Alright, back to our almost normally scheduled Shonen Weekend post. Hajime no Ippo is absent this week. Weekly Shonen Jump does make its return, so it’ll be the normal length this week. Yay! Unless you hate reading, then this obviously isn’t for you. Nisei Week last weekend was a blast. I got to try okonomiyaki for the first time ever! I always wanted to try it ever since I watched Ranma ½. Next on the agenda, going to Japan!…someday. <.< For now, enjoy the reviews!
ONE PIECE (chapter 554) – Admiral Akainu
Marco’s powers come from the Phoenix Devil Fruit, a “mythical beast” zoan, rarer than even a logia ability. Kizaru and Marco trade attacks, neither getting the upper hand. Meanwhile, Jozu sends a huge iceberg taken from the frozen see towards Marine HQ. The iceberg is too much for even the giant guards to stop. Finally up from his seat, Akainu reveals his abilities: he has the power of magma. Forming a huge magma fist, he destroys the iceburg and sends debris like a volcanic eruption everywhere. Whitebeard’s allies finally meet on the battlefield with the vice-admirals. And it seems that they have the upperhand. Then, the largest of Whitebeard’s allies makes his way to the battle, Oars Jr.! As the Warlords look on, both Moria and Doflamingo express great interest in Oars Jr. Will the Warlords make their way to the battle next week?
So if you’re wondering, Oars is apparently the correct way to spell the name of the monster from the Thriller Bark saga, known as either Oz or Odz. Never would’ve imagined it as Oars, and I kind of like Oz better, but since it’s been revealed, gotta stick with it. Now on to the other matters…HOLY CRAP! One Piece came back with a vengeance this week. I’ve never seen a chapter that was entirely made of two page spreads! The pages were chock full of artwork and text, filled with the chaos of the battles taking place. Most surprising this week, there was not one frame of either Luffy or Ace this chapter. At most, we got the end of Chopper’s cover story. Still, though Luffy’s absence was noticeable, it was not detrimental at all to the quality of the chapter. Good chapter.
NARUTO (chapter 460) – Sasuke Surrounded
As Zetsu makes his announcement, the Kage meeting is very startled and surprised. Quick to anger, the Raikage grabs Zetsu by the neck, demanding him to tell him where Sasuke is. Due to not answering right away, the Raikage snaps his neck. Along with his two bodyguards, he goes to search for Sasuke himself. The samurai guards are notified of Sasuke’s presence. Sasuke’s team looks for a place to hide. At another part of the village, Naruto gets an unexpected visit from Tobi/Madara. Yamato is able to capture him, and Kakashi moves in to make sure he doesn’t try anything funny. Madara is just there to talk though, and says that none of their attacks will work on him. He wants to know how Naruto convinced Nagato to betray him. Naruto wants to know what he’s done to Sasuke. Meanwhile, the samurai think they’ve found Sasuke; however, he ends up getting the upper hand. As back up arrives, the samurai are able to manipulate chakra on their weapons. Sasuke is able to supress their attacks, and defeats them by himself. Sasuke’s group notices that his chakra has become more dark and sinister than his previous cursed seal chakra. The Raikage makes his destructive entrance through a wall, to face Sasuke.
Action! Finally some decent action going on. Poor samurai characters…they had much promise, and sadly, they had to fall to the fodder wayside. Still can’t tell if they’re more useful than the ANBU, because they technically were able to do their job and find Sasuke. I’m not expecting him to kill him, but I do hope that the Raikage will be able to hold his own against Sasuke and give him some comeuppance. Perhaps Naruto will be able to face Sasuke for another quick round while they’re in the Land of Iron? We’ll have to wait and see, but things SHOULD be only going up from here. Start of the fighting, and I’m actually excited. Good chapter.
BLEACH (chapter 370) – Debating Life from God’s Viewpoint
Soifon’s attack connects. Hachi removes his kido. Soifon comments how she normally can only fire her bankai once every three days. As the dust clears, Barragan is still standing, though greatly injured, missing part of his skull and his right arm. He attacks them both again with his Rot abilities. Hachi activates his mask again, and tries to stop it with his kido. It breaks through and begins to eat away at him. However, Hachi actually severs his right arm as it was rotting, and somehow transplants it into Barragan’s body. As is ability eats away at his severed arm and kido, it also eats away at his own body. In the end, Barragan’s own power destroys him.
Okay, so I was wrong in assuming Barragan would be defeated at the first half of the chapter. These Espada just don’t like dying very easily. Still going to assume that Halibel is up next in her re-defeat, followed by Stark. While the way he was defeated was kind of lame, Barragan did actually put up a really good fight. He was just as menacing as his transformed state reflected. Great opponent…lackluster defeat. And I was also a little disappointed that neither Hachi or Soifon actually used their own powers to defeat him, but I did enjoy’s Hachi’s outside of the box thinking. Decent chapter.
HAJIME NO IPPO (chapter 864)
No Ippo this week. Author is taking a break for research.
FAIRY TAIL (chapter 148) – March to Destruction
Our heroes gather to the fully awakened Nirvana. Though Ichiya was tied up earlier, it turns out that he was left where Nirvana gathered. Unfortunately, since it was moving, Natsu began to have motion sickness. As he fell off, Happy rescued him, and took him straight to the source of trouble. At the central area of Nirvana, Brain explains to Cobra that the ancient city that formed around them is the true form of Nirvana. As Brain orders Nirvana to move to their first target, Natsu arrives to stop them. Though he tries to burn the interior, Cobra intervenes, and they begin their fight. Natsu seems to have the upperhand by fighting in the air thanks to Happy, but Cobra quickly evens the playing field as his snake Cuberios sprouts wings. Cobra also tells Natsu that he can sense his movements. As Wendy and Charle land on Nirvana, Charle realizes that Nirvana is currently headed towards Cait Shelter’s headquarters!
Besides Natsu, none of the other protagonists did much this chapter. Wondering if someone else will be able to help out Natsu, or if the others will try to sabotage Nirvana somehow. Let’s not forget that Ichiya is still around. Hoteye will probably revert back to normal soon, but hopefully not before he and Jura are able to do something awesome. I was also surprised that Cobra’s snake was able to sprout wings. He definitely has some interesting magic powers. Looking forward to his fight with Natsu. Decent chapter.
KATEKYO HITMAN REBORN (chapter 254) – A Visit from Yuni
The Vongola Family is surprised at Yuni’s announcement, and the Millefiore Family are surprised that she’s acting on her own. Tsuna wonders why she has a pacifier. Reborn says she’s his friend’s granddaughter. Irie states that Byakuran’s power made her unable to speak and broke her heart. However, Yuni was able to protect herself in a similar fashion to how Byakuran can shift his mentality through alternate worlds. She states that Byakuran and Irie will have their rematch as stated in their earlier promise. When Byakuran refuses, Yuni withdraws her and her forces from the Millefiore family. She then asks Tsuna to protect her, along with the pacifiers of other Arcobaleno. Somehow, she is able to activate part of their power and make them shine. Byakuran tries to coerce her into coming back, but Reborn fires at him to stop him, stating that Yuni is the Arcobaleno boss. Kikyou once again goes on the attack, but Squalo and Hibari prevent any attacks from connecting, and both wish to face Kikyou.
Okay, beginning part of this chapter was pretty terrible. I’m not really buying the way Yuni was handled at the beginning and how she “fixed” herself. I thought it was pretty hastily written, or just cobbled together without too much thought thinking that we’ll just accept it. And apparently the translator’s can’t agree on what her name is, Uni vs. Yuni. So hopefully there isn’t too much confusion. Chapter was saved by only a few things. Interested in seeing Reborn actually getting angry at Byakuran for approaching Yuni. Surprised that Reborn called Yuni the Arcobaleno boss. And finally, looking forward to seeing either Squalo or Hibari getting into the mix next week. Decent chapter.
HISTORY’S STRONGEST DISCIPLE KENICHI (chapter 349) – Commence the Break In
As Kushinada finds out the details of Ethan’s fight, Elder questions her about how it will effect her own disciple. Sakaki, Shigure, and Ma Kensei prepare to launch a sneak attack on the Yami base. However, the superior officer of the police force that accompanied them states that they are merely there as advisors, and that the police will be the ones doing the apprehending. Back at the disciple fight, Ethan begins to regain consciousness, so he, Kenichi, and Miu prepare to head their themselves. At the Yami base, the strike force moves in to take down one man, however, he is able to incapacitate all of them and stop their organs from functioning with one blow. He is Ethan’s master, Sehrul Rahmann. Shigure and Ma Kensei help the fallen policemen, while Sakaki heads towards Rahmann. Able to catch the last helicopter as it’s leaving, Sakaki arrives to face his opponent. However, there is not one, but two members of Yami aboard that helicopter. With Rachel on-board as well, how will Kenichi be able to save her?
Though Ethan’s fight is done, this arc still isn’t over! I’m honestly curious as to what’s left for Kenichi to do, since Rachel isn’t even at the base anymore. Wonder if any of the other Ryouzanpaku masters will be able to help out Sakaki. Though this could prove to be a very intersting fight: 2-on-1 masters vs. master. Rahmann already looks like he’d be a handful. And the silhouette of who’s watching over Rachel leads me to believe that it’s either God Hand, Akira Hongo or the masked unnamed Yami master, both revealed to be at the base a few chapters back. Decent chapter.
PSYREN (chapter 83)
Chapter not out at the time of this writing. Look for either a Shonen Special when it is released or a dual chapter review next week.
BAKUMAN (chapter 50) – Unreasonableness and Guts
Miura does his best trying to convince both the EIC to reconsider the hiatus to stop after Mashiro gets out of the hospital and Mashiro and Takagi to accept the hiatus until he’s out of the hospital in order to stop the boycott. Mashiro agrees to it quickly. He doesn’t want his friends and Jump to get into trouble. He asks Fukuda and Niizuma to stop their boycott right away, as Miura still tries to convince the EIC. They both agree to it, and tell Hiramaru, Aoki, and Nakai. The EIC still hasn’t given in, but tells the other editors to get their respective chapters in quickly. While Yoshida and Miura are upset that they’re lying to their manga authors, the editors still hope to convince the EIC as Mashiro gets out of the hospital. Days pass by, as the missing manga returns to Jump. Finally released, Mashiro, Takagi, and Miura head off to see the EIC first thing that day. Miura then shows the EIC the full works that Mashiro was able to do in the hospital: 12 chapters, once done each week, with the art style greatly improving. Seeing the fruits of his labor along with his passion for manga, the EIC does want to end the hiatus and reinstate Trap as soon as possible. Hattori comes in to the impromptu meeting, and gives both Mashiro and Takagi a big hug, worrying about both their health and their future in manga.
All’s right in the world. I’m sure everyone was expecting the hiatus to end after the hospitalization like I was, but it was handled very well, and still able to surprise me just a little. With this arc done, they can now get back into the Jump game competing for popularity. Looking forward to seeing more “battles” in the polls, along with not knowing what to expect next in this series. Good chapter.
BEELZEBUB (chapter 25) – Gone Without a Trace
Oga is pleased that Aizawa mentioned Tojou, and gets up to start fighting him. Oga gets in a few attacks, but none of them connect. Just as Aizawa is about to punch his face, his cell phone rings and he stops. He cancels the fight, saying he’s got something to do. Oga asks what his relation is to Tojou, and he says he’s his number one subordinate. As Oga returns home, his sister mentions that Hilda isn’t home. BL is still in bed with his illness. Oga tries to take care of him through the night. Come morning, BL is gone as well. His sister forces him out of the house to look for Hilda and BL and bring them back immediately. As Oga searches at the river where he first met BL, Aizawa appears again. This time, Tojou is with him. And he’s carrying BL on his back!
So obviously Oga is most likely going to try to get BL back. He’ll probably realize he needs BL as much as BL needs him. BL still has the sick look in his eyes. Don’t know if this is going to be temporary or not. Looking forward to the Tojou fight. While the outcome was kind of expected, I was still actually surprised that BL ended up with Tojou right now. What happened to Hilda though? Decent chapter (next fight part should be really good though; Tojou seems like a legitimate threat)
