Be back later to replace reference JP covers with Level's (when they're available.) «Done. Also added Level's synopses.
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. Then vampire hunter Kuroe is assigned to guard Misaki, left to fend for herself by her father. Vampires prey on Misaki on orders from an old blood. Can Kuroe keep Misaki safe?
The key thing to the “London Waltz” arc 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)
- Blood Alone vol 4 of 7+ by Takano Masayuki
- Haruka 17 vol 15 of 19 by Yamazaki Sayaka
- Karakuri Circus vol 8 of 43 by Fujita Kazuhiro
- Magister Negi Magi (Mahou Sensei Negima!) vol 29 of 36+ by Akamatsu Ken
- New Comic Bomber (Shin Hoero Pen) vol 9 of 11 by Shimamoto Kazuhiko
- Officer Monju (Seigi Keikan Monju) vol 11 of 12 by Miyashita Hiroki
- Ranko The Governor (Chiji Ranko) vol 2 of 4 by Takahashi Noboru
- Red River (Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori) vol 12 of 28 by Shinohara Chie
- Sky of Love (Koizora: Setsunai Koi Monogatari) vol 9 of 10 by Haneda Ibuki, Mika
- Until Death Do Us Part (Shi ga Futari wo Wakatsu Made) vol 10 of 16+ by Takashige Hiroshi & DOUBLE-S
- xxxHOLiC vol 15 of 19 by CLAMP
 | Haruka 17 「はるか１７」 by Yamazaki Sayaka |
Adaptations
A 10-episode live-action drama starring Hirayama Aya (Miyamae Haruka) aired on TV Asahi from July to September 2005.
 | Karakuri Circus 「からくりサーカス」 |
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)
 | Mahou Sensei Negima! 「魔法先生ネギま！」 |
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)
 | Shin Hoero Pen 「新吼えろペン」 |
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)
 | Seigi Keikan Monju 「正義警官モンジュ」 |
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)
 | Chiji Ranko 「知事ラン子」 |
 | Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori |
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).
 | 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 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)
 | xxxHOLiC 「×××ＨＯＬｉＣ」 by CLAMP |
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)
- Life Existence, Vols. 1–3 of 3 by Fukumoto Nobuyuki, Kawaguchi Kaiji (Seizon - Life) –Complete– [IDR 27,000/set]
- Miso-Com, Vols. 1–5 (of 13+) by Yonezawa Rika (30 Kon Miso-com) [IDR 45,000/set]
- Zipang, Vols 1–6 (of 43) by Kawaguchi Kaiji [IDR 54,000/set]
*Volume tallies represent volume totals in country of origin, which may not coincide with Level Comic' latest releases. Level's most recent volume for Miso-Com is volume 12 (2011.11.02 street date), while Zipang's is volume 11 (2012.01.18).
¹ Sources: Elex STO 30 January - 1 February 2012 (release schedule) and Komikologi and/or Gramedia Shop (synopses and artwork, unless indicated otherwise).
² All manga retail for IDR 18,500 each except Haruka 17 vol 15 and Until Death Do Us Part 10 (IDR 19,500). Value set SRPs indicated beside their respective entries.
³ Links like this are commercial Amazon search and/or product links (other language versions).
Featured ongoing series
Magister Negi Magi vol 29 of 36+
By Akamatsu Ken
The 3-A students Pal forces into pactios panic, from Natsumi who struggles to avoid Kotaro, to Gu Fei who challenges Negi in single combat if he wants to form a pactio with her, to Chachamaru who despairs over her soul or lack thereof. Meanwhile, Kurt Godel allows Negi a peek into his parents' murky past...
Magister Negi Magi volume 29 collects chapters 259 to 267: Outburst!? The Top Elites of the Magical World do Battle!,
Top Battle & Top Class Dance ♥,
Smooch Smooch Carnival ♥,
Smooch Smooch Carnival ♥ Episode 2,
Smooch Smooch Carnival ♥ Episode 3,
The Door of Truth!!,
Encroachment of Darkness!,
Facing the Truth!
and Tale of a Father and a Mother's Fate.
[*NOT Level's chapter titles]
Thirty-six Mahou Sensei Negima tankou have been compiled in Japan as of November 2011. Volume 37 streets 17 February 2012.
Until Death Do Us Part vol 10 of 16+
by Takashige Hiroshi & DOUBLE-S
Ibuki Dai explodes over Mamoru going MIA and challenges his co-Blade member to a duel. Using Dai's special motorbike, of course. The Element Network also resists letting Mamoru's insubordination go unpunished. As Mamoru is besieged from all sides, Element Network manager Daiba Tatsumi pressures Haruka into accepting an onerous assignment. What does Daiba Tatsumi want from Haruka?
Sixteen Shi ga Futari wo Wakatsu Made tankou have been published in Japan as of 25 January 2012.
Other 1 February 2012 highlights
- Haruka 17 vol 15 by Yamazaki Sayaka: After Haruka's Hollywood audition, Fine Pro finds itself increasingly scrapping with rival agency Get On, whose strategy seems to comprise pirating Fine Pro's rising stars. Boss Yukiaki's worsening health also exacerbates the talent agency's problems, causing Haruka to lose out on showbiz opportunities. Can Haruka overturn the situation? And what about her Hollywood audition?
- Karakuri Circus vol 8 by Fujita Kazuhiro: Narumi returns! Narumi, who sacrificed himself to protect Masaru, apparently survived, but doesn't remember either Masaru or Shirogane. Guy, the one person privy to Narumi's past, reveals the face of the enemy, the Automatons, plunging Narumi back into a cruel fate, memories or no.
- New Comic Bomber vol 9 by Shimamoto Kazuhiko: Editor Kikkumi once again pressures Hono-sensei into agreeing to a "dangerous" book-signing. But talk about an anticlimax: on D-Day, only a handful of people queue up for Hono-sensei's autograph. The artist's dejection amplifies when a fellow manga-ka, holding a similar signing event, ridicules Hono. But, hey, what's this...!?
- Officer Monju vol 11 by Miyashita Hiroki: Shino gets into an accident at home and is knocked out. When she comes to, she suffers memory loss. Can Monju and Junpei help?
- Ranko the Governor vol 2 by Takahashi Noboru: Ranko finds an imposing rival in the equally young and beautiful Ubukata Konatsu. Their only difference — Konatsu targets becoming Japan's first woman prime minister, and her first step on the chief executive ladder is to sideline Ranko. When Konatsu's bid to shame Ranko on a televised debate fails, she challenges her opponent on the racetrack, counting on an easy victory as Ranko has never once ridden a horse.
- Red River vol 12 by Shinohara Chie: Prince Kail is crowned the Hittite king, and his coronation firms up Yuri's resolve to bury her feelings for him. She commits to returning to Japan when Ishtar rises six months hence. But war breaks out, and with an invasion from the east and west, from Egypt and Arzawa, looming, what choice does Kail have but to agree to Yuri's offer to lead half the Hittite troops into battle against Arzawa while Kail takes care of the Egyptians? [Additions from Wikipedia]
- Sky of Love vol 9 by Haneda Ibuki, Mika: Will cancer separate newly-weds Mika and Hiro forever? Or does a miracle await?
Still not enuf? Here are the other 1 February 2012 manga and manhwa
Elex Media: Kekkaishi 12 · V.B. Rose 9 · Piano Hutan 20 · 19 Nineteen by Inoue Yumiko, Han KyungMi · Dodge Fighters 10 of 10 | [Paket] Value sets: Ouran High School Host Club Vols. 1–8 · Maria Holic Vols. 1–3 · Golden Days Vols. 1–8 of 8 · English School Wars Vols. 1–2 of 2 · Hell Girl Vols. 1–9 of 9 · Kämpfer Vols. 1–2 · Legend of Nereid, Vols. 1–10 · Mixim 11 Vols. 1–2
Note: Possibility of Ouran High School Host Club Vols. 1–8 and Hell Girl Vols. 1–9 postponement to 2012.02.22
m&c!: Goong [Palace Story] 23 · Next To You 5 · My Kingdom 4 · Idol's Love Story 11 · Long Hu Men: The Next Battle 5
Iamque opus exegi,
~Niki C. 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
Baka-Updates Manga · 7net Shopping · Amazon Japan · Wikipedia · ANN · Angelzon.com (selected covers)
Blood Alone 「ＢＬＯＯＤ 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 CDs—BLOOD 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.