Holiday Special Round-Up!

‘Tis the season for holiday sales and manga is no exception! Since it would be a shame for anyone to miss out on the fairly fabulous deals I’ve seen floating around over the past week, I thought I’d gather some links all in one place along with a few recommendations. These are the sales I know about, featuring titles from Viz Media, Yen Press, Aurora Publishing, and Digital Manga Publishing. If there are any I’ve missed, please drop me a comment!

Viz Media: Buy 3 manga, get 1 free on all manga priced at $9.99 or less at the Viz Store. Truthfully, the selection is pretty limited, but there are good deals to be found on popular titles like selected volumes of Naruto and Vampire Knight. Here are a few recommendations from me:

Bleach This epic shonen battle manga about a teenager and his friends who get swept up in a supernatural world others can’t see is still going strong at 29 volumes published in English (42 so far in Japan) and though its formula may be predictable, I often feel that Tite Kubo doesn’t get the credit he deserves. With its engaging concept and well-developed cast of characters, I’ve always found something in this series to enjoy. Check out my reviews of volumes 26, 27, and 28.

Honey and Clover I’m embarrassed to say that I’ve barely dipped my toe into this popular josei series, but that’s a mistake I’ve long intended to rectify. If you’re like me, this sale may be your chance! Guest reviewer Lorena Nava Ruggero says, “Honestly, I love Honey and Clover. The characters, the situations they’re thrown in, their (at times) bleak experience in life and love—it all comes together in a perfect storm of the ‘quarter-life crisis.'” Read her full review of volume 7 here.

One Piece This is a series I’ve tried to get into over and over and now with the recent release of the first three-volume omnibus from Viz, I think I’ll finally make it! There are only a few single volumes available in this sale, but for those of you who (like me) have been living under a rock, or for those who may missing a volume or two, this is a great way to pick up a bit of this series for a very nice price.

Yen Press: At least 33% off all titles at RightStuf.com. This sale is pretty comprehensive, so there is a lot to ponder. I’ve made recommendations for Yen Press sales before, and there are approximately a zillion titles I could recommend, including many manhwa titles which are definitely my newest love. Here are a few single volumes/series just beginning that might not immediately spring to mind:

Toxic Planet I hear almost nothing about this single-volume release in the manga blogosphere, though it was one of my favorite books this year. Created by French cartoonist, David Ratte, this topical satire first appeared in English on Yen Press’ website where you can still find it today. Check out my review to find out why I think you should.

Pandora Hearts Having had a peek at this series when it began serialization in Yen Plus, I was thrilled to finally get a look at its first full volume last month. Now I can’t wait for the next. This fast-paced shonen manga gets right into the thick of things, with a good-sized cast of characters, a complex fantasy plot, and some seriously pretty art. Read my review for more.

Time and Again Though its first volume gets off to a bit of a shaky start, further reading in issues of Yen Plus has given me the confidence to declare Time and Again a manhwa well worth watching. Whether a fan of of pretty men, ghost stories, or eight-century Chinese culture, there’s something here for you! Check out my review of the series’ first volume to find out more!

Aurora Publishing: Individual titles for as little as $4 or some sets of up to 8 titles for $15 at Aurora Holiday Sale. The sale prices here are insanely good, with the best deals being bundles of as few as 2 (Future Lovers) or as many as 8 (collected Luv Luv titles) volumes together. The sale includes some of my favorite yaoi titles to date and much, much more. Here are some strong suggestions:

Future Lovers This two-volume yaoi series is so good, I’m tempted to buy up extra copies just to express my enthusiasm. Easily one of my top two or three yaoi titles of all time (and pretty high on the list even even you remove the word “yaoi”) Future Lovers is an engaging, character-driven story about two teachers who fall in love that addresses real-life concerns without ever wandering into Afterschool Special territory. Read my reviews of volumes one and two for more raves about this series.

Seduce Me After the Show/Red Blinds the Foolish Speaking of yaoi about grown men, nobody does it better than est em. With her unique artwork and poetic sensibility, est em creates yaoi that is intensely beautiful without ever including a single stereotypical “bishie” in the mix. Her single-volume anthologies, Seduce Me After the Show and Red Blinds the Foolish, were the first ever to convince me that I could be a fan of the genre.

Walkin’ Butterfly I didn’t expect much from this josei series when I started it. Trials and tribulations of the tall and beautiful? I rolled my eyes at the thought. In reality, Walkin’ Butterfly is a genuinely poignant story about a wreck of a young woman and her inability to accept her own worth. Read my reviews of volumes one and two for more.

Digital Manga Publishing: End of the year Super Sale, up to 90% off on selected titles at Akadot Retail and some even deeper discounts at Yaoi Club. I’m about to show a real bias here, as my recommendations basically boil down to two words: FUMI YOSHINAGA. See for yourself:

Flower of Life This four-volume series about a group of high schoolers and their neurotic teacher can be approached as a lesson in How To Write Fantastic Dialogue, and I reject all arguments that Yoshinaga writes too much of it. I know I quote this again and again, but as Shaenon Garrity says, “Thank you, Fumi Yoshinaga, for continuing to be better than everyone!”

Moon and Sandals This two-volume yaoi series (the only yaoi in the bunch) following the romances of both a teen and adult couple is not only ceaselessly charming, it also shines in its genre as an example of just how genuinely enjoyable and cringe-free yaoi can be. This is a great choice for readers new to the genre or anyone who just enjoys listening to Yoshinaga talk.

Antique Bakery One of Yoshinaga’s most delightful series and probably the one she’s most famous for, Antique Bakery features her trademark fantastic dialogue, delicious baked goods, and the notorious “gay of demonic charm.” I am not sure I’ve ever met anyone who did not love this series. It’s that good. It’s also notable as as a non-yaoi story featuring gay characters, something all too rare in manga.

Again, if you know of a sale I’ve missed, please pass it along. Otherwise, happy shopping!