Gokusen 9, Yugo The Negotiator 18, and Hajime no Ippo 69 (Level Comics 5 August 2009 manga)

Yugo © Akana Shu and Makari Shinji/Kodansha
Indonesian translation by PT Elex Media Komputindo
[Cover provided by Level Comics]

Shirokin is going co-ed?!

In Gokusen 9, Miura-san, having failed to trap Shin, hatches up a new scheme with the foundation chairman — as the notorious school prepares to go co-ed?! To attract new students of the female persuasion, an open house is held to welcome kawaii third-year junior high students to the delights of Shirokin education. Fighting and swearing are, of course, banned. So what's going to happen when Black Cross goons invade in search of Minami?

Meanwhile, Ippo faces his most cunning opponent yet, Take Keiichi, in volume 69 of Hajime no Ippo. Even though Ippo successfully knocks Keiichi down, the more experienced boxer has tricks, wrapped in ruses, inside schemes that Ippo has never even dreamed of.

As for Yugo The Negotiator 18—which is designated a Must-Have Manga—Yugo leaves for Santa Catalina on the trail of runaway Suzan Vicars. But when Yugo reaches the Vicars' house boat, he finds only Suzan's corpse, with face mutilated as to be almost unrecognizable. The police arrive not long after and charge Yugo with Suzan's murder. How will Yugo prove his innocence?

Level Comics manga (2009.08.05)

Release links are hide/unhide. Click for more details and cover scans.

1. Fight!! Ippo (Hajime no Ippo) 69 of 88+ by Morikawa Joji

Hajime no Ippo 「 はじめの一歩 」 by Morikawa Joji Kodansha Shuukan Shounen Magazine, shounen Volume 69 first published in Japan 2004.07

2. Gokusen 9 of 15 by Morimoto Kozueko

Gokusen 「 ごくせん 」 by Morimoto Kozueko Shueisha YOU, josei Volume 9 first published in Japan 2004.06

3. Yugo the Negotiator 18 of 22 by Akana Shu and Makari Shinji

Yugo 「 勇午 」 by Akana Shu and Makari Shinji Kodansha Afternoon and Evening, seinen Volume 18 first published in Japan 2002.04 Side story: Yugo: Shimokita Hantouhen

NOTE
(1) Sources: Elex Media STO 5 August 2009 (release schedule) and back cover blurbs and the July 2009 Komikologi (synopses, except where noted)
(2) Yugo The Negotiator 18 SRP: IDR 19,000.

UP NEXT

• Level Comics August 2009 manga (monthly schedule): Premiering eight new series - 21st Century Boys (Urasawa Naoki) · Black Lagoon (Hiroe Rei) · Death's Notice (Ikigami by Mase Motoro) · Happy Hello at Work at Age 21 (Takunabi by Yamaguchi Katsumi) · Ice Forest (Saito Chiho) · Jio (６６６～サタン～ by Kishimoto Seishi) · Life Existence (Seizon - Life by Fukumoto Nobuyuki and Kawaguchi Kaiji) · Tomo'o (Danchi Tomoo by Oda Tobira)
• Elex Media August 2009 manga (monthly schedule): Premiering six new titles - Black Butler (Kuroshitsuji by Toboso Yana) · Pandora Hearts (Mochizuki Jun) · Project X: Seven Eleven · The Ruler of Nabari (Nabari no Ou by Kamatani Yuhki) · School Rumble (Kobayashi Jin) · The Tyr Chronicles (Tireujeongi or Try Electricity by Ra InSoo & Son ChangHo)

~niki DBA huamulan03 (花木蘭03) who thanks Level's Lenny-san muchness for her generous assistance even in the midst of mountainous work

disclaimer

Cover images and source summaries used here for reference are © their respective intellectual rights holders. No infringement intended.

manga available this week (28-29 July 2009 street dates)

• Level Comics manga (7.28): Vagabond 28, Homunculus 9, Over Rev 7, Chocolat 1 by Kubonouchi Eisaku, and Life Existence 1 by Fukumoto Nobuyuki and Kawaguchi Kaiji
• Elex Media (7.29): Detektif Conan 54, Ouran High School Host Club 3, Sweet Lollipop Return! 1, Kaiser Z 4, Bikings 7
• m&c! (7.29): W Juliet II volume 1 by EMURA, My Sweet Kaicho 5, Promise 7 of 7, 7th Lesson Rhapsody by Tanaka Meca, Song of Love 1 by Fujita Maki

...and next (5 August 2009 street date)

• Elex Media: Fullmetal Alchemist 20, School Rumble 1, Hayate The Combat Butler 15, Raiders 2, The Tyr Chronicles 1, Fruits Basket 21
• m&c! 5 August 2009 manga: .hack//G.U.+ 2, Aria 12 of 12, Nube 27, NG Life 1 by Kusanagi Mizuho, Garudayana by Is Yuniarto, Satu Atap by Azisa Noor, Morte by Ekyu Studio, and five more local comics

related links

Level Comics July 2009 manga: Featuring Yoshimura Akemi's Bad Guy (Warui Otoko) and Sora Flight Attendant (Sora!) 1 by Yajima Masao & Hikino Shinji

other invaluable resources

7&Y · Amazon Japan · Baka-Updates Manga

Technorati tags
manga, Level Comics, josei, seinen, shounen, Gokusen, Hajime no Ippo, Yugo

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.hack//G.U.+ volume 2, Aria 12 of 12, NG Life 1 by Kusanagi Mizuho, Nube 27, The Lovely Wizard 2 (m&c! 5 August 2009 manga)

Aria © Amano Kozue/Mag Garden

The story of gondolier apprentice Mizunashi Akari comes to a close this Wednesday with the release of the Aria series finale. (I think blog reader mogrika-san would be happy to GET! this one.)

Meanwhile, in the second volume of .hack//G.U.+, more information on the AIDA (Artificially Intelligent Data Anomaly) and the Epitaphs is revealed, forcing Haseo to fight the deadly Tri-Edge before he loses more friends to the Lost Ones. [Adapted from Amazon's description (TOKYOPOP edition)]

Still on continuing series, eight months of waiting produces the 27th tankou of Jigoku Sensei Nube and the continuing supernatural adventures of fifth grade homeroom teacher slash exorcist Nueno Meisuke, alias the titular Nube.

There's only one new manga (but eight new local comics) for this m&c! schedule: NG Life by Kusanagi Mizuho-sensei, first serialized in Hana to Yume. NG Life tells the story of former Pompeii citizen Silix, reincarnated as high school student Saeki Kaedai. Serisawa Mei writes a tell-all of what Kaedai remembers and life becomes... less complex? [Adapted from anything-asian's summary, excerpted by Baka-Updates Manga]

(sinu-san, I think this shoujo series by the Mugen Spiral manga-ka is a GET!)

m&c! manga (2009.08.05)

Release links are hide/unhide. Click for more details and cover scans.

1. .hack//G.U.+ 2 of 5+ by Morita Yuzuka and Hamazaki Tatsuya

.hack//G.U.+ 「 ．ｈａｃｋ／／Ｇ．Ｕ．＋ 」 by Morita Yuzuka and Hamazaki Tatsuya Kadokawa Shoten .hack//The World, shounen Volume 2 first published in Japan 2006.09 .hack//G.U.+ published in English by TOKYOPOP (volume 5 street date: 2009.09.01) Manga still ongoing, but g.u.+ novels are complete

Related series: .hack//AI Buster (novel; prequel) · .hack//Tasogare no Udewa Densetsu (prequel) · .hack//Link (sequel) · Side stories: .hack//4 koma · .hack//Alcor · .hack//GnU

2. Aria 12 of 12 by Amano Kozue [Finale]

Aria 「 ＡＲＩＡ 」 by Amano Kozue Mag Garden Comic Blade, shounen Volume 12 first published in Japan 2008.03 Prequel: Aqua (two volumes) Aria published in English by TOKYOPOP (picked up from ADV Manga; volume 5 street date: 2009.11.03

3. The Lovely Wizard 2 of 6 (Renai Chuudokuteki Senjutsushi) by Kawazoe Mariko and Kai Tohru

Renai Chuudokuteki Senjutsushi: Senjutsushi wa Koi ni Oboreru 「 仙術師は恋におぼれる 」 by Kawazoe Mariko and Kai Tohru Shinshokan Wings Comics, shoujo This volume first published in Japan 2002.04

The Senjutsushi series comprises:
(1) Senjutsushi wa Kujikenai
(2) Senjutsushi wa Koi ni Oboreru
(3) Senjutsushi wa Netsuaisareru
(4) Senjutsushi to Majin no Shiro
(5) Senjutsushi to Fukushuu no Koto
(6) Senjutsushi to Saiyaku no Tsubo

4. [Premiere] NG Life 1 of 9 by Kusanagi Mizuho

NG Life 「 ＮＧライフ 」 by Kusanagi Mizuho AKA No Good Life Hakusensha Hana to Yume, shoujo Volume 1 first published in Japan 2006.10 NG Life published in English by TOKYOPOP (volume 3 street date: 2009.11.03)

5. Nube (Jigoku Sensei Nube) 27 of 31 by Makura Shou, Okano Takeshi

Jigoku Sensei Nube 「 地獄先生ぬ～べ～ 」 by Makura Shou, Okano Takeshi Shueisha Weekly Shonen Jump, shounen Volume 27 first published in Japan 1998.11 Series re-released in 20 volumes (bunko) in 2006

NOTE
(1) Source: Elex Media STO 5 August 2009
(2) Links like this are Amazon.com search and/or product links (commercial), in case you're interested in another language version.

While searching for deets on the local graphic novels m&c! is releasing next Wednesday (below), I came across Ekyu (Morte)-san's blog, which gives more information about these comics from KOLONI. (Links lead to Ekyu's blog, which in turn links to covers and summaries.)

Local graphic novels

• [New] Alsa by Onnie Krisnayana - science fiction/romance
• [New] Best Friends by Gita Juwita - romance
• [New] Flower Rhapsody by Dwiyani Christy collab. with Gabby - romance
• [New] Garudayana by Is Yuniarto - shounen action (modern-day wayang)
• [New] Hopper by Galang Tirta Kusuma - action
• [New] Morte by Ekyu Studio - horror/mystery
• [New] My Ghost Sister by Ida Ariyanti - romance
• [New] Satu Atap by Azisa Noor - comedy/romance

N.B. All local GN priced at IDR 12,500

UP NEXT

Level Comics 5 August 2009 manga: Fight!! Ippo 69, Gokusen 9, Yugo The Negotiator 18

~niki DBA huamulan03 (花木蘭03)

disclaimer

Cover images and source summaries used here for reference are © their respective intellectual rights holders. No infringement intended.

manga available this week (28-29 July 2009 street dates)

• Level Comics manga (7.28): Vagabond 28, Homunculus 9, Over Rev 7, Chocolat 1 by Kubonouchi Eisaku, and Life Existence 1 by Fukumoto Nobuyuki and Kawaguchi Kaiji
• Elex Media (7.29): Detektif Conan 54, Ouran High School Host Club 3, Sweet Lollipop Return! 1, Kaiser Z 4, Bikings 7
• m&c! (7.29): W Juliet II volume 1 by EMURA, My Sweet Kaicho 5, Promise 7 of 7, 7th Lesson Rhapsody by Tanaka Meca, Song of Love 1 by Fujita Maki

...and next (5 August 2009 street date)

Elex Media: Fullmetal Alchemist 20, School Rumble 1, Hayate The Combat Butler 15, Raiders 2, The Tyr Chronicles 1, Fruits Basket 21

other invaluable resources

7&Y · Amazon Japan · Baka-Updates Manga · Wikipedia · ekyu's blog

Technorati tags
manga, m&c!, shoujo, shounen, .hack//G.U.+, Aria, Jigoku Sensei Nube, The Lovely Wizard, NG Life

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Fullmetal Alchemist 20, School Rumble 1, Hayate The Combat Butler 15, Fruits Basket 21, Raiders 2, The Tyr Chronicles 1 (Elex Media 5 August 2009 manga and manhwa)

Tireujeongi © Ra InSoo & Son ChangHo/Daiwon C.I.

A strange aperture beckons brothers Ed and Alphonse Elric with the hope of restitution, even as the revolutionary transmutation circle nears completion in Fullmetal Alchemist volume 20.

[Adapted from Amazon's volume 20 description (VIZ Media edition)]

Meanwhile, in School Rumble—volume 1 of which streets next Wednesday—Kobayashi Jin-sensei introduces us to ingénue Tenma, juvie delinquent Kenji, and just plain weird Karasuma who form the the scalene rabu triangle (all different sides and internal angles) in this inarguably wacky shounen romantic comedy about unrequited love, disarming destiny, and other blush-worthy hijinks.

Another new manga, I mean, manhwa, comes from the duo of Ra InSoo (Demon King) and Son ChangHo: The Tyr Chronicles AKA Try Electricity or Tireujeongi, an ongoing sonyun series considerably more serious than Sukuram. Seventeen-year-old Tyr's brother Roky is murdered and the day of his older sib's death, Tyr receives Roky's diary, a diary that chronicles Tyr's quest to find his brother — even before he starts his search.

Walah. Shades of Fushigi Yuugi's Shijintensho...except Roky's journal seems to be precognitive. Creepy(er).

More summaries—for the shoujo Furuba 21 and soonjung My Adorable Fatty Girl 4, among others—after the list. (No mangazines next week, BTW.)

Elex Media manga and manhwa (2009.08.05)

Release links are hide/unhide. Click for more details and cover scans.

1. Fruits Basket 21 of 23 by Takaya Natsuki

Fruits Basket 「 フルーツバスケット 」 by Takaya Natsuki Hakusensha Hana to Yume, shoujo Volume 21 first published in Japan 2006.09 Fruits Basket published in English by TOKYOPOP (volume 23 street date: 2009.07.06) and Chuang Yi (23 volumes)

2. Fullmetal Alchemist (Hagane no Renkinjutsushi) 20 of 23+ by Arakawa Hiromu

Hagane no Renkinjutsushi 「 鋼の錬金術師 」 by Arakawa Hiromu Square Enix Shonen Gangan, shounen Volume 20 first published in Japan 2008.08 Fullmetal Alchemist published in English by VIZ Media (volume 20 street date: 2009.09.15) and Chuang Yi (19 volumes)

3. Godhand Teru 16 of 47+ by Yamamoto Kazuki

GodHand Teru 「 ゴッドハンド輝 」 by Yamamoto Kazuki Kodansha Shuukan Shounen Magazine, shounen Volume 16 first published in Japan 2004.02 A live-action adaptation starring Hiraoka Yuta (Endo Shoji in the NANA live-action movie and Yano Haruka in Boku wa Imouto ni Koi o Suru) as Teru premiered 11 April 2009.

4. Hayate The Combat Butler (Hayate no Gotoku) 15 of 20+ by Hata Kenjiro

Hayate no Gotoku 「 ハヤテのごとく！ 」 by Hata Kenjiro Shogakukan Shonen Sunday, shounen Volume 15 first published in Japan 2008.04 Hayate The Combat Butler published in English by VIZ Media (volume 12 street date: 2009.08.11)

5. My Adorable Fatty Girl 4 of 6 by Lee HeeJong
6. Raiders 2 of 5+ by Park JinJun

Raiders 「 레이더스 」 by Park JinJun (or Park JinJoon) Daiwon C.I., Super Champ, sonyun Volume 2 first published in Korea 2007.08 Raiders published in English by Yen Press (volume 1 street date: 2009.12.15)

7. [Premiere] School Rumble 1 of 22 by Kobayashi Jin

School Rumble 「 Ｓｃｈｏｏｌ　Ｒｕｍｂｌｅ 」 by Kobayashi Jin Kodansha Shuukan Shounen Magazine, shounen Volume 1 first published in Japan 2003.05 School Rumble published in English by Del Rey (volume 13 street date: 2009.09.29) Sequel: School Rumble Z (one volume, complete)

8. SORA - The Wingless Duck (Ahiru no Sora) 9 of 24+ by Hinata Takeshi

Ahiru no Sora 「 あひるの空 」 by Hinata Takeshi AKA Sora's Sky Kodansha Shuukan Shounen Magazine, shounen Volume 9 first published in Japan 2005.10

9. [Premiere] The Tyr Chronicles (Tireujeongi) 1 of 3+ by Ra InSoo & Son ChangHo

Tireujeongi 「 티르전기 」 by Ra InSoo & Son ChangHo AKA Try Electricity Daiwon C.I., Champ Comics, sonyun Volume 1 first published in Korea 2008.05

10. Yureka 14 of 31+ by Son HeeJoon, Kim YounKyung

Yureka 「 유레카 」 by Son HeeJoon, Kim YounKyung Haksan, sonyun Volume 14 first published in Korea 2004.04 Published in English by TOKYOPOP as iD_eNTITY (12 volumes)

NOTE
(1) Sources: Elex Media STO 5 August 2009 (release schedule) and Komikologi July and August 2009 issues (synopses, except where noted)
(2) Links like this are Amazon.com search and/or product links (commercial), in case you're interested in another language version.

Synopses continued

Fruits Basket 21
「 フルーツバスケット 」 by Takaya Natsuki
Designation: Must-Have Manga

Akito finally decides to accept Tohru's overture of friendship, but fate is not as kind. As the uber-angsty head of the Sohma family reaches out a hand to the other girl, the ground beneath Tohru crumbles, plunging our plucky heroine to the bottom of a ravine.

The tragic accident forces the even more emo soul mate Kyo to realize just how much he loves Tohru, but with Tohru unconscious, is there any way for our couple to reach Happy Ever After?

Whadayathink?

Hayate The Combat Butler 15
Hayate no Gotoku 「 ハヤテのごとく！ 」 by Hata Kenjiro

The Upsize that! super-elite Hakuou Academy gets a new transfer student, but before we talk about this mysterious student's hopes and dreams — let's conclude the death-defying Mt. Takao arc (including the v-e-r-y l-o-o-o-n-g day after).

Godhand Teru 16
「 ゴッドハンド輝 」 by Yamamoto Kazuki

A patient chooses Teru to operate, but Teru is forced to relinquish the responsibility to Shinomiya. The reason: an adhesion that covers up the patient's problem organs. Teru observes Shinomiya's technique and speed and performs his own adhesion surgery. Kitami rates Teru's efforts a 30, whilst giving Shinomiya a 60. While Teru acknowledges his own less-than-quick speed compared to Shinomiya, where does the difference of 40 come in?

I'm just translating the blurb from Komikologi; I don't follow this series. Don't ask me why the difference between 60 and 30 became 40; even math-challenged me knows 60 − 30 is sanju. If you know why, kindly leave a comment.

My Adorable Fatty Girl 4
by Lee HeeJong

Jae so chases Sae ra to the shoot and finds that the so-called magic drug has started eating away at Dong son's innards.

A story about a fat high school girl (duh) who wants to be accepted by the people around her (up to and including her love interest and childhood friend) and learns the lesson that physical beauty ain't everything.

UP NEXT

• Level Comics 5 August 2009 manga: Fight!! Ippo 69, Gokusen 9, Yugo The Negotiator 18
• m&c! 5 August 2009 manga: .hack//G.U.+ 2, Aria 12 of 12, Nube 27, The Lovely Wizard 2, NG Life 1 by Kusanagi Mizuho, Garudayana by Is Yuniarto, Satu Atap by Azisa Noor, Morte by Ekyu Studio, and five more local comics

~niki DBA huamulan03 (花木蘭03) who sez Hi! to sinu-san *waves madly*

disclaimer

Cover images and source summaries used here for reference are © their respective intellectual rights holders. No infringement intended.

manga available this week (28-29 July 2009 street dates)

• Level Comics manga (7.28): Vagabond 28, Homunculus 9, Over Rev 7, Chocolat 1 by Kubonouchi Eisaku, and Life Existence 1 by Fukumoto Nobuyuki and Kawaguchi Kaiji
• Elex Media (7.29): Detektif Conan 54, Ouran High School Host Club 3, Sweet Lollipop Return! 1, Kaiser Z 4, Bikings 7
• m&c! (7.29): W Juliet II volume 1 by EMURA, My Sweet Kaicho 5, Promise 7 of 7, 7th Lesson Rhapsody by Tanaka Meca, Song of Love 1 by Fujita Maki

related links

• Elex Media August 2009 manga (monthly schedule): Premiering six new titles - Black Butler (Kuroshitsuji by Toboso Yana) · Pandora Hearts (Mochizuki Jun) · Project X: Seven Eleven · The Ruler of Nabari (Nabari no Ou by Kamatani Yuhki) · School Rumble (Kobayashi Jin) · The Tyr Chronicles (Tireujeongi or Try Electricity by Ra InSoo & Son ChangHo)
• Elex Media July 2009 manga (monthly schedule): Premiering I Hate You The Most (Sekai de Ichiban Daikirai) by Hidaka Banri, La Corda D'Oro by Kure Yuki, A Promise About Glass Shoe by Selena Lin, Tokkyu!! by Komori Yoichi & Kubo Mitsuro, and Uzumajin by Ohse Yoshio

other invaluable resources

7&Y · Amazon Japan · Baka-Updates Manga · manaworld.com

Technorati tags
manga, manhwa, Elex Media, shoujo, shounen, sonyun, soonjung, Ahiru no Sora, Fruits Basket, Fullmetal Alchemist, Godhand Teru, Hayate no Gotoku, My Adorable Fatty Girl, Raiders, School Rumble, Tireujeongi, Try Electricity, The Tyr Chronicles, Yureka

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Ouran High Host Club 14, Otomen 5, Let's Find Pokemon - Fun at the Amusement Park (Chuang Yi English manga out now)

Ouran Koukou Host Club © Hatori Bisco/Hakusensha

Haruhi is kidnapped! *GASP!*

In this week's English Chuang Yi manga, someone absconds with Haruhi and the King is mad, mad, MAD! in Ouran High Host Club 14; Ryo competes for the school's Yamato Nadeshiko crown in Otomen 5, and we're invited to I Spy™ some new pocket monsters in Let's Find Pokemon - Fun at the Amusement Park.

Yeah, these three slipped in under the radar (along with TSUBASA Reservoir Chronicle volume 22, which Chuang Yi sez released 2006-06-16 — a street date earlier than even the Japanese 2008.01 original).

Chuang Yi synopses and covers after the list.

Chuang Yi manga (2009.07.21)

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

1. [New] Let's Find Pokemon - Fun At The Amusement Park by Aihara Kazunari
2. Otomen 5 of 8+ by Kanno Aya

Otomen 「 オトメン（乙男） 」 by Kanno Aya
Hakusensha Bessatsu Hana to Yume, shoujo
Volume 5 first published in Japan 2008.04 (Indonesian version released 2009.04)
Alternative English version Otomen published by VIZ Media (volume 3 street date: 2009.08.05)

3. Ouran High Host Club (Ouran Koukou Host Club) 14 of 14+ by Hatori Bisco

Ouran Koukou Host Club 「 桜蘭高校ホスト部 」 by Hatori Bisco
Hakusensha LaLa, shoujo
Volume 14 first published in Japan 2009.05
Alternative English version Ouran High School Host Club published by VIZ Media (volume 13 street date: 2009.11.03)
Serialized in Indonesian in HanaLaLa

NOTE
(1) Source: Chuang Yi as at 25 July 2009
(2) Links like this are Amazon.com search and/or product links (commercial), in case you're interested in another language version.

Chuang Yi synopses

Let's Find Pokemon - Fun At The Amusement Park
by Aihara Kazunari
ISBN: N/A
MSRP: SGD 9.90

Lots of Pokemon activities for you to see and do! A fun filled book filled with the latest Pokemon from the Diamond and Pearl series! Can you spot which ones are new?

Otomen 5
by Kanno Aya
ISBN: N/A
MSRP: SGD 8.50

The Ginyuri Festival is well-known for its Yamato Nadeshiko Contest, where participants battle for the title of the perfect Japanese girl! Ryo has (unfortunately) been chosen to represent her grade, so it's up to Asuka to save the day with his heroic acts of domesticity! In other news, Rat Silver and Edo Purple, the Beauty Samurai, are back! But hot on their heels is a stalker determined to expose their true faces to the world... and he has a secret that is somehow linked to... Asuka's father?!

Ouran High Host Club 14
by Hatori Bisco
ISBN: N/A
MSRP: SGD 8.50

Determined to compete fairly with Highness for Haruhi's affections, Hikaru goes out of his way to prod some sense into the oblivious airhead. During the club's New Year temple visit, Haruhi is kidnapped. In contract with his usual overreaction to peasant frivolity, Tamaki displays genuine anger and fear for Haruhi's safety. Could he finally he overcoming his dread of destroying this 'family' he built for himself? Witness Tamaki in a rare pensive moment, in this contemplative volume of Ouran High Host Club!

UP NEXT

Level Comics August 2009 manga (monthly schedule): Premiering eight new series - 21st Century Boys (Urasawa Naoki) · Black Lagoon (Hiroe Rei) · Death's Notice (Ikigami by Mase Motoro) · Happy Hello at Work at Age 21 (Takunabi by Yamaguchi Katsumi) · Ice Forest (Saito Chiho) · Jio (６６６～サタン～ by Kishimoto Seishi) · the reported here Life Existence (Seizon - Life by Fukumoto Nobuyuki and Kawaguchi Kaiji) · Tomo'o (Danchi Tomoo by Oda Tobira)

Elex Media August 2009 manga (monthly schedule): Premiering six new titles - Black Butler (Kuroshitsuji by Toboso Yana) · Pandora Hearts (Mochizuki Jun) · Project X: Seven Eleven · The Ruler of Nabari (Nabari no Ou by Kamatani Yuhki) · School Rumble (Kobayashi Jin) · The Tyr Chronicles (Tireujeongi or Try Electricity by Ra InSoo & Son ChangHo)

~niki DBA huamulan03 (花木蘭03) who wants, wants, WANTS! Ouran High Host Club 14 (and 13), stat!

disclaimer

Cover images and source summaries used here for reference are © their respective intellectual rights holders. No infringement intended.

manga available this week in Indonesia (21-22 July 2009 street dates)

• Level Comics (7.21): Magister Negi Magi 19 (Yes, only one Level manga)
• Elex Media (7.22): Eyeshield 21 volume 28, New Legenda Naga 3, SORA - The Wingless Duck 8, Comic Bomber 13 of 13, Shonen Star 55, Ghost Sweeper Mikami 34
• m&c! (7.22): Shinobi Life 1 by Conami Shoko, Sweet Black by Nishikata Mai, My Cinderella (Watashi no Cinderella) by Kawase Natsuna, Gift Under the Rainbow by MOONSTONE & Yukiwo

...and the next (28 and 29 July 2009 street dates)

• Level Comics (7.28): Vagabond 28, Homunculus 9, Over Rev 7, Chocolat 1 by Kubonouchi Eisaku, and Life Existence 1 by Fukumoto Nobuyuki and Kawaguchi Kaiji
• Elex Media (7.29): Detektif Conan 54, Ouran High School Host Club 3, Sweet Lollipop Return! 1, Kaiser Z 4, Bikings 7
• m&c! (7.29): W Juliet II volume 1 by EMURA, My Sweet Kaicho 5, Promise 7 of 7, 7th Lesson Rhapsody by Tanaka Meca, Song of Love 1 by Fujita Maki

other invaluable resources

Amazon Japan

Technorati tags
manga, Chuang Yi, shoujo, Let's Find Pokemon - Fun At The Amusement Park, Aihara Kazunari, Otomen, Kanno Aya, Ouran High Host Club, Ouran High School Host Club, Ouran Koukou Host Club, Hatori Bisco

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Homunculus 9 by Yamamoto Hideo (Level Comics manga; street date: 28 July 2009)

Homunculus © Yamamoto Hideo/Shogakukan
Indonesian translation by PT Elex Media Komputindo
[Cover provided by Level Comics]

Homunculus 9 of 10+ by Yamamoto Hideo

Original title: ホムンクルス (Homunculus)
Shogakukan, serialized in Big Comic Spirits, seinen
This volume first published in Japan 2008.02
Published in Indonesia by Elex Media Komputindo/Level Comics

Alternative synopsis from the back cover (provided by Level Comics no Lenny-san)

Declaring the research into homunculi—physical representations of people's subconscious usually reflecting flaws, conflicts, or other problems—nothing more than fantasy, medical student Manabu makes plans to close the hole drilled into Nakoshi Susumu's skull. Susumu, however, locks on the idea that Manabu fears Susumu will see more of Manabu's homunculus, and tries to convince Manabu that the next experimental subject should be the investigator himself.

Street date: 28 July 2009

So I guess the question now is: Will Manabu subject himselt to trephine perforation? (If I'm wrong, please be gentle. Working on a lot of inferences here (with Wiki help) as I don't follow this series.)

~niki DBA huamulan03 (花木蘭03) who thanks Level's Lenny-san for providing the blurb and artwork for this volume

disclaimer

Cover images and source summaries used here for reference are © their respective intellectual rights holders. No infringement intended.

related links

Level Comics 28 July 2009 manga: Vagabond 28, Homunculus 9, Over Rev 7, Chocolat 1 by Kubonouchi Eisaku, and Life Existence 1 by Fukumoto Nobuyuki and Kawaguchi Kaiji

other invaluable resources

7&Y · Wikipedia

Technorati tags
manga, Level Comics, seinen, Homunculus, Yamamoto Hideo, Shogakukan

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Chocolat 1, Vagabond 28, Life Existence 1, Homunculus 9, Over Rev 7 (Level Comics 28 July 2009 manga)

Seizon - Life © Fukumoto Nobuyuki, Kawaguchi Kaiji/Kodansha

In my quest to disinter information about Level's newest seinen manga (nope, it's not Sora Flight Attendant), I found this summary for Seizon - Life (that Level is releasing titled Life Existence) from Baka-Updates Manga:

Takeda is diagnosed with cancer and feels that he has nothing to live for. His wife also had had cancer, had died of it in fact, and his only daughter has been missing for fourteen years.

One day, when he is about to attempt suicide, the phone rings. It's the police, and they inform him that the dead body of his long lost daughter has been found, that it appears to have been a homicide. Takeda is crushed but resolves then and there to spend the remaining days of his life hunting down his daughter's killer.

The time left for Takeda to live equals the time left to put the murderer behind bars. Life is a heart-wrenching story about a father's willpower and his search for the truth.

I'm telling you. I got goose bumps (good ones) reading that description, and was clobbered by a longing to hear my father's voice. (Call me a Daddy's girl if you will; I love my dad, I'm proud to say.) This volume, as well as the other two tankou that make up this series, are definite GET!

Meanwhile, less horripilation-inducing (more like LOL-producing) is another new manga that has been waiting patiently to premiere since June: Chocolat by Kubonouchi Eisaku (Cherry manga-ka). I've previously mentioned that the seinen Chocolat (not to be confused with the soonjung Chocolat) depicts the life of ex-Yakuza boss Matsukichi after he opens a bakery and finds out that his cakes are unpopular. Tatsumi Chiyoko, whose father has racked up a humongous debt, lives with Matsukichi. [Adapted from Komikologi June 2009, with additions from Scum-Scans' description excerpted by Baka-Updates Manga] Tatsumi's probably the girl on the cover of volume 1 and despite Level's Matsukichi-centric blurb (you can see from The Big Picture why), is likely the focus of the story.

Kubonouchi Eisaku-sensei's Chocolat manga was adapted into a dorama in 2003; it was telecast on MBS and TBS from May to July.

Meanwhile, in Vagabond 28, Musashi dreams of a sea of wrecked faces as he tries to recover from the uneven fight against the 70-strong Yoshioka Clan. In Over Rev 7, it's Mayumi VS. Aika; the race is on to determine whether Team Ripley or Team Supersonic Girls comes out on top.

As for volume 9 of the trepanation-based speculative fiction Homunculus, Susumu tries to uncover the face of Homunculus Manabu. Manabu, however, surmises that the Homunculus Susumu glimpsed is only a projection by Susumu himself. Which is true? Susumu's third eye or Manabu's theory? (Alternative synopsis here.)

Level Comics manga (2009.07.28)

Release links are hide/unhide. Click for more details and cover scans.

1. [Premiere] Chocolat 1 of 7 by Kubonouchi Eisaku

Chocolat 「 ショコラ 」 by Kubonouchi Eisaku Shogakukan Young Sunday and Big Comic Spirits, seinen Volume 1 first published in Japan 2000.05

2. Homunculus 9 of 10+ by Yamamoto Hideo

Homunculus 「 ホムンクルス 」 by Yamamoto Hideo Shogakukan Big Comic Spirits, seinen Volume 9 first published in Japan 2008.02

3. [Premiere] Life Existence (Seizon - Life) 1 of 3 by Fukumoto Nobuyuki, Kawaguchi Kaiji

Seizon - Life 「 生存～ＬｉｆＥ～ 」 by Fukumoto Nobuyuki and Kawaguchi Kaiji Kodansha Uppers, seinen Volume 1 first published in Japan 2000.07

4. Over Rev 7 of 31 by Yamaguchi Katsumi

Over Rev! 「 オーバーレブ！ 」 by Yamaguchi Katsumi AKA Over Rev! A legend of ultimate hot rodder Shogakukan Young Sunday, seinen Volume 7 first published in Japan 1998.10

5. Vagabond 28 of 30+ by Inoue Takehiko

Vagabond 「 バガボンド 」 by Inoue Takehiko Kodansha Morning, seinen Volume 28 first published in Japan 2008.05 Published in English by VIZ Media (volume 29 street date: 2009.05.19) and Chuang Yi (16 volumes, ongoing)

NOTE
(1) Sources: Elex Media STO 29 July 2009 (release schedule) and Komikologi June, July, and August 2009 (synopses, except where noted)
(2) Vagabond 28 SRP: IDR 19,000
(3) Links like this are Amazon.com search and/or product links (commercial), in case you're interested in another language version.

UP NEXT

• Level Comics August 2009 manga (monthly schedule): Premiering eight new series - 21st Century Boys (Urasawa Naoki) · Black Lagoon (Hiroe Rei) · Death's Notice (Ikigami by Mase Motoro) · Happy Hello at Work at Age 21 (Takunabi by Yamaguchi Katsumi) · Ice Forest (Saito Chiho) · Jio (６６６～サタン～ by Kishimoto Seishi) · the reported here Life Existence (Seizon - Life by Fukumoto Nobuyuki and Kawaguchi Kaiji) · Tomo'o (Danchi Tomoo by Oda Tobira)
• Elex Media August 2009 manga (monthly schedule): Premiering six new titles - Black Butler (Kuroshitsuji by Toboso Yana) · Pandora Hearts (Mochizuki Jun) · Project X: Seven Eleven · The Ruler of Nabari (Nabari no Ou by Kamatani Yuhki) · School Rumble (Kobayashi Jin) · The Tyr Chronicles (Tireujeongi or Try Electricity by Ra InSoo & Son ChangHo)

~niki DBA huamulan03 (花木蘭03) who is now swirly-eyed from all the upcoming new manga

disclaimer

Cover images and source summaries used here for reference are © their respective intellectual rights holders. No infringement intended.

manga available this week (21-22 July 2009 street dates)

• Level Comics (7.21): Magister Negi Magi 19 (Yes, only one Level manga)
• Elex Media (7.22): Eyeshield 21 volume 28, New Legenda Naga 3, SORA - The Wingless Duck 8, Comic Bomber 13 of 13, Shonen Star 55, Ghost Sweeper Mikami 34
• m&c! (7.22): Shinobi Life 1 by Conami Shoko, Sweet Black by Nishikata Mai, My Cinderella (Watashi no Cinderella) by Kawase Natsuna, Gift Under the Rainbow by MOONSTONE & Yukiwo

...and the next (29 July 2009 street date)

• Elex Media: Detektif Conan 54, Ouran High School Host Club 3, Sweet Lollipop Return! 1, Kaiser Z 4, Bikings 7
• m&c!: W Juliet II volume 1 by EMURA, My Sweet Kaicho 5, Promise 7 of 7, 7th Lesson Rhapsody by Tanaka Meca, Song of Love 1 by Fujita Maki

related links

• Level Comics July 2009 manga: Featuring Yoshimura Akemi's Bad Guy (Warui Otoko) and Sora Flight Attendant (Sora!) 1 by Yajima Masao & Hikino Shinji
• Level Comics June 2009 manga: Premiering Chocolat by Kubonouchi Eisaku and Shattered Knife (Oboreru Knife) by George Asakura, among others

other invaluable resources

7&Y · Amazon Japan · Baka-Updates Manga · Ubook

Technorati tags
manga, Level Comics, seinen, Chocolat, Homunculus, Life Existence, Over Rev, Vagabond

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