Hey gang, it’s that time again! Time for me to sit down with the new Diamond Previews catalog and dig up some of the best manga titles the current month has to offer. It’s a bit slow this month, with smaller than usual offerings from big publishers Dark Horse and Viz Media, but there are still some gems to be found. All quoted product descriptions are from Previews unless otherwise noted.
From Dark Horse Comics:
Oh My Goddess! volume 17, by Kosuke Fujishima. “Peorth returns to Earth to try to reverse the slowdown of universal time at its source – the demon boywhose mysterious obsession with a goddess is literally bringing the world to a halt! What is the secret of his link with Belldandy – a link Belldandy is not allowed to remember?” February 2011, $11.99.
The Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service volume 12, by Eiji Otsuka, with art by Housui Yamazaki. “Second Death! Two bodies found in the woods – one not quite departed, the other horribly mutilated – lead the Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service to investigate a private online community. The virtual world offers you the chance to do all kinds of things in simulation that you couldn’t do in life…but are you sure everyone playing is still alive?” February 2011, $11.99.
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From Digital Manga Publishing:
Vampire Hunter D volume 5, by Saiko Takaki. “In a world where even the smallest and most remote village is being terrorized by the monsters that stalk the night, there is a hamlet, prosperous and peaceful, where mortals and vampires have lived in peace for years. It is there that sleeping beauty, Sheavil Schmidt has slept, neither waking nor aging, for thirty years since first receiving the vampire’s immortal kiss. The mysterious Vampire Hunter D is lured to the tranquil oasis by recurrent dreams of the beautiful, undying girl bathed in an eerie blue light and dancing in a ghostly chateau.” December 2010, $13.95.
The Spiral of Sand, by Yuna Aoi. “On the very same evening that his little sister and best friend are married, Haruka is assaulted by a mysterious, scarred man who swears vengeance for a past wrong that he claims to have suffered thanks to Haruka’s family! Can Haruka nail down the stranger’s identity in time to save his own skin…or will his hunt for answers send him spiraling into a vortex of pain and suffering?” December 2010, $12.95.
Yokan: Noise vol. 2, by Makoto Tateno. “Akira is a lead vocalist of a popular band called CHARON. Hiroya Sunaga was a singer once before but he left the music scene to pursue [an] acting career. But he realizes that his first love is music. He makes a decision to abandon his acting career and come back to [the] music business and joins a legendary band called NUNE as a lead vocalist. Akira and Hiroya are rivalry-friends. They love each other and they respect each other but rivalries always seem to get in their way. They are trying to make this relationship work but can they put their ego and talent aside?” December 2010, $12.95.
From Kodansha America:
Hagakure: The Code of the Samurai, by Yamamoto Tsunetomo, adapted by Sean Michael Wilson, art by Chie Kutsuwada. “Based on William Scott Wilson’s definitive translation of the bestselling samurai classic, Hagakure, adapted by scriptwriter and comic book/manga author Sean Wilson, and with illustrations from Chie Kutsuwada, this first-ever graphic treatment of the most influential of all samurai treatises is sure to delight manga fans, martial arts enthusiasts, and students of Japanese culture. Hagakure is a collection of tales and anecdotes that offer instruction and insight into the philosophy and code of behavior that foster the true spirit of bushido, the ‘Way of the Warrior.'” January 2011, $14.95. Considering picking this up, but haven’t quite convinced myself.
From Kodansha Comics:
Akira volume 5, by Katsuhiro Otomo. “Regarded by many as the finest work o f graphic fiction ever produced, Akira is a bold and breathtaking epic of potent narrative strength and astonishing illustrative skill. The lives of two streetwise teenage friends, Tetsuo and Kaneda, change forever when dormant paranormal abilities begin to waken in Tetsuo, who becomes a target for a shadowy government operation, a group who will stop at nothing to prevent another catastrophe like that which leveled Tokyo.” January 2011, $27.99.
From TOKYOPOP:
AiON volume 1, by Yuna Kagesaki. “Tatsuya Tsugawa loses his wealthy parents in the middle of high school. Trying to fulfill his father’s dying wish of becoming an upstanding young man, Tatsuya attempts to save a girl from obsessive bullies only to be consumed with intrigue and slight obsession himself. But what will Tatsuya do when his good will and earnest efforts lead him into a twisted fantasy world infested with mermaids and mind-controlling parasites?” December 2010, $10.99.
The Secret Notes of Lady Kanoko volume 1, by Tsujita Ririko. “Lady Kanoko likes to watch…her classmates, that is! While she may not possess the best social skills, Kanoko considers herself to be a consummate observer, so much so that she diligently maintains a journal, chronicling the various dramas and misadventures of her schoolmates. But what will happen when this member of the ‘audience’ finds herself at center stage?!” December 2010, $10.99
From Vertical Inc.:
Chi’s Sweet Home volume 4, by Kanata Konami. “Yohei’s parents are looking for a new home for their kids. Chi is moving to a new address; someplace where cats can play to their heart’s content without having to worry about nosey managers and mean hungry bully cats. While the Yamada’s can handle changing their environment now and then, for a kitten their home means much more than just a place to sleep in. When the old apartment starts to disappear, suddenly Chi starts losing all of her favorite toys and her nap spots.” December 2010, $13.95.
Peepo Choo volume 3, by Felipe Smith. “Milton and Reiko begin to develop their own dialog. Milton has begun to understand that there is much more to appreciate about Japanese culture than he imagined, and Reiko’s views on American people have also begun to change. The future has many options for these two. So when they part ways at the end of this trip, one has to wonder – will they ever see each other’s home the same way again?” December 2010, $12.95.
Twin Spica volume 5, by Kou Yaginuma. “Thirteen-year-old Asumi lives in Japan in 2024 as the country’s space program is resurrecting itself in the wake of a launch tragedy 10 years earlier, and Asumi aims to be among the first wave of young astronauts to take Japan into the stars. Raised by her construction worker father, Asumi is the apple of her dad’s eye and he will do everything in his working-class power to make her dream of attending the Tokyo Space School come true.” January 2011, $10.95.
From Viz Media:
Vampire Knight Box Set, by Matsuri Hino. This is a box set collection of the first ten volumes of the series, which covers all current volumes out in America. Great for those thinking about getting into the series. Also includes a 2011 themed day planner. It’s convenient, but at $99.99, it’s not really saving you much money comparatively (it’s actually more expensive, though just barely, as the first seven volumes were $8.99). Unless you buy it on Amazon.com, where it’s currently (as of Oct. 2) an outstanding $62.99. Out November 2010.
Natsume’s Book of Friends, vol. 5, by Yuki Midorikawa. “Takashi thinks he’s found a balance between yokai and friends when he goes with a group of classmates to a country inn for a marathon cram session before school starts again. But even the prosaic threat of homework can’t keep the ‘other world’ at bay.” January 2011, $9.99.
Sand Chronicles, vol. 10, by Hinako Ashihara (final volume). “Daigo digs up the time capsule he buried twenty years ago when he was only ten. What message did Daigo leave for his future self? And what does it take to live life fully and without regret?” January 2011, $9.99.
InuYasha, vol. 56, by Rumiko Takahashi (final volume). “The demon Naraku’s true intentions are finally revealed! Then, Kagome is swallowed up by the Meido. Is she finally beyond her friends’ reach? And will the final battle over the Shikon Jewel draw Inuyasha and Kagome together…or pull them apart forever?!” January 2011, $9.99.
Afterschool Charisma, vol. 2, by Kumiko Suekane. Yay, finally! I rather like this one. “St. Kleio Academy is a very exclusive school. To enroll, a student must be the clone of a famous historical figure. Wolfgang Mozart, Queen Elizabeth, Sigmund Freud, Marie Curie, Adolf Hitler – with such a combustible student body, it’s only a matter of time before the campus explodes!” January 2011, $12.99.
Shaman King, vol. 32, by Hiroyuki Takei (final volume). “After all these years and all the hard work, Yoh and his gang have finally reached the end of the line. Who will be crowned the next Shaman King, and who will go home in defeat? Get ready for the ultimate pulse-pounding Shaman King battle royale!” January 2011, $9.99.
From Yen Press:
Yotsuba & ! volume 9, by Kiyohiko Azuma. “Enjoy Everything! That’s Yotsuba’s motto! A little green haired girl delights in enjoying the things that the rest of us tend to take for granted. So you know how Ena has a stuffed bear named Juliet? She’s so pretty, and Ena makes dresses for her and stuff and Yotsuba really wants one too! So daddy took Yotsuba to the bear store! They have big bears and little bears, and all kinds of bears! You have to hug’em to find out which one’s the bestest! But they’re zal so cute! Does Yotsuba really have to pick just one?” December 2010, $10.99.
Spice and Wolf volume 3 novel, by Isuna Hasekura. “Having narrowly escaped financial ruin, Lawrence turns his attention to helping Holo find her ancient homeland in the north. But how long can a traveling merchant afford to wander the countryside looking for a village that may have ceased to exist long ago? When a rival merchant sets his sights on Lawrence’s beautiful companion, though, can Lawrence truly be confident enough that Holo will remain by his side?” December 2010, $10.99.
And that’s it for this month! Happy pre-ordering!
For those who come by for my Friday reviews (Bento Bako Bonus), I don’t expect there will be one this week. I got knocked on my ass pretty badly Sunday night by some kind of stomach bug, and I’ve been incapacitated for a couple days being sick and recuperating. So I don’t imagine I’ll have time to get a review done by Friday. That’s not quite 100% for sure; I’ll have to see how I’m feeling. In the meantime, make sure to check out Monday’s review of PSP game Persona 3 Portable.
Kris
kristin@comicattack.net
@girlg33k_Kris
While I was out sick, apparently Del Rey manga shut down. So…no more manga from Del Rey/Random House. Word is Kodansha will pick up some of their titles, but Kodansha’s American track record has been shaky recently, so be disappointed, then be slightly optimistic, and be patient.
Haha, the Hagakure is a tough call since it’s really stupid and insane in a lot of ways. It pretty much amounts to an overly crotchety blog written by a crazy old samurai in exile dedicated to the concept of, ‘You can’t fire me, I quit!!!’
It did have a heavy influence on the romantic notions of so-called Bushido and thus the revisionist propaganda of WW2 era Japan which has it’s ideological tendrils pretty deep in a lot of modern Japanese tropes though, so it’s still worth a look, but don’t expect it to make much sense.
So you being sick has a direct effect on what happens in the manga world?! Stay healthy!! 🙂
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@Jade:
Oh, thanks for that insight! It uh…sounds less interesting, now. 🙂
Though it sounds interesting from a cultural perspective.
@IS:
Yeah, apparently my absence caused part of the manga industry to die off. Whoops.
Ohoh, Kate actually posted a recent press release about the Del Rey thing. Kodansha will be working with Random House directly instead of through Del Rey, so while some titles may get dropped, it’s not totally dead, just a trade dress change, for the most part.
Oh, is that what’s going on? I hadn’t really had a chance to look too deeply into it. Thanks for the info! Will have to check out Kate’s article. Very out of the loop this week.