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Naruto 489
[chapter link]
A color cover full of characters I don’t like.
Don’t even think about eating Tonton. She’s far more interesting than any of those guys on the cover.
Okay, Naruto digging in to the bug stew right away did make me chuckle.
The Octopus is obviously Killerbee, and everyone with a hint of a brain synapse already knew Naruto would fight Sasuke. Great job, old frog.
If Kishimoto were to maintain character consistency since the beginning, Naruto would refuse to unlock the seal.
I liked Kabuto when he was the clever, intelligent, shady right-hand man. I’m not sure if I like this Kabuto. Also, is every death in Naruto for the purpose of a summon later in the series?
Final Flash: Next chapter will be pivotal in determining the quality of the end of the series.
Toriko 89
[chapter link]
Love that a group finally decided to catch up on this. Thanks, Franky House!
I’ve been curious about Teppei since this arc began. He’s starting to act at the perfect time, too.
Saiseiyas are yet another creative idea from this author. Good addition to this world.
The only disappointing thing about this chapter so far is how much Tommyrod had left after fighting Toriko. Hopefully Toriko isn’t down for the count.
Parasite Emperor. Wow. Talk about having something left.
Teppei better be amazing, because Parasite Emperor seems pretty broken.
Hellboros! This is a fantastic chapter for new creatures.
Aw, poor Komatsu.
Final Flash: I’m impatient for the next chapter of this more than any series.
History’s Strongest Disciple Kenichi 378
[chapter link]
I want to play Conan the Great. Where’s my copy, Sakaki?
I love the masters, but I hope Kenichi has time to properly find his limits, overcome them, and evolve at least a little before they come to help.
Center panel, p5: Whoa proportions.
Excellent short fight. Well-drawn, easily-followed action, with an obvious grounding in real martial arts (even if unrealistically spiced up a little).
There we go. We all knew the old man would break out soon.
Final Flash: Felt like a short chapter, but an exceptional one. The only worry is that Kenichi is now too injured to continue fighting. He’s solely responsible for the recent resurgence of quality.
One Piece 580
[chapter link]
Coby and Helmeppo have been taught by Tashigi! That’s excellent.
Shanks has been fighting Kaidou? I’m now even more anxious to meet him.
“If I were to see him now, I’d be breaking our promise.” Harsh but honorable words.
Hancock’s best asset: Her look-down-her-nose pose. I know you were thinking of something else, but this pose is priceless.
Buggy has been the comic relief of this entire arc, but there’s reason to believe he could now become a force.
No Shanks/Mihawk? Damn.
Yasopp’s looking pretty badass there. Well, they all are.
Moria’s expression doesn’t quite fit the surrounding reflection and grief. I mean, it fits him to be like that, but it’s comical.
It’s over.
Final Flash: One Piece is on break next week. One extra week for a sense of finality, then on to an uncertain future. I’m excited.
Code:Breaker 82
[chapter link]
This is a rarity in shonen: The leader falling in battle before his subordinates. Very interested in what will happen next.
It’s somewhat of a pity that he gets in some last words. I thought the ending to the last chapter was great.
Middle panel, p12: What an unsettling blank stare. Excellently drawn.
The two-page spread here is an example of an acceptable lack of background. Used sparingly, it can achieve great effect.
Shigure? I suppose I should have been trained by shonen always to keep an eye on the weak one, but this surprised me.
Final Flash: Right back into the action, then. Someone really should have been keeping an eye on that box.
Mahou Sensei Negima! 284
[chapter link]
Luna, officially part of the harem. Welcome aboard.
Damn, Asuna. You old.
Are we sure it’s “Gatou” and not “Gâteau?” I could go for the latter.
Seriously, it’s good that Asuna is finally remembering the past. Unlike Hayate, where the recent serious arc (while very good) had to keep itself in check somewhat because of its overall genre, Negima has successfully bridged the gap from harem comedy to fantasy action. More Asuna drama, please.
I was hoping for a little more depth out of Fate. (I am fully aware of the comedy in that statement.) ‘People are going to die so I’ll kill them myself’ is pretty tired at this point.
Wait, was everyone being an illusion not already revealed several times? Maybe not explicitly, but I think every reader knew that by now.
Final Flash: Good to see Asuna again, and even better to see that we’re seemingly heading toward the final showdown.
Katekyo Hitman Reborn! 284
[chapter link]
Shitt-P Shitt-P Shitt-P Shitt-P Shitt-P Shitt-P Shitt-P okay it’s out of my system. Let’s hope there’s something else to talk about.
Someone who looks much older than they are who’s conflicted about playing a sport? Your new name is Musashi.
A boxer, too? I understand making opposing characters similar, but this is getting ridiculous… unless these new characters aren’t opponents, but people sent by the mafia to substitute for the Vongola family in their everyday school life, so the Vongola can go run the mafia. Now that would be more interesting.
“Gokudera’s shown interest in Shitt-P.” Damn, that’s a terrible fight. Why does Gokudera get stuck with lame fights?
Whoa. Bottom-left panel, page 11. Hello, fanservice character. I hadn’t quite noticed exactly how endowed Adelheid was.
Lambo! That was something criminally wrong with the Future arc: Not enough Lambo.
Final Flash: We get the point – these students have some significance relating to the Vongola. We don’t need any more hints and setup. This is already better than the Future arc, but let’s get moving.
Hayate no Gotoku! 266
[chapter link]
Bikini-clad girls splashing around in the sea. Quite a sharp difference from the last few chapters.
Hina found out, which will surely lead to her not giving up on Hayate. Hina fans, rejoice.
Sand Gundam! Working our way back towards familiar comedy, I see.
Good, I was wondering if Athena and Nagi would ever meet. That’s a pretty spread, too. If colored, it would make for an excellent wallpaper.
“I’ll return that for today.” Great layered conversation going on.
She’s returning after all? That might work out for the best. The rejection saves the harem comedy style, but she can just join the harem now.
Poor Klaus.
What a cute and interesting last page. If this is a new storyline, let’s hope for more Genshiken than Comic Party.
Final Flash: This concludes Hayate‘s first major serious arc. Overall, considering the existing style and perception of the series: Extremely well done.
Fairy Tail 178
[chapter link]
Please: Fewer cats.
A character named Pyro? I’ll just pretend it’s the Pyro.
“Sugerboy,” too. Wow.
Oh, good. Cats.
… and a million more cats. That square-faced cat makes me rage a little bit every time I see him.
Even if you like Happy, you couldn’t sensibly argue that this arc was a good idea. I love One Piece, and I love Chopper, but a One Piece arc with an entire parallel world full of Choppers would be putrid. Nearly as putrid as this, even.
Final Flash: Hurry up and rescue Natsu. He’s the only chance this arc has of any redemption.
Lock On! 6
[chapter link]
These backgrounds are actually painful. They make it hard to read. Speed lines are bad enough in action scenes; don’t use them when a character is standing still. (Page 6, top-left.)
Niko’s nervous polygonal hair is pretty amusing. First time I’ve found a positive in the art.
Did I just compliment the art? Nevermind. What a disappointing full-page action scene p17 is.
To illustrate my point about the backgrounds, I’ve taken the time to examine the background of every panel in this chapter:
Total (% of 90 panels):
Drawn – 20 (22.2%)
Effects / Speed Lines – 41 (45.6%)
None (no room) – 7 (7.8%)
None – 22 (24.4%)
If you’re anything like me, effect/speed lines and no backgrounds (when space is available) are the same problem, which would mean that to you, a whopping 70% of the panels in this chapter were substandard. As far as I’m concerned, that’s just not acceptable for a series in a major magazine.
Final Flash: It’s not as though the art is detracting from a good series, either. Something needs to improve quickly.
Zettai Karen Children 211
Maybe I’m a Lion! ha! … I’m sorry.
What was the point of such lame humor in the first few pages?
The characters finally meet up. Maybe the story will go somewhere now.
I know this guy is evil because he’s black and white. And he uses a sword.
(Oh, and he brutally slaughtered a water buffalo.)
Spirit Gun!
“He’s using a convergence of psychic waves for long distance sniping!” … no, he’s ripping off Yusuke.
And we’re back to comedy. Meh.
Final Flash: Can we be done with bathroom humor yet?
Hayate no Gotoku! 265
Hayate looks devastated on the first page. That’s a depressing look.
“I loved you” is always awfully depressing. This arc has been great, but I hope this series remembers soon that it’s a comedy.
Hayate answering her feelings and apologizing is too sad.
So. It’s over. I wonder where we go from here.
Final Flash: A suitable conclusion. The series could use some time off from the drama, but I hope it doesn’t become too episodic.
Toriko 88
This fight has been fantastic. I seriously hope the Toriko anime is on its way soon; I would love to see this animated.
I’ll never get tired of seeing Toriko’s “killing intent” face.
Removing constraints/weights/limits is usually poorly used, but this time, it’s happening so late in the fight, I don’t mind.
Whoa. Brutal. What a fight.
Page 14! Center panel. I already liked this series, but it’s growing on me exponentially.
Wow, I didn’t see this confrontation coming. Interesting.
Final Flash: It’s amazing how quickly this series has moved up my recommendation list in just a few weeks.
AR∀GO 13
The art style of AR∀GO may not fall into the universal definition of “great,” but it suits the series well, and it’s always a welcome change amid all the other series I read.
I can’t say I didn’t have my doubts as to Seth’s possession.
Translator’s note reveals that he messed up the translation last chapter, and it was “Orc,” not “Orca.” Consider me disappointed.
More body parts? This is turning into Steel Ball Run.
The cemetery scene was tastefully done.
Hm, competition. The supernatural stuff is good, but I am also interested in Arago’s position in CID. This feels like a good time to switch gears.
Final Flash: The small arc with Seth was just enough to interest but didn’t overstay its welcome. This series continues to impress early in its publishing life.
History’s Strongest Disciple Kenichi 377
This week’s cover: In case you forgot fanservice was an important part of the series.
Excellent first page. Sets up the fight perfectly.
Wow, he actually got close. I’m hoping for some serious evolution in Kenichi in this arc.
Just a few pages in, and already a couple trademark “Kenichi sprinting” scenes.
I also want to eat some daifuku, sir.
The author’s hinting pretty seriously at the old man being very aware of his surroundings.
I wonder how injured I’d have to be to accept an old man putting chewed grass on me.
Final Flash: Good action and a good setup for next week.
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