One Piece 751: Wouldn’t mind a bit more Sabo action, though he looked pretty badass here. I like how fast the plot has been escalated, but I’m curious as to where it’s going now. I don’t want the arc to crash to a sudden end!

Naruto 682: Apparently the chapter has caused much rage, and it’s no surprise. I imagine that when people talk about how bad Naruto has got in future, they’ll point to this – Naruto using a sexy no jutsu on the ultimate threat to the survival of all mankind. Not funny, not daring...just cringe-inducing.

HunterxHunter 345: I loved the small scenes with Gon – there were consequences to his actions, to an acceptable degree for a shounen protagonist. I also like Gin’s machinations. But I’m not happy about another (short) HiatusxHiatus.

One Piece 750: Not a whole lot happened after Oda’s break and – hopefully – successful operation, but various chess pieces have been moved where they need to be, and the chapter ended with Sabo looking awesome, at least.

Naruto 681: Unsurprisingly, Zetsu had more to do with this new plot twist than expected. Perhaps more surprisingly, he is more of a major figure in it, and this chapter was him just explaining that at length. So he has manipulated all modern human history in the Naruto world and turned clans against clans in an incredibly unlikely and roundabout plot to get a huge amount of chakra, which he presumably could have done centuries ago but we’ll look past that. Still all kinda lame.

HunterxHunter 344: finally, the arc is starting to get somewhere, even if this was still people sitting about and talking. Kurapika’s involvement and mention of his abilities not being that useful makes me think we’re going to get some Ryodan members popping up, we got a little tiny glimpse of Gon himself (aura-less) and we got the little twist in the tale: Gin is looking for his father/grandfather/otherwise long-lived ancestor Don. I’m hooked again, especially as the last episode of the anime reminded me that there are only a very few series out there that can keep me glued to the screen and wanting more for an entire episode in which only one scene unfolds and some of the characters simply talk to one another.  

Naruto 680 actually introduced an interesting concept – that Naruto might have to consider sacrificing others – but it only goes as far as ‘my body moves on its own’, and the rest was lame energy blobs fighting one another.

HunterxHunter 343 was a step in the right direction, with familiar characters back in focus, though still bogged down by exposition. A whole lot better, though, and it’s great that the focus is going back to Leorio and Kurapika, absent last arc.

Genshiken 95-100 was compulsive reading, and I love the shotacon little sister, but attempting to make Madarame reflect on how his situation is nothing like manga harems, especially when phasing in a harem for Haato, only highlights how unrealistic the manga has got. On the other hand, it’s great to see so much fujoshi territory thoroughly explored. 

Enjoyed Fantastic Four 587 – even if there isn’t a single panel where any comic reader can possibly have been convinced Johnny Storm was genuinely gone and not coming back, the fallout of his apparent death is beautifully done. Val’s quiet wrath, the Hulk letting Ben use him as a punchbag, and especially Spiderman’s time with Franklin – drawn well for once – all made for an issue of a very, very hectic run that actually took some time to breathe in the best way. True, I’m only reading the arc because of Alex Power joining the Future Foundation, but this was an issue worth reading.