Author: Yamila Abraham
Artist: M.A. Sambre
Publisher: Yaoi Press
Rating: Mature (18+)
Released: October 2007
Synopsis: “A gothic and macabre tale of twisted royalty and demonic deities… The nobleman Lowry came to find out why Prince Davon murders boys whose names start with the letter A. He discovers a myriad of royal secrets: incest, demon worship, matricide… but still no answers on why Davon kills. Or why he stops killing when he finds a desperate boy named Aeon.”
Dark Prince is a twisted tale of royalty, reincarnation and skewed sexual desire. The beautiful Prince Davon has for years been killing boys eight years younger than him whose names begin with the letter A. His Father wishes him to be King over his stepbrother so a nobleman named Lowry is asked to investigate and discover the secrets behind Prince Davon’s murderous deeds.
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Part three of my opinions of manga publishers. Today it’s yaoi publishers: DMP, 801Media, BLU and Yaoi Press.
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Manga-ka: Chica Umino
Publisher: Viz
Rating: Older Teen (16+)
Released: March 2008
Synopsis:
“Takamoto, a sophomore art student in Tokyo, thinks his greatest worries in life are finding ways to eat more meat and getting to class on time. But with friends like this, life never going to be that tame. Love triangles – Who says you don’t learn math in art school?”
Honey and Clover follows the lives and trials of numerous college students. The main cast of characters consists of Takamoto and fellow art students living together in a cheap housing unit. Their yearn for a break from their everyday noodle dinners and deal with lots of believable problems that many readers can no doubt relate to.
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Manga-ka: Natsumi Mukai
Publisher: Tokyopop
Rating: Teen (13+)
Released: May 2006
Synopsis:
“In this alternate universe, +Anima walk among us – shunned by society – as they search for others who have similar traits. Cooro is a crow-like boy who is on a quest to find other +Anima. When he meets Husky, a disrespectful boy with a past shrouded in mystery, he finds a kindred spirit who also possesses animal-like powers. Together, they try to gain acceptance in a world cruel to anyone or anything that is different.”
One last leftover from last week’s Animal people theme! +Anima is a series that introduces us to a fantasy world where there exist ‘creatures’ of the series’ name: +Anima. +Anima are people who have animal like qualities and some of their associated powers. For example, the lead character in the story is Cooro, a sweet little crow boy who can fly about with his dark feathered wings. In this first volume he befriends Husky, a pretty little boy who is able to turn into part fish when in the water. Unfortunately +Anima are often shunned or feared for being different, and thus it’s the search for friendship and acceptance that’s the core of this series.
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My condolences and wishes today go to the friends and family of Michael Turner, who passed away from cancer yesterday night. He was only 37 years old.
Michael Turner has become of the most iconic men in the comic industry. With his numerous popular series from Witchblade to Soulfire, and his gorgeous artwork which often protrayed not only his own characters but hundreds of others for Marvel and DC, his work can be seen just about anywhere. His eight year battle of cancer was a journey he went through with courage and dignity.
Michael Turner was one of my favourite artists and one of my greatest sources of inspiration, on not only how to be a great artist but a great person as well. He was such a strong and talented individual and he will be greatly missed by many.
Author: Yamila Abraham
Artists: Le Peruggine
Publisher: Yaoi Press
Rating: Mature (18+)
Released: February 2008
Synopsis: “The tension is building between the weakening monk Hakuin and his amorous demon partner. They visit the home of the incubus, Figaru. Figaru’s master takes Hakuin on an ultimately futile mission. Now the Winter Demon Fuyu needs help to rescue Hakuin. His only hope is an ailing incubus who must mate to renew his powers. Just how far will Fuyu go for his beloved monk?”
The travels of the demon Fuyu and the monk Hakuin continue in volume three of Winter Demon. Souls of demons they defeated are leaking from the weapon they’re trapped in, so the pair head to the home of the weapon’s creator to find a way to fix the problem. But things aren’t as simple as that with a dangerous journey up a mountain to be had and the incubus Figaru whose unfulfilled lust is becoming life threatening.
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Manga-ka: Kazuya Minekura
Publisher: Tokyopop
Rating: Mature (18+)
Released: June 2008
Synopsis: “Pursued by rival yakuza factions and linked to the mysterious and dangerous drug, ‘Wild Adapter’, Kubota and Tokito have formed a relationship where they trust no one but each other. How did the strange bond between a young man who cares nothing but himself and a stray with a monstrous right hand come to pass? Finally the year between volumes one and two is revealed and we learn what happened after Kubota picked up his little “stray cat” off the street.”
It’s the volume we’ve been waiting for as the gap between where books one to four occur and the fateful first meeting of Kubota and Tokito is finally filled in. After finding the unconscious Tokito in an alleyway, Kubota takes him home and soon discovers that the boy has no memories and is clearly connected to the WA drug that’s been plaguing the streets.
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Today it’s part two of my little manga publisher look-ats. Part two shares my thoughts on Dark Horse, Seven Seas, Yen Press and ADV Manga. See here for part one.
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Due to my current state of being buried up to the nose with backlogged reviews waiting to see cyberspace, my themed reviews for older releases are on hold as of now. I enjoy looking back on a bunch of different titles from over the years, and putting them together in themes seems to be something you guys have enjoyed, so expect their return!
So as of now, expect lots of reviews for some newer titles. Wallets will cry and fans will rejoice with so much great stuff coming out (or already out) this summer 2008!
Manga-ka: CLAMP
Publisher: Tokyopop
Rating: Older Teen (16+)
Released: October 2003
Synopsis: “There are many worlds in the universe outside of our own, connected by doors that are hidden to the eye. But if you chance upon these doors, you can be transported to a place where supple beauties reign supreme and all of your fantasies come alive. Should you pass through the doorways, be most careful, for the creatures you will meet can be as dangerous as they are beautiful. Many would die for a glimpse at those worlds – Miyuki would do anything to have them go away.”
Don’t let the dramatics of this book’s synopsis have you fooled: Miyuki-chan in Wonderland is an often over the top, quick paced comedy with lots of sexy ladies and fantastical situations. Loosely based on the classic tale of Alice and Wonderland, Miyuki is a schoolgirl who suddenly finds herself transported to a magical world where only one thing is certain – everyone wants to get under her skirt!
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The first Yaoi Jamboree convention happened this past weekend and some new licenses popped up with it. Gia posted about these new title acquisitions a few days ago and ANN elaborated on them early today.
Digital Manga will be entering a co-publishing set-up with Shinshokan Publishing. The new label will be called Doki Doki and will consist of boys’ love manga and novels. The first announced titles to be released under the new imprint are :
Colour by Eiki Eiki & Mikiyo Tsuda
Living For Tomorrow (pictured above) by Taishi Zaou
Fevered Kiss by Arika Kuga and Taishi Zaou
Midnight Bloom by Rico Fukiyama
Brilliant Blue by Saemi Yorita
Note: Mikiyo Tsuda and Taishi Zaou are the same person, just different names for her different story genres; one for boys’ love and one for others.
May I note, some of my favourite yaoi titles! I adore Mikiyo Tsuda’s work and she makes an excellant team with Eiki Eiki. While it doesn’t make up for the many miles that kept me from meeting them in person at Yaoi Jamboree, it sure helps (a little).
Yamila Abraham also has a post about some of her favourite parts of the convention over at the Yaoi Press blog. (via MangaBlog)
Manga-ka: Matsuri Akino
Publisher: Tokyopop
Rating: Older Teen (16+)
Released: August 2006
Synopsis:
“Kamishina has never really felt like a normal boy. At school, he prefers to lay low and not interact with the other kids. But all that changes with Kamishina discovers that he is the reincarnated spiritual ruler of the little-known country of Dhalashar. And on top of that, he has an intense spiritual sense that allows him to hear voices from beyond the grave, see visions and soothe ghosts in their time of need.”
After disturbing dreams of death plague his sleep, Kamishina begins classes at yet another new school. Gifted with spiritual abilities that allow him to sense people’s true intentions, he has learned to lay low and keep to himself. Kamishina suddenly finds himself stalked by a strange foreign bird, one that transforms to a humanoid form to tell him that he is in fact the reincarnation of a powerful King from another country with more than the frequent need to switch schools to worry about.
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After receiving so much response to my previous editorial-type post about global manga, I’m at it again (sort of?). Today I sat down and wrote some of my thoughts on manga publishers and here I am again to share them with you. Everyday I review their books, so why not take a moment to comment on the companies themselves? Because this ended up being a bit long, I’ll be splitting it into several parts spanning over separate days.
Readers, as usual I welcome your thoughts so feel free to respond in the comments section. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the publishers that bring us our translated mangas and manhwas: what you enjoy about them, what you dislike about them or maybe what you wish some would change. Both positive and negative responses are okay, but I ask you to please keep comments mature and avoid any outright flaming or bashing.
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Manga-ka: Kazusa Takashima
Publisher: BLU Manga
Rating: Mature (18+)
Released: June 2006
Synopsis: “When Ukyo rescues a stray dog, he soon learns that he may have made a rare find. His new dog , who he’s named Kuro, can talk! And if that’s not crazy enough, soon Kuro is able to magically transform into a human! With his dog now taking the form of a hot man and licking him in various places, what is Ukyo to do?! From the artist of Wild Rock comes Man’s Best Friend! Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks?”
Man’s Best Friend is as the title would suggest, a story about a dog. Of course, this is a yaoi so thank goodness it’s not just any dog! The title tale in this book follows Ukyo, who one day comes across a loveable stray dog he names Kuro. Taking in the little pile of scruff, he’s in for a shock when the dog suddenly takes human form, all out of love for the kind man who took him in.
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an·i·mal peo·ple
- my cop-out termonology for describing humans who have animal-like characteristics and/or animals taking on humanoid forms
Time for another review theme! This week it’s animal people as I look back on some books in my collection for the bunny-eared, dog-tailed and little-winged characters that scatter throughout the occassional series! May my reviews be more cooherent (and decidedly less terrifying) than the accompanying image drawn in a state of sleep-deprivation. Guesses and suggestions welcome in the comment section as usual!
Previous animal people-related reviews:
11th Cat Special
+Anima (Vol. 07)
Genju no Seiza (Vol. 06)
Petshop of Horrors: Tokyo (Vol. 01)
