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.  

HunterxHunter 341: Yaaay, HxH is back at last! And I hope for a long time. This chapter was all exposition, with a bit of a surprise at the end, so a bit dry, but I’m interested by where this expedition into the new world will take us.

One Piece 749: nooo, no One Piece for the next two weeks, while Oda has his tonsils removed. At such an exciting point too! Loved this chapter, with all the powerful moves and the silly fanboyism for Usopp.

Naruto 678: Though there wasn’t much happening here and the new bad guy feels like a cop-out from a situation the goodies can’t win in, I liked this. The wish-fulfilment scenes were cute, especially Gaara’s. 

One Piece 748 did it again – a simple joke, that everyone wants to ally with Luffy and be the one to kill Doflamingo, was taken to absurd and brilliant lengths and culminates in the assembly of an amazing, weird, squabbling army.

Naruto 677: while this wasn’t as dramatic as I had hoped, I am pleasantly surprised that the devious plan came to fruition at all – though of course with key players protected so that they can fight back. 

One Piece 746 was an awesome chapter. Even though nothing much really happened, it had that mix of frantic pacing, high emotions and humour that Oda does so well. The parts with Usopp were hilarious, and the different factions now established are interesting.

Naruto 675 had a silly ‘mwahaha, all along I was behind everything’ moment, but it was still quite interesting overall. Odd pacing with the sudden flashbacks and a feeling of stalling overall, but nothing to make me cringe this time. 

One Piece 747, while not moving things on very much, had a joke so simple and so effective it was a marvel. It’s so ordinary, something as simple as a voice really, really not matching an appearance, but it’s so very funny.

Naruto 676: while most of this chapter was just rocks flying about and big stupid monsters made of inner energy, at least the bad guy has actually attained his goal – which might mean things actually get interesting now.