This week...

Manga: Elex (2.01) · Level (2.01) · m&c! (2.01)
Anime: Letter Bee Reverse, Weekdays 10PM
Cardfight Vanguard, Sundays, 10AM
Tales of the Abyss, Weekdays 630P
LAST EXILE -Fam, The Silver Wing-, Saturdays, 7P (same day as Japan)
(On Animax Asia; All times in WIB or UTC+07)

2.01.2012

Letter Bee Reverse anime episodes 9 to 21 update (airing 1-17 February 2012 on Animax Asia)

This follows-up my Letter Bee Reverse premiere post. Listing episodes skedded to air from the 1st to the 17th of February 2012, or what's currently available from Animax.

Letter Bee Reverse ex-Animax Asia

© Hiroyuki Asada/SHUEISHA,LBP,TV TOKYO
[Image from Animax Asia]

The Letter Bee Reverse anime airs weeknights at 10PM WIB (UTC+7) on Animax Asia.

1-17 February 2012
Partial episode list and Animax synopses

May contain    [SPOILERS!]

Episode 9 (2012.02.01 10P premiere)
200 Years of Loneliness
Niche's sister attacks Lag and the townspeople but Niche defends them.

1.31.2012

Goong 23, Next to You 5, Idol's Love Story 11 (m&c! 1 February 2012 manhwa and manga)

OK, who remembers where Goong last left off? Let's see some hands. Well...? I'm waiting...

Goong [Palace Story] 23 (m&c!)

Goong © Park SoHee/Seoul Cultural Publishers
[First serialized in Wink]
Published in Indonesia as Goong [Palace Story] by Gramedia/m&c!

LOLz. Don't worry if you need a refresher on what Shin×ChaeKyeong were last up to. Comes with the territory of waiting over a year for releases xD. In any case, I come bearing the Goong [Palace Story] 23 blurb—what? Sometimes I need to shamelessly plug :D

Yul's Monarchy Domination Plan crashes and burns as the King finally reveals past indiscretions. Fearful of what a desperate Yul might do, ChaeKyeong leaves Shin behind at the villa that was supposed to be her "prison." As fate would have it, ChaeKyeong runs straight into...

Park SoHee's long-running series ended last December with the release of volume 27. (Yup, that's how long we waited; when m&c!'s volume 22 released, status still stood at 24 volumes, ongoing.)

Previewing Idol's Love Story 11, the other DO WANT! soonjung manhwa (there's only two :P), after the release list. Namba Atsuko's Next to You shoujo manga edged ILS out of second place.

Next To You vol 5 of 8+
By Namba Atsuko

When the pain of her unrequited love for Kyousuke tops unbearable, Nina finds solace in Miyake's gentleness. And when Miyake invites her out—for the first and last time—Nina resists letting Miyake go...

Miyake×Nina shippers, knock yourselves out. *looks in Lina-chan's direction* :D

Eight Tonari no Atashi volumes have been published in Japan as of October 2011. The ninth JP tankou streets the day before Valentine's.

m&c! manga (2012.02.01)

  1. My Kingdom (Ore-sama Kingdom) vol 4 of 6+ by Yagami Chitose
  2. My Kingdom 4 (m&c!)

    Ore-sama Kingdomオレ様キングダム
    by Yagami Chitose
    AKA Kings of My Love
    Shogakukan Ciao, shoujo
    Volume 4 first published in Japan 2011.04

  3. Next to You (Tonari no Atashi) vol 5 of 8+ by Namba Atsuko
  4. Next to You 5 (m&c!)

    Tonari no Atashi隣のあたし
    by Namba Atsuko
    Kodansha Betsufure, shoujo
    Volume 5 first published in Japan 2010.08

m&c! manhwa (2012.02.01)

  1. Goong [Palace Story] vol 23 of 27 by Park SoHee
  2. Goong [Palace Story] 23 (m&c!)

    Goong궁(宮)」 by Park SoHee
    Seoul Cultural Publishers Wink, soonjung
    Volume 23 first published in Korea 2010.07

    Other languages
    English Goong: The Royal Palace (12 volumes per 2011.09 • volume 13 street date: 2012.05.22), French (Samji Editions: Palais Tome 13 per 2012.01.13), Japanese (Shinshokan: らぶきょん LOVE in景福宮 Un Poco Comics volume 26 per 2011.11 • volume 27 street date: 2012.02.26)

    Adaptations
    Live-action Princess Hours, starring Yoon EunHye (ChaeKyeong), Joo JiHoon (Shin), Kim JeongHoon (Yul) and Song Ji Hyo (HyoRin) aired in Korea from January to March 2006. The Goong S spin-off aired on the same MBC network from January to March 2007.

  3. Idol's Love Story (Idol School of Noble's Story) vol 11 of 15 by Han YuRang

Hong Kong manhua (2012.02.01)

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

xxxHOLiC 15, Blood Alone 4, Until Death Do Us Part 10 (Level Comics 1 February 2012 manga) [UPDATED]

Be back later to replace reference JP covers with Level's (when they're available.) «Done but missing synops remain MIA

xxxHOLiC 15 (Level Comics)

xxxHOLiC © CLAMP/Kodansha
[First serialized in Young Magazine and Bessatsu Shonen Magazine]
Published in Indonesia by Elex Media/Level Comics

When Watanuki rouses, Yuko, Mokona, Maru and Moro are nowhere to be found. He continues to wait for them to come home, but nobody returns. Even people around say there's no Yuko; only Watanuki has been minding the shop all this time. As his confusion deepens, Yuko appears to Watanuki in a dream...

And as Del Rey's xxxHolic, Vol. 15 blurb reminds us, Too bad there is no such thing as “just a dream” in Kimihiro's universe....

So the drama Levels *cough* up in CLAMP's xxxHOLiC volume 15: Sō, Yume wa mō Owaru. or Yes, the dream is already ending. Be sure you don't miss this watershed tank, which collects chapters 92 to 95. (Too bad Level's volume 15 doesn't come with the anime DVD like the Japanese xxxHolic 15 limited edition.)

Surprisingly, Blood Alone volume 4 overtakes Until Death Do Us Part 10 for runner-up DO WANT!, which means it gets Above the Cut blurb real estate and UDDUP has to settle for a scroll down. (Don't worry, Mamoru. You—and your sweet tooth—are still Bad*ss wub.)

Now, Kuroe to Misaki no Deai-hen “LONDON WALTZ” sutāto!

Blood Alone vol 4 of 7+
By Takano Masayuki

London, some years earlier. Kuroe meets Misaki, still a human torn between opposing forces: Lady, a mysterious influence in Kuroe's life, vampire hunter Jessie affiliated with Scotland Yard and Karedowulf, former member of the Insigrad Sparda. This is where it all began...

If misinterps cropped up in my Blood Alone 4 preview, blame it on my bloody rusty schoolgirl French; I only adapted, with Gugel's help, Ki-oon's Blood Alone, Tome 4 synops. (Level's version is absent.) Still, the key thing to “London Waltz” is that At last, the poignant details unfold of how mystery writer turned supernatural investigator Kuroe Kurose first met the young vampire Misaki, as Seven Seas' Blood Alone, Vol. 4 description corroborates. The same source continues: Surrounded by Renfields, magicians, and sinister vampires, suspense and violence abound as the true depth of Kurose's feelings for Misaki is revealed.

The compelling vampire manga has logged seven volumes in Japan as of February 2011, so we still have some catching up to do.

Level Comics manga (2012.02.01)

  1. Blood Alone vol 4 of 7+ by Takano Masayuki
  2. LC: Blood Alone 4

    Blood AloneBLOOD ALONE
    by Takano Masayuki
    MediaWorks Monthly Comic Dengeki Daioh (after 2010.11 serialized in Kodansha's Evening), seinen
    Volume 4 first published in Japan 2007.06
    (Evening KC reissue: 2010.12)

    Related series
    Originally published as series of doujinshi (the manga is based wholly or partly on Blood Alone dj: Wild Arts 1.2.3., Holy Night, Stroll, Vanishing Point - Kiss In the Moonlight)

    Other languages
    English Blood Alone (Infinity Studios: four volumes [discontinued], picked up by Seven Seas: five volumes per 2011.12.06 • volume 6 street date: 2012.04.10), French (Editions Ki-oon: Tome 6 shipped 2010.06 • Tome 7 street date: 2012.03.22), German (Carlsen Comics: Band 6 released 2011.02), Italian (Edizioni BD s.r.l. [JPOP Division]), Russian (Istari Comics), traditional Chinese (Kadokawa Media Taiwan), Vietnamese (as Dòng máu lạ kì)

    Adaptations
    Three Blood Alone drama CDsBLOOD ALONE, BLOOD ALONE II and BLOOD ALONE III— were released between July 2006 and May 2008. Seiyuu Nakahara Mai and Morikawa Toshiyuki voiced Misaki and Kuroe. Supporting cast included Kobayashi Sanae, Tanaka Rie and Miki Shinichiro as Higure, Sainome and Slye respectively.

  3. Haruka 17 vol 15 of 19 by Yamazaki Sayaka
  4. LC: Haruka 17 v15

    Haruka 17はるか17」 by Yamazaki Sayaka
    Kodansha Morning, seinen
    Volume 15 first published in Japan 2007.03

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

  5. Karakuri Circus vol 8 of 43 by Fujita Kazuhiro
  6. LC: Karakuri Circus 8

    Karakuri Circusからくりサーカス
    by Fujita Kazuhiro
    AKA Le Cirque de Karakuri
    Shogakukan Shonen Sunday, shounen
    Volume 8 (nine episodes/chapters 66–74) first published in Japan 1999.06

    Reissues/Other languages
    Reissued in shinsō-ban beginning July 2011 (Shonen Sunday Comics Special volume 9 street date: 2012.02.17) and in 16 wide-ban volumes (from 2008.11 to 2010.02)
    French (Delcourt: Karakuri Circus Tome 21 per 2007.12)

  7. Magister Negi Magi (Mahou Sensei Negima!) vol 29 of 36+ by Akamatsu Ken
  8. LC: Magister Negi Magi 29

    Mahou Sensei Negima!魔法先生ネギま!
    by Akamatsu Ken
    Kodansha Weekly Shonen Magazine, shounen
    Volume 29 (chapters 259–267) first published in Japan 2010.02

    Other languages
    English Negima! (published by Del Rey until volume 28 and Kodansha Comics starting from volume 29 [2011.05], 33 volumes per 2012.01.31 • volume 34 street date: 2012.04.24 (US) and Chuang Yi Singapore: MAGISTER NEGI MAGI, Volume 27 per 2011.02), simplified Chinese (Chuang Yi: 魔法老师 #31 per 2010.10), traditional Chinese (Tong Li Taiwan: 魔法老師! 35 per 2011.10.19), French (Pika Édition: Negima! Tome 34 shipped 2012.01.04 • Tome 35 street date: 2012.04.04), Spain (Glènat España), Germany (Egmont Manga & Anime: Negima! Magister Negi Magi Band 32 released 2011.10.07 • Band 33 per 2012.01 • Band 34 street date: 2012.04), Norwegian (Schibsted Forlag), Portuguese (Editora JBC Brazil) and Croatian (Algoritam Croatia).

    Adaptations
    A 26-episode anime TV series starring seiyuu Satou Rina as Negi Springfield (January-June 2005), three pre-anime OAVs (2004), two post TV series OAVs (Mahou Sensei Negima!: Haru and Mahou Sensei Negima!: Natsu, 2006.10.25 and 2006.11.22), an alternate retelling anime series (Negima!?, 2006.10-2007.03), OADs or Original Animation Disc bundled with the manga (Mahou Sensei Negima!: Shiroki Tsubasa Ala Alba, 2008.08.17-2009.02.17; Mahou Sensei Negima!: Mō Hitotsu no Sekai, 2009.09.17-2010.11.17; and the anime movie that concludes the Magic World arc, Mahou Sensei Negima: Anime Final (premiered 27 August 2011 in Japan as a double-bill with Hayate the Combat Butler! Heaven Is a Place on Earth). A live-action drama aired on TV Tokyo from 2007.10 to 2008.03.

    Related series
    Negiho (alternate story by YUI; one volume per 2011.11) and Negima!? Neo (alternate story in collaboration with Fujima Takuya; seven volumes per 2009.10)

  9. New Comic Bomber (Shin Hoero Pen) vol 9 of 11 by Shimamoto Kazuhiko
  10. LC: New Comic Bomber 9

    Shin Hoero Pen新吼えろペン
    by Shimamoto Kazuhiko
    AKA New Be Growl, Pen
    Shogakukan Sunday GX, seinen
    Volume 9 (chapters 32–35) first published in Japan 2007.12

    Related series
    Prequels Moeyo Pen or Burning Pen, Hoero Pen or Comic Bomber and Aoi Honoo (Moeyo Pen prequel, ongoing, seven volumes per 2011.11; published by Level Comics as Blue Flame: Comic Bomber Early Years)

  11. Officer Monju (Seigi Keikan Monju) vol 11 of 12 by Miyashita Hiroki
  12. LC: Officer Monju 11

    Seigi Keikan Monju正義警官モンジュ
    by Miyashita Hiroki
    Shogakukan Sunday GX, seinen
    Volume 11 first published in Japan in 2011.02

    Other languages
    French (Kana: Monju, au service de la justice Tome 10 shipped 2012.01.20), traditional Chinese (Taiwan Tohan: 正義警官毛九 volume 8 per 2011.12)

  13. Ranko The Governor (Chiji Ranko) vol 2 of 4 by Takahashi Noboru
  14. LC: Ranko The Governor 2

    Chiji Ranko知事ラン子
    by Takahashi Noboru
    Shogakukan Big Comics, seinen
    Volume 2 (chapters 9–17) first published in Japan 2005.03

  15. Red River (Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori) vol 12 of 28 by Shinohara Chie
  16. LC: Red River 12

    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 12 (chapters 27–28) first published in Japan 1998.03

    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)

    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).

  17. Sky of Love (Koizora: Setsunai Koi Monogatari) vol 9 of 10 by Haneda Ibuki, Mika
  18. LC: Sky of Love 9

    Koizora: Setsunai Koi Monogatari
    恋空~切ナイ恋物語~
    by Haneda Ibuki, Mika
    Futabasha Comic Mahou no iland, shoujo
    Volume 9 first published in Japan 2009.06

    Related
    Based on the best-selling coming of age/romance novel written by Mika (two volumes published by Starts Publications), originally posted on the cell phone website "Mahou no iLand."

    Adaptations
    Loosely adapted into a movie (2007.11.03 premiere), starring Aragaki Yui as Mika and Miura Haruma as Hiro, and a six-episode live-action series on TBS from August to September 2008 with Mizusawa Erena as Mika and Seto Koji as Hiro.

  19. Until Death Do Us Part (Shi ga Futari wo Wakatsu Made) vol 10 of 16+ by Takashige Hiroshi & DOUBLE-S
  20. LC: Until Death Do Us Part 10

    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 10 first published in Japan 2009.09

    Other languages
    French (Ki-oon: Jusqu'à ce que la mort nous sépare Tome 15 shipped 2012.01.12), traditional Chinese (Tong Li Taiwan: 終極感應 14 per 2011.12 and Jade Dynasty Hong Kong), Korean (Haksan: 죽음이 두 사람을 갈라놓을 때까지 14 released 2012.01.27), English Until Death Do Us Part (Yen Press: volume 1 street date: 2012.05.29)

  21. xxxHOLiC vol 15 of 19 by CLAMP
  22. LC: xxxHOLiC 15

    xxxHOLiC×××HOLiC」 by CLAMP
    AKA xxxHolic Rō (starting volume 16)
    Kodansha Young Magazine (Bessatsu Shonen Magazine from 2010.06), seinen
    Volume 15 (chapters 92–95) first published in Japan 2009.06

    Other languages
    English xxxHOLiC (Del Rey: 18 volumes per 2011.12 • volume 19 street date: 2012.02.21), 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.]

[Value sets] Paket Komik *Harga Spesial* (2012.02.01)

  1. Life Existence, Vols. 1–3 of 3 by Fukumoto Nobuyuki, Kawaguchi Kaiji (Seizon - Life) –Complete– [IDR 27,000/set]
  2. Miso-Com, Vols. 1–5 (of 13+) by Yonezawa Rika (30 Kon Miso-com) [IDR 45,000/set]
  3. Zipang, Vols 1–6 (of 43) by Kawaguchi Kaiji [IDR 54,000/set]

1.30.2012

Kekkaishi 12, V.B. Rose 9, Piano Hutan 20 (Elex Media 1 February 2012 manga) [UPDATED]

Update2: Of course there's no Animal Doctor 10 preview. It's been postponed to next week! Also, can anyone confirm that value sets (Paket) Hell Girl, Vols. 1–9 and Ouran High School Host Club, Vols. 1–8 have been postponed to 22 Feb? (the word from Angelzon; forgot to check in the wild)

Couldn't find a big enuf Kekkaishi 12 cover, so leading with runner-up DO WANT! V.B. Rose 9. (Will replace reference Japanese covers with Elex's once they're available.) «Done as per obvious

Kekkaishi 12, V.B. Rose 9 (Elex Media)

Kekkaishi © Tanabe Yellow/Shogakukan [First serialized in Shonen Sunday] · V.B. Rose © Hidaka Banri/Hakusensha [First serialized in Hana to Yume]. Published in Indonesia by Elex Media

It's the end of the VBR world as we know it when Sakura's cat shreds the wedding gown Ageha was supposed to show off at the Bridal Fair. Arisaka scrambles to design a replacement, and to shore up Ageha's spirits, presents her with...

And as the TOKYOPOP V.B. Rose, Vol. 9 preview muses: Can Ageha control her nerves when faced with Arisaka at his most handsome and princely? :D

For Ageha (and the rest of us) to geek out on: Your cat's clawing behavior may raise your blood pressure, but it relieves feline stress, sort of like the kitty equivalent to human nail biting. In fact, upset cats often target items that smell like their beloved human (your bed, your favorite chair), not because they're angry or vindictive, but because they love you so much and scent-sharing makes them feel better. [–Animal behavior consultant and award-winning author Amy D. Shojai]

After that feline psychology digression, back to the Most Wanted Manga. (I would've followed up with the Animal Doctor 10 preview—especially as that tankou has a cat on the cover—but No. Preview!) Edit: See NikBabble™ at the top of the post.

Kekkaishi vol 12 of 35
by Tanabe Yellow

Duel to the death in Kurosusuki!

Yoshimori agrees to be brought to Kokuboro as a hostage to confront Kaguro and avenge Shishio. While imprisoned, he meets "The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated" Matsudo Heisuke who has also infiltrated the ayakashi stronghold to settle a festering score with a certain "Shiranuma."

Kekkaishi volume 12 compiles chapters 106 through 115: The Castle, Rescue, Byaku and Matsudo, Hollow Man, Advance Payment, Aihi, Flower Ayakashi, The Man Who Would Not Die, Outside the Other World and Achilles Heel. [*NOT Elex chapter titles].

For Kekkaishi chapters upwards of 115, check out Shonen Star.

New Elex titles
19 Nineteen
by Inoue Yumiko, Han KyungMi

19 Nineteen (Elex Media)

The death of a girl made them suspects. The death of a girl brought them closer. The death of a girl taught them the meaning of life.

The story of three 19-y.o.'s struggling to uncover the truth! So sez Elex, adding that the standalone murder mystery AKA 나의 19세, I'm 19, My 19 Years and 19 Years Old has been made into a movie starring T.O.P and Big Bang's Seung Ri as Seo Jung Hoon and Park Min Seo, wanted for murder along with Cha Eun Young, portrayed by Heo Yi Jae. (Thanks, DramaWiki.) No cover yet; maybe later. «Done, see right.

Elex Media manga and manhwa (2012.02.01)

  1. [Premiere] 19 Nineteen by Inoue Yumiko, Han KyungMi
  2. Dodge Fighters (Ganbare! Dodgeball Fighters) vol 10 of 10 by Murakami Toshiya & Saito Muneo [Finale]
  3. Dodge Fighters 10 (Elex)

    Ganbare! Dodgeball Fighters
    がんばれ!ドッジファイターズ
    by Murakami Toshiya & Saito Muneo
    Shogakukan Tentoumushi Comics, kodomo
    Volume 10 first published in Japan 2006.03

  4. Kekkaishi vol 12 of 35 by Tanabe Yellow
  5. Kekkaishi 12 (Elex)

    Kekkaishi結界師」 by Tanabe Yellow
    Shogakukan Shonen Sunday, shounen
    Volume 12 (chapters 106-115) first published in Japan 2006.05

    Awards
    Winner, 52nd Shogakukan Manga Awards for the Shounen category

    Other languages/serializations
    Serialized in the Indonesian Shonen Star (ongoing)
    English Kekkaishi (VIZ Media: 29 volumes per 2011.12.13 • volume 30 street date: 2012.02.14), French (PIKA Édition: Tome 27 shipped 2011.06 • Tome 28 street date: 2012.02.15), German (Carlsen Comics: Band 18 released 2011.11 • Band 19 street date: 2012.07.03), simplified Chinese (Chuang Yi: 结界师 #35 released 2011.11), traditional Chinese (Rightman Publishing Limited Hong Kong and Tong Li Taiwan), Italian (Planet Manga), Malaysian (PCM Comics), Korean (Bookbox), Spanish (Editorial Ivrea Spain), Vietnamese (Kim Dong)

    Adaptations
    Sunrise's 52-episode anime adaptation, starring seiyuu Yoshino Hiroyuki (Sumimura Yoshimori) and Saitou Rie (Yukimura Tokine), aired in Japan from October 2006 to February 2008. The anime aired on Animax Asia from 15 February to 27 April 2011.

    Related
    An official TV animation guide book (released 2006.12 under the Shonen Sunday Comics Special imprint) and two official strategy guides for Wii and Nintendo DS (Wonderlife Special: 2007.06 (Nintendo DS), 2007.11 (Wii))

  6. Piano Hutan (Piano no Mori: The Perfect World of Kai) vol 20 of 21+ by Isshiki Makoto
  7. Piano Hutan 20 (Elex)

    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 20 first published in Japan 2011.09

    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).

  8. V.B. Rose vol 9 of 14 by Hidaka Banri
  9. V.B. Rose 9 (Elex)

    V.B. RoseV・B・ローズ」 by Hidaka Banri
    Hakusensha Hana to Yume, shoujo
    Volume 9 first published in Japan 2007.04

    Other languages/serialization
    Serialized until chapter 56 in HanaLaLa (discontinued)
    English V.B. Rose (TOKYOPOP: 12 volumes per 2011.04), traditional Chinese (Ever Glory Taiwan: V.B.R 絲絨藍玫瑰 14 per 2009.10)

    Adaptations
    A V.B. Rose drama CD was released in Japan in 2006.12, starring seiyuu Mizuki Nana as Shiroi Ageha, Sakurai Takahiro as Arisaka Yukari, and Suwabe Junichi as Kuromine Mitsuya.

    Related
    The Hana to Yume Comics Special V.B. Rose Illustration Fan Book streeted in Japan 2009.05

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

[Value sets] Paket Komik *Harga Spesial* (2012.02.01)

  1. English School Wars, Vols. 1–2 of 2 by Matsumoto Tomo (Eikaiwa School Wars) –Complete– [IDR 16,000/set]
  2. Golden Days, Vols. 1–8 of 8 by Takao Shigeru –Complete– [IDR 64,000/set]
  3. Hell Girl, Vols. 1–9 of 9 by Eto Miyuki & Jigoku Shoujo Project (Jigoku Shoujo) –Complete– [IDR 72,000/set] «Postponed to 2012.02.22?
  4. Kämpfer, Vols. 1–2 (of 7+) by Tatibana Yu, Tsukiji Toshihiko [IDR 16,000/set]
  5. Legend of Nereid, Vols. 1–10 of 15 by Hwang MiRee [IDR 80,000/set]
  6. Maria Holic, Vols. 1–3 (of 8+) by Endou Minari [IDR 24,000/set]
  7. Mixim 11, Vols. 1–2 (of 12) by Anzai Nobuyuki [IDR 16,000/set]
  8. Ouran High School Host Club, Vols. 1–8 (of 18) by Hatori Bisco (Ouran Koukou Host Club) [IDR 64,000/set] «Postponed to 2012.02.22?

1.27.2012

Double the I Love You Suzuki kun!! goodness: Volume 12 and the Official Fan Book out nau~

Street date: 26 January 2012 according to Angelzon

I Love You, Suzuki kun!! 12 and I Love You, Suzuki kun!! Official Fan Book (Tiga Lancar Comic)

Suki desu, Suzuki-kun!! © Ikeyamada Go/Shogakukan [First serialized in Sho-Comi]
Published in Indonesia as I Love You, Suzuki kun!! by PT Tiga Lancar Semesta/Tiga Lancar Comic (3L)

So now we need only wait for the light novels, Suki desu Suzuki-kun!! Pure White Love and Suki desu Suzuki-kun!! With Precious Heart—oh, wait, I'm getting ahead of myself.

3L liberates I Love You, Suzuki kun!! volume 12 along with the I Love You, Suzuki kun!! Official Fan Book, the latter representing the third Ikeyamada Go manga fanbook 3L has published, after those for Moe Kare!! and Midori is a Tomboy/Uwasa no Midori-kun!!). The I Love You, Suzuki kun!! Official Fan Book reportedly supplies not-in-the-manga insider info on Sayaka, Chihiro, Hikaru and Shinobu from the time they were still middle-schoolers, plus character reviews from Ikeyamada Go-sensei and trivia that would only be of interest, I mean, thrill any Suki desu, Suzuki-kun!! fangirl/boy (including myself).

As for the lowdown on volume 12 —

Hikaru jumps off a cliff to save Sayaka. Sayaka finally realizes that she loves Hikaru, but is torn between that love and her gratitude to Takumi who has been her strength all this time. Hikaru, meanwhile, renews his vow to never let Sayaka go; his determination could be the key to Sayaka recapturing her lost memories...

Per earlier volumes, I Love You, Suzuki kun!! 12 is rated for [DEWASA] or Mature audiences.

BTW, can anyone confirm that Suki desu Suzuki-kun!! ends in volume 14? The Japanese synops I found for that tankou (2011.12.26 JP street date) opens with: The completion of the second part! (ついに第2部完結!!). Unless there's a third or college arc, I'm assuming that volume 14 is the series finale. Please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong (comment box's down there).

3L I Love You, Suzuki kun!! Double (2012.01.26)

  1. I Love You, Suzuki kun!! (Suki desu Suzuki-kun!!) vol 12 of 14 by Ikeyamada Go
  2. Suki desu Suzuki-kun!!好きです鈴木くん!!」 by Ikeyamada Go
    AKA The Lovin' “S”
    Shogakukan Sho-Comi, shoujo
    Volume 12 first published in Japan 2011.07

    Adaptations
    The first anime OAD was bundled with Sho-Comi's first 2010 issue (released 2009.12; chapter 1 reenactment), the second with the Suki desu Suzuki-kun!! Official Fanbook (shipped 2010.07; chapters 15 and 16 re-enactment). Seiyuu Asakura Azumi, Oda Hirofumi, Iwasaki Ryō and Isshiki Mayu voiced Hoshino Sayaka, Suzuki Hikaru, Suzuki Shinobu and Itō Chihiro respectively.

    Two light novels written by Tokiumi Yui and illustrated by Ikeyamada Go have also been released. The first, Suki desu Suzuki-kun!! Pure White Love (2009.12.24), detailed Hikaru and Sayaka's relationship during the couple's last year of middle school. The second Suki desu Suzuki-kun!! With Precious Heart light novel (2010.07.26) is set before the high school arc/between manga volumes 7 and 8.

    A Nintendo DS game—Suki desu Suzuki-kun!! ~Yo-nin no Suzuki-kun—released in 2010.07. Per the title, the game introduces two new Ikeyamada-sensei designed characters also surnamed Suzuki: Suzuki Michiru (voiced by Hoshi Sōichirō) and Suzuki Hiroto (Nakamura Yūichi). Game versions of Sayaka, Hikaru, Shinobu and Chihiro were voiced by Takita Juri, Miyata Kōki, Kondou Takashi and Taketatsu Ayana. A limited edition of the Idea Factory game came with a drama CD featuring a story about the four main characters.

  3. [Premiere] I Love You, Suzuki Kun!! Official Fan Book (Suki desu, Suzuki-kun!! Kōshiki Fan Book) by Ikeyamada Go

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

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