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Kimi no Iru Machi 95
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Another girl? The main trio needs to stay intact. Haruto must win Eba back from Kazama on his own, without any kind of interference.
Despite this, Kiyomi presents an interesting side to Eba that the audience hasn’t been shown. Surely, Kiyomi is altering things slightly because of her own feelings, but these claims can’t be entirely unfounded.
A meeting with both girls? Seems like an intervention, even. This can’t end well.
Indeed, it hasn’t. A slap is a pretty strong way to announce yourself as part of the main cast of the series.
Hello, I am relevant
Final Flash: Kiyomi’s introduction elicits mixed feelings from me. On one hand, she’s instantly cultivating development in Eba’s character. On the other hand, she provides a possible resolution to the love triangle (Haruto/Eba, Kazama/Kiyomi) that would feel cheap compared to Haruto being able to win back Eba through his own efforts.
Fairy Tail 190
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We’ve gone from cat-fighting (literally) to royal family issues. This could bear some weight, but again, it’s another instance of lack of character development coming back to hurt the story. Mystogan has never been solidly established, so I have no attachment to him, and as a result, I don’t care about his relationship with the king.
The king is in a steam-powered dragon mech. Sure. Why not?
The spur is just gratuitous
I’m finding it difficult to root against the people firing beams that turn cats into collectibles.
Finally, a little action for Mystogan. Unfortunately, the king had to bring up the major problem with Mystogan: He’s Gerard. There are numerous obvious reasons one can dislike Fairy Tail, the most notable of which is the comparison to One Piece. An underrated reason is “absolutely anything to with Gerard.”
After all this time, the little Mystogan action we get to see is him being defeated almost immediately. What a way to kill the suspense and sense of legitimacy built around a supposedly strong character.
Wendy is doing something! Excellent. Long overdue. Also, Gazille gets to keep fighting after all.
Final Flash: Getting closer to the end of this arc, which is a great positive. Unfortunately, Erza Knightwalker still hasn’t been defeated.
GE ~ Good Ending 40
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This is a series-defining moment. Will the author opt for the tried-and-true (yet overused) harem route, or keep the series focused on serious relationships? I’m hoping Seiji pulls away from Oonuma.
Whoa. She’s going for his pants right away? This is far too much for Oonuma’s character.
I’m thus far disappointed in Seiji’s indecisiveness, and Oonuma’s comedy-of-errors routine isn’t helping the situation at all.
Interrupted by the boss. What a frustrating turn of events. Clear rejection was the optimal scenario, but acceptance (and its consequences) was the next-best option. This isn’t an acceptable resolution at all.
This man: Ruining sexual deviance since 1974
I’m used to a weak-willed protagonist in series like this, so I’m not surprised that Seiji is fine with having been bailed out of that situation, but considering how impressed I’d been with the more mature tone of other aspects of the series, it’s a pity Seiji didn’t take any kind of action.
Not only is Shou back in the love triangle (quadrangle, now), but both Seiji and Yuki heard it. Yet more disappointment. Yes, harem is the currently accepted style of romance series, but that doesn’t mean every girl has to be in love with the main male character at all times.
Final Flash: A serious step backwards. This series is still considerably better than most other shonen romance, but it could be so much more, if not for the direction revealed by this chapter.
GE ~ Good Ending 39
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Seiji’s maturity goes a long way to separate this series from generic, “harem”-style romantic comedy. Unfortunately, as he’s made being aware, he’s also a little too oblivious to the circumstances in such series that cause jealousy and confusion.
Talk about going on the offensive. Oonuma certainly isn’t holding anything back at all. Poor girl. She’s trying so hard for someone so unaware.
Everyday fast food conversation
Lights out. Cue intimate scenario.
I would enjoy Oonuma’s part of the story considerably more if the author explored her anxiety instead of only pushing her sexuality. She has taken her friend’s advice to heart, and is actually following through by trying to use her body to her advantage, but she still seems reserved and conflicted about doing so. While ecchi and fanservice have their place in this kind of story, I hope to see them complemented by character analysis.
Needs more internal monologue
Final Flash: A rather token chapter, the entire purpose of which was to reestablish romantic tension between Seiji and Yuki.
Fairy Tail 189
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It’s The Disbeliever! This generic shonen character is generally a decent soul who fights for the wrong side because a hardened heart limits his/her willpower, which, in such generic shonen series, is usually the primary source of energy. S/he provides constant negative reinforcement to the protagonist (and associated group, if applicable) for continuing to fight, because defeating the major antagonist is “impossible.” Proving this character wrong is a primary function of the protagonist.
The Disbeliever
Is there anything more inspiring than a flock of crying winged cats in flight? … actually, don’t answer that.
Lily crying could have been a pivotal, touching moment if his character type wasn’t so overused, therefore making his eventual breakdown obvious. Also, he’s still a cat. Are you crying because Mufasa died, Lily?
Honestly, I’m not trying to unfairly criticize this series. The entirety of Fairy Tail is still enjoyable, but because of its solid action and good core group of characters. A little element of the unusual is acceptable, but that element must complement the series, rather than overwhelm it. A few cat characters (Happy, Charle) in the grand scheme of a series are acceptable. A parallel world full of cat civilizations, cat government, cat conflict and cat plot is not. If, before reading Fairy Tail, all you knew about it was the following picture, would you have read it?
Not what we signed up for
Mystogan saves the day. I’m a little torn on this. It’s great that Natsu isn’t the strongest character in Fairy Tail (the guild), but Mystogan is one of those characters whose amazing strength and ability is only told to us and never fully shown. Having him come and solve a major problem is okay, but it would be better to see him more involved, to demonstrate his skill for the audience.
Lily’s expression as he is shot is more comical than pained.
Bizarro Erza isn’t finished yet. Seems like a major battle will ensue between the swarms following behind her and the cats. Hopefully Erza v. Erza will be a suitable focal point.
Final Flash: Standard flashback and standard exposition for a standard character.
The Edolas arc
Kimi no Iru Machi 94
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Ah, the Beef Stroganoff Trap. The deadliest of traps.
Kazama, like any reasonable person, is rightfully incredulous that Haruto actually made food for his love rival.
P8, top panel: Very hungry now.
There sure has been a considerable focus on Eba disliking tomatoes. I realize it’s a cute way to show Haruto knows Eba well, but it shouldn’t be the only example.
As if it wasn’t already awkward enough that a dying man is having dinner made by his love rival, both in the presence of the girl they love, the dying man just now finds out that his girl used to live with the love rival? Redefining awkward, this.
Haruto might be taking his new, happy approach a little too far at times, but it’s still a tremendous improvement in comparison to the angst earlier this year.
Finally, a crack in Eba’s cold facade. We’re getting somewhere.
Final Flash: Awkward yet cheerful chapter. I’m actually excited for progress again. Pity there’s no chapter next week.
GE ~ Good Ending 38
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Shonen mothers are so eager – whether intentionally or unwittingly – to stay out of the way when their idiot sons finally land a girl.
P2, center panel: Weekly Shonen Magazine again pushes the boundaries of the shonen demographic. Between this and Bloody Monday, the defining line isn’t nearly as clear as it used to be.
What a lovely outfit Yuki is wearing. Sasuga has a good sense of fashion.
If shonen is any indication, Japanese boys should deliberately remain terrible at math. Evidently, it directly leads to intimate situations with beautiful girls.
Utsumi is chasing her? Requisite fall-on-top-her moment in 2 or fewer pages…
P10, top-right panel: Amusing expressions, and good use of speed lines.
Seamless transition from enjoyable (if a little stereotypical) romantic comedy to some serious character introspection. The romantic comedy / harem / ecchi genre is often labeled as all fanservice and no story, which is a fair criticism for many series, but the best series of the genre go beyond scantily-clad women to develop some motivation and purpose in their male protagonists. I’m pleased to see this series is hinting at that, and I hope to see further development.
… of course, right after a serious moment comes pornography and groping.
Final Flash: Good chapter. It would have been easy to keep to overused scenarios, but the author has inserted a moment of real promise in between the ecchi fare.
Fairy Tail 188
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At least this chapter doesn’t claim to be the climax.
As usual, Lucy is useless. Screaming at inanimate objects tends not to solve problems, dear.
In the long run, the disappointment of Gazille’s fight being cut short could pave the way for more focus on him in the future. Hopefully, the fact that he (presumably) will have a cat companion means that he will begin to matter as much as the main group.
That said, I find myself depressed at the prospect of a character being legitimized thanks only to a cat.
“I don’t need infinite magic. I want an infinite smile!!” is a horrible line. This girl is approaching cat-city levels of terrible.
Mashima has no capacity for dramatic scenes. “Even if it splinters my body, I’ll just stop it with my soul!” Really? That’s the best you could do? Terribly cheesy.
I take it back. This cat-city focus is too much. Can we go back to the little girl now?
There’s no sense of shock in revealing a “major” secret about a character we’ve never met. Also, lone-wing character design is stale.
The lack of character establishment leading to this moment would likely have prevented me from enjoying these scenes regardless, but it’s absolutely impossible to take it seriously because they’re cats.
Final Flash: At least the cats are approaching the climax of their storyline. Anything to be done with them.
Kimi no Iru Machi 93
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Always nice when magazines remind us how super popular a series is.
Amusing first two pages. That’s the kind of small touch this series has missed.
So, if Haruto freaks out Eba, Mishima is going to beat him with a bat? Brutal. Actually, that’s excellent.
Kazama certainly isn’t helping his own cause. It seems as though he’s trying to set Haruto and Eba up again, knowing he’ll soon be gone.
Beef stroganoff? It’s a bit odd to hear that used in the context of haute cuisine. Perhaps Chef Boyardee has tarnished the name of good food.
He’s actually going to make it. Our protagonist, ladies and gentlemen.
Final Flash: Unsettling turn of events. It’s nice that Haruto is being persistent, but it will feel like a shallow victory for Haruto (not to mention a colossal waste of time for the series) if Kazama continues to practically hand over the girl he’s supposed to be fighting for.
Fairy Tail 187
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Another double false advertisement on this week’s cover page. First, it says “Climax of the Edolas Arc” again, and second, there’s an attractive female. Don’t try to fool me into thinking I want to read this.
There’s still a small chance Mashima could pull a decent twist and have this Erza actually be the Edolas Erza. Doubtful, but possible.
Never mind. Hopes die quickly when reading Fairy Tail.
Okay yes, thank you, everyone and their mother knew that this would happen. Please don’t waste any more pages explaining what was painfully obvious.
Unsurprisingly, Knightwalker is still able to fight. Also unsurprisingly, some kind of cataclysmic event is happening that the cast will have to race against time to prevent. This happens in every arc.
Gazille’s fight is looking like it might be interrupted by the arrival of the cast. This must not happen. Allow the few interesting characters in this series their time to shine.
Final Flash: The “climax” remark seems closer to the truth this time, but we’re still not there. At least two fights plus one catastrophe-avoiding Natsu moment to go.
Kimi no Iru Machi 92
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Aftermath of the declaration of war. This series could finally be going somewhere.
As heartless as it might seem in the moment, Haruto is absolutely doing the right thing. It would be more demeaning (both to Kazama as a character and to the readers) to hold back because Kazama is sick. Furthermore, it would be far worse to see Haruto and Eba reunited after Kazama dies.
As expected, Kazama is up for the challenge.
Nagoshi’s flustering is so cute. It’s a pity she wasn’t in the series when she could have been a significant love interest.
On the same note, Mishima is fantastic. She’s easily my favorite character of the series right now.
Nagoshi! How adorable. Sorry, young lady, but Haruto is busy spending time with the girl he should end up with. You’ll have to wait. (Please feel free to continue being appallingly cute in the interim.)
Final Flash: A glimmer of hope! This series is finally starting to progress the main storyline and move out of pure angst. I’m fine with a little angst, as long as its relevant, but we’ve had to endure far too much angst for too long.
Fairy Tail 186
A cover page with animals on it? No parallels to be drawn here. Nope. None.
Shut up, Conis! … I mean, Wendy!
Oh, good, Gazille. That’s not sarcasm, either; he’s about the only character I care to see right now.
“I’m gonna make him my cat.” I sincerely hope this happens. Gazille is pretty cool.
P17, bottom-right panel: Was that really necessary?
Oh, Erza. I was wondering how long it would take to get back to her.
Bizarro Erza won? Doubtful. She’s probably the real Erza, ex-quipped to look like the Bizarro Erza, to get past the door.
Final Flash: On one hand, that wasn’t enough Gazille. On the other hand, we get more Gazille later.
Fairy Tail 185
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The cover reminds me of what I actually like about this series: jovial, lighthearted action. Not over-the-top comedy, nor feigned emotion. I hope for a cool-down arc after this one.
It’s Batman! Oh, sorry, Gray’s bike looked familiar.
Typical talkative enemy.
The climax of this fight is going to be two guys holding hands?
What was I just saying about over-the-top comedy? It’s not like all the seriousness has to be saved for Natsu’s final fight.
Gray has some pretty cool attacks. It’s a pity he hasn’t been given a real fight in this arc.
Good last page. That’s just the right amount of cleverness that this series, when at its best, is able to offer.
Final Flash: A one-chapter fight. Even if it was silly, I’m pleased with its brevity. Let’s hope for the same with Erza, but I wouldn’t mind a little more time with Gazille.
Mahou Sensei Negima! 289
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Poor Ako. A dream like this must be torture.
Good to see Ako isn’t a pushover. It’s not like I’m expecting stunning female characterization in a series like this, but I appreciate a little backbone.
Pactio! It’s been a little while.
Is this a special occasion or something? Eva’s wearing clothes. I’m confused.
Another pactio! It’s been… well, never mind.
Why not: pactio #3! Makes sense to get them all in now.
The translation I’m reading has been a little shaky, so perhaps this could be an issue of word choice, but Negi saying “You’re great” to Makie after their pactio seems awkward.
Final Flash: A setup chapter that had to happen.
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