Archive
Weekly Power Rankings – 2/28 – 3/6
Beelzebub 52
Not surprised that Miki was an old friend of Furuichi. Can’t trust him, though.
Yeah, figured.
Good comedy between the two members of Rokkisei. Oga’s reaction-face is priceless as ever.
A ruler! I love Kunieda.
Final Flash: Excited for this fight. Been a while since we’ve seen Oga himself in some real action.
MiXiM☆11 87
Pandora’s explanation: … what? Seriously, what the hell?
Another creepy Dodo shot. That’s the best I can hope for during these flashbacks.
That’s it? This flashback has taken way too long, for no real purpose. I don’t find Arachne or Nemesis any more interesting, nor do I care more about them.
Final Flash: At least it’s over.
Bakuman 77
Very interesting conversation between Mashiro and Azuki. Beyond how great it is that they’re talking, even.
“Our love is still growing.” Hooray!
Hattori’s role is growing by the chapter. I’m not complaining whatsoever.
Final Flash: Excellent final page. Excellent chapter.
Hunter x Hunter 300
Gintama began five and a half years after the debut of Hunter x Hunter, yet they both reach chapter 300 in the same week. Really puts all those delays in perspective.
Characters are meeting up again. It feels like we’re going places.
Is Gon finally going to fight someone?
… or is the whole “do this or Gon will kill you” scenario repeating itself? I hope not.
Final Flash: Getting closer to long-anticipated action. Please come soon.
Nurarihyon no Mago 97
Anime in July! Exciting.
Flashback? Or a dream? Interesting if Nura met Hagoromo-Gitsune in the past.
Gyuuki is a character I’d like to see used more.
I’d prefer if there wasn’t a training arc in between fights, thanks. At least keep it short.
Final Flash: Nura does need to improve, but make it quick.
Naruto 486
This week: Running straight at each other – the conclusion!
Ugh, now people are stepping in to stop actual action? And the only remotely notable fight left in the series is being delayed? Terrible.
Horrible, emo, fanfiction-fodder dialogue. Enough already.
Final Flash: A huge step backwards.
Bleach 395
Page 2 and its white space are a prime example of how not to draw manga.
I doubt Kubo could make Yamamoto/Aizen dialogue more boring if he tried.
I don’t care how massive they are; explosions aren’t pure white.
Who is that character on the last page, again? He doesn’t do enough for me to remember him.
Final Flash: This is all one big joke, right? Kubo is a superstar mangaka who barely draws or writes.
One Piece 577
Rayleigh seems to be done coating Thousand Sunny. Now as for the crew returning there…
I’m torn on Akainu. On one hand, someone (presumably Jinbei or Ivankov) defeating him so shortly after his introduction would somewhat demean his status as an admiral, even if he’d already fought Whitebeard. On the other hand, I can’t say I find him a worthwhile enough character to postpone the climax of a fight with him until the distant future.
Oh, Buggy.
Regarding Blackbeard: … that just happened. I don’t think I like this. Really. Those are strange words to hear from me regarding One Piece, but I am not keen on this plot decision.
Final Flash: If anyone can redeem this, it’s Oda, but I am highly apprehensive of new Blackbeard.
Katekyo Hitman Reborn! 281
It’s actually over. I was worried Amano would pull some Bleach-like stunt and only one of Byakuran’s forms was defeated or something equally ridiculous.
Whoa, Xanxus. Brutal.
The unknown, strange-talking infant is actually somewhat amusing. Better than Skull, at least.
It’s about to have all been a dream! Can’t wait to wrap up this colossal waste of time.
Final Flash: Still waiting on completely conclusion of this terrible arc, but nice to see we’re getting there.
Hayate no Gotoku! 263
Little A-tan is adorable.
Pretty redundant, space-filling dialogue. Nothing to see here.
His face! About time.
Final Flash: Not very substantive at all, so an accordingly short writeup.
Mahou Sensei Negima! 282
Up to this point, Negima has always been able to pull off lighthearted fantasy in a decently original fashion, but every time I see the Great Grand Master Key, the series feels a little too childish and Kingdom Hearts for my tastes.
That said, it’s good to see young Negi again. It was beginning to feel as though Akamatsu was trying to force the coolness a bit too much with Negi’s older self.
“I am about to enter the Hyperbolic Time Ch– I mean, the Diorama Sphere…”
Akamatsu sure loves making this series as close to an RPG as possible.
Finally, some development in the fake Asuna storyline is coming.
Final Flash: Nothing terribly exciting about yet another transitional chapter.
History’s Strongest Disciple Kenichi 375
Still quite unfortunate that we’re getting Shigure fighting the Muay Thai master instead of Apachai.
It’s a relief that Kenichi is still afraid of blades. Don’t want him getting too badass yet.
The art always seems to stand out as exceptional when Kenichi is sprinting at something. Definitely one of the artist’s strong points.
Final Flash: Good fighting and an interesting setup for the next chapter.
Fairy Tail 175
Oh good, fanservice right away.
For all the completely legitimate complaints about it ripping off One Piece, the art is refreshingly crisp compared to some other series.
The increased focus on Lucy is good variety.
Completely obvious and unsurprising plot twist!
Final Flash: I was really hoping to be pleasantly surprised by Mashima not going the easy direction. Disappointing.
MiXiM 11 86
Though I’m still largely uninterested by this arc, Anzai always manages to make Dodo look incredibly scary.
The title spread comes on the second-to-last page? Bizarre. Bad choice, even.
Mercifully short training chapter.
Final Flash: Still can’t be bothered to care much for what’s going on.
Shonen Beam Social Network
Shonen Beam 