Until Death Do Us Part 11, Lost Man 11, Red River 13 (Level Comics manga out nau~)

Street date: 13 June 2012
The official sked re-incorporates March Story volume 1 by Kim HyungMin & Yang KyungIl within, despite the thing debuting last week. Still mentioning it this list, but if you want teh preview (and my 8 of 10 ♡ snap review), go »here.

Lost Man © Kusaba Michiteru/Shogakukan [Serialized in Big Comic Spirits] · Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori © Shinohara Chie/Shogakukan [First serialized in Sho-Comi] · Shi ga Futari wo Wakatsu Made © Takashige Hiroshi & DOUBLE-S/Square Enix [Serialized in Young Gangan]. Published in Indonesia as Lost Man, Red River and Until Death Do Us Part by Level Comics

Top Level DO WANT! this week is Takashige Hiroshi & DOUBLE-S' Until Death Do Us Part volume 11, in which A Certain Praetorian cameos (well, not just a cameo :p):

Mamoru struggles to cut through Wiseman's minions, what with teh boss having analyzed Mamoru's fighting style and feeding his underlings the info. Fortunately, Komura's henchmen—who want in on the action—take Mamoru's bait. Mamoru corners Komura, but is intercepted by the man nicknamed The Shield of Aegis!

Aegis' guest appearance explains the connection Baka-Updates Manga and Wiki drew between Aegis in the Dark (Yami no Aegis) and alternate story Until Death Do Us Part. (UDDUP also crosses over with Takashige Hiroshi-sensei's Alcbane (Daiba Tatsumi, anyone?) and and is an alternate story to Jesus, which stars a high-profile assassin from the same duo that collabed on Aegis in the Dark.)

For a change of pace and capitalizing on the Euro fever—

Lost Man vol 11 (of 16+)
By Kusaba Michiteru

Man U flies to Spain for a showdown with Real Madrid, currently ranked first in the Champions League group stage. Real ace Saule scores the first goal, prompting the Simpson-Matsumoto twosome to renew attack.

Sixteen Lost Man tankou have been compiled as of 30 May 2012; the 17th streets in Japan on 29 June.

Level Comics manga (2012.06.13)

1. Ami Non Stop vol 4 of 12 by Kitagawa Miyuki

Ami! Nonstop 「亜未！ノンストップ」 by Kitagawa Miyuki Shogakukan Sho-Comi, shoujo Volume 4 first published in Japan 1994.03

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

2. Have A Good Night (Shima Shima) vol 4 of 12 by Yamazaki Sayaka

Shima Shima 「シマシマ」 by Yamazaki Sayaka Kodansha Morning, seinen Volume 4 first published in Japan 2009.03

Adaptations
The 10-episode live-action Shima Shima aired on TBS from April to June 2011, starring Yada Akiko as Houkigi Shio, Miura Shohei as Tamabuki Gai, Kikuta Daisuke as Futaba Ran, Suzuki Katsuhiro as Hayashida Rindou and Fukushi Sota as Makomo Shuuji.

3. Lost Man vol 11 of 16+ by Kusaba Michiteru

Lost Man 「ＬＯＳＴ　ＭＡＮ」 by Kusaba Michiteru Shogakukan Young Sunday (later moved to Big Comic Spirits after 31 July 2008), seinen Volume 11 first published in Japan 2011.02

4. March Story vol 1 of 4+ by Kim HyungMin & Yang KyungIl »Released 2012.06.06
5. Red River (Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori) vol 13 of 28 by Shinohara Chie

Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori 「天は赤い河のほとり」 by Shinohara Chie AKA Anatolia Story Shogakukan Sho-Comi, shoujo Volume 13 (chapters 29–31 and Illustration Gallery) first published in Japan 1998.05

Awards
Winner, 46th Shogakukan Manga Awards (2000) in the Shoujo category

Reissues/Other languages
Reissued in 16 bunko volumes between 2006.11 and V16 2007.05
English Red River (VIZ Media: 28 volumes), Italian Anatolia Story (Editions Star Comics: 28 volumes), German (EMA/Egmont Manga and Anime), Vietnamese Dòng Sông Huyền Bí (Tre Publishing House) and traditional Chinese 赤河戀影 (Tong Li Taiwan)

Adaptations
Eight drama CDs were released between 1997 and 2003.

Related
An artbook (Japan release: 1999.02.24), fanbook (2002.07.26) and a two-volume novel adaptation Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori Gaiden Ma ga Jidai no Reimei written and illustrated by Shinohara Chie-sensei (2007.05 and 2007.09)

In addition, the following novels were published under Shogakukan's Lululu Bunko Novels label: Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori Gaiden Tsuitachi no Tsuki (Japan release: 2008.10); Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori Gaiden Mayu tsuki (JP: 2010.01); and Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori Gaiden Jōgen (2010.06).

6. Until Death Do Us Part (Shi ga Futari wo Wakatsu Made) vol 11 of 17+ by Takashige Hiroshi & DOUBLE-S

Shi ga Futari wo Wakatsu Made 「死がふたりを分かつまで」 by Takashige Hiroshi & DOUBLE-S Square Enix Young Gangan, seinen Volume 11 (Parts 85–92) first published in Japan 2010.02

Other languages
French (Ki-oon: Jusqu'à ce que la mort nous sépare Tome 15 shipped 2012.01 • Tome 16 street date: 2012.08.23), traditional Chinese (Tong Li Taiwan: 終極感應 15 per 2012.02), Korean (Haksan: 죽음이 두 사람을 갈라놓을 때까지 14 released 2012.01), English Until Death Do Us Part (Yen Press: one volume as of 2012.05.29 • volume 2 street date: 2012.09.25)

Related Series
Alcbane (three volumes, Adapted From), Jesus (13 volumes, alternate story), Yami no Aegis AKA Aegis in the Dark (26 volumes, alternate story) [Info from Baka-Updates Manga]

7. Yokohama Chinatown Fantasy (Kachuu Hana) vol 11 of 16+ by Nishi Yuuji & Hikino Shinji

Kachuu Hana 「華中華」 by Nishi Yuuji & Hikino Shinji Shogakukan Big Comic, seinen Volume 11 first published in Japan 2010.04

Reissues
Kachuu Hana My First BIG Specials volumes 1–8 released between 2010.10 and 2011.05

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

European comics/BDs (2012.06.13)

• Jojo: Cerita di Balik Benda (Jojo, Tome 13: Une pagaille de Dieu le père) by André Geerts

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Drug-On 2, Have a Good Night 3, Blue Seal 7 of 7 (Level Comics 16 May 2012 manga) [UPDATED]

Also, The Bride's Stories volume 3. (Those who've been waiting for the continuation for 10 months, go, go, GO! to your favorite bookstore nau.)

Update: Replaced placeholder Japanese covers with Level artwork.

Drug-On © Saitoh Misaki/Gentosha
[First serialized in Comic Birz]
Published in Indonesia by Level Comics

The Takers find themselves outclassed as the battle against the Prince drags out. Kai is held captive while Jack goes berserker mode ON! and begins attacking indiscriminately. What will happen when the Prince retaliates and uses his ability to kill in an instant?

Obviously the Drug-On volume 2 cover with which I lead this post is not Level's version. Level artwork were still thin on the ground when I wrote this, so must make do. Still, the Indonesian cover shouldn't stray far from the JP ＤＲＵＧ‐ＯＮ　ドラゴン　２ original. »Edit: Yup, the Level cover is the same as the Japanese one. Not like, say, the cover for the finale Blue Seal bunko, which also streets the same day. (For comparison, »here's how the Japanese Ao no Fuuin bunko volume 7 looks. Level uses the tankou volume 11 cover. Of course...)

Blue Seal vol 7 of 7
By Shinohara Chie

After gaining the power of Byakko, Akira executes the plan to wipe out all demons and orders the forest surrounded. Meanwhile, Soko learns the secret of the demons' source of life and wracks her brain for a peaceful coexistence alternative. But with Mt. Fuji erupting, Soko is forced to make a decision as demon queen Souryu, a decision that...

Don't miss the last volume of Blue Seal—what Level describes as a moving story of horror and love that transcends eons of darkness—for the fate of Akira × Soko and other surprising secret revelations.

Now that Blue Seal's finished...what about Shinohara Chie-sensei's Red River? :D Also, I wouldn't mind if Level ramped up the release schedule for Basara... (There's still seven more volumes to Tamura Yumi's equally starcrossed lovers saga.)

Have A Good Night vol 3 of 12
By Yamazaki Sayaka

Shio's ex-husband Hibiki returns to Japan, but li'l brother Gai hides the news from Shio. Keeping the secret proves too much for Gai and he ends up making a huge mistake while working!

What was Gai's #Fail? And can Shio ever get away from Hibiki? Grab Have A Good Night volume 3 as your next bedtime read for answers.

☞ I preview Mori Kaoru's The Bride's Stories 3—which introduces us to a new bride—after the release list.

New Level titles (bandes dessinées or ROMICs)
Level launches Robin (Hood), the BD series by Turk & de Groot, originally published by Le Lombard. Robin Dubois, the brainchild of the same duo that brings us the hysterical Léonard, obviously draws inspiration from the legendary English outlaw, but Turk & de Groot's Robin deviates from the original heroic into silly and hilarious and...best buds with the Sheriff of Nottingham!? Enjoy their "Your money or your life!" hijinks in Makin Ramai, Makin Seru! (Robin Dubois: Plus on est de fous...) and Sama-Sama Bodoh (Robin Dubois: Le fond de l'air est bête).

Level Comics manga and manhua (2012.05.16)

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

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 7 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)

2. The Bride's Stories (Otoyomegatari) vol 3 of 4+ by Mori Kaoru

Otoyomegatari 「乙嫁語り」 by Mori Kaoru Enterbrain Fellows!, seinen Volume 3 first published in Japan 2011.06

Awards
Nominee, 4th Manga Taisho awards (2011), along with I am a Hero by Hanazawa Kengo; March comes in like a lion by Umino Chika (award winner); Hana no Zubora-Meshi by Kusumi Masayuki, Mizusawa Etsuko; Un chocolatier de l'amour perdu by Mizushiro Setona and eight other manga

Other languages
English A Bride's Story (Yen Press: three volumes as of 2012.03.27), traditional Chinese (Kadokawa Media Taiwan: 姊嫁物語 3 per 2011.11), French (Editions Ki-oon: Bride Stories, Tome 3 shipped 2011.12)

Related series
4-koma side story Pariya-san wa Otoshigoro

3. Drug-On vol 2 of 5 by Saitoh Misaki

Drug-On 「ＤＲＵＧ‐ＯＮ　ドラゴン」 by Saitoh Misaki Gentosha Comic Birz, seinen Volume 2 first published in Japan 2007.09

4. Have A Good Night (Shima Shima) vol 3 of 12 by Yamazaki Sayaka

Shima Shima 「シマシマ」 by Yamazaki Sayaka Kodansha Morning, seinen Volume 3 first published in Japan 2008.12

Adaptations
The 10-episode live-action Shima Shima aired on TBS from April to June 2011, starring Yada Akiko as Houkigi Shio, Miura Shohei as Tamabuki Gai, Kikuta Daisuke as Futaba Ran, Suzuki Katsuhiro as Hayashida Rindou and Fukushi Sota as Makomo Shuuji.

5. The Ravages of Time (Huo Feng Liao Yuan) vol 16 of 45+ by Chan Mou

Sanguozhi Qunxiongzhuan: Huo Feng Liao Yuan 「火鳳燎原」 by Chan Mou AKA Fiery Phoenix Burns Steppes Tong Li New Youth, seinen

Other languages/serializations
Simplified Chinese (Chuang Yi: 火凤燎原 #42 released 2011.09), Japanese (Media Factory 三国志群雄伝　火鳳燎原 9 per 2009.12), Vietnamese Hỏa Phụng Liêu Nguyên. The manhua is also published in Mainland China, Korea and Thailand.

6. Zipang vol 13 of 43 by Kawaguchi Kaiji

Zipang 「ジパング」 by Kawaguchi Kaiji Kodansha Morning, seinen Volume 13 first published in Japan 2003.12

Awards
Winner, 26th Kodansha Manga Awards (2002) in the General category

Other language versions
English (Kodansha Bilingual Comics; partial), French (Kana: Zipang Tome 34 per 2012.02) and traditional Chinese (Sharp Point Press: 次元艦隊 43 per 2010.06)

Adaptations
Anime by Studio DEEN starring seiyuu Inada Tetsu (Executive Officer Kadomatsu Yosuke), Hoshino Takanori (Gunnery Officer Kikuchi Masayuki), Ueda Yuuji (Navigation Officer Oguri Kouhei), Yara Yuusaku (Captain Umezu Saburo) and Touchi Hiroki (Lt. Commander Kusaka Takumi) aired in Japan from October 2004 to March 2005

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

European comics/BDs (2012.05.16)

1. Lucky Luke: Western Circus (Lucky Luke, Tome 5: Western Circus) by Morris & Goscinny
2. Rantanplan: Ramuan Cerdas (Rantanplan, Tome 10: Les Cerveaux) by Morris, Vittorio & B. de Groot
3. [Premiere] Robin: Makin Ramai, Makin Seru! (Robin Dubois: Plus on est de fous...) by Turk & de Groot
4. [Premiere] Robin: Sama-Sama Bodoh (Robin Dubois: Le fond de l'air est bête) by Turk & de Groot
5. Scrameustache: Scrameustache Kabur (Le Scrameustache, Tome 6: La fugue du Scrameustache) by Gos - Walt

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Bloody Monday 9, Devil Devil 10, Birdy The Mighty 1 by Yuuki Masami (Level Comics manga out nau~) [UPDATED]

Street date: 2012.04.25
As I sed over on the Elex side, no guarantees of NikBabble™ this week. But you can live with just a shopping list, cantcha? «Update: You might be able to, but I apparently can't >.<

Tetsuwan Birdy © Yuuki Masami/Shogakukan
[First serialized in Young Sunday and Big Comic Spirits]
Published in Indonesia as Birdy The Mighty by Level Comics

Berserker Killer Birdy Cephon Altera is dispatched to Earth to stop intergalactic terrorist Christella Revi, but the dreaded agent of the federation mortally wounds a Japanese teenager during the attempted arrest. To save Senkawa Tsutomu's life, Birdy lends him her body, after which she insists on pursuing her target. Tsutomu refuses to cooperate for fear of endangering his family.

Still, their (un)cooperative fight against evil geniuses, start-OH!

This Birdy The Mighty reboots Yuuki Masami's first Tetsuwan Birdy, hence sometimes the qualification Tetsuwan Birdy (II). Wiki relates the back story »here—I don't feel like regurgitating—so just read for yourself if interested. At any rate, what's important is that Tetsuwan Birdy finally reached 20 volumes (around additional shunting from Young Sunday to Big Comic Spirits when the former closed up shop in July 2008), AND that there's an ongoing sequel, Tetsuwan Birdy Evolution (10 volumes as of 2011.12; volume 11 street date: 2012.04.27). In other words, you're in for a long ride.

Oh. And There Was Anime. First, a four-episode OAV animated by Madhouse released in July 1996. Seiyuu Mitsuishi Kotono voiced Birdy, Iwanaga Tetsuya – Tsutomu. A decade and two years later, A-1 Pictures came out with Tetsuwan Birdy: Decode. The 13-episode first season aired from July to September 2008, and featured a different voice cast: Chiba Saeko as Birdy and Irino Miyu as Tsutomu. Season 2 premiered in January 2009 and wrapped at 12 episodes May that year. Another OAV (one episode), Birdy the Mighty Decode: The Cipher, followed in July 2009.

Not to underestimate Birdy's allure or anything, but Yuuki Masami-sensei is prolly most known for the 36th Shogakukan Manga Awardee in the Shounen category, Kidou Keisatsu Patlabor AKA Mobile Police Patlabor (22 volumes compiled between July 1988 and August 1994).

Now for the top Level GET! —

Bloody Monday vol 9 of 11
By Ryumon Ryou & Megumi Kouji

The BLOODY-X outbreak in Kanto Special Prison turns out to be Fujimaru's ruse. After allowing the terrorists to set leader Kamishima Shimon free, Fujimaru bargains with J for the antidote to save Mako. J agrees, in exchange for information on the real significance of BLOODY MONDAY.

I know we're still on Bloody Monday, but I thought you might like to know that volume 4 of Bloody Monday - Last Season (yes, that's the sequel of the sequel) is expected to release in Japan on 17 May.

Level Comics manga (2011.04.25)

1. [Series Premiere] Birdy The Mighty (Tetsuwan Birdy) vol 1 of 20 by Yuuki Masami

Tetsuwan Birdy 「鉄腕バーディー」 by Yuuki Masami AKA Tetsuwan Birdy (II) Shogakukan Young Sunday and later in Big Comic Spirits after the former's closure on 31 July 2008, seinen Volume 1 first published in Japan 2003.06

Volume 1 contains chapters 1–10: 2 Hearts in 1 Body #1–#10 + Omake: Rakugaki Manga Kon'na Bādī wa iya ka?

Related series
Adapted from the original Tetsuwan Birdy serialized in Shonen Sunday Super between 1985 and 1988 (one volume per 1996.07 [discontinued]; two-volume Shonen Sunday Comics Visual Selection reprint from 1996.12 to 1997.04)
Sequel: Tetsuwan Birdy Evolution (10 volumes as of 2011.12 • volume 11 street date: 2012.04.27, ongoing serialization in Big Comic Spirits)

Other languages
French (Pika Édition: Tetsuwan Birdy, Tome 11 per 2010.07)

Adaptations
Madhouse's Birdy the Mighty OAV (1996.07.25, four episodes) starring seiyuu Mitsuishi Kotono as Birdy and Iwanaga Tetsuya as Tsutomu, and A-1 Pictures' anime: Tetsuwan Birdy: Decode (2008.07.04–2008.09.29, 13 episodes) starring Chiba Saeko as Birdy and Irino Miyu as Tsutomu, Tetsuwan Birdy: Decode Season 2 (2009.01.09–2009.05.28, 12 episodes) and Birdy the Mighty Decode: The Cipher OAV (2009.07.22, one episode)

2. Bloody Monday vol 9 of 11 by Ryumon Ryou & Megumi Kouji

Bloody Monday 「ブラッディ・マンデイ」 by Ryumon Ryou & Megumi Kouji Kodansha Weekly Shonen Magazine, shounen Volume 9 first published in Japan 2008.12

Other languages
English Bloody Monday: Season 1 (Chuang Yi: volume 8 per 2010.08 and Kodansha Comics: Bloody Monday: five volumes as of 2012.04.10 • volume 6 street date: 2012.06.05), simplified Chinese (Chuang Yi: 11 volumes, concluded), traditional Chinese 血色星期一 (Tong Li Taiwan: 11 volumes), French (PIKA Édition: Tome 10 shipped 2012.03 • Tome 11 street date: 2012.05.16)

Related series
Bloody Monday 0 (one volume; 2009.05) and sequels Bloody Monday Season 2 - Zetsubou no Kou (AKA Bloody Monday Season 2 ~Pandora no Hako~, eight volumes as at 2011.05.17) and Bloody Monday - Last Season (serialized in Weekly Shonen Magazine beginning 2011.07.14; three volumes as of 2012.02 • volume 4 street date: 2012.05.17)

Under Kodansha's KPC (Platinum Comics) imprint: Bloody Monday: Seinaru Chi no Shukusai... Hajimaru!! (2011.07.27); Bloody Monday: Kiba o Muku “BLOODY ‐ X”, Kansen Bakuhatsu!? (2011.06); Bloody Monday: Mogurikonde ita Supai no Shōtai (2011.05); Bloody Monday: Tensai Kōkōsei Hacker “Falcon” (2011.04)

Hacking guides by FALCON: Bloody Monday Falcon no Conpi: Falcon's Computer Hacking (KCDX imprint: 2009.12) and Bloody Monday Falcon no Mobi: Falcon's Mobile Hacking (KCDX: 2011.01)

Adaptations
An 11-episode live-action renzoku aired from October through December 2008 on TBS, followed by a second season, Bloody Monday Season2 ~Pandora no Hako~ (January to March 2010, nine episodes). Actor/singer Miura Haruma returned as protagonist Fujimaru Takagi/Falcon in the sequel.

3. Devil Devil vol 10 of 15 by Miyoshi Yuuki

Devil Devil 「デビデビ」 by Miyoshi Yuuki Shogakukan Shonen Sunday, shounen Volume 10 (10 episodes/chapters 88–97) first published in Japan 1999.12

Other languages
French (PIKA Édition: 15 volumes)

4. Fight!! Ippo (Hajime no Ippo) vol 90 of 99+ by Morikawa Joji

Hajime no Ippo 「はじめの一歩」 by Morikawa Joji AKA Fighting Spirit Kodansha Weekly Shonen Magazine, shounen Volume 90 first published in Japan 2009.12

Volume 90 chapters:
Round 858: The Genius and the Famous Trainer
Round 859: Excitement and Aphorisms
Round 860: Cumulative Progress
Round 861: International Sparring
Round 862: Shocking Phone Call
Round 863: Reckless Fight
Round 864: Facing the Sun
Round 865: Higher Upper Class Image
Round 866: To the Bone
Round 867: Inscrutable Hurricane Winds
Round 868: True Form Discovered
[*NOT Level chapter titles]

Awards
Winner, 1991 Kodansha Manga Awards in the Shounen category

Related series
Hajime no Ippo Gaiden (one-shot prequel)

Other languages
French (Kurokawa: Ippo, Saison 2 Tome 16 per 2011.09), traditional Chinese (Tong Li Taiwan: 第一神拳 98 released 2012.03)

Adaptations
A 76-episode anime by Madhouse, starring seiyuu Kiyasu Kohei (Makunouchi Ippo), aired on NTV from October 2000 to March 2002. A sequel/special, Hajime no Ippo - Champion Road, came out in June 2003, followed by the spinoff Hajime no Ippo - Mashiba vs. Kimura OAV (2003.09). The 26-episode second season Hajime no Ippo: New Challenger was telecast from January to June 2009.

5. Have A Good Night (Shima Shima) vol 2 of 12 by Yamazaki Sayaka

Shima Shima 「シマシマ」 by Yamazaki Sayaka Kodansha Morning, seinen Volume 2 first published in Japan 2008.09

Adaptations
The 10-episode live-action Shima Shima aired on TBS from April to June 2011, starring Yada Akiko as Houkigi Shio, Miura Shohei as Tamabuki Gai, Kikuta Daisuke as Futaba Ran, Suzuki Katsuhiro as Hayashida Rindou and Fukushi Sota as Makomo Shuuji.

6. Yokohama Chinatown Fantasy (Kachuu Hana) vol 10 of 16+ by Nishi Yuuji & Hikino Shinji

Kachuu Hana 「華中華」 by Nishi Yuuji & Hikino Shinji Shogakukan Big Comic, seinen Volume 10 first published in Japan 2009.12

Reissues
Kachuu Hana My First BIG Specials volumes 1–8 released between 2010.10 and 2011.05

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

European comics/BDs (2011.04.25)

1. Leonard: Leonard dan Murid Baru (Léonard, Tome 37: C'est parti, mon génie!) by Turk & De Groot
2. Spirou & Fantasio: Asal Mula Z (Spirou et Fantasio, Tome 50: Aux sources du Z) by Morvan, Yann, Munuera
3. Suske & Wiske: Tulang-Tulang Gemetaran (Suske en Wiske 303: De knikkende knoken) by Willy Vandersteen

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