Issue 50 rankings:
Tier 1 (Great):
1: One Piece #1198 – Holy peak. First of all, Sanji is easily handling Killingham now, as expected. But he’s not out yet as Zaza is still transporting the kids to the ship! Zaza cutting off her own arm to safely get the kids on the ship is kind of a cool was to do it lol. Always love when Sanji or Zoro big up the other one, they’re brothers at the end of the day. Imu and Loki’s new forms! So, first of all Loki’s form. It says “Second” form, so I assume there’s a first. This isn’t the first time we’ve seen different forms in Zoan fruits of course, Chopper is the obvious one but Kaido also had two different Hybrid forms. It looks pretty sick butttttt Imu’s new form overshadows him unfortunately lol. Imu’s new form – it’s terrifying. It feels like some Evangelion shit, it feels “biblical”, it feels “alien”, it feels like nothing else we’ve seen in the series so far. He even has a kinda bamboo, lightsabre weapon, crazy. Usopp wasn’t kidding when he said it looks like the end of the world. Not only that but the new form is HUGE, Imu is even towering over the clouds of Elbaf (and it’s easy to forget how big Elbaf is as an island lol). I wonder if the ancient technology that Imu is looking for is the same building Franky, Bonney and Lilith found at the start of the arc? Anyway, back to Imu’s form – not only is he huge but he’s also FAST as fuck, as he speed blitzes Loki. Something that big should never be able to move so quickly, yikes. Imu also self realises that he’s running out of time, so him going back to Marejois is the likeliest outcome here. Last but not least at all – Luffy’s new form. First of all, I love it’s appearance from what we’ve seen of it. Secondly, since Imu referred to him as Nika in this chapter when he’s been referring to Luffy as Joyboy this whole time, this tells you it’s Nika who is now in control. Which makes sense, it’s been said many times over the series that Zoan users can lose themselves to the “beast” that they harbour. And I KNEW there was another form awaiting Luffy! I always thought that Zoans always have minimum 3 forms – base form, hybrid form and full on beast form. We only ever saw 2 of Luffy’s forms at minimum – his base form (just normal Luffy) and one of his hybrid or beast form (Gear 5), so I always thought there was one more form that Luffy had to discover or unlock. And this is it! Fantastic chapter.
2: Akanebanashi #229 – I mean yeah, doing a serious story is the way to go to make them stop laughing. The audience is absolutely folding. The dude (director of the show?) is really annoying. He keeps going on about how Akane should act like a professional and not let her anger get the better of her, but this guy didn’t know anything about her nor respect her, so why should she do the same for your phony show? I’m glad she’s putting him in his place lol. Big ups to Karashi for supporting her as well, she is indeed the best young Rakugoka there is!
3: Roku #29 – Oh shit, school exams lmao. Makes sense Roku would forget about them with all that’s been going on lol. Even Johan is encouraging Roku to not be last in the science club, in his own regal way lol. Altra was no help really, but it’s still cute that she tried lol. Gevaudan as well. A big stick will certainly help! Hey Sachiko has a good point, when I used to study I’d use stuff I love and/or was interested in to make links and such to help remember stuff. Roku going Super Saiyan because of the idea of a reward from Sachiko is so real lol. Can a living human and a dead ghost be shipped? Hmmm. He made it into Rank A (barely), let’s goo!! Lmao at him “thanking” Johan….bro was useless. Even Gevaudan helped more and he’s a big dog. Well that last page isn’t ominous at all. Guess we’ll see what lies in store this summer vacay!
4: Greykeith #9 – We’re in Grave Ward! Kinda reminds me of Thriller Bark from One Piece lol. I legit feel sorry for the undead lol, nobody wants them around and it’s said the only reason they exist is because of a mistranslation. Just a whole life (I guess?) of feeling like an outsider. Haha them being welcoming to the humans that come to see them was funny, though of course they still hate translators. I like Victor’s design! I think it’s semi obvious he’s the guy who did the mistranslation (if a mistranslation even happened in the first place), but we’ll see. And someone was overlooking them at the end, interesting. Good chapter! I really really like this series, it’s doing basically everything right for me so far!
5: Witch Watch #269 – I liked the little flashbacks to everyone’s motivations, it’s good to see how far we’ve come. And damn, that panel of Moi defeating Shikimi looks pretty cool actually, unexpectedly brutal from this series. Shikimi and Roswitha’s farewell was pretty emotional tbh, at the end of the day what happened to them is pretty tragic, and it’s up to our current heroes to prevent that same fate from befalling Nico. Them turning into a tree was a nice touch. They were reborn into a tree, a signal of life. Nice. Good end to the arc imo, and now we end the series for real next week! I’m not ready!
Tier 2 (Good):
Kagurabachi #138 – Final line of defence, there’s nothing like fighting an army of people who basically have nothing to lose but I’m sure the Mikaboshi will make quick work of them anyway. So Chiaki really DID see the future by talking directly to Chihiro? So we’ll see that maybe? She also see’s Akemura’s future which uhhh…yeah, pretty fucked up. He’s gonna try and kill his nephew. And also use his sword to basically commit genocide. Rough future for him. I really like the final panel and how it’s set up like a actual war report and record. Makes it feel more real.
Ichi the Witch #105 – Ok good to know Dess in this mood won’t hurt Ichi in any way whatsoever. I liked him calling her out for not believing in him, actually. It’s kinda funny seeing the usually intimidating Hakari run away from Dess like this, it’s like Sommers and Killingham in One Piece right now lol. Even Hakari himself is baffled by how this turned out lmao. Usually it’s him doing the chasing but I like this 180 of him now becoming the chased lol.
Someone Hertz #56 – A fly landing in your drink as soon as you open it is insane bad luck lmao. Lol Mimei being uncharacteristically “wild” is cute, he just doesn’t have the face for it at all lol. Hey Mizuo liked it though, so result! Mizuo also tries to be bold herself! But of course turns it into a joke as usual. Oh but she hid her ears! So he couldn’t see them turn red, she’s become self aware of them! Cute. Anyway, time for the tropey school trip to Kyoto to begin! Every SoL/Romcom series needs it!
Under Doctor #39 – So lab zero is on an island erased from history huh…Ohara? Jk. In any case, this was just a tease it seems, Haiji has to wait around for Kusumi to find out more or for them to reach out to him again, to his frustration. More time for some chill chapters in the meantime, I suppose. Haiji being a lightweight when it comes to drinking is hilarious, although I thought Kusumi would have known this given they’re such good friends? This is the first time they’ve drank together? Seems strange. Oh, even Kusumi think its strange lol, guess we were supposed to be wondering that. Also it’s sweet that Haiji still helps people even when drunk lol. Overall a nice Haiji and Kusumi chapter, I enjoyed their talk at the end. Kusumi has a Sanji vibe to him where he’s much cooler when not being a pervert lol. Also when Kusumi first appeared I thought he and Haiji had a kind of Vash/Wolfwood vibe from Trigun and there’s just straight up a visual Trigun reference here! Nice.
Ultimate Exorcist Kiyoshi #115 – Well thank god Hitsugi did indeed see through Iefuda’s ruse. It seems Iefuda has some kinda personal connection to Histugi’s family? Interesting. Kitano finally sees his father and how far he’s fallen. Pretty rough since to see your idol like this. Kitano standing up to his father was nice, and the DCB backing him up was even nicer. I love this little ragtag group! They even give Kiyoshi the time he needs to recover and use his own Underworld technique! Was wondering if that was gonna come into play and of course it has!
Shinobi Undercover #104 – Ooh we’re finally getting some proper intros to the Fugitive Ninja group. The Hakoniwa Family who were a legendary ninja clan in the Edo Period, but I guess have fallen on hard times. And the Narehate, an organisation of 100 people who have boosted themselves with Kekkai experiments. It’s also said they nearly destroyed the Public Safety HQ some 8 years ago, wonder if we’ll ever see that play out in a flashback? This also explains how the Fugitives have a big amount of numbers and big backing. But in the meantime, our heroes have to do the most heroic job of all – cleaning up after themselves! Hey Fukuro is still around, yes! I like her! The fugitives have off-screened Yamagara and Squad 4, which seems like a pretty big deal to just brush over lol. Oh Aoi has gotten the worse sickness of all – love sickness! And now a sort of test to form a squad who will go after the Fugitive Ninjas! Kinda reminds me of World Trigger. Squad 9 have got this, easy peasy…..oh they’ll be separated and placed into 3 people squads comprised of people from different Squads….uhhh…..good luck guys lmao. Should be a good opportunity to see some new and returning characters though!
Hal Formula #20 – Kiryu seems excited that Miharu is keeping up with her lol, guess she just wanted a proper rival this whole time in the division. Ah Miharu finished second to her, I like this, can’t win all of them! Haha Kiryu is kinda cute, of course she’s a bit ditzy outside of races. I ship them. Also seems like the main reason Miharu lost is because his car isn’t up to snuff, time to make a better one!
Tier 3 (Ok):
Cannon Master #19 – Bharat using Ur as his reason to get stronger is nice. Bharat still getting his hit off despite trading blows is pretty metal and he’s opened up the way for Ur to personally dive in and finish the job. Once again, good art for the action sequences.
The Ura Files #10 – Good fashion from Onigashima! Anyway, I don’t have much to say about this chapter. It’s nice that they can both communicate so openly though, communication is the most important thing!
Animal Signal #21 – I have literally never heard of a tardigrade before and after looking them up, I wish I still didn’t know because they look disgusting. Thank god they’re tiny, I don’t know how I’d live just seeing that as a regular sized animal. Not even space and gravity can defeat Mutsumi. Have we found the most powerful manga character ever?
Class 2-B #27 – Having to pretend to be his lackey sucks lol. Also how is the Demon King of all people the best at it lol. Kaichou has chosen Narasaki’s side because he’s one of those “order makes best” kinda people. Go back to opening and closing curtains man lol.
Nue’s Exorcist #168 – Pretty much just Shiroha steamrolling the Fujino family/estate. Pretty good stuff actually, and I’m glad she’s breaking fully free of them and their influence. The final attack of her’s looks sick.
Sakamoto Days #282 – Nice little ending. I usually don’t really like the “we have to let them live” trope, but it fits well here and has been Sakamoto’s whole thing since day one, so. Can’t believe the series is nearing the end. All’s well that ends well! Except Nagumo, who we still don’t know if he’s actually dead or not…uhhhh, tell us?
Me and Roboco #304 – You know what? Seeing other people’s school lunches was lowkey an interesting part of the day, not gonna lie lol.
