Bakuman 173 is back into treading-water mode too. Never the world’s most interesting title, it’s now trying to inject a bit of tension by forcing the mangaka duo to extend their manga beyond when it ought to have ended. Which will be interesting only in that it’s hard to know if the Death Note creators think continuing after L’s story arc in that manga ended was a good idea or not. 

One Piece 662: A great action chapter, with Smoker going up against the newly incredibly high-powered Trafalgar Law. The way the two of them clashed was very interesting, though the conclusion is making me wonder what will come from it. And Luffy of course blundering onto the scene – I’m enjoying this intriguing new arc, though I wonder where it will go.

Naruto 580 had some decent ideas, but the execution was off. The use of a scene in flashback with a boar was confusingly-done and awkward and this is just going to turn into more and more random abilities popping out.

Bakuman 172: Can’t deny that there’s a certain feel-good impression after a triumphant chapter like that, but it still all felt like artificial drama. With this, bar some silly disaster, it feels like the title ought to be quickly coming to an end now.

Naruto 579: I indeed didn’t see the little twist about Karin, but I’ve never gave the slightest damn about her anyway, so it’s not something I felt was revelatory. Or worth making her look like Ronald McDonald all the time for.

One Piece 661: I’d have liked this chapter to be longer, but it was a fun one. Law’s abilities are insane and it will be fun to see the mixed-up Straw Hats. Brook’s little moment to shine was also awesome. Overall, this is shaping to be the best arc since the awesome whitebeard battle.

Bakuman 167-170: I’m finding this whole arc somewhat far-fetched and cheesy, really. The way public opinion shifts based on what look like engineered publicity stunts is too far-fetched and it keeps swinging between presenting online fandom as a tiny, easily-manipulated niche to a great force of popular opinion. And it just isn’t very exciting. It’s going to be the core of Bakuman for a while, but I’m looking forward to it progressing to something else.

HunterXHunter 340: Nooooo! Not again! Togashi has gone on another break, just when it felt like he’d keep HunterXHunter rolling long-term again. So that’s probably the last we’ll see of it until mid-year…or possibly longer. Bah. Still, the new arc he’s cooking up looks quite interesting, and he’s just shown us a cast of colourful new characters. I just want more Kurapika and more Ryodan, though.

Naruto 578: Apart from Madara’s absurd tsundere moment (I-…it was five against one after all! Baka! Mouuu~!), one of the better chapters lately. The interaction between the Uchiha brothers didn’t make a whole lot of sense, but at least the result is interesting and may lead to an interesting chapter or two to come.

One Piece 660 is the only manga chapter I’m enjoying today, but it was a corker! Trafalgar Law first put on the spot and then showing his considerable powers, funny moments between Chopper, Nami and Franky, and one great moment where the Marines try to take in all the nonsense they’re seeing. And for once I just don’t know where the arc is going to go. Love it!

Bakuman 167-168: I’m a little behind with this series, but there’s only time to read a couple of chapters today. The mangaka are doing a good job of wringing out a bit more interpersonal relationship drama over the issue of seiyuu fans wanting their idols to be pure, untouched and available, but just like most of the other Jump titles, it feels like the steam is running out and it ought not to be too much longer before this series wraps up. Preferably with the dream at the centre of the piece fulfilled. We shall see – but it could be done in just a couple of months if that were what the creators wanted.

HunterXHunter 337-339: 337 was a return to the bad old days of scribbles, to the extent that until the last part with Gon, I thought it was actually just an old standalone chapter Togashi had drawn a while ago but never thought was good enough to publish, then with a deadline looming decided to push out. Sadly, though, I don’t think that’s an excuse, and it was just a bad, ugly rushed draft put into Jump. 338 and 339 didn’t have the problem with art, though some panels were sloppy, and the immense ‘world tree’ with the silly birds at the top was very Togashi, but the narrative went a bit wild. Gon and Gin’s talk was very vague, and though the little scenes that made up most of 339 were mostly quite lovely – with really beautiful drawings of Kurapika evidently about to begin a new phase of his life – it felt like Togashi was trying to convince us that everything that has happened since the Ant Arc was really just a kind of epilogue. Oh well, if it leads us into a stunning new arc next chapter, I’m certainly not going to complain about it!

Naruto 575-577: I actually do care a little bit about Tsunade still, so these chapters weren’t painful. Sasuke’s little chat was daft, though – and it really doesn’t feel like the decisive final battle is about to start. Oh well – I’m sure both Naruto and Bleach will wrap up before too much longer, leaving One Piece to reign supreme.

One Piece 658-659: Ohoh! This arc is getting going now. Very interesting it is, too – giant children trapped against their will, the mysterious centaur boss, the weird guy divided into three parts, Smoker and co…and now the dramatic appearance of a supernova-turned-shichibukai. I love how the weird setting is the result of the battle between two of the generals, and as usual there was some good humour – I loved the kids’ reaction to Frankie. I’m thinking Punk Hazard will be a good arc.

Yotsubato! 77: It feels like so long since the last Yotsubato! came out, but it’s worth waiting. This was a great mood-lifter, even if it was a short chapter and ended on a big smile rather than a big laugh.

Eureka 7: Astral Ocean 02: I’m sorry, but unless there’s some revision of the story that Eureka came floating out of the sky and gave birth to Ao before disappearing off again soon after, I’m going to have trouble taking this sequel seriously.