Shelf Life

July 8, 2019

Welcome to Shelf Life, covering every week's new releases in anime, manga, and Japanese games! I'm still working my through the Preview Guide, but there's plenty coming out for those of you who actually have some free time this week. Things are relatively quite on the anime front with a couple of re-releases and a Blu-Ray edition of an old horror series. Things are livelier on the manga side of things with collector's editions for Berserk and Knights of Sidonia, along with the first volumes of three new fantasy-themed series. In gaming, we've got Dragon Quest Builders 2 for RPG fans with a creative side, plus a Senran Kagura pinball game just in case that franchise didn't already cover enough genres. If you're excited for any of this week's releases, sound off in the comments!

In Another World With My Smartphone - Complete Collection BD
Funimation - 300 min - Sub+Dub - MSRP $29.98

Publisher's Description: Touya Mochizuki is killed. To make it up to him, God grants Touya a second chance at life in a fantastic new world. Adventure, fame, fortune, and a harem of cute girls await him across this otherworldly realm. But despite being a magical and physical prodigy, balancing the affections of his companions with his day-to-day activities is one challenge he's definitely not prepared for!

Our Reviews: We have episode reviews and a full review for this series. It's available streaming on Crunchyroll, Funimation, and Hulu.

ISLAND - Complete Collection BD
Funimation - 300 min - Sub+Dub - MSRP $64.98

Publisher's Description: The tides are turning on the island of Urashima, where a mysterious young man has washed ashore. Claiming to be from the future, he finds himself at the center of a dark history, when he meets the heirs of the island's most prominent families. What destiny awaits him in the sands of time?

Our Reviews: We covered this series in the Summer 2018 Preview Guide. It's available streaming on Crunchyroll.

Panty & Stocking With Garterbelt - Complete Collection BD
Funimation - 325 min - Sub+Dub - MSRP $29.98

Publisher's Description: What happens when Panty and Stocking, the foul-mouthed Anarchy Sisters, are booted from the pearly gates? They take their nasty-ass attitudes to the seedy abyss between heaven and earth. Now, they spend their nights blowing up ghosts and indulging their questionable fetishes. But if they want to earn their halos back, they'll have to collect enough Heaven Coins, while turning the streets of Daten City into a buffet of bodily fluids. And with this debaucherous duo, there's a slim chance in hell they'll ever make it back to heaven. Still, anything can happen when you're rolling commando with Panty and Stocking!

Our Reviews: We have a review of this series. It's available streaming on Funimation.

Pet Shop of Horrors - Complete Collection BD
Sentai - 100 min - Sub+Dub - MSRP $19.98

Publisher's Description: Are you seeking something unusual in a pet to fill an empty space in your heart? Then venture, if you dare, into a strange little pet shop in Chinatown, where the mysterious proprietor knows your every need and desire. But watch out. When you buy from Count D, what you get may be what he thinks you deserve rather than what you want. So even if that rare rabbit does somehow look just like your lost child, perhaps you'd be safer shopping somewhere else. That's certainly what Detective Orcot of the LAPD would advise, as nightmarish things seem to keep happening to the shop's customers. Unfortunately, there's never been quite enough evidence to implicate the Count. And until there is, business will continue to boom.

Our Reviews: No formal reviews for this series, but our user ratings have an average of 7.0 out of 10. It's available streaming on HIDIVE.

Berserk - Deluxe Edition Volume 2
Dark Horse - 696 pages - MSRP $49.99

Publisher's Description: Born in tragedy, raised in abuse and neglect, young Guts is hardened into a warrior of fearsome prowess and fearless will, drawing the attention of the charismatic Griffith, commander of the elite mercenary legion, the Band of the Hawk. This crossroad will take Guts to fame and glory…and to damnation!

Our Reviews: We have several single-volume reviews for this series, ranging from volume 23 to volume 35.

Case Closed - Volume 71
Viz - 192 pages - MSRP $9.99

Publisher's Description: When Conan gets an invitation to London, he's thrilled. What could be better than visiting the home of his hero, Sherlock Holmes? But there's only one way he can get there: by becoming Jimmy Kudo again! Temporarily returned to his true age, Jimmy sets out on the trail of a devilish serial killer plotting an attack at the Wimbledon tournament. With London in turmoil, can Jimmy find a chance to confess his feelings to Rachel, or will love mean zero in tennis as well as well as in life?

Our Reviews: We have several reviews for this series, ranging from volume 44 through volume 47.

H.P. Lovecraft's At the Mountains of Madness - Volume 1
Dark Horse - 298 pages - MSRP $19.99

Publisher's Description: January 25, 1931: an expedition team arrives at a campsite in Antarctica . . . to find its crew of men and sled dogs strewn and dead. But a still more horrific sight is the star-shaped mound of snow nearby... for under its five points is a grave--and what lies beneath is not human!

Our Reviews: No reviews or user ratings for this series so far.

Himouto! Umaru-chan - Volume 6
Seven Seas - 182 pages - MSRP $12.99

Publisher's Description: It's time for Umaru's New Year's allowance! What will she do when Taihei accidentally gives her two allowances? It's time for a battle of right vs. wrong!

Our Reviews: We have a review of the anime adaptation of this series.

Hitorijime My Hero - Volume 4
Kodansha - 200 pages - MSRP $12.99

Publisher's Description: Masahiro Setagawa doesn't believe in heroes, but wishes he could. After high school teacher (and scourge of the streets) Kousuke Ohshiba comes to his rescue, he finds he may need to start believing after all… As their relationship deepens, will Setagawa's hero continue to pull through?

Our Reviews: We have a review of volume 1.

Knights of Sidonia - Master Edition Volume 2
Vertical - 406 pages - MSRP $34.95

Publisher's Description: Only ever having known what life is like from the inside of a vessel, Nagate Tanikaze travels underground where he encounters a race of humans who have developed photosynthesis, a legend only heard of in stories. What else will he find in this beautiful yet unfamiliar place in this latest volume?

Our Reviews: This series was covered several times in Right Turn Only, and you'll find those articles here and here.

Konohana Kitan - Volume 5
Tokyopop - 160 pages - MSRP $12.99

Publisher's Description: Yuzu is a brand new employee at Konohanatei, a hot-springs inn for yokai. A simple, clumsy but charmingly earnest young girl, Yuzu must figure out her new life working at the spa with all the other fox-yokai, making the occasional mistake but also many new friends along the way. Konohana Kitan follows her day to day life working at the inn, meeting the other employees and guests, and learning to appreciate the beauty of the world and the people around her.

Our Reviews: We have a review of the anime adaptation of this series.

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess - Volume 5
Viz - 192 pages - MSRP $9.99

Publisher's Description: Midna has been Link's traveling companion and ally since the start of their journey, but will her ultimate goal of saving the Twilight Realm drive her away from Link? Link's own quest to save Hyrule leads him to seek the advice of Princess Zelda—and learn that to defeat the ultimate evil plaguing the world they will need a particular weapon: the Master Sword!

Our Reviews: We have a review of volume 1.

Magus of the Library - Volume 1
Kodansha - MSRP $12.99

Publisher's Description: In a small village far from the Library, a poor little elf boy struggles against bullies who call him “knife-ears.” His only solace: the books he sneaks out of the village's tiny branch library, which he's not allowed in. When a librarian from the Great Library arrives, he's dazzled by her knowledge and glamour. See how their meeting will change his life and begin the adventure he's always dreamed of having!

Our Reviews: No reviews or user ratings for this series so far.

Mythical Beast Investigator - Volume 1
Seven Seas - 176 pages - MSRP $12.99

Publisher's Description: Ferry is a mythical beast investigator, charged with keeping the peace between humanity and the many magical creatures that populate the world. When a dragon starts attacking a small village, Ferry and her otherworldly bodyguard, Kushuna, go to investigate. They soon discover that the dragon has a good reason for its rampage.

Our Reviews: No reviews or user ratings for this series so far.

Radiant - Volume 6
Viz - 192 pages - MSRP $9.99

Publisher's Description: As spectral Nemeses start to appear all over Cyfandir, Seth is drawn into a nefarious plot against his will. Suspicion stalks the very halls of the Wizard Knights' castle, and the Merchant Barons watch with pleasure as these supernatural events unfold. And it's only a matter of time before Captain Dragunov and Captain Liselotte get their hands on Seth!

Our Reviews: We have a review of volume 1.

RIN-NE - Volume
Viz - 192 pages - MSRP $9.99

Publisher's Description: In the summer season of restless spirits, Rinne and the gang head to a beachside guesthouse to confront a supernatural spirit who's obsessed with braids. Sakura's trademark hairstyle makes her the target of the ghost's mad desire… Can Rinne figure out how to send the ghost away, ASAP?!

Our Reviews: We have several reviews for this series, ranging from volume 4 to volume 10.

Skeleton Knight in Another World - Volume 1
Seven Seas - 180 pages - MSRP $12.99

Publisher's Description: One day Arc wakes up in the world of his favorite MMORPG…and discovers that he's become exactly like his game character, a heroic knight who just so happens to be a skeleton! The whole skull-for-a-head thing is maybe going to be a problem. Arc resolves to keep a low profile, lest anyone mistake him for a monster, but he can't quite manage to turn a blind eye to the troubles of his new world. Adventure awaits, and the Skeleton Knight will be there to meet it!

Our Reviews: No reviews or user ratings for this series so far.

Tomo-chan is a Girl! - Volume 4
Seven Seas - 180 pages - MSRP $12.99

Publisher's Description: Tomboy Tomo wants her crush, Jun, to notice that she's a girl…but she also wants to kick butt at the school sports tournament! Can Tomo lead her class to victory and win Jun's heart?

Our Reviews: We covered this series in the Fall 2018 Manga Guide.

Dragon Quest Builders 2
Square Enix - PS4, Switch - MSRP $59.99

Publisher's Description: To stop the worshippers of an ancient evil, you must join forces with the mysterious Malroth and build a ravaged world into the realm of your dreams. In this RPG adventure, you'll explore huge islands, gather and craft with materials, design towns, level them up, and defend them from monsters and bosses alongside townspeople. As you progress, you'll unearth crafting and building recipes. Dash, glide, swim, fast travel, and play in optional first-person perspective as you try to find them all.

God Eater 3
Bandai Namco - Switch - MSRP $59.99

Publisher's Description: The latest numbered entry in the popular God Eater franchise has finally come to the Nintendo Switch! Now you can experience the game's intriguing story, distinct characters, and stylish, high-speed combat whenever you're on the go, both alone and with friends!

Senran Kagura Peach Ball
Marvelous - Switch - MSRP $39.99

Publisher's Description: Bounce your ball along the curves of a crazy theme park, starring a ninja girl who thinks she's an animal! (Yep, you heard right!) Feel every shake and bounce with the HD Rumble feature. Build up points to unlock special challenges, which showcase the girls' charms!