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:
Kagurabachi (Cover & Lead Colour)
1 – Ichi the Witch
2 – ONE PIECE
3 – Someone Hertz
4 – Me & Roboco
Ultimate Exorcist Kiyoshi (Colour)
New – Roku’s House of Oddities
5 – SAKAMOTO DAYS
New – Drawn to the Fire
6 – Witch Watch
New – Class 2-B Hero Destroyerz (23p)
Shanghai Ronren (Oneshot/Colour/47p) by Takahata Yuu
7 – Shinobi Undercover
8 – Blue Box
Akane-banashi (Colour)
9 – Himaten!
10 – Nue’s Exorcist
11 – UNDER DOCTOR
12 – Kinato’s Magic
13 – Alien Headbutt
Quick Thoughts on the manga we read:
Kagurabachi – Chapter #121
Frog F: And so the Irishima ‘talks’ have come to an end. We have finally seen the origins of the elite squad curse in Kagurabachi. Is it wrong that I am starting to understand Akemura’s side of things? Side note: Kagurabachi anime announced. Pardon my french but – Hell F**K Yeah!
K Bug: The negotiations were short…and with a much higher mortality rate than anticipated. Also, kind of a jerk move to brutalize somebody to near death and then not kill them only because you don’t want to write a letter, or have phone service on your nightmare island of revenge and bugs.
One Piece – Chapter #1182
Frog F: Yet another mythological god has been unveiled. I liked the interactions between Imu and Loki, a lot of hints at deeper lore there to speculate on. Things are certainly heating up but since One Piece is on break next week we will have to wait a little bit longer to see what happens next. Luffy needs to back up his pal Loki, this Imu bloke is no joke.
K Bug: The rain is a person now? I mean, we’re also dealing with a squirrel who may be a contemporary of the self-proclaimed ruler of the world, so why not?
Ichi the Witch – Chapter #81
Frog F: Well that escalated quickly. Ichi the Witch is barrelling into this next arc with full force. The traitors were introduced and immediately revealed. The idea of tracking them down in the Mantinel HQ is broached before the traitor witches just immediately attack anyways. Curiously they are targetting Ichi directly. I wonder if it hints towards a greater secret behind Ichi’s status as the only male to ever achieve becoming a witch. I get the sense we won’t have to wait long to find out.
K Bug: Turns out the real magic was guns. Also, probably not the best idea for these villains to disobey their boss whose name is World Hater. He doesn’t sound the forgiving type.
Under Doctor – Chapter #15
Frog F: This was a fun little slice of life kind of chapter. A nice break from the battle heavy arc that just concluded. I like Chiwako. The series does still feel a tad aimless though. Hope it gets a stronger narrative direction sooner than later.
K Bug: Ferris Bueller has some competition for most jam-packed day off, it would seem. I don’t think he foiled a bombing, though, so Chiwako may be ahead on points.
Kinato’s Magic – Chapter #14
Frog F: Please don’t be axed. Please don’t be axed. Kinato’s Magic is one of the strongest new manga in recent memory for Jump. I know it’s been ranking poorly but I think it deserves a chance to grow and build its audience. This new arc with the Majo all women mountain tribe looks to be interesting. Also cool to see Jien’s magic is essentially wukong-esque. Keep on fighting Kinato!
K Bug: So, it’s like Food Wars but with chiropractic alignment instead of international cuisine? Go get ’em, Kinato.
Roku’s House of Oddities – Chapter #5
Frog F: Another fun chapter for Roku. This manga makes me laugh each week so far. It’s also quite wholesome and just a pleasant read. Jump needs manga like this to balance out the magazine. I hope Roku succeeds, at least let us get the backstory on the big cursed dog.
K Bug: It should probably be said that you shouldn’t steal a policeman’s weapon and use it to deconstruct a vehicle on the molecular level. You can save a baby from falling into a river, though. That one’s fine.
Class 2-B: Hero Destroyerz – Chapter #3
Frog F: So that took a sharp turn into more typical battle manga territory. The battle scenes with the ‘Hero’ were pretty cool though and I’m down for this to be a battle comedy manga instead of just a straight up comedy. Let’s see how it plays out in the weeks ahead.
A look towards next issue:
Next Issue (#25):
Cover & Lead Colour Page: Nue’s Exorcist
Colour Pages: Ichi the Witch; Me & Roboco; Blood Marriage (Oneshot/47p) by Moritomo Hiro
Absent: ONE PIECE
Credit and thanks to Weekly Shonen Jump reddit for T.O.C.
All images belong to Shueisha.
