei Nube 「地獄先生ぬ～べ～」 by Makura Shou, Okano Takeshi AKA Hell Teacher Nube Shueisha Weekly Shonen Jump, shounen Volume 29 (chapters 248–256) first published in Japan 1999.04

Reissues
Reissued in 20 Shueisha Bunko volumes from January to November 2006

Related series
Spin-offs Reibai Izuna (10 volumes published from 2008.08 to 2011.12) and Reibai Izuna: Ascension (one volume compiled as of 2012.04 • volume 2 street date: 2012.08.17, serialized in Grand Jump)

Adaptations
A 49-episode anime adaptation co-produced by Toei Animation and TV Asahi, starring seiyuu Okiayu Ryotaro (Nueno Meisuke/Nube), aired in Japan from April 1996 to June 1997. A three-episode OAV was released between May 1998 and April 1999. Three movies—Jigoku Sensei Nube (1996.07.06), Jigoku Sensei Nube: Gozen 0 toki Nube Shisu (sequel; 1997.03.08) and Jigoku Sensei Nube: Kyoufu no Natsu Yasumi! Asashi no Uni no Gensetsu (sequel; 1997.07.12)—have also been produced.

2. [Premiere] Hai, Miiko! Cilik (Ichinensei! Miiko-chan) by Ono Eriko

Ichinensei! Miiko-chan 「いちねんせい! みい子ちゃん」 by Ono Eriko Shogakukan Ciao Comics Special, shoujo This volume first published in Japan 2012.03

Related series
Miiko Desu! (Namaku Miiko!, four volumes) and Kocchi Muite! Miiko (Hai, Miiko!, 24 volumes released as of 2012.03, ongoing serialization in Ciao)

m&c! manhwa (2012.07.11)

1. Crazy Girl Shin Bia vol 15 of 19 by Hwang MiRee

Crazy Girl Shin Bia 「크레이지걸 신비아 이계로 가다!!」 by Hwang MiRee Samyang, soonjung Volume 15 first published in Korea 2008.04

2. JAM: Play the Music with Love vol 2 of 3 by Park MiSook

JAM - Play the Music with Love by Park MiSook First published in Korea by Kenaz

3. Moon Fighters (Wolyoil Sonyeon) vol 4 of 9 by Lee YoungYou

Wolyoil Sonyeon 「月요일 소년(월요일 소년)」 by Lee YoungYou Haksan Party, soonjung Volume 4 first published in Korea 2006.09

Other languages
English Moon Boy (Ice Kunion: three volumes, absorbed by Yen Press: published all nine volumes), French (Editions Clair de Lune: Le Garçon de la lune Tome 9 per 2011.05), Japanese (Enterbrain: Getsuyoubi Shounen volume 2 per 2010.03)

4. [Series Premiere] You Are My Everything vol 1 of 9 by Hwang MiRee

You Are My Everything 「니가 세상의 전부다」 by Hwang MiRee Samyang, soonjung Volume 1 first published in Korea 2009.09

Hong Kong manhua (2012.07.11)

• Dewa Iblis Awan Api II No. 6: Kebencian yang Menyakitkan by Tony Wong

Dewa Iblis Awan Api II by Tony Wong First published in Hong Kong by Jade Dynasty

Read more »

City Hunter anime episodes 19 - 40 update (airing 2-31 July 2012 on Animax Asia)

This follows-up my City Hunter premiere post. Listing episodes skedded for 2–31 July 2012 on Animax. (Sawry for the one-week delay; I was on holiday—hey! That rhymes! :p)

©Tsukasa Hojo/NSP・YTV・SUNRISE, Approved No.WE-02H
[Image from Animax Asia]

City Hunter airs weeknights at 10pm WIB (UTC+07) on Animax Asia.

2–31 July 2012
Partial episode list and Animax synopses
May contain    [SPOILERS!]

Episode 19 (2 July 2012, Monday, 10pm Premiere)
A Beach to Remember: An Audition Full of Danger
When Ryo is looking into the threats made to women attending an audition, he found a lady who wants to reunite with her long-lost father.

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Bleach 47, The Breaker 8, Born to Cook 13 of 13 (m&c! manga and manhwa out nau~) [UPDATED]

Street date: 20 June 2012
Does anyone really care which Asari-chan m&c!'s Asari-chan is? Muroyama Mayumi's Tentoumushi Comics Short stories about Asari, a naughty, boyish, voracious, but also a very innocent girl was originally published by Elex way back when, but I doubt the m&c! iteration is either of the sequels Yorinuki Asari-chan or Tobikiri Tokusen Asari-chan. At any rate, even m&c!'s FB admin admits to knowing nothing beyond this is a new version, total volumes to be confirmed. But going by the m&c! cover—from Asari-chan volume 77—it could belong to the ongoing original, which means 19 volumes separate it from current Asari-chan volume 97. That's what I'm assuming, at least, until someone tells me otherwise.

At any rate (the second part), Bleach 47! (Also, NikBabble™ added)

Bleach © Kubo Tite/Shueisha
[Serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump]
Published in Indonesia by Gramedia/m&c!

Merged with Hougyoku, Aizen is near unstoppable. He defeats Urahara, Yoruichi and Isshin, and goes to the real Karakura-chou secreted in Soul Society, leaving Ichigo to...

Bleach, Vol. 47: End of the Chrysalis Age compiles chapters 405 through 413, Deicide 7~15.

New m&c! titles and other lowlights
Besides Asari-Chan, one more comic debuts — the Malaysian Lawak Warung Kopi by Little. Four manga and manhwa series finish this street date: Born to Cook by Terasawa Daisuke (with volume 13), I Love You Just As You Are by Kim EunHee (volume 3), My Girlfriend And Me by Park SunMin (volume 2) and Hwang MiRee's Say Say Say (volume 7) recurrent after half a year's absence. Previews after the release list.

Restocked: Here's your chance to GET! those Shiraishi Yuki titles you missed—Catwalk Romance (original title: Plastic Girl), which comes with this 5.75 of 10 [C] review rating caveat; Let Me Kiss You (Sono Kuchibiru Itadakimasu) that for its unmovable spot on the bedside table rates an 8/10♡ [A-]; My Perfect Private Teacher (Maruoka-san Chi no Kyouikugakari) rated 7/10 [B]; and Naughty Boyfriend (Akuma de Koibito) reviewed and rated 6/10.

m&c! manga (2012.06.20)

1. [Series Premiere] Asari-Chan vol 1 (of 21?) by Muroyama Mayumi

Asari-Chan 「あさりちゃん」 by Muroyama Mayumi Shogakukan Tentoumushi Comics, shoujo Volume 77 first published in Japan 2005.04 (Original series and volume number to be confirmed)

Related series
Sequels: Yorinuki Asari-chan (two volumes as of 2004.09) and Tobikiri Tokusen Asari-chan (three volumes as of 2008.07)

2. Bleach vol 47 of 55+ by Kubo Tite

Bleach 「ＢＬＥＡＣＨ－ブリーチ－」 by Kubo Tite Shueisha Weekly Shonen Jump, shounen Volume 47: End of the Chrysalis Age (chapters 405–413) first published in Japan 2010.10

Awards
Winner, 50th Shogakukan Manga Awards in the Shounen category

Other languages
English Bleach (VIZ Media: 41 volumes as of 2012.06.05 • volumes 42 and 43 street date: 2012.07.03), French (Glénat: Tome 48 shipped 2012.05 • Tome 49 street date: 2012.09.05), Spanish (Glénat in Spain, Grupo Editorial Vid in Mexico), German (Tokyopop Germany: Band 51 per 2012.05 • Band 52 street date: 2012.07.11), Dutch (Kana), Russian (Эксмо), Polish (JPF), Portuguese (Planet Manga) and simplified Chinese (Chuang Yi Singapore: Bleach #53: The Deathberry Returns 2 released 2012.01)

Related
Kubo Tite and Makoto Matsubara co-authored two Bleach novels: BLEACH-letters from the other side: The Death and The Strawberry (Japan release: 2004.12) and BLEACH: The Honey Dish Rhapsody (2006.10).

To celebrate the 10th anniversary, Shueisha is scheduled to release the BLEACH Spirits Are Forever With You I and II novels written by Narita Ryohgo (Durarara!!, Baccano!, Vamp!) under its JUMP j BOOKS label. Street date for both volumes: 2012.06.04.

The Bleach All Colour But The Black artbook, compiling color spreads from manga volumes 1 through 19 with original art and author annotations, released in Japan (2006.12), USA (The Art of Bleach, 2008.10) and France (All colour but the black: Recueil des illustrations de Bleach, 2008.11).

Companion guidebooks have also been published: Bleach SOULs and Bleach VIBEs released 2006.02 in Japan (The English Bleach SOULs. Official Character Book shipped 2008.11 in North America, while the French version streeted 2009.11). A third Bleach Official Bootleg: KaraBuri+ guidebook released 2007.08 in Japan. (English Color Bleach+: The Bleach Official Bootleg released 2010.08.10.) The fourth and fifth Bleach: Official Character Book 2: MASKED and Official Character Book 3: UNMASKED streeted in Japan on 2010.08.04 (same day as Volume 46: Back From Blind) and 2011.06.03 (along with Volume 50: The Six Fullbringers).

Adaptations
Studio Pierrot's anime adaptation first broadcast in October 2004 and ended with episode 366, which aired in Japan in 2012.03.27. Seiyuu Morita Masakazu and Orikasa Fumiko star as Kurosaki Ichigo and Kuchiki Rukia, with Park Romi playing 10th Division captain Hitsugaya Toshiro. Two OAVs and four theatrical movies—Memories of Nobody; The DiamondDust Rebellion, Another Hyōrinmaru; Fade to Black, I Call Your Name; and Bleach: The Hell Verse—have been released. (Novelizations of these movies have also been published by JUMP J Books: Fade to Black, I Call Your Name in December 2008 and Bleach: The Hell Verse in December 2010.) Additionally, Warner Bros. has confirmed it will be producing a Bleach live-action film.

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

3. Born to Cook: Mister Ajikko The Next Generation (Mister Ajikko II) vol 13 of 13 by Terasawa Daisuke [Finale]

Mister Ajikko II 「ミスター味っ子２」 by Terasawa Daisuke Kodansha Evening, seinen Volume 13 first published in Japan 2012.02

Related series
Prequel: Mister Ajikko (19 volumes)

4. Kirarin Revolution Special Edition (Kirarin Revolution: Tokubetsuhen) vol 2 of 6 by Nakahara An, Ikeda Taeko

Kirarin Revolution: Tokubetsuhen 「きらりん☆レボリューション　特別編」 by Nakahara An, Ikeda Taeko Shogakukan Tentoumushi Special, shoujo Volume 2 first published in Japan 2007.12

Related series
Original story: Kirarin Revolution (14 volumes)

m&c! manhwa (2012.06.20)

1. The Breaker vol 8 of 10 by Jeon KeukJin & Park JinHwan

The Breaker 「브레이커 (THE BREAKER)」 by Jeon KeukJin & Park JinHwan Daewon C.I. Young Daiwon, seinen Volume 8 first published in Korea 2009.11

Related series
Sequel: The Breaker: New Waves (three volumes per 2012.04, ongoing)

2. I Love You Just As You Are (Love You Just As You Are) vol 3 of 3 by Kim EunHee [Finale]

Love You Just As You Are by Kim EunHee First published in Korea by Kenaz

3. My Girlfriend And Me vol 2 of 2 by Park SunMin [Finale]

My Girlfriend and Me by Park SunMin First published in Korea by Kenaz

4. Say Say Say vol 7 of 7 by Hwang MiRee [Finale]

Say Say Say 「세이 세이 세이 (Say Say Say)」 by Hwang MiRee Samyang (Kkonnim), soonjung Volume 7 first published in Korea 2007

Malaysian comics (2012.06.20)

• [Premiere] Lawak Warung Kopi: Sepahit Kopi by Little

Lawak Warung Kopi: Sepahit Kopi by Little First published in Malaysia by Gempakz

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

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Awesome 80s is awesome! City Hunter anime premieres 6 June 2012 on Animax Asia [UPDATED]

Update: Link to episodes 19 to 40 »here.

©Tsukasa Hojo/NSP・YTV・SUNRISE, Approved No.WE-02H
[Image from Animax Asia]

City Hunter premieres this 6 June 2012, Wednesday, at 10pm WIB (UTC+07) on Animax Asia and airs weekdays (nights) thereafter. It replaces Tower of Druaga.

City Hunter is a real-world action-comedy series that deals with the adventures of Ryo Saeba and his partner Kaori Makimura. Together they make up the small but renowned City Hunter company. Ryo is a “Sweeper”, a hired gun who actively seeks out the sources of his client's troubles and deals with them. When Ryo's not working on a case, he's working on getting the ladies, and Kaori must keep him in check with her trusty hammer.
–Animax synopsis

In other words, Saeba Ryo is a (combination hitman/private eye) who uses his Improbable Aiming Skills and all-round Badassery to deal with crime in Tokyo. He also happens to be a loony Chivalrous Pervert. (Thanks, TV Tropes.)

You want to hire Ryo? Then leave a message for “XYZ” at the Shinjuku station. You're Pretty Woman Incarnate? Then skip the SOP and just sashay over to Ryo.

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Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan: Demon Capital anime episodes 4 - 24 update (airing 1-29 June 2012 on Animax Asia)

This follows-up my Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan: Demon Capital premiere post. As promised, listing episodes skedded for 1–29 June 2012 on Animax.

© Hiroshi Shiibashi / SHUEISHA, Nuramakyo Project
[Image from Animax Asia]

Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan: Demon Capital airs weeknights at 630pm WIB (UTC+07) on Animax Asia.

1–29 June 2012
Partial episode list and Animax synopses
May contain    [SPOILERS!]

Episode 4 (1 June 2012, Friday, 630pm Premiere)
Nurarihyon and Princess Yo
Nurarihyon is interested in the beautiful Princess Yohime. He visits her every night but one day, Yohime is captured by Hagoromo-Gitsune's clan.

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When fear awakens... Anime Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan: Demon Capital premieres 29 May 2012 on Animax Asia [UPDATED]

Update: Link to episodes 4 to 24 »here.

© Hiroshi Shiibashi / SHUEISHA, Nuramakyo Project
[Image from Animax Asia]

The second season of the Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan anime, Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan: Demon Capital, premieres this Tuesday, 29 May 2012, at 630pm WIB (UTC+07) on Animax Asia and airs weekdays (nights) thereafter. It replaces Hunter X Hunter.

At first glance, Nura Rikuo seems like nothing more than a typical junior high student. In actual fact, he is the grandson of Nurarihyon, master of a yokai clan. Having only recently resolved the hostilities between the Nura Clan and the Shikoku Yokai, Rikuo finds no rest as an ancient enemy of the Nura Clan, Haguromo-Gitsune, resurfaces. After 400 years of inactivity, Haguromo-Gitsune suddenly sweeps through Kyoto with overwhelming power.
–Animax synopsis

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Bleach 46, Namida Usagi ~Tears of First Love~ 8, Sengoku Basara: The Holy War in Dance 1 by Shimotsuki Kairi (m&c! 23 May 2012 manga) [UPDATED]

Probability's not zero percent that I will insert NikBabble™ into this stopgap shopping list later. Even if it's only to threaten Narumi if he doesn't shape up in Namida Usagi volume 8 and/or to invite you to giggle at It is a time of civil war, and the young warlords running Japan are... hopelessly stupid Sengoku Basara: The Holy War in Dance—oh, you wanted Bleach? *throws Rangiku-san atch*
Update: Hella long NikBabble™ (you have been warned)

Bleach © Kubo Tite/Shueisha
[Serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump]
Published in Indonesia by Gramedia/m&c!

Commander Yamamoto launches his final attack. Ichigo takes advantage of the opportunity window to slash Aizen but the wounds he inflicts heal before his disbelieving eyes. Who should barge in before a shocked Ichigo but...

As for why 10th Division lieutenant Matsumoto Rangiku is the Bleach 46: Back from Blind cover girl, Wikipedia offers: Meanwhile, a wounded Matsumoto tries to get to Gin.

Bleach 46 compiles chapters 396 through 404: The Bite, Edge of the Silence, Back from Blind, Deicide and Deicide 2–6. [*NOT m&c!'s chapter titles] Fifty-four Bleach volumes have been published in Japan; Volume 54: Goodbye to Our Xcution released last March. Volume 55 streets 4 June 2012, the same day the BLEACH Spirits Are Forever With You I and II novels—a 10th anniversary effort between Kubo Tite and author Narita Ryohgo (Durarara!!, Baccano!, Vamp!)—release.

Namida Usagi ~Tears of First Love~ vol 8 of 10
By Minase Ai

Momoka is stunned to learn that the photographer Narumi sooo¹⁰ admires is a 16 y.o. school girl, which sends her running to some retail therapy—STAT! On her way home from therapeutic shopping, Momoka blunders on to a girl collapsed from hunger. Imagine her Shock #2 when she meets the same girl hanging on to her boyfriend. What's worse, Hungry Girl turns out to be the rumored Hiroki. Jealousy floods Momoka as she watches Narumi gaze—stars in his eyes—at his idol...

Namida Usagi ~Tears of First Love~ 8 collects Stories 42–47 and somewhere within that span, I wanna see Narumi redeem himself :P Does he?

My Namida Usagi vol 8 report card × impreshuns
Instead of the Saikyou rival toujou!! (The strongest rival appears!!) that opens the Japanese volume 8 blurb, I'd substitute wif: Everybody here lurves Momoka. And I mean everybody. Our much in-demand heroine channels her—as another romance protag calls it—"stupid and psycho possessive" but you can't blame her because Narumi's feigning supreme oblivious of her angst.

Does Narumi succeed in taking the edge off Momoka's agitation? I leave that up to you to discover. Yes, that means GET! While I might've wanted to bop Narumi on teh head (numerous times) and cringe over the Shutterbug Nuisance mini-arc continuing for at least a volume more, I still grant Namida Usagi 8 a grade of 7.75 of 10, equivalent to a B+.

New m&c! titles and mangazines
Mentioned the seinen Sengoku Basara: The Holy War in Dance at the top of the post, but m&c! also launches the next martial arts manhua from Andy Seto, God's Domain: The Warrior of Fate, as well as the shoujo Kirarin Revolution Special Edition or Kirarin Revolution: Tokubetsuhen, solely credited to Kirarin Revolution manga-ka Nakahara An (when the Japanese volumes add Ikeda Taeko as collaborator), and Suddenly in Love, Konno Risa's Sweet Boy ni Goyoujin that you might've already read if you're a Cherry regular (m&c! wrapped the first ex-Betsucomi manga to serialize in the formerly exclusively Ciao / ChuChu / Sho-Comi / Flowers mangazine last March).

And speaking of Cherry, the May 2012 edition streets this week, too. Nakahara An-sensei's Rainbow Prismatic Girl (Nijiiro Prism Girl, ongoing serialization in Ciao) debuts, and 3+1 (mini-series) end. Cherry deets, as well as newb previews—I'm drawing out the suspense on Sengoku Basara :D—after the release list.

m&c! manga (2012.05.23)

1. Bleach vol 46 of 54+ by Kubo Tite

Bleach 「ＢＬＥＡＣＨ－ブリーチ－」 by Kubo Tite Shueisha Weekly Shonen Jump, shounen Volume 46: Back From Blind (chapters 396–404) first published in Japan 2010.08

Awards
Winner, 50th Shogakukan Manga Awards in the Shounen category

Other languages
English Bleach (VIZ Media: 39 volumes as of 2012.04 • volume 40 street date: 2012.06.05), French (Glénat: Tome 48 shipped 2012.05.09 • Tome 49 street date: 2012.09.05), Spanish (Glénat in Spain, Grupo Editorial Vid in Mexico), German (Tokyopop Germany: Band 51 per 2012.05.09 • Band 52 street date: 2012.07.11), Dutch (Kana), Russian (Эксмо), Polish (JPF), Portuguese (Planet Manga) and simplified Chinese (Chuang Yi Singapore: Bleach #53: The Deathberry Returns 2 released 2012.01)

Related
Kubo Tite and Makoto Matsubara co-authored two Bleach novels: BLEACH-letters from the other side: The Death and The Strawberry (Japan release: 2004.12) and BLEACH: The Honey Dish Rhapsody (2006.10).

To celebrate the 10th anniversary, Shueisha is scheduled to release the BLEACH Spirits Are Forever With You I and II novels written by Narita Ryohgo (Durarara!!, Baccano!, Vamp!) under its JUMP j BOOKS label. Street date for both volumes: 2012.06.04.

The Bleach All Colour But The Black artbook, compiling color spreads from manga volumes 1 through 19 with original art and author annotations, released in Japan (2006.12), USA (The Art of Bleach, 2008.10) and France (All colour but the black: Recueil des illustrations de Bleach, 2008.11).

Companion guidebooks have also been published: Bleach SOULs and Bleach VIBEs released 2006.02 in Japan (The English Bleach SOULs. Official Character Book shipped 2008.11 in North America, while the French version streeted 2009.11). A third Bleach Official Bootleg: KaraBuri+ guidebook released 2007.08 in Japan. (English Color Bleach+: The Bleach Official Bootleg released 2010.08.10.) The fourth and fifth Bleach: Official Character Book 2: MASKED and Official Character Book 3: UNMASKED streeted in Japan on 2010.08.04 (same day as Volume 46: Back From Blind) and 2011.06.03 (along with Volume 50: The Six Fullbringers).

Adaptations
Studio Pierrot's anime adaptation first broadcast in October 2004 and ended with episode 366, which aired in Japan in 2012.03.27. Seiyuu Morita Masakazu and Orikasa Fumiko star as Kurosaki Ichigo and Kuchiki Rukia, with Park Romi playing 10th Division captain Hitsugaya Toshiro. Two OAVs and four theatrical movies—Memories of Nobody; The DiamondDust Rebellion, Another Hyōrinmaru; Fade to Black, I Call Your Name; and Bleach: The Hell Verse—have been released. (Novelizations of these movies have also been published by JUMP J Books: Fade to Black, I Call Your Name in December 2008 and Bleach: The Hell Verse in December 2010.) Additionally, Warner Bros. has confirmed it will be producing a Bleach live-action film.

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

2. First Love Lesson (Hatsukoi Shinan) vol 4 of 4 by Yabuuchi Yuu [Finale]

Hatsukoi Shinan 「初恋指南」 by Yabuuchi Yuu Shogakukan ChuChu, shoujo Volume 4 first published in Japan 2010.04

Other languages
German (Egmont Manga & Anime: Love Love Mangaka, four volumes per 2011.08)

3. Flower and The Beast (Hana ni Kedamono) vol 2 of 6+ by Sugiyama Miwako

Hana ni Kedamono 「花にけだもの」 by Sugiyama Miwako Shogakukan Sho-Comi, shoujo Volume 2 first published in Japan 2011.03

4. [Series Premiere] Kirarin Revolution Special Edition (Kirarin Revolution: Tokubetsuhen) vol 1 of 6 by Nakahara An

Kirarin Revolution: Tokubetsuhen 「きらりん☆レボリューション　特別編」 by Nakahara An, Ikeda Taeko Shogakukan Tentoumushi Special, shoujo Volume 1 first published in Japan 2007.01

Related series
Original story: Kirarin Revolution (14 volumes)

5. Namida Usagi ~Tears of First Love~ (Namida Usagi ~Seifuku no Kataomoi~) vol 8 of 10 by Minase Ai

Namida Usagi ~Seifuku no Kataomoi~ 「なみだうさぎ～制服の片想い～」 by Minase Ai Shogakukan Sho-Comi, shoujo Volume 8 (Story 42–47) first published in Japan 2011.10

6. [Series Premiere] Sengoku Basara: The Holy War in Dance (Sengoku Basara: Ranse Ranbu) vol 1 of 3 by Shimotsuki Kairi

Sengoku Basara: Ranse Ranbu 「戦国ＢＡＳＡＲＡ乱・世・乱・舞」 by Shimotsuki Kairi Media Factory Comic Sangokushi Magazine, seinen Volume 1 first published in Japan 2006.01

Related series
Based on Capcom's Sengoku Basara video game series

Other languages
English Devil Kings Basara (Udon Entertainment: (out of print volume 1 per 2009.10), traditional Chinese (Tong Li Taiwan: 戰國BASARA ~ 亂世亂舞 ~, three volumes as of 2007.04)

7. [Premiere] Suddenly in Love (Sweet Boy ni Goyoujin) by Konno Risa

Sweet Boy ni Goyoujin 「スイートボーイにご用心」 by Konno Risa Shogakukan Betsucomi, shoujo This volume first published in Japan 2011.03

Serializations
Serialized in the Indonesian Cherry (concluded)

Hong Kong manhua (2012.05.23)

• [Series Premiere] God's Domain: The Warrior of Fate vol 1 by Andy Seto

God's Domain: The Warrior of Fate by Andy Seto Published in Hong Kong by The One Comic

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

Mangazines (2012.05.23)

• Cherry May 2012 Edition (Indonesian Ciao, ChuChu, Sho-Comi, Flowers, Betsucomi)

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