Shelf Life
July 15, 2019
by Paul Jensen,
Welcome to Shelf Life, covering every week's new releases in anime, manga, and Japanese games! The latest part of Boruto looks like the headline act in this week's anime lineup, while it's a week of endings and beginnings in manga. We've got the final volume of Barakamon, along with around ten newcomers between one-shot books and first volumes of new series. Over in gaming, the latest entry in the Marvel Ultimate Alliance series hits the Switch in an interesting case of a Japanese company publishing a game based on an American franchise. If there's anything that catches your eye this week, let the world know over in the comments!
Anime
Asura Cryin' - Complete Collection BD
Maiden Japan - 650 min - Sub - MSRP $89.98
Publisher's Description: Some people are haunted by memories, but Tomoharu is haunted by his friend Misao, who died in a horrible plane crash that Tomo somehow survived. While having a girl that no one else can see hanging around is a little odd, it's not until Tomo's mom gets remarried, leaving Tomo alone, that things get really weird: A mysterious girl appears with a package that Tomo is supposed to guard. A second girl breaks into the house, demanding something called an "extractor". And both girls can inexplicably see Misao! As more people target the package and Tomo, the mystery only deepens. What's in the package, why are so many people after it, and is it connected to the plane crash or something even more sinister? The shocking answers will be unleashed!
Our Reviews: Our user ratings for this series have an average of 6.8 out of 10. It's available streaming on Crunchyroll.
Boruto: Naruto Next Generations - Part 2 BD, DVD
Viz - 300 min - Sub+Dub - MSRP $44.98|$39.99
Publisher's Description: What's scarier than facing an army of ninja warriors? School exams! As everyone scrambles to prepare, Sarada goes on a quest to uncover the secret of her birth and find out more about her father, Sasuke. Will she find the answers she seeks in this shadowy legend? Then Boruto and classmates take a trip to a place haunted by a bloody past-the Village Hidden in the Mist. This is one trip they won't forget!
Our Reviews: We have episode reviews for this series. It's available streaming on Crunchyroll, Hulu, and Viz.com.
Claymore - Complete Collection BD
Funimation - 650 min - Sub+Dub - MSRP $34.98
Publisher's Description: A brutal scourge stalks the land. Yoma, monsters driven by a hunger satisfied by only one quarry - Humanity. The dark breed knows but a singular foe: Claymore. Human-Yoma hybrids of extraordinary strength and cunning, the Claymores roam from skirmish to skirmish delivering salvation by the edge of a blade.
Our Reviews: We have a review of a previous release of this series. It's available streaming on Funimation and Hulu.
Fuuka - Complete Collection BD
Funimation - 300 min - Sub+Dub - MSRP $64.98
Publisher's Description: When introverted Yuu Haruna transfers to a school in Tokyo, his dull life takes a sharp turn. More into Twitter than the world around him, he crashes into the mysteriously charming Fuuka Akitsuki and the tune of misunderstanding rings sharply between them. But as they grow closer, will it be love that crescendos between them or will the sound fall flat?
Our Reviews: We have episode reviews for this series. It's available streaming on Crunchyroll and Funimation.
Rin: Daughters of Mnemosyne - Complete Collection BD
Funimation - 300 min - Sub+Dub - MSRP $29.98
Publisher's Description: Rin Asogi is an immortal private detective with a thirst for vodka and a talent for attracting things that go bump in the night. In a series of nightmarish vignettes spanning sixty-five years, Rin's lush body is sadistically pierced, blown up, and mulched to a bloody pulp. The fiend behind her tortured existence is Apos, an eternal being obsessed with sacrificing Rin to Yggdrasil, the tree of all life.
Our Reviews: We have a review of a previous release of this series. It's available streaming on Funimation.
Witchblade - Complete Collection BD
Funimation - 600 min - Sub+Dub - MSRP $29.98
Publisher's Description: Sought by the greed of Men since the dawn of Humankind, but only bestowed upon the woman whose fate it forever scars: The Witchblade. Is it the Righteous Sword of God, of the Hand of the Devil Himself? Now a new bearer has been chosen and she must discover the answers for herself. As she stands on the brink of destiny, she is forced to seek the balance between ecstasy and ruin...
Our Reviews: We have old single-volume reviews for this series, and you'll find the first few of those here and here. It's available streaming on Funimation and Hulu.
Manga
Angels of Death - Volume 7
Yen Press - 160 pages - MSRP $12.99
Publisher's Description: On Floor B2, Gray passes judgment on Ray, declaring her a witch who is deceiving the building's residents. Forced to face this sentence alone, what will Ray do...? Justice will be served in Volume 7 of Angels of Death!
Our Reviews: We covered this series in the Fall 2017 Manga Guide.
Barakamon - Volume 18
Yen Press - 208 pages - MSRP $14.99
Publisher's Description: It's been a year since Handa arrived on the island, and a lot has changed for the residents of Nanatsutake Village. Hiroshi's in Tokyo, Miwa and her friends have graduation on their minds, and Naru and her classmates are going into their second year of elementary school. With everyone looking to the future, the time to say goodbye approaches in the final volume of Barakamon.
Our Reviews: We have a review of the anime adaptation of this series.
Beastars - Volume 1
Viz - 208 pages - MSRP $12.99
Publisher's Description: At a high school where the students are literally divided into predators and prey, it's personal relationships that maintain the fragile peace. Who among them is a Beastar—an academic and social role model destined to become a leader in a society naturally rife with mistrust?
Our Reviews: No reviews or user ratings for this series so far.
Children of the Whales - Volume 11
Viz - 200 pages - MSRP $12.99
Publisher's Description: Orca and his imperial troops have arrived at Amonlogia, and Chakuro and the other Marked hope to use the chaos as cover for a rescue operation. But as they attempt to breach the castle to save Suou and the Ummarked, Orca sets out on a diabolical mission of his own. Can Lykos keep her brother from causing more harm, even if it means killing him?
Our Reviews: We covered this series in the Fall 2017 Manga Guide.
Cocoon Entwined - Volume 1
Yen Press - 176 pages - MSRP $14.99
Publisher's Description: Clad in school uniforms practically breathing with life are the girls of Hoshimiya Girls' Academy, their hair long and luxurious. When a certain "incident" rocks the academy, the hidden feelings these girls possess will be entwined in this pure girls' love story.
Our Reviews: No reviews or user ratings for this series so far.
Count Fujiwara's Suffering - Volume 1
Yen Press - 528 pages - MSRP $25.99
Publisher's Description: As a noble cat, the Count knows a thing or two about living, but no one's lives are as strange as the Fujiwara sisters! Shizuka is only interested in live streaming for cheap online attention, and conflicted Yumeko is rather...fond of her big sister. Can Count Fujiwara handle these two perplexing humans, or will his meows fall on deaf ears?!
Our Reviews: No reviews or user ratings for this series so far.
Dead Dead Demon's Dededede Destruction - Volume 6
Viz - 164 pages - MSRP $14.99
Publisher's Description: The collaboration between the S.E.S. and the Self-Defense Forces is going beautifully as Hujin Type 9s patrol the streets of Tokyo and the slaughter of the Invaders reaches an all-time high. It's almost enough to distract the populace from the ominous smoke coming from the mother ship! Meanwhile, Kadode is getting used to having an Invader living in her apartment. His delicious cooking almost makes up for the constant threat of watching him get slaughtered in front of her eyes by vigilante exterminators!
Our Reviews: We covered this series in the Spring 2018 Manga Guide, and we also have a separate review of volume 1.
DIVE!! - Volume 3
Yen Press - 160 pages - MSRP $12.99
Publisher's Description: Suddenly, the decision is made on which divers will represent Japan! While Youichi has the ticket of his dreams in hand, he's not fully satisfied. And that's not to start on the athletes excluded from the lineup like Tomoki, who are determined to show their resolve!
Our Reviews: We have a review of volumes 1 and 2.
Eromanga Sensei - Volume 3
Dark Horse - 200 pages - MSRP $11.99
Publisher's Description: Elf Yamada seeks political asylum—from her editor—at the Izumi residence, offering in return to spill the secrets of how to turn one's light novel into an anime TV series, an offer certainly of great appeal to the much-less selling Masamune! Meanwhile, Megumi's vow to make friends with the one girl in her class she hasn't yet, Sagiri, leads her into an embarrassing yet artistically insightful gesture with Eromanga Sensei…
Our Reviews: We have episode reviews for the anime version of this series.
Fire Punch - Volume 7
Viz - 208 pages - MSRP $12.99
Publisher's Description: With his promise to Tena imprinted on his mind, Agni can only enjoy an inauthentic peace coated thickly with lies. His existence blames, tortures and undermines him, becoming an affliction worse than the anger, pain and madness he'd experienced as Fire Punch. As Agni searches desperately for an escape from this hell, an old friend suddenly appears.
Our Reviews: We have a review of volume 1.
Futaribeya - Volume 5
Tokyopop - 160 pages - MSRP $12.99
Publisher's Description: The first time they roomed together was a happy accident, but this time, Kasumi and Sakurako choose to share a room -- and a big bed -- while they tackle the next chapter of their lives together, having fun and making many new friends along the way.
Our Reviews: No reviews or user ratings for this series so far.
Gabriel Dropout - Volume 7
Yen Press - 128 pages - MSRP $12.99
Publisher's Description: The kind of bad luck that only comes once in a decade is approaching, and fallen angel Gabriel will be tested! It's a poolside panic in Volume 7 of Gabriel Dropout!
Our Reviews: We covered this series in the Fall 2017 Manga Guide.
Gleipnir - Volume 3
Kodansha - 192 pages - MSRP $12.99
Publisher's Description: Shuichi Kagaya saved his classmate from a warehouse fire, and in doing so discovers a mysterious power: He can transform into a furry dog with an oversized revolver and a zipper down his back. The girl is searching for the sister who killed her family and she doesn't care how degrading it gets: She will use Shuichi to accomplish her mission…
Our Reviews: No reviews or user ratings for this series so far.
Goblin Slayer: Brand New Day - Volume 1
Yen Press - 192 pages - MSRP $12.99
Publisher's Description: Goblin Slayer has enjoyed many an adventure, but the people around him have adventures of their own! A new spin-off from the wildly popular Goblin Slayer, check out the first volume of Goblin Slayer: Brand New Day, following the people whose lives Goblin Slayer has touched!
Our Reviews: We have reviews for the original light novel series and its main manga adaptation.
High School Prodigies Have it Easy Even in Another World! - Volume 4
Yen Press - 176 pages - MSRP $12.99
Publisher's Description: After successfully garnering support for their religion, "the Seven Luminaries," the high school prodigies prepare to head into an all-out war with the empire. But when Gustav uses magic power to suddenly set everything ablaze in a fit of fury, its up to this dream team to use their superior abilities and technology to tilt the scales back in their favor!
Our Reviews: We covered this series in the Fall 2018 Manga Guide.
Interspecies Reviewers - Volume 2
Yen Press - 128 pages - MSRP $12.99
Publisher's Description: Whether it's bedding a genuine succubus, some female-knight roleplaying, or an egg-laying kink, Stunk and the other Interspecies Reviewers go deep down the righteous path of carnal desire! But what's up with Crim? He's always wanted to visit a succubus, but now he's undergoing some transformation...?!
Our Reviews: We covered this series in the Fall 2018 Manga Guide.
Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? On The Side Sword Oratoria - Volume 8
Yen Press - 192 pages - MSRP $12.99
Publisher's Description: "Aria, go the fifty-ninth floor." With that message, Levis leaves Aiz with still no answers but a claim she can find what she needs deeper in the dungeon. The deadly clash on the twenty-fourth floor over, Aiz and the others return to Orario to deal with their losses. However, Aiz and the rest of Loki Familia are not long for the surface as they declare an expedition to unknown dungeon territory: Floor fifty-nine. Preparations begin and Aiz finally makes progress in her relationship with Bell...
Our Reviews: We covered this series in the Fall 2017 Manga Guide.
Killing Me! - Volume 1
Yen Press - 128 pages - MSRP $12.99
Publisher's Description: "Love-hate relationship" takes on a whole new meaning in this girls' love occult romance about two classmates: a vampire...and a vampire hunter!
Our Reviews: No reviews or user ratings for this series so far.
Nyankees - Volume 3
Yen Press - 176 pages - MSRP $12.99
Publisher's Description: All hell breaks loose in Nekonaki when three fresh strays show up out of the blue. Soon, word of the new gangbangers spreads to the outskirts of town, bringing Taiga's brother Raiga into the fray. Can Ryuusei and the gang manage to keep dibs on both their territory and fish supply?!
Our Reviews: We have a review of volume 1.
The Quintessential Quintuplets - Volume 4
Kodansha - 192 pages - MSRP $10.99
Publisher's Description: Futaro Uesugi is a second-year in high school and the only thing he can do is study, so when Futaro receives a part-time job offer to tutor the five daughters of a wealthy businessman, he can't pass it up. Little does he know, these five beautiful sisters are quintuplets, and the only thing they have in common…is that they're all terrible at studying! What will Futaro need to put on the schedule in this latest volume?
Our Reviews: We have episode reviews for the anime adaptation of this series.
The Saga of Tanya the Evil - Volume 7
Yen Press - 192 pages - MSRP $12.99
Publisher's Description: With undeniable wit and charisma, Tanya manages to charm her way into the warmth of the office...not. When an order for a military march launches the dumbfounded Degurechaff into the freezing depths of winter, fluffy pillows and five course meals are the last thing on her mind...That is, until the Major discovers another tempting course of action...
Our Reviews: We have a review of volume 1 of the original light novel series.
Secretly I've Been Suffering About Being Sexless
Yen Press - 128 pages - MSRP $14.99
Publisher's Description: Married life isn't all lovey-dovey, or ooh-la-la steamy--not when you and your partner have opposing sex drives. When a married woman with a raging libido can't find the satisfaction she needs from her tame, lackluster husband, she's left with no choice but to get her fix elsewhere...
Our Reviews: No reviews or user ratings for this single-volume work so far.
Skull-face Bookseller Honda-san - Volume 1
Yen Press - 176 pages - MSRP $14.99
Publisher's Description: Honda might be a skeleton, but that's nowhere near as crazy as working in a Japanese bookstore! Whether it's running the store, dealing with out-of-print books, or handling eccentric customers, the bookstore life is filled with laughter and tears.
Our Reviews: We have episode reviews for the anime adaptation of this series.
So I'm a Spider, So What? - Volume 6
Yen Press - 176 pages - MSRP $12.99
Publisher's Description: I'm continuing to level up, but it hasn't been easy! You really can never tell what you'll find in this labrynth, huh?! Or who I guess-there's a mysterious man headed this way! And...hold up, is that a smartphone?! Maybe there's a translation app on here that can help me out...
Our Reviews: We covered this series in the Fall 2017 Manga Guide.
The Survived Alchemist With a Dream of Quiet Town Life - Volume 1
Yen Press - 192 pages - MSRP $12.99
Publisher's Description: Mariela is the last alchemist alive after waking from a deep sleep that lasted two hundred years. As the sole alchemist in town, she can make a killing from making and selling potions...but after two hundred years of suspended animation, all she wants to do is relax, take things easy, and live at her own pace!
Our Reviews: No reviews or user ratings for this series so far.
Terra Formars - Volume 21
Viz - 208 pages - MSRP $12.99
Publisher's Description: The Terraformars have infested Japan and the war for Earth is on! The aliens have evolved and so have Earth's warriors, striking back against the invaders in new and powerful ways. As Japanese and American fighters and soldiers face the onslaught, Michelle sets out on a mission to take Shokichi away from General Kai…
Our Reviews: We have reviews of volume 1 and volume 7.
Torture Princess: Fremd Torturchen
Yen Press - 480 pages - MSRP $29.99
Publisher's Description: Kaito has had a rough life, but it only gets worse after he dies. When he's summoned to another world, he meets a beautiful and terrifying girl who offers him a choice-to be her servant and help her slay demons, or to suffer at her hands!
Our Reviews: We have a review of volume 1 of the original light novel series.
Triage X - Volume 18
Yen Press - 160 pages - MSRP $13.99
Publisher's Description: The unexpected appearance of Yuuko's twin sister spurs Tsurugi and Yuuko's unlikely friendship. But with Yuuko captured and hidden away, Tsurugi tells their tale and the truth of Yuuko's, and Yoko's, past.
Our Reviews: Earlier volumes of this series were covered in Right Turn Only.
Woof Woof Story: I Told You To Turn Me Into a Pampered Pooch, Not Fenrir! - Volume 1
Yen Press - 176 pages - MSRP $12.99
Publisher's Description: As corporate slave Routa Okami keels over in the middle of his busy office, he imagines about how nice it would have been to live as the pet of some of rich family instead of literally working himself to death. When a goddess actually grants that wish and brings him back as a pampered pooch, Routa is over the moon! ...But wait, why is he howling at it...?
Our Reviews: We have a review of volume 1 of the original light novel series.
Yuri Is My Job! - Volume 4
Kodansha - 176 pages - MSRP $12.99
Publisher's Description: Hime is a picture-perfect high school princess—she's admired by all and never trips up! So when she accidentally injures a café manager named Mai, she's willing to cover some shifts to keep her facade intact. But beneath all the frills and laughter, Hime feels tension brewing as she finds out more about her new job and her budding feelings… What new surprises will be served up next in this latest volume?
Our Reviews: We have a review of volume 1.
Yuri Life
Yen Press - 192 pages - MSRP $12.99
Publisher's Description: Follow the everyday romances of women living together! From clashing personalities to May-December relationships, it's a sweet cornucopia of love and affection.
Our Reviews: No reviews or user ratings for this single-volume work so far.
Games
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order
Nintendo - Switch - MSRP $59.99
Publisher's Description: Assemble your ultimate team of Marvel Super Heroes from a huge cast including the Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, X-Men, and more! Team up with friends to prevent galactic devastation at the hands of the mad cosmic tyrant Thanos and his ruthless warmasters, The Black Order. Then expand your ultimate alliance with the paid Expansion Pass, which includes upcoming DLC content from popular franchises like the Fantastic Four, X-Men, and Marvel Knights.
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