manga recommendation

If you haven't checked out Mushishi, you should. The first volume is out in English and it's quite promising in it's own way. It puts me strongly in mind of Ima Ichiko's work.

Oh yes, and you all do know that the 1st 12 Kingdoms novel is out? Turns out the author was a Buddhist studies major ... which explains why some of the information in the novels was so detailed. link to interview