Manga Radar

Database Additions this week

Bloody Monday 7 – Kodansha Comics, Aug 2012
Hunter x Hunter 28 – Viz Shonen Jump Advanced, Sep 2012
Clockwork Sky 1 – Seven Seas, Sep 2012
The Hentai Prince and the Stony Cat – DMP, Nov 2012
Is This a Zombie? 3 – Yen Press, Nov 2012

Hot & Steamy 1 – DMP Project H, Jan 2013
Bleach 55 – Viz Shonen Jump, Feb 2013
Awkward Silence 3 – SuBLime, Feb 2013
One Piece 66 – Viz Shonen Jump, Mar 2013
Negima! 38 – Kodansha Comics, Apr 2013
Black Butler 13 – Yen Press, Apr 2013
Bunny Drop 8 – Yen Press, Apr 2013
Naruto 61 – Viz Shonen Jump, May 2013
Dengeki Daisy 12 – Viz Shojo Beat, May 2013
Awkward Silence 4 – SuBLime, May 2013

The Clockwork Sky is a prequel of sorts by Madeleine Rosca, to her 3-volume (internationally Award winning) Hollow Fields – it’s “not manga” for those who are purists about these things, but Hollow Fields was a lovely steampunk-schoolkids romp and the book trailer Tor put out to promote the book promises more of the same. I say ‘prequel of sorts’ as I don’t know how, or how directly, Clockwork Sky is related to the characters & story of Hollow Fields, but obviously I’m looking forward to this one.

There is a whole of of “volume n+1” up there, with all the usual suspects from Kodansha, Viz, and Yen. The only real head-scratcher was The Hentai Prince and the Stony Cat. A quick search pulls up DMP’s web listing for the book – and despite the title, this isn’t a Project H or 801 book – it’s under DMP’s main imprint. As a single volume one shot (and given the premise) I’m not so sure about this one, but I’ll read the reviews to see if I’m wrong.

##

It was just last week that Yu-Gi-Oh finally overcame Sailor Moon, and we all know Yugi is popular, and there’s the cartoon, trading card game, and all of that so it’s not a huge surprise.

Unlike Sailor Moon, though — which is showing strong sales and strong preorders for the unreleased books, only the five most recent Yu-Gi-Oh titles make the Top 500 this week. There is a bit of a drop-off as well, much further down the charts, as nothing that isn’t 5Ds, Zexal, or GX manages to crack the top 1000. To me this suggests a ‘subscriber’ model where new books get picked up by current fans, but fewer readers are picking up the series from the beginning. We could compare Yu-Gi-Oh to Naruto, which has vols 1-5 all still in the Top 500 [Naruto Vol. 1 was released in 2003] or even One Piece, volume one of which current outranks Naruto 1 and Bleach 1. Not every ‘bestseller’ works in quite they same way, and there are many different ways to consider sales.

Of course, it might not be fair of me to lump all the Yu-Gi-Oh series and spinoffs into a single block, as kids currently watching the cartoon likely only think of their version as the one worth following – even so, I’d expect stronger sales from 5Ds or Zexal — or maybe fans need to tie-up the plot & storylines because 4Kids never aired the 4th season of the Anime?

The Top 10 Yu-Gi-Oh books are:

1. ↔0 (1) : Yu-Gi-Oh! GX 9 – Viz Shonen Jump, Aug 2012 [425.0] ::
148. ↑29 (177) : Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal 1 – Viz Shonen Jump, Jun 2012 [77.8] ::
329. ↑83 (412) : Yu-Gi-Oh! 5Ds 3 – Viz Shonen Jump, Jun 2012 [37.1] ::
438. ↑2 (440) : Yu-Gi-Oh! 5Ds 2 – Viz Shonen Jump, Feb 2012 [25.7] ::
499. ↑12 (511) : Yu-Gi-Oh! GX 8 – Viz Shonen Jump, Jan 2012 [21.6] ::
524. ↑175 (699) : Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal 2 – Viz Shonen Jump, Dec 2012 [20.6] ::
738. ↑26 (764) : Yu-Gi-Oh! GX 1 – Viz Shonen Jump, Nov 2007 [10.5] ::
762. ↓-31 (731) : Yu-Gi-Oh! GX 2 – Viz Shonen Jump, Nov 2008 [9.8] ::
773. ↑67 (840) : Yu-Gi-Oh! GX 6 – Viz Shonen Jump, Mar 2011 [9.4] ::
1001. ↑27 (1028) : Yu-Gi-Oh! GX 7 – Viz Shonen Jump, Aug 2011 [4.4] ::

and the top 12 Sailor Moon:

2. ↑2 (4) : Sailor Moon 3 – Kodansha Comics, Jan 2012 [422.3] ::
3. ↔0 (3) : Sailor Moon 4 – Kodansha Comics, Mar 2012 [396.5] ::
4. ↓-2 (2) : Sailor Moon 1 – Kodansha Comics, Sep 2011 [392.6] ::
5. ↔0 (5) : Sailor Moon 2 – Kodansha Comics, Nov 2011 [378.3] ::
9. ↔0 (9) : Sailor Moon 6 – Kodansha Comics, Jun 2012 [325.5] ::
12. ↑2 (14) : Sailor Moon 7 – Kodansha Comics, Sep 2012 [288.8] ::
13. ↓-1 (12) : Sailor Moon 5 – Kodansha Comics, Apr 2012 [285.8] ::
18. ↓-5 (13) : Sailor Moon 9 – Kodansha Comics, Jan 2013 [262.1] ::
19. ↑2 (21) : Sailor Moon 8 – Kodansha Comics, Nov 2012 [246.9] ::
21. ↓-1 (20) : Sailor Moon Codename: Sailor V 2 – Kodansha Comics, Nov 2011 [244.1] ::
27. ↓-2 (25) : Sailor Moon Codename: Sailor V 1 – Kodansha Comics, Sep 2011 [212.4] ::
29. ↓-3 (26) : Sailor Moon 10 – Kodansha Comics, Mar 2013 [204.3] ::

…a casual observer might note, every last Sailor Moon book is in the top 30, at least based on online sales — and that 3 of these books aren’t even out yet — and that the #2 ranked Yu-Gi-Oh book comes in ranked at 148th for the week.

[escape hatch: for those who care about manga, not process]
[blue portal: tl;dr – skip the boring bits AND the long lists and get to the final commentary]

So I had to go back 4 months to find my last couple of written columns about manga – and a lot has changed with my homebrew charts since then. The difficulty in keeping up with manga sales data has *always* been a matter of time: as the data is already out there. Anyone can visit Amazon & look at their hourly bestsellers at any time (or even multiple times a day). But to compile all the data from available sources was a rather painstaking process, especially since one cannot, for example, cut-n-paste the Amazon page into a spreadsheet to compile a composite chart. None of the sales sites use the same format or nomenclature, and it becomes not only a math exercise but also a translation problem; not comparing apples to oranges, but apples to softballs to aerogel to a cup of nonnewtonian fluid.

Most problems can be solved with the application of time. Compiling the manga bestsellers used to be very hands-on: overcoming differences in formats & listings with a lot of human-processing. By using _an actual person_ to read, analyze, & re-input the data from book sales sites into a single consistent format that could then be used in a spreadsheet, we bridge the machine-readable-to-human-readable gap: but the process is labor intensive. My small concern only has the one employee (me) and this same employee has to also hold down a 45hr. a week job (to pay the bills, as the data-analysis-stuff is still just a hobby). There weren’t enough hours in the week.

To compile one week’s worth of bestsellers I was spending 16 hours a week or more just clicking on websites & typing in data. It was a ‘brute force’ method: very easy to implement but not very efficient. It was also very easy to fall behind; I could always save pages for later data collection, but the actual data collection required me to sit in a chair, look at long lists, and type.

I started out a couple of weeks behind, but soon was starting at a backlog of two-and-a-half-month’s-worth of archived data and frankly, seeing no way out. I was tempted to just chuck the whole project, like I once did in 2009. I decided to keep at it though, thankless a task as this is, because no one else is tracking this data.

So obviously I needed a new approach. I had to teach myself a few new tricks.

##

Data collection for the manga charts is now handled by a set of programs — the technology is similar to web spiders or other big sites that seek to index the web (think Google) but my application is much, much smaller in scale. You could think of them as a type of ‘bot, programmed to love manga, crawl a very specific set of URLs and download just the rank & title of the manga volumes found there. I’ll admit to becoming fond of them, I call them my DRDs. Instead of manually loading websites & reading them myself (or archiving them for later) I just let the DRDs crawl the web for me and stash the results in a CSV file.

Problem One solved – but it introduces the second hurdle: One site will list Naruto 54, another Naruto vol. 54, and a third Naruto Volume 54 – and these are all the same book. You can see that, I can see that, but computers are a little particular and can’t make the connection right away. With my automatically collected raw data, I needed to then set up a filter to ‘translate’ each of the three listings into a single consistent format.

Luckily, I had a database of manga titles in my own indosyncratic format (compiled over the past 5 years) so it was merely a matter of teaching a spreadsheet to read the three Naruto 54s the same way. Merely. My kludge is yet another brute-force solution, though I’m letting my CPU be the brute in this case; my ‘filter’ takes the raw data provided by the DRDs and compares them to a set of 21558 definitions (as of 12 August 2012, and growing each week) to output a single set of data, while simultaneously kicking out the “non manga” [as defined] and returning a list, sorted by source & rank, and reformatted to my preferred title notation.

It sounds fancy, but it really just builds on the manga charts themselves: I’ve been teaching spreadsheets to compare-and-count “like” titles for years now, this is just a specific application. Still (as I am now finding in other hobby projects) this type of filter really does rely on a foundation of past data; this is a very hard process to recreate from scratch.

Source data is then weighted, scored, compiled, and run through the usual meat-grinder of a spreadsheet I’ve always used to output the charts. I’ve used this spreadsheet & format for a couple of years now; these are the charts that post weekly. This isn’t the part that’s new. What’s new is the new automated data collection process that pulls data from websites while I sleep & enables me to go from raw data to posted chart [with a couple rounds of manual error checking & correction] in under two hours. If you follow me on twitter you got to read my comments in real time while I worked on the charts just posted for 12 August.

##

Your takeaway from all the boring posted above is that it is now possible for my small datashop to process a whole week’s worth of online sales data and output the chart in a single day — even same day delivery, if I happen to get to it either before or after working at the bookstore.

But enough about process, let’s look at manga:

Wow. Months have passed since I last wrote a Manga Radar column, so I’m not even sure where to start. Obviously, I’ve added hundreds of title to the database in the intervening time, so a listing of just “what’s new” would be an overload. I’ll assume you know about new releases this month, and next (and I post each as it’s own chart so there are links for that) – so true to concept, let’s take a look at some of the titles fans are preordering that are even further out:

[the rankings listed are for the most recent chart posted, 12 August]

October Releases

2239. (new) : Angelic Layer Omnibus – Dark Horse, Oct 2012 [0.1] ::
37. ↑2 (39) : Avatar: The Last Airbender The Promise 3 – Dark Horse, Oct 2012 [188.0] ::
278. ↑9 (287) : Berserk 36 – Dark Horse, Oct 2012 [44.9] ::
234. ↑12 (246) : Cardcaptor Sakura Omnibus 4 – Dark Horse, Oct 2012 [51.9] ::

1796. ↓-510 (1286) : Bad Teacher’s Equation 5 – DMP Juné, Oct 2012 [0.1] ::
1782. ↓-4 (1778) : Honey*Smile – DMP Juné, Oct 2012 [0.1] ::
. ↑2536 (2536) : Secret Thorns – DMP Juné, Oct 2012 [0.0] ::

. (last ranked 10 Jun 12) : Love Hair – DMP Project H, Oct 2012 [0.0] ::
. (last ranked 17 Jun 12) : Love Infusion – DMP Project H, Oct 2012 [0.0] ::
240. ↑374 (614) : My Good Boy – DMP Project H, Oct 2012 [50.7] ::
248. ↑214 (462) : With A Dictionary & No Skirt – DMP Project H, Oct 2012 [49.6] ::
< strong>274. ↓-23 (251) : Arisa 9 – Kodansha Comics, Oct 2012 [45.5] ::
. : Cage of Eden 8 – Kodansha Comics, Oct 2012 [0.0] ::
. : Kitchen Princess Omnibus 2 – Kodansha Comics, Oct 2012 [0.0] ::
164. ↑53 (217) : Mardock Scramble 6 – Kodansha Comics, Oct 2012 [70.0] ::
69. ↑3 (72) : Negima! 36 – Kodansha Comics, Oct 2012 [126.1] ::

342. ↓-33 (309) : Dance in the Vampire Bund 13 – Seven Seas, Oct 2012 [35.9] ::
157. ↑13 (170) : Girl Friends: Complete Collection 1 – Seven Seas, Oct 2012 [72.6] ::
270. ↓-26 (244) : Venus Versus Virus Omnibus 3 – Seven Seas, Oct 2012 [46.0] ::

1753. ↓-32 (1721) : Awkward Silence 2 – SuBLime, Oct 2012 [0.1] ::
. (last ranked 5 Aug 12) : His Favorite 2 – SuBLime, Oct 2012 [0.0] ::
. (last ranked 29 Apr 12) : Punch Up! 2 – SuBLime, Oct 2012 [0.0] ::

. : Flowers of Evil 3 – Vertical, Oct 2012 [0.0] ::
. (last ranked 5 Aug 12) : GTO The Early Years: Shonan Junai Gumi 15 – Vertical, Oct 2012 [0.0] ::

1675. ↓-3 (1672) : Loveless vols 1-2 collection – Viz, Oct 2012 [0.1] ::
2044. (new) : X vols 10-12 collection – Viz, Oct 2012 [0.1] ::
2247. (new) : Dawn of the Arcana 6 – Viz Shojo Beat, Oct 2012 [0.1] ::
. : Jiu Jiu 2 – Viz Shojo Beat, Oct 2012 [0.0] ::
341. ↑58 (399) : Skip Beat! 29 – Viz Shojo Beat, Oct 2012 [35.9] ::
1125. ↓-42 (1083) : Stepping on Roses 8 – Viz Shojo Beat, Oct 2012 [2.9] ::
1555. ↑41 (1596) : Story of Saiunkoku 8 – Viz Shojo Beat, Oct 2012 [0.2] ::
1321. ↑433 (1754) : Bakuman 15 – Viz Shonen Jump, Oct 2012 [1.2] ::
1043. ↑117 (1160) : Bleach 48 – Viz Shonen Jump, Oct 2012 [3.8] ::
996. ↓-28 (968) : Bleach 49 – Viz Shonen Jump, Oct 2012 [4.5] ::
2163. (last ranked 15 Apr 12) : Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan 11 – Viz Shonen Jump, Oct 2012 [0.1] ::
766. ↓-77 (689) : Case Closed 44 – Viz Shonen Sunday, Oct 2012 [9.6] ::
2230. ↓-331 (1899) : Tenjo Tenge: Full Contact Edition 9 – Viz Signature, Oct 2012 [0.1] ::
721. ↑191 (912) : Pokemon Black & White vols 1-8 box set – Vizkids, Oct 2012 [11.3] ::
1379. ↓-58 (1321) : Pokemon Diamond & Pearl/Platinum 6 – Vizkids, Oct 2012 [0.8] ::

325. ↑78 (403) : Black Butler 11 – Yen Press, Oct 2012 [38.2] ::
751. ↑186 (937) : Durarara!! 4 – Yen Press, Oct 2012 [10.3] ::
1076. ↑106 (1182) : Haruhi Suzumiya The Disappearance of Nagato Yuki-Chan 2 – Yen Press, Oct 2012 [3.5] ::
552. ↑155 (707) : Pandora Hearts 12 – Yen Press, Oct 2012 [19.1] ::
1351. ↑853 (2204) : Soul Eater NOT! 2 – Yen Press, Oct 2012 [0.9] ::
. ↑ (last ranked 29 Jul 12) : Triage X 1 – Yen Press, Oct 2012 [0.0] ::

November Releases

1833. ↑246 (2079) : Bride of the Water God 12 – Dark Horse, Nov 2012 [0.1] ::
833. ↑124 (957) : Deva Zan – Dark Horse, Nov 2012 [8.0] ::
. (last ranked 29 Jul 12) : Gantz 25 – Dark Horse, Nov 2012 [0.0] ::

119. ↑99 (218) : Velvet Kiss 2 – DMP Project H, Nov 2012 [89.8] ::

1673. ↓-238 (1435) : Fairy Tail 22 – Kodansha Comics, Nov 2012 [0.1] ::
338. ↑1003 (1341) : Missions of Love 1 – Kodansha Comics, Nov 2012 [36.5] ::
303. ↓-40 (263) : Phoenix Wright Miles Edgeworth 3 – Kodansha Comics, Nov 2012 [40.9] ::
21. ↓-2 (19) : Sailor Moon 8 – Kodansha Comics, Nov 2012 [254.4] ::

666. ↑86 (752) : Alice in the Country of Clover Cheshire Cat Waltz 3 – Seven Seas, Nov 2012 [14.1] ::
2485. ↓-615 (1870) : Angel Para Bellum 2 – Seven Seas, Nov 2012 [0.0] ::
680. ↑124 (804) : Haganai: I Don’t Have Many Friends 1 – Seven Seas, Nov 2012 [13.3] ::
. (last ranked 11 Mar 12) : Young Miss Holmes vols 3-4 collection – Seven Seas, Nov 2012 [0.0] ::

1906. ↓-130 (1776) : Bond of Dreams, Bond of Love 2 – SuBLime, Nov 2012 [0.1] ::
1697. ↓-28 (1669) : Starting with a Kiss 2 – SuBLime, Nov 2012 [0.1] ::

. : GTO: 14 Days in Shonan 6 – Vertical, Nov 2012 [0.0] ::
1200. ↓-29 (1171) : Message to Adolf 2 – Vertical, Nov 2012 [2.2] ::

. (last ranked 13 May 12) : Excel Saga 24 – Viz, Nov 2012 [0.0] ::
1186. ↓-93 (1093) : Neon Genesis Evangelion 13 – Viz, Nov 2012 [2.3] ::
104. ↓-15 (89) : Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind 2 vol hardcover box set [complete] – Viz Ghibli Library, Nov 2012 [100.1] ::
2486. (new) : Ai Ore! 7 – Viz Shojo Beat, Nov 2012 [0.0] ::
1685. ↑8 (1693) : Kamisama Kiss 11 – Viz Shojo Beat, Nov 2012 [0.1] ::
979. ↑97 (1076) : Kimi ni Todoke 15 – Viz Shojo Beat, Nov 2012 [4.8] ::
855. ↓-17 (838) : Ouran High School Host Club vols 1-18 box set – Viz Shojo Beat, Nov 2012 [7.2] ::
215. ↑75 (290) : Vampire Knight 15 – Viz Shojo Beat, Nov 2012 [57.4] ::
2256. (new) : Bakuman 16 – Viz Shonen Jump, Nov 2012 [0.1] ::
1829. ↓-10 (1819) : Bleach 50 – Viz Shonen Jump, Nov 2012 [0.1] ::
1866. ↓-64 (1802) : Bleach 51 – Viz Shonen Jump, Nov 2012 [0.1] ::
318. ↓-22 (296) : Naruto 59 – Viz Shonen Jump, Nov 2012 [39.1] ::
881. ↑482 (1363) : One Piece 65 – Viz Shonen Jump, Nov 2012 [6.7] ::
. : Psyren 7 – Viz Shonen Jump, Nov 2012 [0.0] ::
554. ↑50 (604) : Blue Exorcist 8 – Viz Shonen Jump Advanced, Nov 2012 [18.8] ::
626. ↓-17 (609) : Claymore 21 – Viz Shonen Jump Advanced, Nov 2012 [15.6] ::
264. ↓-42 (222) : Rosario+Vampire Season II 10 – Viz Shonen Jump Advanced, Nov 2012 [46.4] ::

362. ↑596 (958) : Bunny Drop 7 – Yen Press, Nov 2012 [32.8] ::
128. ↑29 (157) : Omamori Himari 9 – Yen Press, Nov 2012 [85.5] ::
2499. ↓-346 (2153) : Soul Eater 11 – Yen Press, Nov 2012 [0.0] ::
. : Soulless 2 – Yen Press, Nov 2012 [0.0] ::
1923. ↓-148 (1775) : Spice & Wolf (manga) 7 – Yen Press, Nov 2012 [0.1] ::

December Releases

. (last ranked 5 Aug 12) : Neon Genesis Evangelion The Shinji Ikari Raising Project 12 – Dark Horse, Dec 2012 [0.0] ::
. (last ranked 10 Jun 12) : Mizuki 1 – DMP, Dec 2012 [0.0] ::
. (last ranked 10 Jun 12) : Mizuki 2 – DMP, Dec 2012 [0.0] ::

1053. ↓-235 (818) : Caramel – DMP Juné, Dec 2012 [3.7] ::
1854. ↓-120 (1734) : I’ve Seen It All 2 – DMP Juné, Dec 2012 [0.1] ::
1261. ↑40 (1301) : Love Makes Everything Right – DMP Juné, Dec 2012 [1.6] ::
1365. ↓-296 (1069) : Ninth Life Love – DMP Juné, Dec 2012 [0.8] ::

918. ↑238 (1156) : Love On The Job 1 – DMP Project H, Dec 2012 [6.0] ::

. : Attack on Titan 3 – Kodansha Comics, Dec 2012 [0.0] ::
204. ↑76 (280) : Battle Angel Alita Last Order 16 – Kodansha Comics, Dec 2012 [60.6] ::

1184. ↑627 (1811) : A Certain Scientific Railgun 6 – Seven Seas, Dec 2012 [2.3] ::
1401. ↑517 (1918) : Mayo Chiki! 1 – Seven Seas, Dec 2012 [0.7] ::

306. ↓-5 (301) : Black Bird 15 – Viz Shojo Beat, Dec 2012 [40.5] ::
1655. ↑62 (1717) : The Earl & The Fairy 4 – Viz Shojo Beat, Dec 2012 [0.2] ::
. : Bakuman 17 – Viz Shonen Jump, Dec 2012 [0.0] ::
1859. ↓-34 (1825) : Bleach 52 – Viz Shonen Jump, Dec 2012 [0.1] ::
1511. ↑17 (1528) : Bleach 53 – Viz Shonen Jump, Dec 2012 [0.3] ::
. (last ranked 15 Jul 12) : Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan 12 – Viz Shonen Jump, Dec 2012 [0.0] ::
699. ↑615 (1314) : Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal 2 – Viz Shonen Jump, Dec 2012 [12.2] ::
. : Tenjo Tenge: Full Contact Edition 10 – Viz Signature, Dec 2012 [0.0] ::
2217. ↑ (last ranked 5 Aug 12) : Vagabond VizBig Edition 11 – Viz Signature, Dec 2012 [0.1] ::

1018. ↑433 (1451) : Alice in the Country of Hearts My Fanatic Rabbit 1 – Yen Press, Dec 2012 [4.2] ::
217. ↓-45 (172) : Haruhi Suzumiya Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya 14 – Yen Press, Dec 2012 [57.3] ::
1305. ↑211 (1516) : Puella Magi Madoka Magica 3 – Yen Press, Dec 2012 [1.3] ::

January Releases

740. ↓-54 (686) : Ze 7 – 801 Media, Jan 2013 [10.6] ::

1924. ↑153 (2077) : Oh My Goddess! 43 – Dark Horse, Jan 2013 [0.1] ::

957. ↓-111 (846) : Ai no Kusabi (novel) 8 – DMP Juné, Jan 2013 [5.2] ::
456. ↓-13 (443) : The Tyrant Falls in Love 8 – DMP Juné, Jan 2013 [24.5] ::

. : Genshiken Omnibus 3 – Kodansha Comics, Jan 2013 [0.0] ::
111. ↓-6 (105) : Negima! 37 – Kodansha Comics, Jan 2013 [94.4] ::

230. ↓-42 (188) : Phoenix Wright Miles Edgeworth 4 – Kodansha Comics, Jan 2013 [53.5] ::
13. ↔0 (13) : Sailor Moon 9 – Kodansha Comics, Jan 2013 [286.2] ::

736. ↑154 (890) : Girl Friends: Complete Collection 2 – Seven Seas, Jan 2013 [10.8] ::
. (last ranked 10 Jun 12) : Gunslinger Girl Omnibus 6 – Seven Seas, Jan 2013 [0.0] ::
. (last ranked 22 Jul 12) : I Don’t Like You At All, Big Brother! vols 3-4 collection – Seven Seas, Jan 2013 [0.0] ::

. (last ranked 6 May 12) : Punch Up! 3 – SuBLime, Jan 2013 [0.0] ::

1598. ↑165 (1763) : Loveless 10 – Viz, Jan 2013 [0.2] ::
. : X vols 13-15 collection – Viz, Jan 2013 [0.0] ::
1070. ↑128 (1198) : Dengeki Daisy 11 – Viz Shojo Beat, Jan 2013 [3.5] ::
. : Jiu Jiu 3 – Viz Shojo Beat, Jan 2013 [0.0] ::
. (last ranked 15 Jul 12) : Otomen 14 – Viz Shojo Beat, Jan 2013 [0.0] ::
2167. ↑377 (2544) : Bleach 54 – Viz Shonen Jump, Jan 2013 [0.1] ::
877. ↓-120 (757) : Naruto 60 – Viz Shonen Jump, Jan 2013 [6.8] ::
. : Case Closed 45 – Viz Shonen Sunday, Jan 2013 [0.0] ::
. : Jormungand 10 – Viz Signature, Jan 2013 [0.0] ::
1679. ↓-194 (1485) : A Bride’s Story 4 – Yen Press, Jan 2013 [0.1] ::
1491. ↓-206 (1285) : Black Butler 12 – Yen Press, Jan 2013 [0.3] ::

##

So what are the highlights? I think special mention should be made of the new Nausicaa Box (a two-volume hardcover set, isbn 9781421550640, rel. 6 November) and the Pokemon box sets: Red & Blue (isbn 9781421550060; should already be available) and Gold & Silver (isbn 9781421550077, rel. 4 September) which together collect the 14 volumes of the Pokemon “Adventures” series. Also, as if for my birthday, Viz is releasing an 18 volume box set of Ouran High School Host Club.

Additonally, there are a number of omnibuses from Dark Horse, Kodansha and Seven Seas (hit ctrl-F & search Omnibus) as well as additional 3-in-1 collections from Viz. For collectors, or for those of us who are coming late to these series (includes Angelic Layer, Cardcaptor Sakura from Clamp, plus Genshiken, Negima, and Gunslinger Girl; and various 2-in-1 print releases of other titles from Seven Seas). The omnibus format usually represents a cost savings, a ‘big-gulp’ opportunity – or a sub-$20 grand introduction to a new series.

I make no promises, but now that I’m finally caught up on the charts, I’ll try to give you a weekly or bi-weekly peek like this, as was previously promised. Welcome back.

First up, as usual, are the Database Additions — older titles I somehow previously missed.

Sweet Revolution – DMP Juné, Mar 2006 ::
Laugh Under the Sun – DMP Juné, Dec 2007 ::

Kino no Tabi (novel) 1 – Tokyopop, Oct 2006 ::
Kino no Tabi (novel) 2 – Tokyopop, TBA ::

Someone (or rather, likely several someones) was ordering yaoi from buy.com – I saw *a lot* of titles and actually expected more of them to be new to my charts. As it was, we only had two pickups – both older Juné titles.

More interesting (to me) are the Kino no Tabi books – these are from the much-neglected TokyoPop Fiction line, which also included The Twelve Kingdoms and a few other books no one remembers, sadly. Kino no Tabi vol 1 is selling for $50 on Amazon, used; vol 2 can not be had for love or money.

Most of the New Releases for the week are ebooks — a trend which will continue for the foreseeable future. I don’t know if it’s because ebooks are “impulse” purchases or merely a side effect of e- — there’s not much lead time on ebooks, as they are either ready to go (and to purchase) or, well, they’re not.

Oh, & A Bowl of Moxa Is Coming (ebook) – DMP Digital Manga Guild, Feb 2012 ::
The Boyfriend Next Door (ebook) – DMP Digital Manga Guild, Feb 2012 ::
Clumsy Child (ebook) – DMP Digital Manga Guild, Feb 2012 ::
Tweeting Love Birds (ebook) 2 – DMP Digital Manga Guild, Feb 2012 ::
Renji Jumonji’s Hardship (ebook) – DMP Digital Manga Guild, Feb 2012 ::
Again Tomorrow (ebook) – DMP Digital Manga Guild, Feb 2012 ::
The Conqueror’s Chalice (ebook) – DMP Digital Manga Guild, Feb 2012 ::
Cheap Chase (ebook) – DMP Digital Manga Guild, Mar 2012 ::

Cage of Eden 4 – Kodansha Comics, Feb 2012 ::
Itazura na Kiss 7 – DMP, Mar 2012 ::

I don’t attempt an exhaustive listing of DMG titles, only tracking those that sell; part of that is because I have no clue, really, just how many volumes these teams are putting out, mostly though it’s because tracking _all_ of them would require as much effort as the whole rest of the chart. I add more than a few to the database each week, though.

Cage of Eden and Itazura na Kiss are midlist? properties that didn’t really blow the doors off when they first came out, but have a few fans at least. These two most recent volumes didn’t make a mark as preorders but are selling now that they are out. Itazura na Kiss vol 7 ranks in the top 500, at #347 for the week – that puts the book in the rough neighborhood of Naruto 33, Wallflower 27, and Three P [from DMP’s Project H]

Also new to the charts this week are a real mixed bag of Preorders:

Kizuna Deluxe Edition 6 – DMP Juné, Jun 2012 ::
Dawn of the Arcana 4 – Viz Shojo Beat, Jun 2012 ::
Dog x Cat 3 – 801 Media, Jun 2012 ::
In These Words – 801 Media, Jun 2012 ::
Bad Teacher’s Equation 4 – DMP Juné, Jun 2012 ::
Same Difference – DMP Juné, Jun 2012 ::
Witch & Wizard 2 – Yen Press, Jun 2012 ::

Rin-Ne 9 – Viz Shonen Sunday, Jul 2012 ::
Flutter – DMP Juné, Jul 2012 ::
Secretary’s Job – DMP Juné, Jul 2012 ::

Yotsuba&! 11 – Yen Press, Sep 2012 ::

DMP has a very strong showing here (likely due to their very dedicated fans) but there are also books in just about every genre/flavour to be had – from shojo to shonen to Yotsuba&!.

Yotsuba&! fans are ordering six months in advance, likely just as soon as they could find a listing for the book. That says something.

##

My posted results (the top ten lists, category breakouts like the ebooks list, the Manga 500) are too much for most folks to wade through, but still only the tip of the data iceberg. A ranking isn’t as important as the vector — whether a title is moving up or down the rankings, and how fast. Already, in each report, you can see if a title is moving up or down compared to the previous week, but that’s just a single blip. Unless you work with the source websites & all the numbers as intimately as I do, you miss the bigger picture — and even then, often I just have a feeling or a hunch about a title. I thought I might put in the extra effort, though, and bring at least some of that perspective to you, as well as generating concrete proof to prove (& especially disprove) my guesses. Since we’ll be looking at weeks of data, unfortunately that means graphics.

I say ‘unfortunately’ — as I am good with maths but not necessarily as adept at visualizations. I lean heavily on the built-in functionality of the spreadsheet whenever I do post a graph. Still, if you know what question you’re asking, you can set up the spreadsheet to do a lot of heavy data lifting for you, and the results don’t look that bad.

Here’s the newest part of the “Manga Radar” : a manga radar scope.

I’ll start by giving you the top 10 preorders for the week of 4 March, 2012:

19. ↓-1 (18) : Sailor Moon 5 – Kodansha Comics, Apr 2012 [283.3] ::
21. ↔0 (21) : Sailor Moon 7 – Kodansha Comics, Sep 2012 [260.5] ::
22. ↑1 (23) : Sailor Moon 6 – Kodansha Comics, Jun 2012 [260.1] ::
63. ↓-1 (62) : Negima! 34 – Kodansha Comics, Apr 2012 [148.7] ::
80. ↑17 (97) : Black Butler 9 – Yen Press, Jul 2012 [119.8] ::
83. ↑374 (457) : Sailor Moon 8 – Kodansha Comics, Nov 2012 [119.1] ::
88. ↑1 (89) : Dance in the Vampire Bund 12 – Seven Seas, Jun 2012 [110.3] ::
104. ↑7 (111) : The Betrayal Knows My Name 3 – Yen Press, Apr 2012 [94.4] ::
107. ↑736 (843) : Finder Series 6 Passion within the View Finder – DMP Juné, Jul 2012 [92.4] ::
109. ↑75 (184) : Private Teacher 3 – DMP Juné, May 2012 [91.4] ::

And here is the same list with 16 weeks of historical data attached:

Sailor Moon vol. 5, available for preorder the longest (perhaps) and certainly benefiting from the enthusiasm for the series, has some ups and downs but has been consistently outselling the other 9 for all 16 weeks… but check out the strong surges of volume 7 (from two months ago) and of volume 8, available for preorder for just the past two weeks. The only thing quite like it on this list is the 6th (and last?) volume in the “View Finder” series, Passion within the View Finder — though looking back, Dance in the Vampire Bund vol 12 and Sailor Moon vol 7 also had similar spikes in their 2nd week. Other titles in this [limited] list are showing relatively-flat-but-slowing-growing demand.

At some future point, I might post a similar chart showing how manga volumes with strong preorders still exhibit a significant spike in sales once they are actually released and available. There are a lot of fun things I can do with this data now that I have it all in one place and not spread out across 16 files. I suppose I can experiment with quite a few different ways to present the data. I know the graph above is basic (and maybe not as clear as I think it is) but it’s been a long haul just to get to this one simple graph — and to put into place the procedures to continue to track all the rankings on an ongoing, rolling 16-week basis.

Feedback, as always, is appreciated; drop your questions into the comments. [and really good questions will likely also find their way onto the about the charts page].

Sorry for the recent radio silence, but in addition to non-internet demands on my time (and there are a few) I was also a tad hesitant: I posted the Manga Radar report each week (with each new set of Manga Bestsellers) but wondered if any of them [and there have been 10 so far] were accessable to readers and were of value.

I think I’m presenting some valuable information about the manga market from a unique viewpoint, but as has been pointed out to me, it is also merely another long list of manga titles without much context. *I* get the context because I spend a lot of time wading through the data to compile & post the manga bestsellers but my understanding and intuitive grasp of the market is, well, far from intuitive.

In seeking out feedback from manga mavens on twitter, the primary complaint was that long lists of manga titles tend to be eye-numbingly dull. I recognize the complaint, and the rationale behind the complaint, but long lists of manga (properly sorted) are kind of my thing. It’s what I do.

I do, however, take reader feedback to heart (especially when I specifically asked for feedback and all but cornered a few folks until they gave it up) and so I will endeavor to not only provide context for the long lists, but also to break down the lists into more manageable, digestible chunks.

There is a lot of value in the data I have. Perhaps you missed it, but these are books that fans want so much they have preordered them online—I don’t actually add a book to my database until it sells, somewhere, online. In looking at how new titles are preforming as preorders—how many volumes are preordered, how far in advance, and how strongly in relation to other available manga—publishers may get clues to the performance of titles not available from other sources, fans might get clued in on new titles that weren’t previously [cough] “on their radar”, and perhaps most valuably: retailers with limited resources have an objective source—recommendations backed by actual data—for items that they should perhaps order into their store. This was one of the points I wanted to make in the recent sales analysis post and now I’m making it explicitly: My bestsellers track online sales—following the pulse of fan demand—so if I see preorders for new volumes 6 to 9 months out it might be something worth stocking on shelves.

##

All of the titles I include (and have blogged in the past) in these “Manga Radar” posts are notable because they did not previously show up in sources, to the limits of my methods. [I’ll point out here that ‘to the limits of my methods’ includes not only 7 different web sites but also the top 1000+ manga listings from Amazon, weekly.]

##

Manga Radar: 11-26 February 2012

We have 3 weeks of data to cover so the lists only get longer – I’ll walk you through it all, though; it’s not so bad, stick with me.

Part of the new format is breaking the list up by date: first up are the Database Additions, older titles that somehow I missed [amazing considering I’ve been at this for close to 5 years and have more than 10,000 manga titles already in the database, but it would seem there are always new odd corners of manga publication history that continually come to light].

Candidate for Goddess 1 – Tokyopop, Apr 2004 ::
Candidate for Goddess 2 – Tokyopop, Jun 2004 ::
Candidate for Goddess 3 – Tokyopop, Aug 2004 ::
Candidate for Goddess 4 – Tokyopop, Oct 2004 ::
Candidate for Goddess 5 – Tokyopop, Dec 2004 ::
Princess Ninja Scroll: Tenka Muso 1 – DMP, Nov 2005 ::
Princess Ninja Scroll: Tenka Muso 2 – DMP, Feb 2006 ::
Shinobu Kokoro – Tokyopop Blu, Nov 2005 ::
Our Everlasting 1 – DMP Juné, Dec 2005 ::
My Only King – DMP Juné, Mar 2006 ::
Solfege – DMP Juné, Apr 2007 ::
Ichigenme: The First Class Is Civil Law 2 – 801 Media, Jun 2007 ::
Momo Tama 3 – Tokyopop, Sep 2009 ::
Momo Tama 4 – Tokyopop, Mar 2010 ::
Navigating the World of a Purple Shoe – Sodansha CoLtd, Dec 2010 ::

Candidate for Goddess was an anime actually shown on Cartoon Network back in the day; I had no idea there was a manga. Similarly old-school are the DMP titles—quite a few of which pre-date DMP’s Juné imprint and have “DMP Yaoi Manga” on the cover dress as opposed to Juné’s familiar white rose.

I had previously logged Ichigenme: The First Class Is Civil Law but wasn’t aware there was a second volume; similarly the last 2 volumes of Momo Tama aren’t new, per se, but are new to the database.

That last one, though: Navigating the World of a Purple Shoe [isbn 9781456441074] is a real enigma: it’s only 52 pages but it seems that there was an actual book, not just an e-manga edition. It’s not a self-published title so far as I know, but the publisher is listed on some sources as “Sodansha” and on others as “CreateSpace,” an Amazon division [purchased in 2005] that was previously known primarily for press-on-demand DVDs. It’s credited to “Shu-hey Fujisawa” (possibly author Shuhei Fujisawa) but that doesn’t tell us anything about the art. So: a mystery presented to us by the byzantine ways Amazon reports “manga” in search results, compounded by the new illogical inconsistencies in the way Amazon reports items as “books.”

Here’s a second batch of Database Additions, not from the distant past—merely from last year

Red Hot Chili Samurai 4 – Tokyopop, Mar 2011 ::
Countdown 7 Days 1 – DMP, May 2011 ::
Sonic the Hedgehog 15 – Archie Comics, Jun 2011 ::
Fate/Stay Night 11 – Tokyopop, Jun 2011 ::
Ghostface 1 – Tokyopop, Jun 2011 ::
Hanako & The Terror of Allegory 4 – Tokyopop, Jun 2011 ::
Sonic the Hedgehog 16 – Archie Comics, Oct 2011 ::
Yuichi Yokoyama: Color Engineering – PictureBox, Oct 2011 ::

The Tokyopop titles came up recently at buy.com: it seems they located a cache of late-publishing Tokyopop titles from around the time of that publisher’s closing announcement last May. There are additional T’Pop titles that I was able to change from “cancelled” to “published”—but these are still dear and exceptionally hard to come by. (I won’t post a full listing of Tokyopop’s final hurrah unless asked.)

Additionally, I’d previously been tracking the Sonic licensed comics from Archie, and while these trade paperbacks aren’t brand new, this is the first time these particular volumes showed up in sources

##

In this and future posts, following the database additions will be two new categories: the new releases, and then the preorders by month.

Here are the New Releases — which like the top 50 listed in the Manga 500 reports are the new manga titles released this month & last:

Kanjou Spectrum (ebook) – Animate/Libre, Feb 2012 ::
Kiss Ariki (ebook) 7 – Animate/Libre, Feb 2012 ::
.
Sonic the Hedgehog 17 – Archie Comics, Feb 2012 ::
.
Betting My Life with You (ebook) – DMP Digital Manga Guild, Feb 2012 ::
Blooming Darling (ebook) 2 – DMP Digital Manga Guild, Feb 2012 ::
Chayamachi’s Collection: Noir (ebook) – DMP Digital Manga Guild, Feb 2012 ::
Classmate (ebook) – DMP Digital Manga Guild, Feb 2012 ::
Indefinite Sociogram (ebook) 1 – DMP Digital Manga Guild, Feb 2012 ::
Long Version (ebook) 1 – DMP Digital Manga Guild, Jan 2012 ::
Long Version (ebook) 2 – DMP Digital Manga Guild, Feb 2012 ::
Mad Cinderella (ebook) – DMP Digital Manga Guild, Feb 2012 ::
Neck-Tie (ebook) – DMP Digital Manga Guild, Feb 2012 ::
Reset (ebook) – DMP Digital Manga Guild, Feb 2012 ::
Sadistic Boy (ebook) – DMP Digital Manga Guild, Feb 2012 ::
Sunday’s Child (ebook) – DMP Digital Manga Guild, Feb 2012 ::
That Cute Kid Is Mine & Mine (ebook) – DMP Digital Manga Guild, Feb 2012 ::
The World Is Full of Cheating Boyfriends (ebook) – DMP Digital Manga Guild, Feb 2012 ::
Want to Depend on You (ebook) – DMP Digital Manga Guild, Feb 2012 ::
You & Tonight (ebook) 1 – DMP Digital Manga Guild, Jan 2012 ::
You Get an Angel (ebook) – DMP Digital Manga Guild, Feb 2012 ::
.
Three P – DMP Project-H, Feb 2012 ::
.
The Secret World of Arrietty 1 – Viz Ghibli Library, Feb 2012 ::
The Secret World of Arrietty 2 – Viz Ghibli Library, Feb 2012 ::
.
Toriko 8 – Viz Shonen Jump, Feb 2012 ::
.
Ice Cage (ebook) – Yaoi Press, Feb 2012 ::

The DMG doesn’t usually dominate the list in quite this way, but since I’m playing catch-up, we have 3-weeks-worth of releases to consider—that qualifier in place: Damn, but the DMG is really pushing out manga. These are only the titles I’m tracking because they show up in sources [primarily Amazon, but some are also coming out for Nook] and likely doesn’t include every title that is made available through the program.

The Digital Manga Guild isn’t the only publisher releasing yaoi ebooks; we also have two new titles from Animate/Libre this month, and while Yaoi Press might be slower with their release schedule, each release typically ranks higher; Ice Cage is the most recent addition but there were two other releases—Zolabarth Bi and Trapped Wizard—that had stronger preorders and so aren’t “new” to the database this week (but are still new).

Past the merely new, though, are the titles now showing up as Pre-orders:

Stepping on Roses 7 – Viz Shojo Beat, Mar 2012 ::
The Earl & The Fairy 1 – Viz Shojo Beat, Mar 2012 ::
Reaper Zone (ebook) 1 – [self published, Rewat Immak], Mar 2012 ::
Blue Sheep Reverie 5 – DMP Juné, Mar 2012 ::
Is This a Zombie? 1 – Yen Press, Mar 2012 ::
.
Countdown 7 Days 2 – DMP, Apr 2012 ::
Replica 2 – DMP, Apr 2012 ::
.
Castle Mango 1 – DMP Juné, May 2012 ::
Good Morning – DMP Juné, May 2012 ::
Private Teacher 3 – DMP Juné, May 2012 ::
.
Kamisama Kiss 9 – Viz Shojo Beat, Jun 2012 ::
Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan 9 – Viz Shonen Jump, Jun 2012 ::
.
Sonic the Hedgehog 18 – Archie Comics, Jul 2012 ::
Gate 7 vol 3 – Dark Horse, Jul 2012 ::
Finder Series 6 Passion within the View Finder – DMP Juné, Jul 2012 ::
Toxic (anthology) 1 – Udon, Jul 2012 ::
Book Girl and the Wayfarer’s Lamentation (novel) – Yen Press, Jul 2012 ::
.
Tegami Bachi: Letter Bee 10 – Viz Shonen Jump, Aug 2012 ::
Inuyasha VizBig Edition 12 – Viz Shonen Sunday, Aug 2012 ::
Tenjo Tenge vols 15-16 collection – Viz Signature, Aug 2012 ::
Heart of Thomas – Fantagraphics, Aug 2012 ::
.
Gunslinger Girl Omnibus 5 – Seven Seas, Sep 2012 ::
Fushigi Yugi Genbu Kaiden 10 – Viz Shojo Beat, Sep 2012 ::
Otomen 13 – Viz Shojo Beat, Sep 2012 ::
Bakuman 14 – Viz Shonen Jump, Sep 2012 ::
Loveless 9 – Viz, Sep 2012 ::
.
Negima! 36 – Kodansha Comics, Oct 2012 ::
.
Sailor Moon 8 – Kodansha Comics, Nov 2012 ::

One reason I first pitched “Manga Radar” as a column was the information above: something like Sailor Moon vol 8 won’t really show up in other reports for another 6 months at least, but how interesting to note that fans are pre-ordering it online nine months in advance—it’s a stronger indicator of fan interest than anything else I can note, especially considering each preorder is backed by a valid credit card. There are some properties here that never show up in top 10 lists: Kamisama Kiss, Book Girl, Tegami Bachi, Gunslinger Girl, Fushigi Yugi, Otomen—and yet each of these has a fan base that is not only following the title but is hungry for the new releases.

This is the kind of information that I wanted to present—the insight into the market that I hoped to share. In future Manga Radar posts, I’ll take the extra time needed to give you the context and to provide these manga properties with the spotlight they deserve. And of course, I’d like to remind you that I not only find new releases each week, I rank them. My manga bestsellers are not just mildly entertaining and of interest to the fans, I’m also providing tools that retailers can use to stock their shelves, and inform their ordering process.

I hope this “new-style” Manga Radar report is an improvement over the original; please give me additional feedback if you feel there are other areas where it could be improved.

Database Additions for 05 February

A Devil & Her Love Song 1 – Viz Shojo Beat, Feb 2012 ::
A Devil & Her Love Song 2 – Viz Shojo Beat, Apr 2012 ::
Chayamachi’s Collection: BLANC (ebook) – DMP Digital Manga Guild, Jan 2012 ::
Flower Shadow’s Memory (ebook) – DMP Digital Manga Guild, Jan 2012 ::
Gantz 22 – Dark Horse, May 2012 ::
Interval (ebook) – DMP Digital Manga Guild, Jan 2012 ::
Kids Are Doing Fine Today! (ebook) – DMP Digital Manga Guild, Jan 2012 ::
Novus Karma (ebook) 1 – MangaMagazine, Aug 2012 ::
Ooku: The Inner Chambers 7 – Viz Signature, Jul 2012 ::
Puella Magi Madoka Magica 1 – Yen Press, May 2012 ::
Puella Magi Madoka Magica 2 – Yen Press, Aug 2012 ::
Samejima-Kun & Sasahara-Kun – DMP Juné, May 2012 ::
Soul Eater 10 – Yen Press, Aug 2012 ::
The Secret World of Arrietty Picture Book – Viz Ghibli Library, Feb 2012 ::
The Tyrant Falls in Love 6 – DMP Juné, May 2012 ::
Trapped Wizard (ebook) – Yaoi Press, Feb 2012 ::
Yu-Gi-Oh! GX 9 – Viz Shonen Jump, Aug 2012 ::

Black Eyed Susan (ebook) chapters 1-10 – MangaMagazine, Jul 2011 ::
Hot Tails 1 – Fantagraphics Eros Comix, Dec 1998 ::
Midnight Hunters (ebook) chapters 1-10 – MangaMagazine, Aug 2011 ::
Silky Whip 1 – Fantagraphics Eros Comix, Feb 2002 ::
Super Taboo 1 – Fantagraphics Eros Comix, Oct 1998 ::
Super Taboo 2 – Fantagraphics Eros Comix, Apr 1999 ::
The Soul Chaser (ebook) 1 – MangaMagazine, Aug 2011 ::
Two Keys (ebook) 1 – MangaMagazine, Oct 2011 ::

##

A few notes: The Secret World of Arriety Picture Book, a simplified retelling of the movie’s story using filmcaps instead of new illustrations, is not the same as The Art of The Secret World of Arriety, which is a behind-the-scenes peek into process & production. Both are from Viz’s Ghibli Library imprint – if you like Miyazaki’s movies, its worth investing in those “Art of” books.

A Devil & Her Love Song has a listed publication date of 7 February on most sites, but has been in bookstores for about 2 weeks now; at least, I bought my copy a couple weeks ago.

I’m not sure what MangaMagazine.net‘s business model is, or how well they’re treating their artists, but I can tell you quite a few books are showing up in the Kindle store — or at least the chapters are, for 99¢ a pop. At that price, quite a few 1st chapters are selling well. (Well enough to start clogging up my bestseller chart, at any rate.) As you can see above, I’m going to list these chapters by respective volume (when known) or in a condensed listing (i.e. chapters 1-10 as seen above) just to keep thing neat.

The blast from the past this week is a quartet of books from Fantagraphics’s Eros imprint (I thought I had found all those but I guess I need to revisit the topic every now and then.) With a name like Eros, to say nothing of the titles, you can guess exactly what is in these books; Silky Whip is from Air Gear and Tenjo Tenge artist Oh!Great and so might be of (additional) interest.

##

Top Preorders

7. ↓-1 (6) : Naruto 54 – Viz Shonen Jump, Mar 2012 [383.5] ::
10. ↑2 (12) : Sailor Moon 4 – Kodansha Comics, Mar 2012 [352.0] ::
19. ↓-3 (16) : Sailor Moon 5 – Kodansha Comics, Apr 2012 [297.6] ::
26. ↓-2 (24) : Sailor Moon 6 – Kodansha Comics, Jun 2012 [236.5] ::
41. ↑109 (150) : Bleach 38 – Viz Shonen Jump, Mar 2012 [180.7] ::
60. ↑10 (70) : Sailor Moon 7 – Kodansha Comics, Sep 2012 [147.7] ::
61. ↑4 (65) : Naruto 55 – Viz Shonen Jump, Mar 2012 [146.2] ::
69. ↑15 (84) : Negima! 34 – Kodansha Comics, Apr 2012 [133.7] ::
104. ↑19 (123) : Ambiguous Relationship – DMP Juné, Mar 2012 [93.7] ::
123. ↓-21 (102) : Dance in the Vampire Bund 12 – Seven Seas, Jun 2012 [85.2] ::

[more]

Database Additions for 29 January

Border Control: Fate (ebook) – DMP Digital Manga Guild, Jan 2012 ::
Career Gate (ebook) – DMP Digital Manga Guild, Jan 2012 ::
Gentlemen’s Agreement Between A Rabbit & A Wolf (ebook) – DMP Juné, Jan 2012 ::
I’m the Big Brother (ebook) – DMP Digital Manga Guild, Jan 2012 ::
Silly Gossip (ebook) – DMP Digital Manga Guild, Jan 2012 ::
Welcome to the SMC (ebook) – DMP Digital Manga Guild, Jan 2012 ::
You’re Mine (ebook) 1 – Publingual Inc., Jan 2012 ::

Dirty Pair A Plague of Angels – Dark Horse, Jul 1994 ::
Dirty Pair Biohazards – Dark Horse, Sep 1998 ::
Dirty Pair Dangerous Acquaintances – Dark Horse, Jun 1997 ::
Dirty Pair Fatal but not Serious – Dark Horse, Aug 1996 ::
Dirty Pair Run from the Future – Dark Horse, Mar 2002 ::
Dirty Pair Sim Hell – Dark Horse, Dec 1994 ::
Dirty Pair Sim Hell: Remastered – Dark Horse, Oct 2002 ::
Dirty Pair The Dirty Pair Strike Again (novel) – Dark Horse, Mar 2008 ::
Dirty Pair The Great Adventure of the Dirty Pair (novel) – Dark Horse, Sep 2007 ::
Lullabies from Hell – Dark Horse, May 2006 ::
Onegai Teacher 1 – ComicsOne, Apr 2005 ::
Onegai Teacher 2 – ComicsOne, Apr 2005 ::
Onegai Teacher (novel) – ComicsOne, Apr 2005 ::
Onegai Teacher Official Fanbook – ComicsOne, Apr 2005 ::
Secret Comics Japan – Viz, Jun 2000 ::
Sin (ebook) chapters 1-10 – MangaMagazine, Sep 2011 ::
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (novel) – Bandai, Jul 2009 ::

##

I’ll start with two reminders: First, the ‘radar’ picks up new titles as soon as they show up in sources – for physical books, that’s a few months out; for e- it’s often just the week of release. And that’s what we see above: a short slate of ebooks coming out for Kindle. The DMP Juné book, A Gentlemen’s Agreement Between A Rabbit & A Wolf should also be out in paperback soon, if not by the time you read this.

My second reminder is that the radar sweeps in both directions, and also scoops up titles from the dim and dusty past of licenced manga – you know, like 7 & 8 years ago. [ancient texts.]

Fixing an obvious oversight on my part: Dirty Pair! Oh wow. Now, some might object to the inclusion of these books in a ‘manga’ chart, as only the characters were licensed: Dirty Pair was an anime based on a novel, *not* originally a manga series, and the Dark Horse books are by western writers & artists. Whatevs. I like it. (Dark Horse helpfully published two of the original novels as well, in 2007-8)

Also on the based-on-an-anime track, ComicsOne published 4 books to tie-in to the Please Teacher series, but translated the title as Onegai Teacher, just to be sure at least some fans would never find them.

Finally, two worthy of note: Hideshi Hino’s Lullabies from Hell for you horror manga fans (Dark Horse also licensed Living Corpse from the same author) and Secret Comics Japan from Viz, which promises at least a few grotesqueries among its selections of ‘underground’ manga.

##

Top Preorders

6. ↓-1 (5) : Naruto 54 – Viz Shonen Jump, Mar 2012 [385.3] ::
12. ↑2 (14) : Sailor Moon 4 – Kodansha Comics, Mar 2012 [353.5] ::
16. ↓-1 (15) : Sailor Moon 5 – Kodansha Comics, Apr 2012 [298.7] ::
24. ↓-1 (23) : Sailor Moon 6 – Kodansha Comics, Jun 2012 [245.1] ::
59. ↓-3 (56) : xxxHolic 19 – Kodansha Comics, Feb 2012 [148.3] ::
65. ↑26 (91) : Naruto 55 – Viz Shonen Jump, Mar 2012 [135.5] ::
70. ↑26 (96) : Sailor Moon 7 – Kodansha Comics, Sep 2012 [132.5] ::
84. ↑9 (93) : Negima! 34 – Kodansha Comics, Apr 2012 [114.5] ::
102. ↓-19 (83) : Dance in the Vampire Bund 12 – Seven Seas, Jun 2012 [95.8] ::
123. ↑13 (136) : Ambiguous Relationship – DMP Juné, Mar 2012 [86.3] ::

[more]

Database Additions for 22 January

Bakuman 12 – Viz Shonen Jump, Jul 2012 ::
Bakuman 13 – Viz Shonen Jump, Aug 2012 ::
Bride of the Water God 11 – Dark Horse, May 2012 ::
Code Geass Knight 5 – Bandai, Cancelled ::
D. Gray-Man 22 – Viz Shonen Jump Advanced, Jul 2012 ::
Dengeki Daisy 10 – Viz Shojo Beat, Jul 2012 ::
Gandhi: A Manga Biography – Penguin, Sep 2011 ::
House of Five Leaves 6 – Viz Sig Ikki, Mar 2012 ::
MM9 (novel) – Viz Haikasoru, Jan 2012 ::
Oh My Goddess! 41 – Dark Horse, May 2012 ::
Sakura Hime 8 – Viz Shojo Beat, Jun 2012 ::
Sakura Hime 9 – Viz Shojo Beat, Aug 2012 ::
Slam Dunk 21 – Viz Shonen Jump, Apr 2012 ::
Story of Saiunkoku 7 – Viz Shojo Beat, May 2012 ::
Yu-Gi-Oh! 5Ds 3 – Viz Shonen Jump, Jun 2012 ::
Zolabarth Bi (ebook) – Yaoi Press, Jan 2012 ::
Zombie Loan 13 – Yen Press, Jan 2012 ::

Bio Booster Armor Guyver: Armageddon – Viz, Feb 1998 ::
Black Leopard 1 – ComicsOne, Apr 2005 ::
Black Leopard 2 – ComicsOne, Apr 2005 ::
Black Leopard 3 – ComicsOne, Apr 2005 ::
Black Leopard 4 – ComicsOne, Apr 2005 ::
Call Me Princess – CPM, Apr 2008 ::
Chicago 1 – Viz, Oct 2002 ::
Chicago 2 – Viz, Apr 2003 ::
Dead End 3 – Tokyopop, Sep 2005 ::
Dead End 4 – Tokyopop, May 2006 ::
Exotic & Delicious Fate – DMP Juné, Sep 2009 ::
Love Skit – 801 Media, Nov 2009 ::
Suggestive Eyes – DMP Juné, May 2009 ::
Works – Tadano – ALC Publishing, Jul 2008 ::
Worst 1 – DMP, Sep 2004 ::
Worst 2 – DMP, Dec 2004 ::
Worst 3 – DMP, May 2005 ::

##

From my standpoint as an archivist, this last batch of data was fantastic: Not just the Old Skool Viz[tm] but some lovely yaoi I wasn’t previously tracking, some original DMP [pre yoai], and what I think is the first ALC title added to the database because it showed up in sources. [I’d previously added Yuri Monogatari volumes as I actually own a few, and was tracking them before I started the charts]

AND (as if this week needed an “and”) Black Leopard is yet another Manhua (Chinese/Hong Kong comics) that I get to add to the database.

Good week all around. For those playing along with the home game, my database now contains 10,837 volumes.

##

Top Preorders

5. ↔0 (5) : Naruto 54 – Viz Shonen Jump, Mar 2012 [405.8] ::
14. ↔0 (14) : Sailor Moon 4 – Kodansha Comics, Mar 2012 [343.1] ::
15. ↑5 (20) : Sailor Moon 5 – Kodansha Comics, Apr 2012 [307.4] ::
23. ↑6 (29) : Sailor Moon 6 – Kodansha Comics, Jun 2012 [258.7] ::
56. ↑22 (78) : xxxHolic 19 – Kodansha Comics, Feb 2012 [157.4] ::
83. ↑37 (120) : Dance in the Vampire Bund 12 – Seven Seas, Jun 2012 [112.9] ::
91. ↑33 (124) : Naruto 55 – Viz Shonen Jump, Mar 2012 [105.2] ::
93. ↑1 (94) : Negima! 34 – Kodansha Comics, Apr 2012 [104.6] ::
96. ↑387 (483) : Sailor Moon 7 – Kodansha Comics, Sep 2012 [99.7] ::
136. ↑55 (191) : Ambiguous Relationship – DMP Juné, Mar 2012 [76.5] ::

[more]

Database Additions for 15 January

Bakuman 11 – Viz Shonen Jump, Jun 2012 ::
Bleach 41 – Viz Shonen Jump, Jun 2012 ::
Bleach 42 – Viz Shonen Jump, Jul 2012 ::
Bleach 43 – Viz Shonen Jump, Jul 2012 ::
Bleach 44 – Viz Shonen Jump, Aug 2012 ::
Bleach 45 – Viz Shonen Jump, Aug 2012 ::
Bleach 46 – Viz Shonen Jump, Sep 2012 ::
Bleach 47 – Viz Shonen Jump, Sep 2012 ::
Depression of the Anti-Romanticist – DMP Juné, Mar 2012 ::
Dororo Omnibus – Vertical, Mar 2012 ::
Ghee the Wiz-Cat 1 – Stren Publishing, Jul 2011 ::
Ghee the Wiz-Cat 2 – Stren Publishing, Sep 2011 ::
Ghee the Wiz-Cat 3 – Stren Publishing, Nov 2011 ::
GTO: 14 Days in Shonan 1 – Vertical, Jan 2012 ::
GTO: 14 Days in Shonan 2 – Vertical, Mar 2012 ::
GTO: 14 Days in Shonan 3 – Vertical, May 2012 ::
GTO: 14 Days in Shonan 4 – Vertical, Jul 2012 ::
GTO: 14 Days in Shonan 5 – Vertical, Sep 2012 ::
Hyde & Closer 7 – Viz Shonen Sunday, Jan 2012 ::
Love Hina Omnibus 4 – Kodansha Comics, Aug 2012 ::
Naruto 59 – Viz Shonen Jump, Nov 2012 ::
Neon Genesis Evangelion The Shinji Ikari Raising Project 11 – Dark Horse, Jun 2012 ::
Platinum Pasta (ebook) – Animate/Libre, Jan 2011 ::
Selfish Love (ebook) vol 2 part 4 – Animate/Libre, Jan 2012 ::
The Reason Why He Loves Him So Much (ebook) – DMP Digital Manga Guild, Dec 2012 ::
Theorem of Desire (ebook) – Animate/Libre, Jan 2012 ::
Tokyo Mew Mew Omnibus 3 – Kodansha Comics, Apr 2012 ::
Toradora! 5 – Seven Seas, Aug 2012 ::

##

Ghee the Wiz-Cat and other e-manga are being made available to Amazon Prime members for free; this will obviously affect how often they are downloaded — and since Amazon makes no differentiation between ‘downloaded’ and ‘sold’ this will also affect how these titles appear in their best-‘sellers’.

[I really hate Amazon sometimes. If you happen to be an Amazon Prime member, though: heads up! do a quick search for some free manga.]

No Blasts from the Past this week, but that is more than made up for with the new Bleach push from Viz, New Onizuka from Vertical, and the usual brace of yaoi ebooks from the DMG.

##

Top Preorders

5. ↑3 (8) : Naruto 54 – Viz Shonen Jump, Mar 2012 [397.5] ::
14. ↑4 (18) : Sailor Moon 4 – Kodansha Comics, Mar 2012 [313.8] ::
20. ↑2 (22) : Sailor Moon 5 – Kodansha Comics, Apr 2012 [283.4] ::
29. ↑4 (33) : Sailor Moon 6 – Kodansha Comics, Jun 2012 [231.2] ::
78. ↑10 (88) : xxxHolic 19 – Kodansha Comics, Feb 2012 [118.3] ::
94. ↑9 (103) : Negima! 34 – Kodansha Comics, Apr 2012 [100.1] ::
120. ↑422 (542) : Dance in the Vampire Bund 12 – Seven Seas, Jun 2012 [86.3] ::
124. ↑14 (138) : Naruto 55 – Viz Shonen Jump, Mar 2012 [84.3] ::
137. ↑6 (143) : Toradora! 4 – Seven Seas, Apr 2012 [78.5] ::
161. ↓-13 (148) : The Betrayal Knows My Name 3 – Yen Press, Apr 2012 [68.2] ::

[more]

Database Additions for 08 January

20th Century Boys 22 – Viz Signature, Aug 2012 ::
Bastard King (ebook) 1 – Yaoi Press, Sep 2011 ::
Bastard King (ebook) 2 – Yaoi Press, Oct 2011 ::
Big Deal (ebook) 1 – Ai Press, Jan 2012 ::
Bunny Drop 6 – Yen Press, Aug 2012 ::
Claymore 20 – Viz Shonen Jump Advanced, Jul 2012 ::
Fluffy Fluffy Cinnamoroll 1 – Vizkids, Jan 2012 ::
Fluffy Fluffy Cinnamoroll 2 – Vizkids, Mar 2012 ::
Fluffy Fluffy Cinnamoroll 3 – Vizkids, May 2012 ::
Fluffy Fluffy Cinnamoroll 4 – Vizkids, Jul 2012 ::
Full Bloom (ebook) 1 – DMP Digital Manga Guild, Dec 2011 ::
Holy Night & Other Stories (ebook) – Enjugroup, Feb 2011 ::
My Boyfriend Is a Vampire (ebook) 4 – Seven Seas, Dec 2011 ::
NonNonBa – Drawn & Quarterly, Mar 2012 ::
Pokemon Diamond & Pearl/Platinum 5 – Vizkids, Jun 2012 ::
Rosario+Vampire Season II 9 – Viz Shonen Jump Advanced, Jul 2012 ::
Sailor Moon 7 – Kodansha Comics, Sep 2012 ::
Spring Demon (ebook) 3 – Yaoi Press, Nov 2011 ::
Tenjo Tenge vols 13-14 collection – Viz Signature, Jun 2012 ::
The Manga Guide to the Universe – No Starch Press, Aug 2011 ::

Idol (yaoi) – Yaoi Press, Feb 2007 ::
Mobile Suit Gundam Blue Destiny 1 – Tokyopop, Jan 2003 ::

##

Idol, from Yaoi Press, is also available as an ebook (for kindle) which is why it’s getting added to the database now, as opposed to 5 years ago. I’m not familiar at all with Gundam Blue Destiny, and that particular Gundam book is so old the cover thumbnail had a Mixx logo on it.

##

Top Preorders

8. ↑1 (9) : Naruto 54 – Viz Shonen Jump, Mar 2012 [390.0] ::
18. ↓-3 (15) : Sailor Moon 4 – Kodansha Comics, Mar 2012 [279.0] ::
22. ↑4 (26) : Sailor Moon 5 – Kodansha Comics, Apr 2012 [257.8] ::
33. ↑11 (44) : Sailor Moon 6 – Kodansha Comics, Jun 2012 [212.1] ::
88. ↑15 (103) : xxxHolic 19 – Kodansha Comics, Feb 2012 [114.9] ::
103. ↓-2 (101) : Negima! 34 – Kodansha Comics, Apr 2012 [98.5] ::
121. ↑7 (128) : Kannagi 4 – Bandai, Cancelled [84.8] ::
138. ↑144 (282) : Naruto 55 – Viz Shonen Jump, Mar 2012 [77.1] ::
143. ↑13 (156) : Toradora! 4 – Seven Seas, Apr 2012 [74.9] ::
148. ↑108 (256) : The Betrayal Knows My Name 3 – Yen Press, Apr 2012 [71.9] ::

[more]

Database Additions for 01 January

A Bride’s Story 3 – Yen Press, Mar 2012 ::
Ar Tonelico Visual Book – Udon, Aug 2011 ::
At Full Moon 1 – Kodansha Comics, Nov 2011 ::
At Full Moon 2 – Kodansha Comics, Jan 2012 ::
Faraway Places (ebook) – DMP Digital Manga Guild, Dec 2011 ::
Maihime!! (ebook) Tale 1 – Stren Publishing, Dec 2011 ::
My Boyfriend is a Vampire (ebook) 3 – Seven Seas, Dec 2011 ::
Oresama Teacher 7 – Viz Shojo Beat, Mar 2012 ::
Oresama Teacher 8 – Viz Shojo Beat, May 2012 ::
Oresama Teacher 9 – Viz Shojo Beat, Jul 2012 ::
Oresama Teacher 10 – Viz Shojo Beat, Sep 2012 ::
Rin-Ne 8 – Viz Shonen Sunday, Mar 2012 ::
Sin (ebook) Chapter 1 – MangaMagazine, Sep 2011 ::
Spring Demon (ebook) 1 – Yaoi Press, Oct 2011 ::
Spring Demon (ebook) 2 – Yaoi Press, Oct 2011 ::
The Kneeling Butler (ebook) – DMP Digital Manga Guild, Dec 2011 ::
Utsumi & His Yellow Glasses (ebook) – Stren Publishing, Mar 2011 ::
Vampire Knight 14 – Viz Shojo Beat, Jul 2012 ::

Case Closed Casebook: An Essential Guide – Cocoro Books, Jul 2008 ::
The Pirate & The Princess (novel) 1 – Seven Seas, Oct 2007 ::
One Piece The One Piece Adventurer: A Treasure Trove of Trivia – Cocoro Books, Oct 2007 ::
Ogre Slayer 2 – Viz, Jun 1998 ::
Ogre Slayer 1 – Viz, Jan 1997 ::

##

Notes:

At Full Moon is the sequel to Until the Full Moon, also from Kodansha; I’m currently considering how/if to list these as a single series in the database.

The Pirate & The Princess light novels were licensed by Seven Seas, and the first volume released but only via Scholastic bookfairs – when the major bookstore chains refused to buy it, Seven Seas cancelled it (with some regret).

Cocoro Books has transitioned from selling actual books that feed parasitically off of popular series, to ebook versions of the same that do so, only better. For those who are curious, here is the pull from the database, with current weekly rankings:

83. ↑273 (356) : Dragon Ball Z Legend: The Quest Continues – Cocoro Books, May 2004 [113.5] ::
93. ↑288 (381) : Fruits Basket Uncovered: The Secrets of the Sohmas – Cocoro Books, Mar 2007 [103.8] ::
131. ↑263 (394) : Naruto Saga: The Unofficial Guide – Cocoro Books, Nov 2004 [84.1] ::
207. ↑573 (780) : Bleach The Bleach Breakdown: The Unofficial Guide – Cocoro Books, Oct 2007 [56.6] ::
475. ↑592 (1067) : Fullmetal Alchemist Archive: The Complete Guide – Cocoro Books, May 2010 [21.2] ::
776. ↑ (last ranked 13 Nov 11) : Death Note Fatally Fun Facts: Mysteries and Secrets Revealed – Cocoro Books, Sep 2007 [8.8] ::
916. ↓-202 (714) : Inuyasha The Inuyasha Experience: Fiction, Fantasy, & Facts – Cocoro Books, Jan 2011 [5.9] ::
976. ↑172 (1148) : Naruto Forever: The Unofficial Guide – Cocoro Books, Feb 2008 [4.8] ::
1206. ↑new (0) : One Piece The One Piece Adventurer: A Treasure Trove of Trivia – Cocoro Books, Oct 2007 [2.2] ::
1548. ↑new (0) : Negima! Reader: Secrets Behind the Magic – Cocoro Books, Oct 2007 [0.5] ::
1674. ↑new (0) : Case Closed Casebook: An Essential Guide – Cocoro Books, Jul 2008 [0.1] ::
. (last ranked 21 Nov 10) : Ghost in the Shell User’s Manual: A Wired Guide – Cocoro Books, Oct 2008 [0.0] ::
. (last ranked 2 Oct 11) : Mushishi Essentials: A Wanderer’s Handbook – Cocoro Books, Nov 2007 [0.0] ::
. (ref) : Blood+ Chevalier’s Handbook – Cocoro Books, Sep 2008 [0.0] ::
. (ref) : Eureka Seven Unlimited Answers: A Roadmap of Gekkostate and Beyond – Cocoro Books, Sep 2008 [0.0] ::
. (ref) : Haruhi Suzumiya Yearbook – Cocoro Books, Nov 2008 [0.0] ::

Since many of these series are not available as ebooks, is it any wonder that young fans casting about for any manga for newly-gifted devices end up buying these ‘guides’? Perhaps, even, by mistake? I’ll leave any conclusions [past my leading comments] to the reader, and to publishers.

##

Top Preorders

9. ↑33 (42) : Naruto 54 – Viz Shonen Jump, Mar 2012 [336.5] ::
15. ↑3 (18) : Sailor Moon 4 – Kodansha Comics, Mar 2012 [285.7] ::
26. ↓-2 (24) : Sailor Moon 5 – Kodansha Comics, Apr 2012 [243.0] ::
44. ↑7 (51) : Sailor Moon 6 – Kodansha Comics, Jun 2012 [188.8] ::
101. ↓-4 (97) : Negima! 34 – Kodansha Comics, Apr 2012 [99.5] ::
103. ↑8 (111) : xxxHolic 19 – Kodansha Comics, Feb 2012 [98.3] ::
128. ↓-6 (122) : Kannagi 4 – Bandai, Cancelled [84.8] ::
156. ↓-2 (154) : Toradora! 4 – Seven Seas, Apr 2012 [71.9] ::
172. ↓-8 (164) : Gunslinger Girl Omnibus 4 – Seven Seas, Mar 2012 [67.8] ::
181. ↓-10 (171) : Bamboo Blade 12 – Yen Press, Mar 2012 [63.0] ::

[more]

Database Additions for 25 December

Beast & Feast – DMP Juné, Mar 2012 ::
Bleach 40 – Viz Shonen Jump, Jun 2012 ::
Cage of Eden 3 – Kodansha Comics, Dec 2011 ::
Drops of God 4 – Vertical, Jun 2012 ::
I Love Love, Too (ebook) – DMP Digital Manga Guild, Dec 2011 ::
Maximum Ride 6 – Yen Press, Sep 2012 ::
Pride (ebook) – DMP Digital Manga Guild, Dec 2011 ::
Rohan at the Louvre – NBM/Comics Lit, Apr 2012 ::
Skip Beat! 28 – Viz Shojo Beat, Jul 2012 ::
Skip Beat! vols 1-3 collection – Viz Shojo Beat, Mar 2012 ::
Skip Beat! vols 4-6 collection – Viz Shojo Beat, May 2012 ::
Skip Beat! vols 7-9 collection – Viz Shojo Beat, Jul 2012 ::
The Betrayal Knows My Name 4 – Yen Press, Aug 2012 ::
The Manga Guide to Biochemistry – No Starch Press, Nov 2011 ::

##

No Blasts from the Past this week, just a batch of new releases, & some interesting books coming out this spring. Maximum Ride vol 6 isn’t brand new to my charts (it’s been hanging out around 900 or 1000 places down in the charts) but I was finally able to put a publication date on it so here it is. Rohan at the Louvre is the most intriguing new find, as new (non-porn) manga from NBM is rare.

##

Top Preorders

7. ↑7 (14) : Sailor Moon 3 – Kodansha Comics, Jan 2012 [368.1] ::
18. ↑22 (40) : Sailor Moon 4 – Kodansha Comics, Mar 2012 [273.7] ::
24. ↑24 (48) : Sailor Moon 5 – Kodansha Comics, Apr 2012 [256.6] ::
42. ↑72 (114) : Naruto 54 – Viz Shonen Jump, Mar 2012 [195.4] ::
51. ↑10 (61) : Sailor Moon 6 – Kodansha Comics, Jun 2012 [169.2] ::
59. ↑188 (247) : Black Bird 12 – Viz Shojo Beat, Jan 2012 [144.8] ::
71. ↑21 (92) : Negima! 33 – Kodansha Comics, Jan 2012 [127.2] ::
85. ↑10 (95) : Dance in the Vampire Bund 11 – Seven Seas, Jan 2012 [111.6] ::
97. ↑7 (104) : Negima! 34 – Kodansha Comics, Apr 2012 [102.9] ::
103. ↑24 (127) : A Fallen Saint’s Kiss – 801 Media, Jan 2012 [98.4] ::

[more]

Database Additions for 18 December

20th Century Boys 21 – Viz Signature, Jun 2012 ::
Blooming Darling (ebook) – DMP Digital Manga Guild, Dec 2011 ::
Curve (ebook) – DMP Digital Manga Guild, Dec 2012 ::
Doki Doki Crush (ebook) – DMP Digital Manga Guild, Dec 2011 ::
Oh My Goddess! 40 – Dark Horse, Jan 2012 ::
Papa’s One Summer (ebook) – Stren Co. Ltd., Mar 2011 ::
Shigenori Soejima Artworks – Udon, Dec 2011 ::
The Boys with Tomorrow to Conquer (ebook) 1 – DMP Digital Manga Guild, Dec 2011 ::
Tweeting Love Birds (ebook) – DMP Digital Manga Guild, Dec 2011 ::

Minima! 4 – Del Rey, Oct 2009 ::
Minima! 3 – Del Rey, Dec 2008 ::
Minima! 2 – Del Rey, May 2008 ::
Minima! 1 – Del Rey, Feb 2008 ::
Legend of Kamui: Perfect Collection 1 – Viz, Mar 1999 ::
Legend of Kamui: Perfect Collection 2 – Viz, Mar 1999 ::

##

At the rate DMP is releasing DMG titles (and, as ebooks, how fast they hit the market) we’re likely to see new ebooks each week for all of next year. It’s going to get impressive very quickly.

I’m not sure how I missed Minima! before, since it was a Del Rey title and not that old — but hey, problem fixed. Please note, also, the The Legend of Kamui, 2 omnibus collections from old-school Viz, is completely different from and unrelated to Kamui, a 10 volume series that Broccoli Books released Dec. 2005 through Sep. 2008. (Wow. Broccoli Books…)

##

Top Preorders

14. ↔0 (14) : Sailor Moon 3 – Kodansha Comics, Jan 2012 [313.0] ::
40. ↓-5 (35) : Sailor Moon 4 – Kodansha Comics, Mar 2012 [216.7] ::
48. ↓-6 (42) : Sailor Moon 5 – Kodansha Comics, Apr 2012 [198.0] ::
61. ↓-1 (60) : Sailor Moon 6 – Kodansha Comics, Jun 2012 [147.4] ::
92. ↑1 (93) : Negima! 33 – Kodansha Comics, Jan 2012 [106.4] ::
95. ↑9 (104) : Dance in the Vampire Bund 11 – Seven Seas, Jan 2012 [101.4] ::
104. ↑16 (120) : Negima! 34 – Kodansha Comics, Apr 2012 [93.1] ::
112. ↑35 (147) : xxxHolic 19 – Kodansha Comics, Feb 2012 [89.3] ::
114. ↑129 (243) : Naruto 54 – Viz Shonen Jump, Mar 2012 [88.1] ::
115. ↓-2 (113) : Black Butler 8 – Yen Press, Jan 2012 [87.8] ::

[more]

Database Additions for 11 December

A Truthful Picture (ebook) – DMP Digital Manga Guild, Dec 2011 ::
Holding Hands Together (ebook) – DMP Digital Manga Guild, Dec 2011 ::
Kobato 6 – Yen Press, Jun 2012 ::
Love & Trap (ebook) – DMP Digital Manga Guild, Nov 2011 ::
Ouran High School Host Club 18 – Viz Shojo Beat, Jun 2012 ::
Pandora Hearts 10 – Yen Press, May 2012 ::

King of Fighters Art Book – DrMaster, Apr 2008 ::
Metal Guardian Faust – Viz, Jul 1998 ::
Sokora Refugees 1 – Tokyopop, Apr 2005 ::
Sokora Refugees 2 – Tokyopop, Oct 2006 ::
Striker 1 – Viz, Nov 1998 ::
Striker 2 – Viz, Nov 1998 ::
Striker 3 – Viz, May 1999 ::
SVC Chaos: SNK vs Capcom 1 – ComicsOne/DrMaster, Mar 2005 ::
SVC Chaos: SNK vs Capcom 2 – DrMaster, Sep 2005 ::
SVC Chaos: SNK vs Capcom 3 – DrMaster, Feb 2006 ::
SVC Chaos: SNK vs Capcom 4 – DrMaster, May 2006 ::
SVC Chaos: SNK vs Capcom 5 – DrMaster, Nov 2006 ::
SVC Chaos: SNK vs Capcom 6 – DrMaster, Sep 2007 ::
SVC Chaos: SNK vs Capcom 7 – DrMaster, Nov 2007 ::
SVC Chaos: SNK vs Capcom 8 – DrMaster, Feb 2008 ::
SVC Chaos: SNK vs Capcom vols 1-8 box set – DrMaster, Nov 2008 ::

##

I hit a rich vein of old and rare in my sources this week; SVC Chaos and King of Fighters are by a Chinese artist (Chi Wan Shum) and so are rare examples of manhua – but I’ll add them to manga database anyway. Sokora Refuges was credited to writer Segamu with art by Melissa Dejesus. (Old School Viz is old school Viz; do I need to clarify? Oh, OK: apparently Metal Guardian Faust & Striker ran in Manga Vizion, the pre-Jump manga magazine from Viz, and were one of the few early collected editions.)

##

Top Preorders

14. ↑1 (15) : Sailor Moon 3 – Kodansha Comics, Jan 2012 [308.5] ::
35. ↓-6 (29) : Sailor Moon 4 – Kodansha Comics, Mar 2012 [230.8] ::
42. ↓-11 (31) : Sailor Moon 5 – Kodansha Comics, Apr 2012 [199.9] ::
60. ↓-4 (56) : Sailor Moon 6 – Kodansha Comics, Jun 2012 [159.4] ::
93. ↓-9 (84) : Negima! 33 – Kodansha Comics, Jan 2012 [108.5] ::
104. ↑13 (117) : Dance in the Vampire Bund 11 – Seven Seas, Jan 2012 [103.3] ::
113. ↑1 (114) : Black Butler 8 – Yen Press, Jan 2012 [98.5] ::
120. ↓-2 (118) : Negima! 34 – Kodansha Comics, Apr 2012 [93.7] ::
135. ↔0 (135) : Private Teacher 2 – DMP Juné, Jan 2012 [83.2] ::
142. ↑112 (254) : Kannagi 4 – Bandai, Cancelled [79.0] ::

[more]