Bleach 409
[chapter link]
P1: Even color pages are mostly white.
Interesting choice of characters to feature on the color cover, considering we haven’t seen them in so long.
P3: In this week's chapter...
Ichigo’s drowning! This is the best chapter in years!
Oh, wait, nevermind. He’s being rescued by another pretty-boy.
I appeal to a demographic
Was Zangetsu not attractive enough for the audience? I understand the idea that Ichigo entered into his realm while in bankai, so something might look different, but I disapprove of this specific redesign.
* Panel might not actually be canon
P13: Isshin isn’t really serving any kind of purpose by explaining this. His words are intended to create suspense, but instead, he only comes off as a know-it-all, boasting that he has already experienced this and understands what’s happening.
The prospect of learning about the motivation and history behind zanpakutou is less than exciting.
“How much longer until Ichigo learns his new technique…?” indeed. Also, how much longer until Aizen does anything? Legitimately menacing antagonists act; they don’t casually stroll from place to place.
Final Flash: It’s flawed, but this training arc is still markedly better than the last arc.
History’s Strongest Disciple Kenichi 387
[chapter link]
It seems this chapter may be exempt from the new, image-heavier review method, given Matsuena’s apparent desire to flaunt Shigure’s nipples at every opportunity.
Well, she had the decency to put on a jacket. Something tells me that won’t help much with the nudity.
The Knight somehow managed to pierce only the chain mail covering one of Shigure’s nipples. This is rather embarrassing fanservice.
Shigure is standing on the seat her motorcycle while it’s doing a wheelie on the front wheel. The fanservice may be plentiful, but so is the excellent action.
There goes the rest of the chain mail. Completely exposed breasts in a shonen magazine. The definition changes with the times, I suppose.
P14: You never attacked my mouse? That’s just a silly line.
Time will tell if this surrender is honorable or just a ploy.
Final Flash: The proportion of fanservice to action was way off. This began as a hugely promising fight, but (assuming it’s truly over) never fully satisfied.
Toriko 99
[chapter link]
[scanlation by Hi Wa Mata Noboru]
Toriko’s question has shocked everyone out of their Century Soup-induced stupor. This shows the relative importance of a Full Course, specifically in relation to Toriko. The statement of disbelief by Match reinforces this thought.
This is exactly the kind of determination Komatsu has needed to keep up with Toriko. His character would be ruined if he became too strong or confident, but he’s been too much the lackey and not enough the partner to Toriko.
Confident Komatsu
The Century Soup plaque being affixed to Toriko’s Full Course is just begging to be animated. The last hint of a possibility of a Toriko anime was at last Jump Festa; it’s unfortunate we have yet to receive any more word.
Evidently Match lives in the Fist of the North Star part of the world:
 Toriko |
 Fist of the North Star |
The Disease Principal diet is a great concept. Toriko doesn’t exactly make it clear if this diet is exclusive to Aimaru or if others follow it, but regardless, it’s worth being explored further. Hopefully Aimaru will get a little more exposition.
Meanwhile, Sani has been training with Yosaku… and by “training with,” I apparently mean “being destroyed by.” It’s good that Sani’s storyline is proceeding simultaneously. The rest of the Heavenly Kings have been out of the picture for quite some time, given the Ice Hell arc.
More Century Soup faces. Cute.
Final Flash: Important chapter for both Toriko and Komatsu, and some good backstory.
Fairy Tail 189
[chapter link]
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
Lock On! 17
[chapter link]
First chapter review since finding out this series is being canceled. The experience of reading a work that is known to end before it intended is always surreal.
It’s difficult to reconcile Niko’s heartfelt expression of her past problems with the cheap sexual harassment jokes that precede it and the “setting of the week” dojo that follows it.
I must say, I didn’t expect Utsuru’s shutter-eye to be used to nab a groper. That by itself isn’t a terrible plot device (though it’s far from a great one), but the way it’s being used is a microcosm of the overall problems with Lock On!: Poor execution of acceptable ideas. Casting someone important from Niko’s past as the groper is a fair choice, but for this revelation to carry any weight, the character in question needs to have been established as a positive figure for Niko. Instead, the introduction, conflict, and resolution all to take place within a single hurried chapter. As a result, any intended shock is weakened to the point that this chapter feels shallow, as though the author is throwing one of a dozen available plot devices at his audience, in hopes that this one will win them over.
On the positive side, this chapter has provided some overall storyline progression: Niko’s trust in Utsuru continues to grow, as evidenced by her accusal of her former teacher based solely on Utsuru’s claim. I particularly liked the following combination of panels, even without backgrounds, as they conveyed that sense well.
Proof of growing trust
As rushed as this chapter felt, the finishing kick still managed to end up on the last page. If this series is so intent on presenting brief stories, it should at least wrap them up properly within the chapters in which they’re introduced. A chapter like this doesn’t require an “aftermath” chapter the following week.
Final Flash: A potentially good storyline let down by insecure pacing.
Toriko 98
[chapter link]
[scanlation by Hi Wa Mata Noboru]
Still chilling, even with the delay between releases.
So much for 20 years for each. Of course, we were never going to wait nearly that long, but it’s relieving to see the determination of both Toriko and Komatsu reinforced by such a quick turnaround.
Shimabukuro was generous enough to create a Toriko icon for everyone, right in this chapter:
How kind.
Adorable scene between Komatsu and the penguin. Toriko’s relationship with Terry was sweet, but Toriko is too manly to be this close to an animal.
Shy little Komatsu is receiving worldwide recognition! This is a major step in his development, and in the progression of the overall story. It was apparent that he would be Toriko’s chef/partner, but until now, he hadn’t truly demonstrated his worth. As far as establishing Komatsu as a legitimately important character, this is an excellent chapter.
(Don?) Patch recommends a bodyguard, even. Surely that will be Toriko himself. Or Rin!
Only Toriko could make soup so tantalizing. Shimabukuro does a fantastic job of conveying taste and sensation through text and imagery.
Fantastic reactions from everyone, especially Komatsu as he watches the others.
Komatsu’s Century Soup is good enough for Toriko’s full course, no less!
Final Flash: Truly, a great Komatsu chapter.
Beamcast – June 21 (Special Double Episode!)
[download link – 169min, 69mb]
To compensate for the missed Beamcast last week, we’ve recorded a near-three-hour mega episode! In it, we present a special feature covering the serious recent developments in the world of manga publication. We also catch up on two weeks’ worth of regular news, Oricon rankings, release dates, and most importantly, two weeks’ worth of manga chapters in a deluxe edition of This Week in Manga!
In this week’s show:
Special Feature – The State of Manga Publishing
News
Japan Basketball Association awards Inoue
Bleach simulcast launched on Crunchyroll
Tokyo’s “Nonexistent Youth” bill rejected by assembly
Weekly Comic Bunch to cease publication
Alive mangaka Kawashima Tadashi passes away
Shueisha launches “Naruto’s Forest” campaign
One Piece jeans for sale
Weekly Oricon rankings (5/31 – 6/6; 6/7 – 6/13)
New releases
*Last week
[anime]
Clannad: Complete Collection (DVD) $69.98
Witchblade – Complete Series -Viridian Collection- (DVD) $49.98
X – Complete Series (DVD) $49.98
[manga]
Bamboo Blade (vol. 5) $10.99
Gestalt (vol. 7) $9.99
Hayate the Combat Butler (vol. 15) $9.99
Hero Tales (vol. 3) $10.99
Higurashi When They Cry: Time Killing Arc (vol. 1) $11.99
Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya (vol. 6) $10.99
Soul Eater (vol. 3) $10.99
(non-shonen manga)
20th Century Boys (vol. 9) $12.99
Afterschool Charisma (vol. 1) $12.99
Children of the Sea (vol. 3) $14.99
Sumomomo Momomo: The Strongest Bride on Earth (vol. 4) $10.99
Tena on S-String (vol. 3) $10.99
Tenjou Tenge (vol. 19) $9.99
Darker Than Black – omnibus (vol. 1 of 2) $18.99
Fushigi Yuugi (vol. 6) $17.99
*This week
[anime]
Afro Samurai: Complete Murder Sessions (Blu-ray) $39.98
Ah My Goddess: Season 2 (DVD) $49.98
Bleach vol. 29 (DVD) $24.99
Guyver (Blu-ray) $54.98
Heroic Age (DVD) $59.98
La Corda D’oro ~primo passo~ (DVD) $49.99
Mobile Suit Gundam Trilogy (DVD) $39.99
Suzuka – Complete Collection S.A.V.E. Edition (DVD) $19.98
[manga]
Deka Kyoshi (vol. 3) $9.99
Fairy Tail (vol. 11) $10.99
Rappi Rangai / Ninja Girls (vol. 3) $10.99
Samurai Deeper Kyo (vol. 37/38) $14.99
Current/Classic Reviews
Fairy Tail
Flame of Recca
The Great Shonen Tier List
Introduced this week:
Uchiha Sasuke (Naruto)
Crocodile (One Piece)
Aizen Sousuke (Bleach)
Freiza (Dragon Ball)
Tommyrod (Toriko)
Shishio Makoto (Rurouni Kenshin)
Asakura Hao (Shaman King)
Gilbert Kent (Hayate no Gotoku!)
Kaguro (Kekkaishi)
Hyoubu Kyousuke (Zettai Karen Children)
Re-tiered this week:
Uzumaki Naruto (Naruto)
This Week in Manga
1:31:58 – One Piece 588
1:35:55 – Naruto 498-499
1:42:41 – Bleach 407-408
1:46:18 – Bakuman 89-90
1:52:03 – Beelzebub 64-65
1:56:53 – Fairy Tail 187-188
2:00:24 – Hayate no Gotoku! 275-276
2:01:56 – Kekkaishi 309-310
2:04:41 – History’s Strongest Disciple Kenichi 385-386
2:08:56 – The World God Only Knows 102 (new addition!)
2:12:21 – Gamaran 51
2:14:52 – Psyren 122-123
2:19:40 – Zettai Karen Children 220-221
2:22:14 – AR∀GO 22-23
2:25:45 – Hajime no Ippo 897
2:29:21 – Lock On! 15-16
2:32:47 – GE ~ Good Ending 37-38
2:37:07 – Metallica Metalluca 4-5
2:39:06 – Soul Eater 75
2:40:14 – Deadman Wonderland 36
2:41:18 – Fullmetal Alchemist 108 (end)
2:42:46 – Gintama 310-311
2:43:43 – Katekyo Hitman Reborn! 293-294
2:44:59 – Kimi no Iru Machi 93-94
Chapters of the Week
Final Flash
Comments / questions / additions? Email the show.
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Credit: AnimeNewsNetwork
Lock On! Canceled; SWOT, Oumagadoki Doubutsuen to Debut
Early internet reports indicate that the final chapter of Lock On! will run in Issue 30 of Weekly Shonen Jump, which hits store shelves in Japan on June 28.
Lock On!, the first major series by newcomer mangaka Tsuchida Kenta, never strongly established itself within Jump, but fans of the series could be justified in crying foul over its cancellation prior to Kiben Gakuha, Yotsuya-senpai no Kaidan, another Jump series which debuted a week after Lock On!. Since both series became eligible for fan-voted rankings, Yotsuya has ranked below Lock On! in every week except for two, one of those being the upcoming issue in which Lock On! publishes its last chapter. Yotsuya itself is still far from safe, and could very well be canceled the week after Lock On! ends publication; this depends on whether the Jump editors will treat Hunter x Hunter (again on hiatus) as the other title to move aside in favor of new series. If the editors don’t regard HxH as such, another series would need to be cut to make room for the two debutants, and that series would likely be Yotsuya.
The two new series that will grace Jump are SWOT and Oumagadoki Doubutsuen, both of which received one-shots in Jump in 2009. SWOT, by Sugita Naoya, is a hybrid delinquent / romantic comedy series about a “swot” (defined as a person who spends too much time studying) with lofty ambitions who transfers into a once-prestigious school that has been overrun with delinquents. Soon, he meets a weak boy and a legendary delinquent girl, the latter of which causes him to experience unfamiliar feelings. The other series, Oumagadoki Doubutsuen (“Oumagadoki Zoo”) by Horikoshi Kouhei, is about a clumsy, animal-loving high school girl who applies to work at a nearby zoo which turns out to have a decidedly bizarre secret.
Read the one-shots that preceded each new series: SWOT, Oumagadoki Doubutsuen. (Remember that characters, events, and other plot elements in one-shots may be changed for their series publication.)
Kimi no Iru Machi 94
[chapter link]
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.
Weekly Power Rankings – 6/6 – 6/12
Beelzebub 65
[chapter link]
This is only day 2 of practice? I hope we don’t stay like this for too long. This is a comedy/fighting series, not a volleyball series.
The entirety of page 3 is fantastic.
P4 / cover page: … okay, actually, if this is the kind of volleyball we’ll be playing, we can stay in this story arc a little longer. I don’t mind.
A demon lurking in the school would be an excellent way to spice things up. As enjoyable as the school arcs are, the Demon World arc was cut far too short. The major hindrance Beelzebub has before it can be considered a major series alongside its shonen counterparts is that it’s yet to attempt a long, comparatively serious arc. The Demon World teased such an arc, but wasn’t nearly enough.
P7, center-left panel: Priceless reaction.
Thankfully, Oga shares my disinterest in volleyball, and still only cares about fighting. Also, tandem tantrums are cute, Baby Beel.
I have no idea which P13 panel I prefer. What a page.
P14, bottom-left panel: Interesting choice of humor. It’s a funny gag, but it does somewhat take away what menace Miki had left after being emasculated by Izuma.
P18, bottom-right panel: Damn right, Baby Beel! Get on with the action already.
No. Instead, continuation of the Oga/Miki flashback. Hopefully this time we’ll get the full story.
Final Flash: Fairly protracted setup chapter. Some good comedy, but it seems Tamura can’t quite decide where to focus.
Bakuman 90
[chapter link]
P2, top-left panel: I don’t recall Hattori ever being audibly shocked like that. Good sign.
Didn’t expect to see Nakai again. He really disgraced himself when last we saw him. If he’s going to rejoin the main cast, he needs to make up for his mistakes.
Seems like Takagi is still stuck in a Tanto mindset. That’s not entirely bad, in a way. Perfect Crime Club (or whatever it shall soon be named) needs to be drastically different, but Takagi still needs to incorporate what he’s learned from Tanto.
Meeting new assistants is exciting. Really solidifies the sense of publication.
Mashiro has evolved so much as a character. It’s great to see him taking charge of the assistants.
P13, bottom panel: Fantastic! Comical, but also a great example of a confident Mashiro.
P15, second panel: Interestingly drawn panel. The angle, light source, shadow, and facial expression are rather rare for Obata.
Excellent concept for the characters’ names. Pity roman lettering doesn’t lend itself to interesting nuances like that.
… oh dear. PCP. Perfect Crime Party is actually a clever, great name, but… PCP. It’s unfortunate no one at (real-life) Shueisha caught and corrected this, because that’s an instant punchline every time someone new from the Western world reads the series.
P19, top-right panel: Not sure I’ve ever seen speed lines for characters bending over a table. Well, in an all-ages series, at least.
Final Flash: Great chapter. Fun new assistants, a peek into the life of an old character, and some solid development for Ashirogi’s new series.
Psyren 123
[chapter link]
Surprising choice of cover page. As far as I’m aware, Psyren isn’t typically recognized for its women; perhaps Iwashiro wants something done about that. Frederica certainly wants some attention, the way she’s lifting her own dress.
Very organic feel to the way the Tavoo have been drawn in the first couple pages.
P6, bottom panel: Rather difficult to follow exactly what’s going on. I’m aware that an attack is happening, but the massive white beams and sound effects clutter the action.
Disappointing resolution to the Kyle/Delboro fight.
Frederica’s overwhelming strength constantly surprises me. It’s no fault of Iwashiro; it’s more shonen stereotypes playing with my mind.
I’ve never liked when the enemy takes pity on the protagonist to set up a future arc. It demystifies the enemy, weakens the image of the protagonist, and needlessly teases the audience.
Great to see Hiryu rejoin the group. He’s even not one of my preferred characters, but the story has shifted away from the original group considerably. This is a welcome return.
As expected, Elmore may not make it out of this arc alive. While this is important, I hope it doesn’t detract too much from what should be an engaging rescue arc.
Final Flash: Decent chapter and promising outlook, but an unfortunate conclusion to this part of the story. Some major fights were left unresolved.
Katekyo Hitman Reborn! 294
[chapter link]
Unsettling cover page, given what happened at the end of last chapter.
Tsuna, having just turned down the inheritance despite not wanting his friends to be hurt, is being confronted with a situation where he’ll likely be convinced to accept the inheritance because his friends have been hurt. This storyline is a sensible way to move the plot forward, but it certainly won’t be winning any praise for complexity.
P6, center panel: Surprisingly grim artwork for this series. Even in the future arc, there was still a sense that these were just kids caught up in something serious. This is far from seinen, but it’s hardly a childish scene.
Reborn fluctuates too much between passive guardian and active member of the group. I don’t mind either role for him, but it would be nice for him to stick to one of them.
Someone had time to write a message in blood? Mizuno stupidly left a calling card, or Yamamoto somehow had enough energy left? Either way, that’s fairly silly.
That little vial the ninth was carrying turns out to be Vongola’s Sin. This is going to involve even more connections to the original Vongola. The connections that have already been drawn are tiresome, so hopefully this will involve more history and fewer contrived parallels between Tsuna’s group and the original guardians.
Sure enough, Tsuna steps up when he’s needed. So long as he’s reluctant and doesn’t turn back into the suave and collected pretty-boy from the insipid future arc, I’ll be curious to see how this develops.
Final Flash: Decent chapter, but the series has lost a step with the straightforward revelation that the Shimon family isn’t as friendly as we were supposed to expect.
Bleach 408
[chapter link]
Comedy right now is a little more acceptable than during a major face-off against an overwhelming enemy, but it still feels out of place.
Bear with him, Isshin. Your son is useless.
You can tell it’s a flashback because all the backgrounds are pure black instead of pure white.
Do we really need more than one panel to explain the Bleach ripoff of the hyperbolic time chamber? Certainly, we don’t need three pages and a diagram.
Six pages to explain a flashback that didn’t actually have to be a flashback because it just happened.
Why is this still within the “Deicide” chapter labels? That arc is over.
P13: Hey, wait a minute, I know that guy! He’s one of those guys from back when the series was tolerable!
This is far from an excellent time for a traditional shonen “our hero will save the day because that’s who he is” speech. Right now, our hero inspires absolutely no confidence and has shown absolutely no skill. Proper shonen storytelling involves convincing the audience of a character’s skill and/or strength through actual events, not through rhetoric.
Final Flash: My relief at being finished with the previous arc has already faded.
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