Archive
Defense Devil 40
It’s good to see Idamaria reassert herself as a competent fighter, even if there are (presumably) lower-level baddies.
It’s evil Voltron!
On that performance, saying they have a chance against Legato is a stereotypical huge shonen overstatement, but their teamwork is good.
I can’t say I read Defense Devil for harem-style shower scenes.
Final Flash: Yet another transitional chapter (!), but not a great one.
Gamaran 39
It’s too bad we don’t get to see these other schools fight until Gama meets each of them. That’s a pretty poor way of building up a credible antagonist.
It’s Ranmaru!… ok, which one is he again? I’m fairly favorable towards this series, but aside from Gama and Naoyoshi-san, I’d have a difficult time producing names from memory.
Ok, it is pretty cool that Ranmaru is a student of Jinsuke. There isn’t enough development in the Jinsuke storyline.
Ranmaru steps in to fight? This is one hell of a Ranmaru chapter, which is just bizarre.
Final Flash: Ranmaru v. nobodies isn’t a fight I really care to see. If all we’re going to get is a tournament, I at least want to see said tournament.
Beelzebub 51
What the hell is Oga wearing on the cover page?
Always good to see what Baby Beel is up to. This week, just relaxing, drinking milk at Oga’s desk.
Hints of Nene/Kanzaki?
Shy Kunieda is horribly cute.
The other students seem interesting, particularly Azusa.
Panels like Oga saying “Hey” are why I love this series. Well, those and Furuichi.
Final Flash: Like many others this week, this is a transitional chapter, but good. Oga/Kunieda and Furuichi alone should both be fun to read.
Code:Breaker 79
Really like the seams on Ogami’s shoulder.
It must be said of The One Being Sought: “ZA WARUDO”
Little Ogami is a strange combination of cute and gruesome. Kamijyo’s art style is suiting these scenes rather well.
I like how hard Toki has fought throughout this arc, and I also like how The One can so easily throw him and Sakurakouji aside.
Flame powers may be overused in shonen, but this one is fairly interesting.
Final Flash: Good, but not quite the impact of the last few chapters.
Kekkaishi 296
The exploration of Yoshimori’s powers is so much more interesting than similar scenarios in other series. Kekkaishi is such a tasteful shonen series.
I still really like Shiguma. He (it?) is a creative way to improve the protagonist without an overused linear increase in strength.
Whoa, plot twist! An interesting one, too.
Final Flash: At this point, finding out anything related to Yoshimori’s mother is great. Not the most thrilling chapter, but enjoyable and important.
Psyren 109
The art seems different this week. Not worse, just different.
Amamiya’s girly side is cute… and hilarious.
Not surprised to see the kids interfere with Yoshina and Amamiya, but I’m pleased there was actually some progression there. There isn’t much time to expand upon this relationship, so it’s nice to see the few chapters between arcs being used like this.
Finally! Another call. I’ve been looking forward to returning to Psyren for so long.
Final Flash: A transitional chapter, but a good one.
Bakuman 76
I love the dialogue between Hattori and Yujiro, particularly Yujiro pushing for Hattori to accept Akino’s feelings.
In fact, this is a fantastic Hattori chapter overall.
“I dunno about that” is perfect for how awkwardly Tanto is being treated.
Great tension and buildup towards… something? Mashiro has to crack soon.
Eiji on TV! Still as lovably weird as ever. He calls out Ashirogi as his rival! Wow.
Mashiro breaks down, directly calls Azuki while crying and confesses to wanting to quit Tanto? Fantastic.
Final Flash: Brilliant chapter, and a huge, long-awaited plot point. The series just keeps improving. Very excited to read further.
Katekyo Hitman Reborn 280
Too much dialogue, most of which has already been covered. Move it along, please.
Some of these closeups feature much better art than most of the future arc. Clean, concise, easily legible.
It’s way too late for a meaningful Byakuran flashback. If you wanted me to care about him, this should have come 50 chapters ago.
Disappointing that we must wait yet another week for the full climax.
Final Flash: This is it. I’m ready for conclusion, fallout, and a new arc. Here’s your last chance to redeem yourself, Amano.
One Piece 576
That huge guy was San Juan Wolf, the largest being on the planet… and he’s part of Blackbeard’s crew? Along with several of the world’s worst criminals?
Blackbeard renouncing the title of Shichibukai?
The panel with everyone attacking Whitebeard?
Whitebeard not only knowing the Will of D, but also telling Blackbeard that he hasn’t truly inherited it?
The final scene?
Final Flash: Awe-inspiring. What a chapter.
Hunter x Hunter 299
[chapter link]
… ok, this is a little too bizarre. The King eating his subordinates is one thing, but their reactions are creepy and unnecessarily sexual.
The unintentional comedy scale is off the charts on these two-page spreads.
That was it? The chapter’s over?
Final Flash: Complete non-chapter. Horrible.
Naruto 485
How many times are we going to have to see Naruto and Sasuke run straight at each other?
Sasuke has gone from angst-ridden youth (irritating but believable) to insane one-dimensional avenger (unacceptable). He and Madara are prime examples of shocking character devolution.
The only interesting character in this entire scenario is Kakashi, who actually has the cojones to do something. Of course he’s held back.
Really? Was there enough plot in this chapter to save Naruto’s ridiculous plan for next week?
Final Flash: Poor. For all the unnecessary exposition we’re getting, we better get a good fight out of this.
Bleach 394
Extinguir is still a stupid name, and it still just looks like a stand.
White backgrounds! Speed lines!
Hmm, Sokotsu Domination looks familiar. Compare Bleach 394 (March 2010):
… with One Piece 427 (September 2006):
Final Flash: Yet another irrelevant non-Ichigo fight. Boring.
Weekly Power Rankings – 2/21 – 2/27
Weekly Power Rankings – 2/14 – 2/20
Live Action Yankee-kun to Megane-chan Confirmed
Yankee-kun to Megane-chan, a fantastic comedy series currently running in Weekly Shonen Magazine, will be adapted into a live-action drama, to air on the Japanese network TBS. The news was confirmed in Issue #13 of WSM. The drama will air every Friday at 10pm beginning April 23.
Narimiya Hiroki (Gokusen, Nana, Bloody Monday) has been cast as protagonist Shinagawa Daichi, while female lead Adachi Hana will be played by Naka Riisa (The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, Kami no Shizuku).
The two lead actors have impressive credentials, particularly Narimiya, but are they appropriate visual matches? Decide for yourself:
Source: News-Paradise
Shonen Beam Social Network
Shonen Beam 