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:
The Ura Files (New Series/Cover/Lead Colour Page/54p) by Numa Shun (Story) & Kuroki Yuushin (Art)
1 – Ichi the Witch
2 – SAKAMOTO DAYS
Roku’s House of Oddities (Colour)
3 – Someone Hertz
4 – Ultimate Exorcist Kiyoshi
5 – Akane-banashi
6 – Me & Roboco
Nue’s Exorcist (Colour)
7 – Witch Watch
8 – Shinobi Undercover
9 – Cannon Master
10 – Kagurabachi
Animal Signal (Colour)
11 – HUNTER×HUNTER
12 – HAL FORMULA
13 – UNDER DOCTOR
14 – Class 2-B Hero Destroyerz
15 – Drawn to the Fire (END)
Quick Thoughts on the manga we read:
Kagurabachi – Chapter #130
Frog F: Hokazono delivered a really satisfying payoff to all the turmoil surrounding the smelting. It’s hilarious just how incompetent the Sorcery Bureau is. They’re completely and utterly out of their depth in this war with the Mikaboshi, and it really puts into perspective just how much of a miracle the Enchanted Blades were. Also, the way Hokazono has handled Kunishige and Chiaki’s love story has been so beautifully done.
K Bug: D’awww.
The Ura Files – Chapter #1
Frog F: Yeah, this one didn’t really do it for me. It was okay, I guess, but nothing we haven’t seen plenty of times before. I don’t think we’ll be continuing with this one in our weekly thoughts, but best of luck to the series!
Hunter x Hunter – Chapter #419
Frog F: Tserriednich’s ability is seriously mind-boggling, and this chapter really drove home just how much of a dick he is. There was absolutely no need to kill half those guards. He basically did it for the love of the game. Can Benjamin hurry up and kill this guy again already?
K Bug: Remember, Tserriednich, this is a sneaking mission. Also, we’re changing your codename; you are now designated “Schrodinger’s Jerk”.
Akane-Banashi – Chapter #220
Frog F: Who’d have thought Zensho would have such a sad and tragic backstory? He desperately wants to be taken seriously as an emotional performer, but because of who he is, the audience can’t help but find comedy in his performances. Learning the reason behind his bitter grudge against Shiguma adds so many layers to his character in retrospect.
Ichi the Witch – Chapter #96
Frog F: Classic Ichi. This was a really fun chapter, and I think this arc is shaping up nicely. I like the setup, especially the structure of having to collect three items in order to acquire Hakari. It’s turned the whole thing into quite the little caper. The stuff with that pipsqueak Majik was pretty funny too.
K Bug: So, Ichi has to fight the instinct to leap into the jaws of near-certain death? …somebody should talk to this kid.
Roku’s House of Oddities – Chapter #20
Frog F: The stereotypical exorcist manga protagonist rocking up absolutely cracked me up. I love that he basically looks like an alternate version of Roku if this were a typical exorcist battle shonen. It definitely seems like these guys might be about to throw down with Roku and his curse family, but rather than this turning into a full-on battle manga, I’d much rather they become a Team Rocket-esque duo who keep trying to exorcise Roku’s curses, only to fail in increasingly ridiculous ways.
K Bug: Proper garbage disposal and a supermarket rewards card? Truly, a nefarious plot is unfolding; none will be spared.
Someone Hertz – Chapter #47
Frog F: Falling asleep while still on the phone together? Come on, just kiss already!
Animal Signal – Chapter #12
Frog F: A wombat butt anima powerful enough to shake the entire planet… what even is this manga anymore?
K Bug: I guess she just needed a kick in the…you know.
Cannon Master – Chapter #10
Frog F: Things are progressing at an increasingly rapid pace. The reveal that Ur is the enemy Regiloid’s brother was sudden, to say the least. I can’t help but feel like the series is rushing through its story now, which doesn’t exactly bode well for its continued serialization.
K Bug: I feel like the negotiations/demands should come before firing a death laser, not after. That’s, like, Bad Guy 101.
A look towards next issue:
Next Issue (#41):
Cover & Lead Colour Page: Grey Keys no Makai Goyakuroku (New Series/54p) by Hokami Natsuki
Colour Pages: The Ura Files (2nd Chapter/25p); Shinobi Undercover; Me & Roboco
Credit and thanks to Weekly Shonen Jump reddit for T.O.C.
All images belong to Shueisha.
