Here are my impressions and recommendations for the month of September from the Diamond Previews Catalog.

Bold – I’m buying it
Italics – Wish I was buying it
Normal – I can take or leave it

Vampire Kisses volume 1: Blood Relatives – Apparently another product of Tokyopop and Harper Collins’ collaboration (like Warriors), Vampire Kisses is a teen novel series about a goth girl, Raven, and her dream boyfriend Vampire Alexander.  There are 4 books in the Vampire Kisses series, and this manga is an original story by the author Ellen Schreiber.  The art is by rem, a previous winner of Tokyopop’s Rising Stars of Manga Competition.  The first chapter is available on the website, and it looks really interesting.  The story is well done, and despite being part of a series, I didn’t feel lost or out of place.  The art is excellent with a more realistic style to it.  I would highly recommend this book.  If you are a fan of the Vampire Kisses novels, or of vampires in general, getting this book is a no brainer.   

Dark Moon Diary vol 1 – The preview for this series doesn’t work on the website, so I can’t say much about it.  It looks like a take off of the Munsters for the new millennium.  Priscilla is a normal 15 year old girl who loses her parents and goes to live with her only “living” relatives, a family of vampires.  Pricilla must now go to school and deal with witches, warlocks and vampires.  This looks like a very typical high school comedy with cute boys and popular girls, with a fantasy world twist.

Poison Candy vol 1 – Billed as a sci-fi adventure, this title has some comic-clout behind it.  The writer, David Hine, has written for several mainstream comics, and the premise sounds straight out of a comic book.  A disease is afflicting adolescents, and giving them powers.  Both the government and corporations are struggling over control of these kids.  But, the preview of the first chapter shows very powerful writing and art.  I was drawn in right from the first panels.  I didn’t care for the swearing that is prevalent in this chapter, and presumably throughout the volume, but that is purely personal.  It isn’t used gratuitously.  This is a story about teenagers, and unfortunately that is probably how a lot of teen talk with each other.  Over all, this is looking to be a very good title.  I would highly recommend this to anyone who like action, sci-fi and powers in comics.  The squeamish might want to steer clear, as there is a bit of violence and blood.  This is rated for 18+.

Demon Flowers: Kuruizaki no Hana vol 1 – This series is done by the same manga-ka as The Demon Ororon, Mizuki Hakase.  The Oni, demons from Japanese mythology, have eaten all the Japanese gods, leaving humanity at their mercy.  The Oni are searching for the children of god and humans “Out-of-Season Flowers”.  One such child, Masata, is found and saved by the Oni Upooporu and taken away from his family.  After 11 years, Masata and Upooporu, joined by a human girl, have become a family of their own.  The story seems to follow their journey through this demon-controlled work.  It is a drama, so expect lots of obstacles for them to face together.

Fantamir vol 1 – This fantasy manhwa sounds pretty standard.  Mir loses her magical abilities and decides to retire to the live of a normal girl, and go to a normal school.  But, to her surprise, she is enrolled in a Shaman class in a school that has a connection to her family’s past.  Nothing new-sounding here.  There was supposed to be an online preview of the first chapter, but the TP site is doing previews of only their OEL at the moment, and the manga sampler is only a legend as far as I can tell.  So, if you like fantasy, or the manhwa-ka’s previous work Peppermint, then you might be interested in checking this series out.

Cherry Juice vol 1 – Another romance drama manga from the mangaka  that created Kedamono Diamond and Instant Teen.  This one is about two step siblings, who after 5 years, are finally getting along as true siblings.  Then Amane, Minami’s best friend, confesses his love for Otome and their once peaceful relationship is back in chaos, leaving the siblings wondering, who are they really in love with?  I don’t really care for stories where siblings (step or not) show romantic interest in each other, so I’m not putting this on my list any time soon.  The art is cute through.  So, if you’re into romance or like the other mangaka’s work, this would be a good title for you.

Full Metal Panic! Vol 1 novel – This is the light novel series that sparked off the Full Metal Panic franchise.  Kaname Chidori is an ordinary student going to high school.  But her life is turned upside down when transfer student Sousuke Sagaka arrives.  He is really a soldier sent to protect Kaname from dark forces that want her for the mysterious power she doesn’t even know she possesses.  This action comedy, based on the anime and manga is a great ride with lots of explosions and paper fan beatings.  If you’ve seen the anime or manga, then you’ll want to get this for sure.  If you haven’t…what are you waiting for?!  This is a terrifically fun series, and reading where it all began is a great treat!

Karma Club vol 1 novel – D.J. Milky, the creator of Princess Ai, and other Tokyopop manga has decided to try his hand at light novels.  It is the year 223 AA (After Armageddon) and the world is a peaceful place where doing good things – increasing karma – makes people rich….uh…okay…no.  Just no.

Takumi-Kun Series Volume 1:  June Pride – From the Blu line, this is a yaoi manga.  Hayama Takumi is afraid to be touched after a tramatic experience from his childhood.  One day though, he opens his heat to his dorm roommate, the half-european Gii.  Will Gii discover the trauma that so scarred Takumi?  I don’t read yaoi, so I can’t say much about this, but if you’re a yaoi fan, you’ll probably like it.

I.N.V.U vol 4 – As one of the first Korean titles to come out of Tokyopop, this series has been around for a long time.  Sey, a 16 year old who is left with friends while her mother goes off to to finish her book, becomes mixed up in some complicated relationships with her friends.  In this volume, Hali get tickets for a musical with her manager, but runs into her teacher-crush, Cho, who is there with his future wife.  What can Hali do about this?  This series is very shojo.  Fans have been waiting a long time for this one.  The previous volume was released in 2003!  This series seems to be for the very dedicated fan or someone with a lot of patience.

RG Veda vol. 10 – Final Volume – This is the final volume of CLAMP’s breakout series.  Everything comes to a head here.  The stars have gathered at the god-king’s palace for the final showdown.  Ashura, his seal lifted has become the god of destruction, and cares only about killing.  Yasha must stop him if she wants to save Ashura.  As CLAMP’s debut manga, this series is classic, and has everything for the fantasy reader; gods, prophecies, and epic battles between good and evil.  This is definitely a series that every CLAMP will get, and any fantasy fan should definitely look at.  It’s a perfect candidate for Tokyopop’s “Ultimate” edition too…

Chibi Vampire Novel Volume 3 – These novels are based on the manga instead of vice-versa.  Though written by a different author, the original mangaka, Yuna Kagesaki provides the illustrations.  Karin, while working at her waitress job, trips and spills food all over a young woman and her guardian.  To pay for the expensive cleaning bill, Karin must take a part time summer job.  But then, young women start to disappear from the job, and Karin could be next!  I love the manga series, and if I had time, I would get getting these as well.  The manga is a great comedy, and I’m sure these novels will be the same.  I highly recommend it.

Phantom vol 3 – I’ve been ordering this series for my husband, but haven’t had a chance to read it myself.  But manga with mechas are scarce at best, and the premise did look promising.  In this volume, K’s inner powers are starting to grow, just in time as the Mulitnational Corporation (MNC) is developing an army of invincible cyborgs to take over the world.  This sci-fi action title is all shonen, and shouldn’t be missed by any fan of either genre.

Star Trek: The Manga Volume 2:  Kakan ni Shinkou – If you really like Star Trek, you’ll love this book.  Another series of short stories based on the TOS crew.  I really don’t think this should be called a manga though.  Too many restrictions on manga conventions were put on this book to really call it a manga.  While the stories do try to keep the essence of the TOS universe, by only letting the artists and writing only go part way actually hurts the stories more.  And purists will never be satisfied.  But, if you’re a Trek fan with an open mind, then do check this out.  And Wil Wheaton did one of the stories…

PhD: Phantasy Degree vol 10 Final Volume – Reaching another milestone, Tokyopop finishes off another series.  This is a comedy-fantasy about a girl named Sang who wants to become a monster, so she in search of the Demon School Hades.  On the way, she meets some misfit demons and convince them to take her to the school.  I read the first volume and through I did like it, it also felt very average for a comedy fantasy.  There didn’t seem to be anything knew about it.  Those who have been following this series will no doubt he happy to get to the end.

Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad vol 9 –  Koyuki is a a boy with no hobbies, little personality and no direction for his life until he meets musician Ryusuke, fresh from .  Ryusuke inspires Koyuki to get into music.  This series follows Koyuki journey to become a musician.  In this volume, Beck, the band Koyuki is now a part of, are struggling to outperform all the other bands at the Great Sound performance.  But, a backstage deal by Ryusuke could destroy the band’s chance for fame before they even start!  This series reminds me very much of Nana, except from the male perspective.  The emphasis doesn’t seem to be so heavily on relationships, though they are there as any drama would need.  This title seems to stress more how difficult it really is to succeed in the music world.  If you like music manga like Nana and Dragon Voice, I think this would be a good addition to your library.  Or if you just want a good drama, pick this title up. 

Welcome to the NHK vol. 4 – The best way I’ve heard this series described is it’s a more disturbing version of Genshiken.  It’s based on a light novel.  Satou is a hikikomori, a shut in that has withdrawn from the world and believes that a Japanese TV station, N.H.K. is behind some big conspiracy.  Then, one day, a girl named Misaki comes to his home and tries to bring him back into the world.  In this volume, Satou goes on a date with a newly-married Kashiwa-sempai to get out of a creative slump.  But, Misaki watches jealously from the shadows, waiting for her chance at revenge on Satou.  While this series does look at otaku life, like Genshiken, this series shows what happens when it’s taken to its very extreme, and it’s not a nice way to live.  This is very much a drama, and it’s wrapped with a parental advisory sticker.  If you want to see the disturbing side of otakudom, then this is a good book.  If you like lighter faire, I would suggest looking elsewhere.

Tsukuyomi: Moon Phase vol 8 – I started getting this series based on the premise of catgirls and vampires would be a good combination.  I’m starting to have second thoughts though.  Hazuki has been hiding at the main estate of Kohei’s family in the mountains, while Kohei has been training to protect Hazuki from the vampires that are hunting her.  But, she’s been found, and Hikaru, Kohei’s “fiancé” has been kidnapped and is being held in exchange for Hazuki.  In this volume, Yayoi decides to unseal Kohei’s “kenki” power, and Kohei has to go into special training to control it.  Meanwhile, Hazuki not wanting to cause anymore trouble for Kohei and his family, decides to leave and rescue Hikaru herself.  I’ve been losing interest in this series for probably the last 3 volumes.  It’s just too moe for me.  I enjoyed the light-hearted comedy that came from Kohei and Hazuki’s bickering, but it’s lost that charm.  It’s too angsty with Kohei wanting to protect Hazuki, and Hazuki wanting Kohei to notice her as a romantic interest… if something new doesn’t develop soon, I’ll be dropping this one.

Good Witch of the West vol 4 – Firiel is a young girl that grew up in the country and is swept up into a world of political intrigue and court games, when she is discovered to be an heir to the Queen’s throne.  In this volume, Firiel, who has been attending Taurus Academy as part of a deal she made with Duke Roland to protect her childhood friend Rune, is forced to leave and return to the Roland estate.  There, she comes face to face with another Queen-in-Waiting, Leandra.  The play for power then heats up as the two make moves that will decide who will rule.  I’ve really enjoyed this series so far.  I love fairytales, and with part of the premise being that they are outlawed in this world, and so how connected to a prophecy is really different I think.  Firiel is a great heroine, being very feisty and unbending.  When she makes up her mind, she doesn’t change for anything or anyone.  It’s interesting to see how she deals with the political intrigue, and how just her wits and tenacity can get her out of as many problems as it gets her in.  If you enjoy fantasy and/or drama, definitely pick this one up.

Kamen Tantei vol 4 - Final Volume – Another series by favorite Akino Matsuri, this one is short, but still very sweet!  Although it’s about two young mystery writers, it’s not a mystery series in the traditional sense.  If you are looking for a cut and dry mystery like Kindaichi or Detective Conan, you’re not going to find it here.  Instead, this series is more about the conventions of mysteries, and what it take to make one.  Each volume is episodic, with Haruka and Masato learning something from their fictional detective Suzuki (which real people can apparently see as well).  This last volume consists of 4 stories, one is a back story on Shinjyurou, a lady longs for death believing it will give her the attention she can’t get in life, a man that only retain thoughts for a few hours, and a woman who only have 6 months to live ponders what she will do.  This series is really more comedy than mystery, as half the time, the ending is more like an X-Files ending.  The stories are fun, and Matsuri-sensei’s art is just fantastic.  This is required reading for any Matsuri fan.  If you like mystery and/or comedy, you should give this one a try as well.

Final breakdown of release for this month:

50 total releases
07 volume 1 debuts
02 novel debuts

Top Pick OEL – Poison Candy
Top Pick Import – RG Veda
Top Pick New Release – Vampire Kisses volume 1: Family Blood