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No character spotlight this week because I didn't think there anyone stood out enough for it. Other than that same drill as usual.
Now onto the review!
This weeks starts off with Shin Woo delivering a complete and total beat-down to KSA trainees as Na Yontsu and An Sangeen watch on in amazement. After Shin Woo finishes systematically grinding the trainees self-respect into dust, he cheerfully rejoins the others and they head home.
As the agents sit in their car discussing what just happened, up walks Tao, Takeo, and M-21. They tell them they know that they were the ones behind that attack on the students and ask for an explanation; well Tao asks...M-21 DEMANDS. Tensions rise as M-21 struggles to keep himself from throwing down with them on the spot and eventually Sangeen apologizes for the incident and says that what they were doing was approved by the school. So they let the agents go for now and return to let Frankenstein.
By the time they had explained half of what happened Frankenstein had extrapolated the other half, knowing M-21 as well as he does, and is positively gleeful about this turn of events. He can't wait to sadistically torment the KSA and is makes no effort to hide it.
Substance
The cold war between Frankenstein and the KSA is heating up. Na Yonstu and An Sangeen got their hands caught in the proverbial cookie jar big time and Frankenstein can't wait to make them regret it, and he's not the only one. M-21 has clearly taken the KSA's methods and mission personally. In his eyes the KSA have revealed themselves as a threat to the students and that's something he is not willing to tolerate.
We got some clarification on Shin Woo's fighting ability thanks to Sangeen too. He explained Shin Woo's strength as a result of skilled timing and his mastery of center of gravity, which makes a kind of sense. Various kung fu forms use pivoting footwork to achieve stronger blows, that principle here is exaggerated, but essentially the same. So I guess that means no superhuman lineage for Shin Woo.
Presentation
The art this week was good. It's didn't quite have the visual flair that Noblesse's better art has, like that kick panel last week, but still very good looking. I also like the way the artist drew Shin Woo's fighting, specifically how it made sense. When Shin Woo's hand was caught he turned the blow into an elbow strike. This tells me that the artist has actually put thought into how Shin Woo was fighting because that move resembles an actual kung fu technique I happen to be familiar with.
The rest of this chapter was just great. The pacing was perfect. The Shin Woo's fight provided a sense of action and all the conversations were infused with the sense of subtlety that I love.
Final Rating
This was well put together. Shin Woo's fight looked great and was infused with wry humor, the following conversational sections had excellent tension, and capping it the end with Frankenstein's megalomaniacal glee was a great touch.
I'm torn on whether or not to give this a 4 or a 5 because the art isn't quite as good as it has been at times, like the Lukedonia arc, but it seems wrong to hold a series down based on such a crazy high watermark.
So I give this chapter a 5 out of 5.
It hurts a little to let go of this one but it seems all that going on with Shin Woo is that his awesomeness is up 300%.
"Those trainees fighting Shin Woo are going to lose their cool after being embarrassed by him and break out whatever human modifications they have."
I was wrong. They didn't seem to be modified and, in addition to that, they more or less kept their cool.
Now onto the review!
Chapter Summary
Somebody is getting bullied here, just not who you'd think.
Somebody is getting bullied here, just not who you'd think.
This weeks starts off with Shin Woo delivering a complete and total beat-down to KSA trainees as Na Yontsu and An Sangeen watch on in amazement. After Shin Woo finishes systematically grinding the trainees self-respect into dust, he cheerfully rejoins the others and they head home.
As the agents sit in their car discussing what just happened, up walks Tao, Takeo, and M-21. They tell them they know that they were the ones behind that attack on the students and ask for an explanation; well Tao asks...M-21 DEMANDS. Tensions rise as M-21 struggles to keep himself from throwing down with them on the spot and eventually Sangeen apologizes for the incident and says that what they were doing was approved by the school. So they let the agents go for now and return to let Frankenstein.
By the time they had explained half of what happened Frankenstein had extrapolated the other half, knowing M-21 as well as he does, and is positively gleeful about this turn of events. He can't wait to sadistically torment the KSA and is makes no effort to hide it.
Chapter Review
Notice that Raizel is NOT telling Frankenstein to be courteous this time.
Notice that Raizel is NOT telling Frankenstein to be courteous this time.
Substance
The cold war between Frankenstein and the KSA is heating up. Na Yonstu and An Sangeen got their hands caught in the proverbial cookie jar big time and Frankenstein can't wait to make them regret it, and he's not the only one. M-21 has clearly taken the KSA's methods and mission personally. In his eyes the KSA have revealed themselves as a threat to the students and that's something he is not willing to tolerate.
We got some clarification on Shin Woo's fighting ability thanks to Sangeen too. He explained Shin Woo's strength as a result of skilled timing and his mastery of center of gravity, which makes a kind of sense. Various kung fu forms use pivoting footwork to achieve stronger blows, that principle here is exaggerated, but essentially the same. So I guess that means no superhuman lineage for Shin Woo.
Presentation
The art this week was good. It's didn't quite have the visual flair that Noblesse's better art has, like that kick panel last week, but still very good looking. I also like the way the artist drew Shin Woo's fighting, specifically how it made sense. When Shin Woo's hand was caught he turned the blow into an elbow strike. This tells me that the artist has actually put thought into how Shin Woo was fighting because that move resembles an actual kung fu technique I happen to be familiar with.
The rest of this chapter was just great. The pacing was perfect. The Shin Woo's fight provided a sense of action and all the conversations were infused with the sense of subtlety that I love.
Final Rating
This was well put together. Shin Woo's fight looked great and was infused with wry humor, the following conversational sections had excellent tension, and capping it the end with Frankenstein's megalomaniacal glee was a great touch.
I'm torn on whether or not to give this a 4 or a 5 because the art isn't quite as good as it has been at times, like the Lukedonia arc, but it seems wrong to hold a series down based on such a crazy high watermark.
So I give this chapter a 5 out of 5.
My Prediction (Current Record 6-4)
- Frankenstein will expel the agents from the school but they will not give up pursuing Shin Woo.
My Previous Predictions
"I think something abnormal is going on with Shin Woo physically, I have no idea what yet."It hurts a little to let go of this one but it seems all that going on with Shin Woo is that his awesomeness is up 300%.
"Those trainees fighting Shin Woo are going to lose their cool after being embarrassed by him and break out whatever human modifications they have."
I was wrong. They didn't seem to be modified and, in addition to that, they more or less kept their cool.
- Rael will lose his next battle to the RK-4.
- I think Lee Youn-In is going to be more than just a soon-to-be-forgotten sub-character. I suspect she may have a role in the plot.
- The female operative from the Union will eventually end up on Raizel's side, like M-21 and the others.
- Rael will show up at Raizel's school seeking revenge on him and his human friends.
- The Union guy with the cigarette is going to turn out to be evil, and most likely one of Crombell's men.
- Na Yonstu and An Sangeen will try to approach Shin Woo and Ikkan at school and be repelled by RK-4.
- The Agency Director is evil(obviously).
- Na Yontsu will get mixed feeling about recruiting Shin Woo and Ikkan.
- At some point, when dealing with the Agency, Seira will fail restrain herself.
- Raizel will ultimately choose to use himself up completely in order to help his friends.
- The trainees that disappeared are dead or worse.
Thread Question of the Week
How is Frankenstein going to obstruct the KSA's plans and how do you think the agents will respond to it?
How is Frankenstein going to obstruct the KSA's plans and how do you think the agents will respond to it?
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