Manga Bookshelf's Weekly Features

SEAN: There is far, far too much here that I’m interested in, including many debuts. That said, my pick this week is a final volume, as I won’t be able to choose it again later. Soul Eater started slow for me, with the bizarre and surreal art keeping me going through the early volumes till I got to appreciate the bizarre, surreal characters more. Now it’s ending at Vol. 25, and I will miss it greatly.

ASH: Despite it being a big week for manga release, my pick is an easy choice for me. Like Sean’s, it’s also a final volume (although of a much shorter series). With it’s phenomenal artwork, fascinating, well-developed characters, and death-defying story, I am absolutely thrilled to be able to get my hands on the fifth volume of The Summit of the Gods.

MICHELLE: I’ll cast my lot with Love at Fourteen this week!

MJ: Okay, wow, I almost skipped out on this column today (moving week chaos), but holy cow are there a lot of promising manga for me to choose from! Yes, I’m interested in continuing/finishing series like the The Summit of the Gods, Love at Fourteen, and Sword Art Online: Progressive (how’s that for variety?), but there are also a few debuts that have really got my attention. Though I had mixed feelings about Olympos, I can’t deny that I’m looking forward to Angel of Elhamburg, the latest from that artist. And there’s no way I’m missing out on Kaori Yuki’s Demon From Afar, because c’mon. But I think I’ll throw my vote this week to the latest import from Zero-Sum, Karneval. Despite mixed reports from readers so far, I’m afraid that I just can’t resist the call. It’s beckoning, and I must answer.

ANNA: There’s so much coming out this week it is hard to pick! But out of all the manga coming out this week I’m probably most interested in Karneval, so that gets my pick as well.

What looks good to you this week?

MICHELLE: Even though I must admit that I haven’t gotten around to reading volume one of Master Keaton yet, I’m still gonna pick volume two this week, because Naoki Urasawa is involved and I like his stuff.

ASH: Another week, another batch of interesting manga. But I’ll admit, the release that I’m most curious about technically isn’t manga. Fumio Obata is an artist who was born and raised in Japan but who currently lives and works in the United Kingdom. I believe Just So Happens may be his first North American release, but the pages I’ve seen of it are beautiful.

SEAN: I’m fairly uninspired for this week, but will go for the third volume of Kokoro Connect from Seven Seas. The first two volumes impressed me in their realistic look at teenage hangups and worries, but the third takes a decidedly darker turn, and I was really surprised. Manga that surprise the reader these days should be cherished.

ANNA: I’ll also have to pick the second volume of Master Keaton. I’m hoping to dig into it this week!

MJ: I’m on board for Master Keaton and I admit a little curiosity regarding Servamp, but I think I’m with Ash this week. Just so Happens sounds pretty terrific.

What looks good to you this week?

ASH: Although it’s a smaller shipping list this week there are still plenty of great manga being released. But if I’m going to be honest, I only have eyes for the debut of Aya Kanno’s Requiem of the Rose King, one of the manga I’m most looking forward to this year. Shakespearian-inspired drama and appealing artwork? Yes, please!

MICHELLE: As much as I love Knights of Sidonia and am happy that another volume is coming out, I am also going to pick Requiem of the Rose King because I have more than a passing fancy for Richard III and am intrigued to see how Kanno will handle his story.

ANNA: I have to go with Ash and Michelle in picking Requiem of the Rose King. It is certainly one of the most interesting shoujo releases I’ve heard about in quite some time.

SEAN: What they said.

MJ: What he said they said.

What looks good to you this week?

SEAN: Usually people can guess my pick of the week from the Manga the Week of column, and this week is no exception. It has to be the new volume of Oresama Teacher. Always hilarious, I’ve also been following its shonen manga-esque plot, as each villain tries and fails to break apart our heroes. Clearly Hayasaka’s past is endgame – will we be seeing it soon?

MICHELLE: I’m equally predictable, because of course I’m going to advocate for Skip Beat!, one of my favorite ongoing series. Of course, I am still totally going to read Oresama Teacher and Kamisama Kiss, too!

ASH: Skip Beat! is what I’d go for this week, too. It’s a great series that I’ll admit to being behind on, but the omnibus releases make it easier than ever to catch up.

ANNA: There are so many great series coming out this week! I’m going to have to go for Kamisama Kiss just because no one else has picked it yet and it is a series that always makes me smile.

MJ: I’m rushing around in a bit of a frenzy, but I must take a moment to shout “Claymore!” Claymore, Claymore, Claymore!

Claymore!

What looks good to you this week?

MICHELLE: I’m sorry to say I’m not interested in much from this week’s list of releases. However, I am quite interested in the deluxe hardcover edition of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, with new color art and stuff! I haven’t read this classic series (for shame!) so this is a good place to start.

ASH: JooooooJoooooo!

ANNA: JoJo is the clear pick of the week for me!

SEAN: It’s absolutely a JoJo’s week, yes. I never did read the volumes Viz published years ago as it didn’t start at the beginning and I was that sort of person. Now I can rejoice at seeing all the Dio memes for the first time in their proper context. Also, how can you not love a series with someone named Robert Edward O. Speedwagon?

MJ: I was sold even before the REO Speedwagon reference, but that obviously cemented it. JoJo all the way.

What looks good to you this week?

SEAN: Given that most of this weeks’ titles fill me with apathy, even the ones I actually follow (I blame the endless winter here in the Northeast), I’ll give my pick of the week to the one I’m looking forward to the most: Lucifer & The Biscuit Hammer. The first omnibus was such a great combination of cynical nihilism and action-adventure, and while I hope our hero and heroine snap out of their ‘destroy the world’ motivation, I do also hope it takes them a while.

MICHELLE: The only manga release to excite me this week is the digital debut of Boys Over Flowers: Season Two, and even that is tinged with trepidation. But I see chapter one is up now, so I shall marshal my courage and forge ahead.

ASH: I think I’m with Sean this week. I didn’t really know what to expect from the first omnibus of Lucifer and the Biscuit Hammer, but I liked its quirkiness and at times it could be surprisingly dark. If I’m going to be honest, I’m still not entirely sure what to expect from the series, but I’m looking forward to finding out.

ANNA: I’m going to have to throw in with Michelle and go for Boys Over Flowers since that is for sure the thing I am most interested in this week. I hope we see more digital shoujo releases!

MJ: I… man, I got nothin’ this week. Nothing at all. So I will take this moment to point out that Sparkler Monthly has put Off*Beat and Gauntlet on sale for Valentine’s Day—20% off their deluxe paperback sets! Sale expires on Thursday! Other than that… I got nothin’. Any suggestions from our readership?

What looks good to you this week?

MICHELLE: While I really do enjoy Say I Love You. and look forward to its sixth volume, I’ve been in a more shounen-y mood lately, and so must pick (again, and probably not for the last time) volume ten of Magi, which is, like, an adventure saga with heart.

SEAN: As for me, I only get to do it twice a year, so I will pick the 25th Hayate the Combat Butler, which still makes me laugh an awful lot, thus fulfilling its function as a comedy, and also makes me like a girl that the hero is never going to end up with, thus fulfilling its function as a harem comedy.

ANNA: I will have to go with Say I Love You. I do enjoy this series, but I’m a few volumes behind. Time to stock up!

ASH: There are several manga being released this week that I’m interested in, all the way from A to Z. (Seriously, from Ajin to Ze.) But I’m actually going to go off list for my pick and choose Netcomics. Over the last few weeks, Netcomics has been releasing much its back catalog digitally for the Kindle–including Let Dai and Black-Winged Love, some of my personal favorites–making it even easier to get into Netcomics’ comics.

MJ: I will copy Ash this week, because really, Let Dai on Kindle? Be still my heart! Netcomics has started releasing some print volumes again recently, too. More about that here soon!

What looks good to you this week?

SEAN: It’s a last volume, so what the heck: I’ll make Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan my pick for this week. When it started, it was all about ‘how can this quarter yokai boy who’s heir to the night parade of demons possibly hide his identity at school?’. That got thrown out after about half a volume, and progressed, as most Jump series to, to bigger and bigger battles. Still, it was surprisingly entertaining, I really loved watching Tsurara try to get her man (and mostly fail). I’ll miss it.

MICHELLE: My pick of the week, the fifth 3-in-1 omnibus of High School Debut is essentially my manga BFF. Cue internal montage of the two of us going on a shopping spree, trying on fancy hats at some snooty boutique, and then later laughing together over our salads. Possibly some frozen yogurt would figure in, as well.

ANNA: There is a ton of good manga coming out this week! I think I’m going to have to go with the second volume of Assassination Classroom. I wonder what murderous jokes about alien tentacles the second volume will serve up!

ASH: Okay, so I know Sean tried to convince us that we weren’t allowed to choose Black Rose Alice two weeks in a row, but I didn’t pick it last week and it really is the manga that I’m most excited for. So far the series has been marvelously creepy and disconcerting; I’m very curious to see where it goes.

MJ: I admit I don’t really have a real pick this week, so I’ll go off list and highlight a digital offering that is currently free to read online. That would be Kaiju’s The Ring of Saturn, which I reviewed here over the weekend. Intertwining the reality of emotional growing pains with the music of Gustav Holst, it’s a quick but satisfying read that leaves readers with a lot to think about. If you’re stuck home in the snow like a bunch of us are today, why not check out this digital goodness?

What looks good to you this week?

MJ: Okay, I’ll admit there’s not a lot calling to me this week, but I can express genuine enthusiasm for the third omnibus of Whispered Words, apparently shipping this week from One Peace. This is a really charming story, and I’m so happy to see it—and specifically happy to see it coming from One Peace, who tend to fly under the radar of a lot of fans. I’m hoping this release has made a decent splash for them. It certainly should have. This is a title that should not be missed.

MICHELLE: Since MJhas campaigned so ably for Whispered Words and because I already know what my pick is going to be next week (I’ve only been waiting for it for years!), I thought I would instead highlight something else coming out next week, which would be the third volume of Black Rose Alice. Combining a unique spin on vampires with adept storytelling and compelling characters, this series really isn’t to be missed!

ASH: I’m right there with MJthis week. I’m really looking forward to reading the rest of Whispered Words and am very glad that the series was released in English! (And that the editing seems to have improved since the first omnibus.)

ANNA: I’ll have to go for the third volume of Black Rose Alice too. It really is one of the more unique shoujo titles currently coming out.

SEAN: Whispered Words all the way for me.

What looks good to you this week?

SEAN: I am aware that I will be in the minority this week, as the rest of the Manga Bookshelf team has Korean product on its mind, be it Goong or Milkyway Hitchhiking. I am also aware that it is a bit wearying for me to continue being fascinated with Sword Art Online. But I find the premise of this new manga, Sword Art Online: Progressive to be fascinating: go back to your most famous product years later and rewrite it to be better and have more detail and depth. I’m excited.

MICHELLE: Well, you certainly have me pegged. Goong all the way!

MJ: Goong is a long-time favorite, no doubt about it. And I’m actually interested in more Sword Art Online! But there’s no getting around the fact that my heart has been irretrievably captured by the odd and adorable Milkyway Hitchhiking. Its first volume was as whimsical and beautifully drawn as One Fine Day, plus full color and a time-traveling cat. What’s not to love? Milkyway Hitchhiking owns my soul. Must have more. Like. Now.

ANNA: I’m going to have to go with Goong, even though I’m really curious about Milkyway Hitchhiking now!

ASH: I was tempted to choose something else just to be contrary, but my heart is with Milkyway Hitchhiking. The first volume was lovely, with gorgeous artwork and almost poetic storytelling; I’m looking forward to the next installment a great deal.

What looks good to you this week?

ASH: There may not be many manga shipping out this week, but one of those volumes just so happens to be the debut of a series that I’m particularly looking forwad to–My Neighbor Seki. If I recall correctly, Vertical was initially planning on releasing “best of” collections, but happily plans changed and we should get to see the entire series. The anime adaptation was marvelous, so I’m very glad to get a chance to read the original manga.

SEAN: SekiSekiSekiSekiSekiSekiSeki…

MICHELLE: Couldn’t have said it better myself, Sean.

MJ: I’m in complete agreement with everyone here. Seki all the way.

ANNA: I have to agree with everyone! Seki sounds like the most interesting title by far shipping this week.

What looks good to you this week?

SEAN: Meteor Prince looks fun, and there’s lots of my favorites out. That said, I suspect this week will be a landslide, and who am I to get in its way? Drug & Drop is the continuations of fan favorite Legal Drug after a 10-year absence. The characters look prettier, the plot looks heavier, the crossovers to other CLAMP works are stronger, and the BL tease is, of course, off the charts. Also, Legal Drug was very well-written. If you liked xxxHOLIC but wish Watanuki and Doumeki were gayer, this is the title for you!

MICHELLE: I still love My Love Story!! with all my being, but even so, I am going to have to pick Drug & Drop, too. It’s just been so long in coming, and at least something that was left hanging is getting continued.

ASH: While I’ll definitely be reading Drug & Drop, my love for My Love Story!! will not be denied. One of my favorite shoujo series to debut last year, I’m looking forward to reading even more of it if for no other reason than the manga simply makes me incredibly happy.

ANNA: There are so many great manga out that I want to pick! But I am forever distracted by the lure of the new, so I’m going to have to go with Meteor Prince just because the premise is so ridiculous.

MJ: I’m sure there are plenty of perfectly lovely titles coming out this week, but the truth is, I can’t see anything but Drug & Drop. I was a fan of Legal Drug, but even more than that, I’m a fan of abandoned CLAMP titles coming back to life. Drug & Drop stands not only as an exiting title in its own right, but also as a beacon of hope for fans of X, or really any abandoned series from anyone, in my view. My point is, IT CAN BE DONE. With the right publisher, it can be done. So let’s hear it for Drug & Drop! PS: For the record, if you didn’t think Watanuki and Doumeki were gay, I don’t know what series you were reading. ;)

What looks good to you this week?

MICHELLE: I’m tempted to highlight some of the digital releases this week, but honestly, the volume I’m most excited about is volume five of Say “I Love You.” I’ve been fully won over by this series and it’s a guaranteed automatic buy every time a new volume is available.

ASH: The fifth volume of Say I Love You is definitely on my list of manga to be read, but since Michelle already picked it I’ll actually go with Stones of Power this week. It’s been a while since I read the serialization of first few chapters, but I do remember liking them. I’m curious to see if the completed volume lives up to my memory.

SEAN: Definitely Say “I Love You” for me as well. I’m hoping that 2015 might bring over a couple more licenses from Dessert Magazine.

ANNA: I’ll have to pick Say “I Love You” as well. It is certainly the most interesting manga coming out this week.

MJ: Okay, I think I need to go with one of the digital releases this week. Although I have considerable interest in Gen Manga’s Stones of Power, it’s pretty hard to resist Yen’s digital release of Nightmare Inspector: Yumekui Kenbun, after Sean described its genre as “MJ.” I mean, how can I ignore an insight such as that? I can’t. So I’m buying.

What looks good to you this week?

SEAN: There are a bevy of choices this week. I’m tempted by an English edition of Master Keaton at last, or the new yuri title Citrus. But I will go with Love at Fourteen as my pick of the week. It’s the story of two childhood friends, both mature for their age, who are dealing with love and everything that comes from it. The magazine it runs in, Rakuen Le Paradis, is one of Hakusensha’s best new titles, technically being shoujo/josei but really more ‘sui generis’. I cannot wait to read this.

MJ: I am decidedly with Sean this week. Though there are a number of titles on my radar, the one that intrigues me most by far is Love at Fourteen. Everything about this title sounds like exactly what I like best in a manga, and I am a bit ashamed that I didn’t even realize it was on the way until this week. Now I can’t wait to read it!

MICHELLE: I’m in the opposite camp! I did know Love at Fourteen was coming, so the one I wasn’t aware of until recently was Master Keaton. I really love Naoki Urasawa, so I am super excited to read this one!

ASH: I’m with Michelle this week. While I’m interested in Love at Fourteen, my pick absolutely goes to Master Keaton. Urasawa is one of the reasons I developed such a healthy obsession with manga, so I’m very happy to see more of his work being released in English.

ANNA: I’m also with Ash and Michelle! A newly translated Urasawa series takes precedence over everything in my mind!

What looks good to you this week?