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Hunter x Hunter 303
[chapter link]
The first page explicitly says “Killua vs. Pouf.” This better be an actual fight involving a main character.
Pouf attempting to convince Killua to quit is silly, but Killua actually responding (even negatively) is outright stupid.
Finally, she’s off his back. Real fight, begin.
Pretty sure that black guy is wearing a Bulls jersey. That’s… pretty racist.
Now Pouf is again off to destroy something else instead of fighting Killua. Disappointing.
You can’t keep teasing me with brief shots of Gon, Togashi. Pitou healing Kaito better not take more than a few weeks.
Final Flash: An absolutely minuscule taste of action in an otherwise underwhelming chapter.
Psyren 113
[chapter link]
Swimming through ground? Huh. Neat.
Damn! Moriyama was totally my favorite character.
So, he can pass his body through others’ at will? Interesting power, if a little unoriginal.
Aw, he’s an artist character. Those are definitely unoriginal.
That’s right, Shao. No one touches Marie.
Final Flash: One Shonen Jump war ends, another begins. This one may not have the epic scale of the other, but it could still be good. The only worry is the relative anonymity of the enemies.
Bleach 398
[chapter link]
Human and frog! No, that’s the other series. Shouldn’t be another living thing, anyway, that’s done to death. Human and … the internet! Wait, that’s Freakazoid. … man, how much would I rather be watching Freakazoid right now? That was a fun series.
I should really do the same panel background study I did for the last chapter of Lock On!, but telling you that the backgrounds of Bleach are horrid wouldn’t exactly be breaking news, would it?
Oh. It’s Gin. I remember that guy. … yep.
Come to think of it, there’s another study: I wonder how many chapters of Bleach in the last year have had a “shocking” character appearance. Two years, even. Wouldn’t be at all surprised if there was a streak going.
I bet Ichigo’s dad is going to win, guys! Did you see that attack?! That’s gotta be it!
Final Flash: It’s no Freakazoid.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Psyren 112
Over 500 survivors? Another interesting difference during this trip to Psyren.
Marie is cute, and seems to be more determined this time.
Amamiya jealous is something I would like to see, if there was enough time to take focus away from the main action. Right now, there isn’t.
Ageha’s sister! And a baby. Whoa.
Their dad? Wow, this is completely different.
Enemies convenient in number for the purpose of individual fights!
Final Flash: I suppose technically a transition chapter, but one fascinating enough not to feel dull in the slightest. This Psyren trip has yet to disappoint.
Nurarihyon no Mago 99
It’s about time that Hagoromo Gitsune’s followers get a little spotlight. (I emphasize “little.”) It was starting to feel like they would be relegated to the shonen-requisite “author forgot to make this enemy important” mid-fight flashback.
Yeah! Medieval Ghost Rider(s)!
Actually, on that same page… couldn’t the assistants have taken more than 30 seconds to draw the citizens’ faces? They look more grotesque than the youkai.
Is Kubinashi going to improve? That would be a welcome change.
Oh… huh. That was pretty sudden.
Final Flash: Nice to see any of the members of the Hyakki Yakou leveling up, and too short is better than too long, but that was quite abrupt.
Hunter x Hunter 302
Hakoware is totally going to kill CellMeryem. Solo. OHKO, even.
More creepy borderline perversion from the King’s subordinates.
You’re fooling no one, Togashi; thought bubbles are no different from narrative boxes.
The more I see her, the more I feel confident in saying Komugi is one of the ugliest characters in manga.
Final Flash: This is looking dangerously close to a fight involving one of the two main characters. I wonder how we’ll be swerved this time.
One Piece 579
More Law, please.
Still can’t come to terms with Blackbeard’s new powers. This stands alone as the one aspect of One Piece I completely dislike.
Pandaman! Page 5, part of the fleeing crowd.
Buggy’s terrified face cracks me up every time.
Wow, Coby. Wow. I liked him already, but my respect has grown immeasurably.
Shock of the week. Shanks, out of nowhere.
“Bitch, what have you done to my hat?!”
Final Flash: It’s hard for One Piece to get any more into serious mode, but Oda found a way. We can never have too much Shanks.
Bleach 397
How do you follow the worst manga chapter in a year? Let’s find out.
Don’t do extreme closeups of body parts when you can’t draw them properly.
You’re right, Aizen; it does seem strange that Ichigo encountered a Hollow for the first time mere moments after meeting Rukia. I was chalking that up to awful writing, but now you’re telling me that it’s all according to keika– er, plan. Great. That reflects well on the author.
As I continue reading, it seems the entirety of page six is a testament to Kubo’s pitiful writing. Not only can he not write, but now he’s even trying to take my job! Well, we’ll see about that.
… apparently he can’t draw, either. At least, not in a fashion that produces character designs that are pleasing to the eye. Proof positive: page 7, center panel.
I hate those ugly melting backgrounds as in the last panel of page 13. If I wanted to know what your manga looked like when set on fire, I’d light it up myself, thanks.
Right on cue, without a hint of surprise, Isshin appears.
Final Flash: Bleach is cementing its position as the embarrassment to shonen manga.
Beelzebub 54
Beel helping Oga brush his teeth is too cute.
What the hell? How does “punch me once” translate into throwing weights?
Kanzaki’s introduction is an incredible panel.
He actually pissed his pants. Excellent.
It’s too bad Kanzaki didn’t get a chance to actually do anything before Miki wiped him out.
Baby Beel on the last page gives this series yet another great facial expression.
Final Flash: The teaser says next chapter is finally Oga vs. Miki. Let’s hope that’s the truth.
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