Archive
Psyren 115
[chapter link]
Fairly plain color cover.
Don’t call them magic arms. That makes them sound lame.
Vigo is easily one of the more memorable villains we’ve seen so far.
Can’t understand Shao’s idea here. Punch the guy who can control whether his body can be passed through? Hm.
I could make a case for not translating “Anti-Psychic Yin-Yang Shakeup.” Exhibit A: It sounds stupid.
Did Shao just win with a reverse DDT? Did not expect that.
Kyle fight! Hooray.
Final Flash: No complaints with more action.
Hunter x Hunter 305
[chapter link]
The sketch drawing of Kaito would be awesome if Togashi didn’t slack off on his art so often. In contrast to detailed art, the first page would have been fantastic.
Same with the stark two-page spread. I can’t help but feel like it’s laziness rather than an artistic statement.
“I swear on my eye”? Uh, sure.
At least Killua wants to provide the audience with some action.
P12, bottom-right panel: I literally have goosebumps. Please. This is what we’ve been waiting for.
P15, top-left: Whoa.
I have absolutely no idea what Gon is about to do. I’m overwhelmingly excited by this.
Final Flash: FINALLY.
Bakuman 82
[chapter link]
Excellent cover page. Absolutely love the colors.
The first (non-cover) page is a perfect example of when to use speed lines and blank backgrounds! Great contrast between the large panel and the stark bottom panels.
True to life, Bleach gets some semblance of mention on the Jump cover. This brings back up an interesting discussion: What series are currently running in the fictional Bakuman version of Jump? We’ve seen several real-life series mentioned, but with also several series by fictional mangaka. I wonder if fictional Jump is simply larger to accommodate both real-life and fictional series, or if the fictional series replace any real-life series (and if so, which?).
Aiming for serious humor is a brilliant idea.
Weekly Aoki Ko! Amazing.
It’s nice to see the other authors’ assistants.
A postcard from Hattori? Huh. No idea what that could be about.
Final Flash: Lacks the impact of previous chapters, but contains quite a bit of necessary development.
Hayate no Gotoku! 268
[chapter link]
Great color spread. Nagi’s shirt is fantastic and should be made available for purchase.
Fourth wall-breaking advertisement! That’s the Hayate I like.
If Hata really does intend to follow through on Mikado’s intent to take away Nagi’s inheritance, it will mark a huge change in the manga. Not necessarily bad, but considerably different. Should be interesting to see where we go from here.
Tama! It’s been a while.
Final Flash: Not exactly sure where this is going. I like authors that have the conviction to force real change in a series with an established formula, but Hayate without infinitely-rich Nagi may not feel right.
Mahou Sensei Negima! 286
[chapter link]
Amnesia is so convenient for the novelty of having a character fall in love with the same person again.
I appreciate quick releases of low quality scans… but man, this one is terribly difficult to read.
Akamatsu’s art style is enjoyable, but sometimes the drawn-characters-obviously-pasted-on-backgrounds approach is too overt. At least lessen the white outlines around the black outlines of the characters.
P15, large center panel: “What’s this, then? Some kind of magic? Hand power?” Yes, use your hands to make him feel better. All of you. … wait, this isn’t a doujin yet, never mind.
Final Flash: Supremely uneventful chapter. Training arcs are difficult.
Kaitai Shinsho 0 – 6
[chapter link]
P2, top-left panel: The way the non-bubble Japanese text has been cleaned, it leaves what looks like a heart. Combine that with “Be good to each other” and you have an easily misunderstood panel for anyone skimming through.
I wish every series would simply declare when it’s time for fanservice. At least it’s honest.
Ah, good old “the thing you’re searching for is just a legend” storylines.
Fanservice to cliché to unnecessarily explanatory conversation for the sake of new readers, all within a few pages.
(And right back to fanservice.)
Somehow, I doubt that Narutaki said “Fail.”
Antagonists!
Final Flash: Probably the weakest chapter of the series’ short life to date, but still okay. Good to see some villains.
Bleach 400
[chapter link]
First panel, a roof and no background. Really setting the stage, aren’t you?
I am finding very little to say. I’m not saying shonen must always have recognizable moves with names, but fights must at least be able to be followed. There’s no flow to this fight whatsoever.
Gin’s Bankai isn’t the longest zanpakutou? That’s depressing knowledge. For the record, Kubo, we don’t need or want to see the longest.
Speed lines, white backgrounds, and sword slash cutaways. This chapter is yet another primer on how not to draw manga.
Oh, good. All we needed was for Aizen to power up. How about you write some character development, Kubo?
I suppose it’s appropriate that a milestone chapter was such rubbish.
Final Flash: Horrid. Also, what was the point of showing Matsumoto if she wasn’t going to do anything?
Naruto 491
[chapter link]
What the hell? Why does Naruto have to eat a frog?
Naruto the celebrity will be hard to get used to.
Officially tired of Kage meetings. This is an action series, Kishimoto.
Gaara is further establishing himself as a mature leader. Surprising character evolution.
Same-chapter prediction-to-development is so shallow. The frog says you’ll find the octopus on an island, and mere pages later, Naruto heads to an island.
They finally meet. I’ve already been sick of Bee. This is going to be difficult.
Final Flash: Frogs, a meeting, and a boat ride. Fairly inconsequential chapter.
One Piece 581
Excellent cover page. Interesting to ponder where this scene would fit in the overall timeline.
It is always good to see the Supernovas. Always.
The fourth Yonkou is “Big Mum”? Hm. This could help to quell the idea that Kaidou is female, if nothing else.
Oh no! It’s Brownbeard! … I hope we get to see him again after this. The idea deserves a cover story, at least.
Poor Bepo.
Jesus, Ivankov is scary.
The escaped prisoners (and presumably Ivankov) want to head to Kamabakka Kingdom, where Sanji is currently located. Could this be the start of the reassembly of the crew?
Some serious conspiracy material seeing the light of day. Someone higher than Sengoku is calling for the cover-up of the Impel Down escapes and having Doflamingo take out Moria? Excellent. Some Gorousei activity, finally? (Incidentally, how did Moria end up completely alone with Doflamingo and the PXs? Everyone was there just a moment ago.)
Final Flash: A reaction-heavy chapter, but the interactions on the ship were great, and the last few pages were fantastic.
Fairy Tail 180
[chapter link]
Nice try, Doppelganger! Save it for Queen Doppelpopolis. … wait, wrong series.
At least one Erza was kind enough to put markings on her face.
The way I picture Erza shouting “Explosion!”
I’m actually interested in seeing Gazille in more action. Hopefully he won’t be taken out too quickly and leave all the rest of the Dragon Slayer responsibilities to Natsu.
So all of the main characters are back and they can use magic? Good. We can make actual progress in this arc (and then be done with bizarro-world).
Final Flash: Disappointing that the Erza fight will last more than one chapter, but I can’t complain that we’re moving forward.
Katekyo Hitman Reborn! 286
[chapter link]
This week’s cover page: In case you still haven’t noticed Adelheid’s chest.
“You never asked.” was a pretty funny line.
There’s even more of the Reborn who I’ve missed.
The ninth knows all about your fight in the future, which paradoxically shouldn’t happen (have happened?) now.
Robot Roll Ca– er, Upcoming Characters Roll Call!
P12, top-right panel: Literally laugh-out-loud funny. Actually laughed audibly. What a pleasant return to form. Sustain this, please.
Conveniently, Reborn reveals that people will attack Tsuna right before someone attacks Tsuna.
Not liking the hugeness. Anyway, first fight since the future arc.
Final Flash: This is the first big test. Tsuna is reverting to Hyper Mode, where, in the future, he was way too determined and suave instead of cowardly but noble. This fight will go a long way in seeing if Amano can carry over any remnants from the future arc without spoiling what has so far been an enjoyable arc. (By the way, why did Hibari and Adelheid get the cover? They were barely even in this chapter.)
Gamaran 44
[chapter link]
What?! The only good one wasn’t so good after all? This never happens!
P5, bottom panel: What’s with Naoyoshi’s mouth?
Jinno Ichiou certainly features eye-catching character design. I don’t recall seeing many characters from series in this era with scruffy facial hair.
Ranmaru’s message is the best news in a while. This series needs considerably more Jinsuke. It’s one thing to announce the standard of excellence in a series; it’s another to show it.
Very tired of the “Do you hate me? Then grow stronger”-style of foreshadowing. Those villains rarely turn out to be complete villains, too.
Midou Shingo is reminding me strongly of Gedatsu. Not saying there’s any plagiarism going on, because the hairstyle suits the era; it’s just amusing to picture Gama’s next opponent talking with his mouth closed and failing to cross his arms.
Final Flash: Another Gama fight! It’s about time. Also, excited at the prospect of finally seeing Jinsuke.
Another New Shueisha Magazine – Shonen Jump Next
Hot on the heels of news regarding Jump SQ.19 comes word that Shueisha is launching yet another magazine. Entitled Shonen Jump Next, this even-newer magazine will be a quarterly release in the style of another of their existing magazines, Akamaru Jump. Like Akamaru, Shonen Jump Next will primarily serve as a launching pad for young artists hoping to establish themselves before being serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump or another Shueisha property.
Shonen Jump Next launches April 30 with several oneshots, some from notable mangaka:
Matsui Yuusei (Majin Tantei Nougami Neuro)
Kawashita Mizuki (Ichigo 100%, Hatsukoi Limited, Ane Doki)
Amano Youichi (Akaboshi – Ibun Suikoden)
Wajima Satoshi (Wasshoi! Waji Mania)
The debut issue will also feature a poster of the Bakuman anime, a special Nurarihyon no Mago chapter (featuring color page), eight short histories about current Weekly Shonen Jump series, and nine oneshots from young authors.
Credit: News-Paradise
History’s Strongest Disciple Kenichi 380
[chapter link]
Cover providing a little fanservice for the ladies. Assuming ladies read Kenichi.
You’re in trouble, young man! I sentence you to House Arrest, starring Jamie Lee Curtis and Kevin Pollak.
Agaard Jum Sai finally has a name, and finally Apachai is aware that he’s moving. That’s a fight I want to see.
Cute scene between Miu and Freya. Amusingly, I pictured the narrative boxes being voices by those old action cartoon narrators. “USING HER INTUITIVE POWERS…”
Touching comments from the masters. Glad Kenichi got to hear that.
Final Flash: Good enough to overlook that nothing really happened.
Beelzebub 56
[chapter link]
The cover is simple but effective.
Actually, the second color page is even better. It might have been too crowded for the cover.
(Also, let’s not neglect how adorable Baby Beel is on that color page.)
Oh, are we translating their name now? The Six Horsemen? Let’s see, that would be Flair, Blanchard, Anderson…
Alex Rodriguez? Um, okay.
Gou is from the Amateur Radio club. That’s fantastic.
P13, top panel: Sometimes, it takes seeing Himegawa from an angle to truly appreciate the pompadour.
Absolutely love the twists in the expected fight pairings. Truly excellent.
That punch. Man. Admittedly, a little reminiscent of Luffy’s OHKO against Bellamy, but still, wholly worthwhile.
Final Flash: Even more enjoyable than I anticipated. Fantastic.
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