Naruto

The fight between Naruto and Deidara comes to a head. It's nice to see the main character get badass again, even for a little while. The bulk of this issue is surprisingly heartwarming. Naruto's feelings about Gaara really come out this time. It's always moments like this that remind me why I started liking Naruto in the first place.

MUST HAVE

Slam Dunk

I'll admit, I'm getting into the story a little here. And this time, some of the funny moments were actually kind of funny. Still, I couldn't shake the fact that I almost felt like I HAD to read this, not like it was being read for any of my personal enjoyment.

Skip it.

One Piece

This issue, I found myself drudging through One Piece. When I looked back, I realized why. The main characters are stuck in a cage the entire issue. Honestly, the Alabasta storyline hasn't really hooked me anyway. Just keep skimming until they find their next ship-mate.

Skip it.

Bobobo-Bo Bo-Bobo

What is Yoshio Sawai smoking? And where can I get some? Bobobo continues to be one of the most random, irreverent things I've ever read. You can't but help but laugh at the sheer wackiness of it. This issue alone Bobobo has a high school romance with the villain, Jelly Jiggler buys some stocks in the title page illustration, and Poppa Rocks finds out he is a living piece of art. Always a fun read.

MUST HAVE

Bleach

Confession time. Thanks to anime fansubs, I'm so far ahead of the American run of the manga, it's not even funny. However, I still recommend reading, because you won't want to miss the return of Aizen, Tosen, and Ichimaru.

Read it.

YuYu Hakusho

Yusuke's fight with Sensui is heating up fast. This one is practically all action, baby. And just wait until Koenma steps in! Just kidding, that part's really lame.

MUST HAVE

Yu-Gi-Oh GX

Do kids even still care about this series anymore? I don't even see anyone playing the card game these days. Anyway, this issue a tournament starts between the students and some American kids. Because that's what this series needed: more card tournaments. Blech.

Burn it.

Shonen Jump Extras

This volume is a special one celebrating 40 years of the Japanese Weekly Shonen Jump. Unfortunately, the only thing that really mentions that is the contest they're running this issue. There's also a fan art award section. It takes up a good bulk of the book. I dig action poses as much as the next guy, but I'm really reading this book for the manga, you know? Do we really need seven pages of it? I also find that odd because they mention the upcoming live-action Dragon Ball movie....on one page. Weird.

Skip it.