Weekly Shounen Sunday #11 (2018)




It's a Jam packed issue full of surprises this week, and I'm definitely feeling up for sharing! The question is can you smell what I'm cooking? Let's hope so, otherwise you might be sick, and really should go get that checked out.


On the cover is Yuka Ogura along with The three one shots we can expect this issue and the return of my boy, Saike! The top promises "shocking developments!" in Megumi, which since the series is receiving a color page, I will be talking all about below!


Before the festivities, the TOC!

Amano Megumi Suki Darake! by Nekoguchi (Lead color page/ Chapter 109)
Souboutei Kowasubeshi by Kazuhiro Fujita (Chapter 88)
Komi-san wa komyushou desu by Tomohito Oda (Chapter 124)
Soukyuu no Ariadne by Norihiro Yagi (Chapter 8)
Dagashikashi by KOTOYAMA (Chapter 177)
Daiku no Hatou by Michiteru Kusaba (Chapter 38)
Maoujou de oyasumi by Kagiji Kumanomata (Chapter 86)
Hatsukoi Zombie by Ryou Minenami (Chapter 111)
Aozakura daigakkou monogatari by Hikaru Nikaido (Chapter 76)
Tenshi & Akuto! By Aya Hirakawa (Chapter 151)
Merry Grave by Hidenori Yamaji (Chapter 7)
K.O.I King of Idol by Tamaki Wakaki (Chapter 33)
Saike Matashitemo by Tsubasa Fukuchi (Color page/ Chapter 103)
Tantei Xeno to nanatsu satsujin misshitsu Story by Kyouichi Nanatsuki/Art by Teppei Sugiyama (Chapter 9)
Maiko-san chi no Makanai-san by Aiko Koyama (Chapter 54)
Hoankan Evans No Uso ~Dead or Love~ by Mizuki Kuriyama (Chapter 41)
Zettai Karen Children by Takashi Shiina (Chapter 494)
Trick Shot by Atsushi Namikiri (One shot)
Osanajimi no karen naru henshin by Shinya Misu (One shot)
Cherry Game by Souji Nagayama (One shot)
Youkai Giga by Satsuki Satou (Kuro part 19)
Tokaichi Hitoribocchi Nouen by Yuuji Yokoyama (Chapter 9)

Not in this issue are the following:

RYOKO
Detective Conan
Be Blues!
Shinobi No
Major 2nd

That's a lot of stuff absent this week, huh...probably because of all the one shots. I admit I didn't even notice that Shinobi no was off this week last week --or was it? Hm, I'll take another look, but for now let's see what we've got here. Saike is back and not exactly in an impressive place, but I'll take it. Evans is low yet again and Daiku high. This is getting kind of telling --though I still think it's cause Evans has established a "base" of sorts that they're letting it go. They wouldn't really choose Daiku --as nice as it is over it since the sales gulf is rather high between them, right? Souboutei is also super high, but again that's probably by virtue of the magazine being so thin, something that is actually about to change rather soon... 


"Soon" being the very next issue! Hata (Hayate) and Matsuena (Kenichi/Tokiwa) have had their names dangled before us for a while but now their new series are revealed, and to my surprise so is a third artist! The first new series by Kenjirou Hata is "Tonikaku Kawaii" or "In any case cuteness". The blurb by it doesn't really indicate what kind of series it'll be --in fact it more talks about Hayate. All we get in relation to this work is that the title and the pretty girl pictured are related. The next, "Kimi wa 008" or "You are 008" is a "spy action series" about the protagonist Eito Akashi (his name is likely tied to the title --just say it fast enough and it sounds like "eight") finding himself in a whole new world of spies. This will start in issue 13 or the week after next. The last is Memesis by Takuya Yagyuu and is about two knights struggling against a demon king who has taken over the world. It'll be interesting to see that go up against Marry Grave which has a very similar setting....I don't know much about Yagyuu, but his twitter is here so by all means check him out! Also, there's a blurb saying more special guests with their hopes on serialization will appear with oneshots so the editorial department is pulling out all of their weapons in hopes something will stick around when the dust settles. NO need to worry of course, I'll cover the new series for the first three chapters to get an idea of what to expect from them! I'm personally looking forward to Memesis, since Hata and Matsuena's previous serializations weren't too interesting to me personally, but admittedly "008" sounds like it could be a lot of fun. What will you be looking out for?



This week's Pinup is Yuka Ogura who's birth date is September 5th 1998. She is from Chiba prefecture, and has been in drama such as Werewolf Game and will be in the movie adaption of the same drama --entitled Werewolf Game inferno, as well as appearing in the commercial for the cell phone RPG "Ordinal Storata" starting in February. She's a rising star in the making as it would appear!




Megumi is up first! I had actually wanted to cover the series last week, but it receiving a color page this week pushed that coverage to right now. To recap, Ma-kun has a little misunderstanding --he thinks a classmate has feelings for Megumi, but he in fact is into her friend and only converses with her to find out how to confess his feelings to the other girl. Still Ma-kun hears from Megumi what he thinks is a successful confession (and it was, just not for her) and begins to think all sorts of things. Even about a girl from his past and the eraser he thinks came from her. (This was a chapter I covered some time ago, actually!) I wasn't expecting to see this come up again like this, but it does make sense. I have to wonder if Nekoguchi is going for a relationship upgrade with these events? In any case, Ma-kun feels increasingly isolated by Megumi possibly finding love in someone else's arms.


Of course Megumi doesn't know any of this is going on and continues acting the same as usual. She starts to leave after telling Ma-kun how happy she is (for her friend) and resigned, he can only ask if she's okay with this --with things being like this. Megumi is confused of course, and he rescinds the question to head home alone. For the first time Ma-kun isn't able to study and Megumi (the series) takes an unusual somber turn. I'm kind of impressed with Nekoguchi --even if I'm fairly sure I know how this is going to end. I'm also impressed with the architecture in the page on the left. It's all about execution, and I believe Nekoguchi has nailed it so far. 


Souboutei is suuuuper high up this week and it deserves it. I feel like the plot threads of the series are finally coming together in a tangible way as the revelations of who is behind what and what their intentions are become frightfully clear. Ghost Takoha has encountered Sakamaki who has without a doubt revealed he is indeed working with the aqueous invaders from space who are bent on taking over the planet. Although Takoha hasn't been in much of a hurry to get back to his physical body he finds the limitations of being a spirit to be quite inconvenient as he begs Sakamaki not to do what he's about to. 


I want to make a scrapbook called "The many moods of Sakamaki which are actually the same mood illustrated in different ways" --and this chapter would be most of the book. Like, I don't know how Fujita does it --Sakamaki remains emotionally unavailable for the most part, but he still is a layered and complex character right down to the faces he makes. It's subtly and overtly eerie how he says the most outlandish things without batting an eyelash. Shino tells him that Seiichi plans on bringing down the house before they can enact their plans, something Sakamaki finds disinteresting despite it being the biggest threat to their plans. Takoha thinks his yelling is in vain when Sakamaki starts answering his questions as if....he can hear the dead. Takoha says destroying the world is bad, and Sakamaki answers "why is that?" He's never once acknowledged this world or the people in it so why not let it all go to ruin? He does all of this while not actually revealing if he can hear Takoha or not, though in my humble opinion I believe he can. 


Takoha is no slouch in the expressiveness department this week, if those bottom panels are any indication! He goes from dismay to resolution in three panels, and one thing I really enjoy about Fujita's artwork is he doesn't skip any steps in depicting this. Takoha realizes Sakamaki is serious about allowing the aqueous invaders to destroy the world, and decides to make a move before it's too late. Meanwhile the others wait for Takoha to wake up and converse among themselves about the tipsy time turviness going on between them. Zanka can scarsely believe that Japan would lose to the likes of America in the second world war among other things despite Rokurou and Kurenai asserting that this is the truth. Rokurou surmises that within the Souboutei the very fabric of "time" itself is stacked like layers which is why they of different time periods are allowed to exist as long as they were in the house at some point. Zanka has had enough of this discussion and storms off to get something done, when he runs into Seiichi.


Sakamaki may not have any interest in acting on the danger that is Seiichi, but I have a feeling Shino isn't going to let him go so easily. Seiichi stares into a painting on the wall of his mom, dad and brother Makoto mesmerized as the house reaches out to touch him --in the worst way. Zanka tries to warn him but it seems too little too late as this week's Souboutei comes to a close --if the house gets Seiichi, will the rest of our heroes stand a chance?



Ariadne slows it's pace a smidgen this week, but I think it was a smart move overall as we get a little bit more background on Princess Leane. Apparently making Rashil her "Blue Sky Knight" was a much more bigger deal than initially thought if the reaction of these royal knights is any indication. When Rashil reveals he's got the position, the others actually seem rather shocked by it, and then threaten to kill our plucky protagonist. The lady he was fighting earlier makes it clear she really wants to rip him into shreds. The guy from earlier explains that the Sky Blue Knight has a special meaning within the royal knights. It's a position the other knights long for --to directly serve for the queen. So for Rashil to just get it so easily understandably irritates the other knights who as seen on the right page have some pretty awesome designs. Anyway, the first guy warns Rashil to back out while he can and go back to his peaceful life. Though it wouldn't be much of a manga if Rashil took the easy way out. 



I really like the left page of Rashil leaning into the camera as he pretty much tells the other knights to step off --he likes his position and isn't willing to give it up. After all it makes him cooler so why on earth would he want to hand it to them? It's an interesting use of panels and Yagi's BG work stands out in the first panel --making the zoom in on the two's faces that much more significant, and Rashil's words that much more impactful. They want to be the Sky Blue Knight? That's cool, but they'll hae to take it from him. Then the next page happens, where they converge upon him once again evidencing how important BG is --one can't just draw characters really well and expect that to carry a manga! That being said, Rashil is it really a good idea to be mouthing off to seasoned warriors? 


While the warriors all take on Rashil, the first guy asks Leane why she'd give him such a title to begin with? She says that Rashil is similar to herself --a person who wants to travel to see the world. He --the guy can sympathize, but she shouldn't think the other knights who have been waiting in line will be able to do the same. Leane replies that this isn't the only reason she chose him --and as the fight wears on it becomes clear --she chose him because he's strong --stronger than anyone she's seen up until now. If given time, he could possibly become the strongest man in the world --her words. Again, a slower chapter for sure, but I appreciate the world building. Ariadne is slowly unfolding into something big, just as I was hoping. 




Daiku is still higher up than usual and the art is also riding the wave. The story is still moving at a tugboat's pace though. This week is Minato getting in some swim training, --and if you've forgotten (not that I blame you, it has been a while.) Minato doesn't swim well. Unfortunately for him nature strikes hard when a storm hits during training and turns what should have been an easy peasy day at sea into a torrential tragedy. Minato is dragged under the water before he knows it, and the chapter ends with him under the cold dark abyss. The main reason I decided to give this a space in this weeks very full blogpost is the water effects Kusaba draws are nothing short of breathtaking. He's an old pro in Sunday so it's probably not surprising he's good at what he does, but I felt like he needs a special acknowledgement this week. Plus while I'm still a little put off by the sudden change in the plot of the series, if it allows Kusaba to take his time with the artwork, I'm all for sailing the high seas with him for a while longer. 



Mary Grave continues being a piece in action satisfaction this week, and I couldn't be happier. If Yamaji had just stuck with it being a well illustrated tale of marriage beyond the grave, I would have been fine with that, but to see that he's also got the ability to use panels and speed lines to provide riveting fight sequences almost feels unfair. Considering Yamaji will have to contend with competition from another artist in a few weeks, now's the time for him to show what he's made of. Jean and Sawyer are also packing the big guns, as they fight the orcs in different ways but for the same reason --Roazalie. 


Things go south in a hurry though, and Sawyer finds himself impaled at the end of a very sharp Orc weapon before long. I gotta say I like the angle Yamaji goes with there, but boy does that look painful. The orcs are a little sturdier than most, so Jean's punching attacks aren't having the same effect they do on opponents she's had thus far. Sawyer manages to get a bit of her fairy powder but in the time it takes for him to do so, the orc catches up with them and delivers a devastating blow. Jean is enraged, but her hits do nothing --and worse yet she's the one running herself ragged trying to get revenge for Sawyer's "death". Her expression at the bottom of the right page of rage and frustration is palatable --she lost her friend in Rozalie, and she'll be damned if she loses her friend's husband too. 


But we know by now that you can't keep a good Riseman down --it definitely helps that the deadman recipe keeps him ticking even after he's taken a licking. Sawyer looks really cool as he regenerates and saves Jean from being crushed by the Orc. 


And he looks even cooler when he uses the materials he got from Jean in one blow --Dark Blast or well, as the kanji says there "Jet black attack". Once again it's hard for me to really say much about this straightforward chapter, but the parallels that came about from Jean realizing that Sawyer is immortal and they both have the same special person in mind. It's becoming more and more apparent to me that Yamaji is setting up Jean to be a player in the longer game, which is perfect as I was thinking that the series could use another character for Sawyer to pal around with. 


It feels like an eternity since we last spent time with Saike, but he's back for a new part! Last time we left the time traveler, he had run into a little huge snag --his childhood friend Mikan had been kidnapped by resident villain Johann, which puts him in a rather compromising situation --there's no way he's going to walk out of this without her knowing his secret, but does he really have a choice --he has to save Mikan. The last arc also had a short time skip of sorts --Saike is now in high school. I'm a big fan of time flowing subtly in stories like this --Saike still looks like himself, but taller. Granted I believe it's only been about four months so he obviously wouldn't have changed too much, but I am a fan of his subtle growth spurt. 


Saike doesn't take Johann kidnapping his friend too well at all, yelling out at him in frustration loudly enough for his mom to check on him. Saike's a guy who's got a good head on his shoulders and immediately figures out what he needs to do. He calls Kuroda over with Hi --it's obvious what he intends to do. This chapter has a cinematic feel probably because of the snowfall and the way the paneling is handled and it's super good. A last note --Kuroda's expression says so much without the assistance of text, doesn't it? He asks Saike what he's intending on doing, but his face says everything we need to know --as well as what he's thinking. 


Saike comments on the "Butterfly Effect" Kuroda had warned him about way back in volume 5. Perhaps it's because he's reversed time so much that he's being punished for it now? He muses. Kuroda explains the obvious --Johann is clearly going to take Hi and use him for malignant things, so while he can understand Saike's feelings, doing this for the sake of one person has repercussions that he can't easily overlook. Still, Saike must do this --today is a day he cannot lose no matter what. 


More incredible paneling on this page! Fukuchi really spent his time off working hard. From the looming building standing before Saike as he prepares to face Johann to the lack of any text on the page...it's all meticulously done to evoke a sense of unease, of a quiet, stalking malease. I especially like the final panel on the page as Saike hears a sound and glances over to the source --his expression is wary, and angry simultaneously. I also enjoy that the story on this page is told almost exclusively through SFX. The *ding* on the elevator,  and Saike's steps through the snow both before and after he hears the sound are the only points on the page. 


I'm gushing and I don't even care. Fukuchi's leaning into this silent unease this chapter and does an incredible job. I've noticed one of the biggest differences between shounen and seinen manga aside from content is dialog. Shounen tends to rely on it a whole lot more, while seinen manga can go pages without any dialog --allowing the art to tell the story. This Saike chapter might be one that uses the least amount of text that I've seen so far, and it's all to great effect. It also helps that Saike and Johann's expressions are as wonderful as the mood. Saike looks so cool in the bottom panel as he asks where Mikan is. He's not here to play, nor is he here to discuss anything with the villain, which is way different than the Saike we're used to, huh? When it comes to Mikan, Saike is all business --and his expression and terseness are proof of exactly that. Johann on the other hand is still jovial about the whole thing, commenting on how Saike's grown since the last time they met. 


Dual page spreads are always a wonderful addition to any manga (in my opinion), but poor Mikan, she doesn't deserve this. She really doesn't know anything that would be useful to Johann so she's literally only in this mess because of her association to Saike, an association he has yet to explain to her. Worse yet, Johann purposely picked this building far away from Mogura pond to keep Saike from using his oracle to change things if he doesn't get the result he wants from this hostage exchange. The chapter ends here, but this is a great opening to the new arc of Saike --one I hope isn't leading a series finale. All of the elements are there for it, but I think Fukuchi could get some more mileage out of the series should he be given the chance. 



Xeno's and the case of the school of the arts continues this week with the customary gathering of witnesses/suspects. Takao Sena is dead, and the investigation is afoot! It's a locked room mystery and Xeno even dangles out of a window recreate how the culprit got in, but that doesn't bear any fruit so the question remains, how did someone get into and out of the crime scene? A point to keep note of is Ayla finding all of Sena's pet fish dead in their tank as pictured above. Hmm. In any case Murata from the last chapter is brought in because he was seen burning something in the vicinity around the time the victim would have been killed --that something being a musical score --a score that belongs to the singer Shizuka. She's not happy with her work being burnt and gives Murata a slap --but is it an incriminating one? 


For now, Xeno decides to go to the coriner to check out the body where Ayla has one heck of a reaction as seen on the left.  Though she's not wrong to freak out, as the person on the table slowly starts to move? Have the mysteries in Xeno gotten supernatural all of a sudden?


No, turns out we've got a new character introduction. Kudan the corriner has a "special" interest in Xeno's "uneven" body. She asks if Xeno will make a donation to science one he dies, and Xeno unflinchingly responds that she'd be the first suspect if he should die all of a sudden. I'm interested in the origin of their relationship in all honesty....anyway, Kudan --or Yuna, since that's her first name has examined the body and finds there are airbubbles. Learning this, Xeno travels to a pass overlooking the campus, where Ayla asks how one could possibly consider getting into a locked room from here --and Xeno reveals that the campus itself is one of Kai's seven murder rooms. What does this mean? Next week..!


Evans' situation just gets worse every week this arc wears on, but that's what it is to be a character in a Shounen manga, my good chum. He at least managed to save the girl --Melissa last week without giving up Mattie, but the scenery of bloodthirsty bandits cascading upon his location fills him with an existential dread that one can almost feel looking at that right page. Though your day (and this chapter) is only beginning Evans.


For you see, while sneaking about the train wondering how the heck he's going to get out of this situation, Evans runs into Mattie's actual father. Except, since he's never seen the guy before he has no idea who he is, and the same goes for Daddy dearest. Scott Bridges heard from the local sheriff (who isn't Evans) that his daughter is on a runaway train, and like the responsible (although not very smart) father he is decided to track her down, and now he's up against a man he thinks is a brigand, while Evans is of the same mind. Scott's never used a gun before and that's obvious to Evans, but when he says he will protect his family, Evans starts to wonder if this gang member is actually telling the truth. Pheebs has found out that the people chasing them are actually lawmen here to rescue the people on the train so for all intents and purposes they're in the clear! 


OF course the whole situation of "My Dad vs 'My' Dad is still an issue. Mattie is convinced her father cares more about his money than her, but Pheebs decides to solve this problem by taking her to him. Evans and Scott are still negotiating terms when Pheebs brings Mattie in and she begs her father not to do anything dangerous. Evans thinks she means him, but she means her actual father who she immediately runs to and has a loving reunion with. Pheebs says that it's great that everything is over at last, but Evans seems...disappointed? The blurb at the end indicates there's still more to this tale, so maybe the gunman will get a happier ending next week. I will say I'm surprised this all got wrapped up so quickly, but Kuriyama has surprised me a lot lately. Still, Evans' place in the TOC might indicate this arc wasn't as well received by the readers so this might be for the best.




Atsuhi Namikiri should be a familiar name to those following the Shounen Sunday Blog --they were the one to bring us the oneshot "Kantsuu" some time ago. Well they're back and this time racket ball is the name of the game! I read a little bit of "Kantsuu" in preparation for this blog entry (and you can too here in issue #41 of 2017) And man has Namikiri leveled up in expressiveness since the last oneshot. Though it came at the price of the faces looking a little creepy --but I do like me some nonstandard artwork. So what is "Trick Shot" about? Well, it follows the newbie teacher Azuki and problem student Sora. Sora's got such a reputation that when Azuki looks forward to meeting him, the principal balks at the prospect. Sora loves playing tricks on other students, but he seems to have a thing for Badminton as he helps with the school club from time to time. The Badminton club has their own issues however, as the Basketball club hassles them often. 


Sora sees this and decide he wants to give the upperclassmen a hand when the Basketball club figures that Badminton is so easy that they can do it. One of the boys takes on the challenge but finds himself with an unlikely partner when Sora joins in. They get beaten pretty badly when Sora joins in and to everyone's surprise is actually pretty good at the game. Though how did he do it? How does a kid who seemingly never played the game go from zero to hero? Turns out he and Azuki have a connection when he comments it's "Just as she (Azuki) said." 


Sora's out being a bad boy when Azuki finds him and asks why acts out so --and he says seeing peopl's angry faces entertains him. Azuki administers some tough justice with a headbutt and thinks she might have overdone it when Sora starts laughing and comments that what he really wants is to be remembered. He's only average at sports things, so if everyone's pissed at him they'll surely not forget, right? 


Azuki realizes Sora's the type who blooms in adversity --so why not guide him into the world of competitive sports where such an attitude can be channeled into something positive? She teaches him the ways of Badminton and Sora takes to it like a bird to the...sora. Sorry, not sorry.  Sora is easily able to school the Basketball club with some great moves manipulating point of view and speed --the reaction time is very important in Badminton, and Sora aiming away from his opponents lowers their window of reaction. 


The Basketball club members get schooled and Sora only has this face for 'em --and it's actually wonderful. In the end he wants to have another match --this time in Basketball so maybe he's gotten addicted to just competing and defeating people but I like this take on the sports genre! How often is it that a teacher is the one to take the reigns --or more specifically for it to be a female teacher? Namikiri's artwork is still just as impressive as they were the first time --if not moreso, but I'd have to really get used to seeing those faces, hah. A thing to note is at the end there's no note that Namikiri is working on something else --rather there is one that sounds very much like this will continue, though it is written by the editorial staff. I personally may not like the sports genre, but Namikiri is an artist who's probably one of the most suited for it that I've ever seen, and I hope they come back with another work be it serial or otherwise. 


The next oneshot by Shinya Misu is a hodgepodge between sports and romance --not necessarily being one or the other too strongly. The title can be translated as "My childhood friend's lovely transformation". It's April and therefore a new semester for students bringing along with it new students, including a boy and his childhood friend nicknamed "Goripon" (The "Gori" probably being related to Gorilla") a tomboyish girl who's real name is Riho Gotou --who among other things actually likes her manly nickname and is generally quite masculine for a little girl. However in the time between semesters, Goripon has gone from how she was depicted in the panel on the right page to...


This. Cute, ain't she? 



The oneshot is pretty short and straightforward. Goripon tries acting more girly as a part of her new school image, but is dreadfully shy now much to the surprise of her childhood friend she's shared classes with since starting school as small children. There's not a particular message in this, poor Goripon isn't used to having to be "girly" so her best friend just tosses her a basketball (her favorite sport.) and they play together with the other children like old times bringing her a sense of comfort and familiarity. Despite this, she is still a girl, and they are at that age. (Still, you kids really shouldn't stare.) It has a cute ending at least with Goripon "punishing" her friend by making him hang out with her for staring, and the protagonist realizes he might have fallen for her in an instant, not that he'll ever tell. Misu is apparently working on something else --and with art like this I eagerly look forward to their next work. This was a cute little diversion and really right in line with what seems to do well in Sunday nowadays. 



The last of the three sports related oneshots is "Cherry game" by Souji Nagayama. I read through this and man did it remind me of something Aoyama or Takahashi would have written early in their careers. I can't say for sure that Nagayama was influenced by them, but I wouldn't be surprised if they were. Even the art is reminiscent of the 90's where both of those artists would have been in their heyday (not to say they're any less popular now or anything!) It's actually a really nice throwback to simpler times where romantic hijinx roamed the land free...ah, I'm dating myself. Anyway, Cherry game is about twin siblings Minato Hina and Misato Hina, Minato being the younger male twin, and Misato being the older female one. Misato loves men in (baseball) uniforms, so her little brother having a sister complex of sorts joins the baseball team to impress his sister. 


Minato has a rival on the team however --Fujimi who his older sister has a crush on. So it goes without Saying Minato haaaates Fujimi. Minato has some of the best expressions in the chapter whenever Fujimi is on his mind or in the immediate vicinity, as seen above. Actually, Nagayama's got some of the best expression game I've seen in manga for a long time. They've got quite a future if they can keep this up! Anyway, Fujimi runs into Misato and I'm assuming they haven't known each other long as he thinks that the twin sister is in fact her brother and gets completely turned around believing his rival on the field is actually a girl! Misato fawns all over him giving him the wrong impression, while Minato seethes that Fujimi would even dare to talk to his sister. Ah, man, this really does feel like a 90's anime OVA, and I love every second of it. 


So you can bet things only get more complex when Fujimi runs into Minato later and thinking he's the she of his dreams makes an advance just for Minato curse him out and leave. He meets up with Misato later and thinks that she's back to normal (as normal as not being her brother can be) and thinks that if he can best her as a rival she'll return his affections. (This isn't helped at all by Misato saying she'll wait for him until the time they meet again which he takes to mean on the mound...) 


The ball game proceeds with the two fighting for the same reason....sort of. Fujimi wants to pursue Misato, and Minato wants Fujimi to stay the hell away from his sister. So they have a really heated match, and Nagayama gets to show off some pretty impressive paneling and shading with this showdown. I really like that the artwork is multi-functional, able to go from cute to thrilling in one baseball game, and of course I had to throw in another great Minato expression --unfortunately he lost to Fujimi, not that he'd ever admit it. 


In the end the misunderstanding isn't cleared up in the least --in fact Misato seems to be kind of jealous of her brother being able to get so close to Fujimi so naturally. Nagayama has something really interesting going here, as a real throwback piece to the 90's. They're also hard at work with another series, according to the blurb at the bottom, and while I can't see this particular oneshot being extended into a serialization, I'd be more than willing to partake in another work from them! Here's to hoping they'll be back sooner rather than later! Honestly, I'd have to say this was my favorite of the three oneshots but they were all pretty strong despite being out of my element genre-wise. 



Kuro's back this week, and to my surprise Makoto seems to be able to see the little Youkai. It's not quite a timeskip, but now it's fall in the world of Kuro. Makoto not only can see the little youkai but has it helping her around the house. His master still can't see however, which makes for an odd relationship around the house --but not necessarily a bad one. Kuro's trying it's best to protect the new family which by the end of the chapter there's a big implication is about to get a little bigger when Makoto returns from an impromptu doctor's appointment with a luminescent blush. Is Kuro going to encompass the entire relationship between these two? Again, not a bad thing, just I really wasn't expecting it! I'm not sure how Kuro is doing in the scheme of things, but now I really hope it won't get cancelled anytime soon. It's been really engaging --and I like that Satou interchanges it with other Youkai stories to keep it fresh. Sadly there's never too much for me to talk about here, but I enjoy typing it up nonetheless. I do wonder why Makoto can see Kuro and her husband can't despite being the one who grew up with Kuro....


And with that issue #11 is done! Next week starts us off with a new series by Sunday Veteran Kenjirou Hata --"Tonikaku Kawaii" along with a color page for Be Blues which returns for it's brief hiatus, as well as one for K.O.I for it's new volume release. Not to be left out is a Valentines edition of Hiiragi-sama as well! Ah, that's right, rather than enjoying time with a valentines, I'll be writing about Sunday. ....I'll try not to think about it too much, but what you all should think about is stopping in next week for more absolutely lovely Sunday write-ups! Until then!

Comments

  1. Wow, the new Saike chapter is really pretty, especially the snow on the rooftop. I always thought beautiful scenery is something Saike needed more of but maybe Fukuchi was really saving it for more dramatic moments like this, speaking of which, I love how Saike can give some chilling death glare there, despite usually being a cute kid.

    I see what you mean with how it feels like things might be adding up to the finale, it has a very pre-climax atmosphere. I'd say at least, we're reaching the conclusion of the Johann arc, he's been the villain for at least 6 volumes after all and series like these try not to drag out chasing one antagonist for too long. Also, there's the fact thatthere aren't many villains remaining on Johann's team, just Will, Calim, Silvano and Johann himself, maybe one more if Johann still has a spy in Kuroda's team or something but I don't know.

    Even though I doubt Johann will last much longer however, it's hard to imagine how another villain can take his place so the end of Johann might be the end of the series. Johann had been strongly established for a long time to be Saike's archnemesis and that presence certainly won't change. Also, he's a great villain who's hard to top, all he's missing is some complex backstory but knowing Fukuchi, he surely has one in store, then may just be one of my favorite antagonists of all time.

    I can think of two ways for the series to be longer. One is if they expand on the origin and nature of Oracles to be more than just a concept of people happening to gain special powers. Two is if Johann's plot with the lesser panda at least partially succeeds and leads to the new threat.

    I think the latter ideda would be pretty interesting, as a plot involving a lesser panda who can give people powers can lead to all kinds of possibilities. Also, it allows the series to lead to a new arc while maintaining Johann's presence as the archnemesis of Saike as even though he's not the final obstacle, he's still responsible for the greatest crisis.

    I'm also a bit worried about the series status on the TOC but even though it's still on the low side, I can have hope in the fact that it's actually doing better lately than it did back in volume 9, in which it was stuck in the basement for almost the whole part. If Fukuchi has enough freedom with the series, I think I can expect about 15 volumes as of now. But he has surprised me before on how long he can keep a series about a kid who resets the day by drowning in a pond interesting for so who knows?

    I would also like the series to go on for as long as possible, it has one of the best main cast I have ever see. Also, Team Kuroda has potential to be a great secondary cast if they get more time to shine like in the last volume.

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    1. At this point I'm not sure what to think, to be quite honest. I feel like if this *were* the end, they'd announce it as such, though they're not required to. So far Saike is going in alone and Johann has got him cornered so he can't reverse things if they go awry. I have to say I have liked how Fukuchi has countered Saike's otherwise OP power these last few arcs on that note.

      At this point I agree, it's likely if Johann falls here that the series will end. There was a hint that there's more to Calim or Johann at the end of the last arc, but who knows how that will tie in for this one if at all? I'd really like to see Fukuchi explain the origin of the oracles, but I get the idea those were more of a means to an end and the brief explanations are all we're gonna get. It's a shame, but I get that it's not really Fukuchi's focus --it's the characters moreso than the plot which is a change for his works when you compare all of them. I'm not sure how well the series sells, but it did drop significantly after the nepal arc which is why it's in a bad situation right now. Still, since it doesn't run all of the time it might get more time than an normal serial, and while I don't wanna see Saike go, with Fukuchi's art being so great now and his writing a lot better, I'd also like to see what else he'll do if Saike does ultimately end. We'll just have to see --though I'll admit having to bite my nails at the end of each arc is getting a little tiring --I almost hope it'll end so I can be less stressed out about the series. That or get an anime, but the former is a lot more likely at this point, sadly.

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    2. Indeed, at least the fact that they don't announce it's the final arc is something to have hope in, I mean, it makes a lot of sense for them too. Even though Fukuchi's a really clever writer he also seems to be quite the risk taker in conceptualization. Rather than giving his characters conventional abilities all writers know how to handle, the abilities here are really out there and can be really OP if not handled appropriately. It's cool how Johann really did take measures against Saike's Oracle and I suppose it makes sense for him to.

      I also wonder about what the last chapter implied. I suppose Silvano might have known either Calim or Johann for a long time.

      I guess Fukuchi can certainly make another amazing series after Saike. With this series, I'm quite convinced he's mastered the art of making likable characters and he can probably do so again, however, we bonded with Saike and the crew so deeply and for so long now that it would be painful to say goodbye so soon. Also, we were just getting to know some members of Team Kuroda and I'd say they're turning out pretty good too and I want to get the chance to know them better.

      Anyway, I heard some authors are allowed to finish their story in a doujinshi after leaving a magazine. Not sure what makes them able or unable to, I think something to do with the contract. Is there any possibility Saike may be able to do that? So even if it ends in Shounen Sunday we can still get some true ending in a self published volume. Just wondering.

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  2. Wow, Namikiri is sport manga prodigy. He pulls out such fresh ideas for sport manga like it's nothing. I love this oneshot. I want to read the thing he's doing now! Monster talent, would put him in my top 3 for Sunday with Shinya (the guys that didn't debut with series ofc).

    Shinya Misu art became much tamer here but a lot more refined. Last oneshots were more horrorish/drama but I liked this one too! He can do such a good job with limited pages. Hope he finally gets serialized!

    Souji is new guy for me. This looked hella funny, I love this 90's artwork. It had this nostalgic punch elaborately put there. I'm interested in looking him up, what did he do before this. It looks too nice to be 1st thing he has done, probably some oneshots in Super so maybe I can dig them.

    I'm looking forward to your coverage of the new serializations. I believe in Hata and Matsuena, hope they learned from their mistakes. Like you, I'm waiting for Memesis the most but I kind of have feeling that Syun will be back to his Kenichi form. Don't know if I can expect this from Hata because the preview is too vague. So my hype list is this
    Memesis>008>Kawai
    In a way, I feel like after Mushi ended we need a little more fan service in here. I also think that KOI could turn into something more about the PLOT because it doesn't sell and Wakaki could try something along those lines.

    Saike's back and boy this chapter was fast paced! Do you feel like it could be last season for it or it's too soon to say?

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    1. I definetly think Namikiri's art is intriuging if not a little creepy sometimes, --it's those grins man, they just look weird to me, lol. Though yeah storywise I like what Namikiri does with the underdog stories to make them interesting. He seems pretty wedded to doing sports series, which aren't typically my thing but I'd at least try one by him.

      I don't remember seeing Nagayama or Misu before this (though my memory is terrible so.) Nagayama (Souji) is definitely really influenced by 90's art and writing which is a little refreshing to me, honestly. The art was cute and the story the same. I'd read more of both Misu and Nagayama though.

      I can't say so far I'm going to be wowed by Hata or Matsuena since I didn't care much for Hayate or Tokiwa, but this blog is all about equal(-ish) coverage, and I like to give stuff a chance so I'll be covering the first three chapters for sure.

      As for Saike, it certainly *does* feel like the finale but we'll have to see. Fukuchi's said that he already has an ending in mind but he was concerned as to whether he'd reach it or not. Though Johann is basically the final boss so I don't know what he could do after this unless he gets away again or something...at least for now they're not saying this is the final arc, and I'd think they would if it was ending.

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    2. I really doubt they'd have another scenario where Saike fights Johann and Johann runs again before being defeated. Manga like these tend to try not overuse confrontations with the main villain or the audience will get too accustomed to them to feel like the final boss.

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    3. Nah, I agree I don't see Johann coming back if this is his last stand. Granted after reading Fukuchi's comments on the WSS site this week, I do think Saike's not quite over since he did imply there would be more developments from here. I do think the series is doomed if the new series coming out do decently though, since it's unlikely Saike will get an anime or any further promotion.

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  3. Thanks for covering amano megumi this week.

    Wow!! I am really impressed with last couple of chapters of amano megumi. I did expect nekoguchi to write chapters with these type and misunderstandings at some point but didn't expect him to add feels into it lol, I thought It was going to be typical romcomish misunderstanding.

    Its kind of hard to see Manbu trying to be mature while making that face, I really hope to see more of these charecter development oriended chapters from now on. Manabu's charecter was going nowhere till now.

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    1. No problem! Though in all honestly I only did because it received a color page this week more than *wanting* to. Still I'm glad you enjoyed it. I do like that Nekoguchi is doing something a little more serious but I'm pretty sure things will return to the status quo soon enough.

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  4. I'm late, but I still made it before the next blog post.

    I have to admit that I skipped the oneshots, because I'm not a fan of sports manga. The Captain Tsubasa & Attack No. 1 hype that happened when I was still in school was too much for me.

    But I read the first two volumes of Birdmen. The beginning was different from what I expected after looking at later chapters, but it was good. The main characters are very likeable and the author appears to be a good storyteller. I'm going to buy the remaining volumes once the next Shogakukan ebook sale happens.

    Marry Grave and Youkai Giga were nice as always.

    All new series have the potential the be good, but I think it's better I do not get my hopes up too high after the veterans' last works.

    There appears to be something funny going on with Eito Akashi's name. (Yes, yes, me and names, I know.) A few of Matsuena's followers on twitter pointed out that the preview on websunday (http://websunday.net/201802/) gives his name as Naoto(?) Akashi (明石直人). People were a bit puzzled about this and wondered whether websunday staff made a mistake, or whether there might be a story related reason for this. We will see in about a week what's up with this.

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    1. Hey, better late than never. I"m really glad you come back week to week!

      Ugh, I Need to read Birdmen at some point --but now I've found out that I can buy English manga on Amazon Japan and have been picking those up instead. It would definitely be a good idea for the blog if I started Birdmen from the beginning so I'd have a better idea of what's going on.....instead I read more of Kekkaishi, lol. Tanabe is very good at what she does --slow but steady buildup with likable characters and I'm glad to hear from you that this tradition continues in Birdmen.

      Yeah you echo my sentiment toward Hata and Matsuena --I'll cover the first three chapters of their new series but I'm not expecting much.

      As for the protagonist's name, hm. I surely saw "Eight" but I see what you're talking about on the site. Sunday has had some mistakes in recent weeks but maybe there *is* just a story related reason for this. We will see.

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