Soul Eater 16, Air Gear 29, Bambino Secondo 3 (Level Comics manga out nau~) [UPDATED]

Street date: 6 June 2012
Imma lead this Level shopping list—now + NikBabble™—with March Story 1, Kim HyungMin & Yang KyungIl's ongoing Sunday GX Demons, Exorcism, Gothic seinen manhwa starring demon hunter March that was supposed to have been postponed to next week, but actually streeted yesterday. (I can confirm; I have an actual copy in front of me...and I have a snap review below.)

March Story © Kim HyungMin & Yang KyungIl
Shogakukan [Serialized in Sunday GX]
Published in Indonesia by Level Comics

Pretty things that seduce and creatures spawned from such perfection — ill. Demonic ill latch on to humans through these things of beauty suffused with their creators' anguish, driving their hosts to commit monstrous violence. Hunter March wanders from town to town exterminating ill.

I can add from VIZ Media's March Story, Vol. 1 description, Born of tragedy, the artifacts all have their own tales to tell, as do each of their victims. But March's story may be the most tragic of all.

March Story 1 Report Card × My Impreshuns
I can attest to the promised pathos. Black Dream (chapter 4) delving into the history of the peripatetic March IS the most harrowing of all, at least of this volume 1 sub-set. (Raspberry... *wails*) The other tragic tales, Hunter with Thorns, Orche's Mask and Memory of Glass Color that Runs by the Wind, are equally poignant and guaranteed to wring a tear, or three. For this reason—plus the pretty, pretty and appropriately creepy art—I grant March Story 1 an 8 of 10 ♡, or an A-. GET!

Other Kim HyungMin and Yang KyungIl manhwa
March Story, serialized in Sunday GX since 2008 (four tankou compiled in Japan as of December 2011), is writer Kim HyungMin's debut.

Meanwhile, you might've already run across manhwa-ga Yang KyungIl from his collaborations with scribe Youn InWan, among them, Shin Angyo Onshi, serialized in Korea and Japan in Young Champ and Sunday GX (17 Japanese tankou published between July 2001 and October 2007; Level Comics' volume 17 released October 2008), and Defense Devil, which originally ran in Shonen Sunday (10 tankou compiled from August 2009 to September 2011), and published here by Elex Media (volume 7 released April 2012; serialized fortnightly in Shonen Star).

Aside from the Shin Angyo Onshi Gaiden side story (JP release: 2007.05), Yang KyungIl is also credited—along with Nanatsuki Kyouichi (ARMS, Aegis In the Dark)—with the new Prison, Super Powers, Survival, Transformations Area D - Inou Ryouiki (debuted in Shonen Sunday in 2012). For other Yang KyungIl titles, go »here.

☞ Level also launches a new BD series—Cotton Kid by Pearce and Léturgie (Lucky Luke cartoonist)—but more on that below.

For nau, top DO WANT!

Soul Eater vol 16 (of 21+)
By Ohkubo Atsushi
Couldn't find a Level Soul Eater volume 16 blurb, so borrowing Wiki's summary:

While testing her new flying ability made available through Soul's powers as a Death Scythe, Maka learns that she is now considered to be a valuable asset to her enemies and will be hunted, which is made clear when she is attacked by Noah's servant Gopher, who she manages to defeat. Later, Kilik, Kim, Liz, and Patty retrieve Medusa's research notes in her old laboratory, briefly encountering and fighting off a black clown manufactured by Medusa. Black Star, meanwhile, seeks out Medusa's hideout and encounters Crona.
–Wikipedia

Soul Eater volume 16 compiles chapters 63 to 67: Gonna Be An Angel, Preparedness, Black Wings vs. White Wings, The Witch's Research (Part 1) and The Witch's Research (Part 2). [*NOT Level chapter titles]

Air Gear vol 29 of 37
By Oh!great
Before I get into Air Gear 29, someone please confirm that volume 37 is the final volume? All I know is that the last chapter is Trick 357, and that's obviously not in volume 36, which streets in Japan next week (16 June), because there's a volume 37 skedded for release 17 July 2012.

Ikki and pals hit the ground running upon boarding the enemy ship. Nue engages Ikki, who, mindful of Simca's warning, hesitates to fight the Thunder King. Still, a clash is inescapable, forcing Ikki to order his friends to leave.

Who emerges the victor — the Storm King or the Thunder King? Find the answer in Air Gear volume 29, which compiles Tricks 268 to 277.

More previews of ongoing series after the release list.

New Level titles - cont'd: Cotton Kid
Per earlier note, Level premieres Pearce & Léturgie's Cotton Kid with the double-launch of Cotton Kid: Atas Nama Hukum dan Mr. Pinkerton (Cotton Kid, Tome 1: Au nom de la loi et de Mr Pinkerton) and Konser Rawa (Cotton Kid, Tome 2: Charivari dans les bayous). The titular Cotton Kid is the sidekick slash protector of big brother Pinkerton agent Trevor who dreams of becoming the agency's best operative.

(BDs, or ROMICs this week also include Lucky Luke: Bukit Apache by Morris & Goscinny, Agatha Christie: Murder on the Links Lapangan Golf Maut, Boule & Bill: Si Iseng Bill and Yakari: Pembalasan Wolverine.)

Level Comics manga and manhwa (2012.06.06)

1. Air Gear vol 29 of 37 by Oh!great

AirGear 「エア・ギア」 by Oh!great Kodansha Weekly Shonen Magazine, shounen Volume 29 (Tricks 268–277) first published in Japan 2010.07

Awards
Winner, 2006 Kodansha Manga Awards 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; 22 volumes as of 2012.02 • volume 23 street date: 2012.04.17), Korean (Haksan), traditional Chinese (Tong Li Taiwan: 飛輪少年 #34 per 2012.03), simplified Chinese (Chuang Yi Singapore: volume 28 per 2010.08), French (Pika Édition: Tome 33 shipped 2012.06.01), 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. Bambino! Secondo vol 3 of 10+ by Sekiya Tetsuji

Bambino! Secondo 「バンビ～ノ！ＳＥＣＯＮＤＯ」 by Sekiya Tetsuji Shogakukan Big Comic Spirits, seinen Volume 3 first published in Japan 2010.02

Related series
Prequel: Bambino! (15 volumes)

3. Haruka 17 vol 17 of 19 by Yamazaki Sayaka

Haruka 17 「はるか１７」 by Yamazaki Sayaka Kodansha Morning, seinen Volume 17 first published in Japan 2007.08

Adaptations
A 10-episode live-action drama starring Hirayama Aya (Miyamae Haruka) aired on TV Asahi from July to September 2005.

4. [Series Premiere] March Story vol 1 of 4+ by Kim HyungMin & Yang KyungIl

March Story 「ＭＡＲＣＨ　ＳＴＯＲＹ」 by Kim HyungMin & Yang KyungIl Shogakukan Sunday GX, seinen Volume 1 (chapters 1–4) first published in Japan 2008.12

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 (03) released 2011.11

5. RRR vol 9 of 10 by Watanabe Jun

RRR 「ＲＲＲ」 by Watanabe Jun AKA Rock 'n' Roll Ricky Kodansha Young Magazine, seinen Volume 9 first published in Japan 2009.08

6. Soul Eater vol 16 of 21+ by Ohkubo Atsushi

Soul Eater 「ソウルイーター」 by Ohkubo Atsushi Square Enix Shonen Gangan, shounen Volume 16 (chapters 63–67) first published in Japan 2010.02

Other languages
English Soul Eater (Yen Press: nine volumes as of 2012.05.29 • volume 10 street date: 2012.08.21), French (Kurokawa: Tome 19 shipped 2012.03 • Tome 20 street date: 2012.07.05), German (Carlsen Comics: Band 16 per 2012.04 • Band 17 street date: 2012.07.03), traditional Chinese (Sharp Point Press Taiwan: SOUL EATER噬魂者 20 released 2012.04)

Related series
First appeared as one-shots in two Gangan Powered special editions (Summer and Fall 2003) and Gangan Wing's 26 November 2003 issue. (Regular Monthly Shonen Gangan serialization commenced May 2004.)
Spin-off: Soul Eater Not! (began serialization in Shonen Gangan 2011.01; one volume released in Japan as of 2011.09; English Soul Eater NOT! manga licensed by Yen Press, volume 1 street date: 2012.07.24)

Adaptations
Manga volumes 1 to 12 adapted to anime by BONES. Fifty-one episodes starring seiyuu Omigawa Chiaki (Maka Alban) and Uchiyama Kouki (Soul Eater) aired in Japan from April 2008 to March 2009.

Square Enix bundled an audio drama, Soul Eater (Vol. 1): Special Social Studies Field Trip, with an artbook in August 2005. The drama CD featured different actors (Takeuchi Junko as Maka; Hoshi Souichirou as Soul Eater); only Kobayashi Yumiko reprised her Black☆Star role in the TV series.

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

European comics/BDs (2012.06.06)

1. Agatha Christie: Murder on the Links Lapangan Golf Maut (Agatha Christie, Tome 7: Le crime du golf) by François Rivière, Marc Piskic
2. Boule & Bill: Si Iseng Bill (Boule et Bill, Tome 16: Jeux de Bill) by Roba
3. [Series Premiere] Cotton Kid: Atas Nama Hukum dan Mr. Pinkerton (Cotton Kid, Tome 1: Au nom de la loi et de Mr Pinkerton) by Pearce - Léturgie
4. [Premiere] Cotton Kid: Konser Rawa (Cotton Kid, Tome 2: Charivari dans les bayous) by Pearce - Léturgie
5. Lucky Luke: Bukit Apache (Lucky Luke Tome 6: Canyon Apache) by Morris & Goscinny
6. Yakari: Pembalasan Wolverine (Yakari, Tome 26: La Vengeance du carcajou) by Job, Derib, Dominique

Read more »

Defense Devil 7, Topeng Kaca 23 Deluxe, More a Flower than a Flower 4 (Elex Media manga out nau~) [UPDATED]

Street date: 2012.04.25
I don't guarantee I'll be able to fill in the NikBabble™; let's see what happens in the next few days. For nau, content yourself with a shopping list, a day belated it may be :P «Eventually updated but don't ask when :P

Defense Devil © Youn InWan & Yang KyungIl/Shogakukan [First serialized in Shonen Sunday] · Glass no Kamen © Miuchi Suzue/Hakusensha [Serialized in Bessatsu Hana to Yume]. Published in Indonesia as Defense Devil and Topeng Kaca (Deluxe) by Elex Media

Top DO WANT! Defense Devil volume 7 draws First Blurb:

Kucabara's no ordinary lawyer. This defense counsel specializes in helping sinners prove extenuating circumstance and evade eternal damnation. And for the crime of possessing a good heart, the demon attorney is disbarred from hell.

Kucabara, however, returns, not only to help a certain little girl's parents but also to settle scores with li'l brother Legato. Kucabara's mission is made all the more untenable by a shady—well, shadier than hell-normal—character. Is s/he foe? Or friend?

Youn InWan & Yang KyungIl's Defense Devil vol 7 compiles chapters 58 through 67, or Judgments 30–39: Operation Gasoline Hustle, Shugarl and Jupiter, The Sky Rock, Stone Hell, Gigades Baptism, Football, Children's Room, To Win Without Fighting, ‘Y’’s Past and Samus. [*NOT Elex chapter titles]

For Judgments later than 39, check out Shonen Star mangazine. The latest issue streets the same day as DD volume 7.

☞ Still no synops for Topeng Kaca volume 23 Deluxe (Kurenai Ten'nyo 4), even at the very late hour I wrote this, so I'll just say that the bunko volume 23 price went up to IDR 30,000 (from a previous IDR 28,000).

Update: Glek. I didn't realize there WAS a Topeng Kaca volume 23 synops in the May Komikologi. Here t'is:

Topeng Kaca vol 23 (of 24+)
By Miuchi Suzue

Crimson Angel returns to its home for a much-awaited performance. The natural beauty of Plum Valley merges with Tsukikage Chigusa's acting prowess in bringing to life the story of the Crimson Angel and sculptor Isshin.

Who will perform in the next drama performance? Maya or Ayumi?

More a Flower than a Flower vol 4 (of 10+)
By Narita Minako

Noh actor Kento lands a difficult role in Zeami's play Koi no omoni ("The Heavy Burden of Love") to be staged in the US. While in America, Kento discovers something surprising — what could it be?

Also in More a Flower than a Flower vol 4, Kento finds a mask that lands him in a riot.

New Elex titles
This week, the double launch of Aoyama Gosho's Detektif Conan Movie: Captured in Her Eyes, based off the fourth movie Meitantei Conan: Hitomi no Naka no Ansatsusha, and another movie manga-fication, Doraemon Movie: Dinosaurus Nobita from the Doraemon movie Gekijōban Doraemon: Nobita no Kyōryū Niimarumaruroku. Synops after the release list.

Mangazines: Nakayoshi Gress! Issue 04/2012 and Shonen Star Issue 07/2012
Arisa regains her memory and finally nets NakaGress! cover time while Arago, receiving some iffy help in a tight spot, nabs the latest Shonen Star's cover and featured series spotlight. Deets also after the release list.

Elex Media manga (2011.04.25)

1. Crows vol 23 of 26 by Takahashi Hiroshi

Crows 「クローズ」 by Takahashi Hiroshi AKA Crows: Busou Sensen Reimeihen Akita Shoten Monthly Shounen Champion, shounen Volume 23 first published in Japan 1997.05

Related series
Main story: Crows Gaiden (three volumes: 1, 2 (Sono Go no Crows) and 3 (Zoku - Crows Gaiden))
Sequel: Worst (28 volumes as of 2012.01 • volume 29 street date: 2012.05.08)
Spin-offs: Crows Zero (nine volumes per 2010.08); Crows Gaiden: Linda Linda (two volumes); Suzuran Danshi Koukou Nyuugaku Annai (one volume)

Adaptations
Two live-action prequel movies: Crows ZERO (Japan theatrical release: October 2007) and Crows ZERO II (April 2009), directed by Miike Takashi and starring Oguri Shun (GPS leader Takiya Genji) and Yamada Takayuki (Serizawa Tamao)

2. Defense Devil vol 7 of 10 by Youn InWan & Yang KyungIl «Ex-2012.04.04

Defense Devil 「ＤＥＦＥＮＳＥ　ＤＥＶＩＬ」 by Youn InWan & Yang KyungIl Shogakukan Shonen Sunday, shounen Volume 7 (chapters 58–67) first published in Japan 2010.12

Related
Adapted from the Sunday GX Akuma Bengoshi Kucabara one-shot

Other languages/serializations
Serialized in the Indonesian Shonen Star (ongoing)
English and simplified Chinese volumes (Chuang Yi: English volume 2 released 2010.09 • simplified Chinese #10 per 2011.12)

3. [Series Premiere] Detektif Conan Movie: Captured in Her Eyes - First (Gekijouban Meitantei Conan: Hitomi no Naka no Ansatsusha) by Aoyama Gosho

Gekijouban Meitantei Conan: Hitomi no Naka no Ansatsusha 「劇場版　名探偵コナン瞳の中の暗殺者」 by Aoyama Gosho Shogakukan Shonen Sunday Comics Visual Selection, shounen Volume 1 of 2 first published in Japan 2000.09

Related
Based on the fourth Meitantei Conan movie, Meitantei Conan: Hitomi no Naka no Ansatsusha that premiered 22 April 2000 in Japan

4. [Premiere] Detektif Conan Movie: Captured in Her Eyes - Last by Aoyama Gosho [Finale]

Volume 2 of 2 first published in Japan 2000.10

5. [Premiere] Doraemon Movie: Dinosaurus Nobita (Eiga Doraemon: Nobita no Kyōryū 2006) by Fujiko F. Fujio

Eiga Doraemon: Nobita no Kyōryū 2006 「映画ドラえもん　のび太の恐竜２００６」 by Fujiko F. Fujio Shogakukan Tentoumushi Comics Anime-ban, kodomo First published in Japan 2006.06

Related
Based on the Doraemon movie, Doraemon: Nobita's Dinosaur 2006, which premiered in Japan 4 March 2006, a remake of the first March 1980 Doraemon movie, Doraemon: Nobita's Dinosaur

6. More a Flower than a Flower (Hana Yorimo Hana no Gotoku) vol 4 of 10+ by Narita Minako «Ex-4.04

Hana Yori mo Hana no Gotoku 「花よりも花の如く」 by Narita Minako Hakusensha Melody, shoujo Volume 4 first published in Japan 2006.04

7. Mr. Ermine (Okojosan) vol 2 of 8 by Uno Ayumi

Okojosan 「オコジョさん」 by Uno Ayumi Hakusensha LaLa and LaLa DX, shoujo Volume 2 first published in Japan 2000.05

Serializations/Related
Serialized in HanaLaLa, along with Mr. ERMINE - The Other Legend (Okojosan Gaiden) and Mr. ERMINE - Si Penguasa (Okojobanchou)
Shiawase Sou no Okojo-san (Hakusensha Jets Comics: 2001.10)

Adaptations
Radix's 51-episode anime adaptation aired on TV Tokyo from 2 October 2001 to 24 September 2002, with seiyuu Sawashiro Miyuki (Kojopii or Okojosan) and Koizumi Yutaka (Tsuchiya Haruka)

8. New Kobochan (Shin Kobo-chan) vol 17 of 23+ by Ueda Masashi

Shin Kobo-chan 「新コボちゃん」 by Ueda Masashi Houbunsha Manga Time Comics, seinen/4-koma Volume 17 first published in Japan 2010.02

9. Palette of 12 Secret Colors (Juuni Hizoku no Palette) vol 6 of 6 by Kusakawa Nari [Finale]

Juuni Hizoku no Palette 「十二秘色のパレット」 by Kusakawa Nari Hakusensha LaLa DX, shoujo Volume 6 first published in Japan 2009.01

Other languages
English The Palette of 12 Secret Colors (CMX: six volumes) and French La Magie d'Opale (Delcourt; six volumes)

10. Piano Hutan (Piano no Mori: The Perfect World of Kai) vol 21 of 21+ by Isshiki Makoto

Piano no Mori: The Perfect World of Kai 「ピアノの森　Ｔｈｅ　ｐｅｒｆｅｃｔ　ｗｏｒｌｄ　ｏｆ　ＫＡＩ」 by Isshiki Makoto Kodansha Morning (formerly in Uppers), seinen Volume 21 first published in Japan 2011.11

Awards
Recipient, Grand Prize for Best Manga, 2008 Japan Media Arts Festival

Other languages
Traditional Chinese (Sharp Point Press Taiwan: 琴之森 18 per 2011.06)

Adaptations
Madhouse animated movie adaptation starring Ueto Aya (Ichinose Kai) and Kamiki Ryunosuke (Amamiya Shuuhei) premiered 2007.07.21 in Japan. The film was nominated for the 2008 Japan Academy Prize for Animation of the Year and in the Theatrical Film category at the 2008 Annecy International Animated Film Festival. The anime spans manga volumes 1–6 (until chapter 41).

11. Rockman The Shooting Star (Ryuusei no Rockman) vol 2 of 3 by Itagaki Masaya «Ex-4.04

Ryuusei no Rockman 「流星のロックマン」 by Itagaki Masaya Shogakukan CoroCoro Comic, kodomo Volume 2 first published in Japan 2007.10

Related
Adapts Ryuusei no Rockman, the Mega Man action role-playing video game published and developed by Capcom for the Nintendo DS handheld video game console, also adapted into an anime by XEBEC titled Mega Man Star Force AKA Shooting Star Rockman that aired on TV Tokyo from October 2006 to October 2007.

12. Slam Dunk Deluxe (Slam Dunk Kanzenban) vol 6 of 24 by Inoue Takehiko

Slam Dunk (Kanzenban) 「ＳＬＡＭ　ＤＵＮＫ　完全版」 by Inoue Takehiko Shueisha Jump Comics Deluxe, shounen Kanzenban volume 6 first published in Japan 2001.05

Related series
Slam Dunk tankoubon (31 volumes, originally serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump
Kaede Purple (1998 one-shot Slam Dunk alternate story)

Awards
Winner, 40th Shogakukan Manga Awards in the Shounen category

Other languages (Tankoubon release)
Indonesian (Elex Media, 31 volumes), English Slam Dunk (Gutsoon! Entertainment [2003–2004; Dropped]; VIZ Media: from 2008 – 21 volumes as of 2012.04.03 • volume 22 street date: 2012.06.05; Chuang Yi Singapore: 31 volumes; and Summit Media Publishing Philippines), French (Kana: 31 volumes), Spanish (Editorial Ivréa and Grupo Editorial Vid México), German (Planet Manga), Portuguese (Conrad Brazil), traditional Chinese (Da Ran Culture Enterprise Co., Ltd. (forfeited); Sharp Point Press Taiwan)

Adaptations
Toei Animation's 101-episode anime TV series adapting manga volumes 1–22 aired from October 1993 to March 1996 in Japan, starring seiyuu Kusao Takeshi (Sakuragi Hanamichi), Hiramatsu Akiko (Akagi Haruko), Midorikawa Hikaru (Rukawa Kaede), Yanada Kiyoyuki (Akagi Takenori), Okiayu Ryotaro (Mitsui Hisashi) and Shioya Yoku (Miyagi Ryouta). At least five anime film sequels were also produced: Slam Dunk (Japan premiere: 1994.03.12), Slam Dunk: Zenkoku Seiha da! Sakuragi Hanamichi (1994.07.09), Slam Dunk: Shōhoku Saidai no Kiki! Moero Sakuragi Hanamichi (1995.03.04) and Slam Dunk: Hoero Basketman Tamashii! Hanamichi to Rukawa no Atsuki Natsu (1995.07.15)

13. Smash! vol 8 of 18 by Saki Kaori «Ex-4.18

Smash! 「スマッシュ！」 by Saki Kaori Kodansha Weekly Shonen Magazine, shounen Volume 8 first published in Japan 2008.04

14. Tale of the Sea King (Kaiouki) vol 43 of 45 by Kawahara Masatoshi «Ex-4.04

Kaiouki 「海皇紀」 by Kawahara Masatoshi Kodansha Monthly Shonen Magazine, shounen Volume 43 first published in Japan 2010.03

Other languages
Traditional Chinese (Tong Li Taiwan: 海皇紀 45 per 2011.05)

15. Topeng Kaca vol 23 of 24+ Deluxe (Glass no Kamen [Bunko]) by Miuchi Suzue

Glass no Kamen 「ガラスの仮面　白泉社文庫」 by Miuchi Suzue Hakusensha Bessatsu Hana to Yume, shoujo Bunko volume 23 first published in Japan 1999.09

Related
Glass no Kamen tankoubon (48 volumes per 2012.02.25 in Japan), released in Indonesia as Topeng Kaca, Topeng Kaca: Bidadari Merah and Topeng Kaca: Dua Akoya

The Glass Mask Comic Fanbook was released in Japan 2010.09 under the Hana to Yume Comics Special label.

Adaptations
Three anime series and two live-action drama seasons

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

Postponed title(s)
Break Blade volume 1 by Yoshinaga Yunosuke (new street date outstanding) «Update: Release date: 2012.05.02

Mangazines (2012.04.25)

1. Nakayoshi Gress! Issue 04/2012 (Indonesian Nakayoshi)
2. Shonen Star Issue 07/2012 (Indonesian Shonen Sunday)

Read more »