Actually, Sky of Love 3 would've tied with Red River 5 and Cesare 4 for third place, if not for a late-breaking pledge. So as it stands, Sky of Love 3 ties with Oh Butterfly Oh Flower 3 for second place and earns it a spot Above the Cut.
Why the belaboring? I prefer to dwell on how much of a shoujo fangirl/boy's dream this Level release sked is, rather than wonder at what led to skedding Jepang Tenggelam 11 thisclose to the 3.11 devastation and continuing crisis. Still, please continue to pray for Japan and/or help Japan in these heartbreaking times.
Shi ga Futari wo Wakatsu Made © Takashige Hiroshi & DOUBLE-S
Square Enix [Serialized in Young Gangan]
Published in Indonesia as Until Death Do Us Part by Elex Media/Level Comics
To stop Fang from killing Toyama Minori, Mamoru and Haruka rush to the police station, only to run afoul of killer drones. Haruka 'sees' two possible outcomes to the stalemate, both presaging Mamoru's death. [Additions from Ki-oon's Jusqu'à ce que la mort nous sépare tome 5 synopsis]
Of course, Mamoru won't be parting with Haruka yet in Until Death Do Us Part 5; otherwise, his Blind Swordsman Badass-ness wouldn't still be hacking and slashing his way to the next nine tankou. I'm sure the drones' bullet-deflecting hybrid armor
(thanks, Cold Manga × OMFGG Scans) would prove useless against Mamoru's absurdly sharp katana, of the single molecule wide variety.
Still, the *urk* point is How? How does Mamoru elude death? Find out somewhere between chapters 33 and 40 of the edgy volume 5, streeting this Wednesday.
Oh Butterfly Oh Flower 3 of 8 by Yoshihara Yuki
Domoto and Choko officially start dating, but their rabu rabu frays in the face of Jinguji — Domoto's pretty boy childhood pal, Tackey to Domoto's Tsubasa.
Jinguji, also a former Kuze family retainer, bids for Milady Choko's favor; Stop discussing my period!
fed up with Domoto's indelicacy, Choko agrees to a dinner date with Domoto's rival.
I wouldn't worry about Chaa-chan and Choko just yet, but you have to GET! Oh Butterfly Oh Flower 3 for the LOLarious one-upmanship between Domoto and Jinguji over a sick Choko and...suppositories.
Volume 3 compiles chapters 11 through 15: All or nothing, the sprouts of love,
Battler (Butler?) battle,
The two's summer story,
You're my beloved
and Confused butterfly.
(NOT Level's titles; these are Serenus-Dreamers × Aerandria's translations.)
Sky of Love 3 of 10 by Haneda Ibuki, Mika
The loss of their baby brings Hiro and Mika closer to each other. Or so Mika thinks, until Hiro's attitude changes drastically. Around her confusion and pain, Mika struggles to accept Hiro and protect their relationship.
More previews below the manga, manhwa and ROMICs lists.
Level Comics manga and manhwa (2011.03.23)
- 3x3 Eyes 37 of 40 by Takada Yuzo
- Air Gear 20 of 31+ by Oh! great
- Bambino! 10 of 15 by Sekiya Tetsuji
- Cesare: The Creator of Destruction (CESARE: Il Creatore che ha distrutto) 4 of 8+ by Souryo Fuyumi
- Jepang Tenggelam (Nihon Chinbotsu) 11 of 15 by Komatsu Sakyou, Ishiki Tokihiko
- Jio 13 of 19 by Kishimoto Seishi
- Last Inning 9 of 29+ by Nakahara Yu, Kamio Ryu
- Oh Butterfly Oh Flower (Chou yo Hana yo) 3 of 8 by Yoshihara Yuki
- Priest 15 of 16+ by Hyung MinWoo
- Red River (Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori) 5 of 28 by Shinohara Chie
- Sky of Love (Koizora) 3 of 10 by Haneda Ibuki, Mika
- Until Death Do Us Part (Shi ga Futari wo Wakatsu Made) 5 of 14+ by Takashige Hiroshi & DOUBLE-S
- Yokohama Chinatown Fantasy (Kachuu Hana) 4 of 12+ by Nishi Yuuji & Hikino Shinji
- Zenith (Jinasu - Zenith) 6 of 6 by Yoshida Satoshi & Big O [Finale]
 | AirGear 「エア・ギア」 by Oh! great |
Awards
Best Shounen Manga, 2006 Kodansha Manga Awards
Other languages/serializations
English Air Gear (Del Rey: until Volume 15-17 released 2010.08 • Kodansha Comics' volume 18 street date: 2011.06.14), Korean (Haksan), traditional Chinese (Tong Li Taiwan), simplified Chinese (Chuang Yi Singapore: volume 28 per 2010.08), French (Pika Édition tome 26 shipped 2011.03.02), 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 scheduled for 2011.06.17); and a series of musicals
 | Bambino! 「バンビ～ノ！」 by Sekiya Tetsuji |
Awards
Best Seinen/General Manga, 53rd Shogakukan Manga Awards (tied with Kuromaru- & Natsuhara Takeshi's The Black Swindler/Kurosagi)
Related series
Bambino! Secondo (sequel; six volumes per 2011.02.26)
Adaptations
An 11-episode live-action adaptation starring Matsumoto Jun (Shogo Ban) and Kitamura Kazuki (Yonamine Tsukasa/Yona-san) aired on NTV from April to June 2007. The TV series reaped four awards at the 53rd Television Drama Academy Awards: Best Actor (Matsumoto Jun), Supporting Actor (Kazuki Kitamura), Best Director and a Special Award.
 | CESARE: Il Creatore che ha distrutto |
 | Nihon Chinbotsu 「日本沈没」 |
Related
Based on the award-winning disaster novel by Komatsu Sakyou, also adapted into film and live-action TV.
 | Jio 「６６６～サタン～」 by Kishimoto Seishi |
Volume 13 chapters:
49. Figure
50. 1 Hit
51. Light and Dark
52. The Key of Solomon
Other languages
English O-Parts Hunter (VIZ Media: 19 volumes), French (Kurokawa tome 19 released 2008.12) and Italian (JPOP)
 | Last Inning 「ラストイニング」 |
 | Chou yo Hana yo 「蝶よ花よ」 by Yoshihara Yuki |
Other languages
English Butterflies, Flowers (VIZ Media: six volumes per 2011.03.01 • volume 7 street date: 2011.06.07), French (Soleil Ma petite maîtresse tome 8 released 2010.05) and traditional Chinese (Tong Li)
 | Priest 「프리스트」 by Hyung MinWoo |
Other languages
English Priest (TOKYOPOP: 16 volumes), French (Tokebi; 16 volumes), German (Tokyopop Germany), Polish (Kasen Comics), Italian (J POP), Portuguese (Lumus Brazil) and Japanese (Enterbrain Beam comix)
Adaptations
A film adaptation starring Cam Gigandet, Paul Bettany and Maggie Q is expected to premiere on 13 May 2011 in the U.S. (Indonesian screening is scheduled to begin 12 May 2011.)
 | Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori |
Awards
Best Shoujo Manga, 46th Shogakukan Manga Awards (2000)
Other languages
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
天は赤い河のほとり 外伝 魔が時代の黎明 written and illustrated by Shinohara Chie-sensei (2007.05 and 2007.09)
 | Koizora: Setsunai Koi Monogatari |
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.
 | Shi ga Futari wo Wakatsu Made |
Other languages
French (Ki-oon: Jusqu'à ce que la mort nous sépare, tome 12 per 2010.12 • tome 13 ships 2011.05.12), traditional Chinese (Tong Li Taiwan and Jade Dynasty Hong Kong)
 | Kachuu Hana 「華中華」 by Nishi Yuuji & Hikino Shinji |
 | Jinasu - Zenith 「ジナス－ＺＥＮＩＴＨ－」 |
[Release links are hide/unhide. Click for more details.]
Level Comics European comics/BDs (2011.03.23)
- Cubitus - Santai Saja! (Cubitus, tome 39: Tu te la coules douce...) by Dupa
- Smurf - Smurf Terbang (L'aéroschtroumpf, tome 14) by Peyo
¹ Sources: Elex STO 23 March 2011 (release schedule) and Komikologi and/or Gramedia Shop (synopses, unless indicated otherwise)
² GN are priced at IDR 18,500 each, except Until Death Do Us Part 5, Cesare 4, Yokohama Chinatown Fantasy 4 and 3x3 Eyes 37 (SRP: IDR 19,500). The Smurf - Smurf Terbang and Cubitus - Santai Saja! ROMICs retail for IDR 30,000/volume.
³ Links like this are commercial Amazon search and/or product links (other language versions).
Featured series
Cesare 4 of 8+ by Souryo Fuyumi
A fire breaks out at a factory construction, allegedly the work of Dominican monks according to Angelo's testimony. Cesare doubts the order had anything to do with the incident and decides to probe further. And while Firenze remains relatively calm, Cesare brings Giovanni and Archbishop Raffaele to the discussion table, as part of a plan to reconcile the Medici clan with the Archbishop of Pisa.
Red River 5 of 28 by Shinohara Chie
Kail's strategy to retake Malatya proceeds according to the prince's timetable, but a traitor within the Hittite ranks begins to move. Prince Kail eventually uncovers the infiltration and remobilizes his troops.
Wikipedia adds that Yuri is captured by the Mitanni and stands on trial as a goddess impostor. Can Yuri prove to the Mitanni people that she is Ishtar's avatar?
Zenith 6 of 6 by Yoshida Satoshi & Big O
The mystery of Zenith is finally solved, and humanity's salvation ship readies for departure. What of the fate of the silver-haired mystery man?
The rest of the ongoing series
- 3x3 Eyes 37 by Takada Yuzo: As Yakumo and Pai try to explain the real situation to the world's leaders, Kaiyanwan remotely attacks Yakumo, and Yoko and Benares' underlings attempt to take Pai and Kali. Only Reverse Hahn stands between Pai and Kali and their potential captors.
- Air Gear 20 by Oh! great: The Hakurokai strategy pins down Kogarasumaru, prompting Ikki to follow Onigiri's suggestion to use 'Osu!'. The tactic works, and Hakurokai's game is effectively disrupted, that is, until Tool Toul To emerges under Kururu's command.
- Bambino! 10 by Sekiya Tetsuji: Ten months of hard work down the line, Ban now counts “chef” and “Katori's assistant” in his culinary creds. But Ban's stint in dolce, preparation of which requires painstaking care, takes its toll on Ban's speed. Katori, annoyed with Ban's slowness, douses his assistant with hot water. What will happen to Ban now?
- Jepang Tenggelam 11 by Komatsu Sakyou, Ishiki Tokihiko: Amnesiac Toshio mistakenly believes his name is Onoda. Now he lives for Mako, his “savior.” Meanwhile, D Project presses upon him to help with evacuation efforts. Will Onoda acquiesce? Or remember his true identity?
- Jio 13 by Kishimoto Seishi: Jio and friends finally learn that the ruler of Rock Bird City, Icaros, is actually Beelzebub. To defeat the demon, Jio manifests Satan. The transformation, however, proves double-edged, as Jio must simultaneously prevent a takeover.
- Last Inning 9 by Nakahara Yu, Kamio Ryu: Saigaku advances easily in the autumn prefectural tournament, but to the team's dismay, its next opponent turns out to be dark horse Yumeikan High from Chichibu. Can Keisuke lead Saigaku to victory against Yumeikan? And what of Kamifukuoka who unilaterally decides to quit baseball?
- Priest 15 by Hyung MinWoo: Ivan battles his inner darkness in Windtale City, even as misunderstanding over Ashley's death provokes the anger of Mr. Dudley and the town residents. The shadow of death enfolds the city of sinners.
- Yokohama Chinatown Fantasy 4 by Nishi Yuuji & Hikino Shinji: Stamina fly lice? To boost Manten's sales, Nakako leases a shop on the Shonan beachfront. Detailed to shop-sit, Hana meets volleyball athlete Fukao Mika, suffering from competition-level stamina deficiency. Can Hana help build up Fukao's endurance before the next match?
ROMICs: Smurfs and Cubitus
On the bande dessinée side, we get Aerosmurf who constructs a wooden propeller plane to conquer the skies in Peyo's Smurf - Smurf Terbang. Cubitus, meanwhile, tries to trace his pedigree (that includes Chinese ancestors, or so the story goes) in Dupa's Cubitus - Santai Saja!
UP NEXT: m&c! 23 March 2011 manga and manhua
m&c!: Bleach 38 · Meet the Banchou 4 · Goal Den Age 3 of 3 · Blizzard Axel 10 · Go! Hiromi Go! 8 of 8 · The Impeccable Twins Final Chapters 16 · Magical X Miracle 3 · School Crisis by Igarashi Kaoru · The Story of Wang Fenglei 9
Other 23 March 2011 manga
- Elex Media: Absolute Peace Strategy 2 · Red Haired Anne 3 · Topeng Kaca 9 Deluxe · Rockwell the Scarlet Knight 3 of 3 · Shade 1 by Ahn NohEun & CATTY · Tena on S-string 6 · Doraemon 4 · Kariage kun 40 · Otoboke Section Chief 9 · Mystery Bride 1 by Huh KookHwa & Kim SuJin · One Step by Saturday Syndrome · Sweet Recipe 2 of 2 · Nakayoshi Gress! 3/2011 · Shonen Star 5/2011
Iamque opus exegi,
~niki DBA 30uɐlnɯɐnɥ (花木蘭03)
Mistress of Adoxography
disclaimer
Cover images and source summaries used here for reference are © their respective intellectual rights holders. No infringement intended.
other invaluable resources
Wikipedia · Baka-Updates Manga · 7net Shopping · ANN · YES24 · TV Tropes
Technorati tags
Level Comics · manga · manhwa · josei · seinen · shoujo · shounen · 3X3 Eyes · AirGear · Bambino! · Cesare · Jepang Tenggelam (Nihon Chinbotsu) · Jio · Last Inning · Oh Butterfly Oh Flower (Chou yo Hana yo) · Priest · Red River (Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori AKA Anatolia Story) · Sky of Love (Koizora) · Until Death Do Us Part (Shi ga Futari wo Wakatsu Made) · Yokohama Chinatown Fantasy (Kachuu Hana) · Zenith | ROMIC (BD): Cubitus · Smurfs
3×3 EYES 「３×３ＥＹＥＳ」 by Takada Yuzo
Kodansha Weekly Young Magazine, seinen
Volume 37 first published in Japan 2001.10
Other languages
English 3x3 Eyes (Dark Horse Comics; till volume 8), Korean (Young Movie Comics), French (Pika Édition; 40 volumes), Spanish (Planeta DeAgostini Comics; dropped), Italian (Editions Star Comics) and German 3x3 Augen (Carlsen Comics)
Awards
Best Shounen Manga, 1993 Kodansha Manga Awards
Adaptations
Two anime OAVs starring seiyuu Tsujitani Kouji (Fujii Yakumo) and Hayashibara Megumi (Ayanokouji Pai)