Shonen Beam

Mini-reviews for all the series without full individual posts.

Air Gear 291-292

[scanlation by SSA Scanlations]

(291) Just in case you weren’t convinced that this is a bizarre arc, Kaito utters the phrase “Even if you’ve trained your balls […]”

Kaito’s cigarette trick is a nice touch on its own, and Lind knowing to take over control of the body and not interfere shows another facet of the relationship between Kaito and this multi-persona character.

Apparently Lind is Gazelle? That’s interesting, but it’s also just the same cliffhanger/twist as last week.

(292) This proposed trade is a neat idea, but Lind shutting it down might be for the best. Arthur and Shalott are decent characters, but we’ve been away from the main group for too long.

I’m curious about this Gazelle concept, but with the pacing already stretched because of all the individual fights going on, this is not at all a great time for a flashback. This could have been saved for after this entire arc.

Code:Breaker 108-109

[scanlation by ShinraTensei]

(108) The opening pages of post-mystery explanation are slightly tedious, but Aoba being revealed as the Code:Revenger is a good enough twist to reclaim my interest. Great two-page spread artwork of Aoba’s glare.

Ogami using Belphegor to no effect shows that Aoba isn’t using any abilities. This is a great writing choice; this series has become entirely about special powers, to the point that a character being this strong on innate power is a pleasant surprise.

Aoba reveals a hint of her motivation, saying that Ogami took her beloved away from her. The One, perhaps?

(109) Heike’s introduction might finally lead to some serious development. He’s been hinted as having his own motives ever since he was introduced, but the plot has yet to focus on him intently.

Aoba’s leg submission on Ogami is another clever touch, and Ogami’s attempt to counter it leads to losing his power. Finally, Sakurakouji’s intervention prompts a pained expression on Aoba’s face. In its entirety, this is a fantastic exchange, and a great way to establish Aoba as a meaningful character.

Interesting aside about Toki. His presence has been sorely missed recently.

Wonderful series of pages to wrap up the chapter. Heike’s role as one of the founders of Eden (whatever that is – we need some more information about that), as well as his age, finally gives his character enough material to stand out. These were a great couple of chapters.

Defense Devil 69

[scanlation by I Eat Manga]

Judging from the opening pages, it seems this chapter is yet another diversion from the main storyline. A Shugarl chapter should be more acceptable than last week’s fanservice, at least.

That said, Shugarl does serve as quality female fanservice, apparently. His female onlookers are amusing.

Jupiter’s nightmare is suitably scary for a series that doesn’t focus much on horror.

Attempting to intervene on Jupiter’s behalf is an effective way to solidify Shugarl as a “good” character. I suppose that was necessary development, but this still felt like an oddly detached chapter.

Donten Prism Solar Car 1

[scanlation by CXC Scans]

Immediate impression of this series: Great art, as was to be expected from Murata. Also, the use of narrative boxes to quickly establish the protagonist is much appreciated in a monthly series. Also, the protagonist himself is an interesting character, with a good backstory, character design, and traits.

What a unique scenario presented by the first conflict in this series. Building a solar car is (to my knowledge) completely unprecedented shonen plot, and Kaneda’s displeasure with these students coming into his everyday life should make for interesting relationship development for many chapters to come.

Whether he’s justified or not, Kaneda is being a jerk to the engineering students. That fact alone makes him far more dynamic than most protagonists through one chapter.

It’s a pity this is a monthly series, rather than weekly, because the first chapter was about as engaging as it could have been. I’m already looking forward to next month.

Gamaran 67-68

[scanlation by Overload Scans]

(67) It’s been long enough since we’ve had a break from serious action that I’d forgotten that this series is capable of good comedy.

These two idiots are boasting in front of the absolute last person in this series to mess around with. They’d be better off joking around with Jinsuke than challenging Iori.

Juuren Village? Sounds like a training arc. That wasn’t too hard to see coming, though.

(68) Of course some folks from Juuren Village just happen to be wondering about the Ogame school. How convenient.

Interesting note about Ranmaru becoming Naoyoshi’s bodyguard. That, combined with Ranmaru’s conversation with an aggressive Kai, sets up the long-term possibility of Ranmaru having his own motives independent from Jinsuke’s vision, despite all the emphasis placed on Ranmaru’s loyalty in this chapter.

Great little scene of Naoyoshi having a crisis of conscience regarding helping his mother versus remaining loyal to Gama. So far, despite the Grand Tournament of Unabara ending, Naoyoshi is still getting necessary spotlight and development.

A foreign ninja girl attacks the Ogame group? This is the most out of place character design yet shown in the series, so Juuren Village is already looking to be a change of pace.

GE ~ Good Ending 55

[scanlation by iMangaScans]

Pages and pages of aggravation. I can’t quantify how much I’d rather be reading a series about Eri or Izumi.

Errand boy Seiji crashes into a girl at the photo lab. The absolute last thing this series needed was another harem member, and yet this series is terrible enough that such a meeting already cements this girl as a love interest.

The mixup between Seiji and the mystery girl means each character’s photos land in the wrong hands, and some professional photographers get a look at Seiji’s pictures. As uninteresting and unrelated to existing plot as this is, perhaps it will lead to Seiji finding something to do as a career, which would satisfy his self-imposed requirement for dating Yuki. Maybe this could lead to something positive.

Katekyo Hitman Reborn! 311

[scanlation by Binktopia]

It’s depressing that Amano feels the need to explain the concept of the 10-year bazooka. That’s yet another sign of how far downhill this series has gone; if Reborn! was still as good as it used to be, Lambo would have been featured prominently in fun roles all along.

Rauji is a huge stag beetle. Ridiculous.

Lambo’s “pride” is pretty comical. Even in 15-year old form, he’s still the most enjoyable character in the series.

Oh so coincidentally, Lambo’s weapon gives him horns. Horns vs. jaws. Yawn.

An entire chapter wasted on putting on a helmet. Even Lambo can’t redeem this.

SWOT 13

[scanlation by Red Hawk Scanlations]

This week’s SWOT despair-saving TV theme is the intro to CHiPs. Help me, Erik Estrada.

Of course Yamikura can use Resolve already. He’s been off-screen. That’s all it takes in bad shonen.

Yamikura was able to defeat the sophomore in a matter of pages. I know this series is on the verge of cancellation (thankfully), but that’s still criminal.

Wonderful, a moody eyepatch character. Thanks for reminding us that no matter how bad it was, Lock On! was still indescribably superior to this garbage.

What the hell? Discounting the overall idiocy of the last page, look at Manabizaki’s teeth. It’s obvious the author can’t write worth a damn, but at least have the decency to draw properly.

—

Feel that one or more of these series should be getting full-review treatment each week? Show your support by participating in chapter discussion in comments. Actively-discussed series will be considered for full reviews.