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1. ORESAMA TEACHER
A delinquent girl tries to resolve her image in high school, only to find she can’t change her violent personality. Comedy/Romance
A decent new title that combines humor and some suspense.
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2. DAWN OF THE ARCANA
Forced marriage for the benefit of a warring country leads to prickly relations. Fantasy/Romance.
A promising new series for Viz.
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3. A BRIDE’S STORY
Twenty-three year old Amira is married off to fifteen year old Kanuk during the early 19th century in Central Asia. Amira adjusts to life with Kanuk and his family until her family demands that she be returned. Historical/Romance
Beautiful artwork.
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4. SAKURA -HIME: THE LEGEND OF PRINCESS SAKURA
Tanemura’s new fantasy about demon yokai and royalty from the moon. Sakura Hime moves at a swift pace and is filled with beautiful images. Fantasy/Romance
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5. EENSY-WEENSY MONSTER
A short 2 volume story from Kare Kano author Masami Tsuda. Average high schooler, Nanoha, spends her time in the shadow of her more popular best friends. That is, until haughty Hazuki Tokiwa, releases her “monster” personality with his arrogant demeanor. Romance/Comedy.
A last new shoujo from Tokyopop.
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6. SAILOR MOON
Usagi discovers her magical girl powers as she and her friends are called upon to protect the inheritance of the moon. Fantasy/Romance
Highly anticipated, this was one of the better releases this past year.
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7. CODENAME: SAILOR V
Prequel to Sailor Moon, this series focuses on Sailor Venus and her adventures before encountering the Moon Princess. Fantasy/Action.
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8. SHUGO CHARA-CHAN
This 4-koma manga is based on Peach-Pit’s guardian characters from Shugo Chara. Comedy/Fantasy.
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9. PRINCESS KNIGHT
Princess Sapphire of Silverland, is known to all as a Prince. Set in motion by her father, the King, in hopes of protecting the land from an evil man in line to inherit the throne. Many adventures ensue as Princess Sapphire must conceal her identity and protect her land from those who would destroy it. Fantasy/Action.
A classic shoujo manga from Osamu Tezuka, this one is not to be missed.
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10. CLEAN FREAK FULLY-EQUIPPED
An OCD kid must overcome his anti-social habits in order to form new friendships. A quirky cast is introduced in this off-beat series. Comedy/Romance.
Another release from Tokyopop that won’t see any sequels.
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11. AI ORE!
Mayu Shinjo’s latest English release for the smutty crowd. A petite boy joins an androgynous looking girl band in order to seduce the lead guitarist. Romance/School Life.
A gender twisted tale that preys upon readers’ stereotypes, while following traditional romance tropes.
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Back in Omnibus Format: |
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12. MAGIC KNIGHT RAYEARTH
CLAMP’s earlier work brought back in omnibus format by Darkhorse. Magic Knight Rayearth is the story of time traveling school girls sent to become warriors of another kingdom. Fantasy/Action-Adventure.
Don’t miss this newest reprint.
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13. TOKYO MEW MEW
Five girls infused with the DNA of rare animals are endowed with special powers that allow them to transform into “Mew Mews”. The girls protect the earth from aliens who wish to overtake it. Fantasy/Action.
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14. BLOOD ALONE
Kuroe is a former vampire hunter, now a private detective and author. Misaki is an innocent girl who has recently been turned into a vampire. While Kuroe is often interacting with other creatures from the vampire world, he seems to not realize that Misaki, right in front of him, has affections for him. Fantasy/Romance.
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New Josei?? |
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Sadly, no new josei titles this year, but I would like to say fond farewell to Yuki Yoshihara’s Butterflies, Flowers series which saw its last volume this year.
Hapi Mari??!! That would be a fun title!!!
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Favorite new 2011 series outside the shoujo genre: |
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CROSS GAME
Ko Kitamura, son of a sporting goods store owner, lives down from the Tsukishima sisters and their father, who owns a cafe and batting center. Of the four sisters, Wakaba Tsukishima is the same age as Ko. Aoba, one year younger than them, resents Ko for dominating Wakaba’s time and interest. After a tragic accident, Ko and Aoba find themselves drawn together as they work towards realizing the dream that Wakaba has for them as kids – playing in the baseball championship in Koshien Stadium.
A must for sports fans.
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It’s disappointing there weren’t more new shojo (and no josei) this year. I second your request for Hapi Mari, amazing series!