New Manga Releases: Enter The Blue Period

By Mat K.

So, we have a nice medium sized week happening this time around with a few exciting releases that people have been waiting for. First, let’s talk about the new Gantz. Volume 11 of Hiroya Oku’s fantastic sci-fi gore fest starts a whole new era in the series. The end of Volume 10 introduces us to these people who develop psychic abilities, now Kei’s been dealing with a handsome schoolmate who seems obsessed with all things Gantz, and in volume 11, we’ll find out how frightfully obsessed this guy is. It’s a whole new world of Gantz’s alien urban warfare, and things are certainly not settling into any kind of comfort. Oh, and since anyone reading this in the flier can’t actually see it, Volume 11 also switches us over from the red season into the blue period. I’m not exactly sure what it means or what it will entail, maybe Volume 21 will be the green era, but it just seemed pretty cool to bring up, since we have gotten used to seeing them all in red.

Also, a quick note this week on the spectacular, the Kodansha Edition of Akira finally releases the Volume 2 reprint, and it is about time! The reprints were delayed long enough in the first place, and there was great joy and cheer when the first volume made the shelves. Although that was way back in October. The poor fans have been waiting 8 months for the second volume, and now you can finally unclench.

Finally dropping this week is Moyasimon Volume 2 by Masayuki Ishikawa. Now, it has been a while, so if you dont remember Volume 1 Tadayasu has the ability to see germs & microbes and goes to agricultural school in Tokyo with his best friend. They befriend a professor who is obsessed with finding practical and advanced uses for fermentation. Wackyness ensues when two upper-classmen try to make money by brewing their own sake. Now you’re caught up. In Volume 2 Tadayasu is going to need more than his ability to see germs with the naked eye to survive the university’s spectacular Spring Festival. Only great perseverance and a bit of luck will get him through a harrowing competition. I love this series because its fun, hysterical, gross, and educational all at the same time.

One more interesting book I need to talk about this week is the premier manga Polyphonica Cardinal Crimson Volume 1 written by Ichiro Sakaki and Ocelot, and illustrated by Tomo Hirokawa. One of the things that makes this interesting is that it is one of the last CMX books coming out since DC comics is dissolving the imprint, they themselves will be picking up few of the series from the failed manga line, particularly Tenjho Tenge will now be a DC comic. Anyway, back to the book: In a place called Polyphonica, humans and spirits live side by side. Young musicians create magical sounds with their music, which bind the spirits to them. A struggling student named Phoron accidentally summons a spirit he met in childhood but later forgot about. Phoron could use all the help he can get, but this feisty spirit may prove to be more than he can handle!

That’s all the beans for the week. Til next time!

Ja Ne!