Manga That Should Be Licensed

[Ariel Tsuki]

I been thinking about more titles that can come to the US since alot of titles that I have in Japanese usually get licensed. Here's a few of the titles that I think should get US release:

1) Honey x Honey Drops:
It's about a girl named Yuzuru Hagino who is forced at first into the Honjo Academy's "Honey System" by a guy named Kai Renge. The Honey System is basically the "Honey" that is chosen by a "Master" becomes his practically his/her slave.
It's another master/slave title but it's very entertaining and very much a guilty pleasure. If you loved Hot Gimmick, you'll love Honey x Honey Drops. I think the chances of HHD ever coming to the States is low because it has a lot of err... M rated scenes in it. But with the rise of popularity with older shoujo titles, it might get licensed. (7 out of planned total 8 volumes available)

2) Nabari no Ou (King of Nabari):
Miharu was a average aloof middle school kid when he founds that he holds a power of a very powerful ancient ninja scroll within him that if anyone posseses it will have a power of a god, and everyone in the hidden ninja world of Nabari would do everything to get it.
DO NOT confuse this to another Naruto, although they share the three students and a teacher team, an older brother killed entire family and ninjas themes. Nabari no Ou comes across more darker than Naruto. I think it has a good shot to get licensed, I would be geninuely surprised if it didn't get licensed within a couple of years. (4 volume available, still ongoing)

3) Okane Ga Nai (No Money):
Yukiya Ayase can't have any worse luck than now. Caught up in his cousin's nasty pechant of borrowing money from loan sharks, Ayase is forced into the sex slave ring... until Somuku Kanou saves him by buying him. Unknowingly to Ayase, Kanou had met him before and fallen in love with him after Ayase helped him in kindness. Unfortunately for Ayase, Kanou is another loan shark who isn't above in using the fact he spent around 50 million yen on Ayase and the dirt-poor Ayase must pay him back, with a high interest rate, if Ayase wants his freedom from him. Kanou just hopes the longer Ayase stays, Ayase will eventually fall for him.
I know, I know, it's a BL (boys love) title obiviously, but despite it's dark premise, this is mostly comedy. It's hilarious the lengths that the gangster-like Kanou will go through to make Ayase fall for him, but it does deal alot with sexuality issues as well. The chances of this one getting picked up is so-so, especially that a new volume comes out every 8-10 months in Japan (it's published in a bi-monthly anthology), but it's worth it! (5 volumes available, still ongoing)

So state the title, your opinion on it (and a description if you want) and how many volumes are out now. I would like to know!

[soulreaper]

Gantz is something I have been waiting for since what feels like forever. The Japanese are up to volume 18. I understand that most licensers probably don't want to touch it for its near-pornographic sex scenes and violence that can top Elfen Lied, but what about Dark Horse or Del Ray? Maybe they're afraid of long jumps between releases since the mangaka likes to take frequent "breaks" in-between chapters.

Oh yeah, Elfen Lied should also be licensed.

[u_nick]

Parfait Tic: Why isnt this great love story with great art licensed yet?

Mahoraba: I actuallyhavent read the manga yet, but the anime was sweet, and that isnt licensed either! :(

Parallel: I started reading this around the same time I started reading both Pastel and Gacha Gacha. I guess seeing both of them in stores now makes me think Parallel should be as well.

[FURUBA4EVER]

Ooh...Honey x Honey Drops and King of Nabari sound interesting. :D

As for me...I want to see more of Arina Tanemura's works licensed. I've wanted to read ION and Time Stranger Kyoko for quite some time now. I suppose it's only a matter of time before they're licensed since Tanemura-sensei's manga are becoming quite popular here.

I'd like to see Matsuri Hino's manga WANTED! licensed too. Ever since I heard about it after reading MeruPuri, I've wanted to read it.

Also, I'd like to see Eikaiwa School Wars and Kiss (both by Tomo Matsumoto, creator of Beauty is the Beast). Their stories sound really interesting to me (from what I've read about them).

Gokuraku Seishun Hockey Club and Yamada Taro Monogatari (both by Ai Morinaga, creator of Duck Prince and Your and My Secret) also would be nice to see licensed.

(And most of these are shoujo manga...so I could see any of them being picked up for Viz's Shoujo Beat line. :-")

[MagicYukiLover]

go and look for the Me,Yuki, and Tohru skit! omg its sooo wierd!

[Scandiadream]

- Everything by Riyoko Ikeda: La Rose de Versailles, Eroica, Oniisama E., Das Fenster von Orpheus, etc. etc. etc.

- Hana no Ko Lunlun

- Honey Honey (if there was a manga)

- Any and every old school shoujo classic.

[Jun_Inohara]

Also, I'd like to see Eikaiwa School Wars and Kiss (both by Tomo Matsumoto, creator of Beauty is the Beast). Their stories sound really interesting to me (from what I've read about them).

I find "Eikaiwa School Wars" horribly amusing (I don't really READ, read it, but I peruse it each month because it runs in the same magazine as other series I read) because it makes eikaiwa schools seem so...."cool"? Obviously many, MANY manga (hell, happens in all entertainment) make certain things vastly different than their reality, I suppose it's just in knowing a lot more about the "industry" (eikaiwa, I mean) than I used to it just seems baffling that it WOULD seem cool. Still, it's not a bad comic or anything, and I'm eternally grateful that 1.) The main guy that's the foreiner is NOT made to speak entirely in "katakana" (a la the Korean kid in Hikaru no Go and other foreigners in other series) and 2.) 95% of the time the English that pops up in it is dead on (though there are a few hiccups in translation here and there :P).

[SonRyu]

Hajime no Ippo really needs to be licensed, it's such a great manga series. I get the feeling it may not be however simply because of it's length. I believe it's currently at 76 volumes released and chapters still come out weekly. No company may feel that there's enough sales potential for a boxing series to justify such a long commitment. It's a great read though. Maybe if enough people watch/buy the Fighting Spirit dvd's and realize there's much more story than was animated, then that can get enough interest in the manga going...

[Bunta_Fujiwara]

Hajime No Ippo!!!

Wangan Midnight

Bad Company

Those are the three I would love to see released

[MilkManX]

The rest of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure.

Arc 1,2,4,5,6 and Steel Ball Run.

And VIZ need to release the current US one(Arc 3) much faster than 4 times a year. At this rate it will be 3-4 years before its done. 0_o

[Chousho]

1 word, Kochi Kame

Ok, maybe that was 2, but still.

Also to that list, Sazae san and Doraemon, Arslan Senki, Saiyuki Gaiden, Future Retro Hero Story.

More coming as I think (which is an event in and of itself).

[gameoffreak8]

I want Elfen Lied and Suzuka need to be licensed.

[Milky Mixer]

My top picks for MUST BE LICENSED PLEASE:

1) AIR MASTER - My number one pick is this 22 volume series by Yokusaru Shibata. It's PERFECT for a US release, as it has so many elements that appeal to so many different fans: a strong, female protagonist with an angsty past for the shojo fans, streetfightin' action and fanservice for the shonen fans, yuri for the girls-on-girls fans, and comedy for everyone! The anime kicked my ***, pun intended, and I think the manga really needs to be on my bookshelf. Like now. And while I'm on the subject, someone needs to get this anime from Toie and give it a proper R1 dvd release too!

2) ZOMBIE-LOAN - I think this one may be inevitable, given that Tokyopop has already acquired Peach-Pit's other series, DearS (a personal fave) and Rozen Maiden. But this looks like a really cool series with great character designs and that Yami no Matsuei supernatural twist of the dead "living on" with a job to do and getting involved with the living. Hot guys, cute girls with glasses, c'mon, this one's a no-brainer.

[u_nick]

I want Elfen Lied and Suzuka need to be licensed.

Suzuka has been licensed for a couple months now. The first volume is due for release sometime in August. (The 29th according to Amazon.com).

[Manafairy]

Gantz and Recipe are both on the top of my list of titles that really need to be licensed. Gantz because it's deliciously violent and intense, and reading it on a computer in a short chapter at a time doesn't do it justice. Recipe, because it's the sexiest story this side of Viewfinder with some of the best looking men I've seen in manga.

[gameoffreak8]

Suzuka has been licensed for a couple months now. The first volume is due for release sometime in August. (The 29th according to Amazon.com).
I see, thanks. ^_^

[Shanks]

I wish they would do all the Zelda mangas, I've only seen the covers at ANN, but they look really cool.

[Meganly-chan]

Daa! Daa! Daa! Adorable series with very nice art! It's about an alien baby named Ruu and his feline Sitter-Pet that end up getting sucked through a vortex and land on Earth, billions of lightyears away from their own planet. Two middle schoolers whose respective parents have taken off to other countries to "fulfill childhood dreams" take on the role of mom and dad.

Hime-chan no Ribbon There is a magical kingdom where every resident has a twin on Earth. Himeko, a tomboy, runs into hers, Erika, who happens to be the princess of said kingdom. In order for Erika to earn her right to the throne, she has Himeko try out an invention, a ribbon that allows the user to transform into any living, non-fictional being on Earth. I've been wanting to read this for sooo long now. I guess if nobody goes for it I'll have to stick with the anime fansubs or try to translate it on my own :(

[Jun_Inohara]

Hime-chan no Ribbon There is a magical kingdom where every resident has a twin on Earth. Himeko, a tomboy, runs into hers, Erika, who happens to be the princess of said kingdom. In order for Erika to earn her right to the throne, she has Himeko try out an invention, a ribbon that allows the user to transform into any living, non-fictional being on Earth. I've been wanting to read this for sooo long now. I guess if nobody goes for it I'll have to stick with the anime fansubs or try to translate it on my own :(

A favorite of mine for years and years now, more than I can possibly express. It's far from complicated and it's not revolutionary by any stretch of the imagination, but it's just really, really likable. Daichi remains one of my absolute favorite male manga characters. He's such a nice nice guy ^.^/

[Scandiadream]

I third Hime-chan no Ribbon. The manga AND the anime.

[Milky Mixer]

I third Hime-chan no Ribbon. The manga AND the anime.

I want someone to third Air Master. Heck, I want someone to second Air Master. :P

[Scandiadream]

I have never heard of Air Master.

But I wish they licensed the "Heidi- Girl of the Alps" anime. It's by Hayao Miyazaki- so that may help. And it is a well-known story. And very faithful to it.

[u_nick]

Girl Saurus and Girl Saurus DX! I cant believe I almost forgot them!

[Chousho]

I have never heard of Air Master.

But I wish they licensed the "Heidi- Girl of the Alps" anime. It's by Hayao Miyazaki- so that may help. And it is a well-known story. And very faithful to it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7k9Nbrm6NKg

[Shio]

I wish they would do all the Zelda mangas, I've only seen the covers at ANN, but they look really cool.
Ahaha I bought the Ocarina of Time ones in March. They're quite good ^__^

[Milky Mixer]

I have never heard of Air Master.

But I wish they licensed the "Heidi- Girl of the Alps" anime. It's by Hayao Miyazaki- so that may help. And it is a well-known story. And very faithful to it.

LMAO, I doubt Heidi Girl of the Alps is anything like Air Master unless Heidi is kicking a new sheep's ***** every episode and having a yuri fling with that girl in the wheelchair, but thanks for tryin'! ;)

[MonkeyBoy0314]

Can anybody say...GUYVER?!

[Loopy]

Elfen Lied and Gantz.

[Shanks]

Ahaha I bought the Ocarina of Time ones in March. They're quite good ^__^

Awesome, but I am envious of you...Well I would get them I guess, except I cant read Jap and I dont want to do any sort of online translation, so all I can hope for is licensing (no idea if that will ever happen though lol)

[Ninja337]

Addicted to Curry.

Don't post here folks! You'll give Tokyopop some funny ideas. >.>

[u_nick]

Pretty Face

(if it hasnt been said already_

[okubyo Neko-san]

Though some of my choices may already be mentioned, I'll say them anyway.

The Zelda manga series
Elfen Lied
Zombie-Loan
Kimi no Kakera
Sayonara Papa
Twin Signal
Mamotte Lollipop
Da Da Da
Mahojin Guruguru
Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuutsu (+novels)

[goddessofanime]

Appare Jinpangu from Yu Watase. It's actually pretty funny and more light hearted from her recent works. It's cute.

[FURUBA4EVER]

Appare Jinpangu from Yu Watase. It's actually pretty funny and more light hearted from her recent works. It's cute.

Since Yuu Watase is so popular here (from what I've seen), I wouldn't be surprised if Viz licensed this under the Shoujo Beat line in the future. I've been wanting to read it for quite some time now...so I would hope that it will be licensed. ^_^

[Milky Mixer]

Hey cool, somebody else mentioned Zombie-Loan. Rock on!

When was the last time someone mentioned Air Master in this thread? I think it might need to be mentioned again. Air Master should be licensed. Thank you. But not by CMX. Thank you. :cool:

[FURUBA4EVER]

Actually...I think Zombie-Loan was licensed by Tokyopop...but they're having trouble because Square Enix (the one who publishes the manga in Japan, IIRC) is not giving them distribution rights or something. Thus, Square Enix took away the licenses for ZL and others. I remember reading about it somewhere on ANN...though I'm not quite positive. O_o

[Milky Mixer]

Well that sucks! <_<

[ransom]

The first Galaxy Express 999 manga series.

[Hisoka]

Hajime no Ippo really needs to be licensed, it's such a great manga series. I get the feeling it may not be however simply because of it's length. I believe it's currently at 76 volumes released and chapters still come out weekly. No company may feel that there's enough sales potential for a boxing series to justify such a long commitment. It's a great read though. Maybe if enough people watch/buy the Fighting Spirit dvd's and realize there's much more story than was animated, then that can get enough interest in the manga going...


Hime-chan no Ribbon There is a magical kingdom where every resident has a twin on Earth. Himeko, a tomboy, runs into hers, Erika, who happens to be the princess of said kingdom. In order for Erika to earn her right to the throne, she has Himeko try out an invention, a ribbon that allows the user to transform into any living, non-fictional being on Earth. I've been wanting to read this for sooo long now. I guess if nobody goes for it I'll have to stick with the anime fansubs or try to translate it on my own :(

The first Galaxy Express 999 manga series.

^^^ Words of wisdom.

[Ariel Tsuki]

It's After the San Diego Comic Con and there's 27 manga that's gonna be licensed. Who had their manga suggestions right?

[Ariel Tsuki]

*THREAD REVIVAL*

Okay, I'm back with new suggestions (and some that I forgot to add the first time around):

1) Boku wa Imouto ga Koi Suru (I'm in Love with My Little Sister): Before you say anything, yes, this is a incest title, but it's a good love story nonetheless. Iku Yuuki used to be so close with her older twin brother, Yori before they grew apart. Hoping to mend the once-close bonds they used to share, she stumbles upon a dark secret of Yori, Yori offers her a price of mending their relationship: He will only get closer to her again only as her lover, not her brother like she wanted. Now Iku's faced with a diffcult choice. What should she do? Across that forbidden line with her dear brother or continue with the indifferent relationship
It's pretty good. You feel the anguish of Yori, who is surprisingly focused more than Iku. It can get pretty angsty and sweet at the same time. But what impressed me with BokuImo it didn't get too sugary sweet. And it nearly made me cry. If you can handle the mature themes in this, this is a pretty good shoujo read. However, the themes of implied (or real) incest won't go well which might block this title getting over in the states although they sell the original Japanese version in national bookstores like Borders and Waldenbooks. This was am iffy chance, but not impossible. (10 Volumes in total, plus Fanbook)

2) DOLLS: In the future, Japanese prisons became overcrowded with prisoners serving life sentences. In order to solve this problem, the Japanese goverment pass an ordiance that grants speedy trials for felons who would be charged for captial punishment and their immediate execution called the 'Rationalization of a Trial' or 'ROT' Method . In order to carry out this ordiance, these felon a special task force: The Special Execution Task Force Squad (or Tokkei for short) who deals out the sentence. Usaki Toudou is your average straight-laced genius who earn the distiction of being place in the First Squad, who are the best of the Tokkei. But he didn't expect a wild cannon and a free-spirited man to be his superiors, much less the best of Tokkei. Until they prove them wrong.
It's too early to say, but DOLLS is shaping up to be a inturging series. It's episodic now, but I expect a more intertwining story the way it looks like it's heading. Even if it's not, it's a story off on a great start (with great art) though. The chances of DOLLS coming Stateside is small. But it's too early to tell since there's only 2 volumes of this out. (2 volumes, ongoing).

3) Mr. Fullswing: I don't know much about this title beside it's baseball. I'm a baseball fan and found it a travesty that Mr. Fullswing isn't here where baseball is the national pastime. Sheesh, it's one of the more popular baseball manga out there today (beside Major). (23 volumes, ongoing?)

4) Hachimitsu to Clover (Honey and Clover): Yuuta Takemoto is just your average college student sophomore, trying to find his place in the world while living in a maison with other male college students. However, his life starts to steadily change when a (very) small girl name Hagumi Hanamoto walks in his life and falls for her at first sight. But Takemoto later learns that love is not easy as he hangs with her and their friends: Shinobu Morita, Takumi Mayama and Ayumi Yamada as they go through many trials and tribulations as the last vestiges of youth are shed away.
Hachimitsu to Clover (or Hachikuro for short) is one of those manga and anime you HAVE to read/see, especially when you're in college or have experienced college already. It's REALLY hard to classify it as shoujo because of it's male lead character and it resonate in both boys and girls alike. Instead of pouring out the chessiness, it gives a great sense of every emotion, happy or sad. And if anything, you'll watch it for Shinobu, who is a class act on his own (not counting he's a SIXTH year student when the story begins). Also a good point of Hachikuro is that it progress time very quickly, which is a breath of fresh air for anime as we can see them grow into adults. It's pisses me of that no one got the license for the manga yet (and hopefull Del Ray would get this one). (10 volumes, ongoing?)

GIVE ME MORE SUGGESTIONS!

[Magami No ER]

The first Galaxy Express 999 manga series.
YES.
And Captain Harlock. The first. The actual one.^^;
And, I love to see Gokusen, considering we have the anime...

[HitokiriShadow]

Everything by Wataru Yoshizumi, especially Mint a Bokura.

Gantz and Elfen Lied both need to be licensed as well.

And the U.S. needs more Yuri manga. Since we have approximately zero, I won't be too picky on which ones at this point.

[loplop]

Ichigo 100%. I bought the Japanese volumes, and would buy licensed volumes also . . .

[kimbeey13]

Okane Ga Nai (No Money) sounds interesting.


All of the different Gakuen Heaven pairing manga's should be licensed so far the only one I know that is is the King/Keita pairing thats licensed by blumanga.

[ryushe]

Gantz and Addicted to Curry.

One question though, Is Gantz more violent than Battle Royal Manga?

[Gasaraki]

^Well, I'd say it's about the same level of violence.

Anyway, my suggestions would be:
Homunculus, sci-fi paranormal stuff having to do with the sixth sense. Really good
Cloth Road, kind of a seinen fantasy. I mostly just want it cause the art is great =)
Kurozuka, multi-era spanning vampire story. Cool stuff
Kurozakuro, not sure how to explain this one, but it's good.
NHK ni Youkoso, Hilarious
Kamichu, Really cute manga, great art by Hanaharu Naruko
GoldenBoy, this one doesn't need explaination =P
Hajime no Ippo, though I doubt this one will ever be liscenced as it's already 76+ volumes long

[miakarayne]

As for me...I want to see more of Arina Tanemura's works licensed. I've wanted to read ION and Time Stranger Kyoko for quite some time now. I suppose it's only a matter of time before they're licensed since Tanemura-sensei's manga are becoming quite popular here.Ditto. As well as Tanemura's short story tankoubon Kanshaku Dama no Yuuutsu.

Urusei Yatsura needs a serious revisit in English... Maybe when Ranma is done, hmmm Viz?

Also: Binbou Shimai Monogatari, Koi Kaze, and Animal Yokocho.
Yayoi Ogawa's short works Baby Pop and Candy Life.

Plus, I'm with the others on Elfen Lied and Kamichu...

[Ariel Tsuki]

Okane Ga Nai (No Money) sounds interesting.


All of the different Gakuen Heaven pairing manga's should be licensed so far the only one I know that is is the King/Keita pairing thats licensed by blumanga.

There are more? The only ones that I'm aware of is the King/Keita (which has been licensed), Nakajima/Keita (the newest one, which I'm reading the scanlations of) and I swear there's a Kazuki/Keita one, but I was breezing though it fast and was sick while at a con. I'm planning to get them all.

Gantz and Addicted to Curry.

One question though, Is Gantz more violent than Battle Royal Manga?

I think they're pretty much the same on the violence factor. It's really hard to distinguish which one is more violent than the other.

[kimbeey13]

There are more? The only ones that I'm aware of is the King/Keita (which has been licensed), Nakajima/Keita (the newest one, which I'm reading the scanlations of) and I swear there's a Kazuki/Keita one, but I was breezing though it fast and was sick while at a con. I'm planning to get them all.



I think they're pretty much the same on the violence factor. It's really hard to distinguish which one is more violent than the other.

I want them all aswell, and i'm just hoping blumanga will license them all. I believe there is one each for Keita and every guy, i'm not completley sure though, I know there's one for Keita/Nakajima. :)

[Milky Mixer]

YES.
And Captain Harlock. The first. The actual one.^^;
And, I love to see Gokusen, considering we have the anime...

I'll add another vote for Harlock and Galaxy Express 999.

I'd also like to see someone pickup the Simoun light novels, though if the anime doesn't get licensed here that likely won't happen. I guess that just means someone will have to license the anime too, right?

Oh, and it's been a few posts since I've mentioned Air Master so I guess I need to mention that one again. :P

[HitokiriShadow]

Ditto. As well as Tanemura's short story tankoubon Kanshaku Dama no Yuuutsu.

Urusei Yatsura needs a serious revisit in English... Maybe when Ranma is done, hmmm Viz?

Also: Binbou Shimai Monogatari, Koi Kaze, and Animal Yokocho.
Yayoi Ogawa's short works Baby Pop and Candy Life.

Plus, I'm with the others on Elfen Lied and Kamichu...


I would love more Arina Tanemura manga. I would also like the Binbou Shimai Monogatari and Kamichumanga.


NHK ni Youkoso, Hilarious


It's already licensed. The first volume comes out in about a month, maybe less. It was the "Manga of the Month" in the October issue of Newtype.


One question though, Is Gantz more violent than Battle Royal Manga?

The violence is about the same, though I would consider Battle Royale worse because its kids vs. kids. The sex level is also about the same but I would say the sexual content in Battle Royale was more disturbing.

[versado]

I don't think anyone has mentioned this, but Bad Company has been licensed and is already out. I think it's called GTO: The Early Years or something like that. I agree that Addicted to Curry should be licensed and I think Shamo and Inu Neko Jump should be as well. I love Inu Neko Jump's character style and I think the manga is hilarious. Houshin Engi is licensed, but I am so happy Viz finally did it. It is fairly old, but I think it was very popular in Japan and I couldn't figure out why Viz hadn't already licensed it, seeing as it ran in Shounen Jump.

[kimbeey13]

As for me...I want to see more of Arina Tanemura's works licensed. I've wanted to read ION and Time Stranger Kyoko for quite some time now. I suppose it's only a matter of time before they're licensed since Tanemura-sensei's manga are becoming quite popular here.


It would be awesome if those were licensed! Though I wish someone would license Shinshi Doumei Cross , which is also done by Arina Tanemura, the most.

[hiei_kurama27]

It would be awesome if those were licensed! Though I wish someone would license Shinshi Doumei Cross , which is also done by Arina Tanemura, the most.

Shinshi Doumei Cross is licensed as well, by Viz Media.

[MonkeyBoy0314]

We need Devilman Lady sent over here! It could probably satisfy my bloodlust for months and months :devil: !

[golgo18]

Manga that should be licensed (pardon my wierd taste) :

-Devilman
-Devil Lady
-Violence Jack
-Heat (Ryoichi Ikegami)
-Cyber Blues (Tetsuo Hara)

hmm and other stuff...-_-

[meowchi]

Fire Candy
Love Monster
Those need to be licensed right now!!