Ultimo

Where do I start with this manga? I was so jazzed for it, not because it was an American-Japanese collaboration, but because it was something new by Takei. It's hard to tell if the translation was just rushed or what, but all the text seems very literal. Most manga has some kind of polish too it, or even a personal touch to the translation. You don't really see that here. Maybe it was too soon? On top of that, he uses caption boxes that you normally see in Americomics. It's a neat idea, but it's really just an unnecessary distraction. Maybe if I could understand what the hell was going on with this manga, I could give it a slight recommendation.

BURN IT

Naruto

Naruto starts out a bit slow this month, with the gang going back to Konoha. Once they get back however, things quickly pick up. We finally get to see the older versions of other characters that haven't been seen in awhile. We also get to see some of the new tricks they have up their sleeves.

MUST HAVE

Slam Dunk

This title is weird. I want to hate it. It's a manga about basketball, for crying out loud. Basketball. The more I read it, the more I start to care about the characters. Maybe I'm just getting desensitized? The only thing is that it's not something I would see myself going back and reading again. It's just....there.

Skip it

One Piece

Ok, now we're getting somewhere. Sanji returns to kick ass and cook some stew. And he's all out of stew. ...Bad puns aside, this issue sees the crew all but reunited, and hopefully it's getting the plot back on track.

Read it

Bobobo-Bo Bo-Bobo

This issue, they finally beat Giga....using an entire chapter of giant panel attacks. There wasn't really anything funny this time, just every page being some sort of random attack. I get the joke, but I wasn't really laughing at it.

Skip it.

Bleach

Bleach is getting GOOD. Ichigo finally decides to get info about the hollow with in, seeking help from the vizards visoreds. The manga starts become a little bleaker as Ichigo begins to struggle with the darkness within. As lighthearted as the characters are, Kubo still conveys that good sense of dread you know Ichigo has that he may lose his humanity.

MUST HAVE

YuYuHakusho

Sensui's scary. I'm man enough to admit that, but is Yusuke? A bit like I mentioned with Bleach, things seem pretty dire here. Almost like the characters are meeting their end? Hmm...not quite. I've already had the next section spoiled for me, but the build up to the next chapter is pretty amazing here.

Read it

Yu-Gi-Oh GX

Did you know, the next Yu-Gi-Oh series is gonna be nothing but duels on motorcycles? Doesn't that sound awesome? Oh, it sounds ridiculous? In that case, I really wish I was kidding. Oh right, this issue has Jaden fighting the beauty contestant from a few issues back, and some shadowy figure does some shadowy things in the shadows. Maybe next time, we'll get some actual plot.

BURN IT

Shonen Jump Extras

The Shonen Jump for this month has the normal stuff about their licensed card and video games, in addition to some back to school things, an interview with Stan Lee and Hiroyuki Takei, and a brief bit about the sidekicks of Shonen Jump manga. Sometimes the extras are a little interesting, but this issue wasn't one of those times.

Skip it

And keep reading here for my first Yen Plus review!