Yotsubato! 87: Azuma is so good at just making little embarrassing situations so funny. Poor Fuka. And finally we find out Koiwai’s first name! Now, how long will it be until the next chapter? A year?

Ichigo Mashimaro chapter ??: Hiccupping chapters - a bit of an homage to Azumanga Daioh, but brilliantly subverted.

Volume 7 4-koma – Mio’s strategy to avoid capoeira kicks is definitely something special.

Alien chapters – where does she get all those costumes? Bless Matsui, though. Very derivative of Danbo, but oh well. 

One Piece 784: Doin! Doin! Gear Fourth is probably the best of Luffy’s power-ups, because it actually makes sense as a further development of his rubber-based powers. It’s also sat precisely on that perfect line Oda does so well between awesome and comical. The other ‘Gears’ felt like random power-ups. This one actually felt like development.

Naruto 700+, though just a prelude to the next spin-off – because of course Naruto isn’t really finished, was actually quite a pleasant surprise. I didn’t expect a little girl yearning after her absent father, and suspecting her mother isn’t her real mother. Much more entertaining and personal-level stuff than I anticipated. 

One Piece 782: this chapter felt a bit clunky, really, though I loved that Trebol’s secret was so simple. The flashback was a bit awkwardly transitioned and Trebol being baited to go right up to Law seemed unconvincing. Still, it made sense in story terms and Luffy is finally ready for a big battle. He’s taking on the most powerful people in his world now – how much more One Piece will there be? Well, even with the characters we already know of, it can go on for hundreds more chapters, so no real worry there.

One Piece 783: setting up the big battle...Luffy seems to have done another random power-up. And we’ll have to wait for Oda to have a break to find out what it will look like!

One Piece Party 1: well, the idea of a cute, comedic SD spin-off written by someone else worked well for Naruto. How about One Piece? I have my doubts – it’s already much more comedic to start with and the art isn’t a dramatic change in style. And, well, it was just some messy random gag story. But hey, it’s more One Piece and it raised some smiles so I’ll keep reading. I don’t see it being as successful as Rock Lee’s Springtime of Youth, though.