Bambino Secondo 6, Brave Story 9, Marsupilami - Houba Banana by Franquin, Batem & Fauche (Level Comics 31 August 2012 manga and bande dessinée) [UPDATED]

Legare reborn! (just in time because an international Italian star is in town to promote a new movie), Wataru VS Hade (again), the road from karate Weak to Strong, Who is out in the marriage race? and With my own hands, I carried out trepanation. As with the Elex releases, Level manga streeting tomorrow have no blurbs (nor artwork) floating around, so those snaps comprise the only NikBabble™ you're going to get.
Added ROMIC restocks. (The lead—Marsupilami: Houba Banana—is a BD (bande dessinée) after all. :p)

Le Marsupilami, Tome 11: Houba Banana © Franquin, Batem & Fauche/Marsu Productions. Published in Indonesia as Marsupilami: Houba Banana by Level Comics

Little Marsu is in big trouble! The notorious Shark kidnaps Little Marsu from Collin and Remi's house, intending to make the boing-boing-ing critter star in commercials for a new soft drink, Houba Banana.

Fortunately, the gray parrot from Gabon witnesses the crime and gives chase, along with Marsupilami. Collin and Remi, too, go after Shark.

Marsupilami: Houba Banana, the 11th volume of the Marsu Productions spin-off of André Franquin's Le Marsupilami series, was first published in July 1997. Batem (Marsupilami, Sam Speed) illustrated the Xavier Fauche (Lucky Luke, Rantanplan) and Eric Adam (Les Contes du 7ème Souffle) story.

If you're not familiar with When the animal rebounds, he makes a funny noise: Boing Marsupilami—editor Adis-san sez the series has been adapted for the big screen—go here (my abridged version) or here (Wiki article).

Level Comics manga (2012.08.31)

1. Bambino! Secondo vol 6 of 11+ by Sekiya Tetsuji

Bambino! Secondo 「バンビ～ノ！ＳＥＣＯＮＤＯ」 by Sekiya Tetsuji Shogakukan Big Comic Spirits, seinen Volume 6 first published in Japan 2011.02 (Volume 11 released 2012.06; Volume 12 street date: 2012.09.28)

Related series
Prequel: Bambino! (15 volumes)

2. Brave Story (Brave Story - Shinsetsu) vol 9 of 20 by Miyabe Miyuki and Ono Yoichiro

Brave Story - Shinsetsu 「ブレイブ・ストーリー～新説～」 by Miyabe Miyuki and Ono Yoichiro AKA Brave Story: A Retelling of a Classic Shinchosha Comic Bunch, seinen Volume 9 first published in Japan 2005.10

Related
Adapted from Miyabe Miyuki's Brave Story light novel

Other languages
English Brave Story (TOKYOPOP: five volumes; the Brave Story novel was published by VIZ Media 2009.11), French (Kurokawa: Tome 20 shipped 2011.02) and traditional Chinese (Tong Li Taiwan)

3. Homunculus vol 13 of 15 by Yamamoto Hideo

Homunculus 「ホムンクルス」 by Yamamoto Hideo Shogakukan Big Comic Spirits, seinen Volume 13 first published in Japan 2010.07

4. Karate Master Minoru (Karate Shoukoushi Kohinata Minoru) vol 2 of 49+ by Baba Yasushi

Karate Shoukoushi Kohinata Minoru 「空手小公子　小日向海流」 by Baba Yasushi Kodansha Young Magazine, seinen Volume 2 first published in Japan 2000.10

Other languages
Traditional Chinese (Sharp Point Press Taiwan: 空手小霸王-小日向海流 (45) released 2012.06)

Related
Karate Shoukoushi Kohinata Minoru Kōshiki Guide Book published 2005.07.06

5. Miso-Com (30 Kon Miso-com) vol 13 of 14+ by Yonezawa Rika

30 Kon Miso-com 「３０婚　ｍｉｓｏ‐ｃｏｍ」 by Yonezawa Rika Kodansha Kiss, josei Volume 13 first published in Japan 2011.08

Other languages
Traditional Chinese (Tong Li: 待嫁熟女 13 per 2012.04

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

European comics/BDs (2012.08.31)

• Marsupilami: Houba Banana (Le Marsupilami, Tome 11: Houba Banana) by Franquin, Batem & Fauche (Marsu Productions)

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Lost Man 12, I Love You Most 2, Emerald Queen by Sachimi Riho (Level Comics manga out nau~)

Street date: 11 August 2012, the last delivery date before the Idul Fitri holidays. (Regular deliveries resume 31 August 2012.)

Because they all can't fit in the post title, adding here that Mars vol 4 and Yokohama Chinatown Fantasy 12 tied with I Love You Most 2 for first runner-up. But Most Wanted Manga remains—

Lost Man © Kusaba Michiteru
Shogakukan [First serialized in Big Comic Spirits]
Published in Indonesia by Level Comics

Champions League match against Real!!

Playing in enemy territory proves no obstruction to Manchester Union, which scores two goals, thanks to the Matsumoto-Simpson tandem. But Saule, Real's ace, is not about to let that outcome set in stone. Enter Sakazaki! What does he have planned this time?

With Level's volume 12 release, we're four tanks away from the Lost Man finale—volume 17—released in Japan last June.

I Love You Most vol 2 of 7
By Kitagawa Miyuki

Not only is Kairi the newly-promoted vice president of the cosmetics company Mia works for—her boss!—he's also married! But a mere ring on a finger doesn't deter Mia from offering to be Kairi's mistress.

Does Kairi take Mia up on her proposition?

Scroll down for the rest of the previews—including that for the historical josei romance debut Emerald Queen by Sachimi Riho.

I Love You Most volume 2 compiles chapters 6 to 10: Aphrodisiac, Devil, Incubation, Atonement and Incarnation. The aftermath of that whole “Make me your mistress” thing, plus the introduction of the requisite Kitagawa Miyuki lurve triangle, demands I give I Love You Most 2 an 8.5 of 10♡, a solid A. :D (What does TC manga critic Lina-chan say?)

Level Comics manga (2012.08.11)

1. Air Gear 30 of 37 by Oh!great «Ex-2012.07.11

AirGear 「エア・ギア」 by Oh!great Kodansha Weekly Shonen Magazine, shounen Volume 30 (Tricks 278–287) first published in Japan 2010.11

Awards
2006 Kodansha Manga Awardee in the Shounen category

Other languages/serializations
English Air Gear (Del Rey: until Volume 15/16/17 per 2010.08; Kodansha Comics: from volume 18; 25 volumes as of 2012.08.07 • volume 26 street date: 2012.10.09), Korean (Haksan), traditional Chinese (Tong Li Taiwan: 飛輪少年 #35 per 2012.06), simplified Chinese (Chuang Yi Singapore: volume 28 per 2010.08), French (Pika Édition: Tome 33 shipped 2012.06 • Tome 24 street date: 2012.09.05), Italy (Planet Manga), Germany (Heyne) and Sweden (Schibsted Förlagen Sverige AB/serialized in Manga Mania)

Adaptations
A 25-episode anime by Toei Animation, starring Kamakari Kenta as Ikki; a series of Satelight-animated OADs shipped with the manga tankoubon (The first Air Gear: Kuro no Hane to Nemuri no Mori -Break on the Sky- OAD streeted with volume 30 in November 2010 with seiyuu Okamoto Nobuhiko as Ikki; the second OAD was bundled with volume 31 (2011.03.17), with a third released 2011.06.17); and a series of musicals

2. [Premiere] Emerald Queen (Emerald no Joou) by Sachimi Riho

Emerald no Joou 「エメラルドの女王」 by Sachimi Riho Ohzora Emerald Comics Romance Comics, josei This volume first published in Japan 2009.12

3. GTO vol 9 of 25 by Fujisawa Toru

GTO 「ＧＴＯ」 by Fujisawa Toru Kodansha Weekly Shonen Magazine, shounen Volume 9 first published in Japan 1998.11

Awards
1998 Kodansha Manga Awardee 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.

4. I Love You Most (Seiseisuruhodo, Aishiteru) vol 2 of 7 by Kitagawa Miyuki

Seiseisuruhodo, Aishiteru 「せいせいするほど、愛してる」 by Kitagawa Miyuki Shogakukan Petit Comic, josei Volume 2 (chapters 6–10) first published in Japan 2007.03

5. Lost Man vol 12 of 17 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 12 first published in Japan 2011.05

6. Mars vol 4 of 15 by Souryo Fuyumi

Mars 「ＭＡＲＳ」 by Souryo Fuyumi Kodansha Betsufure, shoujo Volume 4 first published in Japan 1997.05

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.

7. Yokohama Chinatown Fantasy (Kachuu Hana) vol 12 of 17+ by Nishi Yuuji & Hikino Shinji

Kachuu Hana 「華中華」 by Nishi Yuuji & Hikino Shinji Shogakukan Big Comic, seinen Volume 12 first published in Japan 2010.08

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 (2012.08.11)

1. Cotton Kid: Jalur Chisholm (Cotton Kid, Tome 4: La piste de Chisholm) by Pearce & Léturgie
2. Scrameustache: Dalam Pengasingan (Le Scrameustache, Tome 37: Les exilés) by Gos & Walt

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Bambino! Secondo 5, Dark Edge 5, March Story 2 (Level Comics manga out nau~)

Street date: 7 August 2012, Tuesday, not Wednesday, the first of a two-part manga release before the Idul Fitri holiday break.

I'll get to Most Wanted Bambino! Secondo in a moment (read: I don't have a big enuf Bambino! Secondo 5 cover, so it's not the lead pix). First, let's take a look at the Lady in the Box (Dark Edge volume 5):

Dark Edge © Aikawa Yu
MediaWorks [First serialized in Dengeki Comic Gao!]
Published in Indonesia by Level Comics

Takagi Kuro volunteers to take Nishiwaki Rui's place, trusting that his friends will soon bust him out of the coffin. Unfortunately for Kuro, they all forget about his existence, save for Ise who hatches up a plan with Tsuchiya and Sato to get Kuro out. What Ise doesn't know is the the two teachers have their own agenda...

Seems cognitive dissonant to segue to pasta after Nosferatu and zombies, but... *sheepish grin*

Bambino! Secondo vol 5 (of 11+)
By Sekiya Tetsuji

Ban's hard trudge pays off. He finally manages to track down the legendary Yokohama waiter who agrees to return to active restaurant duty on Ban's insistence. But can the legend's magic save Legare?

Eleven Bambino! Secondo volumes have been collected in Japan as of June 2012; the 12th streets on 28 September.

I should've back-to-backed this next DO WANT! with Dark Edge 5, but... *sheepish grin, the sequel*

March Story vol 2 (of 4+)
By Kim HyungMin & Yang KyungIl

During an Ill exorcism mission, March meets fellow hunter Belma, but wishes she didn't. Belma's weapon Scarecrow, capable of producing illusions to entrap Ill, turns on March. Not only that, even Belma believes March is an Ill, and an inevitable clash ensues.

Meanwhile, the real Ill target is...

...getting away?

You can revisit the March Story premise, if you missed it when it debuted. I gave the first March Story a grade of 8 of 10♡, equivalent to an A-. I wonder what the second volume would get?

Level Comics manga (2012.08.07)

1. Ami Non Stop vol 6 of 12 by Kitagawa Miyuki

Ami! Nonstop 「亜未！ノンストップ」 by Kitagawa Miyuki Shogakukan Sho-Comi, shoujo Volume 6 first published in Japan 1994.08

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

2. Bambino! Secondo vol 5 of 11+ by Sekiya Tetsuji

Bambino! Secondo 「バンビ～ノ！ＳＥＣＯＮＤＯ」 by Sekiya Tetsuji Shogakukan Big Comic Spirits, seinen Volume 5 first published in Japan 2010.10

Related series
Prequel: Bambino! (15 volumes)

3. Basara vol 22 of 27 by Tamura Yumi

Basara 「ＢＡＳＡＲＡ」 by Tamura Yumi Shogakukan Betsucomi, shoujo Volume 22 first published in Japan 1998.01

Awards
38th Shogakukan Manga Awardee in the Shoujo category

Other versions/languages
Rereleased in 16 bunko volumes (2002.03 to 2002.10)
English Basara (VIZ Media: 27 volumes), French (Kana: 27 volumes), German (EMA: Band 27 per 2012.01), Danish (Mangismo Danmark), Swedish (Mangismo Sverige) and Vietnamese (Kim Dong: 27 volumes)

Adaptations
A 13-episode Legend of Basara anime by KSS, starring seiyuu Kimura Akiko (Sarasa) and Inoue Kazuhiko (Shuri), aired on Chiba TV from April to June 1998.

4. Dark Edge vol 5 of 15 by Aikawa Yu «Ex-2012.07.25

Dark Edge 「ＤＡＲＫ　ＥＤＧＥ」 by Aikawa Yu MediaWorks Dengeki Comic Gao!, shounen Volume 5 first published in Japan 2001.02

Other languages
English Dark Edge (ComicsOne then DrMaster: 10 volumes per 2009.03.03)

5. Exit vol 7 of 12+ by Fujita Takami

Exit 「ＥＸＩＴ」 by Fujita Takami Gentosha Birz Comics Girls Collection, shoujo Volume 7 published in Japan 2003.05

Earlier editions
Volumes 1–5 published between 1998.08 and 1999.06 under Sony Magazines Comics Kimi to Boku (KB) Collection imprint

6. Giant Killing vol 14 of 24+ by Tsujitomo & Tsunamoto Masaya

Giant Killing 「ＧＩＡＮＴ　ＫＩＬＬＩＮＧ」 by Tsujitomo and Tsunamoto Masaya Kodansha Morning, seinen Volume 14 first published in Japan 2010.04

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.

7. March Story vol 2 of 4+ by Kim HyungMin & Yang KyungIl

March Story 「ＭＡＲＣＨ　ＳＴＯＲＹ」 by Kim HyungMin & Yang KyungIl Shogakukan Sunday GX, seinen Volume 2 first published in Japan 2009.12

Other languages
English March Story (VIZ Media: three volumes as of 2011.10 • volume 4 street date: 2012.10.16), traditional Chinese (Sharp Point Press Taiwan: MARCH STORY獵魔荒世錄 (04) released 2012.07.18

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

European comics/BDs (2012.08.07)

• Suske & Wiske: Texas Rangers (Suske en Wiske 125: De Texasrakkers) by Willy Vandersteen

Read more »

Perfect Girl Evolution 28, The Black Swindler 18, Sky Without Tomorrow 1 by Heiuchi Natsuko (Level Comics manga out nau~)

Street date: 1 August 2012

Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge © Hayakawa Tomoko/Kodansha [Serialized in Betsufure]. Published in Indonesia as Perfect Girl Evolution by Level Comics.

The shops Sunako patronizes are in deep trouble! The big supermarket next door lures the shoppers away, and threatens to close down the mom and pop businesses. Can Sunako and her My Fair Bishounen save the shopping arcade from going bust??

Later, a super-pretty boy stalks Kyouhei. Running scared, Kyouhei grabs Sunako and...!

The synops above refer to Perfect Girl Evolution Parts 112 and 113, Save the Shopping Arcade! and Karnaval Penuh Debaran. Rounding out PGE 28 is a special two-parter, in which Kyouhei plays Edo jidai's answer to Robin Hood, Nezumi Kozo, and “Osuna” is the daughter of an impoverished tavern proprietress.

For still compelling LMAO! even after over a hundred stories, Hayakawa Tomoko's Perfect Girl Evolution volume 28 rates a solid 8 of 10♡ or A-.

The Black Swindler vol 18 of 20
By Kuromaru & Natsuhara Takeshi

A fraudster cons elderly owners out of their land with the shiny promise of letting them live in the mansions part of the so-called urban renewal project.

Meanwhile, a public works racket brings Kurosaki face to face once more with Shiraishi. This time, Shiraishi uses a woman as an informant.

Can Kurosaki finally bring down Shiraishi? Or will they end up strange bedfellows (bedfelons? :p) again?

The first preview refers to The Black Swindler chapters 186 to 188, the urban renewal swindle, while the second deals with chapters 189 to 196, the public works fraud, Parts I to VIII.

☞ Meanwhile, The Black Swindler sequel, Shin Kurosagi, is now up to 15 volumes in Japan. The 16th tank streets this 28 September.

New Level titles
Level launches Sky Without Tomorrow or Ashita no Nai Sora by Heiuchi Natsuko. The editor thumbs-ups the seinen sports manga for choosing under the radar handball—that's bola tangan, right?—to frame a touching story that doesn't lose out in dramatic showdowns to others featuring more popular sports.

“Handball is the sky...”

Life for Sai falls apart after his father commits suicide, dragging along his younger children, Sai's sibs, with him. Now alone, Sai finds comfort in the handball club he founded with best bud Guts.

Follow Sai and Guts as they take on rivals and (presumably) discover the meaning of life through handball in Sky Without Tomorrow. Three tankou out in Japan as of June 2012, and it's still running in Shogakukan's Big Comic Spirits.

If I'm not mistaken, Sky Without Tomorrow is the first Heiuchi Natsuko manga in these parts. Correct me if I'm wrong; you can check from the backlist behind the jump.

Level Comics manga (2012.08.01)

1. Birdy The Mighty (Tetsuwan Birdy) vol 4 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 Big Comic Spirits (after the former's closure on 31 July 2008), seinen Volume 4 first published in Japan 2004.03.

Volume 4 compiles chapters:
33–39 The Child of Quarter (10–16)
40–43 Visitors from Pentagon (1–4)

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 (11 volumes as of 2012.04 • volume 12 street date: 2012.08.30, serialized 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. The Black Swindler (Kurosagi) vol 18 of 20 by Kuromaru & Natsuhara Takeshi

Kurosagi 「クロサギ」 by Kuromaru & Natsuhara Takeshi Shogakukan Young Sunday, seinen Volume 18 (chapters 186–188 and 189–196) first published in Japan 2008.03

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

Related
Sequel: Shin Kurosagi (15 volumes as of 2012.06 • volume 16 street date: 2012.09.28)

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.

3. Descendants of Darkness (Yami no Matsuei) vol 10 of 12+ by Matsushita Yoko

Yami no Matsuei 「闇の末裔」 by Matsushita Yoko Hakusensha Hana to Yume, shoujo Volume 10 first published in Japan 2000.12

Other languages/serializations
English Descendants of Darkness: Yami no Matsuei (VIZ Media: 11 volumes as of 2006.05), French (Editions Tonkam: Les Descendants des Ténèbres Tome 12 shipped 2012.02, serialized in Magnolia), Italian (Editions Star Comics; serialized in Kappa Extra), German (Carlsen Comics: Yami no Matsuei: Erben der Dunkelheit Band 11 released 2004.09), Polish (Waneko: Ostatni synowie ciemności Tom 12 per 2012.02), traditional Chinese (Tong Li Taiwan: 闇之末裔 12 released 2010.05)

Adaptations
The 13-episode anime adaptation by J.C. Staff aired on WOWOW from 2000.10.02 to 2001.06.24, featuring seiyuu Asano Mayumi as Kurosaki Hisoka, Miki Shinichiro as Tsuzuki Asato and Hayami Sho as Dr. Muraki Kazutaka.

Related
Matsushita Yoko Character Book ~Yami no Matsuei~ (published by Hakusensha in August 1999) and the Matsushita Yoko Sketchbook ~Yami no Matsuei~ (JP: 2000.11)

4. Gun Smith Cats Burst vol 5 of 5 by Sonoda Kenichi [Finale] «Ex-2012.07.25

Gun Smith Cats Burst 「ＧＵＮＳＭＩＴＨ　ＣＡＴＳ　ＢＵＲＳＴ」 by Sonoda Kenichi Kodansha Afternoon, seinen Volume 5 first published in Japan 2008.11

Related series
Prequel Gun Smith Cats (eight volumes)

Other languages
English Gunsmith Cats Burst (Dark Horse Comics; 5 volumes) and French (Glenat tome 5 released 2010.03)

5. MOON -Subaru Solitude Standing- vol 6 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 6 first published in Japan 2010.05

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

Related series
Subaru (prequel; 11 volumes)

6. Perfect Girl Evolution (Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge) vol 28 of 31+ by Hayakawa Tomoko

Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge 「ヤマトナデシコ七変化」 by Hayakawa Tomoko Kodansha Betsufure, shoujo Volume 28 (Parts 112–115) first published in Japan 2011.04

Other languages
English The Wallflower (Del Rey until volumes 22/23/24; Kodansha Comics starting volume 25; 28 volumes as of 2012.05) and Chuang Yi (as My Fair Lady; volume 26 per 2011.02), French (Pika Édition: Yamato Nadeshiko Tome 16 shipped 2011.12), German (EMA/Egmont Manga & Anime: Perfect Girl Band 28 released 2012.06)

Related
A Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge extra chapter appears as the second story in the 2011.05.13 Betsufure omnibus Moero S-kei Seifuku Danshi!

Adaptations
Anime by Nippon Animation featuring seiyuu Takaguchi Yukiko (Nakahara Sunako), Morikubo Showtaro (Takano Kyohei), Yamauchi Yuuya (Toyama Yukinojo), Sugita Tomokazu (Oda Takenaga) and Nojima Hirofumi (Mori Ranmaru) aired from October 2006 to March 2007 on Japan's TV Aichi. A live-action renzoku starring Kamenashi Kazuya (Kyohei), Oomasa Aya (Sunako), Tegoshi Yuya (Yukinojo), Uchi Hiroki (Takenaga) and Miyao Shuntaro (Ranmaru) was telecast on TBS from January to March 2010.

7. [Series Premiere] Sky Without Tomorrow (Ashita no Nai Sora) vol 1 of 3+ by Heiuchi Natsuko

Ashita no Nai Sora 「明日のない空」 by Heiuchi Natsuko Shogakukan Big Comic Spirits, seinen Volume 1 first published in Japan 2009.07.

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

European comics/BDs (2012.08.01)

1. Agatha Christie: Murder at the Vicarage Pembunuhan di Wisma Pendeta (Agatha Christie, Tome 9: L'Affaire Protheroe) by Norma, Wilmaury
2. Alone 3: Geng Hiu (Seuls, Tome 3: Le clan du requin) by Gazzotti-Vehlmann
3. Cubitus and Friends (Cubitus, pour les intimes, Tome 5) by Dupa
4. Jojo: Perjalanan Empat Musim (Jojo, Tome 14: La Ballade des quatre saisons) by André Geerts

Read more »

The Drops of God 13, Bambino Secondo 4, Gisele Alain 1 by Kasai Sui (Level Comics manga out nau~)

Not to forget — Ice Forest 8.
Street date: 25 July 2012

Before top DO WANT! The Drops of God and Bambino! Secondo...(You know you've been wondering about Giséle Alain. Admit it. :D)

Giséle Alain © Kasai Sui
Enterbrain [Serialized in Fellows!]
Published in Indonesia by Level Comics

Aristocrat Gisele Alain is a lady of great curiosity. She leaves home and goes into the Jack (Jill) of All Trades trade — to help people in need, but also to satisfy her overwhelming curiosity about the world she lives in and life in general.

Eric, one of her tenants, is drafted as assistant (he complies because of rent arrears). Although Eric complains volubly, he's always ready to assist Gisele, and need help she does on several fronts — from kitty lost-and-found to woods patrol.

Gisele Alain (and Eric), at your service!

The Smart if Naïve Female Lead, Runaway from Home episodic historical slice of life Giséle Alain serializes in Enterbrain's seinen mangazine Fellows!. Three Beam Comix volumes out in Japan as of this June.

Only found one fellow Fellows! manga credited to Kasai Sui-sensei other than Giséle Alain and that's the Tsukiyo no Toratsugumi antho (JP release: 2011.05), which includes the side story Hana no Mori no Majo-san or Witch of the Flower Forest.

I preview the other Level premiere, Karate Master Minoru, after the jump. For now, Most Wanted:

The Drops of God vol 13 of (33+)
By Agi Tadashi & Okimoto Shu

Shizuku and Loulan sort out the wine just in time, but Shizuku still searches—grape fruitlessly?—for a vino to complement spicy Korean food, primarily kimchi. Will Shizuku ever find the elusive vintage?

Also, the battle to identify the 4th Apostle gets underway. The theme this time: first Love~

Relieved to hear we're back to the Twelve Apostles. Or nine, as the case may be, plus that there "Drops of God." For a while I thought K-invasion eclipsed Kami no Shizuku's original compelling premise. :p

Just kidding!

Thirty-three Kami no Shizuku: Les Gouttes de Dieu tanks have been published in Japan as of May 2012. The 34th releases on 23 August.

Still in the wine—and food—biz:

Bambino! Secondo vol 4 (of 11+)
By Sekiya Tetsuji

Just when Legare can't plunge any lower, Ban hears about a mythic waiter who, during his (her?) time, reportedly revolutionized Yokohama's food service. But the clock is ticking, and it's been a decade since the legend disappeared.

Can Ban locate the former megastar before Legare's prospects dim for good?

Level Comics manga and manhua (2012.07.25)

1. Bambino! Secondo vol 4 of 11+ by Sekiya Tetsuji

Bambino! Secondo 「バンビ～ノ！ＳＥＣＯＮＤＯ」 by Sekiya Tetsuji Shogakukan Big Comic Spirits, seinen Volume 4 first published in Japan 2010.06

Related series
Prequel: Bambino! (15 volumes)

2. The Drops of God (Kami no Shizuku) vol 13 of 33+ by Agi Tadashi & Okimoto Shu

Kami no Shizuku: Les Gouttes de Dieu 「神の雫」 by Agi Tadashi & Okimoto Shu Kodansha Morning, seinen Volume 13 first published in Japan 2007.11

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 23 shipped 2012.05 • Tome 24 street date: 2012.08.16), traditional Chinese (Sharp Point Press Taiwan: 神之水滴 30 per 2011.12), English Drops of God (Vertical: four volumes as of 2012.06.19 • Volume '05: New World street date: 2012.09.25)

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

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

Drug-On 「ＤＲＵＧ‐ＯＮ　ドラゴン」 by Saitoh Misaki Gentosha Comic Birz, seinen Volume 3 first published in Japan 2008.03

4. Fight!! Ippo (Hajime no Ippo) vol 92 of 100+ by Morikawa Joji

Hajime no Ippo 「はじめの一歩」 by Morikawa Joji AKA Fighting Spirit Kodansha Weekly Shonen Magazine, shounen Volume 92 first published in Japan 2010.06

Volume 92 chapters:
Round 883: Desired Battle
Round 884: Right There...!
Round 885: The Grim Total
Round 886: Now What!?
Round 887: No Excuses
Round 888: Desperate Resolution
Round 889: Invisible Hindrance
Round 890: The Wild Child Grounded
Round 891: Traces of Accumulation
Round 892: Your Specialty
[*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 3: La Défense Supréme Tome 2 [Hajime no Ippo 48] shipped 2012.07.05), traditional Chinese (Tong Li Taiwan: 第一神拳 99 released 2012.07.23)

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. [Series Premiere] Giséle Alain vol 1 of 3+ by Kasai Sui

Giséle Alain 「ジゼル・アラン」 by Kasai Sui Enterbrain Fellows!, seinen Volume 1 first published in Japan 2010.07

6. Ice Forest vol 8 of 12 by Saito Chiho

Ice Forest 「アイスフォレスト」 by Saito Chiho Shogakukan Flowers, josei Volume 8 first published in Japan 2010.10

7. [Series Premiere] Karate Master Minoru (Karate Shoukoushi Kohinata Minoru) vol 1 of 48+ by Baba Yasushi

Karate Shoukoushi Kohinata Minoru 「空手小公子　小日向海流」 by Baba Yasushi Kodansha Young Magazine, seinen Volume 1 first published in Japan 2000.07

Other languages
Traditional Chinese (Sharp Point Press Taiwan: 空手小霸王-小日向海流 (45) released 2012.06.16)

Related
Karate Shoukoushi Kohinata Minoru Kōshiki Guide Book published 2005.07.06

8. Misaki No.1!! vol 2 of 2+ by Fujisaki Masato

Misaki Number One!! 「美咲ナンバーワン！！」 by Fujisaki Masato Shogakukan Big Comic Spirits and Monthly Big Comic Spirits, seinen Volume 2 first published in Japan 2011.02

Adaptations
Ten episodes of the live-action Misaki Number One!! renzoku aired on NTV between 12 January to 16 March 2011 with Karina as Tennoji Misaki.

9. The Ravages of Time (Huo Feng Liao Yuan) vol 17 of 45+ by Chan Mou

Sanguozhi Qunxiongzhuan: Huo Feng Liao Yuan 「火鳳燎原」 by Chan Mou AKA The Fiery Phoenix Razes the 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.

10. RRR vol 10 of 10 by Watanabe Jun [Finale]

RRR 「ＲＲＲ」 by Watanabe Jun AKA Rock 'n' Roll Ricky Kodansha Young Magazine, seinen Volume 10 first published in Japan 2009.10

[Release links are hide/unhide. Click for more details.]
Postponed titles
Dark Edge vol 5: Lady in the Box (new tentative street date: 2012.08.07)
Gun Smith Cats Burst 5 of 5 (pending new release schedule).

European comics/BDs (2012.07.25)

• Leonard: Berburu Harta Karun (Léonard, Tome 40: Un trésor de génie) by Turk & De Groot

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