So I wanted to try to do the manga reviews while at Comic Con, since there was free WiFi at the convention center. Yeah, that was a no-go. I thought, “Hey! While waiting in line or while sitting down waiting for the panel to start, I’ll work on the manga reviews! I’m so smart.” Found myself instead trying to take a nap or just trying to rest. But it was still fun, nonetheless. So here I present, for hopefully the only time (at least until next year’s Comic Con), Shonen Monday.
ONE PIECE (chapter 551) – Whitebeard of the Four Emperors
The reporters on Saobody Archipelago and the marines stationed on Marinford are all in shock at Sengoku’s statement: Ace is Gold Roger’s son! As the more notable characters react, Garp reminisces about Roger asking him to take care of his future son. In the same flashback sequence, marines are frantically searching the island where Roger’s son is expected to be born. Portgas D. Rouge (Ace’ mother) delays the birth as much as possible, while Garp looks on. Ace is then raised by Dadan (still no on-screen appearance); and a one panel time-skip later, Garp brings Luffy to be trained as well. Two years prior to the official start of Luffy’s journey, Ace takes on his mother’s last name, and becomes a notable pirate. Whitebeard realized his true identity and recruited him. Whitebeard’s goal was to protect Ace while trying to mold him into the next Pirate King; while Ace wanted to make Whitebeard Pirate King. Luffy and co. see that the gates are opening. Before they pass, a large fleet of pirate ships enter, crews that have aligned themselves with Whitebeard. However, they are just decoys. Whitebeard’s ship Moby Dick along with three other ships that were coated, rise from the center of the bay past the first line of defense. Whitebeard himself emerges, ready to take on the remaining obstacles to save Ace.
So besides the awesomeness of the actual story line, here are some things not covered in the summary. First, Buggy’s few panels were hilarious! I don’t know where he got his Moses staff, but the gates opening looked like they were parted just like the Red Sea. Also, more new characters introduced. Though only four names were listed, there were many more faces shown. Sometimes it gets tough keeping track of who’s who. Next week, expect the war to officially start with a bang. Hopefully there won’t be too much exposition during the beginning. Can’t wait for the next release. Good chapter.
NARUTO (chapter 457) – The Meeting of the Five Kages Begins
Sasuke’s group arrives, and asks Zetsu to help them identify who Danzo is. The Raikage’s group meets with the other Cloud Ninjas from Konoha, and realize that they were followed. Naruto’s group comes out, with Naruto formally asking for the Raikage to not kill Sasuke. He even goes so far to bow his head and beg, for the sake of his friend, and for the sake of trying to stop the circle of revenge to bring about war. Back at the Hidden Leaf Village, Sai realizes that he must also do something to help. The Raikage refuses Naruto’s request. Meanwhile, Sai finds Sakura to talk with her. Sasuke’s group have successfully infiltrated the meeting, and finally sees who Danzo is. The Kages remove their hats, and prepare to start the meeting.
As expected, no action this week since no one (besides Sasuke’s group) has a reason to actually fight. I didn’t really find the conversation between Naruto and the Raikage to be all that interesting, mainly because I’m sure that in typical Naruto fashion, he’ll change his way of thinking after fighting with or along side Naruto. Curious to see what the Kage meeting will bring about, and hopefully the samurais will actually do something useful this arc. They’ll probably be fodder, though. And will Sai and Sakura finally do something useful after not being the focus for so long? Decent chapter.
BLEACH (chapter 367) – Your Enemy is My Enemy
Tousen interrupts Shinji’s attack, cutting just above his eye. As he strikes again, Komamura stops him, and declares he will fight to help the Vizards. As the other top Espada recover, More Vizards pair up with the Shinigami to take on their respective foes. The whole, “the enemy of my enemy is my friend” mantra. With new alliances formed and with former teammates/friends fighting, the battle escalates with the fate of the town and the world at stake.
Like I said last week, I don’t know all the names of the Vizards (nor am I going to even try). Feel free to let me know about which Vizard’s name matches to which face in the comments. There’s also some more exposition going on, which isn’t really that important. Their pair off, some of them removes their masks, some keep it on for a little longer, etc. The pacing itself isn’t that great right now. Last week was definitely a short read, but there was a lot of stuff still going on. Now, it just seems like they’re all standing still. While there is potential of the matches, we’ll now have to watch the Espadas we thought were defeated get beaten all over again. Decent chapter.
HAJIME NO IPPO (chapter 860) – Cumulative Progress
Everyone is working hard for their upcoming matches. Kimura and Aoki decide to join Ippo’s training schedule. Not able to keep up, Kimura and Aoki realize that they’ve been neglecting the basics of training, and now want to remedy that. Trying to maintain their focus all day every day until the match, the training starts to effect their everyday lives. Kimura struggles to focus during his floral job. Manabu’s dinner habits changed as well (no more puns…OMG!). Tomiko (Aoki’s girlfriend) and Kumi talk about how Aoki and Ippo are currently behaving. Back to their training, Aoki and Kimura are finally able to keep up (regardless of their complaining). And after a long hiatus, Takamura joins in on the training as well. With all members gathered, the gym’s spirits are at their highest and most intense. Soon, all the players will have gathered for their matches.
I’m not in the best shape myself, but this chapter makes me want to go work out also. Even though it was just simple training, I still felt like I was watching the characters slowly improve their skills. These next matches will hopefully be great. And even though they’re underdogs and joke characters, I’m still rooting for Aoki and Kimura to win. Looking forward to the start of the battles soon. Probably not next issue, though. Good chapter.
FAIRY TAIL (chapter 144) – A Beautiful Voice
Aries, the spirit Loki was trying to save from his former master Karen, is forced to fight Loki. Apparently, Angel was the one who killed Karen while Loki refused to returned to the spirit world. It also turns out that Hibiki used to be one of Karen’s lovers. Hibiki does his best not to let his emotions get the best of him, or else he’ll fall under Nirvana’s spell. As Loki and Aries battle, Angel summons Caelum, a weapon spirit that looks like a cannon, and fires it, hitting both Loki and Aries. Lucy is appalled at how Angel treats Stellar Spirits, and tries to use Taurus to defeat her. However, he’s defeated by Gemini transforming into Lucy and using Caelum shapeshifted into a sword. Lucy begs for Aries to be released, willing to give anything but her keys. Angel wants her life for the exchange; as Gemini goes in for the kill, they stop, being able to really see how much Lucy cares for Stellar Spirits. As Gemini is unsummoned, Hibiki comes to Lucy, succumbing to Nirvana and about to choke Lucy. However, he stops, and instead grants transfers the ability for a one-time-use, high-level spell that is able to defeat Angel.
Of course Lucy wouldn’t be able to defeat her with her own strength, but granted, this was originally supposed to be 12 vs. 6 anyway, so I’m not disappointed in the outcome. Hopefully Lucy will be able to get both Aries and Gemini to increase her battle strength. And if Hibiki weren’t injured and taken out so early, this fight might have been less dramatic. Good growth for Lucy’s character, and glad to see Angel defeated. Good chapter.
KATEKYO HITMAN REBORN (chapter 251) – Choice Finale
Tsuna rushes back to save Irie, while Yamamoto rushes as well to defeat the target. As Yamamoto breaks through the final barrier, Kikyou delivers the finishing blow before Tsuna arrives. Yamamoto also manages to defeat Daisy at the same time. The match looks to be a draw, but Daisy has what’s called an undead body and revives. The match is decided in Milliefore’s favor.
It’s done, and the heroes actually lost. Kind of surprising there. Still, it doesn’t mean that it was good. The scenes drawn out by Kikyou were grating. And since Irie wasn’t exactly supposed to be a fighter, it was only a matter of time before he’d go down so easily. Still, though the match itself was decided, I know this arc is still going to drag along since we haven’t seen everyone else’s power ups. Wishing this arc would end already. Disappointing chapter.
HISTORY’S STRONGEST DISCIPLE KENICHI (chapter 345) – Slow Starter
Kenichi and Miu arrive for his duel against Ethan. Chikage, acting as the referee, starts the match. Since the last time she saw him fight, Chikage assumed Kenichi to be a slow starter; however, he starts the match just as intense as Ethan, maybe even more so as Ethan looks like the slow starter. Turns out that Kenichi was sparring against Elder/X until just before their match. As the match progresses, Ethan was able to throw a fatal punch as a feint. He was actually going for Kenichi’s guard arm. After applying a pressure point, Kenichi finds his arm going numb. How will he overcome this?
Alright! Battle chapter. Thought there was actually going to be one more training chapter. Surprised at how Kenichi was doing so well at the beginning. This fight definitely looks like a good one. Can’t wait to see how Kenichi develops. Good chapter.
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Alright, I’m tired and still recovering. Look for a Comic Con related post tomorrow, follwed by the remaining two Shonen Jump reviews: Psyren and Bakuman. Also, I’ll try to post a quick summary of Beelzebub as well before I start reviewing it this week. Take care folks, and be good humans.
