Manga Bookshelf's Weekly Features

MICHELLE: While I’m really looking forward to getting caught up on Naoki Urasawa’s Master Keaton, I must cast my vote this week to the new Astro Boy omnibus, which includes the story “The Greatest Robot on Earth,” which is pretty much required reading and which gives its robot a surprisingly touching character arc.

SEAN: Absolutely Astro Boy for me as well. Some of the finest Tezuka.

ASH: I almost feel like picking something else just to be contrary, but the new edition of Astro Boy is probably the most alluring release for me this week, too.

MJ: I am a sheep. Astro Boy it is.

ANNA: I’m not going to be the one to break this trend. Astro Boy for everybody!!!!

MICHELLE: Baaaa. :)

What looks good to you this week?

SEAN: There’s some interesting stuff going on this week, which I’m sure the rest of the team will talk about, so my pick is a title only I care about: the 26th Hayate the Combat Butler. It’s been pretty serious and plot-oriented the last three volumes or so – expect that to change back to its usual goofy fourth-wall breaking humor.

MICHELLE: It’s kind of odd that a VIZ shoujo title is coming out the second week of the month rather than the first, but I don’t mind, since that makes volume two of the versatile Aya Kanno’s Requiem of the Rose King an easy choice!

ASH: I’m with Michelle, Requiem of the Rose King is absolutely my pick this week. Although the first volume was a bit chaotic in places, I loved its drama and theatrics. The stage has been set, and I can’t wait to see what’s to come.

MJ: I’m also going to give my vote to Requiem of the Rose King. I haven’t caught up with the first volume yet, but this is easily the most enticing title on the list for me this week. I have a feeling I may even be happy in the end that I can read this two at a time!

ANNA: I’m also going to pick Requiem of the Rose King too. I loved the combination of history, anguish, and surreal visions in the first volume, and I’m excited to see where the story goes.

SEAN: Requiem of the Rose King is awesome, I will admit. But totally sticking with Hayate. Someone has to.

What looks good to you this week?

MICHELLE: There’s a new volume of Skip Beat! out this week, which I of course adore, but that makes it even more significant when I say my pick of the week is actually the first volume of Maki Minami’s Komomo Confiserie. I actually know nothing about this series, but I do know that Minami’s Voice Over! ended up being a surprise favorite, so I am really glad to have another new series from its creator now that it has finished.

ASH: It seems like I’ve been waiting to read One-Punch Man forever, but I enjoyed the first volume of The Ancient Magus’ Bride so much that there could be no other pick for me this week.

SEAN: I’m fairly sure that One-Punch Man takes the prize for my pick of the week. Never has invincibility been so funny.

ANNA: I’m very excited that One-Punch Man is coming out in print form, but I’ve aleady been buying the digital volumes!. I’m going to pick the shoujo series Komomo Confiserie because a shoujo series involving food just sounds incredibly entertaining.

SEAN: There’s a surprising amount of stuff out this week for manga fans, including a new Alice that looks more plot-oriented than most, a new Attack on Titan as well as two spinoffs of same, and a new series from the creator of Gantz. I’ll give my pick to the manga tie-in of the Bodacious Space Pirates movie, Abyss of Hyperspace. It’s not very friendly to casual readers who don’t know the franchise, but for those who do, it’s pirate-riffic.

MICHELLE: I pretty much always pick this series when given the chance, but I am definitely going to be picking up the ninth volume of Say I Love You., which always thwarts traditional shoujo expectations in interesting ways.

ASH: Lots of good stuff coming out this week, and I’ll be picking up quite a few of them, but the manga I’m most curious about is the debut of Inuyashiki.

ANNA: Say I Love You is my pick as well, but I can’t believe we’re up to volume 9 already! More to get caught up on!

SEAN: I just want to add that the Say “I Love You” heroine continues to be so unhappy on these covers. She really does not want to be posing for this shot.

SEAN: I have gotten used to the fact that when Yen Press puts out 19-20 titles in one go, I get all excited about at least half of them and the rest of the Manga Bookshelf team tends to shrug their shoulders. So let me start this week off. There’s a pile coming out I love – new Wallflower, new Dorohedoro, new Emma. For a pick, I’ll go with the new Sword Art Online novel, if only as I want to see if the author even tries to justify why there are still MMORPGs after the disaster that was cause of the first four books.

MICHELLE: I’m guilty of shrugging, but if I didn’t already own the complete CMX run of Emma, I would surely be excited about Yen’s omnibus editions! As it is, I’m very happy that others have the chance to experience this lovely series.

ASH: There is so much to choose from this week! I’ll definitely be picking up Emma since I missed it the first time and Yen’s hardcovers are gorgeous, but I think I’ll throw my official pick towards the most recent volume of Dorohedoro. I’m thrilled that Viz continues to publish the series; it’s just so bizarrely charming.

ANNA: I’ll go with Emma. I’ve already read it, but it is a delightful series that deserves new readers. I’m glad it is coming back into print with Yen’s excellent production values.

What looks good to you this week?

MICHELLE: I know I’ve picked Magi at least a half dozen times before, but really it’s just that good. It’s fun, in the way that one expects a shounen adventure to be, but it also prioritizes character growth and world-building. I am really, really enjoying it.

SEAN: Yeah, I’m going to go with Magi as well, which is doing some really great worldbuilding and has some nice smug villains.

ANNA: I will pick Magi too, even though I’m not that far along in reading the series.

ASH: Wow, well, I apparently need to get around to reading Magi at some point! But as for my pick this week, I’m going to go with the third omnibus of Embracing Love. It’s been a while since I’ve read the series, but I’m glad that it was rescued.

What looks good to you this week?

SEAN: I was originally going to pick Showa here, but Amazon helpfully moved it to late September at the very last minute. So instead I will pick Haven’t You Heard? I’m Sakamoto, Seven Seas’ new series about the coolest high school student around, and how no one else can hold a candle to him. It’s completely hilarious and I want more immediately.

MICHELLE: Voice Over!: Seiyu Academy may not be a classic, but I have grown to like it very much over its run, and so must pick the twelfth and final volume while I can. I hope for a sugary sweet ending with kitties.

ASH: I was all set to choose Haven’t You Heard? I’m Sakamoto, but then the Sparkler Monthly Kickstarter reached its goal over the weekend. I’m so excited that we’ll be seeing another year of fantastic content, beginning this month!

MJ: I’m pretty much MIA due to my teen opera production which goes up next week, but I had to jump in to add to Ash’s excitement. Yay, Sparkler!! We’re so lucky to be getting more of this magazine!

ANNA: I will go with the third volume of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Phantom Blood. So weird! So manly!

What looks good to you this week?

MICHELLE: If you missed out on the single volumes of Chi’s Sweet Home as they came out, now’s your chance to get caught up with a new omnibus collecting the first three volumes. Honestly, I think I will probably hang on to my originals and this larger-trim edition, as this has been a very popular series in my personal lending library. If you like kitties, or know a kitty-loving young person, you should check it out!

ASH: Chi is indeed a tough kitty to beat, but my pick this week is the second volume of A Silent Voice. Admittedly, the first volume was a bit of a tough read due to the series’ subject matter. The manga is heartbreaking in many ways, but it is an incredibly well-crafted story.

SEAN: I agree with the pick of A Silent Voice. This manga really has something to say, and I want to hear what it is, no matter how uncomfortable it (deliberately) makes me.

ANNA: I will have to go with the Chi’s Sweet Home omnibus, out of all the manga about to be released that sounds the most appealing to me.

What looks good to you this week?

SEAN: There’s a huge pile of stuff this week, most of it Yen. My pick goes to the debut of Durarara!! in light novel form. Narita specializes in huge casts of eccentrics and crazies and disparate plots slowly coming together in a chaotic climax. I prefer his work on Baccano, but that’s coming soon enough. In the meantime, enjoy seeing the origin of ‘Bacon Lettuce’ in all its glory.

MICHELLE: I admit experiencing Durarara!! in its original form has some appeal, but what I really am looking forward to most is the ninth volume of Kodansha’s My Little Monster. I really enjoy this series, and how it allows me to actually believe there’s a tiny sliver of a chance the two leads won’t have a happily-ever-after sort of ending. I don’t expect that, but it’s nice that it seems even a remote possibility.

ASH: Okay, I admit it, I’m intensely curious about Prison School if for no other reason than it’s an astoundingly different work than the creator’s previous manga released in English, Me and the Devil Blues (which I did like). I have a feeling that there won’t be much middle ground with this one and that a reader will either love or hate it.

What looks good to you this week?

MICHELLE: I’m feeling in the mood for some Takahashi, so I reckon my pick of the week is going to be RIN-NE. That said, my real affection this week is directed towards Udon Entertainment for licensing The Rose of Versailles!

ANNA: I think I’m just going to pick Rose of Versailles every week for the next few months.

SEAN: Sticking with Takahashi, I’m picking the new Ranma 1/2 omnibus, mostly as I love Nabiki Tendo. You may assume I am over the moon about Rose of Versailles as well.

ASH: I am beyond thrilled that Udon was able to license Rose of Versailles, but this week I’ll happily (and appropriately) be distracting myself from the wait for its release with the utterly charming and delightful My Neighbor Seki.

What looks good to you this week (or in future months)?

SEAN: There’s some nice Viz stuff out this week, both new and old, as well as a few choice titles from other publishers. I suspect the MB team will be warring between What Did You Eat Yesterday? and Sunny. I will be picking My Love Story!!, because it’s still the most adorable shoujo out there.

MICHELLE: Actually, although What Did You Eat Yesterday? was indeed my initial impulse, especially since I won’t be able to pick it again for who knows how long, I’m going to vote for Yukarism because volume two really won me over and I’m excited to check out volume three.

ANNA: There’s a ton of great manga coming out this week. Since Michelle already picked Yukarism, I’m going to swing my vote over to The Demon Prince of Momochi House because I am shallow and enjoy manga about handsome spirits.

ASH: Well, so as not to completely disappoint Sean, I’ll throw my pick to the most recent volume of What Did You Eat Yesterday?. Actually, I was going to pick that anyway. Or, was I?! My Love Story!! is an excellent choice, as is Sunny. It’s a great week for great manga!

MJ: I’m pretty torn here, but I don’t really have anything original so I’ll simply echo Ash’s sentiment! I choose What Did You Eat Yesterday? as my official pick, but that won’t stop me from picking up the rest as well! Sorry, Sunny, for leaving you in the cold. Yoshinaga always wins.

What looks good to you this week?

ASH: Although there are certainly some interesting releases, this week is a relatively light one for manga. While I’ve been very happy with the new edition of Lone Wolf & Cub, the release I’m most curious about this week isn’t actually manga but The Science of Attack on Titan. I hope it talks about three-dimensional maneuvering gear because, let’s be honest, that’s one of the coolest things to come out of the franchise.

MJ: I actually don’t have a manga pick this week, which normally I’d feel pretty sad about. But instead, it looks like a great week to back the Kickstarter for Sparkler Monthly’s Year 3. I haven’t read everything in this magazine, but every time I *do*, I regret not reading more. This is a project I believe in wholeheartedly, and I really want to see it continue. So that’s where I’ll be putting my money this week!

SEAN: It’s a Seven Seas week for me. I should pick the new series debut, which I’m quite looking forward to. But no, I only get to pick Toradora! once every 16 months, so I want to make the most of it. And this volume has some really awesome sequences. Worth the wait.

What looks good to you this week?

SEAN: There’s so much coming out this week that I’m sure I won’t be able to easily choose what I’ll be… yeah, OK, it’s Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service. I hate being predictable, but come on, of COURSE it is.

MICHELLE: Aya Shouoto’s He’s My Only Vampire was a pleasant surprise for me, as it’s quite a lot better than her other title currently being released (Kiss of the Rose Princess). I look forward to seeing what volume three brings.

ASH: Hmmm, there really are quite a few manga that I’m interested in that are being released this week, but I’m with Sean in picking Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service. It’s a great series, and who knows when we’ll actually be able to pick it again?

ANNA: I feel like any appearance of Gundam: The Origin deserves a celebration, so that is my pick!

Which manga featuring Char Aznable is your favorite for the week?

MICHELLE: I really am gonna do it! I really am gonna read the first two volumes of Master Keaton daringly followed by the third, which is my pick of the week!

MJ: And I’m gonna stick by my boy Syoaoran and recommend that xxxHolic omnibus! So. Yeah. Take that, Sean. Or something like that.

SEAN: I should pick Fragments of Horror, really, but I suspect I like the idea of it more than the actual book, as I like my horror more manageable. So I’ll pick the 11th Haganai: I Don’t Have Many Friends, as they need all the friends they can get.

ASH: That’s okay, Sean, I’ve got Fragments of Horror covered. I’m very glad to see more of Ito’s work being translated into English. I have no idea if this collection of short manga will live up to his masterpiece Uzumaki (which I think is one of the best horror comics out there) but I’m definitely willing to find out.

What looks good to you this week?

SEAN: It’s a quiet week all around, with lots of continuing series. I’ll give a pick to one that’s ending, the 4th and final volume of Girls Und Panzer. I had originally thought this to be along the lines of Strike Witches, but to my surprise it’s a sweet and heartwarming school comedy, which just happens to have a completely ludicrous premise. Add in a final volume that includes a very well-drawn and understandable tank battle over multiple terrains, and I will admit that my maiden’s trembling heart was moved.

MICHELLE: I must choose between two frontrunners this week, and since I’ve picked Magi fairly recently, I think I’ll go with Say I Love You. this time. I’m a few volumes behind, but I look forward to picking up volume eight and getting caught up!

ASH: I think I’m going to have to go with Say I Love You, too. It’s been such a consistently good series.

MJ: I’m pretty much at a loss this week, so I’ll go off-list and mention that the KAIJU’s short comic Ring of Saturn just recently became available in paperback from the Sparkler Monthly shop! I reviewed Ring of Saturn back in January, when it was still an ebook only, and found a lot to love. Now all you old-school paper books folk can discover it too! PS: There’s a deleted scene from volume three of Off*Beat in the latest issue of Sparkler Monthly, and it’s pretty freaking adorable. You want it, Off*Beat fans. Trust me.

What looks good to you this week?