Butlers And Vigilantes

By Mat K.

There are quite a few books this week, and also a lot of premiers, so let’s jump right into it. Finally, after you have all waited with bated breath, here comes the first volume of Black Butler by Yana Toboso (many of you might still know it as Kuroshitsuji). For anyone not familiar with it, here’s a synopsis: Just a stone’s throw from London stands the manor house of the illustrious Phantomhive earldom. Earl Phantomhive is a giant in the world of commerce, Queen Victoria’s faithful servant, and a 12-year old boy. Fortunately, his loyal butler Sebastian stands by his side, ready to carry out the young master’s wishes. Whether Sebastian is called to save a dinner party gone awry or probe the dark secrets of London’s underbelly, there is practically nothing Sebastian cannot do. One might even say Sebastian is too good to be true, or at least, too good to be human!

Next on the list of stuff worth reading is Ratman Volume 1 by INUI Sekihiko. In Ratman Shuto Katsuragi is a shrimp that can’t catch a break. He wants to emulate his favorite super hero, Mr. Thunder, but instead he gets teased all the time for his height and he can’t win any fights. The one thing that keeps him going is his love for super heroes, which he shares with his classmate Mirea Mizushima. Little does he know that she’s about to make his dreams come true by tricking him into participating in her mother’s experiments.

Also coming in is a one-shot book of short stories by Natsuki Takaya (the creator of Fruits Basket, Phantom Dream, and Tsubasa: Those With Wings), called Songs To Make You Smile. In these tales a pop band vocalist meets the only woman who touched his heart… A girl wonders if her deceased father ever loved her… The son of a musical genius tries to find his own voice… An 18-year-old boy tries to learn to be a man… And in a side story to “Tsubasa: Those with Wings,” ultimate love thrives.Lots of shoujo-style sweetness.

There are a few other important series coming out this week, those first three titles were just the new stuff that I know people are always afraid to pick up. Also showing up is the Neon Genesis Evangelion: Shinji Ikari Raising Project Volume 4 (say that three times fast), also Kyo Kara Maoh Volume 6, Mad Love Chase Volume 3, and Battle Vixens Volume 15 which I swear I thought was finished already. Actually, this whole week seems to have a theme of stuff that Tokyopop forgot they were printing, or even owned the rights to, and are finally getting back to. All in all, I’d say this is a good week to come in. There’s even a new book from manga’s busiest writer/artist Makoto Tateno (Yellow, Hero Heel), called Yokan Premonition. Anyway, come see it all for yourselves, enjoy the view, and I will see you all next time!

Ja Ne!