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March 6th, 2005 11:16 PM by Aaron H. Bynum

The manga distribution industry has grown to a massive licensing and publication force over the past year; and with the anime distribution industry's top companies as well as other comic companies joining into the fray, the number of titles available to manga fans in particular have been sharply increasing. From the media giant Tokyopop, whom in recent months has surpassed DC Comics in its number of total publications, to the more recently established Tokyo Shock, which focuses on publishing original material specific to the company, the way in which animation and comic fans get their beloved manga (Japanese comics/graphic novels) or even manwha (Korean comics/graphic novels).

Animation Insider has managed to craft a list of this month's newest manga and manwha to hit your local bookshelves, comics and graphic novels that cover all genres, and come from a variety of distribution companies. Most certainly a list of "Volume Ones" that will be out sometime this month, be sure to pass a link of this list to anyone and everyone that you feel might be interested in reading about the manga titles sure to be listed as the best-selling products of the month in the near future.

The list, located in Animation Insider's "Anime Forum" contains a good number of titles, do take your time in browsing. There, one will find brief synopses of each title scheduled for release during the month. Here you will find story synopses, the occasional information on the manga or manwha's author, and perhaps an official website or free manga preview link here or there. Each title retails for $9.95/$9.99 unless otherwise noted. Amongst those listed, include the following interesting titles:

Kids Joker is an interesting new manga release that follows Hotaru Yanagawa, a high school aged girl that in between her homework and chores at home, likes to hit the streets and clean up crime. From kidnappings to crime syndicates to other detective work, this gal is getting a jumpstart on her career as a police officer. Kids Joker continues as Hotaru soon finds that all of the trouble of her city may be too much for her. Enter Yui, a mysterious young man whom also seems to be a defender of the innocent… but with a secret agency of his own. Another ADV Manga title for the month, the first magna volume of Kids Joker comes out on March 7th, 2005 as well.

From Park Sang Sung, the creator of the incredibly popular manwha Les Bijoux, comes a story of the fantasy and supernatural like you'd never believe. In The Tarot Café we have Pamela, a tarot card reader whom reads the fate of anyone whom passes through the front door. All while helping along the fates of cats, vampires, and lonely men, Pamela herself seems to have some dark secrets awaiting to be revealed as well. The Tarot Café pulls its readers in with its fantastic artistry and unique storytelling to create a unique world of fantasy. If you like gothic artwork, don't hesitate to check out this title. One of Korea's best selling graphic novels in recent history, the first volume of The Tarot Café from Tokyopop comes around March 8th, 2005.

Devil Does Exist is a series interwoven love triangles of sorts written and with artwork by Takanashi Mitsuba. This is the story of Kayano, a high school girl that is having the toughest of times confessing her love for the distant classmate Yuichi. Devil Does Exist becomes even more confusing, when Kayano's mother becomes engaged to the father of the school bully, whom happens to have started bullying Kayano. This little girl is having to deal with love and living with the devil in this romantic comedy/drama manga series, which from DC comics, Devil Does Exist should be out on shelves by March 30th, 2005.

From Kaneyoshi Izumi is the shoujo manga title Doubt!!, which is the fun and exciting tale of a young high school girl and her adjustments to popularity (or the lack thereof). Meet Ai Maekawa, a shy and introverted young girl, whom, despite being "pantsed" in school right in front of her secret crush Oshita, was relatively invisible to the crowd. And, until she so unfortunately exposed her "Cutie Bunny" granny panties, she was relatively secure in her anonymity. But, as things go on in Doubt!!, Ai goes to a new school, a school where she hopes no one knows of her past. But what makes this new school better, besides the new crowd? How about because Ai has overhauled her new look? Quickly becoming the princess of the school. But, can she overcome her doubt about such ambitions? The shoujo manga Doubt!! from VIZ, LLC/ShoPro will be out on or around March 15th.