Weekly Shounen Sunday #49 (2018) Editorial section.

The ties that bind hold all those who dare struggle back as Xeno enters what the magazine considers the "Climax" of this arc. I've commented on this a lot --probably ad nauseum, but "climax" in shounen language means something very different than the traditional term --it's not the end, or really even near the end, it's more of a thing where the high point of the arc is here, and that is very much the mood of this chapter. Mai was seen conversing with a mysterious person in regard to Xeno before he showed up on the island, and it's with this revelation that Xeno is able to put the pieces together and discover the truth about the island.

It's the fourth Murder Room! I really felt like this was coming, in all honesty. Xeno couldn't have an arc this long without confirming it's central theme eventually. This is a series about seven murder doors, and while this arc hasn't mentioned that directly in a while, it had to be coming. So knowing this, Xeno and the others are on the move, while Manami and Hina confront each other over the crimes of the Kuga clan. Manami for everything that has been thrown at her has been graceful in her acceptance of her family's crimes despite having nothing to do with them herself. Meanwhile Hina realizes that she isn't the enemy she makes her out to be, and in a humanizing moment admits that with Manami being so accepting it robs her of an enemy --it's just much easier to hate with the smallest amount of provocation than to accept and grow. Though before the two can converse any further, the patriarch of the family --Ichizou appears and is mumbling to himself, a song of seven nights and murders. Climax indeed....

My gut feeling has always been right on in these matters, though I confess that Yuugami is making it rather easy by all but spelling it out....the series really does feel like it's coming to an end soon. The opening line from Chihiro even outright says that there's not much time left in their High School careers, and she wonders what she can do for her younger classmates before leaving. In fact this chapter is mostly about the senpai looking for ways to leave their legacy on their younger kohai before leaving. It's kind of bittersweet in a way to see the character really thinking about their futures in such a tangible way, especially in the shounen demographic where such things are more considered when the fights are over and the battle won. Even Yuugami is taking this seriously as he jobs around the school looking for something to do in his own "I don't care about others" way, as Chihiro bounces around in the same manner --it's funny how they're both doing the same thing but the cadence comes off way differently, haha. 

I really think though, the lesson that comes out of this chapter is having a thing you like doing and can share with others is an important thing. It's what makes a person uniquely themselves, and even when one thinks no one is watching ---there is someone who sees your hard work and acknowledges it even if they don't always come forward and speak upon it outright. Like Nogami who's into the occult but likes crafts and making things. Yuugami noticed this about her and because of this Chihiro is able to find a way to help her kohai and leave her mark on the school. The next chapter says we're headed toward a Culture festival, which if I'm right and the series really is heading to a conclusion would be a great way to go out. 

Now this is the Memesis I was hoping for more or less. If we're going to do a comedy series, then there have to be jokes, not a joke. I'm not going to pretend to be offended over the amount of fanservice the series has had of late since it really doesn't bother me. (Though I can understand how it might be an issue to others.) Though having it repeat itself over and over as the only joke in the series does bother me. So this week with the (actual!!) Jojo reference and the silliness that the series is much better at was a great reprieve. Yagyuu's super detailed artwork being used as a butt of a joke to reveal a rather diminutive demon with a very familiar aura was a great touch. Though this does seem to be moving rather slowly --though it's less because of the pacing (though that is an issue) and more that the short page count isn't doing it any favors. Though this chapter was shorter than usual, clocking in at 8 pages....I'd assume that this was intentional on Yagyuu's part, but it's a weird choice during an arc like this where there's a much more important goal before them. Next week suggests to be more of the same with the little Demon being interested in a man's..."thing". Sounds like more fanservice is coming, but at least it's not the same time Yagyuu has been shilling up until now..

Marry Grave also took it's time this week, but I'll admit to my bias --Seeing big! Sawyer again makes this slowdown in events a bit more bearable to me. I've missed him for some time now, and more importantly if Yamaji is being allowed to slow down a bit, it might mean that Marry Grave may not be quite as doomed as originally thought. This week's chapter essentially concludes the Mimic "fight" (I use quotation marks there since it's less a fight, and more Sawyer using his unique properties to head inside of the monster and blow it up from the inside.) And brings us to the next item of interest --the little girl who has a striking similarity to his long lost Rosalie. 

The wonders don't just stop with her appearance though, as the treasure she was trying to get from the Mimic was a necklace --the very same one that Sawyer gave Rosalie before they got married! The mysteries continue to deepen in this somewhat short chapter of Marry Grave. (wonder why that's a thing this week.) The young girl doesn't seem to know who Sawyer is, so what exactly is she? A clone? a reincarnation? Also, could this be related to the picture Rock found some time ago? There are a lot of questions to ask here, and I for one am glad it seems Yamaji is getting time to give us answers. 

It's weird, as much as I'm pretty sure it's not like the artists in the magazine really sit together and discuss what they intend to turn in for the week, it does really feel like the common thread between the chapters in this week's issue was "slowing down progress". After two chapters of what was promising story development, this week sees Saike take a step back and give us a bit of humor along with character development. Embracing my bias, I'm sad to see that it's likely Ana won't have much to do in this final arc (ostensibly, anyway) as Saike is splitting up the group into two factions --those who are of a certain age will be traveling the world to find other oracle holders, while those below it will remain in Japan. It's likely Fukuchi did this to keep the amount of characters in the story manageable for himself, but at least he provided a pretty good reason, and it's much in line with the "hopepunk" Saike has become in this final story --he's looking at this situation as one that they've already succeeded in winning and thus Ana staying here and completing her studies to prepare for a future after the event is in her best interest. It really is a 180 from the sullen boy we met back in chapter one, isn't it? 

Speaking of past chapters, Yaotome who was introduced in volume four with Ana returns almost ten volumes later! It is extremely convenient, and there's no point in trying to rationalize it away --but I'm just happy to see the guy back since he was a lot of fun. --Back to the chapter itself, in order to easily find oracle holders, they'll need to utilize Hizu's ability to see "strength fumes" which has been an ability he's had since the start of the series. It was mentioned during the brothers arc that there's a "trick" to being able to use this ability, so unlike Yaotome's appearance this is less contrived and more of a calculated element by Fukuchi. Though Hizu kept from talking about it because he felt if Saike ever learned how to do it on his own he'd be abandoned. (Really playing up to those fangirls,  huh Fukuchi.) Though now he has no choice but to teach everyone, and....Hizu's endearingly bad at explaining how it works.  

Luckily Yaotome is a much better teacher, but poor Hizu feels left out in the cold thanks to this development. Everyone's got something they're not so great at --don't let it get you down Hizu! 

Evans is always taking it easy so I'm happy to report at least in this case things proceeded exactly as one would expect from the cowboy who wants to be popular with the ladies. Except he's kind of under the weather --something Pheebs can't have and in hopes of nursing him back to health and bagging a bad guy comes to his house. Unfortunately Evans really isn't prepared for visitors and as much as he'd like to have Pheebs nurse him back to health, having PJ's made for him by his fans, and his laundry piling up isn't a good look for the cowboy. 

Evans must sound really bad off since Pheebs doesn't recognize his voice from outside the door and insists on coming in since her quarry was spotted in the area....and Evans tries every thing he can to keep her outside despite really wanting her to come in....and in his haste finds the guy she's looking for and tosses him out. Sadly this means the chapter ends on a happy note while simultaneously coming off kind of bittersweet. In better circumstances the two might have been able to spend a little time together....you're a cruel one Kuriyama. 

Now here's something I didn't expect to get from Souboutei, but more of that in a moment. This chapter despite Fujita's musings seems to indicate that we're only at the beginning of something new rather than wrapping up storylines and galloping toward the conclusion that we were expecting. 

Now to the nitty gritty --there are children from Seiichi's time period in the souboutei, including Taichi (Seen on the opening pages) Of which Seiichi seems very familiar with --until he attacks him. This isn't quite the reunion the latter was expecting....meanwhile Rokuro has discovered the children he's saved are also from the 70's, and have somehow timeslipped to this period. (I included the page before because of a 'Detective Conan' reference --Rokuro and the kids get to talking about their favorite TV shows, and of course Conan wasn't a thing back in the 70's, even if it does feel like it's been around that long.) An interesting thing to note is Taichi doesn't speak in the same sort of "robotic" (for lack of a better term) tone that Seiichi does, although they both have the same powers, and neither do the other children that they found. More importantly Taichi reveals that Seiichi had a little sister? The other kids mention that they know him and this sister would tag along everywhere he went...and now Taichi asks where she is.

Seiichi's memories ebb back to the plane where he and his sister were fighting for their lives --a memory that Kaerikuro seems to have as well. Y--you don't think....

This week's Youkai Giga chronicles the Azuki Hakari who's name literally means "Bean Counter".  These Youkai haven't actually been seen --just heard, so identifying them is quite difficult. They're rather noisy youkai though anyone going to investigate them finds they've disappeared without a trace. In Satou's version this week, we have a female Azuki Hakari who's worried about her looks and consults a human in the ways of looking beautiful (And she succeeds as you can see above) but why does she have a need to look good? To do her job, of course....! Her job of....counting beans. I guess you dress for the job you want, not the one you have.....er, well, I do feel like that doesn't quite work here either but....ah forget about it. It's a cute chapter and that's really all that matters.

And that's it for the editorial of issue 49! Sorry about it being a little later than usual but that means you just had more time to enjoy the features section found here, right? I solemnly swear I'll try to do better next week, but don't hold me to that. Until the next Sunday, take care!