eaZE Does It

I finished reading Ze Volume 3 (Yaoi)

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin. I didn't enjoy this as much as I did the previous volumes.

Return of the Genbu Priestess

I finished reading Fushigi Yûgi: Genbu Kaiden, Vol. 9 (Fushigi Yugi (Graphic Novels))

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin.

VIZ Media to Release VIZBIG Editions of InuYasha

Press release from VIZ Media:

INUYASHA MANGA LOOMS LARGER-THAN-LIFE IN NEW VIZBIG EDITION

Rumiko Takahashi’s Award Winning Manga Series To Be Published In An Omnibus Edition

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry's most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, continues the momentum behind its hit INUYASHA brand with the announcement of the release of Rumiko Takahashi’s original manga series in new VIZBIG omnibus editions. Published by the company’s SHONEN SUNDAY imprint, INUYASHA VIZBIG Volume 1 debuts November 10th, is rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens, and carries an MSRP of $17.99 U.S. / $24.00 CAN.

Each omnibus edition features three volumes of the original graphic novel series presented in a larger 5-3/4 x 8-5/8 size (larger than the standard 5 x 7-1/2 manga). The new editions serve as comprehensive introductions for new readers to some best-known titles, and a great way for seasoned fans to revisit favorite manga series from a new perspective. The VIZBIG INUYASHA series is also presented in a right-to-left reading format, just like the original manga counterpart.

After falling into an old well and into ancient Japan, Kagome discovers that her destiny is linked to the dog-like half demon called Inuyasha! As Kagome learns more about her connection to the past and to Inuyasha, she comes into conflict with the terrible demons that are drawn to the Shikon Jewel, including Inuyasha's own half brother, Sesshomaru. Finding the shards of the Shikon Jewel is going to require powerful magic, strange allies, and a strong heart. Kagome's got plenty of heart, but she's going to need Inuyasha's help for the rest of it, and he may not be so willing to lend a hand!

“INUYASHA brought creator Rumiko Takahashi renowned fame throughout the world and the series has been enjoyed by millions of readers in Japan and North America,” says Elizabeth Kawasaki, Senior Editorial Director, VIZ Media. “Our new VIZBIG release is a comprehensive way for new and old fans alike to catch up on the adventures of Inuyasha and Kagome in a whole new way and also makes a wonderful gift for that extra special fan this holiday season.”

INUYASHA brought creator Rumiko Takahashi tremendous international acclaim and won the prestigious Shogakukan Manga Award in 2002. The story was also adapted into a long running animated series (distributed domestically by VIZ Media). Episodes from the action-packed series conclusion – INUYASHA THE FINAL ACT – currently stream on ShonenSunday.com/anime and Hulu.com mere hours after they air in Japan. For more information on the INUYASHA animated series please visit www.ShonenSunday.com.

Many of Rumiko Takahashi’s titles have been adapted into other media such as anime, live-action TV series, and film. Takahashi’s manga, as well as the other formats of her work, has continued to delight generations of fans around the world. Distinguished by her wonderfully endearing characters, Takahashi’s work adeptly incorporates a wide variety of elements such as comedy, romance, fantasy, and martial arts. Rumiko Takahashi is an artist who truly represents the very best from the world of manga. Please visit the official North American web site for all Rumiko Takahashi related news and information located at www.TheRumicWorld.com.

Good Guide Almighty

I finished reading The Official xxxHOLiC Guide

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin. This is such a useful guide that it made me want to read this long-running manga series from CLAMP.

Ikigami Incoming

I finished reading Ikigami: The Ultimate Limit, Vol. 3

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin.

Disney Announces New Rick Riordan Book Series

Press release from Business Wire:

Disney Book Group Announces New Series by Best-Selling Author Rick Riordan— The Kane Chronicles

The Kane Chronicles, Book One: The Red Pyramid releases May 4, 2010

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rick Riordan, creator of the 7 million copy-selling blockbuster Percy Jackson & the Olympians series, introduces readers to The Kane Chronicles, a new fantasy bringing ancient Egyptian mythology to life in a vivid modern-day setting.

On May 4, 2010, the eagerly-awaited new series from Disney Book Group’s Disney-Hyperion imprint launches with The Kane Chronicles, Book One: The Red Pyramid (ISBN: 9781423113386; ages 10 and up) and a simultaneously released audio edition. When a magical accident unleashes the Egyptian gods on the modern world, siblings Carter and Sadie Kane discover that they are the only ones who can put things right. As descendants of the greatest Egyptian magicians, they must find a way to defeat the evil god Set before he can destroy them.

Last summer, Rick Riordan’s best-selling Percy Jackson & the Olympians series concluded with the fifth and final installment, Percy Jackson & the Olympians, Book Five: The Last Olympian. To date, the series has sold more than 7 million copies in the US and has been sold into 32 different language markets.

Based on the first book in the series, Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief will hit theaters on February 12, 2010. Directed by Chris Columbus, the film’s cast includes Logan Lerman, Brandon T. Jackson, Alexandra Daddario, Sean Bean, Pierce Brosnan, Steve Coogan, Rosario Dawson, Catherine Keener, Kevin McKidd, Joe Pantoliano, and Uma Thurman.

Rick Riordan is the author of the New York Times #1 best-selling Percy Jackson & the Olympians series: The Lightning Thief; The Sea of Monsters; The Titan's Curse; The Battle of the Labyrinth; and The Last Olympian. His previous novels for adults include the hugely popular Tres Navarre series, winner of the top three awards in the mystery genre. He lives in San Antonio, Texas, with his wife and two sons. For more information on Rick visit: http://www.rickriordan.com/

Disney-Hyperion Books is an imprint of Disney Book Group (DBG); additional DBG imprints include Disney Editions, Disney-Jump at the Sun Books, and Disney Press. DBG is part of Disney Publishing Worldwide, the world's largest publisher of children's books and magazines, with over 250 million children’s books and over 400 million children's magazines sold each year. Headquartered in White Plains, NY, Disney Publishing Worldwide publishes books and magazines in 85 languages in 75 countries.

I Reads You Review: HIGH SCHOOL DEBUT Volume 6

Creator: Kazune Kawahara

Publishing Information: VIZ Media, paperback, 192 pages, $8.99 (US), $10.50 CAN

Ordering Numbers: ISBN: 978-1-4215-1733-9 (ISBN-13); 1-4215-1733-9 (ISBN-10)

The heroine of High School Debut is Haruna Nagashima, a high school girl who was a tremendously talented and prolific athlete in junior high school. Now, a high school student, Haruna has changed her focus from athletics to boys. She consults fashion magazines and shojo manga (comics for teen girls) for advice on everything from what to wear to how to attract a boyfriend. It doesn’t work because she can’t get even one boy to make a pass at her.

Haruna finally gets an idea. When she wanted to get better at sports, she found an athletics coach. So, she thinks, if she wants to get better at attracting boys, why not hire a love coach. Haruna recruits the very popular upperclassman, Yoh Komiyama, as her dating coach. He agrees to help her as long as she doesn’t fall in love with him… but how will Yoh feel when boys start hitting on Haruna?

Eventually, Haruna and Yoh became a couple, and many were the tests of their love’s strength and endurance. High School Debut, Vol. 6 presents the biggest test. Yoh’s former girlfriend from junior high school, Makoto Kurihara, has returned, and Haruna has unknowingly befriended her. Helping Makoto reconnect with her old flame, Haruna is too clueless to realize that she is helping Yoh’s ex-girlfriend reestablish contact with him. Yoh insists that he’s through with Makoto, but Haruna wonders if he is really being honest.

High School Debut is a high school shojo romance similar to Aya Nakahara’s Love*Com, as both are about mismatched couples. The reader would not be blamed for doubting that the taciturn Yoh and the frantic, chatterbox Haruna will last as a couple. That, of course, is the draw of High School Debut. The tenuous nature of the Haruna/Yoh relationship is what’s at stake in this series, and lovers of such tales of shaky romances will enjoy this.

Although High School Debut, in a sense, is standard fare, creator Kazune Kawahara tells the story in a way that transforms teen romance into a pot boiler of a soap opera. Her graphic storytelling mixes taut compositions (especially on the figure drawing) and atmospheric toning and sparkly effects. That makes for a visually sparkling romance.