Manga Giveaway: Summer Spookiness Winner

Ghost Diary, Volume 1
In/Spectre, Volume 1

And the winner of the Summer Spookiness manga giveaway is… Olivia!

As the winner, Olivia will be receiving copies of Ghost Diary, Volume 1 by Seiju Natsumegu and In/Spectre, Volume 1 by Chasiba Katase as published in English by Seven Seas and Kodansha Comics respectively. For this giveaway, I asked that participants tell me a little about their favorite manga which includes Japanese folklore, ghosts, or urban legends in some way. Yuki Midorikawa’s Natsume’s Book of Friends and Adachitoka’s Noragami: Stray God were the two most frequently mentioned series (and they are great!) but everyone’s detailed responses can be found in the giveaway comments. And, as usual, I’ve created a list of related manga below, as well.

Some of the print manga available in English incorporating Japanese folklore:
Anomal by Nukuharu
Bleach by Tite Kubo
Death Note written by Tsugumi Ohba, illustrated by Takeshi Obata
Durarara!! written by Ryohgo Narita, illustrated by Akiyo Satorigi
The Demon Prince of Momochi House by Aya Shouoto
Forbidden Scrollery by Moe Harukawa
Gate 7 by CLAMP
Ghost Diary by Seiju Natsumegu
Ghost Hunt by Shiho Inada
Ghost Talker’s Daydream by Saki Okuse
Hanako and the Terror of Allegory by Sakae Esuno
In/Spectre by Chasiba Katase
Inu x Boku SS by Cocoa Fujiwara
Inuyasha by Rumiko Takahashi
Kamisama Kiss by Julietta Suzuki
Kekkaishi by Yellow Tanabe
Kitaro by Shigeru Mizuki
Mail by Housui Yamazaki
Mushishi by Yuki Urushibara
Natsume’s Book of Friends by Yuki Midorikawa
NonNonBa by Shigeru Mizuki
Noragami: Stray God by Adachitoka
Nightmare Inspector: Yumekui Kenbun by Shin Mashiba
Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan by Hiroshi Shiibashi
Nurse Hitomi’s Monster Infirmary by Shake-O
Oninagi by Akira Ishida
Pet Shop of Horrors by Matsuri Akino
Phoenix by Osamu Tezuka
RIN-NE by Rumiko Takahashi
Shirahime-Syo: Snow Goddess Tales by CLAMP
Soul Eater by Atsushi Ohkubo
Tale of a White Night by Tooko Miyagi
That Wolf Boy Is Mine! by Yoko Nogiri
Tokyo Babylon by CLAMP
xxxHolic by CLAMP
Yokai Girls by Kazuki Funatsu
Yokai Rental Shop by Shin Mashiba

Although the above list certainly isn’t comprehensive, I do think it shows a nice variety of titles. It should also hopefully provide a good starting place for someone who might be interested in manga which include elements of Japanese folklore. Thank you to everyone who shared your personal favorites with me by participating in the giveaway! I hope you’ll stop by again for the next one as well.

Manga Giveaway: Anonymous Noise Giveaway Winner

Anonymous Noise, Volume 1And the winner of the Anonymous Noise manga giveaway is… Chris!

As the winner, Chris will be receiving a copy of the first volume of Ryoko Fukuyama’s Anonymous Noise as published in English by Viz Media. Since the lead character of Anonymous Noise loves to sing, for this giveaway I asked that participants tell me a little about their favorite vocalist from a manga. The individual responses can be found in the giveaway comments, but (as usual) I’ve also compiled a list which includes additional titles as well.

Some of the manga released in English with notable vocalists:
Age Called Blue by est em
Anonymous Noise by Ryoko Fukuyama
Black Bard by Ichiya Sazanami
Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad by Harold Sakuishi
Cardcaptor Sakura by CLAMP
Clover by CLAMP
A Devil and Her Love Song by Miyoshi Tomori
Gravitation by Maki Murakami
Hatsune Miku: Mikubon by Ontama
Hatsune Miku: Rin-chan Now! written by Sezu, illustrated by Hiro Tamura
K-ON! by Kakifly
Kobato by CLAMP
Love Com by Aya Nakahara
Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun by Izumi Tsubaki
Nana by Ai Yazawa
One Piece by Eiichiro Oda
Otomen by Aya Kanno
Popcorn Romance by Tomoko Taniguchi
Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon by Naoko Takeuchi
Sensual Phrase by Mayu Shinjo
Solanin by Inio Asano
Utahime: The Songstress by Aki
Wanted by Matsuri Hino
Yokan by Makoto Tateno

The above certainly isn’t a comprehensive list but it does have an interesting mix of titles. I particularly appreciate the fact that not all of the manga included are necessarily considered to be music manga–characters with notable singing voices (both good and bad) make appearances in all sorts of stories. Thank you to everyone who participated in the giveaway; I hope to see you again for the next one!

Manga Giveaway: Queen Emeraldas Giveaway Winner

Queen Emeraldas, Volume 1And the winner of the Queen Emeraldas manga giveaway is… Sofia!

As the winner, Sofia will be receiving a copy of the first volume of Leiji Matsumoto’s Queen Emeraldas as published in English (and in hardcover!) by Kodansha Comics. Queen Emeraldas is a relatively recent example of a manga released in translation that is set in space. I happen to be rather fond of stories with space settings and so for this giveaway I asked that participants tell me a little about their favorite space manga. Check out below for a list of manga, but everyone’s detailed responses can be found in the giveaway comments.

Some of the manga with space settings released in print in English:
2001 Nights by Yukinobu Hoshino
A, A′ by Moto Hagio
Astra Lost in Space by Kenta Shinohara
Andromeda Stories written by Ryu Mitsuse, illustrated by Keiko Takemiya
Battle Angel Alita: Last Order by Yukito Kishiro
Bodacious Space Pirates: Abyss of Hyperspace by Chibimaru
Captain Harlock: Dimensional Voyage written by Leiji Matsumoto, illustrated by Kouichi Shimahoshi
Chronowar by Kazumasa Takayama
Earthian by Yun Kouga
Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo by Mahiro Maeda
Gin Tama by Hideaki Sorachi
Jyu-Oh-Sei by Natsumi Itsuki
Knights of Sidonia by Tsutomu Nihei
Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin by Yoshikazu Yasuhiko
Mobile Suit Gundam: Thunderbolt by Yasuo Ohtagaki
Moon Child by Reiko Shimizu
Phoenix by Osamu Tezuka
Planetes by Makoto Yukimura
Please Save My Earth by Saki Hiwatari
Queen Emeraldas by Leiji Matsumoto
Stellvia by Ryo Akitzuki
Saber Tiger by Yukinobu Hoshino
Saturn Apartments by Hisae Iwaoka
Terra Formars written by Yu Sasuga, illustrated by Ken-ichi Tachibana
They Were Eleven by Moto Hagio
To Terra… by Keiko Takemiya
Trigun by Yasuhiro Nightow
Twin Spica by Kou Yaginuma
The Two Faces of Tomorrow by Yukinobu Hoshino
The Voices of a Distant Star written by Makoto Shinkai, illustrated by Mizu Sahara

As usual, the above list is not at all comprehensive (and there’s even more available digitally), but it should hopefully provide a good launching point. I’ve personally read and am quite fond of many of the titles listed, but there are some that I have yet to try, too. Thank you to everyone who took time to share your favorite space manga with me! I hope to see you all again for the next monthly giveaway.

Manga Giveaway: Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid Giveaway Winner

Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid, Volume 1And the winner of the Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid manga giveaway is… Kate!

As the winner, Kate will be receiving the delightful Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid, Volume 1 by Coolkyousinnjya as published in English by Seven Seas. At first I was a little hesitant about reading Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid, but ultimately I couldn’t deny the allure of dragons. And so for this giveaway, I asked that participants tell me a little about their favorite dragons from manga. I’ve collected some of the manga mentioned in the list below (along with some others), but be sure to check out the giveaway comments for everyone’s detailed responses.

Some of the manga with dragons available in English:
Akame ga Kill! written by Takahiro, illustrated by Tetsuya Tashiro
The Ancient Magus Bride by Kore Yamazaki
The Betrayal Knows My Name by Hotaru OdagiriCirque du Freak by Takahiro Arai
A Certain Magical Index written by Kazuma Kamachi, illustrated by Chuya Kogino
Crimson Spell by Ayano Yamane
Delicious in Dungeon by Ryoko Kui
The Demon Prince of Momochi House by Aya Shouoto
Dragon Ball by Akira Toriyama
Dragon Drive by Kenichi Sakura
Dragon Half by Ryusuke Mita
Dragon Knights by Mineko Ohkami
Dragonar Academy written by Ran, illustrated by Shiki Mizuchi
Fairy Tail by Hiro Mashima
Fruits Basket by Natsuki Takaya
From Far Away by Kyoko Hikawa
Fushigi Yûgi by Yuu Watase
Gate: Where the JSDF Fought written by Takumi Yanai, illustrated by Satoru Sao
High School DxD by Hiroji Mishima
The Key to the Kingdom by Kyoko Shitou
Kiss of the Rose Princess by Aya Shouoto
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time by Akira Himekawa
Legendz written by Rin Hirai, illustrated by Makoto Haruno
Lord Marksman and Vanadis written by Tsukasa Kawaguchi, illustrated by Nobuhiko Yanai
Magic Knight Rayearth by CLAMP
Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid by Coolkyousinnjya
Natsume’s Book of Friends by Yuki Midorikawa
Negima! by Ken Akamatsu
Petshop of Horrors by Matsuri Akino
Princess Mermaid by Junko Mizuno
Rave Master by Hiro Mashima
Read or Dream written by Hideyuki Kurata, illustrated by Ran Ayanaga
Record of Lodoss War: The Lady of Pharis written by Ryo Mizuno, illustrated by Akihiro Yamada
St. Dragon Girl by Natsumi Matsumoto
Tales of Zestiria by Shiramine
Tenryu: The Dragon Cycle by Sanami Matoh
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime written by Fuse, illustrated by Taiki Kawakami
Time Stranger Kyoko by Arina Tanemura
Two Flowers for the Dragon by Nari Kusakawa
X by CLAMP
Übel Blatt by Etorouji Shiono
Yona of the Dawn by Mizuho Kusanagi
Zero’s Familiar written by Noboru Yamaguchi, illustrated by Nana Mochizuki

Well now, that ended up being a fairly lengthy list, and I know that it’s not comprehensive, but it’s certainly a start. Whether they’re familiars, sidekicks, primary characters, or the stuff of legend, all sorts of dragons can be found in all sorts of manga. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share your favorite dragons with me! I hope to see you all again for the next giveaway.

Manga Giveaway: Tokyo ESP Giveaway Winner

Tokyo ESP, Omnibus 1And the winner of the Tokyo ESP manga giveaway is… AshLynx!

As the winner, AshLynx will be receiving the first omnibus in Hajime Segawa’s manga series Tokyo ESP as published in English by Vertical Comics. Tokyo ESP is a relatively recent example of a manga that’s about psychics and espers. The subgenre doesn’t seem to be quite as common as it once was in translation, but it’s certainly still around. And so for this giveaway, I asked that participants tell me a little about their favorite espers and psychics from manga. Mob from Mob Psycho 100 was mentioned the most frequently (I really hope an English-language publisher will license that series soon!), but there are other really great characters mentioned in the giveaway comments, too!

Some of the psychic/esper manga available in English:
A, A’ by Moto Hagio
Akira by Otomo Katsuhiro
Alive: The Final Evolution written by Tadashi Kawashima, illustrated by Adachitoka
Baoh by Hirohiko Araki
Betrayal Knows My Name by Hotaru Odagiri
Beyond the Blindfold by Sakura Tsukuba
A Certain Magical Index written by Kazuma Kamachi, illustrated by Chuya Kogino
A Certain Scientific Accelerator written by Kazuma Kamachi, illustrated by Yamaji Arata
A Certain Scientific Railgun written by Kazuma Kamachi, illustrated by Motoi Fuyukawa
Clover by CLAMP
Descendants of Darkness by Yoko Matsushita
Drug & Drop by CLAMP
Domu by Otomo Katushiro
ES: Eternal Sabbath by Fuyumi Soryo
From the New World written by Yusuke Kishi, illustrated by Toru Oikawa
Ghost Hunt by Shiho Inada
Hands Off! by Kasane Katsumoto
I.O.N. by Arina Tanemura
Jihai by Toshimi Nigoshi
Kimagure Orange Road by Izumi Matsumoto
Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service written by Eiji Otsuka, illustrated by Housui Yamazaki
Legal Drug by CLAMP
Lucifer and the Biscuit Hammer by Satoshi Mizukami
Mai, the Psychic Girl written by Kazuya Kudo, illustrated by Ryoichi Ikegami
Maoh: Juvenile Remix by Megumi Osuga
Mistress Fortune by Arina Tanemura
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya written by Nagaru Tanigawa, illustrated by Gaku Tsugano
Night Head Genesis by You Higuri
Please Save My Earth by Saki Hiwatari
Psychic Power Nanaki by Ryo Saenagi
Psycho Busters written by Tadashi Agi, illustrated by Akinari Nao
Psyren by Toshiaki Iwashiro
Rasetsu by Chika Shiomi
Spiritual Police by Youka Nitta
Telepathic Wanderers written by Yasutaka Tsutsui, illustrated by Sayaka Yamazaki
To Terra… by Keiko Takemiya
Tokyo ESP by Hajime Segawa
Tokyo Babylon by CLAMP
Wild Com. by Yumi Tamura
X by CLAMP
Yurara by Chika Shiomi
YuYu Hakusho by Yoshihiro Togashi

That’s quite a list, and I’m certain that’s not all of the manga with psychics and espers to have been released in English. Even so, I think there’s a nice variety of genres and even types of psychics represented, and you’ve got to start somewhere. Thank you to everyone who participated and shared your favorite espers with me. I hope to see you again for the next giveaway!