Manga Village

Irel, Lamia and Clarion fight off assassins, but soon after, Lamia takes off on her own. Irel and Clarion continue to follow the chrism bottle trail, which leads them to the secret society Crossline. Irel’s power grows and it’s enough to get Crossline agents to question their leader, Ian. Lamia goes to an “old friend” and learns the truth of her origins, and it’s relation to Ian, Crossline, and Christianity. Detective Chris and Grace also find Crossline, and, joined by Chris’ partner Aileen, are recruited to try to stop Crossline’s plans. By JinJun Park Publisher: Yen Press Age Rating: Older Teen Genre: Action/Horror Price: $11.99 There is plenty of confusing “zombie battle action”™, but an actual plot does start to show itself in these 5 volumes of Raiders. Lamia’s past is revealed, as is the reason for Chris’ obsession with conspiracies, and most startlingly, the true origins of Christianity, and how it relates to the secret organization, Crossline. I can’t say that I really enjoyed these volumes, but I was fascinated with the way the history/mythology/beliefs of the Christian church was used in the story as well as its references to the use of science. After three volumes of mostly…

Look! It’s a real list! With lots of different manga!! Dark Horse continues it’s on-again, off-again relationship with Eden: It’s an Endless World and it’s newest volume finally coming out this week. Kodansha has some old Del Rey titles this week as well as some of their new offering. Viz has a few Signature volumes, and Udon Entertainment releases their first original title, Randomveus.

So… since this week is a little light on content (although I’m sure we would all love Yellow II vol. 3) the team at Manga Village thought we would talk about our favorite new series from the first half of 2011.

Fumi Yoshinaga was first introduced to US audiences through her BL titles. But this versatile writer has also created stories for young adults and adult audiences that both men and women can enjoy. She is also the featured creator of this month’s Manga Movable Feast. So here are the Villagers talking up their favorite Yoshinaga titles.

Fumi Yoshinaga is a creator that often has her works recommended as essential reading material  Here at Manga Village we’re not much different! Nearly every reviewer has had something to say about her titles. Some have had a LOT to say.

It’s just three publishers this week, but the list of titles is at least decent. Viz releases titles from their Signature line, as well as a new novel, based on the popular video game ICO: Castle In The Mist. Yen Press has their monthly release which also includes a light novel, Book Girl And The Captive Fool. And if you have a tween-teen named Jennifer, then Seven Seas’ lastest release may be just the book for you! The List: SEVEN SEAS ENTERTAINMENT Amazing Agent Jennifer Volume 1 GN, $10.99 VIZ MEDIA Bokurano Ours Volume 4 GN, $12.99 Dorohedoro Volume 4 GN, $12.99  **Weekly Pick** ICO Castle In The Mist SC, $15.99 Itsuwaribito Volume 3 GN, $9.99 Naoki Urasawa’s 20th Century Boys Volume 16 GN, $12.99  **Weekly Pick** Tenjo Tenge Volume 2 TP (Full Contact Edition 2-In-1), $17.99 YEN PRESS Book Girl And The Captive Fool SC, $11.99 Higurashi When They Cry Volume 14 GN (Eye Opening Arc Part 4), $11.99 K-ON Volume 3 GN, $11.99  **Weekly Pick** Melancholy Of Haruhi Suzumiya Volume 9 GN, $11.99 Melancholy Of Suzumiya Haruhi-Chan Volume 3 GN, $11.99 Omamori Himari Volume 4 GN, $11.99 Sumomomo Momomo Volume 9 TP, $11.99 Ugly Duckling’s Love Revolution Volume…

The rogue doctor Black Jack is back with more stories of strange diseases and amazing feats to cure them. These three volumes feature stories that move away from the “corruption of the medical system” and focus more on Black Jack’s patients, both the two-legged and four. We also get another glimpse into Black Jack’s past with the appearance of his father and his new family.

It’s a small list this week, but a good for video game tie-ins. Bandai Entertainment releases the first volume based on the franchise Tales of the Abyss, while Udon Entertainment releases the next volume of Gigamix from the Mega Man franchise. Viz brings out their monthly batch of Shonen Sunday titles along with the US version of rival magazine Shonen Jump.

The fifth grade. The threshold to puberty, and the beginning of the end of childhood innocence. Shuichi Nitori and his new friend Yoshino Takatsuki have happy homes, loving families, and are well-liked by their classmates. But they share a secret that further complicates a time of life that is awkward for anyone: Shuichi is a boy who wants to be a girl, and Yoshino is a girl who wants to be a boy. Written and drawn by one of today’s most critically acclaimed creators of manga, Shimura portrays Shuishi and Yoshino’s very private journey with affection, sensitivity, gentle humor, and unmistakable flair and grace. Book One introduces our two protagonists and the friends and family whose lives intersect with their own. Yoshino is rudely reminded of her sex by immature boys whose budding interest in girls takes clumsily cruel forms. Shuichi’s secret is discovered by Saori, a perceptive and eccentric classmate. And it is Saori who suggests that the fifth graders put on a production of The Rose of Versailles for the farewell ceremony for the sixth graders — with boys playing the roles of women, and girls playing the roles of men. By: Shimura Takako Publisher: Fantagraphics Books Age…

Viz dominates the list this week with their Shone Jump and Shojo Beat titles. Don’t miss out on the yearly release of Kaze Hikaru, a slow seller that Viz hasn’t given up on yet (thankfully). Dark Horse has the next Cardcaptor Sakura, and Vertical releases the next volume of Black Jack, and begins countdown to the final volume.