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Archive for November, 2009

Review: LoveCom (Vol. 01)

By Lissa Pattillo on Friday, November 20, 2009

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Reviewer: Lissa Pattillo

Manga-ka: Aya Nakahara
Publisher: Viz Media
Rating: Teen (13+)
Release Date: July 2007

Synopsis: “Risa Koizumi is the tallest girl in class, and the last thing she wants is the humiliation of standing next to Atsushi Ôtani, the shortest guy. Fate and the whole school have other ideas, and the two find themselves cast as the unwilling stars of a bizarre romantic comedy duo. Rather than bow to the inevitable, Risa and Atsushi join forces to pursue their true objects of affection. But will their budding friendship become something more complex?”

Above average in height, Risa Koizumi wonders if she’ll ever be able to enjoy the normalcy of an average stature. The only one who seems to understand her is Atsushi Otani, the shortest boy in their class. Seeing worlds from different views, and arguing on nearly every one, the two manage to come to an agreement when being in love is involved – as long as it’s not with each other.

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Categories: Reviews
Tags: Manga, Shoujo Beat, Viz Media

Review: Legend of Zelda – Oracle of Seasons

By Lissa Pattillo on Thursday, November 19, 2009

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Reviewer: Lissa Pattillo

Manga-ka: Akira Himekawa
Publisher: Viz Media
Rating: All Ages
Release Date: April 2009

Synopsis: “In a small village in Hyrule, a boy called Link has the mark of the Triforce on his left hand. It is a mark of destiny that once again leads Link on a fantastic adventure! Transported to the land of Holodrum, Link meets Din, the Oracle of Seasons. When a plot to steal the seasons from Holodrum unfolds, Link must battle the evil General Onox to save Holodrum and his friends from a terrible fate!”

The Link of this story isn’t as enthusiastic at the prospect of being a hero as those before him – in fact, the last thing he wants to be is a Knight in service to the throne. But, in an effort to find out what it is he really wants to do, he goes along with his Grandfather’s wishes and attends the Knights’ trial. Yet then he accidentally activates a trial of a different kind and is suddenly whisked across the countryside to a land in need of a hero.

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Categories: Reviews
Tags: Legend of Zelda, Manga, Viz Media

Review: Love Code

By Shannon Fay on Wednesday, November 18, 2009

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Reviewer: Shannon Fay

Manga-ka: Sakurako Hanafubuki
Publisher: June
Rating: Mature (18+)
Release Date: January 2009

Synopsis: “We first met superstar actor Koji Mizuhara and rising pop idol Kyo Ayukawa in “Junior Escort,” where a passionate misunderstanding led to true love. Now, the “Sweet Slave Scandal” series continues in this second installment, “Love Code.” Despite their hectic schedules, Mizuhara and Ayukawa still manage to keep their relationship happy and lovey-dovey. The future of their careers seems bright as well. Mizuhara is about to make his Hollywood debut and Ayukawa is about to record a music CD. But Mizuhara’s dark past and some jealous people will try to break this couple apart. And, in the end, Ayukawa needs to decide which is more important—his career or Mizuhara.”

Love Code is the sequel to the yaoi manga Junior Escort and continues the story of actor Koji Mizuhara and his pop idol boyfriend Kyo Ayukawa. I wasn’t a big fan of Junior Escort. I found it dull and I wasn’t looking forward to reading the next book in the series, but I’m glad I did, as Love Code is a vast improvement. It’s still not as good as it could be, but at least now I want to keep reading the series and see what happens next.

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Categories: Reviews
Tags: Boys' Love/Yaoi, June, Manga

PR: Viz Media Delights Younger Readers This Holiday Season

By Lissa Pattillo on Tuesday, November 17, 2009

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PONYO, POKÉMON AND ZELDA DELIGHT YOUNGER READERS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON IN NEW BOOKS AND MANGA RELEASES FROM VIZ MEDIA

San Francisco, CA, November 16, 2009 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, will delight younger fans (as well as their parents) this holiday season with a fun variety of age-appropriate titles based on popular anime and manga (graphic novel) properties.

The releases include a trio of books capturing the unique art and tender story of PONYO, the new animated film from the legendary Hayao Miyazaki. Fans of POKÉMON won’t be disappointed with a variety of the latest manga editions along with puzzle books and a new posterzine, and THE LEGEND OF ZELDA fans can also look forward to a brand new manga adventure.

“These are all titles that parents can select with confidence for younger readers,” says Gonzalo Ferreyra Vice President, Sales & Marketing, VIZ Media “From the gorgeously illustrated PONYO FILM COMIC and PICTURE BOOK, to the fun puzzles of LET’S FIND POKÉMON and the magical fantasy of THE LEGEND OF ZELDA, there are plenty of thoughtful selections to delight anyone on your holiday gift lists this year!”

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Categories: Press Releases
Tags: Legend of Zelda, Viz Media

Omnibus: The New Manga Frontier?

By Lissa Pattillo on Tuesday, November 17, 2009

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Omnibus releases are not a new thing to the manga world but with recent changes in the economy and buyer habits, they’re becoming more and common. In fact in the past year alone it’s become evident that more than a few publishers are turning more and more of their attention to the omnibus format.

With tactics changing, buyers shifting and bookstore shelves reorganizing, are the omnibus editions we’re seeing now just the beginning of a new era of manga publication – could they be the future of manga in print?

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Categories: Editorials
Tags: CLAMP, Del Rey, Manga

Review: Happy Boys (Vol. 01)

By Lissa Pattillo on Monday, November 16, 2009

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Reviewer: Lissa Pattillo

Manga-ka: Makoto Tateno
Publisher: Doki Doki
Rating: Teens (13+)
Release Date: September 2009

Synopsis: “Welcome home, madam!” For the patrons of Lady Braganza, an afternoon outing for tea and cake becomes an immersion in high-class lifestyle, where mannered servants attend to their each and every need. You see, Lady Braganza is a butler café, and the cheerful staff of Shiva, Renjo, Ivory, Silk and Eve are charged with the task of making each and every “sir” or “madam” feel like pampered royalty!”

The Lady Braganza is a butler café where patrons are treated as royalty, served the most delectable of teas and cakes while being served by the most wholesomely attentive staff. Happy Boy’s cast of characters all work at this café and it’s their job to make sure every customer finds themselves pleasantly lost in the illusion – but not all readers may find themselves as entranced.

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Categories: Reviews
Tags: Doki Doki, Makoto Tateno, Manga

Review: Liberty Liberty!

By Lissa Pattillo on Sunday, November 15, 2009

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Reviewer: Lissa Pattillo

Manga-ka: Hinako Takanaga
Publisher: BLU
Rating: Older Teen (16+)
Release Date: November 2009

Synopsis: “After fleeing Tokyo, trying to escape a personal crisis, hapless Itary winds up drunk and passed out on a neighbourhood trash heap. His misery is documented by prickly cameraman Kouki, who works for a local cable station, and soon the two end up roommates and co-workers. But with a company full of quirky characters, including a perky, winsome cross-dresser, and their own personalities to content with, will Itaru and Kouki ever truly understand one another?”

While out on assignment, Kouki stumbles across a runaway sprawled in an alleyway. A good deed not going unrewarded, he finds himself both puked on and his new camera smashed! None the less he generously takes the young man, Itaru, back to his apartment to get cleaned up – but with Itaru having no where to go and no money for payment, he soon becomes a more long-term tenant of Kouki’s home.

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Categories: Reviews
Tags: BLU, Boys' Love/Yaoi, Hinako Takanaga, Manga

Fresh from Amazon – BL From BLU and A Cat Who Makes Ramen

By Lissa Pattillo on Saturday, November 14, 2009

3 Comments »

New From Tokyopop

With convention season behind us, it’s always fun to know there’s still new manga licenses coming our way! Granted new listings on Amazon aren’t as exciting or confirmed, but they do manage to sate the eagerness somewhat.

Note: While I have contacted Tokyopop regarding these new titles, there has been no confirmation as to the licenses. As with all Amazon listings, they remain speculation until confirmed by the publisher.

Neko Ramen Volume 1: Hey! Order Up! – Kenji Sonishi
Calling – Miu Ootsuki (BLU)
Scarlet – Hiro Madarame (BLU)

Neko Ramen sounds ripe with humour potential, the story of a cat who also happens to sell ramen. It’s another series from the artist of Viz’s Leave It To PET!. In regards to Scarlet and Calling, I’m really eager to see more of them because they both sport some fantasticlooking cover artwork – I hope the interior is just as eye-pleasing!

And though I don’t believe this is a new title, fans of Fruits Basket will be happy to see the next fan book, Fruits Basket Fanbook: Banquet, coming their way in May 2010.

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Categories: Licensing
Tags: Manga, Tokyopop

Review: Fushigi Yugi Genbu Kaiden (Vol. 09)

By Lissa Pattillo on Friday, November 13, 2009

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Reviewer: Lissa Pattillo

Manga-ka: Yuu Watase
Publisher: Viz Media
Rating: Older Teen (16+)
Release Date: November 2009

Synopsis: “Back in her own world, Takiko tries to forget about The Universe of the Four Gods. Determined to live the life of an ordinary girl in Tokyo in 1923, she returns to her father’s home and concentrates on being a loyal daughter–and, soon, a dutiful bride. But she can’t leave her other life behind. And while Takiko struggles to cool her still-burning heart, the Celestial Warriors battle through a new ice age!”

Those who’ve read the original Fushigi Yugi series already know how Genbu Kaiden is going to end, but this volume is a clear indicator that Yu Watase isn’t going to ignore those of us thinking we have the end pegged. With Takiko transported back to her world at the end of the last volume, she’s now torn between the life she has there and the love she feels for those she left behind.

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Categories: Reviews
Tags: Fushigi Yugi, Manga, Shoujo Beat, Viz Media, Yuu Watase

PR: More Manga for Holiday Gift Ideas from VIZ Media!

By Lissa Pattillo on Thursday, November 12, 2009

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VAMPIRES, CRIME DRAMA, GHOSTS, TEENAGE ANGST AND MORE FOR THIS GIFT GIVING HOLIDAY SEASON

VIZ SIGNATURE, SHONEN SUNDAY, AND SHONEN JUMP IMPRINTS OFFER ACTION-PACKED ADVENTURES

San Francisco, CA, November 12, 2009– VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, spotlights an inventive variety of manga (graphic novels) that are sure to delight both gift givers and recipients this holiday season with adventure, action, mystery, vampires and more.

“We’re offering up the best of the best just in time for the holidays,” says Gonzalo Ferreyra, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, VIZ Media. “There are new series from manga heavyweights like Taiyo Matsumoto with GOGO Monster, and Rumiko Takahashi with her newest creation, RIN-NE and many more. For new and familiar fans alike, or perhaps for ones who simply love good stories with exquisite art, any of these titles will make an especially unique gift to fit almost any budget this year.”

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Categories: Press Releases
Tags: Children of the Sea, Rumiko Takahashi, Shonen Sunday, Viz Media