2009 sequential art write up
Mon, Feb. 1st, 2010 10:12 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
oyceterAt least this year I'm getting it out before Chinese New Year! Though that's mostly because it's super late this year...
As usual, these are my favorites out of the sequential art I've read this year, as opposed to what came out this year. The "new-to-me" series aren't actually always new to me; some series in particular are on the list because though I started the series earlier, what I read this year was enough to put them on my favorites list.
I was pretty terrible about writing things up this year, thanks to grad school getting increasingly busy every semester. If it's linked, I wrote it up, but feel free to ask in comments about anything!
Overall, I largely paused in my attempt to read more manhua, as there's still not very much being published in Taiwan right now, and the quality isn't so great. I am so sad there has been nothing new by Nan Gong Yu! At least I saw her series running in a magazine, so I'm fairly sure she's still writing. Just... very slowly?
I also read much less new stuff, at least, that's how I feel. I started two massive rereads during the summer (FMA and Fruits Basket), and mostly I was looking for rereading or at least a continuation of a series I knew thanks to my brain being extremely worn out by school. I also went on a brief superhero comics run to find out what happens to Catwoman; unfortunately, aside from Selina's Big Score, which I loved (and which started me on said spree), the rest largely reconfirmed that I'm not much of a superhero comics fan.
Favorite new-to-me series
Azuma Kiyohiko, Yotsuba&!: I love everything on this favorites list, obviously, but if I had to pick, Yotsuba&! is the one that made me happiest. The art is adorable, the characters likable, Yotsuba herself has immensely entertaining opinions, and the series is pure joy in book form. I save chapters to reread when I particularly need a lift, and it never fails to have me giggling in seconds. I've already reread this two or three times, which is not what I usually do, but the series is so happy-making that I can't help it.
Hiwatari Saki, Global Garden: Hiwatari's Please Save My Earth is a classic, but I like this one better. It ties together fantasy, environmentalism, Einstein, and time travel with very real grief and trauma, and I especially love the emotionally scarred heroine. I love how Hiwatari ties together healing individuals and their emotional pain with healing the earth, and the entire series comes to a heart-wrenching conclusion that seems to have more than six volumes' worth of weight behind it. The overall plot does fall apart a bit once you think about it, but there's so much story and character in the series that I don't care.
Jeremy Love, Bayou: Normally I don't put series on my favorite list when I've only read one volume, but this one volume was extremely impressive. Love tells a story set in the South under Jim Crow, and while he does focus on racism, he does so by tying in elements of fantasy and folklore. The art is gorgeous, the paneling is spacious, the mythology is fascinating, and the young heroine is believably strong and scared at the same time. I can't wait for more set in this world, though I'm still debating if I should read the webcomic or not, because part of me wants to draw out Love's spell for as long as I can.
Ted Naifeh, Courtney Crumrin series: Courtney Crumrin is a misanthropist young girl who finds a world of boggarts and demons and magic when her parents and she move in with her mysterious Uncle Aloysius. Unlike almost every other "girl finds magic" book, Courtney is genuinely frightening, does not always seem to possess a moral compass, and is capable of doing a great deal of harm. This is a series in which consequences are punishing and the world is not kind, and I love watching Courtney balance her hate of pretty much everyone with a growing sense of responsibility. The art is frequently claustrophobic and difficult to read, but I love the stark blacks and how they remind me of woodblock prints. Dark and not always pleasant, but always an interesting read.
Nakamura Yoshiki, Skip Beat!: I started Skip Beat in 2008 and didn't think much of it; a story set in the universe made me pick it back up, and I'm so glad I did. This is a shounen sports manga, only with acting instead of sports and a heroine who has dramatically sworn off love. Then again, everything Kyoko does is dramatic! Sometimes the storylines can drag a bit, but Kyoko is forever amusing, her friendship with Moko is awesome, and her cluelessness about some things perpetually entertains me. Also, Nakamura has awesome chibis. Sometimes I have to be in the right mood for this, but when I am, it's hilarious.
Takaya Natsuki, Hoshi wa Utau: This is another series I started last year and didn't think much of. The story takes time to build, as Takaya skillfully foreshadows and plans her reveals. That said, it gets emotionally intense much more quickly than Fruits Basket, and the characters are much more damaged from the very outset. I trust it will have the same emotional depth as Fruits Basket, and I love watching Takaya revisit themes of families you choose and aren't born into, abuse, and friendship. This is frequently dark at times, and she's already broken my heart several times over.
Urasawa Naoki and Tezuka Osamu, Pluto: Yet another series I started last year! This time, I blame my poor Chinese skills; clearly reading robot SF + murder mystery in Chinese greatly taxes my ability to understand anything that's going on. Thankfully, the Viz release is gorgeous (and much more comprehensible!). Urasawa deepens the original Tezuka short story so that it's a worldwide conspiracy instead of a series of robot duels, and he's particularly good at looking at the fuzzy area between human and robot. Like many of his other series, the characters are mostly male, but the one female character is pretty awesome. There are also some race bits that I'm wary of, but I'm reserving my judgment for now.
Yuki Kaori, Grand Guignol Orchestra: What would my sequential art list be without Yuki Kaori? I hope this turns out to be a nice long series, as it has all the ingredients for a good one: gender-bending, cross-dressing, deadly dolls, poison, court conspiracies, cannibalism as an act of love, and a hedgehog. The crack, it is excellent, and thankfully, the series is more comprehensible than Fairy Cube. As usual with Yuki Kaori, this isn't a general rec, but if you like Gothic crack with all the above ingredients, no one does it better than Yuki Kaori.
Also recommended
Akizuki Sorata, Akagami no Shirayuki Hime: An incredibly sweet fantasy story, in which I actually believe the hero and the heroine are friends, genuinely like each other, and suit each other. And she's a royal pharmacist!
Svetlana Chmakova, Nightschool: The Weirn Books: So far, the first two volumes have been more set up than anything else, but the large and diverse cast of characters has already caught my interest. Also, Chmakova does the funny so well.
Kawahara Kazune, High School Debut: This doesn't quite subvert the high school shoujo genre, thanks to Kawahara's weakness with secondary characters, but the unconventional relationship between Haruna and Yoh more than makes up for it.
Mariko Tamaki and Jillian Tamaki, Skim: A mixed-race Asian-Am lesbian teenager comes of age in this indie comic. The artwork is beautiful and looks like Japanese brushwork at times, and the story is all teenage confusion in the best sense.
Urasawa Naoki, 20th Century Boys: Technically this isn't new to me, since it was on my favorites list years ago. But now that it's been licensed, I feel I should draw attention to it again! Giant robots, childhood forts, cults, a plague, rock and roll, and manga, with the cliffhanger plot and awesome characters Urasawa's so good at.
Yoshinaga Fumi, Ooku: This is also not new to me, but it's FINALLY been licensed! I'm not fond of the faux Elizabethan English in the translation, but Yoshinaga's story is so good that people should read it anyway.
Favorite ending series
Takaya Natsuki, Fruits Basket: Oh Fruits Basket! I can't believe you're over, even though I knew it was over two years prior. I did a massive reread to catch up and finished the last two unread volumes in about three days. I cried buckets, of course. One of the best series I've read.
Favorite continuing series
Arakawa Hiromu, Fullmetal Alchemist: I finally caught up with this as well! Arakawa's drawing everything to a close, and I can't wait to see her conclusion. Also, her author's notes are WIN.
Ashihara Hinako, Sand Chronicles: This continues to be heart-wrenching and moving, and I love all the characters so.
Minekura Kazuya, Saiyuki Reload: Only one new installment this year, but it was as great one, with all the flashbacks and foreshadowing and symbolism that I love best about Minekura.
Mori Kaoru, Emma: Heh, I put this in my "favorite ending series" last year, unaware than Bangaihen would be published as additional volumes in the series. The short stories are sometimes slight, but the best of them show Mori's mastery of nearly dialogue-less sequences.
Yazawa Ai, Nana: I've got nothing except SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER!!!!!! When is volume 22 coming out?!
Total: 236 (74 rereads)
All sequential art read in 2009
1. Takaya Natsuki, Hoshi wa Utau, vol. 1, Jan 03 (reread)
2. Konami Kanata, Fuku Fuku Funyan New, vol. 1, Jan 04
3. Konami Kanata, Fuku Fuku Funyan New, vol. 2, Jan 04
4. Takaya Natsuki, Hoshi wa Utau, vol. 2, Jan 04
5. Takaya Natsuki, Hoshi wa Utau, vol. 3, Jan 04
6. Kim Hee Eun, Dear My Girls, vol. 1, Jan 05
7. Selena Lin, Robe of Stars, Veil of Feathers, vol. 1, Jan 05
8. Kim Hee Eun, Dear My Girls, vol. 2, Jan 07
9. Peng Xue Fen, Unbeatable Youth, vol. 1, Jan 07
10. Lin Min Xuan, Fried Chicken Princess, vol. 1, Jan 08
11. Selena Lin, Robe of Stars, Veil of Feathers, vol. 2, Jan 08
12. Nakamura Yoshiki, Skip Beat, vol. 14, Jan 08
13. Nakamura Yoshiki, Skip Beat, vol. 15, Jan 08
14. Peng Xue Fen, Unbeatable Youth, vol. 2, Jan 08
15. Yun Mi-Kyung, Bride of the Water God, vol. 3, Jan 09
16. Yun Mi-Kyung, Bride of the Water God, vol. 4, Jan 09
17. Kanno Aya, Otomen, vol. 1, Jan 09
18. Kanno Aya, Otomen, vol. 2, Jan 09
19. Nakamura Yoshiki, Skip Beat, vol. 16, Jan 09
20. Kanno Aya, Otomen, vol. 3, Jan 10
21. Kanno Aya, Otomen, vol. 4, Jan 11
22. Nakamura Yoshiki, Skip Beat, vol. 17, Jan 11
23. Nakamura Yoshiki, Skip Beat, vol. 18, Jan 12
24. Nakamura Yoshiki, Skip Beat, vol. 19, Jan 12
25. Nakamura Yoshiki, Skip Beat, vol. 20, Jan 13
26. Higuri You, Angel's Coffin, Jan 14
27. Hiwatari Saki, Global Garden (no spoilers) (with spoilers), vol. 1, Jan 14
28. Hiwatari Saki, Global Garden (no spoilers) (with spoilers), vol. 2, Jan 14
29. Hiwatari Saki, Global Garden (no spoilers) (with spoilers), vol. 3, Jan 14
30. Hiwatari Saki, Global Garden (no spoilers) (with spoilers), vol. 4, Jan 14
31. Hiwatari Saki, Global Garden (no spoilers) (with spoilers), vol. 5, Jan 14
32. Hiwatari Saki, Global Garden (no spoilers) (with spoilers), vol. 6, Jan 14
33. Lin Min Xuan, Butterfly Bookworm, Jan 15
34. Hiwatari Saki, Global Garden (no spoilers) (with spoilers), vol. 7, Jan 15
35. Hiwatari Saki, Global Garden (no spoilers) (with spoilers), vol. 8, Jan 15
36. Mizushiro Setona, Million Dollar Woman, Jan 15
37. Higuri You, Lost Angel, Jan 16
38. CLAMP, Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle, vol. 19, Jan 16 (reread)
39. Mizushiro Setona, After School Nightmare, vol. 9, Jan 17 (reread)
40. Minekura Kazuya, Saiyuki Reload, vol. 9, Jan 17
41. Yun Mi-Kyung, Bride of the Water God, vol. 1, Jan 18 (reread)
42. Yazawa Ai, Nana, vol. 13, Jan 18 (reread)
43. Yun Mi-Kyung, Bride of the Water God, vol. 2, Jan 19 (reread)
44. Urushibara Yuki, Mushishi, vol. 6, Jan 19
45. Sugiura Shiho, Silver Diamond, vol. 3, Jan 19
46. Yazawa Ai, Last Quarter, vol. 1, Jan 21 (reread)
47. Takeuchi Mick, Her Majesty's Dog, vol. 11, Jan 23
48. Yazawa Ai, Last Quarter, vol. 2, Jan 24 (reread)
49. Yazawa Ai, Last Quarter, vol. 3, Jan 24 (reread)
50. Ashihara Hinako, Sand Chronicles, vol. 4, Jan 29
51. Yazawa Ai, Nana, vol. 14, Feb 05 (reread)
52. Nakahara Aya, Love Com, vol. 2, Feb 15
53. Nakahara Aya, Love Com, vol. 3, Feb 15
54. Wann, Snow Queen, vol. 1, Feb 15
55. Azuma Kiyohiko, Yotsuba&!, vol. 1, Feb 23
56. Azuma Kiyohiko, Yotsuba&!, vol. 2, Feb 25
57. Azuma Kiyohiko, Yotsuba&!, vol. 3, Feb 25
58. Tezuka Osamu, Astro Boy, vol. 3, Feb 26
59. Azuma Kiyohiko, Yotsuba&!, vol. 4, Feb 27
60. Nakahara Aya, Love Com, vol. 4, Feb 28
61. Nakahara Aya, Love Com, vol. 5, Feb 28
62. Nakahara Aya, Love Com, vol. 6, Feb 28
63. CLAMP, Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle, vol. 20, Feb 28 (reread)
64. Aida Yu, Gunslinger Girl, vol. 2, Mar 05 (reread)
65. Yazawa Ai, Nana, vol. 15, Mar 18
66. Kazu Kibuishi, The Stonekeeper, vol. 1, Mar 18
67. Urasawa Naoki and Tezuka Osamu, Pluto, vol. 1, Mar 22 (reread)
68. Hino Matsuri, Vampire Knight, vol. 6, Mar 22 (reread)
69. Mori Kaoru, Emma, vol. 8, Mar 24
70. Yazawa Ai, Nana, vol. 16, Mar 24
71. Azuma Kiyohiko, Yotsuba&!, vol. 1, Mar 24 (reread)
72. Azuma Kiyohiko, Yotsuba&!, vol. 3, Mar 24 (reread)
73. Azuma Kiyohiko, Yotsuba&!, vol. 4, Mar 24 (reread)
74. Azuma Kiyohiko, Yotsuba&!, vol. 5, Mar 24
75. Azuma Kiyohiko, Yotsuba&!, vol. 6, Mar 24
76. Azuma Kiyohiko, Yotsuba&!, vol. 7, Mar 24
77. Azuma Kiyohiko, Yotsuba&!, vol. 8, Mar 24
78. Takaya Natsuki, Phantom Dream, vol. 1, Mar 26
79. Takaya Natsuki, Phantom Dream, vol. 2, Mar 27
80. Takanaga Hinako, You Will Drown in Love, Mar 28
81. Urasawa Naoki, 20th Century Boys, vol. 1, Mar 29 (reread)
82. Iwanaga Ryotaro, Pumpkin Scissors, vol. 2, Mar 30
83. Iwanaga Ryotaro, Pumpkin Scissors, vol. 3, Mar 30
84. Takanaga Hinako, You Will Fall in Love, Mar 30
85. Kawahara Kazune, High School Debut, vol. 2, Apr 05
86. Kawahara Kazune, High School Debut, vol. 3, Apr 05
87. Kawahara Kazune, High School Debut, vol. 4, Apr 05
88. Kim Yeon-Joo, Nabi: The Prototype, vol. 0, Apr 05 (reread)
89. Park Sang-Sun, The Tarot Café, vol. 1, Apr 05
90. Kawahara Kazune, High School Debut, vol. 5, Apr 06
91. Kim Yeon-Joo, Nabi, vol. 1, Apr 06
92. Kim Yeon-Joo, Nabi, vol. 2, Apr 06
93. Kim Yeon-Joo, Little Queen, vol. 1, Apr 09
94. Kawahara Kazune, High School Debut, vol. 6, Apr 10
95. Kawahara Kazune, High School Debut, vol. 7, Apr 10
96. Kawahara Kazune, High School Debut, vol. 8, Apr 10
97. Mariko Tamaki and Steve Rolston, Emiko Superstar, Apr 23
98. Yuki Kaori, Grand Guignol Orchestra, vol. 1, Apr 25
99. Urasawa Naoki and Tezuka Osamu, Pluto, vol. 2, Apr 30 (reread)
100. CLAMP, xxxHolic, vol. 13, Apr 30 (reread)
101. Kawahara Kazune, High School Debut, vol. 9, May 02
102. Ashihara Hinako, Sand Chronicles, vol. 5, May 02
103. Yazawa Ai, Nana, vol. 16, May 04 (reread)
104. Ted Naifeh, Courtney Crumrin and the Night Things, vol. 1, May 09
105. Yazawa Ai, Nana, vol. 17, May 10
106. Ted Naifeh, Courtney Crumrin and the Coven of Mystics, vol. 2, May 12
107. Ted Naifeh, Courtney Crumrin in the Twilight Kingdom, vol. 3, May 12
108. Mariko Tamaki and Jillian Tamaki, Skim, May 13
109. Ted Naifeh, Polly and the Pirates, vol. 1, May 16
110. Urasawa Naoki, 20th Century Boys, vol. 2, May 18 (reread)
111. Urushibara Yuki, Mushishi, vol. 7, May 18
112. Urasawa Naoki and Tezuka Osamu, Pluto, vol. 3, May 18 (reread)
113. Yazawa Ai, Nana, vol. 18, May 30
114. Yazawa Ai, Nana, vol. 19, May 31
115. Yazawa Ai, Nana, vol. 20, Jun 02
116. Mizuki Hakase, Demon Flowers, vol. 1, Jun 03 (reread)
117. Mizuki Hakase, Demon Flowers, vol. 2, Jun 03 (reread)
118. Yazawa Ai, Nana, vol. 21, Jun 03
119. Arakawa Hiromu, Fullmetal Alchemist, vol. 1, Jun 07 (reread)
120. Arakawa Hiromu, Fullmetal Alchemist, vol. 2, Jun 07 (reread)
121. Arakawa Hiromu, Fullmetal Alchemist, vol. 3, Jun 07 (reread)
122. Arakawa Hiromu, Fullmetal Alchemist, vol. 4, Jun 07 (reread)
123. Arakawa Hiromu, Fullmetal Alchemist, vol. 5, Jun 07 (reread)
124. Arakawa Hiromu, Fullmetal Alchemist, vol. 6, Jun 08 (reread)
125. Arakawa Hiromu, Fullmetal Alchemist, vol. 7, Jun 08 (reread)
126. Arakawa Hiromu, Fullmetal Alchemist, vol. 8, Jun 09 (reread)
127. Arakawa Hiromu, Fullmetal Alchemist, vol. 9, Jun 09 (reread)
128. Arakawa Hiromu, Fullmetal Alchemist, vol. 10, Jun 09 (reread)
129. Wann, Snow Queen, vol. 2, Jun 11
130. Umino Chika, Honey and Clover, vol. 1, Jun 26 (reread)
131. Umino Chika, Honey and Clover, vol. 4, Jun 26
132. Umino Chika, Honey and Clover, vol. 5, Jun 27
133. Aimee Major Steinberger, Japan Ai: A Tall Girl's Adventures in Japan, Jun 27
134. Arakawa Hiromu, Fullmetal Alchemist, vol. 11, Jun 30 (reread)
135. Higuri You, Seimaden, vol. 1, Jul 04
136. Ted Naifeh, Courtney Crumrin's Monstrous Holiday, vol. 4, Jul 05
137. Arakawa Hiromu, Fullmetal Alchemist, vol. 13, Jul 08 (reread)
138. Arakawa Hiromu, Fullmetal Alchemist, vol. 14, Jul 08 (reread)
139. Arakawa Hiromu, Fullmetal Alchemist, vol. 15, Jul 09 (reread)
140. Arakawa Hiromu, Fullmetal Alchemist, vol. 16, Jul 09 (reread)
141. Arakawa Hiromu, Fullmetal Alchemist, vol. 17, Jul 09
142. Arakawa Hiromu, Fullmetal Alchemist, vol. 18, Jul 10
143. Arakawa Hiromu, Fullmetal Alchemist, vol. 19, Jul 10
144. Arakawa Hiromu, Fullmetal Alchemist, vol. 20, Jul 11
145. Arakawa Hiromu, Fullmetal Alchemist, vol. 21, Jul 11
146. Arakawa Hiromu, Fullmetal Alchemist, vol. 22, Jul 11
147. Takaya Natsuki, Fruits Basket, vol. 1, Jul 12 (reread)
148. Takaya Natsuki, Fruits Basket, vol. 2, Jul 12 (reread)
149. Takaya Natsuki, Fruits Basket, vol. 4, Jul 13 (reread)
150. Takaya Natsuki, Fruits Basket, vol. 3, Jul 14 (reread)
151. Takaya Natsuki, Fruits Basket, vol. 5, Jul 14 (reread)
152. Takaya Natsuki, Fruits Basket, vol. 6, Jul 16 (reread)
153. Nakahara Aya, Love Com, vol. 7, Jul 16
154. Takaya Natsuki, Fruits Basket, vol. 7, Jul 17 (reread)
155. Takaya Natsuki, Fruits Basket, vol. 8, Jul 17 (reread)
156. Takaya Natsuki, Fruits Basket, vol. 9, Jul 17 (reread)
157. Takaya Natsuki, Fruits Basket, vol. 10, Jul 18 (reread)
158. Takaya Natsuki, Fruits Basket, vol. 11, Jul 18 (reread)
159. Takaya Natsuki, Fruits Basket, vol. 12, Jul 18 (reread)
160. Nakahara Aya, Love Com, vol. 8, Jul 18
161. Takaya Natsuki, Fruits Basket, vol. 13, Jul 19 (reread)
162. Takaya Natsuki, Fruits Basket, vol. 14, Jul 19 (reread)
163. Takaya Natsuki, Fruits Basket, vol. 15, Jul 19 (reread)
164. Takaya Natsuki, Fruits Basket, vol. 16, Jul 19 (reread)
165. Takaya Natsuki, Fruits Basket, vol. 17, Jul 19 (reread)
166. Takaya Natsuki, Fruits Basket, vol. 18, Jul 19 (reread)
167. Takaya Natsuki, Fruits Basket, vol. 19, Jul 19 (reread)
168. Takaya Natsuki, Fruits Basket, vol. 20, Jul 20 (reread)
169. Takaya Natsuki, Fruits Basket, vol. 21, Jul 20 (reread)
170. Takaya Natsuki, Fruits Basket, vol. 22, Jul 20
171. Takaya Natsuki, Fruits Basket, vol. 23, Jul 21
172. Nakahara Aya, Love Com, vol. 9, Jul 21
173. Nakahara Aya, Love Com, vol. 10, Jul 21
174. Hatori Bisco, Ouran High School Host Club, vol. 11, Jul 21
175. Hatori Bisco, Ouran High School Host Club, vol. 12, Jul 24
176. Yazawa Ai, Nana, vol. 17, Jul 27 (reread)
177. Mori Kaoru, Emma, vol. 9, Jul 31
178. Ando Natsumi and Kobayashi Miyuki, Kitchen Princess, vol. 2, Jul 31
179. Ando Natsumi and Kobayashi Miyuki, Kitchen Princess, vol. 3, Aug 01
180. Ando Natsumi and Kobayashi Miyuki, Kitchen Princess, vol. 4, Aug 01
181. Ando Natsumi and Kobayashi Miyuki, Kitchen Princess, vol. 5, Aug 01
182. Ando Natsumi and Kobayashi Miyuki, Kitchen Princess, vol. 6, Aug 01
183. Ando Natsumi and Kobayashi Miyuki, Kitchen Princess, vol. 7, Aug 01
184. Nakajo Hisaya, Sugar Princess, vol. 2, Aug 01
185. Svetlana Chmakova, Nightschool, vol. 1, Aug 06
186. Sakurazawa Erica, Between the Sheets, Aug 08
187. Hino Matsuri, Vampire Knight, vol. 7, Aug 08 (reread)
188. Yan Xi, Xue Lian, vol. 1, Aug 13
189. Yun Mi-Kyung, Bride of the Water God, vol. 5, Aug 14
190. Yun Mi-Kyung, Bride of the Water God, vol. 6, Aug 14
191. Yun Mi-Kyung, Bride of the Water God, vol. 7, Aug 14
192. Nishikata Mai, Venus Capriccio, vol. 1, Aug 15
193. Nishikata Mai, Venus Capriccio, vol. 2, Aug 16
194. Ichijo Yukari, Pride, vol. 1, Aug 17
195. Nishikata Mai, Venus Capriccio, vol. 3, Aug 17
196. Takaya Natsuki, Hoshi wa Utau, vol. 4, Aug 19
197. Takaya Natsuki, Hoshi wa Utau, vol. 5, Aug 19
198. Nishikata Mai, Venus Capriccio, vol. 4, Aug 19
199. Nishikata Mai, Venus Capriccio, vol. 5, Aug 19
200. Mizushiro Setona, Diamond Head, vol. 1, Aug 20
201. Yuki Kaori, Grand Guignol Orchestra, vol. 1, Aug 20 (reread)
202. Mizushiro Setona, Kuro Bara Alice, vol. 1, Aug 21
203. Mizushiro Setona, Diamond Head, vol. 2, Aug 22
204. Kawahara Kazune, High School Debut, vol. 10, Aug 22
205. Yoshinaga Fumi, Ooku, vol. 1, Aug 22 (reread)
206. Mizushiro Setona, Diamond Head, vol. 3, Aug 23
207. Park SoHee, Goong, vol. 1, Aug 24 (reread)
208. Mizushiro Setona, Diamond Head, vol. 4, Aug 25
209. Mizushiro Setona, Diamond Head, vol. 5, Aug 25
210. Yoshinaga Fumi, What Did You Eat Yesterday?, vol. 1, Aug 27
211. Jeremy Love, Bayou, vol. 1, Aug 29
212. Park SoHee, Goong, vol. 2, Aug 29 (reread)
213. Akizuki Sorata, Akagami no Shirayuki Hime, vol. 1, Aug 30
214. Park SoHee, Goong, vol. 3, Aug 30
215. Akizuki Sorata, Akagami no Shirayuki Hime, vol. 2, Sep 01
216. Yazawa Ai, Nana, vol. 18, Sep 05 (reread)
217. Kawahara Kazune, High School Debut, vol. 11, Sep 11
218. Shiina Karuho, Kimi ni Todoke, vol. 1, Sep 19
219. Urasawa Naoki and Tezuka Osamu, Pluto, vol. 4, Sep 21 (reread)
220. Urasawa Naoki and Tezuka Osamu, Pluto, vol. 5, Sep 22 (reread)
221. Ashihara Hinako, Sand Chronicles, vol. 6, Oct 12
222. Darwyn Cooke, Selina's Big Score, Oct 17
223. Svetlana Chmakova, Nightschool, vol. 2, Oct 19
224. Mindy Newell, J.J. Birch, and Michael Blair, Her Sister's Keeper, Nov 15 (reread)
225. Jeph Loeb, Jim Lee, and Scott Williams, Hush, vol. 1, Nov 15
226. Jeph Loeb, Jim Lee, and Scott Williams, Hush, vol. 2, Nov 15
227. Michael Ulsan, Nine Lives of a Feline Fatale, Nov 15
228. Marjorie M. Liu and Kalman Andrasofszky, No Way Home, vol. 1, Nov 15
229. Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale, The Long Halloween, Nov 15 (reread)
230. Andersen Gabrych, Destruction's Daughter, Nov 16
231. Higuri You, Ludwig II, vol. 1, Nov 27
232. Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale, When in Rome, Dec 04
233. Yuki Kaori, Grand Guignol Orchestra, vol. 2, Dec 24
234. Nakamura Yoshiki, Skip Beat, vol. 21, Dec 28
235. Nakamura Yoshiki, Skip Beat, vol. 22, Dec 29
236. Nakamura Yoshiki, Skip Beat, vol. 23, Dec 29
As usual, these are my favorites out of the sequential art I've read this year, as opposed to what came out this year. The "new-to-me" series aren't actually always new to me; some series in particular are on the list because though I started the series earlier, what I read this year was enough to put them on my favorites list.
I was pretty terrible about writing things up this year, thanks to grad school getting increasingly busy every semester. If it's linked, I wrote it up, but feel free to ask in comments about anything!
Overall, I largely paused in my attempt to read more manhua, as there's still not very much being published in Taiwan right now, and the quality isn't so great. I am so sad there has been nothing new by Nan Gong Yu! At least I saw her series running in a magazine, so I'm fairly sure she's still writing. Just... very slowly?
I also read much less new stuff, at least, that's how I feel. I started two massive rereads during the summer (FMA and Fruits Basket), and mostly I was looking for rereading or at least a continuation of a series I knew thanks to my brain being extremely worn out by school. I also went on a brief superhero comics run to find out what happens to Catwoman; unfortunately, aside from Selina's Big Score, which I loved (and which started me on said spree), the rest largely reconfirmed that I'm not much of a superhero comics fan.
Favorite new-to-me series
Azuma Kiyohiko, Yotsuba&!: I love everything on this favorites list, obviously, but if I had to pick, Yotsuba&! is the one that made me happiest. The art is adorable, the characters likable, Yotsuba herself has immensely entertaining opinions, and the series is pure joy in book form. I save chapters to reread when I particularly need a lift, and it never fails to have me giggling in seconds. I've already reread this two or three times, which is not what I usually do, but the series is so happy-making that I can't help it.
Hiwatari Saki, Global Garden: Hiwatari's Please Save My Earth is a classic, but I like this one better. It ties together fantasy, environmentalism, Einstein, and time travel with very real grief and trauma, and I especially love the emotionally scarred heroine. I love how Hiwatari ties together healing individuals and their emotional pain with healing the earth, and the entire series comes to a heart-wrenching conclusion that seems to have more than six volumes' worth of weight behind it. The overall plot does fall apart a bit once you think about it, but there's so much story and character in the series that I don't care.
Jeremy Love, Bayou: Normally I don't put series on my favorite list when I've only read one volume, but this one volume was extremely impressive. Love tells a story set in the South under Jim Crow, and while he does focus on racism, he does so by tying in elements of fantasy and folklore. The art is gorgeous, the paneling is spacious, the mythology is fascinating, and the young heroine is believably strong and scared at the same time. I can't wait for more set in this world, though I'm still debating if I should read the webcomic or not, because part of me wants to draw out Love's spell for as long as I can.
Ted Naifeh, Courtney Crumrin series: Courtney Crumrin is a misanthropist young girl who finds a world of boggarts and demons and magic when her parents and she move in with her mysterious Uncle Aloysius. Unlike almost every other "girl finds magic" book, Courtney is genuinely frightening, does not always seem to possess a moral compass, and is capable of doing a great deal of harm. This is a series in which consequences are punishing and the world is not kind, and I love watching Courtney balance her hate of pretty much everyone with a growing sense of responsibility. The art is frequently claustrophobic and difficult to read, but I love the stark blacks and how they remind me of woodblock prints. Dark and not always pleasant, but always an interesting read.
Nakamura Yoshiki, Skip Beat!: I started Skip Beat in 2008 and didn't think much of it; a story set in the universe made me pick it back up, and I'm so glad I did. This is a shounen sports manga, only with acting instead of sports and a heroine who has dramatically sworn off love. Then again, everything Kyoko does is dramatic! Sometimes the storylines can drag a bit, but Kyoko is forever amusing, her friendship with Moko is awesome, and her cluelessness about some things perpetually entertains me. Also, Nakamura has awesome chibis. Sometimes I have to be in the right mood for this, but when I am, it's hilarious.
Takaya Natsuki, Hoshi wa Utau: This is another series I started last year and didn't think much of. The story takes time to build, as Takaya skillfully foreshadows and plans her reveals. That said, it gets emotionally intense much more quickly than Fruits Basket, and the characters are much more damaged from the very outset. I trust it will have the same emotional depth as Fruits Basket, and I love watching Takaya revisit themes of families you choose and aren't born into, abuse, and friendship. This is frequently dark at times, and she's already broken my heart several times over.
Urasawa Naoki and Tezuka Osamu, Pluto: Yet another series I started last year! This time, I blame my poor Chinese skills; clearly reading robot SF + murder mystery in Chinese greatly taxes my ability to understand anything that's going on. Thankfully, the Viz release is gorgeous (and much more comprehensible!). Urasawa deepens the original Tezuka short story so that it's a worldwide conspiracy instead of a series of robot duels, and he's particularly good at looking at the fuzzy area between human and robot. Like many of his other series, the characters are mostly male, but the one female character is pretty awesome. There are also some race bits that I'm wary of, but I'm reserving my judgment for now.
Yuki Kaori, Grand Guignol Orchestra: What would my sequential art list be without Yuki Kaori? I hope this turns out to be a nice long series, as it has all the ingredients for a good one: gender-bending, cross-dressing, deadly dolls, poison, court conspiracies, cannibalism as an act of love, and a hedgehog. The crack, it is excellent, and thankfully, the series is more comprehensible than Fairy Cube. As usual with Yuki Kaori, this isn't a general rec, but if you like Gothic crack with all the above ingredients, no one does it better than Yuki Kaori.
Also recommended
Akizuki Sorata, Akagami no Shirayuki Hime: An incredibly sweet fantasy story, in which I actually believe the hero and the heroine are friends, genuinely like each other, and suit each other. And she's a royal pharmacist!
Svetlana Chmakova, Nightschool: The Weirn Books: So far, the first two volumes have been more set up than anything else, but the large and diverse cast of characters has already caught my interest. Also, Chmakova does the funny so well.
Kawahara Kazune, High School Debut: This doesn't quite subvert the high school shoujo genre, thanks to Kawahara's weakness with secondary characters, but the unconventional relationship between Haruna and Yoh more than makes up for it.
Mariko Tamaki and Jillian Tamaki, Skim: A mixed-race Asian-Am lesbian teenager comes of age in this indie comic. The artwork is beautiful and looks like Japanese brushwork at times, and the story is all teenage confusion in the best sense.
Urasawa Naoki, 20th Century Boys: Technically this isn't new to me, since it was on my favorites list years ago. But now that it's been licensed, I feel I should draw attention to it again! Giant robots, childhood forts, cults, a plague, rock and roll, and manga, with the cliffhanger plot and awesome characters Urasawa's so good at.
Yoshinaga Fumi, Ooku: This is also not new to me, but it's FINALLY been licensed! I'm not fond of the faux Elizabethan English in the translation, but Yoshinaga's story is so good that people should read it anyway.
Favorite ending series
Takaya Natsuki, Fruits Basket: Oh Fruits Basket! I can't believe you're over, even though I knew it was over two years prior. I did a massive reread to catch up and finished the last two unread volumes in about three days. I cried buckets, of course. One of the best series I've read.
Favorite continuing series
Arakawa Hiromu, Fullmetal Alchemist: I finally caught up with this as well! Arakawa's drawing everything to a close, and I can't wait to see her conclusion. Also, her author's notes are WIN.
Ashihara Hinako, Sand Chronicles: This continues to be heart-wrenching and moving, and I love all the characters so.
Minekura Kazuya, Saiyuki Reload: Only one new installment this year, but it was as great one, with all the flashbacks and foreshadowing and symbolism that I love best about Minekura.
Mori Kaoru, Emma: Heh, I put this in my "favorite ending series" last year, unaware than Bangaihen would be published as additional volumes in the series. The short stories are sometimes slight, but the best of them show Mori's mastery of nearly dialogue-less sequences.
Yazawa Ai, Nana: I've got nothing except SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER!!!!!! When is volume 22 coming out?!
Total: 236 (74 rereads)
All sequential art read in 2009
1. Takaya Natsuki, Hoshi wa Utau, vol. 1, Jan 03 (reread)
2. Konami Kanata, Fuku Fuku Funyan New, vol. 1, Jan 04
3. Konami Kanata, Fuku Fuku Funyan New, vol. 2, Jan 04
4. Takaya Natsuki, Hoshi wa Utau, vol. 2, Jan 04
5. Takaya Natsuki, Hoshi wa Utau, vol. 3, Jan 04
6. Kim Hee Eun, Dear My Girls, vol. 1, Jan 05
7. Selena Lin, Robe of Stars, Veil of Feathers, vol. 1, Jan 05
8. Kim Hee Eun, Dear My Girls, vol. 2, Jan 07
9. Peng Xue Fen, Unbeatable Youth, vol. 1, Jan 07
10. Lin Min Xuan, Fried Chicken Princess, vol. 1, Jan 08
11. Selena Lin, Robe of Stars, Veil of Feathers, vol. 2, Jan 08
12. Nakamura Yoshiki, Skip Beat, vol. 14, Jan 08
13. Nakamura Yoshiki, Skip Beat, vol. 15, Jan 08
14. Peng Xue Fen, Unbeatable Youth, vol. 2, Jan 08
15. Yun Mi-Kyung, Bride of the Water God, vol. 3, Jan 09
16. Yun Mi-Kyung, Bride of the Water God, vol. 4, Jan 09
17. Kanno Aya, Otomen, vol. 1, Jan 09
18. Kanno Aya, Otomen, vol. 2, Jan 09
19. Nakamura Yoshiki, Skip Beat, vol. 16, Jan 09
20. Kanno Aya, Otomen, vol. 3, Jan 10
21. Kanno Aya, Otomen, vol. 4, Jan 11
22. Nakamura Yoshiki, Skip Beat, vol. 17, Jan 11
23. Nakamura Yoshiki, Skip Beat, vol. 18, Jan 12
24. Nakamura Yoshiki, Skip Beat, vol. 19, Jan 12
25. Nakamura Yoshiki, Skip Beat, vol. 20, Jan 13
26. Higuri You, Angel's Coffin, Jan 14
27. Hiwatari Saki, Global Garden (no spoilers) (with spoilers), vol. 1, Jan 14
28. Hiwatari Saki, Global Garden (no spoilers) (with spoilers), vol. 2, Jan 14
29. Hiwatari Saki, Global Garden (no spoilers) (with spoilers), vol. 3, Jan 14
30. Hiwatari Saki, Global Garden (no spoilers) (with spoilers), vol. 4, Jan 14
31. Hiwatari Saki, Global Garden (no spoilers) (with spoilers), vol. 5, Jan 14
32. Hiwatari Saki, Global Garden (no spoilers) (with spoilers), vol. 6, Jan 14
33. Lin Min Xuan, Butterfly Bookworm, Jan 15
34. Hiwatari Saki, Global Garden (no spoilers) (with spoilers), vol. 7, Jan 15
35. Hiwatari Saki, Global Garden (no spoilers) (with spoilers), vol. 8, Jan 15
36. Mizushiro Setona, Million Dollar Woman, Jan 15
37. Higuri You, Lost Angel, Jan 16
38. CLAMP, Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle, vol. 19, Jan 16 (reread)
39. Mizushiro Setona, After School Nightmare, vol. 9, Jan 17 (reread)
40. Minekura Kazuya, Saiyuki Reload, vol. 9, Jan 17
41. Yun Mi-Kyung, Bride of the Water God, vol. 1, Jan 18 (reread)
42. Yazawa Ai, Nana, vol. 13, Jan 18 (reread)
43. Yun Mi-Kyung, Bride of the Water God, vol. 2, Jan 19 (reread)
44. Urushibara Yuki, Mushishi, vol. 6, Jan 19
45. Sugiura Shiho, Silver Diamond, vol. 3, Jan 19
46. Yazawa Ai, Last Quarter, vol. 1, Jan 21 (reread)
47. Takeuchi Mick, Her Majesty's Dog, vol. 11, Jan 23
48. Yazawa Ai, Last Quarter, vol. 2, Jan 24 (reread)
49. Yazawa Ai, Last Quarter, vol. 3, Jan 24 (reread)
50. Ashihara Hinako, Sand Chronicles, vol. 4, Jan 29
51. Yazawa Ai, Nana, vol. 14, Feb 05 (reread)
52. Nakahara Aya, Love Com, vol. 2, Feb 15
53. Nakahara Aya, Love Com, vol. 3, Feb 15
54. Wann, Snow Queen, vol. 1, Feb 15
55. Azuma Kiyohiko, Yotsuba&!, vol. 1, Feb 23
56. Azuma Kiyohiko, Yotsuba&!, vol. 2, Feb 25
57. Azuma Kiyohiko, Yotsuba&!, vol. 3, Feb 25
58. Tezuka Osamu, Astro Boy, vol. 3, Feb 26
59. Azuma Kiyohiko, Yotsuba&!, vol. 4, Feb 27
60. Nakahara Aya, Love Com, vol. 4, Feb 28
61. Nakahara Aya, Love Com, vol. 5, Feb 28
62. Nakahara Aya, Love Com, vol. 6, Feb 28
63. CLAMP, Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle, vol. 20, Feb 28 (reread)
64. Aida Yu, Gunslinger Girl, vol. 2, Mar 05 (reread)
65. Yazawa Ai, Nana, vol. 15, Mar 18
66. Kazu Kibuishi, The Stonekeeper, vol. 1, Mar 18
67. Urasawa Naoki and Tezuka Osamu, Pluto, vol. 1, Mar 22 (reread)
68. Hino Matsuri, Vampire Knight, vol. 6, Mar 22 (reread)
69. Mori Kaoru, Emma, vol. 8, Mar 24
70. Yazawa Ai, Nana, vol. 16, Mar 24
71. Azuma Kiyohiko, Yotsuba&!, vol. 1, Mar 24 (reread)
72. Azuma Kiyohiko, Yotsuba&!, vol. 3, Mar 24 (reread)
73. Azuma Kiyohiko, Yotsuba&!, vol. 4, Mar 24 (reread)
74. Azuma Kiyohiko, Yotsuba&!, vol. 5, Mar 24
75. Azuma Kiyohiko, Yotsuba&!, vol. 6, Mar 24
76. Azuma Kiyohiko, Yotsuba&!, vol. 7, Mar 24
77. Azuma Kiyohiko, Yotsuba&!, vol. 8, Mar 24
78. Takaya Natsuki, Phantom Dream, vol. 1, Mar 26
79. Takaya Natsuki, Phantom Dream, vol. 2, Mar 27
80. Takanaga Hinako, You Will Drown in Love, Mar 28
81. Urasawa Naoki, 20th Century Boys, vol. 1, Mar 29 (reread)
82. Iwanaga Ryotaro, Pumpkin Scissors, vol. 2, Mar 30
83. Iwanaga Ryotaro, Pumpkin Scissors, vol. 3, Mar 30
84. Takanaga Hinako, You Will Fall in Love, Mar 30
85. Kawahara Kazune, High School Debut, vol. 2, Apr 05
86. Kawahara Kazune, High School Debut, vol. 3, Apr 05
87. Kawahara Kazune, High School Debut, vol. 4, Apr 05
88. Kim Yeon-Joo, Nabi: The Prototype, vol. 0, Apr 05 (reread)
89. Park Sang-Sun, The Tarot Café, vol. 1, Apr 05
90. Kawahara Kazune, High School Debut, vol. 5, Apr 06
91. Kim Yeon-Joo, Nabi, vol. 1, Apr 06
92. Kim Yeon-Joo, Nabi, vol. 2, Apr 06
93. Kim Yeon-Joo, Little Queen, vol. 1, Apr 09
94. Kawahara Kazune, High School Debut, vol. 6, Apr 10
95. Kawahara Kazune, High School Debut, vol. 7, Apr 10
96. Kawahara Kazune, High School Debut, vol. 8, Apr 10
97. Mariko Tamaki and Steve Rolston, Emiko Superstar, Apr 23
98. Yuki Kaori, Grand Guignol Orchestra, vol. 1, Apr 25
99. Urasawa Naoki and Tezuka Osamu, Pluto, vol. 2, Apr 30 (reread)
100. CLAMP, xxxHolic, vol. 13, Apr 30 (reread)
101. Kawahara Kazune, High School Debut, vol. 9, May 02
102. Ashihara Hinako, Sand Chronicles, vol. 5, May 02
103. Yazawa Ai, Nana, vol. 16, May 04 (reread)
104. Ted Naifeh, Courtney Crumrin and the Night Things, vol. 1, May 09
105. Yazawa Ai, Nana, vol. 17, May 10
106. Ted Naifeh, Courtney Crumrin and the Coven of Mystics, vol. 2, May 12
107. Ted Naifeh, Courtney Crumrin in the Twilight Kingdom, vol. 3, May 12
108. Mariko Tamaki and Jillian Tamaki, Skim, May 13
109. Ted Naifeh, Polly and the Pirates, vol. 1, May 16
110. Urasawa Naoki, 20th Century Boys, vol. 2, May 18 (reread)
111. Urushibara Yuki, Mushishi, vol. 7, May 18
112. Urasawa Naoki and Tezuka Osamu, Pluto, vol. 3, May 18 (reread)
113. Yazawa Ai, Nana, vol. 18, May 30
114. Yazawa Ai, Nana, vol. 19, May 31
115. Yazawa Ai, Nana, vol. 20, Jun 02
116. Mizuki Hakase, Demon Flowers, vol. 1, Jun 03 (reread)
117. Mizuki Hakase, Demon Flowers, vol. 2, Jun 03 (reread)
118. Yazawa Ai, Nana, vol. 21, Jun 03
119. Arakawa Hiromu, Fullmetal Alchemist, vol. 1, Jun 07 (reread)
120. Arakawa Hiromu, Fullmetal Alchemist, vol. 2, Jun 07 (reread)
121. Arakawa Hiromu, Fullmetal Alchemist, vol. 3, Jun 07 (reread)
122. Arakawa Hiromu, Fullmetal Alchemist, vol. 4, Jun 07 (reread)
123. Arakawa Hiromu, Fullmetal Alchemist, vol. 5, Jun 07 (reread)
124. Arakawa Hiromu, Fullmetal Alchemist, vol. 6, Jun 08 (reread)
125. Arakawa Hiromu, Fullmetal Alchemist, vol. 7, Jun 08 (reread)
126. Arakawa Hiromu, Fullmetal Alchemist, vol. 8, Jun 09 (reread)
127. Arakawa Hiromu, Fullmetal Alchemist, vol. 9, Jun 09 (reread)
128. Arakawa Hiromu, Fullmetal Alchemist, vol. 10, Jun 09 (reread)
129. Wann, Snow Queen, vol. 2, Jun 11
130. Umino Chika, Honey and Clover, vol. 1, Jun 26 (reread)
131. Umino Chika, Honey and Clover, vol. 4, Jun 26
132. Umino Chika, Honey and Clover, vol. 5, Jun 27
133. Aimee Major Steinberger, Japan Ai: A Tall Girl's Adventures in Japan, Jun 27
134. Arakawa Hiromu, Fullmetal Alchemist, vol. 11, Jun 30 (reread)
135. Higuri You, Seimaden, vol. 1, Jul 04
136. Ted Naifeh, Courtney Crumrin's Monstrous Holiday, vol. 4, Jul 05
137. Arakawa Hiromu, Fullmetal Alchemist, vol. 13, Jul 08 (reread)
138. Arakawa Hiromu, Fullmetal Alchemist, vol. 14, Jul 08 (reread)
139. Arakawa Hiromu, Fullmetal Alchemist, vol. 15, Jul 09 (reread)
140. Arakawa Hiromu, Fullmetal Alchemist, vol. 16, Jul 09 (reread)
141. Arakawa Hiromu, Fullmetal Alchemist, vol. 17, Jul 09
142. Arakawa Hiromu, Fullmetal Alchemist, vol. 18, Jul 10
143. Arakawa Hiromu, Fullmetal Alchemist, vol. 19, Jul 10
144. Arakawa Hiromu, Fullmetal Alchemist, vol. 20, Jul 11
145. Arakawa Hiromu, Fullmetal Alchemist, vol. 21, Jul 11
146. Arakawa Hiromu, Fullmetal Alchemist, vol. 22, Jul 11
147. Takaya Natsuki, Fruits Basket, vol. 1, Jul 12 (reread)
148. Takaya Natsuki, Fruits Basket, vol. 2, Jul 12 (reread)
149. Takaya Natsuki, Fruits Basket, vol. 4, Jul 13 (reread)
150. Takaya Natsuki, Fruits Basket, vol. 3, Jul 14 (reread)
151. Takaya Natsuki, Fruits Basket, vol. 5, Jul 14 (reread)
152. Takaya Natsuki, Fruits Basket, vol. 6, Jul 16 (reread)
153. Nakahara Aya, Love Com, vol. 7, Jul 16
154. Takaya Natsuki, Fruits Basket, vol. 7, Jul 17 (reread)
155. Takaya Natsuki, Fruits Basket, vol. 8, Jul 17 (reread)
156. Takaya Natsuki, Fruits Basket, vol. 9, Jul 17 (reread)
157. Takaya Natsuki, Fruits Basket, vol. 10, Jul 18 (reread)
158. Takaya Natsuki, Fruits Basket, vol. 11, Jul 18 (reread)
159. Takaya Natsuki, Fruits Basket, vol. 12, Jul 18 (reread)
160. Nakahara Aya, Love Com, vol. 8, Jul 18
161. Takaya Natsuki, Fruits Basket, vol. 13, Jul 19 (reread)
162. Takaya Natsuki, Fruits Basket, vol. 14, Jul 19 (reread)
163. Takaya Natsuki, Fruits Basket, vol. 15, Jul 19 (reread)
164. Takaya Natsuki, Fruits Basket, vol. 16, Jul 19 (reread)
165. Takaya Natsuki, Fruits Basket, vol. 17, Jul 19 (reread)
166. Takaya Natsuki, Fruits Basket, vol. 18, Jul 19 (reread)
167. Takaya Natsuki, Fruits Basket, vol. 19, Jul 19 (reread)
168. Takaya Natsuki, Fruits Basket, vol. 20, Jul 20 (reread)
169. Takaya Natsuki, Fruits Basket, vol. 21, Jul 20 (reread)
170. Takaya Natsuki, Fruits Basket, vol. 22, Jul 20
171. Takaya Natsuki, Fruits Basket, vol. 23, Jul 21
172. Nakahara Aya, Love Com, vol. 9, Jul 21
173. Nakahara Aya, Love Com, vol. 10, Jul 21
174. Hatori Bisco, Ouran High School Host Club, vol. 11, Jul 21
175. Hatori Bisco, Ouran High School Host Club, vol. 12, Jul 24
176. Yazawa Ai, Nana, vol. 17, Jul 27 (reread)
177. Mori Kaoru, Emma, vol. 9, Jul 31
178. Ando Natsumi and Kobayashi Miyuki, Kitchen Princess, vol. 2, Jul 31
179. Ando Natsumi and Kobayashi Miyuki, Kitchen Princess, vol. 3, Aug 01
180. Ando Natsumi and Kobayashi Miyuki, Kitchen Princess, vol. 4, Aug 01
181. Ando Natsumi and Kobayashi Miyuki, Kitchen Princess, vol. 5, Aug 01
182. Ando Natsumi and Kobayashi Miyuki, Kitchen Princess, vol. 6, Aug 01
183. Ando Natsumi and Kobayashi Miyuki, Kitchen Princess, vol. 7, Aug 01
184. Nakajo Hisaya, Sugar Princess, vol. 2, Aug 01
185. Svetlana Chmakova, Nightschool, vol. 1, Aug 06
186. Sakurazawa Erica, Between the Sheets, Aug 08
187. Hino Matsuri, Vampire Knight, vol. 7, Aug 08 (reread)
188. Yan Xi, Xue Lian, vol. 1, Aug 13
189. Yun Mi-Kyung, Bride of the Water God, vol. 5, Aug 14
190. Yun Mi-Kyung, Bride of the Water God, vol. 6, Aug 14
191. Yun Mi-Kyung, Bride of the Water God, vol. 7, Aug 14
192. Nishikata Mai, Venus Capriccio, vol. 1, Aug 15
193. Nishikata Mai, Venus Capriccio, vol. 2, Aug 16
194. Ichijo Yukari, Pride, vol. 1, Aug 17
195. Nishikata Mai, Venus Capriccio, vol. 3, Aug 17
196. Takaya Natsuki, Hoshi wa Utau, vol. 4, Aug 19
197. Takaya Natsuki, Hoshi wa Utau, vol. 5, Aug 19
198. Nishikata Mai, Venus Capriccio, vol. 4, Aug 19
199. Nishikata Mai, Venus Capriccio, vol. 5, Aug 19
200. Mizushiro Setona, Diamond Head, vol. 1, Aug 20
201. Yuki Kaori, Grand Guignol Orchestra, vol. 1, Aug 20 (reread)
202. Mizushiro Setona, Kuro Bara Alice, vol. 1, Aug 21
203. Mizushiro Setona, Diamond Head, vol. 2, Aug 22
204. Kawahara Kazune, High School Debut, vol. 10, Aug 22
205. Yoshinaga Fumi, Ooku, vol. 1, Aug 22 (reread)
206. Mizushiro Setona, Diamond Head, vol. 3, Aug 23
207. Park SoHee, Goong, vol. 1, Aug 24 (reread)
208. Mizushiro Setona, Diamond Head, vol. 4, Aug 25
209. Mizushiro Setona, Diamond Head, vol. 5, Aug 25
210. Yoshinaga Fumi, What Did You Eat Yesterday?, vol. 1, Aug 27
211. Jeremy Love, Bayou, vol. 1, Aug 29
212. Park SoHee, Goong, vol. 2, Aug 29 (reread)
213. Akizuki Sorata, Akagami no Shirayuki Hime, vol. 1, Aug 30
214. Park SoHee, Goong, vol. 3, Aug 30
215. Akizuki Sorata, Akagami no Shirayuki Hime, vol. 2, Sep 01
216. Yazawa Ai, Nana, vol. 18, Sep 05 (reread)
217. Kawahara Kazune, High School Debut, vol. 11, Sep 11
218. Shiina Karuho, Kimi ni Todoke, vol. 1, Sep 19
219. Urasawa Naoki and Tezuka Osamu, Pluto, vol. 4, Sep 21 (reread)
220. Urasawa Naoki and Tezuka Osamu, Pluto, vol. 5, Sep 22 (reread)
221. Ashihara Hinako, Sand Chronicles, vol. 6, Oct 12
222. Darwyn Cooke, Selina's Big Score, Oct 17
223. Svetlana Chmakova, Nightschool, vol. 2, Oct 19
224. Mindy Newell, J.J. Birch, and Michael Blair, Her Sister's Keeper, Nov 15 (reread)
225. Jeph Loeb, Jim Lee, and Scott Williams, Hush, vol. 1, Nov 15
226. Jeph Loeb, Jim Lee, and Scott Williams, Hush, vol. 2, Nov 15
227. Michael Ulsan, Nine Lives of a Feline Fatale, Nov 15
228. Marjorie M. Liu and Kalman Andrasofszky, No Way Home, vol. 1, Nov 15
229. Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale, The Long Halloween, Nov 15 (reread)
230. Andersen Gabrych, Destruction's Daughter, Nov 16
231. Higuri You, Ludwig II, vol. 1, Nov 27
232. Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale, When in Rome, Dec 04
233. Yuki Kaori, Grand Guignol Orchestra, vol. 2, Dec 24
234. Nakamura Yoshiki, Skip Beat, vol. 21, Dec 28
235. Nakamura Yoshiki, Skip Beat, vol. 22, Dec 29
236. Nakamura Yoshiki, Skip Beat, vol. 23, Dec 29