Shonen Beam

[scanlation by Binktopia]

Cover page of fanservice. At this point, I guess it needs to be featured as prominently as possible. What better way than the cover.

As usual, HSDK does a great job of relating to a reader the feel of power behind the large clashes of the fighters. The destruction of the floor and the stylized beams shooting through Koukin are perfect examples.

Koruinuki didn’t connect cleanly; they traded blows. This is a little played out, and removes a clean win that Kenichi sorely deserved.

Guaranteed to feel that in the morning

I really feel like this sequence of events would have done better if related by the art, as opposed to Agaard Jum Sai narrating everything while lying face against the ground. It’s a little ridiculous, but okay. Following his rant, however, Kenichi takes a turn at bat. It shows character progression that Kenichi can spot when his opponent is bluffing now, but did he really need to take three pages and a few bubbles of inner monologue to do so? I think the art related just fine that they both took a hit.

Kenichi is showing the resolve we know he has. Excellent intensity in his eyes when he stares Koukin down and questions his reason for fighting. It’s a great move to have them finish it both using Muay Thai, and a completely in-character choice for Kenichi to honor Apachai as a master. However, I don’t like that the series seems to be adopting a theme of letting Koukin get off with an honorable loss.

Does this look like the face of a bad guy to you?

They’re going to finish it off with one final exchange, in what I would call a very traditional fashion. It’s a fitting end, but all the animosity between the two combatants has been removed. Kenichi, please try not to forget that Apachai is still lying ten feet from you with a hole through his chest. You were ready to dismantle Koukin. What happened?

Final Flash: One page of fanservice is a deal I’ll take every time. I can only hope this fight ends in a satisfying manner next chapter after this chapter worked to make Koukin’s character seem so much lighter and less imposing.