One Piece 540: LV6 Infinite Hell

Well, since there are no WSJ chapter's out this week, I thought I'd save one of last week's to review now. Oda's color spread is quite nice this time around, and typically nostalgic (it's been awhile since I've seen the Luffy's crew together in any respect). I'm going to make a bold claim and say that I think he consistently produces the most nuanced color spreads out of all the current Mangaka who write/draw for WSJ (and that's not to say that he is necessarily the best, but definitely the most detailed). One Piece has always been great for its variety.

This OP chapter rounds out a really excellent set of last week's chapters (makes sense to give the readers something really good before Golden Week). Ace's execution is fast approaching. Luffy and his 'new crew' arrive at his cell, but alas, Ace has been (or should I say, is being) transferred to Marine Headquarters. It seems this arc (Impel Down) is approaching its end, and Level 6 appears to be Luffy's last pit stop. After escaping the Infinite Hell trap (during which we get to see Inazuma's Choki Choki ability), Luffy picks up two more 'criminals' for his rebel gang.

Crocodile is really one of those characters that I love to hate. I truly loathe him, but the guy is a quote machine, and he is more often than not, memorable. All in all it's good to see him again, this time on the right side (or at least on a more neutral side). Jimbei (the last introduced 'Warload of the Sea'), will undoubtedly make a nice addition to the crew as well. I must say that I'm really really psyched for the next arc, and the huge battle at Marine HQ. Hopefully Luffy's original crew will be arriving as well; although, as to how they will be, one still has yet to see. I can't help but think that something of CP9 caliber is soon coming; and Oda never fails to disappoint.

Bleach 355: Azul-Blood Splash

Lots going on in Bleach this week. It seems as if all the captains (or at least the three currently in battle) are at a major disadvantage, and the purpose of this chapter is to point that out. The only fight that doesn't seem to be going too badly is one between Shunsui and Stark, and even then, the former is the first one to bleed. It seems that Soifon and Omaeda don't stand a chance against the initally weaponless Barragan. Somehow he managed to exhaust both of them just sitting in his throne.

A cool addition to this chapter: Barragan's throne collapses into his weapon; appropriately, a massive axe. The bottom line now is, if Soifon doesn't perform Bankai, or no one comes to her rescue (which is fairly likely), she is toast.

Halibel's release! And a sweet one it is. Simple but effective, as everyone who reads the chapter comes to find out, she now bears the semblance of a shark, and she has finally lost that ugly face mask. I don't know if it's just me, but her right arm looks a lot like Nightmare's Soul Edge from Soul Caliber. Anyway, the repercussions of her resurreccion have a much greater impact than those of a purely aesthetic, external transformation.

I don't know why I'm so pumped to see Hitsugaya cleaved in two; it's nice to see him get put in his place. In the course of one frame he is taken out of the battle, and this is a testamest to just how powerful Halibel really is (as one would expect from the 3rd Espada). However she did halve Hitsu, I have no idea, but whoever is up to fight her next is in for one hell of a ride. All in all, this was another amazing chapter in a recent series of amazing chapters. I look forward to the next in a couple of weeks; I'm hoping Soifon releases her Bankai; it's been a absolute eternity since Ikkaku first showed off his. Vizards should be showing up soon to provide some much needed backup.

Bakuman 35: Happiness and Sadness

Yet another excellent chapter in the Bakuman canon. As expected, Ashirogi Muto as made their (his) way into serialization, but unfortunately as we find here, at the expense of their manager Hattori. Happiness and sadness, the ever present dichotomy this time around has a particular relevance as Tagaki and Mashiro are forced to deal with the changes (good and bad) that come with finding success within the manga industry.

Changes abound. It's a bit unfortunate to have to see Hattori go, but it proves for the better. Miura, while initially overbearing and excessively extroverted, proves to calm Ashirogis' fears about the next step. Inasmuch, Miura appears to know a lot about the business side of the manga industry. Apparently the output that comes with serialization (the tankobon) is the most important thing. High initial expenses for the mangaka come in the form of assistants.

I suppose one the common stereotypes of manga assistants is that they tend to be idiosyncratic. And while everyone has their own special idiosyncraticies (apparently that is a word), assistants have them in excess. I'm sure many well-received, published mangaka can attest to this fact (I know D.Gray-man's Katsura Hoshino can). Anyway, it will be interesting to see over the next few chapters, the various quirks and weird behavior that will be displayed by Mutos' three new assistant artists. All in all, there's a lot to look forward to. As with everything I love about Bakuman; it's all about the process and embracing the changes that come with it.

Classic Page of the Week #3

Claymore 23: Marked for Death 6

Epic Battles Week #8

Death Note: Light vs. L

While this short fight is not particularly long or visceral, it has style. It also breaks some of tension that has been broiling between Light and L up until this point in the series. I take this exchange to be mostly humorous (excluding Misa, who's just annoying as usual), mainly because both characters have finally released all of their silent scorn for each other in such an ironic fashion: when they have been chained together; thus when one hits the other, both are simultaneously brought down.

Both characters are so distanced intellectually, when paired together at such a short range, it's not surprising that they might feel the physical inclination to beat each other up. Inasmuch, there can be no true winner, as Light and L are ostensible equals (at least physically). In an abstract sense, I think both Light and L's fighting styles correspond respectively to their intellectual methodologies.

Anyways, enjoy. I couldn't find an adequate sub for this, but the English dub is pretty good and not quite as painful as the some of the other Jump series' dubs.

Bleach 354: Heart

Geez...I'm late again this week, and to review an amazing chapter. Ulquiorra gets his final sentimental sendoff. As he came to realize more about the meaning of humanity in "The Ash," here he comes to terms with the human heart; and soon after he dissolves into nothingness, we are given a nice image of the 4th's sealed hollow hole, implying that he finally understands the implications of the term 'heart,' those being friendship and love.

Speaking of heart, Yammy's release was a shocking turn of events to say the least. All of Ichigo's friends looked like they were about to have a heart attack after the fact (and to be honest, they don't stand a chance anymore). Last week (pardon me, week before last) I thought Yammy was going to be getting killed off quickly, but damn was I wrong. It turns out that this moron is the pivot point for all of the Espada numbers. With Yammy unreleased, the Espada number from 1-10, released, they number from 0-9!!! This is interesting, but I'm supposing Yammy will not have much more than brute strength to rely on despite his new top ranking status. Someone unbelievably strong will have to take him out. Unohana may have a fight coming for her yet, and it would be great to see her in action. All-in-all this is an amazing plot twist (it gave me a good laugh and shocked me at the same time). I suppose no character should go underestimated in this series.

So many nice things in this chapter. Finally, a transition back to Kawakura town, and it looks like Hitsugaya is being put in his place by #3 Espada Halibel. She may be a bit overexcited though, as I don't know why she couldn't just kill Hitsu unreleased (it would make logical sense that she could), as she was giving him a royal beating before the two and half months of Ichigo vs Ulquiorra. Nonetheless, I'm pumped to see her release later this week. To be honest, I have no idea what's going to happen. Kubo manages to surprise me on a weekly basis.

Classic Page of the Week #2

One Piece 398: Proclamation of War