Raw Manga Help

[RebelDogg]

I'm looking to get some untranslated manga at some point soon so I can practice reading Japanese. I was never much of a comic person but I have read some manga and seen a ton of anime (which was based on manga)

I really want to get Rurouni Kenshin first (or if Samurai X was ever in manga form, that'd be awesome) because I'm very familiar with that one and have read the english translation. But if at all possible, I would like to get the books that contain multiple volumes rather than individual volumes.

Any suggestions on where to order from? Preferably a site that ships in the US because shipping from Japan is 高い！

Also, I would like to browse magazines, etc... for some interesting reading/viewing. I've seen some stuff on websites, but there is no info on the mag other than a cover. I would like to have a good idea of what I'm buying, seeing as a lot of these mags are like $30+ an issue! Some stuff I find interesting are the kosplay mags or really just anything with cute Japanese chicks in them. Also anything talking about daily life in Japan or Japanese history and folklore.

My Japanese is not very good yet and my kanji is worse. But I want to get the stuff now so I can start trying to translate and use that stuff to build on what I know. I know I can see it for free online, but I really like a tangible book in my hands.

Thanks!

[audibal]

Hey Rebeldogg,
Here are a couple of sites that I've found.

You could try:
Jbox
http://www.jbox.com
or
Sasuga Books
http://www.sasugabooks.com/.
Both of these sites are in English.

If you feel really adventurous you could also try:
Kinonuniya USA
http://bookweb.kinokuniya.co.jp/indexohb.cgi?AREA=03
or
Asahiya USA
http://www.asahiyausa.com/.
Both sites are in Japanese.

I've been to the Kinokuniya store in San Jose, CA and they carry all sorts of manga in Japanese and English as well as a large selection of magazines and books.

Hope this helps,
audibal

[RebelDogg]

Thanks, audibal! That jbox.com site looks cool. I don't have time to browse it at length at the moment but right off the bat I found like five things that I'm GOING to order... Oni Hime with furigana... I'm getting it...

And the Japanese sites are going to be... interesting to try to navigate.

[andrewculver]

I would recommend Doraemon. It was recommended to me by a stranger from a full shelf of manga when I was waiting at Narita airport

The reading level and format is very similar to what I remember of Archie comics in the United States. Each volume contains lots of little stories. Each story will expose you to new vocabulary from a different situation. The stories are also small enough that you can reasonably figure out what's going on and see the story through. I've found working through each story and knowing I understood the whole thing provides a real sense of accomplishment.

Also, the volume I have has the furigana you're looking for.

[RebelDogg]

Thanks andrewculver. Doraemon looks interesting. Not my usual fair, but it may be a good starting point... hmmm... robot kitty cat travels back in time. Gotta love the Japanese.