Monday, February 26, 2007

YEBISU CELLEBRITIES by Kaoru Iwamoto & Shinri Fuwa


I read YEBISU CELLEBRITIES Novel #1-#4 at a sitting!

They are sooo interesting!! I read the manga #1-#3 before. But I like novel version better. Sure, the yaoi of novels is much harder. I hear the manga #1 was published in English last month.

In Yebisu Graphics, rich and gorgeous men work as designers . You can see some couples in the series. My favorite couple is 'Yuji Kuge x Kazumi Masunaga'. They are central characters of 1st season and 3rd season in novels. I also like Alberto x Yukitsugu Tojyo. They are central characters of 2nd season. I want to read more Kazumi's episodes. I can't wait #5!

Friday, February 23, 2007

New titles -March 2007: Crimson spell 2

I got more information about the next month's new titles.

Mar. 16: Ahiru no Sora by Takeshi Hinata
Mar. 20: Shigurui #8 by Norio Nanjo & Takayuki Yamaguchi
Mar. 23: Vagabond #25 by Takehiko Inoue
Mar. 24: Crimson Spell #2 by Ayano Yamane
Mar. 27: DoujinWork #3 by Hiroyuki
Mar. 27: GUNSLINGER GIRL #8 by Yu Aida
Mar. 29: Julia 100 Shiki by Shigemitsu Harada & Nobuto Hagio
Mar. 30: Iryu #13 by Akira Nagai
(These are Japanese edition)

Crimson Spell #2! It's her first title of this year. I have to wait it about a month. I can't wait!
If that helps, the cover of Crimson Spell #1 is as follows.


Thursday, February 22, 2007

New titles - March 2007

I got the frontlist of Shonen manga & Shojo manga.

Remarkable books are 'The Prince of Tennis #37', 'ONE PIECE #45', 'Fruits Basket #23 (final vol)', 'Fullmetal Alchemist #16', NANA #17 and Tsubasa #18-RESERVoir CHRoNICLE #18.

Fruits Basket final vol!? I got some volumes recently and will read them since now. Umm... I have to read them soon. I haven't read The Prince of Tennis #31 or 32 and ONE PIECE #40 yet... I have to read them, too.

I read Fullmetal Alchemist #1-#15. I can't wait #16! I'm anxious about future of Roy, Edo and other characters. I like the anime, but the manga is turning out differently, isn't it?
I also wach anime NANA every week. They are so interesting!

I'm also interested in Boku wo Tsusumu Tsuki no Hikari #4! I have #1-#3. This series is the sequel to Please Save My Earth. The central character is Ren who was born to Alice and Rin. I like 'Please Save My Earth' series very much!

New titles -March 2007 (These are all Japanese edition)

Mar. 1: Koisuru Pudding! #2 by Hiromu Shinozuka
Mar. 1: Caramel Kiss #1 by Chitose Yagami
Mar. 1: Lovemini Lesson by Mayuki Anan

Mar. 2: Gintama #17 by Hideaki Sorachi
Mar. 2: The Prince of Tennis #37 by Tsuyoshi Konomi
Mar. 2: Gag Manga Biyori #8 by Kousuke Masuda
Mar. 2: TV ver Anime comics Dragon Ball Z Super Saiyans Freeza ver #3 by Akira Toriyama & Jump editorial office
Mar. 2: P2!-lets's Play Pingpong! #1 by Tatsuma Ejiri
Mar. 2: OVER TIME #2 by Youichi Amano
Mar. 2: Zan by Naoya Sugita
Mar. 2: LEGEND OF THE ATHLETE Nakamura Shunsuke Monogatari by Shin Kudou & Fuyuki Ohuchi
Mar. 2: Taizoumote King Saga #6 by Amon Dai
Mar. 2: Majin Tantei Nougami Neuro #10 by Yousei Matsui
Mar. 2: Mahoutsukai Kurohime #12 by Masanori Katakura
Mar. 2: Kateikyoushi Hitman REBORN! #14 by Akira Amano
Mar. 2: Slime Morimori #2 by Osamu Kaneko
Mar. 2: Dr Slump #7 Complete version #7 by Akira Toriyama
Mar. 2: STEEL BALL RUN #11 by Hirohiko Araki
Mar. 2: ONE PIECE #45 by Eiichiro Oda
Mar. 2: Rurouni Kenshin Complete version #17 by Nobuhiro Watsuki
Mar. 2: Rurouni Kenshin Complete version #18 by Nobuhiro Watsuki
Mar. 2: LEGEND OF THE ATHLETE Arakawa Shizuka Monogatari by Shin Kudou & Fuyuki Ohuchi
Mar. 2: M & 0 #2 by Yasuhiro Kanou

Mar. 5: Hitaini Mikazuki by Hari Tokeino
Mar. 5: Shojo Changum no Yume #2
Mar. 5: Mitsugetsu Kasho no Tsuki Side Story by Mari Hirai
Mar. 5: Kiniro no Corda (La corda doro) #8 by Yuki Kure
Mar. 5: Jyunihisoku no Pallet by Nari Kusakawa
Mar. 5: with!! #2 by Ken Saitou

Mar. 10: MOTHER KEEPER #2 by Kairi Sorano
Mar. 10: W Change!! #3 by Haku Matsuba
Mar. 10: Asatte no Houkou #4 by Jta Yamada
Mar. 10: EREMENTAR GERAD #12 by Mayumi Azuma
Mar. 10: EREMENTAR GERAD -Souku no Senki- #4 by Mayumi Azuma
Mar. 10: Ares #3 by Narumi Seto

Mar. 13: TV ANIMATION Nodame Cantabile OFFICIAL by Tomoko Ninomiya
Mar. 13: Love Con 16- LOVELY COMPLEX #16 by Aya Nakahara

Mar. 15: Shibuyaku Maruyamacho - Sakura by Mari Okazaki
Mar. 15: Royal Straight by Aki Mochida
Mar. 15: C C C by Tsubaki Nakashima
Mar. 15: NANA #17 by Ai Yazawa
Mar. 15: Seishun suruwa!? by Warako Hagi
Mar. 15: Seibutsu suisei WoO by Eri Kagami

Mar. 16: Negima! Party Book Negipa #8 by Ken Akamatsu & Jump editorial office
Mar. 16: Negima!? Anime Guide Book #2 by Ken Akamatsu & Jump editorial office
Mar. 16: School Rumble #16 by Jin Kobayashi
Mar. 16: Tsubasa #18 - RESERVoir CHRoNICLE #18 by CLAMP
Mar. 16: Mahou Sensei Negima! #18 by Ken Akamatsu
Mar. 16: Blizzard Axel #9 by Nakaba Suzuki
Mar. 16: Cross Game #7 by Mitsuru Adachi
Mar. 16: Saikyou! Aoizaka Koukou Yakyubu #11 by Motoyuki Tanaka
Mar. 16: Shijyou Saikyou no Deshi Kenichi #24 by Shun Matsuena
Mar. 16: Urusei Yatsura New cover version #9 by Rumiko Takahashi
Mar. 16: Urusei Yatsura New cover version #10 by Rumiko Takahashi
Mar. 16: Rekka no Honoh #17 by Nobuyuki Anzai
Mar. 16: GS Bishin Gokuraku Daisakusen!! New cover version #19 by Takashi Shiina
Mar. 16: GS Bishin Gokuraku Daisakusen!! New cover version #20 by Takashi Shiina

Mar. 19: Sugar Princess #2 by Hisaya Nakajo
Mar. 19: Fruits Basket Fanbook Utage by Natsuki Takaya
Mar. 19: Fruits Basket #23 (final vol) by Natsuki Takaya
Mar. 19: Arakure #4 by Kiyo Fujiwara
Mar. 19: Boku wo tsutsumu Tsuki no Hikari #4 - Please Save My Earth next generation ver
Mar. 19: Nousatsu Junky #9 by Ryouko Fukuyama
Mar. 19: Oyayubi kara Romance #8 by Izumi Tsubaki

Mar. 22: Hagane no Renkinjutsushi (Fullmetal Alchemist) #16 by Hiromu Arakawa
Mar. 22: PAPUWA #11 by Ami Shibata
Mar. 22: Kingdom Hearts FINAL MIX #3 (final vol) by Shiro Amano
Mar. 22: Material Pazzle #18 by Masahiro Totsuka
Mar. 22: 666 (Satan) #16 by Masashi Kishimoto
Mar. 22: UFO Princess Valkyurie by Kaishaku
Mar. 22: Ousama no Mimi wa Okonomimi #6 by Kei Natsumi
Mar. 22: HareGulu #6 by Renjurou Kindaichi
Mar. 22: Nagasarete Airantou #10 by Takeshi Fujishiro
Mar. 22: Tales of Destiny Comic Anthology EX. Dai 1 shu by Square Enix

Mar. 23: Lemon Planet #1 by Megumi Hatsuki
Mar. 23: Lemon Planet #2 (final vol) by Megumi Hatsuki
Mar. 23: Gakkou no Ojikan #10 by Mimi Tajima
Mar. 23: Mix Vegetable #5 by Ayumi Komura
Mar. 23: Koukou Debut #8 by Kazune Kawahara
Mar. 23: Cream Caramel Ichigo Milk by Ikumi Kudou
Mar. 23: Hoo ni Shizumu by Aki Yahata
Mar. 23: Kimi no inai Rakuen #12 by Mioko Sano
Mar. 23: May chan no Shitsuji #2 by Riko Miyagi

Mar. 24: Hatenkou Yuugi #9 by Kaisei Endo
Mar. 24: Mahoutsukai yousei gakkou Magic Star Gakuen Triple Star #3 by Hishika Minamisawa
Mar. 24: Coselltel no Ryujyutsushi New cover ver #3 by Ayuma Isurugi
Mar. 24: Ogamiya Yokocho Tenmatsuki #8 by Fukusuke Miyamoto
Mar. 24: DAWN Tsumetai Te #5 by Shinshuu Ueda
Mar. 24: Ubel Blatt #5 by Etorouji Shiono
Mar. 24: FRONT MISSION - THE DRIVE by Yasuo Ohtagaki & studioSEED
Mar. 24: JACKALS #3 by Maya Murata & Kim Pyonjin
Mar. 24: Sumomomomomomo Chijousaikyou no Yome #7 by Shinobu Ohtaka
Mar. 24: Miss Wizard #3 by Kyou Hazuki & N-yama + TON
Mar. 24: Lion maru #1 by Souji Ushio / Gobbo Masaru

Mar. 26: Kimi ni Furetara by Nobu Wata
Mar. 26: Amanure Eve by Yuna Sazaki
Mar. 26: Wagamama na Shitsuji by Mashin Osakabe
Mar. 26: 9 to 5 Love x Mission #1 by Yuri Hasebe
Mar. 26: Seiseisuruhodo Aishiteru #2 by Miyuki Kitagawa
Mar. 26: Kirinomori Hotel by Chie Shinohara
Mar. 26: Diamond Life #1 by Akira Fujiwara
Mar. 26: 7SEEDS #10 by Yumi Tamura
Mar. 26: Tatoe Konohana ga sakanakutemo by Yasuko
Mar. 26: Galism #6 (final vol) by Mayumi Yokoyama
Mar. 26: Saruyama! #5 by Shouko Akira
Mar. 26: Family! New cover version #1 by Taeko Watanabe
Mar. 26: LOVELY DOVEY #2 by Aya Oda
Mar. 26: Uwasa no Midori kun #2 by Gou Ikeyamada
Mar. 26: Idle sama no Yoru no Okao by Haruko Kurumatani
Mar. 26: Hatsumei Princess #2 by Kyouko Kumagai
Mar. 26: Fushigi Yougi Genbu Kaiden #6 by You Watase

Mar. 27: Tamago no Kimi #4 (final vol) by Ayako Sumiyoshi
Mar. 27: Pandora Hearts #2 by Jun Mochizuki
Mar. 27: Sai Drill #1 by Izumi Kawachi
Mar. 27: Kikou Majutsushi -enchanter #13 by Izumi Kawachi
Mar. 27: Zettai Sekai no Kuroi Tora realtime classic #1 by Keitarou Nihonbashi
Mar. 27: Seto no Hanayome #12 by Tahiko Kimura

Mar. 30: Karatto #1 by Yoshitomo Watanabe
Mar. 30: tactics #9 by Sakura Kimoshita & Kazuko Higashiyama
Mar. 30: Binchoutan #2 by Takahito Ekusa
Mar. 30: ARIA #10 by Kozue Amano
Mar. 30: Saint October #1 by Kiira~
Mar. 30: Vassalord. #2 by Nanae Kurono

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Samurai Gay Story

I wrote about Ohoku and Shogun yesterday.
Incidentally there are famous gay stories among Samurai. 'Gay' was called 'Shudou' in Japan long time ago. I write about 3 famous couples. They are real persons.

Shogun Tsunayoshi x Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu (familyname first):
The 5th Shogun 'Tsunayoshi' is known as a gay. Japanese people sometime see his life in historical dramas. I heard 'Tsunayoshi' came out in a drama 'Ohoku (The inner palace) ' before. In that time, his secretary 'Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu', who was a Tsunayoshi's lover, had lots of power. Many women served Tsunayoshi to produce an heir, but sure nobody had babies. Tsunayosho's mother was an underservant in the inner palace at first, and so other noble houses treated her disparagingly. She longed for a grandson because she hated the idea that one of the houses' sons succeed Tsunayoshi as the 6th Shogun. She used every possible means in vain.

Takeda Shingen x Kousaka Danjou Masanobu (family name first):
Takeda Shingen is famous warlord. Lots of Japanese history buff like him very much. His life is now depicted on NHK's period drama 'Fuurinkazan'. One of his lovers was Kousaka Danjou Masanobu who was a beautiful general. Shingen sent him a love letter saying that denied speculation of his love affair. I hear students of history describe it a pleasant story. Kousaka is also known as an elite general.

Oda Nobunaga x Mori Ranmaru (family name first):
When asked about their favorite warlords, the largest number of respondents choose Oda Nobunaga. They are attracted by his leadership, with which he destroyed the old order of society to create a new sense of values. Ranmaru was his varlet. He is famous as an excellent beautiful boy and Nobunaga's lover. In 1582, General Akechi Mitsuhide attacked Nobunaga. One day Nobunaga was accompanied by only 160 bodyguards. Sure, one of them was Ranmaru. Nobunaga tried to defend himself but in the end committed suicide. Ranmaru fought bravely for his load Nobunaga and died in battle.

So 'Ranmaru' is a typical name of a beautiful boy. Today Japanese parents usually don't name their son Ranmaru. You may know Samejima Ranmaru who appears in Yaoi manga 'Kizuna' series. That's why he doesn't want to tell Kei Enjouji his first name when they meet. I think only narcissist is happy to tell the name.

You can see Kousaka and Nobunaga in 'Mirage of Blaze'(Yaoi novel, anime).
There are lots of historical yaoi or gay novels in Japan. Oushima Nagisa made into a movie from one of such novels several years ago. The title is 'GOHATTO'. They are interesting!

Monday, February 19, 2007

Ohoku by Fumi Yoshinaga



I've read Ohoku #1-#2 by Fumi Yoshinaga.
Fumi Yoshinaga is popular yaoi mangaka and shojo mangaka.
Ohoku is her new series. The story is very unique and interesting!
She draws regularly for a shojo manga magazine 'Melody'. I can't wait vol.3!

Set in the Edo (Tokyo) in Edo period, the story centers on the love of female Shogun for beautiful men in the inner palace?! As you aware, female Shogun were non-existent. In this story, the young male population fell drastically due to fascinoma. So women have stakes in making society work, and then they care about men. Lots of good looking men serve female Shogun in the inner palace to bear an heir.

I thought it's a comedy in a way before reading it. But actually it's serious love story!! It's so romantic! Yoshinaga sensei is great as usual! Lots of men and 2 female shogun appear in the series. The characters have distress caused by particular circumstances and political anguish. The female Shogun 'Yoshimune' is cooool! She is very smart, masculine but tender. And Mizuno and Arikoto are very nice!! They serve Shogun and.....
You can see yaoi taste a little because only men live in the inner palace.

For your information, 'Yoshimune' was a real person. He is the 8th Shogun and famous in fact. His life was made into some dramas and novels. I used to study about him when I was a student.

And only women live in the inner palace and serve Shogun in fact.

Fumi Yoshinaga book list
Ohoku #1-#2 (a little yaoi taste)
Ai towa Yoru ni Kizukumono: Lovers in the Night (Yaoi)
Shitsuji no Bunzai (P.E. of Ai towa your ni kizuku mono, Yaoi)
Gerard & Jaques (2 volumes long, Yaoi)
Gerard & Jaques (P.E., Yaoi)
Seiyoh Kotto Yohgashiten: Antique Bakery (4 volumes long, Yaoi)
Flower of Life #1-#3
Aisubeki Musumetachi
Tsuki to Sandal: The Moon And Sandales (2 volumes long, Yaoi)
Kare wa Hanazono de Yume wo Miru
Solfege (Yaoi)
Solfege (P.E, Yaoi)
Ai ga nakutemo kutte yukemasu
Sore wo ittara oshimaiyo: Don't Say Animore Darling (Yaoi)
Kodomo no Taion
Kodomo no Taion (Special cover)
1 Genme wa Yaruki no Minpou: Ichigenme...The First Class Is Civil Law (2 volumes long, Yaoi)
Hontou ni Yasashii: Truly Kindly (Yaoi)

These are Japanese version and commercial printing books. Some of them are published as English edition.

Fumi Yoshinaga also draws doujinshis. I wrote about her doujinshi the other day.
I love her artwork and stories. She has a good sense of humor.

Saturday, February 17, 2007

Beautiful Doujinshi Pictures

I found an excellent doujinshi creator 'Sasaoka Kirara'! Now she provides the following 7 pictures for free in appreciation for 300000 hits on her site. They are so beautiful!! I got them at first glance.



If you want them, please visit her site 'Mugengajyou'. I post her site's banner in the right-hand corner. You can find them from 'Free & Sozai' on her site. She sets some conditions on posting on your site. They are as follows.

You have to show the plate that says 'Thank you for 300000 hits Mugengajyou Sasaokakirara' next to the pictures.
You can sort and post your favorite picture. But don't add other artist's pictures or lines next to her pictures.
Don't process them for banner or something.
DO NOT distribute them!
She provides only the 7 pictures. Don't bring other pictures.

She draws various characters from Kiniro no Corda, Harukanaru Tokino nakade and stuff. They are shojo manga, though. I also like shojo manga! The male characters are cool, aren't they?

Thursday, February 15, 2007

Nase Yamato

Nase Yamato is one of my favorite mangaka! I have almost her manga books.
I got 'Dekiru Otoko no Sodatekata' recently.
The story outline is as follows.
Kazuha is an ingenuous country boy. He adores Hongou who runs a restaurant in Tokyo and is really good at his job. He goes to Tokyo and starts to work under Hongou. But then he knows that Hongou is very selfish in fact. He is some anxiety about Hongou. But Hongou decides to live together?!

Nase Yamato book list
Pet Oshigotochu
Dekiru Otoko no Sodatekata
Saa Koini Ochitamae #1-#3
Heian Abunai Chikyoudai
Mamotte agemasu!
Chintsubu #1-#2
Pretty Scoop!
Dear Gentle Papa #1-#2
Magical Travel BOY
Steady Study
LOVE LIFE
FAN #1-#2
Tsureteke Tengoku
SKIP-KISS #1-#2
HANON
Bokuno kanshiin
Renai Boom

I think her works are soft yaoi. If she draws harder yaoi, I don't feel hard because her artwork is very cute. Dekiru Otoko no Sodatekata #2 will be published next month. I can't wait!
The following picture is the cover of 'Pet Oshigotochu'. It's very interesting!

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Complete version means ...

I'm asked a question about complete version. I wrote it in new titles.

Almost manga books are published as normal editon. It's called 'Shinsho ban' in Japanese. You usually see the edition.

Manga books go out of print after years. Sure, popular manga series go through several impressions, though. But some of them are very popular and are selling very well even after years of final volume such as Dragom Ball. In that case, publishers provide various version. For example, pocketbook, cheap edition for convenience stores and complete version.

Complete version is usually better than normail edition.
Almost ones are begger size. And some of them contain something special.

For example, 'Boys Over Flowers' was published as complete version recently. I guess that's why the drama is broadcast on TV. The complete version adds some illustrations and essays which weren't contained in normail version. Normail version is 36 volumes long. Complete version is 20 volumes long. And the #20 contains new episode (50 pages) !! The fans can't help but read it!

Does that answer you?
Please let me know if you have any questions.

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Naduki Koujima NEWS

'Bokura no Oukoku (English title; Our Kingdom) vol.6' will be published on Mar. 10.

I can see Rei, Akira, Raoul, Okumiya, Shigure, Yuji and Sagiri soon!
Our Kingdom series is the longest of her works. I like Naduki Koujima's artwork very much. I really love the characters. Some of them are Kawaii! Some of them are cool!

For your information, recently the new version of 'Bokura no Oukoku #1-#5' were published by Libre(publisher) due to the bankruptcy of BIBLOS(publisher). Naduki Koujima drew new covers for them.

Monday, February 12, 2007

Toumeishounen by Hotaru Odagiri


Recently I got 'Toumeishounen #1' by Hotaru Odagiri. I glanced at the cover, and then I bought it! It's so beautiful!

The story is set in the student council of elite and rich boys' school. It's soft yaoi. You can see lots of good characters. I hear volume 2 was published last year. I have to get it soon.

Hotaru Odagiri book list
Toumei Shounen #1-#2
Uragiri wa Boku no Namae wo Shitteiru #1
Time lag
Sono yubi dake ga shitteiru
Minna Ai no seine
My precious #1

'Time lag' and 'Sono yubi dake ga shitteiru' are based on the novels. Their English editons are published.

Saturday, February 10, 2007

Embracing Love vol.12 by Youka Nitta


Haru wo Daiteita (Embracing Love) vol. 12 comes out today!!
It seems the books are already sold out. It's pretty popular.
Nitta sensei added pages in it. I really happy to read it!

Katou comes back to show business. Meanwhile, Iwaki works on new role. It's much different character for him to play. The movie director sets strict conditions on him to get into character. But it's so strict for Iwaki because .....

It's so sweet and excellent as other volumes.
Both Iwaki and Katou are coool!! I like their relationship very much!

Friday, February 09, 2007

Akira Honma


I have some Akira Honma's manga.
I like 'Ai ga Kami wo Korosu toki' the best. I post the cover.

The story outline is as follows.
Takeru has failed college entrance exams twice. So he travels to NY as a diversion. He is rescued from danger by Lai. Lai is nice to him and he is rich. Takeru begins to love him, but then he knows that Lai is a mafioso....

It's a nice story. I love it!

Akira Honma book list
Ai ga Kami wo Korosu toki (2006/5)
Saigo no Shouzo (2005/6)- English ver: Last Portrait
JInsei wa Barairo da (2004/10)
Sabakareshi Mono (2003/11)- English ver: The Judged

It seems 4 books were published. I want to read more long story.
'Saigo no Shouzo' and 'Sabakareshi Mono' were translated into English.

Wednesday, February 07, 2007

Junjo Romantica by Shungiku Nakamura


I heard Junjo Romantica vol.8 was published on Feb 1.
I haven't bought it, though. I have #1-#7. This cover is #7.

Junjo Romantica is very sweet story. I like it. Sure yaoi, you know.

The main theme is the love story of Akihiko Usami & Misaki Takahashi. And it contains love stories of surrouding characters. Usami is so famous, popular, cool and rich novelist. But he is funny a little. Misaki is his friend's brother and his lover. He calls Usami 'Usagi (rabbit in Japanese)'. It's Kawaii!

So some yaoi novels were published as Usagi's novels. The title is 'Junai Romantica' series and 'Junai Egoist' series. Junai Egoist series is the love story of Hiroki Kamijo & Nowaki. Hiroki is Usami's childhood friend. Nowaki is his lover. This is a harassment against Hiroki from Usami in a way. Actualy yaoi novelist Miyako Fujisaki writes them.

For your information, 'Junai' means 'pure love' in Japanese. 'Junjo' means naive or pure-hearted.

Junjo Romantica items Lists.
Junjo Romantica #1 - #8 (2003/5 - 2007/2)
Junjo Minimum (manga + CD, 2005/9)
Junai Romantica #1-#5 (novel, 2004/10 - 2007/1)
Junai Egoist #1-#2 (novel, 2006/4 - 2006/7)
And lots of character goods are sold.

Shungiku Nakamura other manga books.
Tsuki wa Yamiyo ni Kakurugagotoku (1999/9, 2005/8/)
Tousandou Tentsui Ibun #1-#2 (2005/5 - 2005/7)
Hybrid Child (2005/3)
Root W.P.B #1-#2 (2003/6 - 2004/10)
Sinsengumi Anthology Mibu Rouenbu (2003/12)
Umi ni Nemuru Hana #1-#5 (2001/2 - 2002/6)
Mangetsu Monogatari (2001/12)

Tuesday, February 06, 2007

From Eroica with Love vol. 34 by Yasuko Aoike


I've read Yasuko Aoike's manga for over 25 years. I have lots of her manga books.

Some of them are a little yaoi taste. Anyway, they are very interesting!

'From Eroica with Love' is her representative work. I watched the documentary program which reported the popular mangaka 'Yasuko Aoike'. She started the series as an ordinary shojo manga in 1979. At that time, she and her editor planed the serial in a few installments. The central character was a girl who has a supernatural power. But Aoike sensei didn't want to use the character actually. It was easier for her to make a story. So she asked her editor that she used only male characters.

The editor accepted it, and then 'Dorian Red Gloria -Earl of Gloria' and Major Klaus Heinz von dem Eberbach are very popular characters now. I also like a russian agent called 'Bear Cub Misha' and an oil king Sabaha. They are very funny! I found new funny character madam Mylene who is a Celtophil and a daydreamer when I read #32-#34.

I heard several volumes were translated into English and German. I like about #10-#20 the best in the series.

By the way, she broke the series after the end of the cold war. It seems it was difficult to make stories as other spy fictions. So now some specialists of international issues support her, though.

During about 7 years suspension, she had drawn other long series 'The El Castillo -The Imperial Castle-'. Set in Middle Ages Sevilla, the manga portrays the fascinating and eventful life of the King called Don Pedro. I also love him, but Aoike sensei broke the series after restarting From Eroica with Love. I was very concerned about 'The El Castillo'. But I heard the last part is coming soon! It will appear in the magazine 'Princess Gold Mar + Apr' about 10 days later. I'm really looking forward to read it.

In the meantime, 'From Eroica with Love' suspends again.

I have her following titles.
Eroica yori Ai wo komete (From Eroica with Love) #1-#34

Eroica yori Ai wo komete (From Eroica with Love) Side Story -Madan no Shashu (Der Freischutz)
Z #1-#2 (link to From Eroica with Love)
El Halcon -The Hawk- #1-#2 (The picaresque story of a navy officer in the 16th century)
A day of Saladin
The Monk Falco
Norwegian Blue no Yume (This book contains her illustrations and manga 'Trafalgar')
Yasuko Aoike Art Book

I like both of her comedy stories and historical fictions.
Especially her historical characters are cooool!

Monday, February 05, 2007

New yaoi titles - Mar.2007

I got some info of new title-Mar.2007.

Publisher-Libre
Mar. 10: Nakagamike no Ichizoku Sairai -Akuma kuru- by Ken Homerun
Mar. 10: Biyaku na HONEY by Sakuya Fujii
Mar. 10: Honoh no Suna by Ren Tamaki
Mar. 10: HERO HEEL #3 by Makoto Tateno
Mar. 10: Mousou Catalog by Mimu Kayuma

Publisher-Core Magazine
Mar. 3: Teiou no Amai Wana by Hisami Shimada
Mar.24: Ai to Yokubou wa Gakuen de #5 by Hana Umezawa
Mar.24: 24 Jikan KISS dekinai by Hana Umezawa

I'm looking forward to Hero Heel #3 by Makoto Tateno.
I read Sawada's ex appears in #2 before. I feel sorry for Minami. He looks sooo lonely. I hope Sawada loves Minami in #3. Makoto Tateno also drew yaoi manga series 'YELLOW'. She also draws shojo manga. She has long carrer and drew lots of manga.

Sunday, February 04, 2007

JAZZ by Tamotsu Takamure & Sakae Maeda



I've been a fan of Tamotsu Takamure. I had bought lots of her manga doujinshi since about 20
years ago.

'JAZZ series' is based on the yaoi novel by Sakae Maeda. The novel story is much longer than the manga. I bought the novel doujinshi over 10 years ago. Actually they weren't professionals at that time and made doujinshis. I used to visit doujinshi events when I was a student.

Some of mangakas sells and buys doujinshis in doujinshi events independently. Their fans may meet them. I used to brought my sketchbook because I asked them to draw my favorite character. They drew them for me if they had time. Tamotsu Takamure is one of them. So I have two her drawings. At that time, she drew parody manga of a popular yaoi novel 'Osananajimi (The childhood friends) by Rieko Yoshihara'. I love the novel.

On day I asked her to draw the character 'Akira'. But I saw Akira Fudou of Devil Man in my sketchbook after I received it. If I remember right, she wasn't in her booth at that time. Maybe her helper handed me it. I understood she confused the characters after a moment's thought. She used to draw Devil Man in her doujinshi. And yet I was so happy to get it.

The drawings are as follows. They are old and penciling, but very beautiful!




Saturday, February 03, 2007

February 3rd is Setsubun!

In Japan, the traditonal end of winter falls on Feb 3rd, and is known as Setsubun.
People traditonally scatter roasted soybeans to ward off evill spirits. It also prepares people to spring. People eat the same number of roasted soybeans as their age. This is believed to keep them healthy during the coming year.

The day's main event is the bean-scattering ceremony. People hurl roasted soybeans aroud the entrances and rooms of their homes, shouting 'In with fortune! Out with evil!'. Temples hold soybean-throwing ceremonies aroud Japan every year. At some big temples, the ceremony features celebrities and sumo wrestlers throwing soybeans.

I used to scatter roasted soybeans when I was a kid. But recently I prefer to forget about it.
Actually it's hard to clean up after that.

In the Kansai area, people eat rolled sushi to bring them good fortune while facing the year's auspicious direction. It's north-northwest this year. This costom has been rapidly spreading to other parts of Japan. I found lots of rolled sushi with the description in the grocery department when I went to the supermarket. It was not the custom when I was a kid. Several years ago TV shows introduced it, and then lots of people like it.

You may see these Setsubun ceremonies in some mangas. They can express the feeling of the season. I feel the end of a school year or end of winter. In Japan, the academic year runs from April to March. So it's cold and entry-exam season now. Some of students may eat soybeans for their fotune health or eat rolled sushi in hope of passing entrance exams.

Friday, February 02, 2007

GP Gakuen Jouhoushorika #2 by Naduki Koujima



I got 'GP Gakuen Jouhoushorika #2' by Naduki Koujima recently.
This book contains some yaoi manga stories in a elite boy's high school.

I have lots of her mangas. Her characters are very cute! Kawaii! I like drawing of their hair.

Naduki Koujima Manga List (These are all Japanese version)

Bokura no Oukoku #1-#5
GP Gakuen Jouhou Shorika #1-#2
Kunshusama no Koi wa Katte
Kunshusama no Koi no Oaite
Yasashidakejya Tarinakute
Yasashiikeredo Ijiwarude
Gouindakedo Yasashikute
Sunao ni nare
Shiawase no LEVEL
Boys life
Otona no Uso Kodomo no Honki
Shounika byoutou wa ohsawagi
Suki to Kirai no Kyoukaisen
Otona to Kodomo no Kyoukaisen
Brother Complex
Amaimononiwa goyoujin
Kids Paradise - Illustlation Collection
GP Gakuen Art Book

Some of them were translated into English.
Bokura no Oukoku -Our Kingdom
Kunshusama no Koi wa Katte -Selfish Love #1
Kunshusama no Koi no Oaite - Selfish Love #2

Thursday, February 01, 2007

Boys Over Flowers by Yoko Kamio

I'm also a fan of shojo manga. I really like Hana yori Dango (Boys Over Flowers)! I have the entire series (36 volumes long). Tsukushi has a will of iron. And Domyoji is pretty funny. I love the characters!

It was made into a drama last year. Since the drama has gained such popularity, 'Hana yori Dango (Boys Over Flowers) 2nd' airs now in Japan! It's so interesting!

The other day, I heard that the popular TV show M.C. said 'I love the drama! It's the best drama in this season. It also entertains middle-aged men like me!'.

The official site is as follows.

http://www.tbs.co.jp/hanayoridango/

The following cover is vol. 36 of Japanese version.



But complute version were published recently. I hear the last vol contains new story!
I have to get it!