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Author Archive for Lissa Pattillo

Diamond Manga Previews: February 2012

By Lissa Pattillo on Wednesday, February 29, 2012

I was a bit late picking up my Previews magazine this month so my apologies to the two of you who were wondering where the heck my second installment of Previews was (I kid! …don’t I?). So here I am taking advantage of that extra day – Happy Leap Day! This month’s previews didn’t have as much manga content as January’s but still lots of fun stuff to look forward to and order in at our local comic stores.

February 2012 Manga Previews Checklist (PDF)

You may continue reading at your own discretion for my thoughts, elaborations, random pictures and the Top 10 Selling Manga of December 2011 and Diamond Comics top selling manga of all 2011!

SuBLime Licenses Yaya Sakuragi’s Bond of Dreams, Bond of Love

By Lissa Pattillo on Wednesday, February 29, 2012

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2012 is really shaping up to be the year of adult manga so far, isn’t it? It feels like the bulk of licensing news since the new year began has been mature titles from SuBLime and Digital Manga Publishing, be it hentai, boys’ love or Tezuka’s darker-themed, Barbara. It’s become a notable trend so far but I’ve no complaints. It’s been fantastic seeing this time of year full of manga licenses when typically I associate them as coming in bulk in the summer.

That being said, SuBLime continues to roll along with their new licenses, announcing today they’ll be releasing Yaya Sakuragi’s Bond of Dreams, Bond of Love:

“High school student Ao has had a wet dream about longtime neighbor and Shinto priest, Ryomei. He’s taken aback and excited by this dream, and starts to consider the joys of a relationship with another man. Ao approaches Ryomei in the hopes of making his dream a reality, but is flatly refused. Not one to give up easily, Ao persists until he finally gets his kiss. But will this horny high schooler really be satisfied with a simple kiss? Bonus story included!”

I’m looking forward to buying this one, having enjoyed some of Yaya Sakuragi’s work in the past when published by DMP and the now defunct BLU. Plus it has a priest in it which is always a soft spot of mine – robes are so pretty to look at! Volume one is scheduled for release in August 2012 with following volumes being printed every three months. Currently SuBLime does not have rights for releasing Bond of Dreams, Bond of Love digitally.

SuBLime also announced they’ve licensed Makoto Tateno’s How’s Your Ex?. Unfortunately this one-shot title is a digital-only release. It’s scheduled for April 2012 and is one of the creator’s most recent projects, just published in Japan back in November 2011.

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Categories: Licensing
Tags: Bond of Dreams Bond of Love, Boys' Love/Yaoi, Makoto Tateno, Manga, SuBLime

Project-H Announces License For First “Uncensored” Title – Love Hair

By Lissa Pattillo on Monday, February 27, 2012

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Digital Manga announced via their Twitter & Facebook (18+ only!) accounts late last week that they’ve acquired a new license for their Project-H imprint – Maban’s Love Hair.

The company is promoting this book as their first “uncensored” title. Having now read a couple of their already released hentais, I can assure readers who may be concerned hearing this that it doesn’t mean DMP has censored their books in the past (from what I can tell). There are some small elements in the source material that qualifies as censoring – little to no drawn detail in certain areas, for example, and tiny rather useless black bars over genitalia, but those things are there from the get-go.

You can see a few preview pages of Love Hair’s interior on its Amazon.jp page, with a reminder that these images and the book are for 18+ readers only! The ‘uncensored’ detail work that stands out most in the book seems indicative of where the book’s name comes from.

Between their boys’ love and hentai titles, there seems to be a number of Digital Manga licenses as of late. I’ve really been liking how they’ve been making announcements all year ’round instead of staying confined to the late-Spring, early-Summer convention season as others do. That they’ve generally announced only 1-2 titles per time also gives them a lot more press time on sites and blogs spread out over weeks. Clever, clever.

I do hope we see their actual Project H website launch sooner than later though. They’ve got quite a few titles now but only the original three on their website (which still has no working links past the age verification page). The same can be said for 801Media for which they’ve even printed previews of the ‘finished’ website in their Project H books, yet the original website remains untouched since early 2010. I love all the new licenses but it’d be even nicer to have up and running sites to go to for information on them.

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Categories: Licensing, News
Tags: DMP, Hentai, Manga, Project-H

MangaNext 2012: Vertical Announces New Licenses, Artbook

By Lissa Pattillo on Saturday, February 25, 2012

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New Jersey is home to North America’s only manga-specific convention this weekend – MangaNext. Along with it’s impressive guest list (if only it didn’t cost me $6500 to fly down last minute!), the convention is also the platform for some manga industry news.

Vertical Inc‘s Ed Chavez is attending the event and had two new manga licenses to announce at the company panel today:

Heroman – Stan Lee & Tamon Ohta
Limit – Keiko Suenobu

Heroman is a five volume series written by Marvel-character famed, Stan Lee. The story is illustrated by Tamon Ohta, who I couldn’t find any works from prior aside from ANN’s credit for art in the Heroman anime. This is Stan Lee’s second direct collaboration with a manga-artist – the first being Ultimo, published in English by Viz Media. Heroman is about a boy named Joey who discovers a discarded toy in the trash only to then find himself fighting alongside it to become a hero.

Limit is a six volume, psychological shoujo series from the creator of the Tokyopop published Life, Keiko Suenobu. It’s a pretty solid indication right there what kind of series this is going to be coupled with it’s suspenseful sounding plot. The story follows a young woman named Kanno who has lived indifferently towards her school and classmates. She’s forced to see things differently when a bus crash leaves her and four other survivors trapped on a cliff.

Along with these two titles, Vertical Inc also licensed a novel titled Grey Men and, to the foreseen surprise of many on Twitter, the Queen’s Blade Complete Visual Collection artbook (fantasy fanservice that’s a hentai without the sex). Ed Chavez has mentioned in the past that he wants consumers to see Vertical as a more diverse publisher and something so different from their most well-known series is definitely getting that point across. ANN has more information available on these two acquisitions.

I didn’t see any news reported on Twitter from the con-goers on when these books are scheduled to be published but I’ll definitely be purchasing both Heroman and Limit when they’re available. A fun, innocent looking shonen and a thought-provoking shoujo both look great to me!

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Categories: Licensing, News
Tags: Conventions, Heroman, Manga, MangaNext, Stan Lee, Vertical Inc

Otaku USA: On The Shelf – February 22, 2012

By Lissa Pattillo on Friday, February 24, 2012

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One piece of good news this week – a new volume of XXXHolic! The sad news of the week – it’s the final volume. I’ve been buying the series since high school and it’s one of my favourites, if not my actual favourite, amidst CLAMP’s books over the years. I’ve heard people say the ending isn’t very satisfying but I’m going in with an open mind, and the glee of simply having another chance to drool over the beautiful artwork.

Along with the one series ending, Vertical Inc. has a new series (well, newly continued): GTO The Early Years (Vol.11) and Digital Manga is releasing the fifth deluxe re-issue of the boys’ love series, Kizuna. You can see the complete list of releases this week over at my Otaku USA On The Shelf article.

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Categories: Features, News, On The Shelf, Release Lists
Tags: CLAMP, Dark Horse, Del Rey, DMP, June, Kodansha Comics, Manga, One Piece, Otaku USA, Vertical Inc, Viz Media, Yen Press

Tuesday Twitter Treats – DMP and SuBLime Announce New Licenses

By Lissa Pattillo on Wednesday, February 22, 2012

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Both Digital Manga Publishing and SuBLime had fans glued to social media sources tonight when representatives from both teased they’d be announcing a number of new licenses this evening. I was following them both via their Twitter accounts (DMP/SuBLime) for the news.

Digital Manga (blog post):

The Man I Picked Up – CJ Michalski (June)
With a Dictionary and No Skirt – Tomoyuki Enoki (Project-H)
Colorful Harvest – Ponkotsu Works (Project-H)
An Ideal Day to Fall in Love – Ponkotsu Works (Project-H)

CJ Michalski’s The Man I Picked Up is about a club-owner who finds an injured young man outside his establishment. It’s a one-shot, love-at-first-sight boys’ love story by the same creator as That Was Good, which DMP published last year.

With a Dictionary and No Skirt, Colorful Harvest and An Ideal Day to Fall in Love are all one-shot volumes as well, all three published under DMP’s hentai imprint, Project-H. Colorful Harvest is the story of a young man returning home to help with his family’s vineyards where he meets an old childhood friend.

SuBLime (blog post):

Kiss Ariki – Youka Nitta
Awkward Silence – Hinako Takanaga

Both these new boys’ love titles are scheduled for digital and print releases (yay!) with their first volumes due out this summer.

Kiss Ariki is currently being published in English by Animate USA on the Kindle. Since August 2010 they’ve published seven chapters. Presumably SuBLime will be doing their own translations and typesetting. Several other Youka Nitta titles have been released by Animate USA and other publishers over the years, including DMP’s White Brand and Otodama. Her series, Kiss Ariki, is about a yakuza’s son sent to a deserted island for his protection. Along with him is the son of his father’s second-in-command. Two young men + deserted island? You guess the rest!

Hinako Takanaga’s Awkward Silence is my favourite announcement of the night. As a huge fan of the creator’s work, I’ll always be happy to have more of her books to purchase. This title in particular I’ve been buying in French and I’m super excited to get a copy in English (my French reading skills are more than a bit rusty these days!). It’s an adorable story about a young man whose shyness leads to trouble speaking and expressing his feelings. When asked out by the classmate he has a crush on, he begins to open up to both him and his friends. Very cute and often funny! I’d recommend this series to those who enjoyed Hinako Takanaga’s Little Butterfly.

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Categories: Licensing, News
Tags: Awkward Silence, Boys' Love/Yaoi, DMP, Hentai, Hinako Takanaga, Manga, Project-H, SuBLime

PR: Animate USA – February 2012 Releases for Amazon Kindle

By Lissa Pattillo on Tuesday, February 21, 2012

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ANIMATE USA – NEW RELEASES IN AMAZON KINDLE STORE

TOKYO, JAPAN – February 21st – Animate U.S.A., Inc. is pleased to bring you four new releases this month in February. The month may be shorter, but we’re not holding back on our releases! This month brings with it three new installments of continuing series and a brand new one-shot story from Kou Yoneda. Youka Nitta’s yakuza romance story, “Kiss Ariki,” continues this month, as well as a bonus story to Shiuko Kano’s popular “Play Boy Blues.” These two stories, along with Kou Yoneda’s “Kanjou Spectrum,” are all exclusive to the Kindle. And Naduki Koujima’s next chapter of “Selfish Love” also debuts on the Kindle this month. Be sure to check them out and get your monthly yaoi fix from Libre Publishing!

For more information, go to www.animate-world.com and www.libre-pub.co.jp Your love for Youka Nitta doesn’t have to stop with Kiss Ariki! Check out her website nittayouka.com for recent news, comments, wallpapers, and more. You may not be able to read anything by Yamane Ayano this month from us, but be sure to stop by yamaneayano.com to see updates, artwork, and author commentary! Support your favorite authors by visiting their websites!

February 2011:

Youka Nitta – “Kiss Ariki – Episode 7” KINDLE EXCLUSIVE!!!
Kou Yoneda – “Kanjou Spectrum” KINDLE EXCLUSIVE!!!
Shiuko Kano – “P.B.B. Play Boy Blues – Bonus Episode” KINDLE EXCLUSIVE!!!
Naduki Koujima – “Selfish Love Vol.2 Part 4” KINDLE DEBUT

“Kiss Ariki – Episode 7” by Youka Nitta

Tohru, the son of the Suki clan, was born so beautiful that when he rides in a crowded train, he’s likely to be groped. One day, amid whispers of who will succeed the Suki clan, a rumor surfaces about an illegitimate child of the clan’s boss!

“Kanjou Spectrum” by Kou Yoneda

Even if you’re in a crowd of people wearing identical uniforms… Even if I can only see your back from far away… You are the only one that I’ll never fail to recognize. My gaze is always yearning for you. I had already fallen for your before I realized it. Teenage love doesn’t need a reason.

” P.B.B. Play Boy Blues – Bonus Episode” by Shiuko Kano

A series of short stories about Shinobu and Junsuke’s relationship. A collection of 4koma stories, from a flashback to their lives five years ago to Yukata Day at the Host Club. See how their love continues to grow and show itself in new ways, and more! Take a break from the main story and spend a little time laughing and saying “aww” at these cute side stories.

“Selfish Love Vol.2 Part 5” by Naduki Koujima

The Unexpected Climax! Orito, the President of the Honors Society, won’t take “no” for an answer. He refuses to stop pursuing the affections of Ryuuya, the Vice President. After all, according to Orito, the Vice President is supposed to be his “right hand man.” The advances keep escalating, and Ryuuya’s honor is at stake! Will he remain pure and defiant, or will he give in to Orito’s strong and sensuous game of love?

Read more…

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Categories: Press Releases
Tags: Boys' Love/Yaoi

Sleepless Nights, In These Words – New BL Titles Scheduled For Print

By Lissa Pattillo on Saturday, February 18, 2012

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A few different tidbits of boys’ love news rounded up from the week today. Always makes me happy when I can write up about more books heading to print!

Continuing a recent trend of license announcements, Digital Manga has posted news of their license for Sachi Murakami’s one-shot story collection, Sleepless Nights. The title is scheduled for both a digital and print release, with dates yet to be revealed. The book’s title story follows two men who, after sharing a sexual relationship when younger, meet years later and become roommates.

Over on Amazon, I also came across a listing for a print edition of Guilt Pleasure’s In These Words. The Guilt|Pleasure website confirms this book will have a summer release. As a big fan of Jo Chen’s artwork (Guilt Pleasure is her group name for her boys’ love work), I’m thrilled to see In These Words coming to print in English with some wider distribution. It’s listed as being published by Digital Manga’s 801Media imprint, also an exciting note for the branching out it symbolizes for the company. Digital Manga already offers several originally English-language titles on their digital eManga website such as a Teahouse preview and Yaoi Press books but this is the first time they’ve published one in print.

A text version of the story can be read over on the creator’s website and you can drool over her gorgeous artwork on the site’s blog. A short synopsis from their site for In These Words is as follows:

“Asano Katsuya is an US trained psychiatrist who had been recruited by the Tokyo Police Department to provide a profile through the victims’ data. Based on Asano’s profile and recommendation, an elaborate plan was put in place to lure the serial killer out. It was within months the plan bore a successful result. After three years and twelve victims, Shinohara Keiji was finally in the police custody. Shinohara had promised a thorough confession, however, on the absolute term that Asano has to be the one to receive it. Besides the curious request by the killer whom Asano was only familiar with on paper, disturbing nightmares began to plague him as soon as he was given the case…”

Yaoi Press – a publisher of boys’ love content from artists around the world – is returning to print publishing with a new title due out in the summer as well. The company has focused almost exclusively on digital BL novels via their Yaoi Prose (18+) imprint since 2009. Punishment is a one-shot graphic novel written by the company’s owner, Yamila Abraham, and illustrated by Yifeng Jiang. A synopsis and larger cover image for the book can be seen over on the Yaoi Press website. I’m really happy to see them returning to print publishing for a couple titles, and even more so that it’s a simultaneous return to fully illustrated releases.

And lastly, in digital BL news, SuBLime has released another title for purchase and download this past Valentine’s Day- Isaku Natsume’s Devil’s Honey. Originally scheduled for the same day, volumes two of Love Pistols and Husband, Honeymoon have both been pushed back to February 29.

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Categories: Licensing, News
Tags: Boys' Love/Yaoi, DMP, Global Manga, June, Manga, Manhua, SuBLime, Yaoi Press

Otaku USA: On The Shelf – February 15, 2012

By Lissa Pattillo on Wednesday, February 15, 2012

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Post-Valentine’s Day, aka discount chocolate day! New manga and bags full of chocolate is a winning combination to me. There aren’t a whole lot of new titles this week but still plenty of quality, including a couple omnibus for added value.

The new volume of Viz Media‘s 20th Century Boys and Digital Manga’s Black Sun are my must-haves this week. It’s hard to believe I reviewed Black Sun (Vol. 01) back in December 2008! You can see the full list of this week’s releases over at Otaku USA in my On The Shelf article.

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Categories: News, On The Shelf, Release Lists
Tags: 20th Century Boys, 801Media, DMP, June, Kodansha Comics, Manga, Naoki Urasawa, Otaku USA, Seven Seas, Viz Media, Viz Signature

Review: The Tyrant Falls In Love (Vol. 04)

By Lissa Pattillo on Wednesday, February 15, 2012

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Manga-ka: Hinako Takanaga
Publisher: June Manga
Rating: Mature (18+)
Release Date: August 2011

Synopsis: “It’s been a long and winding road to victory, but Souichi has just moved in with Morinaga! Sure, it’s only meant to be temporary…and he’s got to do all of the cooking…and the cleaning…but these are small sacrifices for the sake of love, right? Too bad Morinaga is still struggling to keep Souichi out of his pants! Will he surrender control and let his stubborn heart lead the way?”

The Tyrant Falls In Love returns with another 200 pages of will-he-won’t-he as Morinaga continues to romantically persist after Souichi. A lot of the same material may be rehashed here (which isn’t necessarily a bad thing) but this book really steps things up with some drama you won’t expect. Finally more than their sex lives is now at risk. This fourth volume proves one of the most enjoyable yet as Souichi wages a one-sided war against a stalker and Morinaga fights to survive helping him with it.