Manga Maniac Cafe For the Geek in all of us

Another month as elapsed, and it’s time to leaf through the newest Previews.  In case you don’t get any manga for Christmas, here are some titles that might be worth checking out after the holidays. These titles are expected to ship in January of 2008.

Blood+: Volume 1: First Kiss by Ryo Ikehata & Chizu Hashii – Dark Horse – Ok, it’s not manga, it’s a novel.  Saya, who is suffering from amnesia, is attacked by a vampire and saved by Hagi.  He gives her a sword, which awakens her warrior skills and sets her on a path to reclaim her memories.  Seems like fun to me.

Dokkoida?! Volume 1 by Taro Achi & Yu Yagami – CMX – When a humanoid alien recruits Suzuo to test a costume, he thinks she works for a toy company.  She’s really part of the Galaxy Federation Police, and the suit is a power suit!  Suit-testing sounds silly, so I’ll give this one a go.

Tough Love Baby Volume 1 by Shiuko Kano – Deux – What’s sexier than a group of tough guys, especially when they’re really sweeties for the men of their dreams?  I hope that they are sinfully delinquent.

Hell Girl Volume 1 by Miyuki Eto – Del Rey -  Stories of grudges and sending the person you hate to reap their just rewards.  Is it worth trading away your soul to an eternity in Hell for your revenge?  Ai Enma may look cute and sweet, but she drives a hard bargain.

I’ll be Your Slave by Miki Araya – June – I don’t care what it’s about – I love the title!

Family Complex by Mikyo Tsuda – DMP – Surrounded by a beautiful family, Akira is like an ugly duckling next to their stunning good looks.  I really enjoyed Tsuda’s The Day of Revolution, so this one’s on my to buy list.

Chibi Vampire Volume 7 by Yuna Kagesaki – TOKYOPOP – Karin’s a reverse vampire, and she has to give blood, or she suffers from embarrassing hemorrhages.  She has a crush on Kenta, and he’s been recruited by her scary family of regular vampires to help keep her secret safe.  Everyone should be reading this cute and funny story.

TOKYOPOP has two other books that look interesting, but as there’s no information included with the title listings, and even Google has failed me, so it’s really tough to highlight them.  If anyone can point me to some info on Door of Chaos by Ryoko Mitsuki or I Wish by Hyun-Joo Seo, I’d be grateful.

Ral Omega Grad Volume 1 by Tsuneo Takano & Takeshi Obata – Viz – It has dragons!  And Takeshi Obata!  Hopefully it has a plot, too…

Kekkaishi Volume 12 by Yellow Tanabe – Viz – This title is an auto purchase, and it gets read as soon as it hits the porch.  I love the characters and the action, and the interpersonal relationships.  Read it!  It’s really good!

Uzumaki Volume 3 by Junji Ito – Viz – Who would have thought spirals could be so scary?  Or make for such an intriguing manga series?  Pick up this one and you’ll never look at spirals quite the same way again!

I would also point out the softcover release of Socrates in Love by Kyoichi Katayama – Viz – but you’ll probably be depressed enough as the holidays will have ended, and it’s a long stretch until spring.  The TV series was sad, the manga was sad, and I’m sure that the novel that started it all is sad as well.  Keep a box of tissues handy if you pick this one up.