Each week we will be providing some thoughts on what we read in the latest issue of Weekly Shonen Jump magazine. We also detail the T.O.C. (table of contents) for each issue and preview the following week’s issue.
This week’s table of contents order:
Drawn to the Fire (Debut/Cover/Lead Colour/54p) by Satosho Masayoshi
1 – Ichi the Witch
2 – SAKAMOTO DAYS
Roku’s House of Oddities (Colour Page/ Extended to 25p)
3 – Someone Hertz
4 – Ultimate Exorcist Kiyoshi
Shinobi Undercover (Colour Page)
5 – Blue Box
6 – Kagurabachi
Nue’s Exorcist (Colour Page)
7 – Witch Watch
8 – Akane-banashi
9 – Me & Roboco
10 – Alien Headbutt
11 – Himaten!
12 – UNDER DOCTOR
Nichijou! Sentai Family (Oneshot/15p) by Osada Kennosuke
13 – Kinato’s Magic
14 – Hero Girl and Demon Lord Call It Quits (Final Chapter)
Quick Thoughts on the manga we read:
Kagurabachi – #118
Frog F: The Soga clan’s squad kicked some Shokoku ass this chapter. It was particularly rad to see Mashiro’s pressure sorcery. I’m sure this battle of Irishima will end in resounding victory for Japan. Oh wait… they are an Elite Squad in Kagurabachi aren’t they? Oh no…
K Bug: The negotiations were short. Also deadly. Who knew these historic demons could all wield unrefined magic ore and summon bees? I’m also not sure anyone involved knows how negotiations are supposed to work: “Give me what I want or I’ll kill you” isn’t really the best strategy.
Ichi the Witch #78
Frog F: World building in Ichi the Witch at last. Intrigued by the introduction of Magikeepers. Ichi’s playfully combative interaction with this bloke from his past on the mountain was kinda cute. This next arc is beginning to unfold. Will Desscaras and this fella be at odds with one another due to their parallel connections to Ichi?
K Bug: Who watches the witches? Some guys, it turns out. Cool little lore drop, and food to know magic users aren’t given entirely free reign in this world. Ichi’s teacher/parent is also here: drama bomb.
Kinato’s Magic – #11
Frog F: Cool to see Kinato taking centre stage and accepting that he can’t truly support his guild mates if he becomes a target. Rather than become a liability, Kinato goes full Deku here boosting his own body with his Seitai magic at the expense of damaging himself. Is it a familiar trope? Yes, but Kinato has been a collation of familiar shonen tropes since day one. What sets Kinato apart is how well it plays hits. That said, we have seen a bit of a concerning ranking this week for Kinato. Let’s hope its a one off anomaly because I’d like to see this series continue.
K Bug: Looks like we have another student of the destroy-your-own-body-to-fight school of combat. Still, props to Kinato for punching a dude through a wall using a broken arm. He also fought a wild animal and almost died as a child? Pretty hardcore.
Under Doctor – #12
Frog F: Solid chapter with some decent character development. Maxell is an interesting character. I am assuming Haiji will show him a reason to live and then he’s gonna join the under doctor crew isn’t he?
K Bug: All tough and no pain make Maxell a bit of a jerk. And why are scientists always evil and torturous in these series? If the guys who experimented on Maxell were nice they could’ve figured out why he doesn’t age; rule the cosmetics industry.
Roku’s House of Oddities – #2
Frog F: This was a fun chapter. I like this manga so far. The characters are interesting and I like their interactions. The running gags like the dog being too big works for me. This seems like it’s gonna be a fun read moving forward. Who’d have a thought a chapter of a bunch of curse spirits playing Nintendo Wii would be this fun?
K Bug: Once again, video games save the day. The manga did have to specify it was an older console, you know, ’cause most games don’t have couch co-op these days. Also glad they didn’t play Mario Party, or these curses would’ve all turned on each other immediately.
Drawn to the Fire – #1
Frog F: Was not terrible. But also was not great. I am not a fan of the art style and just didn’t feel drawn to this series, pun intended. I don’t believe this will be joining our regular rotation and I can’t see this one surviving the axe. Not a strong debut.
A look towards next week:
Next Issue (#21):
Cover & Lead Colour Page: 2-nen B-gumi Yusha Destroyers (New Series/66p) by Sorachi Hideaki of Gintama fame.
Colour Pages: Blue Box; Someone Hertz; Drawn to the Fire (2nd Chapter/25p)
Additional Pages: Roku’s House of Oddities (3rd Chapter/23p)
Credit and thanks to Weekly Shonen Jump reddit for T.O.C.
All images belong to Shueisha.
