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This publisher is virtually unknown in the US, as bookstores (and most comicbook stores for that matter) don't carry their graphic novels. This doesn't come as a suprise, as most of their manga really doesn't appeal to most manga readers. They only publish a couple of titles, but everyone that I've read has been quite interesting and actually better than any other indie manga that I had prieviously encountered (unless you could Iou Kuroda). My favorite is Yukiko's Spinach. Created by the French born Frédéric Boilet who now resides in Japan, it's a very personal and introspective love story, with characters that come to life. The art is well done as well, with the photorealistic people coming off slightly blurred to give a very dream-like effect. Blue is another great story that was just recently released. It's a diffrent kind of love story than Yukiko's Spinach, about two friends who realize they possess a deep love for one another. It's a facinating drama with well developed and realistic characters, and the subject matter (lesbian schoolgirls) doesn't hurt either. The strikingly simplistic art creates an incredible atmosphere. I'm also looking forward to reading another titles writen by Boilet, as well as a graphic novel by the incredible Jiro Tanaguchi. On their website (http://www.ponentmon.com/new_pages/english/princ.html) they have a picture from Homunculus, a trippy manga from Hideo Yamamoto (creator of the notorious Ichi the Killer). Homunculus has been one of my favorite unlicenced manga of late, so I'm really looking forward to them bringing it over here (hopefully it will get a wider release).
These books aren't for everyone, but if you want something a bit diffrent and more serious than most of what's being published in Enghish at the moment, then definitally try one of Fanfares GNs out. You can find them online, or get your local comicbook store to order them, but definitally give these books a shot.
EDIT:I though I should warn everyone that both the stories I read do contain sexual content, so those might not be the best of choices for younger readers.

I like the deep insight here that some of the members have regarding manga!

I own Blue by Kiriko nananananananananan from Ponent Mon and I also think it's a great manga. I love the licences that Ponent Mon gets and it gives me a deeper view (albeit a small one Very Happy

) into the world of Japanese manga by showing me these great yet unknown mangas akin to stuff here that is critically acclaimed yet never seems to gain wide acceptace. Homunculus is also another great manga that has been the title that has gotten Hideo Yamamoto in the spotlight in terms of sales at least in Japan although he has already made a number of great manga series such as Ichi the Killer. The thing about Ponent Mon releasing Homunculus is that I've heard they are only bringing it out through their Spanish division and I'm not too sure if they will be publishing an English version. I hope I'm wrong!

Thanks for the compliments! It's great to see that I'm not the only one supporting this company. Now that Viz has moved in a more mainstream direction, we probobly aren't going to see alot of experimental titles from them anytime soon (unless of course Sexy Voice sells well...EVERYONE GO OUT AND BUY IT). It's too bad. Secret Comics Japan varied alot in the quality of the mangas, but it was still a facinating look into underground manga. And I hope your wrong about Homunculus, cause it's definitally got some appeal to the US manga market that most of PN's titles lack.

Some of these title look impressive. Are there any U.S. Based online store that I can order this from? Don't relly want to import them from the UK and most of the shop I look are from the UK.

Try this http://www.marsimport.com/display_publisher?ID=499

Very interesting titles indeed: the Walking Man in particular looks like something that would appeal to me. Thanks for bringing this company to my attention. There aren't enough underground manga publishers out there!

milcor1 wrote:

Try this http://www.marsimport.com/display_publisher?ID=499

Eh, Aside from Doing Time and Blue, none of the other books (ones I wanted) were in stock.

Oh yes Homunculus. I was over the moon when I saw that image on the front of their site, but was curious that not a big deal in PR terms was made of the license. I emailed them just in case and it appears for the moment that Ponet Mon only have the Spanish language rights, but they are trying for the English license though they were not holding out for much hope of success.

And I definitely agree with everyone's opinions of Blue and Yukiko's Spinach, though I will add Doing Time to the list as I found it fascinating in the detail it went to, to portray life in a Japanese prison.