Mashle had a decent first chapter. Some parts of it made me laugh a little bit, more so than Agravity's first chapter did. Seems like the classmates will start being introduced in the next chapter or 2, which really makes or breaks a comedy series. However, the artwork is pretty basic, which can sometimes play in one's favor, I think this hurts series more often than it helps them. The artwork isn't as awful as Seiji Tanaka, but I'd rank this the same quality as Invade You.
This has been one of my ongoing concerns for Mitama's popularity since I find the art style to be its weakest point, but I've been growing used to it and the most recent color page definitely captured that family-esque soothing vibe it was going for. The conclusion to Mitama's baseball arc was also brilliant: heartfelt and funny. I'm really hoping that the first volume of this sells well. I'm not sure if my heart could handle this getting axed after losing David-kun and Double Taisei. I hope that evil spirit user will return again soon.
Undead Unluck's second chapter was much better for me than the first one. Although I felt neutrally towards the first chapter, I will give it to the author that they seem to be excellent at pacing their chapters. Both of these chapters had the perfect balance of comedy, action, backstory, foreshadowing, plot, and PLOT. I wasn't really expecting the story to go in this type of direction for our main duo, but I'm pleasantly surprised by the turn of events. If the next chapter is this good, I'll start to feel more optimistic for its future.
Agravity Boys is just so dull. I find myself smirking maybe a couple times tops during each chapter. Most of the time there's nothing wrong with the chapter, but there's not really anything great about it either. Every chapter just ends with me going "oh, alright then" and moving on. Each chapter just seems to throw huge passages of text onto each page, which greatly hurt Saiyuki's reception. I was hoping by now we'd have more alien interaction and planet exploration than what we've gotten. The author literally has a setting where they could make up whatever zany design or phenomenon they want, and they have chapter after chapter of them in the ship with a token poop joke. My guess is the first chapter will rank in the middle, but it'll sink quickly if chapters like this keep getting pumped out.
Yozakura's chapter was alright this week as well. Interested to see what will happen next with this upcoming plot development. The series is definitely in a shaky spot right now, but not more so than new series typically tend to be. If I recall correctly, Poro sold about 15k for its first volume, so do you guys think Yozakura will sell more, less or the same as Poro? I think if it manages to sell 15k, it'll be safe for the time being as long as either 1) its second volume doesn't plummet and/or 2) every other newbie is unexpectedly a massive hit.
No comment on Zipman since it was dropped after chapter 3 for being too boring, me finding the MCs to be tedious, and me being unable to stop thinking I opened a chapter of BnHA every time I'd try reading it lol.
My top 5 for this week would go as follows:
1. We Never Learn - I really can't wait to see what'll happen next week, but I'm not sure if my heart can take the potential outcome.
2. Mitama - Amazing conclusion to a fairly serious arc that the author totally knocked out of the park.
3. Act-Age - Those last few pages really had me cheering, just like if I was an audience member.
4. Undead Unluck - I'm now very curious to see what direct the story will take.
5. Mashle - I was torn between this and Yozakura, but I'll give this one the benefit of the doubt for having a decent first chapter, especially for a total newbie author
