After much waiting, anticipation, and rambling about the anime version, it looks like Tenjo Tenge 11 is out and being translated. It is available via Bit Torrent, which is a lovely mechanism with which to distribute such fare. Fugu Tabetai (the nom de plume of the english-language translator) released the first chapter of Volume 11 earlier today, and it is up to his great standards. Of special interest to japanese language enthusiasts, Fugu puts translation notes right at the bottom of the page so you don’t have to juggle some awkward text file around in another window while you read. The quality of the translation is such that you don’t really need such notes, but it is nice to see them there.

If you like online comics but are tired of video game geek humor with a twist of hipness, give The Chopping Block a try. I’ve been following it for about a year now, but haven’t bothered to put an entry up. It shows slice-of-life humor in the life of a serial killer. Repeat themes involve cannibalism, collecting human organs, and the mummified remains of the killer’s mom. It’s dark but often inspired humor.

It looks like the fine folks at ushi have had quite enough BS from other translators mooching their scans without consent, so Air Gear has been discontinued as one of their projects. I’ve known about this for a while, so that aspect isn’t really news. The news is that I just found out last night that SnoopyCool has picked up that ball and will be running with it. At present, there are 4 volumes of this title available in Japan (and likely at your local Kinokuniya), and ushi only got through the first volume plus one chapter. The title is by Oh Great!, the same author as Tenjo Tenge. It’s about flying street gangs on roller blades, so take that as you will. The art is great, as expected from this mangaka, and it looks like he’s finally found a story that doesn’t require too much ecchi content. Check it out if you get the chance.