Starting this week we will be providing some thoughts on what we read in each week’s issue of Weekly Shonen Jump magazine. We will also be detailing the T.O.C. (table of contents) for each issue and previewing next week.
This week’s table of contents order:
Akane-banashi (Cover & Lead Colour Page)
1 – Ichi the Witch
2 – ONE PIECE
3 – Kagurabachi
Someone Hertz (Colour Page)
4 – Shinobi Undercover
5 – SAKAMOTO DAYS
Elrock Kirokuchou (Oneshot/Colour Page/47p) by Iwakami Sango
6- Me & Roboco
7 – Blue Box
UNDER DOCTOR (Colour Page)
8 – Alien Headbutt
9 – Himaten!
10 – Kinato’s Magic
11 – Witch Watch
12 – Ultimate Exorcist Kiyoshi
13 – Nue’s Exorcist
14 – Hero Girl and Demon Lord Call It Quits
15 – The Mage Next Door
16 – Gonron Egg (Final Chapter)
Quick Thoughts on the manga we read:
One Piece – #1178
Frog F:
One Piece was very good this week. A lot of intriguing plot threads here. Insane cliffhanger with Imu basically saying “hey, I’m rocking the fuck up.” I do wish Usopp got a bit more after his feat of courage in the prior week’s chapter but such is life for an Usopp fan.
K Bug:
It’s nice to see the Imu continue to be rattled by his historical archnemeses, even if they have no idea what’s truly happening. Also, Chopper slapped a bunch of demons out of people; that was sweet.
Kagurabachi – #117
Frog F:
Interesting world building and detail in Kagurabachi this week. We get the anticipated introduction of Chihiro’s mum. I think next chapter will be substantial with the meeting of Shokoku Royals and Japanese Government. It was cool to see a lot of the old gen in their younger days. Keen to see how this unfolds. I get the sense that next week is going to be a very important chapter.
K Bug:
A lovely chapter seeing some characters back when they were (mostly) hopeful youths. You know, before war and tragedy turned one evil, resulted in the death of one (and probably another), and the guilt-ridden existence of the last… At least we’re getting some details about the world, so… that’s cool.
Ichi the Witch – # 76
Frog F:
A bit of a cool down chapter which is fine. Not a lot to note here other than a bit of a breather between arcs. Not sure where things are heading next but coming off the heels of what was undoubtedly the best arc so far in this series, I hope that they keep up the momentum. I’m also curious for the series to start doing a bit more world building, there is still a lot we don’t know about the world of Ichi the Witch. That said, Desscaras lap pillow chapter, not bad.
K Bug:
Ichi utilised his good-boy skills to make Desscaras feel better: ain’t he sweet? I also don’t envy the witch that is doing the paperwork for the main groups latest adventure, because that thing went off the rails fast.
Kinato’s Magic – #09
Frog F:
So the mayor and her boyfriend got off screened between chapters. That said I really like the conclusion of this arc and establishment of Zeo as the rival/counterpart to Kinato. This series is doing all the right things and I foresee it carving out a nice place for itself, suriving the axe and potentially becoming a new hit for Jump. It’s got something.
K Bug:
Always nice to have a party chapter, especially when some nobody villains get captured offscreen and paraded around. The lady the good guys rescued made a flying house and fireworks. Sick.
Under Doctor – # 10
Frog F:
Under Doctor surprisingly got a colour page and seems like things are finally kicking into gear. I get a vibe this series will be like Sakamoto Days if it can survive the axe. I like it so far and like that this new arc that is starting does tie back into the mini arc with the chinese triad guy. There is a lot of potential here but it still hasn’t fully clicked yet. It needs to go to the next level soon before it’s too late and the Under Doctor’s scalpel meets Shueisha’s axe.
K Bug:
Still a little aimless as a series, but hopefully it hones in on its own vibe. The new hitman character can bend metal with his fists and catch bullets: what’s up with that?
A look towards next week:
Next Issue (#19):
Cover & Lead Color Page: Roku no Okashina Ie (New Series/54p) by Nakamura Atsushi
Color Pages: Akane Banashi; Ichi the Witch; Shinobi Undercover
Credit and thanks to Weekly Shonen Jump reddit for T.O.C.
All images belong to Shueisha.
