Pandora Hearts 13, Detektif Conan 60, Ghost Hunt 12 of 12 (Elex Media 16 March 2011 manga)

Please take another moment to #prayforJapan and perhaps do something more to help the people to whom we owe a great debt of gratitude, not the least of which, for these manga.

ANN posts updates of anime, manga, game and related industries personages, including Pandora Hearts's Mochizuki Jun-sensei, who have reported in safe following the devastating 11 March earthquake and tsunami.

Pandora Hearts © Mochizuki Jun/Square Enix
[Serialized in GFantasy]
Published in Indonesia by Elex Media

Why does Isla Yura throw a party for Oz Vessalius? For sure, the bash, positively teeming with intrigue, draws gatecrashers from the darkness who insist on dancing the waltz of madness. The red shinigami reprise the tragedy of the past in Pandora Hearts 13, far and away this Elex sked's top DO WANT!

Pandora Hearts 13 retraces chapters L-LIII: Reverse Corte, Lily&Reim, Bloody Rites and Humpty Dumpty Sat On A Wall. (NOT Elex's titles.)

Detektif Conan 60 of 71+ by Aoyama Gosho

Rumors run rife over the Black Organization firing someone from its ranks. Could this be the clue Conan has been waiting for?

This Detektif Conan manga, compiling chapters 620 through 630, also investigates a sinister karaoke joint and the mystery of The Hammer Man.

Speaking of mysteries, time time, solved —

Ghost Hunt 12 of 12 by Inada Shiho & Ono Fuyumi

Ghosthunt
© Inada Shiho
& Ono Fuyumi/Kodansha

Taniyama Mai and the SPR Irregulars finally learn what/who Naru has been investigating all along. But what stuns Mai is Naru's real identity. Evidently, the Naru Mai knew all this time is but a guise to conceal...

Yeah, yeah, you already know the Big Naru Secret from the novels. My question: What happens to NaruMai in the last Ghost Hunt tankou? Also, is there any chance of Elex licensing the Akuryou/Ghost Hunt novels?

(Also check out the finale of Ono Fuyumi- (and Kajiwara Niki's) Strange Tales of Tokyo, over on the Level Comics side.)

New Elex titles: Vinland Saga and Inazuma Eleven

Vinland Saga
© Yukimura Makoto/
Kodansha [Afternoon]

Elex premieres two award-winning manga: Yukimura Makoto's Vinland Saga, erstwhile only piece-meal seen in Shonen Magz, and Yabuno Tenya's Nintendo DS game-based Inazuma Eleven. Yukimura Makoto's historical seinen saga asks the question: Do Vikings relish waging war? The Vinland Saga spokesperson taking the question is teenage warrior Thorfinn, the protagonist loosely basely on ca. 1010 AD Icelandic explorer Thorfinn Karlsefni.

The personal geographic shounen sports action Inazuma Eleven by Yabuno Tenya, meanwhile, follows talented goalkeeper Mark Evans, grandson of a famous Japanese goalie, and his genotype-destined exploits as he joins the Raimon Junior High soccer club.

Elex Media manga (2011.03.16)

1. Ciuman Dewa (Kamisama Hajimemashita) 3 of 8+ by Suzuki Julietta

Kamisama Hajimemashita 「神様はじめました」 by Suzuki Julietta Hakusensha Hana to Yume, shoujo Volume 3 (chapters 13-18) first published in Japan 2009.05

Other languages
English Kamisama Hajimemashita (VIZ Media: two volumes per 2011.03.01 • volume 3 street date: 2011.06.07)

2. Culdcept 2 of 6+ by Kaneko Shinya and OMIYA Soft

Culdcept 「Ｃｕｌｄｃｅｐｔ」 by Kaneko Shinya and OMIYA Soft Kodansha Magazine Z, seinen Volume 2 first published in Japan 2001.11 (On hiatus at volume 6)

Related
Based on the Culdcept video game

Other languages
English Culdcept (TOKYOPOP, five volumes per 2006.06), Italian (Star Comics), Spanish (Norma Editorial Spain: volume 6 per 2009.02.23)

3. Detektif Conan (Meitantei Conan) 60 of 71+ by Aoyama Gosho

Meitantei Conan 「名探偵コナン」 by Aoyama Gosho Shogakukan Shonen Sunday, shounen Volume 60 first published in Japan 2008.01

Volume 60 chapters:
620. The Vanished Blunt Weapon
621. Eisuke's Confession
622. Red, White, and Yellow
623. Kuroshiro-kun
624. New Neighbor
625. Hammer Man
626. Delivered Malice
627. The Hammer Man's True Identity
628. Coffee of Murderous Intent
629. Impossible Crime
630. The Bitter Truth
*NOT Elex's/Shonen Star's titles

Awards
Best Shounen Manga, 46th Shogakukan Manga Awards (tied with Nishimori Hiroyuki's Cheeky Angel)

Other languages/serializations
Indonesian Shonen Star (ongoing)
English Case Closed (VIZ Media: 37 volumes per 2011.01 • volume 38 street date: 2011.04.12), French and Dutch (Kana; French Détective Conan Tome 64 ships 2011.04.01), Spanish (Planeta DeAgostini Comics Spain), German and Swedish (Egmont). simplified Chinese (Chuang Yi: 名侦探柯南 #70 per 2011.02)

Adaptations
Ongoing anime (episode 608 aired 2011.03.05), starring seiyuu Takayama Minami (Edogawa Conan) and Yamazaki Wakana (Mori Ran). At least 14 OAVs, 14 animated films, and two live-action TV drama, the prequel Detective Conan: Shinichi Kudo's Written Challenge - The Good-bye Prologue (starring Oguri Shun as Kudo Shinichi and Kurokawa Tomoka as Ran) and the follow-up Shinichi Kudo Returns! Showdown with the Black Organization (Fujisaki Nao as Conan), have been produced.

4. Ghost's Doctor (Youkai no Oisha-san) 2 of 15+ by Sato Yuki

Youkai no Oisha-san 「妖怪のお医者さん」 by Sato Yuki Kodansha Magazine Special, Shonen Sirius and Weekly Shonen Magazine, shounen Volume 2 first published in Japan 2007.08

Other languages/serializations
Serialized in the Indonesian Shonen Magz (ongoing)
English Yokai Doctor (Del Rey: three volumes per 2009.08)

5. Ghost Hunt 12 of 12 by Inada Shiho & Ono Fuyumi [Finale]

Ghost Hunt 「ゴーストハント」 by Inada Shiho & Ono Fuyumi Kodansha Nakayoshi, shoujo Volume 12 first published in Japan 2010.09

Related
Based on the Akuryou Series (悪霊シリーズ) light novels by Ono Fuyumi, which were first adapted into radio drama in 1997 before the manga began (partial) serialization in Nakayoshi.

Other languages
English Ghost Hunt (Del Rey: 11 volumes per 2010.11.23)

Adaptations
A 25-episode anime produced by J.C. Staff aired from October 2006 through March 2007 in Japan. Seiyuu Nazuka Kaori and Tai Yuuki voiced Taniyama Mai and Naru respectively. The anime voice talents differed from the earlier-released 4-volume drama CD which starred Miyamura Yuuko as Mai and Okano Kousuke (Yasuhara Osamu in the Ghost Hunt anime) as Naru.

6. Godhand Teru 31 of 56+ by Yamamoto Kazuki

GodHand Teru 「ゴッドハンド輝」 by Yamamoto Kazuki Kodansha Weekly Shonen Magazine, shounen Volume 31 first published in Japan 2006.10

Awards/Recognitions
Nominee, the first Keitai Comic Taishō/Mobile Phone Comic Award (along with Ghost Sweeper Mikami by Shiina Takashi, Itazura na Kiss by Tada Kaoru, The Drops of God by Agi Tadashi and 16 other manga titles)

Other languages
Traditional Chinese (Tong Li Taiwan 天生妙手 vol. 53 per 2010.11)

Related
Godhand Teru novel by Yamamoto Kazuki (15 volumes per 2009.01)

Adaptations
Live-action adaptation starring Hiraoka Yuta (Mahigashi Teru) aired on TBS from 11 April to 16 May 2009.

7. [Series Premiere] Inazuma Eleven 1 of 8+ by Yabuno Tenya

Inazuma Eleven 「イナズマイレブン」 by Yabuno Tenya Shogakukan Corocoro Comic, shounen Volume 1 first published in Japan 2008.09

Awards
Best Children's Manga, 34th Kodansha Manga Awards (2010)

Related
Based on the Nintendo DS game of the same name, from which an anime was also adapted (premiered 2008.10.05, ongoing).

8. K-ON! 4 of 4+ by Kakifly

K-ON! 「けいおん！」 by Kakifly Houbunsha Manga Time Kirara, Manga Time Kirara Carat (since 2008.10), Manga Time Kirara Forward, seinen Volume 4 first published in Japan 2010.09 On hiatus at volume 4; Manga Time Kirara relaunch: Spring 2011 schedule

Other languages
English K-ON! (Yen Press: one volume per 2010.11; volume 2 street date: 2011.03.29), traditional Chinese (Sharp Point Press Taiwan)

Adaptations
The Kyoto Animation anime adaptation, starring seiyuu Toyosaki Aki (Hirasawa Yui), Satou Satomi (Tainaka Ritsu), Hikasa Yōko (Akiyama Mio) and Kotobuki Minako (Kotobuki Tsumugi), aired in Japan from April to June 2009; additional OVA episodes released with the DVD and BD volumes on 20 January 2010 and 16 March 2011; and a second K-ON!! season aired between April and September 2010. An anime movie has been announced.

9. Palette of 12 Secret Colors (Juuni Hizoku no Palette) 3 of 6 by Kusakawa Nari

Juuni Hizoku no Palette 「十二秘色のパレット」 by Kusakawa Nari Hakusensha LaLa DX, shoujo Volume 3 first published in Japan 2006.06

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

10. Pandora Hearts 13 of 14+ by Mochizuki Jun

Pandora Hearts 「Ｐａｎｄｏｒａ　Ｈｅａｒｔｓ」 by Mochizuki Jun Square Enix GFantasy, shounen Volume 13 (Retrace L-LIII) first published in Japan 2010.11

Other languages
English Pandora Hearts (Broccoli Books (dropped) and Yen Press: four volumes per 2011.01 • volume 5 street date: 2011.04.26), French (Ki-oon: Tome 6 per 2011.03.10) and traditional Chinese (Sharp Point Press Taiwan: 潘朵拉之心 12 released 2010.12)

Adaptations
A 25-episode XEBEC anime adaptation starring seiyuu Minagawa Junko (Oz Vessalius), Kawasumi Ayako (Alice) and Toriumi Kousuke (Raven) that aired in Japan from April to September 2009 and a Pandora Hearts Drama CD released by Frontier works in December 2007

The first Pandora Hearts ~Caucus race~ novel is scheduled for a 2011.03.26 release.

Related
Pandora Hearts Official Guide 8.5 mine of mine guide book (2009.03) and Pandora Hearts Official Animation Guide and the 望月 淳 画集　Pandora Hearts～odds and ends～ artbook (both released 2009.09).

11. SORA - The Wingless Duck (Ahiru no Sora) 19 of 31+ by Hinata Takeshi

Ahiru no Sora 「あひるの空」 by Hinata Takeshi Kodansha Weekly Shonen Magazine, shounen Volume 19 first published in Japan 2008.03

Other languages
Traditional Chinese (Tong Li) and simplified Chinese (Chuang Yi: 篮球小子 。空 #29 released 2011.02)

12. [Series Premiere] Vinland Saga 1 of 10+ by Yukimura Makoto

Vinland Saga 「ヴィンランド・サガ」 by Yukimura Makoto Kodansha Afternoon (initially in Weekly Shonen Magazine), shounen/seinen Volume 1 first published in Japan 2006.08

Volume 1 chapters:
1. Normanni
2. Somewhere Not Here
3. The End Beyond the Sea
4. Unbroken Chains
Extra: Viking Girl Ylfa's Dauntless Exploits
*NOT the Indonesian Shonen Magz chapter titles

Awards
Nominee, 2008 Manga Taisho award and Grand Prize winner, Manga division, Japan Media Arts awards

Other languages/serializations
Indonesian Shonen Magz (ongoing serialization)
French (Kurokawa: Tome 9 shipped 2011.03.10), Italian (Star Comics), traditional Chinese 海盜戰記 (Tong Li Taiwan)

13. Wild Life 14 of 27 by Fujisaki Masato

Wild Life 「ワイルドライフ」 by Fujisaki Masato Shogakukan Shonen Sunday, shounen Volume 14 (chapters 114-122) first published in Japan 2005.09

Serializations
Indonesian Shonen Star (ongoing)

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

¹ Sources: Elex STO 16 March 2011 (release schedule) and Komikologi and/or Gramedia Shop (synopses, unless indicated otherwise)
² Manga are priced at IDR 16,500 each, except Culdcept 2 (SRP: IDR 18,500).
³ Links like this are commercial Amazon search and/or product links (other language versions).

Ciuman Dewa 3 of 8+ by Suzuki Julietta

New-fledged goddess Nanami starts to feel that Tomoe's attention transcends that of a guardian familiar for his deity. To pleasantly surprise Tomoe, Nanami borrows a kimono for the swamp princess Himemiko's party. To Nanami's chagrin, Tomoe's reaction is #$%^&*@!?, which leads her later into another animal rescue and an engagement with...a white snake?!

Wild Life 14 of 27 by Fujisaki Masato

Fish go missing at the newly-opened Yamakawa aquarium and after some snooping, it turns out that the perp is none other than a sashimi-lurvin' octopus.

To teach Greedy Tentacles a lesson, a crab bait, dosed with tyramine, is placed on the octopus' plate, the catecholamine (dopamine, norepinephrine (noradrenaline), epinephrine (adrenaline) releasing agent successfully immobilizing the tako.

I don't suppose this critter is meant for a future takoyaki fest, is it?

The rest of the ongoing series

• Culdcept 2 by Kaneko Shinya and OMIYA Soft: The Elf nation, a country of warriors and their dragons, survived the War of the Gods largely due to the speed with which its forces confound the enemy. Apparently, the remnants of the Elf nation now live as recluses, reluctant to ever advance to the front lines again.
• Godhand Teru 31 by Yamamoto Kazuki: Teru finally becomes a senior and his first task is to guide a young trainee surgeon. Initially elated, Teru soon finds his new responsibility a challenge at best. His trainee pales at the sight of blood. What is Teru supposed to do now?
• K-On! 4 by Kakifly: Three years have passed for Yui and friends, which means soon they will be graduating — also from the light music club. But even with commencement exercises on the horizon, Ritsu and Yui still struggle with their next to not sterling grades and higher education choices. Meanwhile, the light music club still hasn't been able to recruit new members. Does this mean that from next year on, Azusa will be alone?
• Palette of 12 Secret Colors 3 by Kusakawa Nari: Feeling sorry for partner-less palette Fenne, Cello offers to help source out a possible bird. The pair eyes a black bird from a newly-migrated flock, but weaning the bird proves problematic.

Also, the return of Hinata Takeshi's SORA - The Wingless Duck, the volume 19 summary simply stating: I came back for my own sake (talk about a masterpiece of apropos) and Ghost's Doctor 2, the back cover blurb reading like a quarter-column free talk (see below):

My name is Yuki Sato. The second book is already published... how fast time flies. Talking about time, lately, whenever I'm pressed for it, I relax at home in Kyushu. During summer, lots of black caterpillars get stuck to the house walls and mom uses chopsticks to pluck them off and dump them into an empty can...

UP NEXT: Level Comics and m&c! 16 March 2011 manga

Level Comics: xxxHOLiC 12 · The Drops of God 3 · X Blade 1 by Ida Tatsuhiko & Shiki Satoshi · The Fugitive Lawyer Makoto Narita 4 · Psychometrist Eiji 19 · Angel Heart 5 · Love Affair 7 · Strange Tales of Tokyo 4 of 4 · Boule & Bill - Bwoufallo, Bill?

m&c!: Electric Daisy 7 · Alive 21 of 21 · Pure Love Kamikaze Captain 13 of 13 · Born To Cook 7 · Long Hu Men - Next Level 1 by Tony Wong · My Egoist Teacher by Shiiba Nana · Secret 5

Iamque opus exegi,
~niki DBA 30uɐlnɯɐnɥ (花木蘭03)
Mistress of Adoxography

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Technorati tags

Elex Media · manga · shoujo · shounen · seinen · Ciuman Dewa (Kamisama Hajimemashita) · Culdcept · Detektif Conan · Ghost's Doctor · Ghost Hunt · Godhand Teru · Inazuma Eleven · K-ON! · Palette of 12 Secret Colors (Juuni Hizoku no Palette) · Pandora Hearts · SORA - The Wingless Duck (Ahiru no Sora) · Vinland Saga · Wild Life

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