“H” is for…

Hatenko Yuugi, written and illustrated by Minari (Maria Holic) Endou, serialized in Ichijinsha’s Comic Zero-Sum, currently at 12 volumes. This one’s a quest tale about a young girl out to see the world and the guy trying to avenge his father’s death. Oh, and they both use magic. Update: This has actually been partially published in English by Tokyopop as Dazzle.

Helter Skelter, written and illustrated by Kyoko Okazaki, originally serialized in Shodensha’s Feel Young, one volume, published in French by Casterman. A gruesome and award-winning tale of obsessive beauty gone horribly wrong. Someone should publish this in English.

Heptagon, written and illustrated by Chiaki Hijiri, originally serialized in Shueisha’s Chorus, one volume. Usually, when a fictional adult gets the chance to relive their youth, that fictional adult is a guy. In this story, a twenty-something woman spends some time in her fourteen-year-old life.

Hi no Matoi, written and illustrated by Miku Inui, originally serialized in Ichijinsha’s Zero-Sum Ward, three volumes. This is about the son of a samurai who learns to be a firefighter.

Honey and Honey, written and illustrated by Sachiko Takeuchi, originally published by Media Factory, two volumes. Erica (Okazu) Friedman says this book “educates the nonke (straight/heterosexual) audience, explaining what lesbian life is about; the good, the bad, the annoying, the funny, with a cheerful attitude of ‘you’re a woman – you’ll understand what I mean.’” Erica also reviews its sequel, Honey and Honey Deluxe.

Licensed josei:

• Happy Mania, written and illustrated by Moyocco (Hataraki Man, Sugar Sugar Rune) Anno, originally serialized in Shodensha’s Feel Young, published in English by Tokyopop, 11 volumes.
• Haunted House, written and illustrated by Mitsuzaki (The Embalmer) Mihara, originally published by Shodensha, published in English by Tokyopop, one volume.
• Honey and Clover, written and illustrated by Chica (March Comes in Like a Lion) Umino, variously serialized in Shueisha’s Chorus and Young You, published in English by Viz, 10 volumes.

What starts with “H” in your josei alphabet?

Reader recommendations and reminders:

• Haigakura, written and illustrated by Shinobu Takayama, currently serialized in Ichijinsha’s Zero-Sum Ward, three volumes to date,
• Hapi Mari, written and illustrated by Maki Enjouji, currently serialized in Shogakukan’s Petit Comic, six volumes to date, published in French by Kaze, due for release in German by Tokyopop.
• Harutsuge Komachi, written and illustrated by Miyuki Yamagachi, originally serialized in Hakusensha’s Melody, four volumes.
• Heart no Ousama, written and illustrated by Aki Yoshino, originally serialized in Shogakukan’s Petit Comic, one volume.
• Hito Yuri Touge, written and illustrated by Miyuki Yamagachi, originally serialized in Hakusensha’s Melody, one volume.
• Hotaru no Hikari, written and illustrated by Satoru Hiura, originally serialized in Kodansha’s Kiss, 15 volumes, published in French by Kana.

“G” is for…

Glass no Isu, written and illustrated by Mariko Nakamura, originally serialized in Kodansha’s Be Love, eight volumes. There seems to be a vocational trend with the letter “G.” This one’s about a woman who becomes a great furniture maker and wants to reconnect with her estranged older brother.

Gokusen, written and illustrated by Kozueko Morimoto, originally serialized in Shueisha’s You, 15 volumes plus three specials. A teacher who comes from a Yakuza family tries to help her class of delinquents learn valuable life lessons, though grandpa wants to groom her for mob leadership.

Gold, adapted from Ann Major’s novel, Secret Child, by Kazuko Fujita, originally serialized in Shogakukan’s Josei Seven, eight volumes. It’s got characters named Mars, Chantal, and Mischief, and people faking their own deaths. Seriously, if I was trying to keep a low profile, I wouldn’t become a super-model named Mischief.

Gozen 3-ji no Kikenchitai, written and illustrated by Youko Nemu, currently serialized in Shodensha’s Feel Young, two volumes so far. It’s about a shy and inexperienced woman who goes to work for an office full of freaks who design pachinko parlors. It’s a sequel to Gozen 3-ji no Muhouchitai, which ran for three volumes in Feel Young.

Green, written and illustrated by Tomoko (Nodame Cantabile) Ninomiya, originally published by Kodansha, four volumes. A city girl falls in love with a farmer. Simple as that sounds, I’m sure Ninomiya did a lot of charming things with the concept.

Licensed josei:

• Gorgeous Carat, written and illustrated by You Higuri, originally serialized in Gentosha’s Web Spica, four volumes, published in English by Tokyopop.

What starts with “G” in your josei alphabet?

Reader recommendations and reminders:

• Gal Boy! written and illustrated by Mariko Nakamura, originally serialized in Kodansha’s Be Love, 33 volumes.

“F” is for…

Falling in Love Even if I Wake from the Dream, written and illustrated by Saika (Future Lovers) Kunieda, originally serialized in Akita Shoten’s Miu, one volume. I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again: someone needs to license more work by Kunieda. This one’s about an impulsive young woman and the various men in her life.

Free Soul, written and illustrated by Ebine Yamaji, originally serialized in Shodensha’s Feel Young, one volume. A young cartoonist falls in love with a jazz musician, so I can’t honestly say who’s in for a worse time of it. I can say that Erica (Okazu) Friedman gave it a rating of 9 out of a possible 10 and described Yamaji’s Love My Life as “The Perfect Yuri Manga,” so it stands to reason that any licensed work by Yamaji would be a good start. It’s been published in French by Kazé and in Italian by Kappa.

Fuku-Fuku Funyan, written and illustrated by Konami (Chi’s Sweet Home) Kanata, variously serialized in Kodansha’s Be Love and Me and Shueisha’s You, 12 volumes. You know what would be better than being able to read one series about cats by Kanata? Being able to read two series about cats by Kanata. Sounds like more appealing slice-of-life kitty comedy.

Fukuyadou Honpo, written and illustrated by Yayomi Yuchi, originally serialized in Shueisha’s Bouquet, 11 volumes. I can’t resist manga about people who make desserts. This one’s about the three daughters of a venerable Kyoto confectionary shop. It seems to be as much about the people of Kyoto as it is about the confectioners, which is just fine by me.

Futari Ecchi for Ladies, written and illustrated by Aki (Manga Sutra) Katsu, originally serialized in Hakusensha’s Silky, two volumes. If it’s as boring as Manga Sutra, no amount of demographic tailoring can save it, but it’s certainly worth mentioning as a franchise oddity.

Magazines:

• Feel Young, published by Shodensha
• Flowers, published by Shogakukan
• For Mrs., published by Akita Shoten

What starts with “F” in your josei alphabet?

Reader recommendations and reminders:

• First Girl, written and illustrated by Chiho (Revolutionary Girl Utena) Saito, originally serialized in Shogakukan’s Petit Comic, five volumes, published in Italian by Star Comics.
• Fushigi Yûgi: Genbu Kaiden, written and illustrated by Yuu Watase, currently serialized in Shogakukan’s Rinka, published in English by Viz.

“E” is for…

Easy Writer, written and illustrated by Mari Ozawa, originally published by Kodansha, three volumes. It’s about a young woman starting her career as an undercover reporter.

Ebisu-san to Hotei-san, written by Nanki Satou and illustrated by Akira Kizuki (of impending Maid Shokun fame), originally serialized in Houbunsha’s Tsubomi, one volume. It’s about the budding romance between two office ladies that starts from a place of antagonism. It sounds charming, but alas, Erica (Okazu) Friedman doesn’t think very much of it.

Eki Kara Gofun, written and illustrated by Fusako Kuramochi, currently serialized in Shueisha’s Chorus, three volumes so far. Kuramochi seems to be quite prolific, and I like the cover of this one very much. It seems to be an episodic drama about people who live around or pass through Hanazono Station and its surrounding town.

Eve no Nemuri, written and illustrated by Akimi (Banana Fish) Yoshida, originally serialized in Shogakukan’s Flowers, five volumes. Can you feel the fervent gaze of the Banana Fish fans? I certainly can. This one is a supernatural mystery that seems to be perfectly steeped with byzantine family secrets.

Eve no Yuuwaku, written and illustrated by Misao Hoshiai, based on a novel by Candace Schuler, originally published by Ohzora Shuppan, one volume. A conniving soap star and a cynical movie mogul embark on a tumultuous relationship and may or may not accidentally fall in love while promoting their agendas.

Magazines:

• Elegance Eve, published by Akita Shoten.

Licensed josei:

• The Embalmer, written and illustrated by Mitsukazu Mihara, originally serialized in Shodensha’s Feel Young, six volumes, four of which have been published in English by Tokyopop.

What starts with “E” in your josei alphabet?

“D” is for…

Daisy Luck, written and illustrated by Tsunami Umino, originally serialized in Kodansha’s Kiss, two volumes. This series follows four lifelong friends. One is a housewife, one works as a baker, one is a salarywoman, and one is unemployed.

Darling wa Nanamono ni Tsuki, written and illustrated by Yuki Yoshihara, originally serialized in Shogakukan’s Petit Comic, eight volumes. More funny smut from the prolific creator of Butterflies, Flowers (Viz), this time about the marriage of the daughter of a gay man and her attempts to keep things spicy. Published in German by Tokyopop and French by Panini.

Deka Wanko, written and illustrated by Kozeuko Morimoto, currently serialized in Shueisha’s You, seven volumes so far. This goofy detective series features a sleuth with a keen sense of smell and a fondness for frills. It’s been adapted into a live-action drama.

Doctor Lonely, adaptation of a novel by Glenda Sanders by Akiyo Izuka, originally published by Harlequin. A mail carrier finds her fantasies about an attractive doctor are muddled up by his nerdy reality.

Double House, written and illustrated by Nanae Haruno, originally serialized in Shueisha’s Young You, one volume. This story explores the complicated relationship between a young woman and a male-to-female transsexual. Erica (Okazu) Friedman has written about some of Haruno’s other works, including Pieta.

Licensed josei:

• Dazzle, written and illustrated by Minari Endoh, published by Tokyopop, originally serialized in Ichijinsha’s Comic Zero-Sum.
• Diabolo, written by Kaoru Ohashi, illustrated by Kei Kusunoki, published by Tokyopop, originally serialized in Shueisha’s Comic Crimson, three volumes.
• Dolis, written and illustrated by Maki Kusumoto, published by Tokyopop, originally serialized by Shodensha, one volume.
• Doll, written and illustrated by Mitsukazu Mihara, published by Tokyopop, originally serialized in Shodensha’s Feel Young, six volumes.
• A Drunken Dream and Other Stories, written and illustrated by Moto Hagio, published by Fantagraphics, short stories originally serialized in various magazines, including Shogakukan’s Petit Flower, one volume.

What starts with “D” in your josei alphabet?

Reader recommendations and reminders:

• Daite Daite Daite Darling, written and illustrated by Miwa Sakai, originally serialized in Hakusensha’s Silky, 15 volumes.
• Do Da Dancin’!, written and illustrated by Satoru Makimura, originally serialized in Shueisha’s Young You, 9 volumes.
• Do Da Dancin’! Venice Kokusaihen, written and illustrated by Satoru Makimura, currently serialized in Shueisha’s Office You, 8 volumes so far.

“C” is for…

Cappuccino, written and illustrated by Wataru (Ultra Maniac, Marmalade Boy) Yoshizumi, serialized in Shueisha’s Chorus, one volume. One of my favorite shôjo creators tells the tale of an unmarried, cohabitating couple trying to make their relationship work. Another Yoshizumi josei title is Cherish, also from Chorus, also one volume. Update: Cherish has been published in French by Glénat and in German by Tokyopop. Cappuccino has been published in German by Tokyopop.

Clover, written an illustrated by Toriko Chiya, serialized in Shueisha’s Bouquet, then in Cookie, then in Chorus, 24 volumes. It’s about an office lady with a complicated love life. It would have to be complicated to need two dozen volumes, wouldn’t it?

The Cornered Mouse Dreams of Cheese, written and illustrated by Setona (After School Nightmare, X-Day) Mizushiro, serialized in Shogakukan’s Judy, one volume, published in French by Asuka. Described by some as Mizushiro’s masterwork, it’s about a sexy relationship that begins with blackmail. Update: There’s a second part to this story, The Carp on the Chopping Block Jumps Twice, also serialized in Judy and published as the second volume of Cornered Mouse by Asuka. Both are available in Italian courtesy of Kappa Edizioni and in German courtesy of Carlsen Verlag.

Corseltel no Ryuujitsushi, written and illustrated by Ayuma Isurugi, serialized in Ichijinsha’s Comic Zero-Sum, 4 volumes. This charming-looking fantasy series is about magicians who can use the powers of dragons in return for caring for those powerful creatures.

Crash, written and illustrated by Erica Sakurazawa, serialized in Shodensha’s Feel Young, two volumes, published in French by Kaze. This one takes a frank look at the entertainment industry and the ways it can dehumanize its promising stars.

A Cruel God Reigns, written and illustrated by Moto (A Drunken Dream and Other Stories) Hagio, serialized in Shogakukan’s Petit Flower, 17 volumes. This sprawling, emotionally brutal story explores the horrible and lasting consequences of sexual abuse.

Magazines:

• Chorus, published by Shueisha.
• Comic Amour, published by Dream Maker.
• Comic Zero-Sum, published by Ichijinsha.
• Cutie Comic, published  by Takarajimasha, defunct.

What starts with “C” in your josei alphabet?

Reader recommendations and reminders:

Sean (A Case Suitable for Treatment) Gaffney brought up an interesting question on Twitter. What are we to make of Shueisha’s Cookie? I believe it’s technically shôjo, though it seems to have been launched by the staff of Shueisha’s defunct josei magazine, Bouquet, and it feeds a fair number of series into Shueisha’s Chorus. Cookie is the home publication of Ai Yazawa’s NANA (Viz), just to confuse things further.

“B” is for…

Body and Soul, written and illustrated by Erica Sakurazawa with Takumi Terakado, originally serialized in Shodensha’s Feel Young, two volumes. This is described as half wellness guide, half romance, which sounds very intriguing. It’s been published in French by Asuka.

Barbara Ikai, written and illustrated by Moto Hagio, originally serialized in Shogakukan’s flowers, four volumes. I’ve already covered this series as Otherworld Barbara in a license request, and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I may be able to list it under licensed josei when I reach the letter “O.” There’s nothing wrong with optimism, is there?

BeruBara Kids, written and illustrated by Riyoko Ikeda, currently running in Asahi Shimbun, a daily newspaper. How popular is Ikeda’s The Rose of Versailles? So popular that it can spawn a successful, spin-off gag manga, decades after its original publication.

Bara no Tame ni, written and illustrated by Akemi Yoshimura, originally serialized in Shogakukan’s Petit Comic, 16 volumes. Don’t you hate it when your elderly grandmother dies, then you find out that, in spite of what you’ve been told, your mother is alive, is a famous movie actress, and has given birth to hot stepsiblings? Such is the plight of dumpy Yuri, but I suspect her new life has its bright spots.

Bathroom Guuwa, written and illustrated by Mari (Suppli, Sweat and Honey) Okazaki, originally serialized in Shueisha’s Bouquet, one volume. This seems to be a collection of slightly surreal short stories from a wonderfully sophisticated creator. It’s been published in French by Akata.

Magazines:

• Be Love, published by Kodansha.
• Beth, published by Kodansha, defunct.
• Bouquet, published by Shueisha.
• Bouquet Excellence, published by Shueisha.
• Bourgeon, published by Creator’s Partner.

Licensed josei:

• The Bachelor, written by Debbie Macomber, illustrated by Misao Hoshiai, originally serialized in Ohzora Shuppan’s Harlequin, published in English by Dark Horse and Harlequin.
• Beautiful People, written and illustrated by Mitzukazu Mihara, originally serialized in Shodensha’s Feel Young, published in English by Tokyopop.
• Between the Sheets, written and illustrated by Erica Sakurazawa, originally published by Shodensha, published in English by Tokyopop.
• Blind Date, written by Emma Darcy, illustrated by Mihoko Hirose, originally serialized in Ohzora Shuppan’s Harlequin, published in English by Dark Horse and Harlequin.
• Blue, written and illustrated by Kiriko Nanana, originally serialized in Magazine House’s Comic Are!, reprinted in Shodensha’s Feel Young, published in English by Fanfare/Ponent Mon.
• Bunny Drop, written and illustrated by Yumi Unita, originally serialized in Shodensha’s Feel Young, currently being released in English by Yen Press.
• Butterflies, Flowers, written and illustrated by Yuki Yoshihara, originally serialized in Shogakukan’s Petit Comic, currently being released in English by Viz.

What starts with “B” in your josei alphabet?

Welcome to the Josei Alphabet! For this installment, I’ve decided to focus on a small number of unlicensed titles, then try to list all of the titles that are available in English, along with Japanese magazines that start with that letter. As always, I hope you’ll mention your favorites that I’ve omitted, either licensed or not.

Some sites include yaoi titles in their josei listings. I’ve decided to exclude these for the simple reason that I may someday want to do a yaoi/boys’-love alphabet. So, while they’re often demographically targeted at adult women, I’ve decided to exclude them from this exercise. Now, without further ado…

“A” is for…

Abunazaka Hotel, written and illustrated by Moto Hagio, serialized in Shueisha’s You: A mysterious hotelier seems to specialize in guests in the midst of romantic transition or turmoil, challenging their current state of affairs. It’s by Hagio, so it’s instantly desirable, and it only ran for three volumes, so it seems within the realm of reasonable risk.

Ai wa Kassai ni Tsutsumarete, based on a novel by Metsy Hingle, adapted by Shin Kurokawa, published by Oozora Shuppan: It would be remiss of me to ignore the romance-novel end of the josei equation, particularly adaptations of popular Harlequin properties. This one is about a man trying to protect his brother from a fiancé he believes to be a gold-digger. My choices from this subcategory will probably be based on how much I like the covers, which I fully admit is lazy.

Akatsuki no Aria, written and illustrated by Michiyo Akaishi, serialized in Shogakukan’s flowers: This one’s about a beautiful young student pianist who may have supernatural connections. It’s ongoing and up to around the 11 volume point. Another of Akaishi’s josei titles, Amakusa 1637, ran for 12 volumes in Shogakukan’s flowers, and it’s about a high-school kendo champion who’s thrown back in time and uses her skills to protect persecuted Christians in Japan in the 1600s. No, seriously. It was published in French by Akiko.

Applause, written and illustrated by Kyoko Arisohi, serialized variously in Akita Shoten’s Princess, Margaret, and Elegance Eve. This classic yuri tale from the creator of Swan follows a Japanese transfer student from a Belgian boarding school to a career as an actress in New York City. Erica (Okazu) Friedman is on the case. The series ran for a total of seven volumes.

Aisuru Hito, written and illustrated by Yuki Yoshihara, serialized in Shogakukan’s Petit Comic. This smutty, four-volume comedy follows the dubious attempts of a broke college student to stay close to the professor she adores. This kind of story seems to be a specialty for Yoshihara, who also created Butterflies, Flowers (Viz).

Licensed josei:

• All My Darling Daughters, written and illustrated by Fumi Yoshinaga, published by Viz, one volume, originally serialized in Hakusensha’s Melody.
• Angel, written and illustrated by Erica Sakurazawa, published by Tokyopop, one volume, originally serialized by Shodensha. (I’m sure I’ll have occasion to mention this again, but Johanna Draper Carlson wrote a piece on Sakurazawa’s translated manga for The Comics Journal that she’s made available at Manga Worth Reading.)
• Angel Nest, written and illustrated by Erica Sakurazawa, published by Tokyopop, one volume, originally serialized by Shodensha.
• The Aromatic Bitters, written and illustrated by Erica Sakurazawa, published by Tokyopop, one volume, originally serialized by Shodensha.
• Awabi, written and illustrated by Kan Takahama, is licensed for publication in English by Fanfare/Ponent Mon, but it’s on hold. These short stories originally ran in Yukagu Shorin’s Junkudo.

What starts with “A” in your Josei Alphabet?

Reader recommendations and reminders:

• Anywhere But Here, written and illustrated by Moto Hagio, originally serialized in Shogakukan’s flowers, two volumes.
• Ashita no Ousama, written and illustrated by Emiko Yachi, originally serialized in Shueisha’s Young You, 10 volumes.
• Amatsuki, written and illustrated by Shinobu Takayama, currently serialized in Ichijinsha’s Comic Zero-Sum, 12 volumes at the time of this writing. due for publication in French by Kaze.
• Amazoness no Matsue
• Aru You de Nai Otoko, written and illustrated by Miho Obana, originally serialized in Shueisha’s Chorus, 1 volume.