It's OK to Say I Love You 1 by Oda Aya (3L josei manga out nau~)

Street date: 1 August 2012

Aishiterutte Itte mo Iiyo © Oda Aya
Shogakukan [First serialized in Petit Comic]
Published in Indonesia as It's OK to Say I Love You
by PT Tiga Lancar Semesta/Tiga Lancar Comic (3L)

Oozeki Natsumi, a track and field athlete forced to retire after a career-ending injury, works for a small recording company even if she knows nothing about music (other than she likes what she likes). Natsumi's got a not so hidden agenda: to get close to her senpai idol, Kamishiro Shinobu.

One day, Kamishiro-san tells Natsumi that she is now genius musician Suzuhara Taki's manager, on Taki's own request. How will Natsumi fare when her charge is such a slacker?!

It's OK to Say I Love You, original mouthful of a title Aishiterutte Itte mo Iiyo (even manga-ka Oda Aya avers in the Judul yang Panjang quarter-column free-talk), first serialized in the shoujo slash josei mangazine Petit Comic. Five Flower Comics Alpha tankou were released in Japan between January 2011 and June 2012.

The first volume of It's OK to Say I Love You compiles Tracks 1 to 4: One More Dream, Physical Attraction, You're My Nerve and I'm Getting Confused. An unrelated PuchiComi one-shot, Because I Believe in Love—about an idealistic wedding planner and her cynical boss—closes the tank.

Suzuhara Taki (him on the cover) is undoubtedly TDF on any bisei front, but this Ideal Prince is NOT the (main) reason I gave the first It's OK to Say I Love You a 7.75 of 10 or B+. That score is largely the (hard) work of Here be depths... Kamishiro-san. As for Because I Believe in Love, that's a 7/10 (B), a full score band of which comes from heroine Izutsu Yui yobisute'ing love interest Director Kaneshiro Masaki, “Masaki-shachou,” lawlz!

It's OK to Say I Love You 1 is rated for    [DEWASA] or Mature audiences only.

Other Oda Aya manga
Before It's OK to Say I Love You or Aishiterutte Itte mo Iiyo AKA Love Music, 3L published Oda Aya's Lovey Dovey. (Shin × Saika♡!) Oda Aya-sensei's shoujo manga, however, tended to get shopped around the Indonesian comics publishers. m&c! (I think) published Heaven, Boys' Kingdom, M.T. Pass (as Magic Tower Pass) and Prince Collection (Locker 1999). Elex, meanwhile, published Tennen Hachimitsu Ryou or Natural Honey Dormitory. Level released Koakuma Café or Little Devil Café. All these titles are ex-Sho-Comi. [Continued...]

3L josei manga (2012.08.01)

• [Series Premiere] It's OK to Say I Love You (Aishiterutte Itte mo Iiyo) vol 1 of 5 by Oda Aya

Aishiterutte Itte mo Iiyo 「愛してるって言ってもいいよ」 by Oda Aya
AKA Love Music
Shogakukan Petit Comic, shoujo/josei
Volume 1 first published in Japan 2011.01

Other languages
French (Soleil Productions: Avoues que tu m'aimes!, Tome 1 shipped 2012.06 • Tome 2 street date: 2012.08.22), traditional Chinese (Ever Glory Publishing Taiwan: 放膽說愛我吧 4 released 2012.05.23)

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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)

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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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Ceres 7, Giant Killing 13, GTO Shonan 14 Days 6 (Level Comics 30 May 2012 manga)

Ayashi no Ceres: Tenkuu Otogizoushi © Watase Yuu/Shogakukan
[First serialized in Sho-Comi]
Published in Indonesia as Ceres: A Heaven's Fairy Tale by Level Comics

C-Genomers, incapacitated by the nationwide vector, fail to manifest the Tennyo within and die one after another. Aya quizzes Tohya over the vector source, whether his blood was used in its manufacture, but before she can get answers, an assassin sent by Aki appears!

As for why this Ceres volume is sub-titled Maya, VIZ Media's Ceres: Celestial Legend, Vol. 7 blurb offers:

The search for Ceres' hagoromo or ‘celestial robes’ brings the action back to Tokyo - to Miyagi, specifically, where rumours of a spectral white dog (“figuring in the celestial legend!,” says Suzumi) prompt a transfer to girls-only high school for Aya, Chidori, and...Yuhi?! Connected to the dog's increasingly frequent attacks is a sweet and popular girl named Maya Hirobe, but why — and more importantly, how — is she involved? Is it possible that Maya is a C-Genome...and doesn't even know it?

Giant Killing vol 13 (of 23+)
By Tsujitomo & Tsunamoto Masaya

The match against Tokyo Victory continues, with the score at 1-0 in ETU's favor. Since Mochida entered the game, however, ETU struggles to score another goal. Can ETU wrest a win in the face of Mochida-led Victory?

GTO Shonan 14 Days vol 6 of 9
By Fujisawa Toru

Oedipus parental distrust rages out of control. Miko conceives of a plan to raze White Swan. Fortunately, with Riko's help, the White Swan kids prevent the catastrophe. Foiled, Miko resorts to the extreme, threatening Ayame's life...

New Level titles
Find the preview to A Chieftain Finds Love (Kojou no Utahime) by Hara Chieko, based on a Barbara Cartland romance, after the release list.

Level Comics manga (2012.05.30)

1. Ceres: A Heaven's Fairy Tale (Ayashi no Ceres) vol 7 of 14 by Watase Yuu

Ayashi no Ceres Tenkuu Otogizoushi 「妖しのセレス　天空お伽草子」 by Watase Yuu Shogakukan Sho-Comi, shoujo Volume 7 first published in Japan 1998.06

Awards
Winner, 43rd Shogakukan Manga Awards in the Shoujo category

Reissues/Other languages
Reissued in seven Shogakukan Bunko from 2005.11 to 2006.02
English Ceres: Celestial Legend (VIZ Media: (14 volumes per 2006.02), French (Editions Tonkam: Ayashi no Ceres: Un conte de fée céleste: 14 volumes per 2002.01), German (EMA), Spanish (Glènat España: Ceres: La Leyenda Celestial), Italian (Play Press: La fiaba del cielo), Vietnamese Truyền Thuyết Thiên Nữ

Adaptations
Studio Pierrot's 24-episode anime adaptation aired in Japan on WOWOW from April to September 2000, with seiyuu Kakazu Yumi as Aya Mikage, Iwao Junko as Ceres, Konishi Katsuyuki as Tooya, Itou Kentarou as Yuuhi, Chiba Susumu as Aki, Miki Shinichiro as Mikagi and Sugita Tomokazu as Mikage Kagami.

Light novels written by Nishizaki Megumi and illustrated by Watase Yuu: Ayashi no Ceres Episode of Tooya (one volume Palette bunko: 2000.06); Episode of Shuro (Palette bunko: 2000.09); Episode of Aki (Palette bunko: 2001.01); and Episode of Miku (Palette bunko, three volumes from 2001.06 to 2001.08)

Related
Sequel: Ayashi no Ceres Gaiden (side story included as furoku for Sho-Comi #18; also compiled in Fushigi Yuugi: Genbu Kaiden vol 6)
Watase Yuu Postcard Book Fushigi Yuugi Ayashi no Ceres Imadoki! (Japan release: 2001.01)

2. [Premiere] A Chieftain Finds Love (Kojou no Utahime) by Hara Chieko

Kojou no Utahime 「古城の歌姫」 by Hara Chieko, Original Story by Barbara Cartland Ohzora Shuppan Emerald Comics Romance Comics, josei This volume first published in Japan 2008.08

Related
Adapts the romance A Chieftain Finds Love by Barbara Cartland.

3. Giant Killing vol 13 of 23+ by Tsujitomo & Tsunamoto Masaya

Giant Killing 「ＧＩＡＮＴ　ＫＩＬＬＩＮＧ」 by Tsujitomo and Tsunamoto Masaya Kodansha Morning, seinen Volume 13 first published in Japan 2010.01

Awards
34th Kodansha Manga Award for General Manga

Adaptations
Studio DEEN's 26-episode anime adaptation, starring seiyuu Seki Tomokazu (Tatsumi Takeshi), Okiayu Ryotaro (Murakoshi Shigeyuki), Mizushima Takahiro (Tsubaki Daisuke) and Ono Daisuke (Yoshida Luigi) aired between April and September 2010 on NHK.

4. GTO Shonan 14 Days vol 6 of 9 by Fujisawa Toru

GTO Shonan 14 Days 「ＧＴＯ　ＳＨＯＮＡＮ　１４ＤＡＹＳ」 by Fujisawa Toru Kodansha Weekly Shonen Magazine, shounen Volume 6 first published in Japan 2011.02

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: three volumes as of 2012.05.29 • volume 4 street date: 2012.07.24)

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