Not everything starts with a letter…

#000000 – Ultra Black, written and illustrated by Yoshinori Kisaragi, serialized in Ichijinsha’s Comic Zero-Sum: An orphan is adopted by a mysterious millionaire who employs the boy in finding mysterious and dangerous objects.

&, written and illustrated by Mari (Suppli) Okazaki, serialized in Shodensha’s Feel Young: An inexperienced young woman opens up a nail salon in her spare time and meets a man who may force her to get over to her aversion to being touched.

1/4×1/2®, written and illustrated by Udou Shinohara, serialized in Asahi Sonorama’s Nemuki: A mediocre medium tries to carry on the family tradition with the help of his cat, who remembers a past life of being a dog. They help animals cope with their issues. WANT.

14-sai no Koi, written and illustrated by Fuka Mizutani, serialized in Hakusensha’s Rakuen le Paradis: Two precocious teenagers fall in love; their maturity complicates their sweet, teen-aged relationship. The magazine provenance of this is enough to have me really interested in reading it.

7 Seeds, written and illustrated by Yumi Tamura, originally serialized in Shogakukan’s Betsucomi before moving to Flowers: This one is on a lot of people’s wish list. It’s award-winning science fiction about five young people who are released from cryogenic storage to repopulate the world after catastrophe.

Licensed josei:

• 07-Ghost, written by Yuki Amemiya and illustrated by Yukino Ichihara, originally serialized in Ichijinsha’s Comic Zero-Sum, partly published in English by Go! Comi.

What start with something other than a letter in your josei alphabet?

Reader recommendations and reminders:

• 30-kon Miso-com, written and illustrated by Rika Yonezawa, serialized in Kodansha’s Kiss.

“Z” is for…

Zanbara! Written and illustrated by Ikumi Katagiri, serialized in Ichijinsha’s Comic Zero-Sum and Zero-Sum Ward: A period piece about two kids who learn martial arts during turbulent times. I like that cover.

Zankoku na Hatsukoi, adapted from Anne Mather’s novel by Kei Kousaki, originally published by Harlequin, one volume: A difficult reunion ensues when a former husband and wife cross paths in the woman’s home town.

Zankoku na Kami ga Shihaisuru, written and illustrated by Moto (A Drunken Dream and Other Stories) Hagio, serialized in Shogakukan’s Petit Flower, 17 volumes: I’m totally cheating, since I listed this as A Cruel God Reigns back in “C,” but it’s Hagio, so I feel justified.

Zombieya Reiko, written and illustrated by Rei Mikamoto, originally serialized in Bunkasha’s Horror M, 11 volumes, partially published in English as Reiko’s Zombie Shop by Dark Horse: I felt bad that I missed this one back in “R,” so I’m rectifying that.

Josei magazines:

• Zero-Sum Ward, published by Ichijinsha
• Zipper, published by Shodensha

What starts with “Z” in your josei alphabet?

“Y” is for…

Yami no Koe, written and illustrated by Junji Ito, originally serialized in Asahi Sonorama’s Nemuki, one volume: Another collection of horror shorts from one of the genre’s masters. I love how horror is one of the most popular sub-genres of josei.

Yasha, written and illustrated by Akimi Yoshida, originally serialized in Shogakukan’s Betsucomi (shôjo) and Flowers (josei), 12 volumes: A gifted kid’s mother is murdered, and he’s subsequently kidnapped. He returns to his home town, a small island off of Okinawa, six years later with a title (doctor), an entourage of bodyguards, and a whole lot of secrets. More presumably sexy mystery from the creator of Banana Fish, this won a Shogakukan prize in 2002.

Yoru Café, written and illustrated by Maki Enjouji, originally serialized in Shogakukan’s Petit Comic, three volumes: A widow inherits a café and its harem of handsome male employees. Manga about eateries with hunky staff members is almost always made of more win than lose.

Yukan Kurabu, written and illustrated by Yukari Ichijo, originally serialized in Shueisha’s Ribon (shôjo) and Chorus (josei), 19 volumes: The quirky offspring of three famous men (a police commissioner, an ambassador, and a painter) solve crimes to pass the time. There are few things I love more than quirky people solving crimes because they’re bored.

Yuru Koi, written and illustrated by Aki Yoshino, originally serialized in Shogakukan’s Petit Comic, one volume: This meet-cute romance is about a woman who moves back home after quitting her job and a guy who seems to be jerky but probably isn’t. I just love the cover. It glows.

Josei magazines:

• You, published by Shueisha
• Young You, published by Shueisha

What starts with “Y” in your josei alphabet?

“X” is for…

Xenosaga Episode 1, written and illustrated by Atsushi Baba, based on a video game series developed by NAMCO, originally serialized in Ichijinsha’s Comic Zero-Sum, three volumes: No one really expected the letter “X” to be a treasure trove, did they? But it does give us reassurance that josei magazines can be just as much a part of the anime-manga-game-other sausage factory as any other demographic. If asked to identify a josei publisher that seems intent on reaching a wider audience, I would have to point at Ichijinsha, with its Comic Zero-Sum and Zero-Sum Ward. I could fairly be accused of neglecting Ichijinsha properties in this alphabet; I tend to skim over them because so many of their covers look the same to me, and so many of their plots sound the same to me. (I always feel like I’m reading solicitations from an alternate-universe Image Comics from late 1990s.) That said, it’s awesome that there are at least two comic magazines aimed at adult women that focus on fantasy, adventure, and science fiction. I would assume that Xenosaga Episode 1 follows the plot of the game, which involves a bunch of different factions trying to control a mysterious and powerful artifact called the Zohar on a version of Earth called “Lost Jerusalem.”

What starts with “X” in your josei alphabet?

“W” is for…

Waltz wa Shiori Dress de, written and illustrated by Chiho Saitou, originally serialized in Shogakukan’s Flowers, four volumes: At the turn of the 20^th century, a young Japanese woman is fascinated with European clothing and wants to become a designer. Unfortunately, she’s on the fast track towards a career-free life in an arranged marriage. At least she is until she meets a half-English, half-Indian spy at an embassy ball.

Watashi no Atama no Nakano Keshigomu, written and illustrated by Masami Hoshino, originally serialized in Shogakukan’s Petit Comic, one volume: When people use the phrase “This will end in tears,” they could apparently be referring to this adaptation of a popular TV drama about young lovers who enter into a tragic romance.

Watashi no Naka no Kiseki, adapted by JET, based on a novel by Liz Fielding, originally serialized in Ohzora Shuppan’s Harleqin, one volume. A working woman tries to fend off her horrible, misogynist boss by inventing a fake boyfriend. Suing him for discrimination and harassment is apparently out of the question?

Water., written and illustrated by Kiriko Nananan, originally serialized in Shodensha’s Feel Young, one volume: Two yuri-themed stories from the creator of Blue (Fanfare/Ponent Mon).

Wine Glass no Mukou ni, adapted by Junko Sasaki, based on a novel by Rebecca Winters, originally published by Harlequinsha, one volume: A wine buyer lets the romantic beauty of Alsace affect her better judgment and falls into bed with an entirely unsuitable gentleman. I thought that was why people toured vineyards in the first place?

Licensed josei:

• Walkin’ Butterfly, written and illustrated by Chihiro Tamaki, originally serialized in Kodansha’s Vanilla, four volumes, three of which were published in English by Aurora.
• Wedding Eve, written and illustrated by Keiko Honda, originally serialized in Ohzora Shuppan’s Roma Roma, one volume, published in English by Central Park Media.
• Wild Com., written and illustrated by Yumi Tamura, originally serialized in Shogakukan’s Flowers, one volume, published in English by Viz Media.
• Works, written and illustrated by Eriko Tadeno, one volume, published in English by ALC Publishing.

What starts with “W” in your josei alphabet?

Reader recommendations and reminders:

• With the Light: Raising an Autistic Child, written and illustrated by Keiko Tobe, originally serialized in Akita Shoten’s For Mrs., published in English by Yen Press, 15 volumes.

“V” is for…

Valentine Place Juuyon Banchi, adapted by Takako Hashimoto, based on a novel by Pamela Bauer, originally published by Ohzora Shuppan, one volume: A young man returns to his family after a long absence to find that a childhood friend has become a formidable woman.

Vashumira no Shihou, adapted by Karin Miyamoto, based on a novel by Susan Kearney, originally published by Harlequinsha, three volumes: A spirited American’s refusal to assent to an arranged marriage causes a succession crisis in scenic Vasmira.

Venus ni Arazu, written and illustrated by Yuki (Butterflies, Flowers) Yoshihara, originally serialized in Shogakukan’s Petit Comic, two volumes: A model loses her agency gig and can only find work with the creepy sculptor who got her fired in the first place.

Venus no Yabou, adapted by Tsukiko Kurebayashi, based on a novel by Colleen Collins, originally published by Ohzora Shuppan, one volume:  An ambitious young writer gets her big break when the author of the “Real Men” column runs off with a stripper. Unfortunately, she falls in love with one of her advice-seeking correspondents.

Virgin Road, adapted by Misuzu Sasaki, based on a novel by Helen Bianchin, originally published by Ohzora Shuppan, one volume: A wealthy Australian heiress chafes under family expectations and dreads the loveless marriage they’ve arranged for her.

Licensed josei:

• Vampire Doll, written and illustrated by Erika Kari, originally serialized in Ichijinsha’s Zero-Sum Ward, six volumes, published in English by Tokyopop.
• Voices of Love, written and illustrated by Kanae Hazuki, originally published by Ohzora Shuppan, one volume, published in English by LuvLuv Press.

What starts with “V” in your josei alphabet?

“U” is for…

Umimachi Diary, written and illustrated by Akimi (Banana Fish) Yoshida, serialized in Shogakukan’s Flowers: Yoshida has been nominated for or won all kinds of awards for this tale of three sisters who meet a half-sister after their estranged father’s death. There’s really no legitimate reason that this hasn’t been licensed yet.

Umi Yori mo Fukaku, written and illustrated by Akemi Yoshimura, serialized in Shogakukan’s Petit Comic, 10 volumes: A fortune teller informs a college student that she’ll be dead within three years. In spite of the psychic’s subsequent arrest for fraud, his predictions seem to be coming true.

Uruwashi no Kouhi Elisabeth, written by Jean Des Cars, Tetsuya Tsukamoto, and Tomoko Naka, and illustrated by Naka, originally published by Tokuma Shoten, two volumes: This series tells the tale of Empress Elisabeth of Austria, who apparently was quite the trailblazer when she married into the Hapsburg clan. (She did not pave new ways by being any more distantly related than first cousin to her husband, Franz Josef, but we blaze trails where we can.)

Utsukushiki Doukyonin, based on a novel by Laura Wright, adapted by Towa Isezaki, originally published by Ohzora Shuppan, one volume: A virginal matchmaker ends up with a hot lothario for a roommate and tries to turn him into marriage material. Try that, Patti Stanger. I dare you.

Uwasaya, written by Ayumu Hosaka, illustrated by Natsume Hasumi, serialized in Ichijinsha’s Zero-Sum Ward: Who better than a super-gifted cosplayer to help capture a vicious serial killer? I don’t know why there isn’t a cosplayer on Criminal Minds, now that I think of it. I mention this series mostly because it’s one of the few Zero-Sum titles that doesn’t look or sound a bunch like every other Zero-Sum title.

What starts with “U” in your josei alphabet?

“T” is for…

Tamashii no Futago, written and illustrated by Mitsuzaku Mihara, originally serialized in Shodensha’s Feel Young, two volumes. One of Tokyopop’s most focused efforts in publishing josei centered around Mihara’s works like The Embalmer and others. Here’s another Mihara title featuring two ghosts and the people who can see them.

Teke Teke Rendezvous, written and illustrated by George (A Perfect Day for Love Letters) Asakura, originally serialized in Shodensha’s Zipper, two volumes. The aggressive exterior of agricultural student Tayoko masks a novice in the ways of love. She’s working her way through school in a hostess club, so that should help out with the experience shortage.

Ten no Hate Chi no Kagiri, written and illustrated by Waki Yamato, originally serialized in Kodansha’s mimi, one volume. I note this tale of a poetess and seer wooed from a life of celibacy and service by rival princes not so much because it sounds particularly interesting but because its creator seems overdue for introduction to English-language audiences. Yamato is quite prolific, and it seems unfortunate that none of her work is available in print and in English.

Tenpari Ninpu no Shussan Icchokusen! written and illustrated by Tomoko Tamiya, originally published by Futubasha, one volume. This comic was developed to help women overcome their fear of childbirth and to give them strategies to help them enjoy pregnancy. Do you find that cover comforting? I think it looks like something by Junko Mizuno.

Tokyo Girls Bravo, written and illustrated by Kyoko (Helter Skelter) Okazaki, originally serialized in Takarajimsha’s CUTIE, two volumes, published in French by Casterman: A girl from the sticks finally gets the chance to live in Tokyo and fulfill her punk-rock dreams, but obstacles are thrown in her path by her conservative family. Every version of the covers for this book that I’ve seen is absolutely awesome.

Licensed josei:

• Tomie, written and illustrated by Junji Ito, originally published by Asahi Sonorama, published in English by Comics One and Dark Horse, two volumes.
• Tramps Like Us, written and illustrated by Yayoi Ogawa, originally serialized in Kodansha’s Kiss, published in English by Tokyopop, 14 volumes.

What starts with “T” in your josei alphabet?

“S” is for…

Sekai de Ichiban Yasashii Ongaku, written and illustrated by Mari Ozawa, originally serialized in Kodansha’s Kiss, 16 volumes. Most series about single parents that have been licensed are about single fathers, so this tale of a single mother would be most welcome. Also, I’m kind of in love with the covers; you can view more of them at Kodansha’s site for the title.

Shibou to lu Na no Fuku o Kite, written and illustrated by Moyocco (Sugar Sugar Rune, Happy Mania) Anno, originally serialized in Shufu to Seikatsusha’s Shuukan Josei, one volume. Anno looks at a woman’s ambivalent struggle with her weight in a thin-dominated society.

Shin Yami no Koe – Kaidan, written and illustrated by Junji (Uzumaki, Gyo, Tomie) Ito, originally serialized in Asahi Sonorama’s Nemuki, one volume. I’m not a huge horror fan, but I find Ito’s work irresistibly unsettling, so I’d love to read this collection of shorts created for a josei magazine.

Silver, written by Penny Jordan, adapted to manga by Kazuko Fujita, originally serialized in Shogakukan’s Josei Seven, nine volumes. An innocent heiress marries badly and realizes that her husband was just in it for the money. She remakes herself into the perfect woman to avenge herself and her family. It sounds kind of trashy but awesome.

Spicy Pink, written and illustrated by Wataru (Ultra Maniac, Marmalade Boy) Yoshizumi, originally serialized in Shueisha’s Chorus, two volumes, published in French by Glénat. I would be happy as a clam if someone finally decided to publish a josei series from this terrific creator. This one’s about a busy mangaka with no time for a social life who meets an obnoxious but not entirely unpromising doctor on a group date.

Josei Magazines:

• Shuukan Josei, published by Shufu to Seikatsusha

Licensed josei:

• Saiyuki Reload, written and illustrated by Kazuya Minekura, originally serialized in Ichijinsha’s Comic Zero-Sum, published in English by Tokyopop, 10 volumes.
• Sengoku Nights, written by Kei Kusunoki, illustrated by Kaoru Oohashi, originally serialized in Shueisha’s Comic Crimson, published in English by Tokyopop, two volumes.
• Suppli, written and illustrated by Mari Okazaki, originally serialized in Shodensha’s Feel Young, partly published in English by Tokyopop, 10 volumes plus extra.

What starts with “S” in your josei alphabet?

Reader recommendations and reminders:

• Sounds of Love, written and illustrated by Rin Tanaka, originally serialized in Ohzora Shuppan’s Renai Hakusho Pastel, published in English by Luv Luv Press, three volumes.
• Sugiru Juunana no Haru, written by Fuyumi Ono, illustrated by Kotetsuko Yamamoto, currently running in Gentosha’s Spica. 
• Shuukatsu!! – Kimi ni Naitei, written and illustrated by Aki Yoshino, originally serialized in Shogakukan’s Petit Comic, two volumes.

“R” is for…

Real Clothes, written and illustrated by Satoru Makimura, currently serialized in Shueisha’s You: This fashionable manga features a plain salesclerk who is transferred to the women’s clothing department of her store. Needless to say, a makeover is in order. We need more fashion manga.

Receptacle, written and illustrated by Rendou Kurosaki, currently serialized in Hakusensha’s Rakuen le Paradis. This has barely started, but it’s got a solid magazine provenance and the cover is really cute. It’s apparently about two girls who kind of crush on each other and talk about their lives as geek girls. I love chatty, woman-driven manga.

Reset, written and illustrated by Mayuri Yamamoto, serialized in Bunkasha’s Horror M, eight volumes. Josei combined with episodic horror sounds like two great tastes that taste great together! In this series, a rotating cast of protagonists are given the choice to reset their lives at a critical point. It sounds like an intriguing premise.

River’s Edge, written and illustrated by Kyoko Okazaki, serialized in Takarajimasha’s Cutie, one volume. This dramatic tale of emotionally stunted teens sounds like the perfect cross-marketing opportunity for indie comics fans. In fact, I’m pretty sure there are already seven or eight versions of this story already on the shelves.

Rouge Noir, written and illustrated by Kyoko Mizutani, serialized in Shogakukan’s Petit Comic, two volumes. An aspiring musician takes up private piano instruction, and we all know how that ends up, don’t we? We don’t? Okay, well, in this case, the teacher gets the unrequited hots for one of her students, and they meet years later at an audition for a jazz combo. And surely we all know how that ends up, right?

Josei magazines:

Rakuen le Paradis, published by Hakusensha, enticingly described by Erica (Okazu) Friedman.

What starts with “R” in your josei alphabet?

Reader recommendations and reminders:

• Real Love, written and illustrated by Mitsuki Oda, originally published by Ohzora Shuppan, published in English by Luv Luv Press, one volume.
• RIP: Requiem in Phonybrain, written and illustrated by Mitsukazu Mihara, originally published in Index Communications’ Kera, published in English by Tokyopop, one volume.