October’s Report on Ichijinsha

Gosh, it’s been a long time since I’ve posted anything on the blog. We kind of have forgotten about this little baby until recently. I actually typed this post two weeks ago, but school life’s been really mean recently. So, here’s spam of some old news from Zero-sum, Ward and Gateau.

Before I continue though, here’s a little shout out by Naomii. “WE ARE IN DESPERATE NEED OF EDITORS!!” Most of the staff has been purged recently from inactivity so we need YOU to help us out!

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Ward

Hayabusa ~Sanada Dengeki Jyou~ by Matsunaga Kuuya

New series by, the mangaka who brought us Tokaidou Hisame and Tokaidou Hisame Kagerou, this fantasy story centers on Sarutobi Sasuke, a ninja and subordinate of Sanada Yukimura. The first chapter talks about Sanada and party being dragged into some riot by female slaves on a ship.

I’m a sucker for all historical drama, and Sengoku Jidai is sort of my forte (All hunky generals fighting for land is <3). SO, I’ll definitely buy this when the tankoubon comes out. Besides, it’s Matsunaga-sensei’s work. It has to be good right?

Inferno by Rinno Miki

Remember the post back in April on Inferno ? Well, the series ends with this issue. Does this mean it ends with just 3 chapters?

I just read the first chapter today, released by Wasuretai and I’ve got to say, the pacing of the story is so awkward. The dialogue doesn’t flow properly too. And Kiki what kind of name is that? sounds like such an emo icy ass too. Sadly, I am really disappointed with how the story started out. I understand that Kiki’s trying not to talk to people as much since his words are like curses. I guess I’m getting sick with all these melodramatic protagonist who thinks they’re the messiah of the world or something.

Oh yea, seems like the mangaka is Rino Miki, not Rinno Miki. From the artwork, it seems like they’re two separate artist.

Nokkin by Gunjou

First chapter was published in Ward issue 16 on the 16th of July by the mangaka who did Daidaiboshi and Shima Shima, two very cute series by the way.

Nokkin are people who are able to make magamono by blowing souls into objects. This is another fantasy story centered on a selfish little boy named Momo. One day, Momo invaded the residence of 6 very odd but jolly magamono…

Kakikake to Keshiin by Tashi

Tashi is a new upcoming mangaka whose other work; Inu to Watashi was also published under Ichijinsha but under Gateau instead. Zero-sum editor blog was promoting this title on an entry, so it must be good right? The tankoubon is out too.

This story is about the life of two very strange housemates; a cheeky kid named Ino and an anti-social grown-up called Roku. Ino, who was passed around from one relative to another, grew up in a city but one day he had to live in a rural area in an old and isolated house with a young man named Roku due to some problems with the relative…

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Zero-Sum

Any followers of di[e]ce -ダイスwill be glad to know that the series ended with the latest magazine (November’s issue) with chapter 42 if I’m not mistaken. Even though I’m sad that the series is ending so early, but my pocket’s glad that it doesn’t have to spend more money now. 😀

Haikyou Circle by Watanabe Yuuna/Yuuki Azusa (original)

According to Manga-Updates, Yuuki Azusa is the mangaka who did Apocripha/0, how true is it I don’t know…

Synopsis fresh from zero-sum’s page:

“My name is Midou Maria. But a year ago, my name was Ichinose Rei. This Ichinose Rei was a special existence. The worker force for Ichinose Group’s enterprise comprise of nearly half of the corporate town, Segawa. So Rei was that Ichinose family’s heir.

But that brilliant future was abruptly snatched away. Given a new name, gender and three hundred million, Rei was banished from Ichinose. Even though he or she, gender bender wtf has desire for revenge, but what can he do all alone? With death as his resolution, Maria roamed around the streets, only to land him in a ruin. In there, there is a community… It’s the secret base for juveniles!

Together with Yuuki Azusa and Tobe Yuuna, this is the start of a story on mutiny!!”

Ok, so gender bender and groups of kiddies going against people from corporate world? Sounds interesting enough, I guess I have to wait for the raws before I buy the book (when it’s out of course)!

Chitose Ochikochi by D.Kissan

Time was a thousand years ago, during Heian Period. A noble lady who has a slight eccentric sense and a noble young man who’s comparatively more understanding of the world, met one day. And unexpectedly exchanged letters…

With the elegant culture of Heian, they slowly move forward day by day.…

Seriously, is Zero-sum targeting my pocket these days? What’s with all these historical genres popping out? I’m going to be broke one day. From the summary, it sound like a texting love story happening during Heian, which is seriously cute by the way. What more it’s by D.Kissan. I bet there would be random, tear jerking moments in the manga. I can’t wait for the tankoubon to come out!

Goulart Kishidan by Sion

Seriously, the only reason I’m reviewing this because of this picture. Aren’t they pretty? Original story is by Miyajima Takumi, Goulart Kishidan is an original animation series made to commemorate Lantis‘ 10 year anniversary. The OVA is scheduled to be released this November. 😀

There was sudden appearance of some mysterious monster called Archon and they’re threatening the existence of human beings. The only people who have the ability to defeat them are in an elite group called Goulart Kishidan who wields the power of the Holy Grail. And the school to cultivate this group is called Goulart Gakuen.

For more information, just visit their main site here: http://goulart.jp/

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Gateau

I don’t know how many people know this but Ichijinsha has its own BL manga label called “Gateau”. The chapters are published for mobile phones so we won’t be able to buy the magazine. BUT, every title is published in tankoubon format (volumes) so we can buy the books! Here are two that came out last month; there are 3 more titles that came out before these:

Inu to Watashi by Tashi

Subaru who just entered high school fell in love at first sight with the student council president, Hayato. Professing his love with such vigour, this is the start of his faithful dog life for the sake of “dating”. Is he an errand boy? Or a lover?!

Te wo Tsunaide Koi wo by Takaoka Nanaroku

Takaoka Nanaroku’s other series include Kanojo no Onii-san, Karimen Love Crisis and Usotsuki no Omocha.

The protagnoist, Sekitani due to a minor incident became bitter enemies with Nagashima who’s also in the archery club with him. Unable to tolerate it any longer, captain Tatsumi gave those two an order to “go home every day without letting go of each other’s hand”! Sekitani got to know a new side of Nagashima who’s an honest and simple person. Slowly, he starts to fall in love with Nagashima, but the latter only has eyes for Tatsumi…

There’s also extra on the relationship between Tatsumi and the teacher advisor, Haitani.

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Extras

Am I the only one who didn’t know Kouga Yun’s drawing Gundam 00 manga? I am so slow!! Anyway, nothing to do with zero-sum, but meh…

AND Kumeta Natsuo is having an autograph session on the 3rd of October from 2pm in Ikebukuro’s Animate store. She’ll be signing on volume 3 of Bokura no Kiseki.

＜サイン会詳細＞
開催日時：10月3日(日)14:00～
会場：アニメイト池袋本店 4Fフロア
東京都豊島区東池袋3-2-1
対象商品：9月25日発売　『ボクラノキセキ』第3巻
参加方法：アニメイト池袋本店で全額内金にて『ボクラノキセキ』第3巻をご予約・ご購入頂いた方に、整理券を配布。
受付開始：現在受付中。
ご注意＊整理券の配布は予定人数に達し次第終了とさせていただきます。

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Source:
Publisher’s site: http://www.ichijinsha.co.jp/
Natalie: zero-sum – http://natalie.mu/comic/artist/8068
ward – http://natalie.mu/comic/artist/8087
Gunjou’s Blog: http://gunjoueki.blog114.fc2.com/

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May’s Report on Ichijinsha

This month’s cover of Zero-sum magazine is drawn by Kouga Yun for the series Loveless. No new series yet, except for a one-shot by 月煮ゆう (Tsukisha Yuu?) entitled Pear Cycle ペアサイクル.

As for the 15th issue of Ward, the cover’s drawn by Aki for sensei’s latest series, Aruosumente (Sage Dream?). No more new series for Ward either, but Toukaidou Hisame ~ Kagerou ends in this issue.

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New Tankouban out this month:
Landreaall vol 16 by Ogaki Chika

For me, this is a surprisingly good read. It’s kinda sad that only volume 1 is completely scanlated. There are raws out there up until volume 14 (last I got). So anybody who wants to see more of this manga scanlated, please help out Hanashi 😀

The main character of Landreaall, DX, lives in the town of Ecaleip protect by the “singing tree”. It’s said that a fire dragon was vanquished long time ago and it’s currently being sealed away by the “song” from the tree. DX’s the son of a great general with many expectations upon him. Alas, he fell in love with Marion, the singing tree. And thus, making the “song” that binds the dragon weak, causing Marion to go into deep slumber. Somehow or rather, DX, his sister; Lon and Rokkou the bodyguard ended up going on a journey to explore the world and the story starts here. This is an epic fantasy title that’s just loads of fun to read. I do recommend reading this if you like story that seems fast paced but when it actually isn’t. ;D

Uwasaya vol 05 by Hasumi Hatsume and Hosaka Ayumu.

Another title being scanlated by Iskultrip Scans. This is supposed to be a horror mystery solving title told from the POV of a cosplayer. Seriously though, it’s a very strange story, not my cup of tea.

D.Kissan Short Stories compilation ~ Yatsugibaya no Lily by D.Kissan

I’ve read D.Kissan’s 4-panel manga of randomness Kyoumeiseiyo! Todo Shiritsu Koukou Tosho Iinkai and I absolutely adored it. Hence I’m really looking forward to read sensei’s new book. So no review from me yet. ;D

+C Sword and Cornett vol 04 by Yugyoji Tama

SnC sounds like your typical conspiracy within Royal Family where one son is accused of treachery, while his good brother suddenly got brainwashed in an attempt to save the main character. Blah blah blah. Sounds like Prince of Persia in the making. But seriously though, this compelling story can really pull you into the plot and leave your hanging for more. Well, beautiful characters is a + too. 😉

Devils and Realist vol 01 by Takadono Madoko and Yukihiro Utako.

Main character, William has an uncannily sharp mind and intelligence. Born from a house of long-standing nobles, he’s constantly in the lime light at school. But one day, he’s struck with poverty thanks to his uncle’s business and had to go back home to sell some junks for money. While searching for items, his butler and him found an underground room with a strange seal in it. Unknowingly, William’s summoned a demon which tells him that his family has the ability to choose the king of the underworlds. Thus, all the candidate starts to go after poor William, even infiltrating the school he’s studying in. Poor William. D8!

This is a very typical Zero-sum story, sounds shounen but catered to female audience, hence there will be a lot of unnecessary panels of randomness, which I truly hate. Would have been much better if Makai Ouji has some level of seriousness in it…

Hatenkou Yuugi vol 12 by Endou Minari

Regardless of what some of the review in MU says, I just hate the heroine of the story so much. Maybe it’s ’cause I only read the first two volumes, but main male characters being cold, aloof and no personality whatsoever is just so typical. The plot goes no where too. Maybe it did get better as the story progress, like the mangaka finally found a reason for dumping these 2 people together… Maybe…

Tetsuichi vol 07 by Narushima Yuri

I’m a sucker for historical fantasy crap. Though it’s quite hazy which period of time the story’s set at, I’m guessing it’s around Nara?

The story tells from the POV of a miniature sized god, Tetsuichi who lives in the mountain with his fellow “godmate”, Yonagahiko who has a human face but a serpentine body. Tetsuichi has never set foot out side of the mountain, and one day he jumped out of the waterfall into the real world. Little did he know that the world isn’t as kind-hearted as what he thinks. The plot revolves around Tetsuichi meeting various human and also the fact that humans are slaying gods for some various reason. Art isn’t really that pretty, so unless you’re a hardcore historical fantasy lover like me, this will be a boring and cliché title to read.

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Quick links:
Zero-sum: http://ichijinsha.co.jp/zerosum/index.html
Ward: http://ichijinsha.co.jp/ward/index.html

~cheezy

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April’s Report: Ichijinsha – Zero-sum, Ward…

I’m a little skeptical about blogging Ichijinsha‘s magazines, namely Zero-sum and Ward ’cause there are many fan sites out there and they definitely have more up-to-date information than what I have right now. You can try to google a series online, and you’d most probably come up with some kind of information.

But, as an avid supporter of all things Ichijinsha (07-ghost, Amatsuki, Di(e)ce, Hi no Matoi and many more), I’m compelled to at least write a monthly report about the publisher. Thus, I’ll just keep it simple and only touch about the latest information there is on their magazine (new series) and new tankouban that goes on sale monthly.

Zero-sum and Ward are both published under Ichijinsha, which also publish other magazine like Rex and four-panel manga magazine, Palette. One of our joint project with Bliss, Hi no Matoi’s published under Ward, which is a bimonthly magazine sold on the shelf every 16th of an odd-numbered month (January, March, May and so on…). Whereas, Zero-sum is on sale every month on the 28th.

Besides that, there’s also Arcana, which is a series of anthology with different themes every four months. The latest issue’s theme is on “school and school uniform”, cover drawn by Karneval‘s mangaka, Mikanagi Touya. Aren’t they afraid it’ll be banned in the future since it’s s**ta… (Tokyo’s trying to ban Evangelion right now, fanboys beware!) You can get really nice high quality Arcana scanlation from Spica Scanlations. They’re a bunch of lovely staffs~!

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CHRONOS-Deep- by Aikawa Yu

CHRONOS-Deep- is a new title in June’s issue of Zero-sum by mangaka Aikawa Yuu. Her other titles include, Wizards Nation which is currently being scanlated by Shinnen, Butterfly, Gokurakumaru and etc. Personally I’ve never read any of Aikawa-sensei’s work to judge anything, hopefully this won’t be a good series, so I wouldn’t have to spend money buying new titles… *stabs herself*

Inorihime wa Sora ni Warau by Kaede Tooru and Mizutani Yuzu

Literary translation of the title, The Praying Princess Smiling to the Sky, Inorihime ends in this issue of Zero-sum. The drawing isn’t my cup of tea, but congratulations to the author and mangaka for successfully finishing this series. Judging from the summary given in MU, this sounds like another Romeo and Juliet story… Hopefully someone will scanlate or at least share the raws for us to judge.

A-presto by Tomine Naruse and Takasato Shiina.

One of the 2 new series in the latest issue of Ward (April’s issue, sold on the 15th of March). I know nothing about Tomine Naruse who I guess is the mangaka of the manga, but Takasato Shiina who is also the author for Harizuki Kagerou Enshimonogatari is famous for her novel series, Kusuriya Tantei Youkidan.

A-presto follows the strange memories of two young men during their childhood, the first chapter started off with them finding a mummy by the beach. Not much info online I could find, but here’s a teaser of  the manga’s drawing. It seems the story skips between the characters in their adulthood and their childhood memories. Seems like an interesting title to follow.

Inferno by Rinno Miki

Inferno’s another new series running in Ward by Rinno Miki. This is the same Rinno Miki (凛野ミキ) who did Pikapika Kachiku, Hikari and Meikai Rakugo series. I wonder why does’t she just sick to the same kanji for her pen name, so confusing…

Due to the words the protagonist, he caused the destruction of his own parents before his very eyes, now living only for the sake of his younger sister who’s in a facility. Since then, he avoids any contact with people but a mysterious guy suddenly appears before him, calling him “master” and his life changed forever… maybe not be accurate since the editor’s blog and the site I got the summary from’s really really vague.

Shuushuu Taishitsu by Yoneyama Setsuko

Shuushuu Taishitsu ENDS! Yay! This is more for mioka, since she was so obsessed with this series a couple years back. So now dear, you can buy the manga, you don’t have to hide those tankouban behind other books just so nobody will find them in Kinokuniya anymore. 4 volumes isn’t a lot right ;D?

And finally, Tokaido Hisame -Kagerou- will end in the next issue of Ward. I wonder how the story will end? More Hisame and Itsuki moments?

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New tankouban out this month. Check the complete listing of all Ichijinsha’s books on sale for this month here. Or their sales calender for books out next month too, they don’t have covers yet though…

Amatsuki Vol 11 by Takayama Shinobu.
According to the editor’s blog, besides the limited edition, they’re also selling an extra cover just in Animate store in Japan. Talk about cheating your money… Everybody had a gender change here, female Toki is so cute!

Even though I buy this manga myself, I’ve only collected the normal edition. So, is Amatsuki a good title? If you’re one who likes good art, pretty characters and interesting composition, Amatsuki is like a mini artbook which comes in black and white, B5 size. Story wise, the world Takayama created in Amatsuki is really interesting (even though the time period’s suppose to be during Edo), but somehow I feel the lack of character development, and everything just moves in a really chaotic pace… It’s just my personal opinion though…

di[e]ce Vol 5 by Saki Otoh and Yamamoto Kana.

If you’re homophobic and can’t stand even one inch of slash, I advice you to move away from this manga since it’s oozing with testosterone. MEANING, every single main character in there you have are beautifully drawn males which will never ever exist in real life. NEVER! Enough said, I lied, but I won’t spoil for you, there will be a female(s) character, you’ll just have to read. di[e]ce takes reference from chess game, and that the main character, Kazuki in an evil twist of fate has to wage war with his best friend, Haruki. Both somehow were born in the same day, date, time, face, everything; but ended up being mortal enemies. Did I make it sound cliche? ;D

Sai no Kami vol 03 by Ueda Shinshu

Anybody read Dawn -Tsumetai te- by the same mangaka? I never read Sai no Kami since I don’t really fancy the drawing.

#000000 – Ultra Black – Vol 05 by Kisaragi Yoshinori

This is in fact a very interesting manga to read. Iskultrip Scan‘s scanlating this though, unless anybody out there will help the group out, it’ll be impossible for us to read the rest of the series… They already have the volume translated, just need a dedicated editor to help them out. Same problems we’re facing in our group too, but at least we’re slowly picking up the pace now.

Tousei Gensou Hakubutsushi vol 01 by Katayama Shuu

I’m a big fan of Katayama-sensei’s Ransetsuki series which is being scanlated by Bliss. I’m so glad Hyper Parfait decided to scanlate this series and they’ve already finish scanlating volume one.

Shirogane no Ou – Fenrir Craft vol 02 by Aoto Takane.

Storm in Heaven‘s planning to scanlate Shirogane no Ou, I wonder if they’ll pick up Renrir Craft too?

Starry☆Sky ～in Winter～Anthology

I’m a sucker for anything Kazuaki related. Even though she didn’t draw anything in the anthology, I guess she’s fairly known for her illustrations and character design work for Sta-ska. Sta-ska anime’s coming out this year too… Sta-ska’s an otome game created by Honeybee. The series comes out in four different seasons, so you get to pick one out of the three guys in one series to be paired with, and if you play all the 4 series; spring, summer, autumn and winter, you’ll technically get four guys. Talk about being a flirt…

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Phew that was long, hope I didn’t bore anyone to death.

Quick links and reference I got from:
Ichijinsha’s main page: http://www.ichijinsha.co.jp/index.html
Zero-sum: http://ichijinsha.co.jp/zerosum/index.html
Ward: http://ichijinsha.co.jp/ward/index.html
Zero-sum editor’s blog: http://ameblo.jp/comiczerosum/
Natalie news: http://natalie.mu/comic/news/29145

~cheezy

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