Article

New on Shoujo Shelves: June 2014

June 18, 2014

Summer is right around the corner. Oh look! – it’s my favorite poolside view since last July. About time they made guys in swimsuits just as sexy as girls! While I wish I could spend all summer admiring the abs of the Iwatobi swim club, alas, I’ve still got a month to go before the next anime season. Might as well gather up some manga volumes for poolside or beachfront reading to tide me over until I can watch Haru swim free again. Here’s what’s come out on shoujo shelves for the month of June:

We’re finally getting the continuation of Millennium Snow from Bisco Hatori, author of Ouran High School Host Club. Another volume of Itazura na Kiss has arrived from DMP as well. I might have to check out Whispered Words, it sounds intriguing.

Publisher	Cover	Publisher Synopsis
		Alice in the Country of Joker: Circus and Liar’s Game, vol. 5 In the quest to free her sister, Alice faces terrible truths. Something about her life in her old world is tangling her up inside, and it’s not just her residual feelings about her lost love. Now, in Wonderland, she discovers that she’s falling in love once again – despite her emotional scars and the danger in choosing between psychopaths. In her deadliest battle yet, who is Alice’s greatest foe? Story by QuinRose and Art by Mamenosuke Fujimaru.
		Android Angels Wouldn’t it be great to live with the perfect woman or perfect man? Android butlers and babes are the future. These short stories are tales from a land beyond, where androids not only protect humans, but also live and get intimate with them. Story and art by Kosuke Kabaya.
		A Centaur’s Life, vol. 3 For Hime and her classmates, racial mixing is nothing new. Wings both feathery and leathery, tails pointed or furry, horns like goats’ or like unicorns’ – you’ll find them all in this classroom. When the prospect of a new transfer student arises, is there anything left that would shock them? A UFO sighting, perhaps?! Story and art by Kei Murayama.
		Dengeki Daisy, vol. 14 Teru and Kurosaki finally get ahold of “M’s Last Testament,” and they discover the truth behind their nemesis Akira’s past! While Teru opposes helping Akira with his current predicament, Kurosaki is forced to investigate further… with dire consequences for the both of them! Story and art by Kyousuke Motomi.
		Happy Marriage?!, vol. 6 Hokuto and Chiwa haven’t spoken since she visited his estranged father who Hokuto believes is responsible for his mother’s death. She then returns to Hokuto’s birthplace to find out how his mother died. But once Chiwa learns the truth, can she help Hokuto heal the scars from his past? Story and art by Maji Enjoji.
		Itazura na Kiss, vol. 10 Kotoko may be an old hand at college, but she still can’t wait for the annual Tonan University Festival! After all, she’ll definitely be crowned “Best Couple” with the ever-brilliant Naoki… right?! But what will Kotoko do when her adored husband graduates and plunges headfirst into his medical career? Can this clumsy nurse-in-training keep up? Story and art by Kaoru Tada.
		Kanisama Kiss, vol. 15 Nanami has gone back in time in order to find the fallen kami who cursed Tomoe, but the past is a lot more violent than she expected. Before she can even start her search, she has to deal with suspicious villagers and a mortally wounded Tomoe! Story and art by Julietta Suzuki.
		Kimi ni Todoke, vol. 19 As Sawako and her friends ring in the new year, big changes loom on the horizon. Some are good, like the blossoming relationships between Ayane and Kento, and Chizu and Ryu. But some are scary, like choosing a future career path. Can Sawako find the courage to follow her heart and pursue her own happiness? Story and art by Karuho Shiina.
		Millennium Snow, Omni of vol. 1-2 Seventeen-year-old Chiyuki Matsuoka was born with heart problems, and her doctors say she won’t live to see the next snow. Touya is an 18-year-old vampire who hates blood and refuses to make the traditional partnership with a human, whose life-giving blood would keep them both alive for a thousand years. Chiyuki should be in high school having the time of her life, but her health is failing, and she’s spending her last days living in the hospital. She makes the most of the time she has left, even though things aren’t that exciting – until she runs across a reluctant vampire late one chilly night. Can Chiyuki teach Touya to feel a passion for life, even as her own is ending? Collects volumes 1-2 in an omnibus format. Story and art by Bisco Hatori.
		Millennium Snow, vol. 3 Toya still can’t shake his blood aversion, even though Chiyuki would happily share hers with him, and the malnutrition is starting to take its toll. Chiyuki tries to supplement his diet with solid food, but that’s just barely enough to keep him alive. Can Chiyuki find a way to support her vampire when he refuses the help she knows he needs? Story and art by Bisco Hatori.
		Natsume’s Book of Friends, vol. 16 Natsume’s human friend Taki can only see yokai if they walk through one of her spell circles. Although many yokai see her spells as aggressive traps, putting her at risk of their retaliation, the latest yokai to pass through her circle may have something other than revenge in his heart. But is that any better…? Story and art by Yuki Midorikawa.
		Say, “I Love You”, vol. 2 It seems like just yesterday, Mei was a prickly loner who never spoke to anyone in her high school class. Now, popular boy Yamato has started calling Mei his girlfriend! She’s not sure how she feels about that… but she’ll have to decide quickly, because this kind of social earthquake is sure to stir up jealousy, and soon Mei faces rivals for Yamato’s affections – and her own! Story and art by Kanae Hazuki.
		Voice Over! Seiyu Academy, vol. 5 Hime’s producer Yamada has decided to let her have some time off for good behavior, so he sets up a trip to a lake for her and the rest of the Stragglers. But will Hime ruin the vacation when her idea of a fun time turns out to be a bust?! Story and art by Maki Minami.
		Whispered Words, vol. 1 Sumika and Ushio are best friends. Athletic Sumika has a secret that she cannot confess – she’s in love with Ushio, who only loves girly girls. When they and their cross-dressing male classmate Masaki are drawn into a crazy, mixed-up love triangle, many Whispered Words remain unspoken. Story and art by Takashi Ikeda.