Agravity Boys 15: This is a good idea – get the guys back in time to mix things up and keep it from being a sitcom with everyone trapped together. I’m sure they’ll be set up to fail, though, and it will default to what we’ve already seen. After watching so much Red Dwarf I feel like I’m on very familiar ground here. The chapter itself was possibly the least funny so far, though. Still loving the series, though.

Haikyuu!! 388: putting all the aging-up that I still dislike aside, it is so great to see Kageyama against Hinata. The seriousness of their rivalry and the silliness of their little exchanges at the net. Kageyama in particular is so straightforward with letting his emotions show. It’s really quite sweet.

Chainsawman 64: wow. I do prefer the series when it’s being less confusing, but letting loose with the surrealism allowed for some incredibly striking imagery. I wonder how our little gang can get out of this. I’m doubting they’ll manage it unscathed. And I quite like some of the more interesting adversaries in the arc having to work with our protagonist.

Dr Stone 145: a bit of an odd aside here, but I do enjoy everything Francois does, with that impeccable perfection that defines the character. I really like the character designs here, and Francois’ androgyny is pretty perfect. I liked how Ukyo looked in this chapter, too. At some point I should watch more of the anime adaptation.

Majo no Moribito 9: yup, super generic. Nice art, though. And at least it’s not looking likely to be a drawn-out training arc. I really don’t have much faith in this going anywhere much, though. Perhaps it will soon follow Samurai 8.

The Promised Neverland 173: So Ratri’s dumb sub-arc ends with a dumb gesture and some flashbacks. Not very impressed by this whole abortive diversion. Yes, it’s interesting to see his relationship with his brother, that key figure in the shadows from earlier in the series, but this felt more like cutting off an inconvenient plot strand than genuine development.

One Punch Man manga 129: some of the less interesting pages of this arc, which we’d seen in the webcomic already. Nice art, of course. But I just want to get right on to the next chapter already!

One Piece 975: ahh, the plan will come together well after all. And nice to see a wee bit of action from our bickering captains. Looking forward to this becoming a big showdown.

Agravity Boys 14: silly as ever. I want to see Chris trying to flirt, bless him. And good on Saga for trying his best, haha. I always smile through a chapter of this silliness.

Haikyuu!! 387: interesting to have flashbacks of Kageyama's life at this stage. Kind of sweet really. Not sure Hinata is really all that amazing though.

Chainsawman 63: phew, okay, that was pretty weird and confusing with who is controlling who and who was made a doll and the rest of it. Our rematch wasn't that exciting either but perhaps it's significant who was outside the building. Should be an interesting arc anyway.

Guardian of the Witch / Majo no Moribito 8: goddammit. Just when I thought this guy would be a super interesting companion, just when the dynamic was going to change, it became a generic training arc. Kimetsu no Yaiba just did this old chestnut really well, so I'm sceptical MnoM can match it.

Dr. Stone 144: a fun have of poker. Or, rather, cheating at poker. I don't think allergies could really be used that way but I was amused by the reaction to the five aces in the deck, lol. 

The Promised Neverland 172: time for talk-no-jutsu. And it's the trite 'end the cycle of suffering' stuff we've heard a thousand times before. Even a coronavirus reference! I didn't love this but at least it makes it more and more likely there's going to be a better arc before the end.

Samurai 8 43: ha! It's over. Some readers called it last week with the endgame vibes but I thought we'd at least get a farewell story arc. I won't miss S8. It was a chore to read from start to finish.

One Piece 974: woo, finally back to the present day. The traitor’s admission was a bit anticlimactic and seemed a bit unnecessary, given the circumstances, but who cares? The big three of the worst generation have shown up and it’s about to get explosive – at long last!

Agravity Boys 13: I didn’t think I’d enjoy a chapter with almost no Chris, but the new science guy making all the excuses for Geralt’s bizarre behaviour still made me laugh. And of course the divine being has to start messing with these new characters too. But I’m looking forward to more Chris.

Haikyuu!! 386: Okay, we finally found what Noya is up to, and it wasn’t that interesting. He just got to be a vague symbol for freedom so that Hinata could surprise everyone by switching to setting mid-flight. Eh, I feel underwhelmed but still enjoyed that heady moment.

Chainsawman 62: The action is so fluid and so dynamic in this series. Though I have to say I’m somewhat forgetting who is who… Always good to see beam.

The Promised Neverland 171: Yeah, this continues to be pretty underwhelming stuff. There was no way to make Ratri that impressive so it’s all just crumbling. Nice to see Lewis show up again, though. Perhaps he’ll be a more effective final enemy…otherwise, I’m not sure who will fill the role. Mama?

Guardian of the Witch 7: Will this laid-back but formidable guy save this series? That would be nice, but I don’t find myself that hopeful.

Dr. Stone 143: A great way to spice up a long sea voyage – which is infamously where series like Berzerk and HunterxHunter grind to a halt. I’m looking forward to seeing how this little card game unfolds.

Samurai 8 42: This is such a load of bullshit. Discorporation and being able to talk-no-jutsu until your stats are overloaded and you can do whatever. There’s just no tension or reason to care. Boring!

Shingeki no Kyoujin 127: one thing I like about how SnK is written is that it bothers to pre-empt the questions people will definitely have about current developments and have the characters talk it out. That did mean this wasn’t the most interesting chapter ever, but it worked. And mostly I want this group to get to Eren to see what happens.

One Piece 973: Some final clean-up. Hopefully this doesn’t lead to yet more flashback. Seems unlikely, though. I’d probably have been more impressed by the revelations of this-current-character-was-that-past-character if I’d been more engaged by this whole storyline. But frankly I want it to be over and to get back to the main story!

Agravity Boys 12: oh man, I hope we get an anime of this show. This was a wonderful, old-fashioned, unoriginal but perfectly-done comedy of errors. I absolutely loved how it unfolded even if I knew Grislow would pass out from the start. Chris having his own misunderstandings about Grislow’s behaviour was also hilarious, and that terrible sight when he woke up had me laughing out loud.

Dr. Stone 142: Off to America, eh? This rocket plan did seem absurd logistically, but now they’re going to revive most of the world’s population? I do wonder how this will develop – and presume it won’t go exactly as described. I suspect things would just get much too complex if they did. But certainly I’m curious about what’s to come with this reliably fun series.

Chainsawman 61: old man Kishibe is so cool. This series can definitely do stylish when it wants to. Characters are so well-sketched so fast. Interested to see what happens next.

Haikyuu!! 385: Yeah, it’s pretty inspiring to say that Hinata could through his sheer will, talent and skills earn his place at the highest level but it still doesn’t really seem convincing. I guess largely because he can’t exactly do supernatural things to show how talented he is, but real-work skills just don’t seem that impressive. Oh well. I suspect the opponents will rally and win this set for added drama.

The Promised Neverland 170: This whole arc continues to feel like a stumble. Ratri getting out with that many guns pointed at him just seems dumb. And I don’t think he’s going to be a convincing endgame boss at this point. Mama betraying him and taking over sooner would make more sense.

Guardian of the Witch 6: still very generic. I feel like most of the good series at the moment would have covered this in about 2 pages.

Samurai 8 41: I guess it’s kinda nice for Nanashi to come back, though it’s totally out of nowhere. But then, so is whatever Hachimaru is doing now. There’s just no stakes or emotions if new random blobby powers can just appear out of nowhere…

One Punch Man (manga) 128: As usual, it’s Saitama’s parts that are really enjoyable, even if they’re only a few panels. Interesting how they made it look like Tatsumaki actually might have been overpowered if not for the distraction – a little more indication that she was holding back even in that circumstance would make more sense given how much of an impact it makes later when she’s not untouchable after all. Still, this arc is about to really get good, and I’m waiting eagerly. 

Agravity Boys 11: hahaha, bless Chris. This kind of misgendered comedy was funny back when Shakespeare did it and it’s funny now. Plus Chris is such a cute trap. I liked how the new leader pictured him and I like how inappropriate this invitation sounds to him!

Chainsawman 60: Now this is a really overpowered ability. I wonder if there’s a trick to it. Interesting seeing Angel get rescued for once.

Dr. Stone 141: Tsukasa is back! And as impressive as ever. Will be fun to see him as a good guy again – and interesting to see Ginsui’s new lackey is almost as strong as him.

Guardian of the Witch 5: This is still as generic as can be, and the action still doesn’t flow dynamically. But I’m a little interested in what Manasufa does next chapter…

The Promised Neverland 169: Ohh, cheeky mama! And it’s a good thing she had betrayal in mind, because otherwise the kids’ plan would have been all for naught.

Samurai 8 40: Hachimaru is abruptly in peril. I’m sure it will be just as abruptly resolved.