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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xxxHOLiC 16, XBlade 11, Dawn of the Arcana 6 (Level Comics 18 April 2012 manga) [UPDATED]

xxxHolic vol 16, the penultimate X Blade and Dawn of the Arcana vol 6 are in a three-way tie for top DO WANT!
Update: As you can see, swapped the preview ordering (because Level uploaded a big enuf Arcana cover)

Reimei no Arcana © Toma Rei/Shogakukan
[Serialized in Cheese!]
Published in Indonesia as Dawn of the Arcana by Level Comics

Caught in the clash between Belquat's army and the hybrids, Nakaba continues to be haunted by her vision of Remilia's death. Even when the fatal destiny is apparently averted, something happens to make Nakaba doubt her time-conquering power.

Fortunately, Caesar succeeds in soothing his wife, but with the Belquat soldiers still in pursuit, he and Nakaba flee to Senan.

What turmoil awaits Nakaba back home? And will she learn the hard way that no matter where she runs, death always claims its toll? You and I know that With great responsibility comes... yada yada yada but still, see Dawn of the Arcana volume 6 for Nakaba's continuing trials.

Talk of Senan and Nakaba's home makes me DO WANT!—well, more than my fangirl usual—the prequel light novel Reimei no Arcana: The Beginning that tells of Nakaba's life...pre-Caesar? I want a Kyaaa~! He fell in love first from that far back! like Johanne did with Euda in Absolute Peace Strategy. (At the very least, we're I'm comforted by the prospect of Loki in the prologue, concealing—per usual—secrets.)

Wonder if Level has plans of publishing it here? *puppy eyes at Level's Powers That Be*

xxxHOLiC vol 16 of 19
By CLAMP

Despite losing Yuko, Watanuki decides to keep her wish-granting shop in business until such time when they (hopefully) meet again. Clients, however, aren't exactly beating down the doors. But one day, a customer comes in with a shamisen that won't play. Can Watanuki grant the woman's wish? What exactly is wrong with the shamisen?

As Del Rey's xxxHolic, Vol. 16 preview trumpets: Now begins a new chapter: xxxHOLiC Rô!

xxxHolic volume 16: Yume wa Tsuyoku Negaeba Kanau nara ore wa, Yūko-san to mata aitai (If a dream is granted if it is wished for enough, then mine is that I want to meet with Yūko again) compiles chapters 96 through 101.

X Blade vol 11 of 12
By Ida Tatsuhiko & Shiki Satoshi

Sanae finally learns the truth about Shinozuka and Soji, as well as everything that happened between Aoi Kikan, Yamata and Haru. But the real issue remains Kazunari's disappearance. As Sanae, Shinozuka and Soji look for clues, they run into a someone posing as a samurai — blindfolded.

The hell?!

Level states the obvious when it sez this blades...and blades saga tests how far you can withstand the strain of ratcheting tension before breaking, but consoles by pointing out that the complex, action-packed story already has a sequel. Which leads me to speculate that it has already licensed XBlade Cross (three volumes as of March 2012 in Japan, ongoing). Only time will tell.

Level Comics manga (2012.04.18)

1. Dawn of The Arcana (Reimei no Arcana) vol 6 of 9+ by Toma Rei

Reimei no Arcana 「黎明のアルカナ」 by Toma Rei Shogakukan Cheese!, shoujo Volume 6 first published in Japan 2011.02

Other languages
English Dawn of the Arcana (VIZ Media: three volumes as of 2012.04.03 • volume 4 street date: 2012.06.05), French (Kazé Editions: L'Arcane de l'aube: Tome 6 shipped 2012.03)

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

2. Last Inning vol 13 of 33+ by Nakahara Yu, Kamio Ryu

Last Inning 「ラストイニング」 by Nakahara Yu, Kamio Ryu, Katou Kiyoshi (Supervisor) Shogakukan Big Comic Spirits, seinen Volume 13 (chapters 117–126) first published in Japan 2007.03

3. Love Affair (Bokutachi wa Shitte Shimatta) vol 12 of 14 by Miyasaka Kaho

Bokutachi wa Shitte Shimatta 「僕達は知ってしまった」 by Miyasaka Kaho AKA We Experienced the Affair Shogakukan Cheese!, shoujo Volume 12 first published in Japan 2011.07

Other languages
German (Egmont Manga & Anime: Lebe deine Liebe Band 12 released 2012.01 • Band 13 street date: 2012.07), French (Marvel Panini France: A Romantic Love Story Tome 12 shipped 2012.02)

Adaptations
The Bokutachi wa Shitte Shimatta ~ Kare to Kanojo to Aitsu no Himitsu light novel written by Takase Yunoka was released under the Flower Comics Lululu novels label on 2011.07.26.

Related
The official Bokutachi wa Shitte Shimatta Kōshiki Fanbook (JP release: 2011.07)

4. X Blade vol 11 of 12 by Ida Tatsuhiko & Shiki Satoshi

XBlade 「ＸＢＬＡＤＥ」 by Ida Tatsuhiko & Shiki Satoshi Kodansha Shonen Sirius, shounen Volume 11 first published in Japan 2010.10

Related series
Sequel: XBlade Cross (three volumes as of 2012.03.09, ongoing)

5. xxxHOLiC vol 16 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 16 (chapters 96–101) first published in Japan 2009.12

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 (2012.04.18)

1. Lucky Luke: Jesse James (Lucky Luke Tome 4: Jesse James) by Morris & Goscinny
2. Scrameustache: Hantu Antariksa (Le Scrameustache, Tome 5: Le fantôme du cosmos) by Gos - Walt

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