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Bakuman 94
[scanlation by Sleepy Fans]
Fantastic punchline delivered by both Mashiro and Takagi.
Insightful analysis
The order in which Hattori lists titles of popular series should serve as notice to anyone who has not yet read Slam Dunk: It’s important. Read it.
As always, excellent precision and detail in Obata’s art, as displayed here by the One Piece volume.
Very funny two-page interlude featuring Hiramaru’s editor contriving new methods to keep him working.
Master schemer
There’s the revelation: Mashiro’s art is inappropriate for the story and for Jump. It’s a good revelation, as it will capitalize on the recent character evolution Mashiro has displayed.
Iwase reveals a shocking blush upon Eiji’s surprising compliment. She couldn’t possibly fall for him, could she? More importantly, Eiji couldn’t possibly be involved in a romantic angle, right?
... right?
Poor Hiramaru. Maybe someday he’ll impress Aoki.
In fact, poor Shizuka, too. Unlike Hiramaru, though, Shizuka looks like he will benefit in the long run from this disastrous evening.
Everything seems to be coming together. Mashiro quitting school completely devotes him to improving his art, and with the story already on the right path, PCP should be ready to seriously contend with Natural and Crow.
5th place! Iwase’s reaction is consistent with her new role as the respectful rival. The change from irate to driven was a sudden turnaround in her character, but now that the shock has worn off, this new facet of hers is enjoyable, and can remain so as long as her relationship (both personal and professional) with Eiji continues to evolve.
Another bold statement from the manga genius lends credence to the thought that PCP is almost ready for success. Furthermore, it reinforces the thought that Bakuman could be a comparatively short series, as there aren’t too many overarching plot points left to resolve.
Final Flash: Good chapter. Funny humor, important plot progression, and a couple interesting new developments.
My favorite Bakuman character
Katekyo Hitman Reborn! 298
[scanlation by I Eat Manga]
No matter how worryingly reminiscent Enma is of Future arc woes, this cover page is fantastic. Great color.
Enma is too cool and collected. I miss the lighthearted sense of early Reborn!, even when the series started to feature more serious arcs. There was always a pleasant sense of the ridiculous. Now, any ridiculous characters feel forced, amid their pseudo-bishonen surroundings.
Not only is he too suave, but Enma is strong enough to take out the entire Vongola group. Is it training arc time?
This chapter is incredibly heavy on speed lines.
Don't eat speed lines, Tsuna
Confirmation that this entire conflict is based on a silly misunderstanding. That’s disappointing. If the plot is intent on being overly dramatic, it should at least be consistent and set up its major plot points accordingly. Of course, a series with a boy who shoots himself into the future with a bazooka, and a girl who explodes when her forehead counts down, shouldn’t be overly dramatic in the first place.
Fanservice really has no place in Reborn!. It’s just not the right kind of series.
"Out of place," he said
Chrome is reduced to the generic damsel in distress. What a poor character. Her introduction was interesting, but every time plot gets serious, she fades out of the picture and Mukuro comes and saves the day.
Thorough defeat suffered by Vongola. Training arc forthcoming indeed.
Final Flash: The difference in power between Vongola and Shimon is unreasonable. The last non-Future training arc was actually decent, so let’s hope Amano keeps this interesting.
Naruto 502
[chapter link]
Is it wrong that I thought “I didn’t know Sasuke had a sister” before it clicked that that’s Itachi?
It’s fun to see all these other characters so many years ago.
Fantastic artwork of the entire village of Konoha under attack.
Nice scene of Minato standing on his own head
Incredible technique used by Minato. I hope we get to see more of his skills before the inevitable happens.
Showing techniques like he’s using to catch up to Minato is the only way for Kishimoto to legitimize Madara. Until now, we’ve only been told of his strength. We need to see it.
Interestingly, Madara neither confirms nor denies his identity. This supports the theory that “Madara” is not Uchiha Madara at all.
Excellent sequence of panels showing the kunai passing through Madara’s head. Kishimoto has drawn this chapter very well.
More great skill displayed by Minato. This is a good fight.
Final Flash: Strong chapter, especially considering it’s a flashback.
One Piece 592
[chapter link]
Hooray! Zoro and Perona are next.
Mihawk. Zoro was sent to Mihawk. Absolutely incredible.
It’s so good to see Zoro in action again. His presence has been sorely missed.
Great dialogue between Zoro and Mihawk. They’ve had very little time together, but that time has always been meaningful.
Zoro would have gotten lost on the way to the ocean anyway
The battle Mihawk mentions will surely someday have some kind of significance. Remember this moment.
Good old Nami. A perfect mix of deviousness and true emotion. These individual character scenes are excellent.
Franky’s side story is amazing as well. I like how we’re slowly learning about Vegapunk through small mentions here and there. This is how to appropriately build a future character’s importance.
Urkel was never cooler
How nice to read about the heroic deeds of … Satan-sama.
Pandaman!
Final Flash: Fantastic scenes of the crew, most notably Zoro and Franky. Wonderful chapter.
Bleach 412
[chapter link]
Go ahead, Kubo. Reveal that Matsumoto is evil. Have her confess her love for Gin. Something. Give us a reason she’s been important enough to show chasing after Aizen and Gin in every chapter.
More comedy in a showdown with Aizen. Unacceptable.
Gin picks up Matsumoto and whisks her away from Aizen. If Kubo was capable of planning long-term plot twists, I’d give him some credit for maintaining the possibility that Gin is secretly at odds with Aizen.
Background of the week
More Don Kanonji, and more comedy. There’s absolutely no consistency to anything. Kubo has no plan.
Twist of the week
All those weeks of Matsumoto hints, just for her to be left lying on the ground, without the audience even getting to see what happened. Pathetic.
Final Flash: Bleach has the uncanny ability to make me run out of negative adjectives.
Toriko 102
[chapter link]
[scanlation by Hi Wa Mata Noboru]
I’m not sure walking on water would suit Toriko very well.
Toriko can not only throw his knife, but has a 13-hit fork now, too. Excellent. …he’s still about to be crushed by Ichiryuu, though.
Leg fork and knife! Good stuff.
Like the Sistine Chapel... except someone is about to be pummeled
Great punchline for the “walking on water” subplot, with Toriko sent flying so hard that he skips across the surface of the sea.
A new job request for Toriko. This one should prove interesting, as it’s a different type of locale than anything previously explored in the series.
Final Flash: Like the best training arcs, short and sweet.
Beelzebub 68
[chapter link]
Oga lost after all. Ultimately, hiding the ending of the fight until this chapter was just a plot device. Disappointing.
Furuichi watching the upcoming fight while eating serves no particular purpose other than being funny. Still, it accomplishes that well.
Inexplicable
Toujou is right. Oga has become weak. I like that the main character has to again claw his way to the top of a newly-established power hierarchy, but it’s a little confusing that there wasn’t a transition. Oga went from the top to mediocre without any real explanation.
Baby Beel steals the chapter. Fantastic scene with him awarding the victory to Oga.
Finally, time for the school festival.
Final Flash: Beelzebub seems to be in a confused state right now. Its pacing is awkward and its characters, while still funny, are stagnating without appropriate development. Hopefully the school festival either brings back some consistent quality or ends quickly to pave the way for a new story arc.
Psyren 126
[chapter link]
Let’s see what happens inside this hyperbolic time… area.
Unbelievably direct romantic interaction between Yoshina and Amamiya. This direct of an approach to their relationship, after so long without any mention of it, screams of an author working to tie up loose ends of the plot for fear of cancellation.
Evidently Yoshina and Amamiya are going to be conveniently late, as any good shonen protagonist(s) should.
Kabuto’s frantic behavior isn’t helping to set the tone for what should be a massive story arc.
Suddenly, after not much buildup, the rescue arc is set to begin.
Final Flash: Awkward chapter. Feels very much like Iwashiro is readying the series for an earlier-than-anticipated end.
Bakuman 93
[chapter link]
Fantastic facial expression right off the bat. Iwase is becoming a strong antagonist.
Hell hath no fury...
Azuki is either being extremely bold or affirming as strongly as possible that she and Mashiro can’t meet again until they’ve achieved their dreams. This lends credence to the idea that Bakuman could be a comparatively short series, as it would feel odd for these two not to meet again for a long time.
Excellent backbone displayed by Miura in his meeting with Iwase. His involvement in his new role has been a question mark, but he’s obviously up to the task.
These series that are being rattled off in passing sound amusing. Who wouldn’t want to read Catalogue God John?
I’m not sure I like how the stipulation attached to PCP’s publishing run is being spread around so quickly. For Ashirogi to know it is one thing, since they need to be coming up with ideas good enough to keep the series alive, but I don’t like Miura, Iwase, or particularly Eiji knowing it. It cheapens the aspect of competition if everyone realizes that Ashirogi are under greater pressure.
Interesting phone call from Iwase. It seems she still has her wits about her enough to realize that winning doesn’t mean much if your competition isn’t fighting at full strength. Still, I hope she doesn’t completely slide into a more peaceful rival role, but instead adds a touch of respect to her intensity regarding Takagi.
Final Flash: Strange chapter. Iwase is a good character, but all this focus on her results in a disappointing lack of the sense of competition between Ashirogi and Eiji.
Katekyo Hitman Reborn! 297
[chapter link]
This is all a direct result of the future arc. That’s rather fitting, actually. Bad begets bad.
Is now really the time to choose an angle to show off Adelheid’s chest?
Poor timing
This Shimon/Vongola backstory is obviously wrong. Suddenly, the silly and out-of-place scene of Lambo knocking Enma’s letter into the trash can makes some kind of sense; it was likely a similar kind of accident that prevented Vongola Primo from helping the Shimon family. That doesn’t make the Lambo/letter scene any more acceptable, nor does that plot resolution stand on its own as acceptable either, since that would draw yet another needless parallel between Tsuna and Vongola Primo.
It’s completely impossible to look badass and menacing with these two in your group:
Standing out for all the wrong reasons
Final Flash: Predictable backstory, predictable antagonizing speech, predictable showdown.
Naruto 501
[chapter link]
No more Naruto and Sasuke scenes, please. Even as babies. Actually, especially not as babies.
This is still brutal. Poor Naruto. Nothing goes significantly right for him for a good twelve years.
Manga's unluckiest baby?
I’m admittedly a little confused as to the exact mechanics with which Madara frees the Kyuubi. He uses the Sharingan to peer directly within Kushina right to the Kyuubi, which then somehow strengthens it to the point of breaking the seal himself? The pillars surrounding Kushina don’t seem to have any particular markings that would indicate a jutsu of some kind. I’m willing to accept that Madara is capable of freeing Kyuubi, but I’d appreciate a little more clarity.
It’s unfortunate the only time we get to see Minato in action is when he’s nowhere near fighting at full strength, given his concern for Naruto and Kushina.
Very sad last couple pages.
Final Flash: Fairly good chapter. This flashback has been sad, but its impact has been lessened by Madara’s lack of legitimacy as a villain.
Bleach 411
[chapter link]
Background of the week
What a miserable cover page. Your mascara is running, Ichigo.
Incredibly dull and predictable conversation. “I have to beat you?” / “No, you must become me.” is grade school-level fanfiction tripe.
Still in the Deicide naming scheme, inexplicably.
Last week’s twist is revealed to be… Don Kanonji? … why? That’s not funny, or shocking, or relevant, or meaningful to the story, or…
He didn’t lose to Aizen. Don Kanonji wasn’t instantly killed by Aizen. This is beyond laughable. Pathetic is too soft a term. Give him a Bankai, while you’re at it. In fact, can he get his own Hougyoku?
Twist of the week
Matsumoto, again. This is outright infuriating. Kill her off already. Be done with it.
Final Flash: Ink on paper.
One Piece 591
[chapter link]
A Crocus and Rayleigh bath scene is one of the last things I expected to see.
Not content with a mere appearance on the cover page, Rayleigh is back, proving his immeasurable awesomeness by swimming the Calm Belt.
The attitude of all the women towards Luffy is excellent.
(ahem)
Equally excellent (or perhaps moreso) is Hancock’s misunderstanding regarding marriage.
Pity that Law is leaving, especially considering that he might have some unexpected knowledge regarding the Will of D. Of course, he’s a great character all around, too. He’ll be missed, but it’s better to leave the audience wanting more of him than giving us too much. This is probably the right amount of exposure for an individual Supernova, for now.
Ominous words
Interesting to discover that Rayleigh cared for the Boa sisters after their escape from servitude.
Confirmation that Kuma as we knew him was working for the Revolutionary Army. Who knows what condition he’s in now, but it’s good to finally have closure on part of his reasoning.
Shakky’s unreasonable accuracy makes Hancock joining the crew a tiny bit more possible.
Actual scenes of the crew! Their reactions are just right, as well.
Attention Toei: I would not mind filler if it focused on the adventures of Fat Usopp and Herculesn. Also, feel free to further investigate the fascinating biology of this island.
As always, when it is most called for, Usopp provides the true manliness of a sworn brotherhood. His impassioned words are perfect.
Chopper(man) has brought peace to the Torino Kingdom. Fantastic.
The last panel of the chapter is the best one. Predictions welcome on the new bounty.
Show us, Chopper!
Final Flash: Excellent chapter all around, and an exciting cliffhanger.
Psyren 125
[chapter link]
Glad to see Kabuto is coming. He’s an important character in the series.
I’d appreciate some progress in the relationship between Yoshina and Amamiya, but unfortunately, the story has deviated so far away from that plot thread that showing it now feels out of place.
I find it strange that Ageha is already training for a new power when we’ve yet to see Melchsee’s Door fully explored. I’m okay with the idea that Ageha isn’t strong enough, but I would have liked for that conclusion to be drawn after extensive use of his existing power.
Another current series with a time-warping training arc. This one may not be within the confines of a specific room, but the concept is still the same.
It may work in some series, but I don’t want to see the villains humanized in Psyren. Less of the girl hugging Junas, please.
Some more setup, and that’s it. Not the most exciting of chapters.
Final Flash: A couple decent moments, but mostly a letdown from the last few chapters.
Beelzebub 67
[chapter link]
Excellent cover page.
Poor Baby Beel! His unbelievably cool moment was overshadowed by Miki jumping the gun. Furuichi cowering makes up for it, though.
Poor son of the devil
Oga is taking an interesting approach to this fight. He’s active but somewhat non-committal.
We don’t get to see Miki’s big move? Disappointing.
Oga is beat up but still fairly nonchalant. Keeping the action hidden from the audience that seems the wrong approach here. It only serves to weaken the image of Miki, while doing nothing to reinforce Oga’s strength. Nobody wins.
Final Flash: A misstep for this series. Everything to do with Miki has resulted in mishandled potential.
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