Weekly Shounen Sunday #42

Better early than never is the name of this blog or well what it should be named. As I've got an early-ish Sunday review for you all! There's plenty I wanna say so let's get moving!

On the cover is Nana Okada from AKB48's Team A STU48 (If only this were issue 48 rather than 42, huh?) And surrounding her are the series ready and raring to go for their first volume releases! I think from here even if one can't read Japanese, it's pretty clear which series are the favorites --Evans and K.O.I. To be fair they also have been the ones to get most of the positive reception in the TOC which is up next!

From the Top!

K.O.I King of Idol by Tamaki Wakaki (Lead color page)

Aozakura: Bourei Dagakkou Mongatari by Hikaru Nikaido

Detective Conan by Gosho Aoyama

Daiiku no Hatou by Micheteru Kusaba (extra pages)

Hatsukoi Zombie by Ryou Minenami

Hoankan Evans No Uso ~Dead or Love~ by Midzuki Kuriyama (Color page)

Shinobi no by Rokuro Ohgaki

Tenshi & Akuto by Aya Hirakawa

Amano Megumi Wa Suki Darake by Nekoguchi

Major 2nd by Mitsuya Takeda

Komi-san wa Komyushou desu by Tomohito Oda

Dagashikashi by KOTOYAMA

Be Blues by Motoyuki Tanaka

Magi by Shinobu Ohtaka

Hiiragi Sama wa Jibun wo Sagashiteru by Hiroyuki Nishimori

Zettai Karen Children by Takashi Shiina

Maoujo de Oyasumi by Kagiji Kumanomata

Kyoukai no RINNE by Rumiko Takahashi

Tenshou no Quadrable by Takahiro Arai

Meteor Girl by Reach Ishiyama

Maiko-san chi no Makanai-san by Aiko Koyama

Souboutei Kowasubeshi by Kazuhiro Fujita

Yuugami-kun ni wa Tomodachi ga inai by Jun Sakurai

Saike Matashitemo by Tsubasa Fukuchi (End of part 10)

Jojuu Senjin!! Mushibugyo by Hiroshi Fukuda

Youkai Giga by Satsuki Satou

Sunday Higaku Kenkyujou by Yuuji Yokoyama

Not in this issue is...

RYOKO

Yup, the gang is all here aside from Silver Spoon which is basically an irregular serialization at this point, so I don't include it. Poor, poor Ryoko, at this point it's really getting left behind, and I have to wonder if Mitsuhashi is doing okay for the hiatus to continue like this....in more depressing news, Saike is leaving --but not only that, he's leaving on a sour note --only ahead of Mushibugyo. He'll be back soon enough, but will it be for the last time? I don't believe the series has been selling that much, and now it's clear on the TOC it's not valued very highly....though more interesting is Souboutei being in the basement like this, and Daiiku being super high. Shinobi no has also climbed up the ranks a little, which is nice, while Maiko has dropped a bit. I'd say the TOC is lopsided but some series are in their "right" places, it's just a select few that aren't.

Meet Nana Okada of the AKB 48, born November 7th 1997, and she hails from Kanagawa prefecture.  Her nickname is Naachan, and her hobby is anime. 

I haven't covered the series since the obligatory first three chapters, but as my rule is to cover series when they get color pages of any kind, I was once again obligated to jump into the world of Idols and their soon to be(?) King. The first volume of the series launches on September 15th, and as it's doing quite well for itself, the editors of the magazine saw fit to give it a celebratory color page. I really haven't been reading this since I stopped coverage so I couldn't say what's going on with any sort of confidence, but it appears Mahoro and Sena are having their first live performance, and from the looks of things they were able to come out on top over a worthy idol rival. Wakaki is the author I have a weird relationship with since I did really enjoy his first Sunday entry --Holy Crystal Albatross which was more of a shounen action series, but the things he's authored after that have been less to my fancy since they've been either romance (not my thing) or slice of life (which is my thing, but a cafe is a weird subject to base it around.) and here we are again with a idol series which is really not my thing, which is a shame --to me, as I really adore his lovely art. This will probably be the only time you see K.O.I on the blog --well, until it's next color page, but do feel free to pick up the first volume and check out the coverage of the first few chapters here! 

I write this entry a few days before releasing it which means that by the time it's out everyone will probably have heard and squealed over this development in Detective Conan. It took 20 years but we're here --the first kiss! Of sorts, anyway. Shinichi marvelously wraps up the case with Heiji and Sera serving as backup, and even manages to keep his identity secret at the same time! Next chapter is going to be a must see, though I have to wonder if this advancement in the romantic affairs of Mr. Shounen Sunday will mean that now Aoyama will focus on the story elements? I have a feeling it won't be that simple, because Aoyama has said on many occasions he loves drawing Conan which means that it could be around for a very long time yet, but at the very least he saw fit to throw fans a bone with this. I'm eagerly looking forward to the next chapter, myself though that goes without saying! 

Weirdly enough, Evans gets a dual color piece despite being advertised getting a center color, while K.O.I being advertised getting a dual color page only had a single one. Maybe someone made a mistake and flipped things around? Though in the red bubble above they say "center" color again, --ah whatever. Evans gets the first of two color pages celebrating his first volume releasing on September 15th. On the first page above, you'd think he's preparing to go into battle, but all he's doing is getting ready for Phoebe's birthday party. Though in this battle of affection, maybe it's good to be prepared! The color page text with the two back to back say they're the strongest in their respective fields of bounty hunter and sheriff, but their hearts are the weakest. Can't argue with that. 

So if you remember the last exciting chapter, Pheebs was up against herself in a imaginary contest for Evans' affections. ---In short a misunderstanding ended with a gaudy Eagle statue, which the bounty huntress now regrets with a passion. Pheebs' friends are all trying to be super polite about this gift from Evans, but the question that goes unasked is plain on their faces. "What the hell is this thing, and why is it here?" On the bottom panel one lady says that it's a really great gag present! Evans freaks out thinking he might have messed up (Not that it's his fault really...) and Pheebs throws him under the bus by not admitting that this was her idea and riding along with the notion that it is in fact a gag gift.

Evans ain't having any of that, and begins to reveal the truth, which Pheebs can't have get out --after all who wants to be the lame lady who actually said this kind of thing was in vogue (this is the lie she told Evans to get him to buy the thing in the first place!!) So to keep up appearances before her friends she has to stop Evans from telling the truth under any means necessary! Sadly I had to clip that page, but she's even willing to shoot Evans to keep his mouth shut, which he notices and does just that, the unlucky guy. However the surprises don't stop there as one of the ladies asks where her real present is, as if the gag was for show! Pheebs inwardly begs her friend not to ask any more questions, and Evans' Dad lecture mode kicks in and for once it's....helpful?! Dad tells him that most gunmen are cowards who plan for everything --and while lil! Evans isn't cool with this, Dad points out that men who are prepared are the ones who get the ladies. 

So Evans indeed did come prepared with a secondary present, the cloth for Pheebs new ribbon, which is what he was looking at in the first place! Thanks to that, Evans is able to salvage his reputation, Pheebs' reputation and even his Dad's a little! Unfortunately this means he's stuck with a "gag gift" in his office. Still, it's a first step toward maybe getting the girl so I can't be mad at my bro. 

In the 8th (Yes 8th!! Time flies!) chapter of Shinobi no, Pops is on a ship toward Perry as a very unlikely --and deadly delivery. The veteran Shinobi tries to stay calm and stick to the plan, but he knows that the world isn't quite so forgiving, so he has to be prepared for any kind of issue that might pop up. Speaking of issues, a guy knocks (yes knocks, though I'm not sure on what) to get the attention of the sailors asking if it is at all possible that he be allowed to ride with them. It's immediately apparent he's Japanese, but his English is near flawless! It seems that this Japanese fellow has an interest in speaking to their captain, but who the devil is he? 

It's Yoshida Shouin ! Now I know a fellow similar to him in another manga I translate --Gintama, though there he's Shouyou and a lot less sinister looking Though you'd be hard pressed to believe that with current events. In any case, Yoshida asks the Americans very nicely if they'd do him a little bitty insignificant favor --give him their ship. He's even willing to prostrate himself for it, which is a big deal in Japanese culture. Shame the Americans think he's kidding and (appropriately so) wonder if he's maybe using the wrong English words to get his point across..

The thing is, Yoshida's serious....dead serious. He wants to take the ship, and head to America where he can learn about their culture and ways. After all this is his dream, and for his dream he's willing to do whatever it takes. After all those without dreams also lack ideals, --is what he says as he somehow is able to bomb their ship.

"Those without dreams will never be successful" he says as he slays a few more men with paper fans. Ohgaki just loves his violence, and I can't blame him when he makes it look this good. Look at the splashy spray on the left side and the speed lines portraying a sense of speed despite the impossibility of it due to this being a drawing. I'm glad that Shinobi no climbed back up the TOC because I really want this series to succeed for the artwork alone. See I have dreams too Yoshida! Don't kill me.

I like this sort of call to arms here for the characters we've met so far on the left. First Kaede who I've been wondering about, then Sen, and finally Pops who is rightfully bothered about something. Yoshida's actions are going to undoubtedly make his job that much harder, which is going to make the upcoming weeks that much more intriguing for us at home. Keep on truckin' Shinobi no! 

Been a minute, but Major 2nd is back on the blog! Admittedly I find the series much more entertaining when they're not playing sports, but I did want to include it this week as they're in the middle of an pivotal game and some of the artwork is pretty snazzy. Not to mention I'm still really pleased that Takeda is going with mixed gender teams, though I'm sure this is something that might change as the characters get older. I haven't read much of the first Major, but I get the idea that we're going to see Daigo's coming of age story turn into a story of him rivaling his father as time goes by, but for now, they've managed to get three strikes on the other team, and now the positions are going to change over, with their team leading! 

The 99th chapter of Komi-san is actually normal length, which makes sense In a way since I'm sure Oda (not that one) will want to do something special for the big 1-0-0. This week, Tadano is sick in bed and figures he'll have to fend for himself, that is until Komi comes over and takes care of him? Although the cast in this series is one of the most fun/interesting in Sunday at the moment, this time for the two to be alone was a really nice touch on Oda (not that one)'s part. I'm not one for romance, but Komi believing that they're alone and expressing her tender side to the person who has been there for her even when she was seen as an aloof picture of perfection was really sweet --until someone else comes in and she's exposed. She tries so hard to deny that she's here for that reason that she might break her neck shaking it no. It's implied this story will continue next week, and the reason why Komi held Tadano's hand (above) will be revealed. Might have to make a reserved spot for this in the next week's coverage...

Dagashikashi starting off with Hotaru looking sultry, though the actual content is far from it as the the characters talk about the glass bottles Ramune come in. Seems that Koko's Dad collects the beads that come in the glasses even, heh. I think some of this series' best moments are when it's just Koko doing a manzai bit with his dad and Hotaru like here, where the conversation goes from the disposal of these bottles to his Dad purposely breaking them for the beads, and then ending with just an air of "eh whatever, snacks are for eating, so lets get our much on." or in this case drink on. KOTOYAMA's sense of comedic timing and artwork can't be beat when it comes to the snack market! 

After a week off, Rinne picks up with some more deadpan spiritual action/comedy! This time, Tsubasa is the feature as he is called upon to exorcise a western gentleman who became an evil spirit! Though when he runs into Sakura on the way to his job, he gets massively distracted and goes to her house for handmade sweets, but the Sakura he finds there is very clearly an evil spirit --the very one he's here to deal with! Tsubasa is awfully easy to figure out --what way would an evil spirit avoid exorcism easily? To become the object of the exorcist's desires of course! Though there is more of a story here --when the spirit was alive he too was an exorcist, and in pursuit of a spirit, it changed into his lovely fiance, Diana and he accidentally killed the real version in his pursuit --so he's trying to do the same to Tsubasa! A shame that he really doesn't understand how Sakura behaves so it's pretty clear that he is not she, hah. The chapter ends with Rinne jumping into fray, and with a center color page next week, I'll be covering part 2 for sure. 

It's doom and destruction in this week's Tenshou no Quadrable. Art's super nice though, so if I am right and Arai's epic is going to have the rug fulled from under it, he's going out with style. Sadly if this is the case, the boys won't be making it to Europe after all, but with all the tragedy surrounding them, it'd just be for the best for them to just survive. Though this is sadly a sign of a series in trouble when everything suddenly happens out of nowhere at once, and to add insult to injury while Evans, and K.O.I both got celebratory color pages for their first volume debuts, Quadrable did not, which seems to indicate that Shougakukan doesn't think the series will be that much of a success. I can't say I know that much about the manga industry but nowadays things are streamlined in a way that if a work isn't performing at least modestly with fans before it's first volume that's out the door almost immediately, which is a real shame because manga is almost exclusively a serial storytelling process, which is to say that it definitely benefits from time to make it's case as to why you should read it, so I'm not a fan of these one and done serialization methods, but it seems to work so what can I say? In any case, the boys were betrayed by their benefactor, Nobunaga has siccced monsters on them, and Julian who fights alone is in a desperate situation. As the text at the end says "Despair piles upon despair, and time is stolen by pain". That doesn't exactly shout "Series with a future!" to me...

A creepy advert for the upcoming Meteor Girl entry. Like Quadrable, MG's been all over the place on the TOC, and forecasts on Amazon seem to imply the meteor has sunk, even though I personally find the series oddly engaging. That being said, it's still in this weird limbo where it's hard to tell where it's going, really which on one hand is part of the intrigue, and on another a little bit of a weakness, I think? At the same time, it would make a sudden cancellation maybe a little less painful since there's no bigger story --at least for now. 

The first page is a cute moment between Chihiro and Tetto, though it's the text on the waaaay bottom that I want to point out, though it comes with the caveat that this text is in no way written by the author. It reads that the "dramatic horror series" moves to it's main story, though it's hard to tell what that means in this circumstance. In any case, Meteor Girl is here, so let's meteor dive in. 

A flashback to Tetto and Chihiro making a promise to see the stars together when they were younger --something I like about the idea of MG's themselves is how they don't seem to age which lends itself well to the horror aspect of the series. --Tetto is actually younger than Chihiro in this flashback, but in the current timeline of the series, he's aged a bit while she hasn't. Ishiyama's artwork with people has been pretty decent, but it's here with Chihiro that I find most endearing. She's just such a lively character and it's captured well by the focus on her face on both pages, and how Tetto looks put off by someone this lively which totally makes sense from what we've seen of him so far, but yes Chihiro promises they'll see the stars at some point that year, but she dies before she can keep that promise, or so Tetto (and by extension we the audience) thought...

Tetto faints from his injuries and awakes later with no Chihiro, but his wounds tended. As I mentioned before, Chihiro is older than him, although biologically he's older than she is now, yet he still refers to her as "neechan" --or "older sister/big sis". While gathering his bearings, he finds that she left him with a very familiar flier for an observatory, and when he flips it over he finds written the question "Do you remember our promise"? 

Up until now Meteor Girl has been more of a mystery/drama than a horror drama, but Ishiyama ensures that this genre label is no mistake. Jump cut to Chihiro and her friends in a house that seemingly is their own --except they don't know where anything in the house is, and when a girl comes downstairs she immediately asks who they are, before going to her father and....

Yup. Not only that but her mother and older brother have also been brutally murdered. Chihiro is merciless, commenting with a tone of cold annoyance that "There's still someone alive here, what a bother" as she steps toward the frightened young lady. 

We're not shown exactly how Chihiro kills --well, anyone, but from the blood on her, it's safe to assume she does her "handy"work bare handed, which is just that much more terrifying. She states here that until the "promised day" they'll live in this house. I think now we can with confidence say that this is indeed the horror manga Shougakukan and Ishiyama have been saying it is, and now the mystery and tragedy has only deepened. I have absolutely no idea what'll happen from here on in, but I do know that I really must find out. 

We jump from horror to...more horror with Souboutei's 70th installment where Zanka walks in on his best friend in the middle of an indecent act....all while in the mental strangle hold of the Souboutei, the strain of which causes him to breakdown. 

Zanka is almost totally enveloped by the house of evil until a voice calls out to him. "Is this really how you want to lose"? Shouldn't you be more angry than this? --We're reminded here that this is the Zanka of now recalling a story of the past, as he comments that maybe it was his own voice, or the voice of his stern father who trained him rigidly to be "strong", but that doesn't matter. 

Zanka's thoughts violently ricochet against each other as he recalls how his friend Yoshitarou was brought into their house and was someone he trusted unquestioningly, yet when he met up with him again he had him dragged into a straing painting where he killed a woman, and sneers at him while he's being swallowed alive by fear and anguish! It might be a coping technique, or maybe Zanka just doesn't want to see the truth, but he compartmentalizes Sakamaki Teido from Yoshitarou as different people. Why would his friend laugh at his peril?! It's with this (and some incredible artwork) that Zanka gets angry enough to rip the house's tendrils from his face despite the pain and disfigurement it'd cause him, and I'd be remiss if I didn't confess that this is why I read shounen manga --for moments of bravado like this and the unrestrained artwork that goes with them. 

Zanka manages to make it out of the house alive after that, but look at him --he's barely himself anymore....his men were all eaten by the house, and his face is in almost total disrepair. As he recovers from his injuries, one thought devours him where the house could not --he can never ever forgive the Souboutei or Sakamaki Teido, no matter what. The close up on his one good eye shows just how much hatred he has for his once best friend, and Fujita's intense artwork. 

In the present, we return to Kaerikuro and Kurenai who are wandering the house, as the former recalls her first meeting with Zanka on the night of her 18th birthday when he barged into the sect that she served and demanded the "spirit water" that she possesses. Zanka isn't going to let a thing like his injuries slow down his revenge. I didn't think we'd get the story connecting him to Kaerikuro at all, much less now, but here we are, and I didn't realize how much I wanted it. Till next week..!!

Yuugami leaves behind his normal friendless nature to grace us with his presence for this month, and I have to say I'm genuinely surprised with how this chapter rolled out. There was a lot more earnestness in the execution than I originally thought we'd get last month, which is pleasing! 

In short, Yuugami steps in where his fellow classmate can't after injuring himself last month, which makes for all kinds of hijinks between him and Chihiro who's still in that shounen/shoujo gulf of kind of having feelings for Yuugami but not really? At least she's able to use the sports festival to keep herself from thinking too hard about him and making a fool of herself....

Ah nevermind, guess that didn't work out after all. That expression is a thing of great beauty and I will defend it against anyone who disagrees. 

But what I really enjoyed is Yuugami being satisfied with his performance and coming in for the win. While I personally feel that Sakurai's take on Yuugami's story --that he doesn't want friends on purpose and not because of some kind of tragic backstory --that the characters around him don't try to "fix" him so that he's more "acceptable" or "normal" it is rewarding to see him as more than a gimmick to tell a story too, which is what his attitude toward life can sometimes come off as. Yuugami has a specific way he wants to live his life, and it somewhat parallels with Komi except in reverse (so a rhombus?) in that Yuugami's journey is his friends accepting him for who he is, and finding that having a friend who's different isn't a bad thing, while Komi's is closer to the typical tale depicted in media, where the friends try to assimilate a person with a different personality --though there's a sense of gentle acceptance on both sides that makes them entertaining. It's about the crazy cast that surrounds the leads just as much as it's about them. The sports festival ends with Chihiro not sure if things went well or not, while Yuugami basks in the victory that comes from doing one's best. We'll be waiting till issue #47 to see more of Yuugami, so until then, keep your friends close and your friends closer. 

The brothers arc in Saike comes to an end with this final chapter before a brief hiatus. This is really a wrap-up chapter, so not a whole lot happens --or does it? The bad guy loses his power thanks to Kuroda "Negatibrain" Yumewo, and Ana basks in the afterglow of becoming super powered! Wait, what?! (Also cute node to Ultraman in that cover page, Fukuchi.) 

Turns out no one really knows that Otsujirou has the ability to power up abilities through his cheering! Ana just thinks she spontaneously leveled up, and Otsujirou isn't even aware he has a power. Saike is about to clear up the misunderstanding and explain to the duo that things are in fact not that simple, however....

He doesn't, and this is what forms the core of this chapter. Although the brothers arc seems like a detour, Fukuchi brings the plot back full circle with Saike's inner conflict --is he becoming what he fights against? He tries to reassure himself that he only didn't tell Otsujirou and Koutarou about the former's abilities because it would be dangerous for him to know, but deep down he knows it's because he wants to have the knowledge of such a power all to himself. It makes him stronger, necessary, and as stated at the end of the last part --special. While there is some truth to Otsujirou being in danger if he knows the specific nature of his ability, the fact that Saike doesn't tell Ana or anyone else for that matter will undoubtedly become a focal point in the story in the future. How long until Saike stops trying to convince himself he's doing the right thing and admits he's doing what he wants instead, and how long will he be able to resist Johann who shares the same ideals? I enjoy that Fukuchi is exploring Saike's psych which enables him to become a deeper character before, during, and after conflict. 

Speaking of Johann, he finally pops up again after a part away, his injuries from the Nepal excursion still aching him. Apparently the news around his hideout is that they've found a new oracle holder?

And their power is the opposite of Kuroda's who I just mentioned --they can give a normal person supernatural powers --to grant them with oracles! Apparently this is who he wanted to see in Nepal, and the Healing God was simply a bonus. Johann wants to make a world of all oracle holders and this is getting him closer to that goal --all without Saike and his friends knowing a thing. I'm sure they'll have a confrontation soon enough, but for now Fukuchi needs time to create and we have to respect that. Saike will be back in issue #46 which will be out October 11th, so basically a little under a month. Admittedly I'm a little nervous as Saike's sales aren't the best, and it's been at the bottom of the TOC a little too often lately. Add the series villian to the mix, and it feels like the series is skating on thin ice, but only time will tell. I'd really like Saike to get an anime as I believe it'd make a really good one, but with Shougakukan being (apparently) trigger shy for those and Saike not showing any growth, it might be a hope that's in vain, but I'll keep hoping nonetheless. 

Mushibugyo is pretty straightforward this week which is nice as it means there's not a whole lot for me to talk about,  heh. Basically Jinbee returns to help his friends land the final blow on the villain who has had them in a corner for almost an entire year. With a little help from spiritual projections of his father and mother who have passed away, Jinbee has just the power he needs to cleave the bad guy in half, and save all of Japan. All while having Fukuda's wonderful artwork guide the way. 

And the day --as well as the land of the sun is saved! It has only been six months(!!) since the story began and Jinbee began serving the Mushibugyo, but now the team has been disbanded, with the story fading to 7 years later where as the side text reads the whereabouts of "love" will be clear. That's right, next one is the final chapter, and as per my rules (as well as me being a fan of the series) I will cover it! Though it feels like I've been saying goodbye to quite a few series this year...in any case, Mushibugyo's finale will be on the blog, rest assured of that! 

This week's Youkai Giga is about the "Tsurube otoshi" A creature that lurks on the tops of trees and drops upon unsuspecting people --it's description can vary from being oni to tengu and even fireballs! The name of this demon can be literally translated as something akin to "falling quickly". This week a bunch of Tsurube Otoshi wait in trees for an unsuspecting human to eat --and they hope for a woman or child, but end up getting a samurai who looks pretty strong.  Despite this they desire to go for the kill, but screw up royally leaving one monster in the reach of his blade. 

Satou could go into horror manga with Ishiyama and Fujita with art like that in the top panel, such a goofy looking youkai looks positively terrifying! Though this is all a distraction for the samurai who's undaunted, until he's knocked out by another Tsurube Otoshi who konks him on the head knocking him out, though the force of this knocks out the leader of the bunch, Ichipei and the others without digits are helpless to stop him. A pretty comedic end for everyone involved, really. 

And that's it for issue #42! Next issue there are surprisingly no pinup models as Evans takes the cover of the magazine and gets a lead color page for his first volume debut, Hatsukoi Zombie gets another color page (probably for it's nearly 100th chapter --oddly enough Komi isn't mentioned here, hm.) and Rinne receives a color page for it's newest volume. It's not clear if Mushibugyo will get anything for it's final chapter, but at the very least they advertise it's final chapter, which is saying something. Until then, I thank you all for following along as you do each week, and implore that you have a wonderful week --Sunday included!