One Piece 701: Apart from the slight toe-curling sensation of seeing a very well-drawn sink-hole (made by gravity) in the wake of the news a few days ago of an American man being swallowed up by one along with half of his house, this was an interesting turn for One Piece. We’re going to be seeing another very odd country, but there can be no lack of seriousness at the same time, which is where the genius of Oda lies. I have to say, though, even though the whole crew spent the timeskip powering up and becoming self-confident, they’re slipping back to old overpowered/weakling roles.

Naruto 623: Hmm. Nice art this week, but I’m still just feeling this is a load of dusty old ideas that is bringing nothing new to the Naruto universe – itself old and dusty by now – and as with so many other franchises making what seemed like a long-established culture as young as a few decades (see Star Wars).