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Hunter x Hunter 301
Careful, Togashi. That first panel of the first page looks dangerously close to a completely drawn background. Don’t get ahead of yourself, now.
Cell lives! The worst non-Bleach chapter of manga in a year wasn’t for nothing.
Wait, maybe it was. Amnesia?
No, it’s actually being used as means for Pouf to try to act against the King. Not bad.
Wings? Oh no! Perfect Cell!
Meleoron is one of the best characters of this arc. Also, page 17 recalls the satisfaction and excitement of a successful use of Gon 3, for any J!US players out there.
Final Flash: Good mix of development and action, and some instances of decent art. Nice chapter.
History’s Strongest Disciple Kenichi 376
Ok, the band-aid moment is excellent.
Niijima is… useful? This strange new world confuses me.
Keen-eyed car enthusiasts will note that Tirawit Kokin is driving a convertible Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione:
 Tirawit Kokin's car |
 Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione |
At what point is the term “fanservice” not strong enough?
This entire chapter could translate to some amazing anime.
With Kenichi still caught somewhere between disciple and master, this next fight should hopefully bring some needed development.
Final Flash: This series had been spinning its wheels for a while, but it’s finally starting to find its stride again. Good chapter.
Hayate no Gotoku! 264
It might finally be time for fallout from this arc. I rarely look forward to reaction chapters, but I’m curious to see what happens now among the other girls.
The cover page art, particularly because of the crescent moon over the building, is quite reminiscent of Franky House.
“She’s always mad.” Fantastic.
Well, I can’t say this resolution was unexpected, given that this is a harem series. While I was never rooting for Hayate to go for Athena, especially since she’s barely been around, it would have been a refreshing change for the male lead to make a decision mid-series.
Final Flash: I guess it’s back to everyday business soon, then. That isn’t bad, but it feels a bit like an opportunity lost.
Kimi no Iru Machi 82
Two weeks off felt like a long time for a romance series.
Not sure how I feel about Haruto’s new acquaintances. I have yet to warm up to them.
Oh, Rin-chan.
I know Seo has a distinct art style, but Rin on page 13 looks exactly like Suzuka.
Well then, that will certainly help me warm up to Kazama. Good last few pages.
Final Flash: We have entered the main stretch of standard romance series heart-wrenching. As always, I hope the conclusion will be worth the trouble.
Katekyo Hitman Reborn! 282
With a name like “Farewell, Future.” this chapter has to be an improvement, right? … right?
Goodbyes are taking too long.
I certainly hope there’s an MST3k Time Chasers-like moment coming soon. “I left my keys at the Manchu Wok of the future!”
No more boxes?! This is getting better already.
Oh, never mind. sigh.
Final Flash: Not much of a chapter, but it’s such a tremendous relief to see the words “Future Arc – End.” Amano hasn’t always been this poor, so let’s hope for a return to form.
Nurarihyon no Mago 98
Nice cover. It feels like ages since we’ve seen regular/human Nura.
Gyuuki must be an amazing hair stylist to keep his style flawless at all times like that.
Maybe it’s just me, but I think how Gyuuki defines a Hyakki Yakou was all pretty much assumed anyway.
Zen breaking the fourth wall is weird. This doesn’t seem the series to do that.
Good to see Zen back. I felt he was an interesting character. Certainly interesting enough not to relegate to as little exposure as he’s had.
Final Flash: Training chapter, just as expected, but with a couple good moments.
Weekly Power Rankings – 3/7 – 3/13
AR∀GO 11
I love the coloring of the color page.
Eames’ power didn’t work on regular humans?
Rio is excellent. She’s really helping to solidify this series.
Now that’s a plot twist. Didn’t see this coming at all.
Final Flash: Great chapter, and the next should be as well.
Kekkaishi 297
“Where have you been hiding for the past 400 years!?” “Sorry. Stuff happened.” – Best explanation ever.
Was … was that a Skull Joke from Madarao?
It’s about time Yoshimori gets some proper guidance from someone so important.
Hm. Very interesting last page.
Final Flash: This seems like the prelude to a training arc, but with Kekkaishi I don’t really mind. Such a tasteful series.
Code:Breaker 80
We’re starting with a flashback? Last chapter ended on such an excellent moment, too. Interesting.
There’s not much depth about The One Being Sought. He’s evil, sure. That’s really all we know. The flashback is only serving to reinforce that, rather than expanding upon it. Maybe there’s nothing to expand upon. Too bad.
It seems The One’s power is a little less Dio and a little more Diavolo.
The little twist in the action is giving this fight a very end-of-series feel, which can’t be right (given, at least, the foreshadowing remarks at the end of Toki’s fight).
Final Flash: This fight is odd. It isn’t bad, but there’s an awkward feeling about it.
Hajime no Ippo 887
This fight needs to end.
Ippo has been saved by the bell way too many times. Everything about this fight is ridiculous.
Some inane chatter from the crowd, the exact same scenario in Woli’s corner, and the chapter is over. This fight has killed any momentum this otherwise brilliant series had.
Final Flash: Awful. Please let this be over soon.
One Piece 578
Beautiful color spread. I require a poster.
Very happy to see some more Buddha action. I would like to know a little more about the specifics of Sengoku’s abilities, though.
Aokiji’s apology doesn’t seem sarcastic. He’s easily the best admiral.
Jinbei is increasingly amazing.
SPEAKING OF AMAZING. Crocodile.
Betting lines are open: Buggy 12/1 to accidentally become Pirate King.
A submarine with lanterns and a familiar logo. Only one man is this cool. Oh yes.
Final Flash: No coincidence that the awesome started flying around once the focus turned away from Blackbeard. We need a little break from him. How about those last two pages?
Gamaran 40
“… and you are?” I’m glad I’m not the only one who feels this way about Ranmaru.
A Ranmaru flashback? Well, at least it’s short.
Brutal scenes like this are such a big part of the appeal of this series, which is why I’m irritated by how much unnecessary exposition we’ve been given recently. It’s a pure samurai action series; give us action with the bare minimum amount of plot to keep it interesting.
The art in the large panel of page 16 is bizarrely reminiscent of Good Ending. Maybe it’s in the hair.
Final Flash: One moment of action excellence doesn’t make up for the pacing. You have swords! Use them!
Psyren 110
No white backgrounds! Bad Psyren!
Fist-bumping: It’s never cool.
Shinkibenibone? Rolls right off the tongue.
I like the new Nemesis Q. Having an ominous, detached figure worked for as long as it did, but it was time to evolve.
More Kabuto, please.
Final Flash: As good a set-up chapter as we could expect. Now, to business.
Zettai Karen Children 209
What an amusingly unimaginative arc title “Lost Guys” is.
Sakaki’s muscles look like papier-mâché.
This chapter (and arc, so far) is just making me want to read more Cage of Eden. Where are the current scans of that?
Final Flash: At least we’re going somewhere, but it just feels like we’re taking forever to get there. Knowing the premonition of the future means that everything that happens between now and then feels that much longer.
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