And now, time for my review. And this is serious, this is my last one. I personally want to say, thank you all, and I will miss you.
-Hunter x Hunter: Learning about Kakin, I really don’t want to live in a place like that. It was interesting that we heard this side of the story along with her motivations and backstory. There was no flashback, but just hearing that can make my imagination go wild. I was wondering how much longer Togashi would make this game go on for, but he kind of knew when to pull the trigger? Anyway, Martial Law has begun and now insanity will take president as the arc will now go into a new direction.
-Mission: Yozakura Family: The final fight is underway for regaining control. And I found it interesting that Gondaira used a piece of City Hunter by shooting through his hand just like the first chapter to weaken the bullet shot against that thug. But back to here, it was well done taking out Asa, but he is the epitome of someone from an old regime that doesn’t want to die and wants that control. But seriously, let him die. It is time to be free of him and move forward.
-Undead Unluck: So it took a bit of manipulation to keep them separated. But with this fight with Soul, this chapter was a beat down and a monologue to help share the journey of these characters. Glad the humor was still there, but we know it is rushing and I pray that it will be satisfying.
-Sakamoto Days: So this is the last of Atari’s powers. Along with Shin’s resolve to kill for the greater good. I understand the need to not kill when working for Sakamoto. But what Shin is doing, I think Sakamoto would be in the same shoes for the same reasons. But back to Atari, I found it hilarious with the humor in the early parts. But when it got serious, that really hit me hard. And I want this fight to deliver.
-The Elusive Samurai: So some fighting, and then a big moment with Mima. I didn’t expect a cool down and a heart to heart after something so intense. I also like the idea of Tokiyuki not holding grudges. I can hold grudges to an extent. But at the same time, I can go longer when it is justified. But with the Mima relationship, I am starting to see it blossom. But at the same time, being around Tokiyuki has changed her as she is becoming a little more conservative with that kimono. Also, with that decoration thing she is doing, she would have been hired by Discovery due to those home repair shows. But the end was hilarious with Sadamune’s eyes bugging out over hearing something really stupid.
-Witch Watch: It was cool to see the overarching villain again as we know he is the main threat. But other than that, this was a nice get together and know the past more chapter. We really got to see some personal perspective with these people. But also, this Kappa character, is he alive, is he dead? I don’t know if something tragic happened, but when we see these flashbacks, it doesn’t sound good. The flashback is definitely up there and I hope it continues to deliver along with Akane-banashi as these are fire lately.
-Blue Box: The interaction between Chinatsu’s Dad and Taiki is definitely cold. But it is starting to thaw out. And that is all I am going to say mainly due to the anime and not spoiling it. But it was insightful to hear about how Chinatsu was into a lot of things, and that he allowed her to stay mainly for results. But that is so stern and heartless as I wonder where the love is. At least he does love her as a father, but doesn’t have the compassion to get that invested. He isn’t a jerk on say, the same level as Eric from the Twilight Zone episode “Living Doll”. But it shows that he just needs to open up more.
-Akane-banashi: I can only imagine not being able to perform for 2 years is tough. But to see Issho and Shiguma really studying their craft along with Urara in the mix within the rakugo world has shown a lot of old conservative traditionalists not accepting anyone new. But to learn that our master rakugo here (their master) was going to inherit the schools name but had to expel his protégés, I can tell that he refused and started a new school. It’s bound to happen. And then more chaos will ensue with his disciples. I can see it coming, but it will depend on the execution.
-Kill Blue: I don’t know if the series is being desperate, or if it ran out of ideas. But I did like the idea of using their assassin skills to get people to come try their bread. But then for Oka to pull that move and use his underlings to use their bonuses as a way to help undermine the Home Ec Club was unexpected but also a question on what is going on with Fujimaki. I still found some things funny, like that scene where two of our members when to this production. But I have to ask where this series is going now. Is it spiraling?
-Nue’s Exorcist: The fight is really good. Probably the best the series had to offer. I also can see the Bleach comparisons. Especially with that Soul Armor background as people compared it to Byakuya’s Bankai. But Rido’s Soul Armor looks like a new extension to Hollow Weapons that almost feels like the definitive final evolution that can lead somewhere. Anyways, the fight is wrapping up. And to add to the Bleach comparisons, the part where the girls said to stop fighting, feels very comparable to Orihime’s scene with the Ichigo vs Grimmjow fight in Hueco Mundo. I think with some music and more lines this would be a tear jerker. I know that scene from Bleach was the only time I ever cried and I think this can do the same.
-Kagurabachi: So a bonus chapter. Similar to the one from JJK. But I will give it a pass as this helps flesh out Sojo. I know that he is a killer. But it shows that he does care (and has some good humor to boot). As he helps a small mom and pop bathhouse against a company. So I take it he is somewhat anti capitalist. Which is somewhat against when he was selling those amplified rocks that kills the user? Anyway a good breather and a bit of fleshing out on a character that could have used more time in the spotlight.
-Super Psychic Policeman Chojo: So this new character, she isn’t so bad. But I can understand some complaints. But her thing where she says a lot of things that she sees as lewd, I have to say that those pants are a little suggestive when you look closely. So far not a bad chapter, but I prefer last weeks a bit as it had gaming and had a great character in Lily.
-Astro Royale: Our villain had one last gambit with that ore. But to learn that it is a super version of that pill is really asking for trouble. But his mutation is really reminding me of John Carpenter’s The Thing. But people said it is like Resident Evil. I mean, yes, I am aware of the franchise and studied it a bit. But I haven’t played much of the games to really know them. Just up to a certain point. Anyways, this final gambit is really similar to how Moria from One Piece did it when he absorbed all the shadows on Thriller Bark to kill the Straw Hats. But I think it will go down the same way.
-Ultimate Exorcist Kiyoshi: So this fight is over. Glad it didn’t overstay its welcome. But I am pleased that this is a taste for what’s to come in the future. Otherwise, if this was the final fight, then this would have been seen as an axe. So the Black Parade will be a climactic arc.
-Hima-Ten!: So far the camping trip arc is starting to take risks now. It was nice of Himari to be in the back to give company to Iemori. But that one panel, I will agree that is dangerous for being to close for comfort as it almost feels like kissing. So now that Himari “unintentionally” got close to Iemori, let’s see if Honoka will pull it back.
-Ichi the Witch: And now the contest begins. I had no idea that Togeice (whose name sounds close to a Pokemon name while also a mix of Togepi and Regice) can also be silly when not knowing direction like Zoro from One Piece. The hunt for the Mushroom was funny and had a good start. But somewhere in the middle, it had some good foreshadowing regarding that other male character who was a wanderer. Anyway was a start up chapter and the next one will pick it up.
-Shinobi Undercover: The fight had a lot of good action and humor. But I wondered how He was able to bunch up the strings and untie and braid them together. But I like the metaphor of braiding together the threads as a way of working together being a good message. I say that cause it is a Shonen thing and yet it isn’t so tacky in the execution. So the fight is done, and we will get an epilogue. Although I do admit that the other ninja, I wanted a bit more of his backstory (not the villain as we got a taste and I know there is more), cause with him, unlike our other ninja in this trio, two of them are fleshed out, and he is, kind of there? I’m sorry, I’m kid of tired to go back and look at names, but you know who I am talking about with our trio of Ninja’s protecting Aoi.
-HakuTaku: The AR game is about construction. It’s cool, but I do worry and agree with last week’s comment from YouTuber Axelablaze as he made a comment about it affecting kids from trying it like with the desks as a fortress. It’s that kind of thing that reminds me of Bakuman with PCP about imitation. I know it won’t matter due to it facing cancellation, but I just wanted to bring that up. Anyway, I’m glad they creating something that was good for the kids, but to here that it wasn’t good enough, I’m curious about why.
-Syd Craft: Love is a Mystery: I’m glad that we got more backstory with Elio. But the case could have been better (if I could call it a case as it was just so brief). But the way with the watch as a clue was a little hard to accept if it was intentional, I’ll let it slide if that is the case, but I just hope we go back to the kind of mystery from the last chapter. But to also learn that Elio was a madam and how Syd helped her and that she wanted to be close was nice. And it helps explain why she posed as a boy for the sake of Syd not wanting to make it difficult for him is fascinating. Also, to learn that there is this in world mystery romance book series like how Witch Watch has Uron Mirage sounds cool and that Elio is also the author makes this another well written thread in this story to add more layers. This type of decision is close to other non manga series about mysteries with mystery writers along the investigation like Murder She Wrote of Castle. Anyway an okay chapter that was good, but didn’t blow me away like chapter 1, but chapter 3 better deliver to say that this is a mystery. Although I will admit it had good character work on Elio as I really did enjoy understanding her character.
And that is it for my review. Sorry if it was this late, but with life and how I went to sleep due to exhaustion, the last 5 series to review were going to take a while. But now the review is finished, and it is time for me to say goodbye. Also, thank you for the close to 2 years I have been here. I know I talked a lot in the last forum. But I will miss it going forward as all of you had interesting talking points. So far after all this time, I want to say, Thank you. And I hope all of you continue through friendship, effort, and victory in keeping this thread alive in reviewing this magazine and keeping the love of these series alive. I hope to come back one day once we see where the future will be, but with its uncertainty, I can’t say. So thank you again, and this is JBC008, signing off.
. But from here on out? Yes.
