Artist/Writer: KOSEN
Publisher: Tokyopop
Rating: Older Teen (16+)
Released: July 2008
Synopsis: “The gateway to hell is opened in this tale of demon bloodlust and angelic redemption. Alone and disfigured from a tragic car accident in childhood, Seisu is plagued by haunting visions and hellish nightmares. But when a stay at a remote monastery brings the mysterious young man Yabrail into his life, Seisu discovers not only what’s behind his fragile state of mind, but also that heaven and hell aren’t as distant as he once believed…”
Daemonium follows Seisu, a boy who bears physical and emotional scars from the death of his parents. Suffering from horrible nightmares with only his sister to console him, Seisu meets a strange, attractive young man named Yabrail at a monastery that has seen numerous mysterious disappearances. His life begins to unravel as he discovers that people close to him aren’t who they seem, including himself.
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Manga-ka: Ryo Saenagi
Publisher: Tokyopop
Rating: Teen (13+)
Released: May 2008
Synopsis: “On cases together, Shima and his supermodel pal Kaori have come to unconditionally trust one another. But suddenly, rival detective and sometimes friend Mai recalls a key piece of information about when she first met Kaori – and it was at the scene of Shima’s parents’ murder. Will searching for more information complete the puzzle, and if so, is the truth a picture they want to see?”
How did I not see this coming? Entire series based around building this unbreakable trust between two characters in light of their own trauma, turns out one is directly connected with the trauma of the other. At one point I remember telling myself that was too obvious. Turns out that’s not the case, it’s just about right!
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A few random things of interest worth noting today:
A post over at Yaoi Press’s blog says that Yuri fans will have something to look forward to from the original Yaoi publisher at their Otakon booth.
According to ANN, the comedy manga Cafe Kichijouji de is set to continue in the anthology magazine Wings. Originally based off drama CDs, Cafe Kichijouji de is currently being made into a live-action television drama in Japan and has had it’s original three volumes of manga published by Digital Manga Publishing.
And lastly for now: Amazon.com has recently been updated with just about all the Digital Manga Publishing, and its imprints Doki Doki & June plus sister-group 801Media, books licensed and announced at Anime Expo. So if you’re looking for release dates of the many titles, then give Amazon a check. Gotta love that one of the Hellboy graphic novels is currently the number one selling manga, wouldn’t you say? Note: I have nothing against the Hellboy comics, just Amazon’s current placement of them it seems.
A notable title to pop up also, however, is Train*Train, a comedy by Eiki Eiki which I don’t recall hearing any licensing news for. No complaints from me on this licensing though! Train*Train is the story of Asahi Sarutaa, a boy who wishes to be a train conducter, only to discover that his dream job location only hires the most attractive people to work there.
Manga-ka: Kiyohiko Azuma
Publisher: ADV Manga
Rating: All Ages
Released: October 2007
Synopsis: “It’s the end of an endless summer, and Yotsuba is out to make the most of it. First, she’ll go toe-to-toe with a cardboard robot, then help out the neighbours by eating their grapes and spearheading an impromptu trip to the beach. But when her ice cream is stolen by Yanda, Koiwai’s understudy, Yotsuba may have to admit she’s finally met her match!”
The little clover-leaf head Yotsuba returns for another fun filled volume! In this book it’s time for the beach and walks on rainy days. There are lots of new adventures to be had but first Yotsuba needs to befriend a robot and survive an encounter with one who could be her greatest foe yet!
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Manhwa-ga: YoungHee Lee
Publisher: Yen Press
Rating: Teen (13+)
Released: May 2008
Synopsis: “Everyone dreams about Seung-Ha, the perfect prince, the shining star of the school. Chasing after the perfect prince is definitely not easy. For Nan-Wo, Seung-Ha was just a dream – far, far, away. However, sometimes dreams exist to come true! But when Nan-wo’s dream comes true, it comes at an expensive price. Who knew the perfect prince was actually a big jerk?!”
Nan-Wo is a spunky, spirited, and ultimately extremely clumsy girl, who like everyone else at her school (girls, boys and teachers alike) has a huge crush on Seung-Ha. Attractive, athletic, smart and kind, Seung-Ha is seen as the perfect guy and no one could possibly for be good enough for him. Then one day he asks out Nan-Wo and everything gets turned upside down.
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While not nearly as epic as Anime Expo’s licensing list, San Diego Comic Con still had a few new manga offerings for waiting fans. Under the cut is a list of announced licenses, courtesy of Gia and ANN!
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Manga-ka: Hotaru Odagiri
Publisher: DMP
Rating: Older Teen (16+)
Released: January 2008
Synopsis: “Many allies and even more enemies… A scandal breaks out surrounding the tremendously popular, charismatic, and beautiful student council president! Under the scrutinizing and hostile eye of the journalism club’s Katakura, Yuushi’s plans have been recalled. On top of that, Yuushi’s become the target of the ever-capable and ever-cool vice president Takamura’s rabid fans’ jealousy!! How will he respond to their constant criticism?!”
Invisible Boy, volume two, continues to follow the trials and everyday going-ons of Ouka Academy’s Student Council. While the first volume took focus on the shy Nagi Tokieda, volume two shifts its attention more to vice-President Takamura. With a touch of drama, Invisible Boy is made up of interaction and near endless dialogue, a character drama dedicated to this pretty boy cast.
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Two quick links for the night:
Gia’s begun her live-blogging for the San Diego Comic Con! Notable news so far is the licensing of several new titles by DelRey, including a thirteen+ volume set of light novels illustrated by CLAMP: Soryuden. Brings back a lot of nostalgia for me, my first light novel and discovered during my first obsssive dig for all things CLAMP had anything to do with. So of course I’m also really looking forward to the upcoming CLAMP in America book (also officially announced at DelRey’s panel)!
BLU’s website was updated with additions to its release calendar today. New volumes listed there will put some fans’ worries to rest, including volume 11 of Love Mode and volume 4 of Black Knight. Love Mode was originally feared to be cancelled a mere one volume from it’s completion after it was postponed shortly after Tokyopop’s restructing annoucement.
With lots of news yet to come at this year’s ComicCon, keep an eye out at Gia and Deb’s blogs for all the info!
So through a combination of spontaniety, coincidence and luck, I’ll be attending Fan Expo Canada at the end of next month (August 22nd-24th). It’s my first large convention, boosting an average of 40 000 – 45 000 attendees each year. I’ll be sneaking about here and there but for the most part people will be able to find me nestled away in Artists Alley, selling some of my artwork alongside friends. I plan to have a post about my trip and how the convention went after the fact.
In the meantime, any Kuriousity visitors planning to go this year? Or have attended in recent years? Certainly let me know!
Manga-ka: Kazuya Minekura
Publisher: Tokyopop
Rating: Older Teen (16+)
Released: June 2008
Synopsis: “Sanzo has gone one way, and the rest of the party another, until they end up on opposite sides of a small mountain. The tension between the peaceful town of Youkai and the humans guarding the oasis as come to a head, and when things boil over, it’s anyone’s guess whose side the gang will join!”
As a slightly refreshing change of pace, Sanzo and the rest of his party have gone in two different directions. Together with the bishop Hazel and his large bodyguard, Sanzo finds himself in a well-fortified town that guards a large oasis, the only source of water in the desert area. On the other side of the mountain surrounding the town, are the other four three: Goku, Gojyo and Hakkai, who ended up in a calm village of Youkai who are soon doomed to perish from thirst. Needless to say, this is going to cause some problems.
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The long-hinted at online game, OPlay, has finally been released today over at the Go!Comi website. Those who sign up (it uses the same log-in as the site’s forum and account system), can play the prolouge chapter for free, with a $7.99 fee for the first episode.
I think it’s a neat concept for sure and it’s fun playing that kind of choose-your-own-adventure-dating-sim-esque game with such beautiful graphics (Hunter and Julie did wonderful work on this) and with the ease of online play (no downloads required). But is it $7.99 an episode good? While I thought the prolouge was neat, the episodes are going to need to be a lot longer than that to come close to being worth the cost. Can this online-play manga be worth nearly the price of a regular manga book? I’m too broke to say for sure right now but if anyone else gives it a shot past the prolouge, I’d love to hear about it!
Nestled alongside the steep Sackville Street at the base of Halifax’s historic Citadel Hill, is Strange Adventures, one of the Maritime’s most well known comic book shops. It offers something for everyone: wall-to-wall comic books, shelves of manga, numerous cases of gorgeous figurines many of us only dream of owning, and every other inch and corner covered with all the things cool, fun and geeky in all the best ways.
Walking into Strange Adventures for the first time is an interesting experience for sure. Going down a few small stairs, you step into a short and often surprisingly small room that is taken to its limit when it comes to filling up with stuff. While the set up doesn’t allow for the most mobility when there are lots of people, otherwise it’s a dream. Everywhere you turn there’s stuff, stuff and more stuff; the kind of organized clutter that gives you something to stare at, play with and purchase for your own collections at every turn.
Some specifics, personal nostalgia and an interview with the store’s owner after the cut!
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Author: Adam Arnold
Artist: Shiei
Publisher: Seven Seas
Rating: Teen (13+)
Released: June 2008
Synopsis: “When the rest of her club-maters end up missing in Silent Hill, it’s up Elle Mathers and the members of rival anime club Uri House to come to the rescue… and that’s only the beginning! Secrets will be revealed, first kisses will be had, and sharks will be jumped in this final side-splitting, fan service romp!”
Aoi House in Love!, volume two, is the second and final book in this sequel series to Aoi House. Picking up where volume one left readers, the members of the Aoi clubhouse find themselves lost on their way home from a recent convention. After a flat-tire and meteor rock hit their car, they’re now stuck in… Silent Hill? And the rival members of Uri House are sent to find and rescue them.
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Manga-ka: Yamimaru Enjin
Publisher: BLU
Rating: Older Teen (16+)
Released: March 2008
Synopsis: “Shinichiro and Narusawa are getting closer, but it’s been months since Narusawa’s cat Acht said a word to either of them. Determined to get him talking again, Shinichiro rushes off to Tokyo were Naruawa is teaching a special seminar. But after a crazy night of drinking and sexual advances from Naruawa’s students, is Shinichiro really ready for relationship? This next volume of Voice or Noise proves the sometimes actions do speak louder than words…”
In volume two of Voice or Noise, Shinichiro continues to lament the loss of communication with Acht, the spirited black cat who stopped speaking after an accident. Wishing to find a way to talk to his feline friend, and better understand his natural abilities, Shinichiro begs Narusawa to begin training him again to understand animals. However his growing feelings for the older man are becoming a bit problematic.
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In celebration of the first volume release of Kosen’s new title, Daemonium, they’ve updated their website with a firey new layout. They’ve also created a mini-site dedicated to the series which can be seen here. There’s some info, artwork, downloads and a link to Tokyopop’s manga viewer with a look at the first chapter.
And over on DeviantArt the other day, *lone-momo posted some preview images of their work on GoComi’s upcoming online game, OPlay. You can see the pics here, here and here! OPlay, which stands for Online Play, will be a play-for-use game that will work in a similar fashion to dating sims/choose your own adventure sort of deals. The staff of GoComi plan to launch it in the near future and have told people to keep their eyes peeled for the “virgin episode”.
