Issue #40 rankings:
Tier 1 (Great):
1: Roku #20 – Oh shit, the typical Shounen “organisation” finally appears. This Mikagami guy’s title is quite length huh? Lol. Some actual plot! Nuts. Like I’ve said before, I highly doubt this series will ever go full on battle shounen, but it can defo be a kind of Witch Watch type series where it’s a mix of action and silly SoL stuff. Hell, this whole Organisation could be a huge misdirect/gag bit where they take everything seriously but nobody else around them does. So the Moonlit Curses are one of only four A Grades in history…I’m sure we’ll see the other three at some point. Also lmao at them coming across Gevaudan randomly walking about doing chores. Hmm Altra has little to no cursed energy at all? Curious. Great now they think Roku is some evil mastermind behind it all lmao. I mean, technically they’re not…wrong? Just wrong about the evil part lol. Fun chapter! This series continues to be great and the best new series Jump has had in a while imo.
2: Cannon Master #10 – Ah they split it up into the main characters and the rest. I hope we still see the rest during this, I was interested in trying to uncover the hidden enemies. Bharat trying to cheer Ur up was cute. Noooo Ur….i feel bad for you little buddy, but a Cannon attack is still pretty sweet right? Right? The Minister is STILL sus to me btw. Oh we do indeed see “the rest” but by the time they do anything, the enemy has already achieved their goals…seems like kind of a waste of a cool setup imo, but hey. OH! So it seems the main villain (so far) is Ur’s brother? But in what way? Like literally? Or just a brother in arms type of thing? What makes Regioid related to each other? Interesting development.
3: Akanebanashi #220 – Holy chip on your shoulder. I kinda feel bad for Zensho? But more like in a pity way not an actual sad for him kinda way. He just wanted to walk the same path as his brothers, but he’s accidentally so talented at something else, he’s walking a different path instead lmao. At least he got to express himself fully, even if the crowd laughed and thought he was doing a comedy bit lol. A very well written antagonist, very interesting, surprisingly so. Oddly, Akane is the only one NOT laughing, maybe she’ll see through it? And make a better relationship with Zensho out of it?
4: Ultimate Exorcist Kiyoshi #106 – Oh shit we got their names. Lmao, South Park? Really? Ok man. The first suspect is the Principal…not receiving a raise is a fair enough reason to try and murder your boss, in fact I support him! It’s him! Kidding. The second suspect is the number one student, Metsuko. Seems she has a crush on Hitsugi haha, but I’m fairly certain her and Kitano will end up together lol. And her starting a flashback out of nowhere was pretty funny. Seems like Kitano has some problems living up to lofty heights, poor guy. And the third suspect is a teacher, Professor Tsuge. Doubt it’s him, I believe him when he says he’s too weak (maybe he is involved in it though, but just not the person who did the stabbing lol). He offers us a fourth suspect either way, a missing student called Inori. I don’t think it’s him but I AM interested to know more about him. Ominous ending lol. Right now I think my leading suspect is actually Metsuko, funny enough.
5: The Ura Files #1 (NEW) – And so starts a new (mini) batch. Oh yup, her design will be a hit alright lmao. Onigashima, like Kaido’s island in One Piece, makes sense, Oni’s innit. Damn, got roasted by his boss for not making friends, that’s rough buddy. The other character’s designs are quite nice, they stand out, so I’ll assume they’re actual characters who will be part of the cast, and not rando one off background people lol. The one panel of the art changing was pretty funny. Damn! Kibitsu has some skills. I was wondering if there was potential for some action scenes in this series, Ura DOES have super strength after all and Kibitsu is a secret agent, so it seems like my answer is yes. But again like Roku and Witch Watch, highly doubt this ever goes full battle shounen. But the art for the action scene was pretty cool, nicely detailed. Overall? I quite liked this! I can definitely see the potential is had to become a hit! Shun Numa has always been a decent writer imo and I’ve enjoyed his previous series, and it shows here even in this first chapter. The art by Kuroki is SO different to David-kun (though some of it showed in the action scenes!) and kinda replicates Shun Numa’s art a bit more. Strong start! (Sidenote, I hate that the translation keeps going in between Oni and Ogre, translations like to do this a lot with these words and it annoys me, it was the same with Kaido in One Piece where they kept calling him an Ogre even though he was clearly an Oni. And no, they’re not the same thing lol). I still need to read the one shot, so I’ll get on that asap just to see and compare.
Tier 2 (Good):
Hunter x Hunter #419 – Tserri’s disguise is so silly looking, I kinda love it lol. Surprised we’re sticking with him actually, this arc has a tendency to jump around. Anyway Tserri is learning how to use his ability more, “learn by doing” and all that. I have no idea how Togashi keeps track of all of this tbh lmao. Ohhh shit he’s going to the Casino…it’s been a while but I THINK that’s where Hisoka is yeah? Hisoka vs Tserri coming up? Would be crazy.
Sakamoto Days #273 – Nagumo lowkey looks like Maki from JJK now. Anyway. His double take at Akira was funny. Death flags raising for him as well, but I don’t think he’ll die lol. Honestly, Akira saving Sakamoto and stepping out of killing would be nice for her. Also Nagumo finally meeting Akira was nice. Decent chapter.
Kagurabachi #130 – Akemura is a monster man, look at the chains being used to hold him lol. Also using a spell to make it so Chiaki doesn’t have to actually experience anything is uhhh….nice? But obviously misguided. Awww, that was a nice reunion. It doesn’t hit me SUPER hard because I haven’t actually gotten THAT attached to Chiaki yet, but it’s still nice. Anyway, shit still has to go down since the whole big part of the war hasn’t happened yet. Time to make the actual blades! Oh boy….
Someone Hertz #47 – Bro, Mizuo was like Po in Kung Fu Panda when she saw that bread, it unlocked her latent potential lmao! Lol aw Mizuo was so embarrassed to cheer on Mimei, but he did it anyway! And his friends chimed in to help him feel less embarrassed, good friends! Falling asleep while listening to the same show, how romantic lol. And of course they’re exhausted! Look at all the work they did! Looks like the Mon-Mid crew will visit the school next for the festival? Looking forward to it!
Shinobi Undercover #95 – Ah so I was right, Suzume’s power is to alter her bones so the flexible stuff was just her stretching out her bones (yuck), kinda like a really double jointed person. Oh Sazanqua is already done, that’s a shame, I liked his design. Mechanisms that turn them into mindless monsters when their lives are in danger is kinda crazy but I guess that’s what you get for ingesting and trying to control muddy drugs lol. Suzume has a point in worrying about how the others will perceive her after this, she’s correct that she could have used this power earlier to help with things but I think the rest of the Squad will understand her when she fully explains about it and how much she hates it. Two other squad aces join the fight! Wasn’t expecting that ngl, but hey!
Ichi the Witch #96 – Hakari acknowledging the witches for a sec before going “uh no, actually I can just do that as well you ain’t that smart!” was funny. Ichi has kidnapped Sukemaru! And is luring Hakari away. I quite like this. I know it’s because he wants to turn around and fight but Ichi blushing as he runs away reminded me of Tokiyuki from The Elusive Samurai haha. And he’ll have Dess backing him up! Guess she couldn’t bring herself to leave her son alone lol. That just means the list of who acquires Hakari goes down…Kumugi, please man lol. I wonder if anyone will acquire Sukemaru? OR wild thought, what if Sukemaru is actually one of the three pieces needed for Hakari’s trial? One of the parts of the magic shard but given life somehow? Hmmm…
HAL Formula #11 – Kyogoku please, you’re going to get the poor kid killed if you use sarcasm with him like that lmao. Anyway, treating the drift like a move with only limited times you can use it is a way to “shounen” this up. Closing one of your eyes to get used to not being able to see as the cloud comes in is insane lmao. One thing about Miharu so far, he’s crazy and will do anything it takes to win, it feels maybe a bit too early to be doing things like this (how do you increase the craziness from here if the series goes on for a while?), but for now, I’m enjoying it!
Witch Watch #260 – The two Oni working together is a sight to behold! Shikimi shooting them with seeds reminds me of when they first came across him and he just straight up pulled out a gun and shot them with it….wonder where that gun has gone? Does he still have it? Might be saving it for his last move/stand? Anyway, future problems. Shikimi saying “no thanks, I’ll keep my balance” was really funny, idk why. Rabuka!!!! MVP move. And they successfully got the piece they need from out of Shikimi’s arm….of course, I doubt it’ll be this easy though, I think this fight is far from over…
Tier 3 (Ok):
Under Doctor #30 – Oh shit, the Elite Four lol. Even Under Doctor has the “elites” trope. I immediately like the one from England for no apparent reason (it’s totally not because I am also from England, nooo). Basically Haiji shows up to mog all of them in terms of skill and morals regarding money lol. I wonder why he thinks Dr. Dubaut won’t succeed? Maybe he has an illness he’s hiding? Or he’s an imposter (but we did just semi recently have an imposter Haiji arc, so maybe not that again, even if it’s someone else they’re mimicking)? Hmm, guess we’ll see!
Me and Roboco #295 – Lowkey, Motsuo’s shirt is how I’d design mine unfortunately lmao. At least, when I was a kid lol.
Nue’s Exorcist #159 – I did think Yagyo going out peacefully was a bit too easy, of course he has one last trick up his sleeve. All the girls are here (almost)! My word, Natuski’s outfit is risque, I mean they all are but that one especially. Kazusa aura farming smh. Gakuro is lucky this is a harem series with strong influence from 2000s VN series or him having all these girls into him at once would either lead to them all killing each other or beating the shit out of him (based on other harem stuff I’ve seen), or maybe even both lol.
Class 2-B #18 – Hey some actual adventuring! Took us 18 chapters but we got there! The “Kumon has learned Futility” joke was actually kinda funny……what the hell were those last two pages LMAO. First time this series has actually made me laugh out loud…..like I said earlier, took us 18 chapters but we got there!
Animal Signal #12 – NO, not a powerful big butt…nooooo……..don’t hit me with it, noooo….ahem. What an insane chapter. This series has never been THIS in your face with the fanservice…it’s like The Ura Files made them feel threatened or something lol. Having her butt stop an earthquake and produce a whole new island on the other side of the planet is wild….what’s with the wild ending this week? Haha.
Drawn to the Fire #19 (FINAL) – Ah, so it’s over. Yeah, can’t say I’m surprised. We got a look at some of the characters that could have been, tbh it actually seems like all the cast together has a good dynamic so it’s a bit of a shame we never got here naturally. Even Tachibana in the girl’s team got some noticeable teammates, I wondered if it would have been a bit better if she had died or something since she never appeared anyway but if the author was actually planning to show us her journey as well in parallel to Mizuhara’s, I guess it makes sense why she was alive….but probably should have shown that journey sooner. Title drop and end. Yeah I don’t really have much to say about this series tbh, the art was good but it just didn’t really stand out to me that much in any other department. WSJ is SERIOUSLY struggling with spokon since Haikyuu ended (I’m not counting Blue Box).
Overall not the strongest week for the mag imo. I actually struggled to pick a number 1 and struggled with the order of the top 5 lol and not because everything was great, but because everything up there was just kinda "good" so it was hard to separate them into any kind of order lol. A few of the series in this post that were in Tier 2 could have been in Tier 3 for me this week, but I decided to be lenient lol. Oh well!
