WSR 7-1-13

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Magi 187

So last time I predicted a flashback, but Ohtaka delayed it for a while so the final fight could progress, which is fine.

Aladdin summons a few other Djinn, one of them being Leraje, Kouha’s Djinn, but there’s one that’s unfamiliar. It may just be a smaller version of Agares, who I must’ve been mistaken in calling a dragon last week, since he looks more feline than draconic. Amon’s there as well, who we haven’t seen in a while. This is the biggest group of Djinn manifested at once and the fact that only a Magi can do it tips off Kouen that Aladdin is the fourth one which Judal told him about a while ago.

The djinni speak about the danger of the black spot, eliminating everything and leaving a world with nothing in it and a black sun over the remains. Leraje warns Kouen about the risks that the black spot poses, that this world might become like Alma Toran while Astaroth tries to silence her, since it’s supposedly taboo to talk about the other world.

Amon then explains that they have to destroy the medium to prevent the resurrection of Il Irah (Arabic for God of Disease), otherwise called “Father” by Al Sarmen. Evidently he’s a being from another world.

Kouen grabs Aladdin, telling him to reveal everything to him about the other world, which Aladdin reluctantly agrees to, in exchange for Kouen’s forces helping them stop Il Irah’s rebirth into this world. Kouen summons everyone with long range clairvoyance magic that Kouha’s retainers and magicians use. We see Koumei after so long, as well as Kougyoku and Hakuei. Hakuryuu is, as expected, missing, since he’s trying to make the Kou Empire crumble from within.

Everyone does Djinn Equip, which takes up quite a few pages, but the visuals are impressive. And we finally know Koumei’s Djinn, Dantalion, the 71st djinn in the Lesser Key of Solomon virtually all the Djinn’s names are derived from.

The group then moves to confront the black spot, ending the chapter with a sizeable force put together off panel.

I imagine the fight will involve more Dark Djinns being summoned, maybe Al Sarmen members fighting as well. Mogamett will be regretful, since a few chapters ago, Titus seemed to influence him and made him realize that he had been blinded by his frustration that turned into a hatred of the non magic users, the goi, which galvanized his quest to make Magnostadt.

All in all a good battle of Metal Vessel Users against Al Sarmen in any way should be awesome.

Naruto 637

The last chapter ended with Obito being forced to do the Rinne Tensei on Madara, which Madara says is a sort of response to what he thinks Obito planned to do: convince him to help with his plan when he resurrected him. But forcing Obito is his way of accomplishing the goal without involving someone who’d still be alive, since Obito is indicated to be dying.

Hashirama notices this and even realizes the technique Madara is using, so he tells Naruto to stop him, Sasuke and Minato also moving to attack. Hashirama sends some wood clones to hold him off, and Tobirama summons some shadow clones. Madara notices the tactic, saying the Hashirama clones aren’t enough to stop him and Hashirama should know that.

Obito then has a flashback where Kakashi and Rin leave together, Obito alone

Sasuke de-summons Aoda and uses Susanoo to attack Obito, but he manages to deflect the flames with chakra infused rods coming out of him, similar to what Pain used a while ago. It’s hinted that Madara did this instead of Obito, though later revelations suggest otherwise. All the parties are closing in to attack Madara

Back in Obito’s flashback we see Minato recognizing Obito’s romantic interest in Rin, so he encourages him in that and their quest to become Hokage. As the flashback ends we see Minato come up and slash into Obito, blood spraying out.

Minato realizes who Obito is and is shocked that his student survived. It’s revealed that he used Shunshin with the thunder God technique, which enables him to teleport to a specified location; with a clone, no less. He explains that the mark never leaves the target, so it connects back to his previous fight they had the night Naruto was born.

The fight seems over and they say all they have to do is seal Madara and Obito to finish the war. But Obito speaks to Sasuke directly, referring to him as a fellow traitor and revealing that he became the Juubi’s Jinchuuriki. This means he was resisting Madara’s control and most likely performing whatever seals he needed in order to finish the ritual. The Juubi’s body is now being controlled by Obito and his own body has changed greatly. He looks very scaly almost and spikes are coming up as well. The chapter ends on this big revelation, which isn’t completely surprising if you remember a few chapters ago Obito did mention his desire to become the Juubi’s Jinchuuriki. The exact chapter number escapes me.

Whether Madara will still fight is a bit up in the air, but if I were him, I’d take this as an advantage, since he still has remotely infinite chakra as an Edo Tensei resurrected individual. Obito becoming the Ten Tails Jinchuuriki does change things, since this likely gives him a great deal of power, enough to make Madara look insignificant by comparison. The final villain being Obito seems more and more likely now, implying a team up with Naruto and Sasuke, their powers fully unlocked: Naruto’s Nine Tails Chakra and Sasuke’s new Mangekyou Sharingan we saw a while ago.

New threats inspire new techniques, I hope and awesome fights should result

Bleach 544

Previously, Juhabach gave Uryuu the Schrift “A”, same as himself, and now Uryuu questions him about why he chose him as his successor. Juhabach inquires whether it’s really a problem and Uryuu notes that doing what he did, making an unknown person the next in line, creates chaos in his group. Juhabach says that was the point, he didn’t want rank and file sheep in his organization, and that they need a bit of time to adjust.

But he also says that Uryuu’s real purpose has to do with his surviving the Auscherren from a while back that killed all mixed blood Quincy. Apparently this was Juhabach’s plan, in order to establish Uryuu as the Last Quincy (though I wonder if he’s keeping Ryuuken’s existence a secret or merely denouncing him as a corrupt Quincy, which makes a bit more sense, since the Ishida are supposedly pure blooded Quincy, like Masaki’s family). He says that Uryuu has a great power that could even surpass his and insists that he should just follow him, trust him, which Uryuu agrees to.

Meanwhile, Bambietta Basterbine, Stern Ritter “E”, brings a common Soldat to her room for implied sex and cuts him in half. This earns the ire of 4 other female Stern Ritter, much needed in this male dominated organization. They say she always makes a mess of things, asking whether she could just do it outside and a bit of bickering even starts amongst two of them. Bambietta silences them and says she’s worried about the Vandenreich’s future, suggesting a possible revolt of some sorts (though I’ve been wrong before)

Haschwalth goes back to his room and his servant voices her concerns about Uryuu’s selection. He responds that this is a plan that keeps Uryuu unable to do anything, since everyone’s at his throat, threatening him and otherwise keeping him on his toes, not able to do anything but focus on Juhabach’s orders

Back in Hueco Mundo, after a long break from Orihime, Chad, Kisuke, Nel and Grimmjow (hinted at, not explicitly shown), we see Orihime coming to an unknown location. She talks about how this is supposed to be training and meets up with Chad, who says everyone’s gathered, implying that there’s more than just Halibel’s Fraccion and Grimmjow potentially. Kisuke is observing what seems to be Quilge’s Medallion that he used to try to steal Ichigo’s Bankai, noting that everyone else is safe, but that his own observations on the medal will take more time

People have speculated that Kisuke is researching the Bankai stealing methods, which seems the most likely at this point. There’re also rumors that other Espada might come back, like Nnoitra and Stark, both of which would be interesting. There’s also the matter of the contract Kisuke supposedly made with Grimmjow (implied off-screen by him yelling at Ichigo) and its nature. Is Kisuke forming an alliance with the remaining Arrancar, perhaps? I imagine we might stick with this setting, but we might go back to Ichigo and Ouetsu back in Spirit Palace as well. I think we’re remotely done with the Vandenreich for the moment, though who knows how Kubo will play things out.

One Piece 713

Last time, Doflamingo and Isshou, Admiral Fujitora, met with Law, after it was revealed Doflamingo tricked the Straw Hats into thinking he had stepped down from his position of Shichibukai, when in fact he was leading them into a trap.

Law holds back Caesar, saying that he and Joker have to renegotiate. Some of the Marines under Fujitora ask about Caesar Clown being involved with Law, but he responds that if he’s merely a subordinate, he’s free and clear. Apparently it’s only if you’re working as a separate entity that you’re in danger of arrest. Marine laws and loopholes.

Joker compliments Fujitora, noting that he and Ryokugyuu, another Admiral most likely in the absence of Akainu, now Fleet Admiral, and Aokiji, who left, were both recruited during the interim period of the timeskip. And he speaks as if they’re both very powerful, which we already have some indication from prior actions of Isshou

Fujitora notes that he isn’t quite sure, but he thinks Joker might be overstepping his bounds as a Shichibukai, but Joker responds that he’s just speculating. He wonders what they’ll do with Law and Fujitora explains what I was already speculating on: if the Straw Hats are allied with Law, then he’s in trouble, but if they’re his subordinates, working under his authority, he’s exempt from punishment.

Fujitora then says Joker had best be careful how he speaks, because he’s prepared to take them both in if that’s the case. Law panics for a bit, but then decides to outright claim he and the Straw Hats are allies, sealing his fate in terms of a fight with Fujitora. Fujitora says that they might’ve simply revoked his title, but in this case, they might have to eliminate him.

All of a sudden, a meteor comes from the sky, seemingly summoned by Fujitora, though this isn’t certain. All three of the major fighters manage to deflect or otherwise dissipate the meteor, while everyone else runs for cover, the result being only the ground the three are standing on surviving in the meteor’s blast radius. We do get more of a hint that Doflamingo’s powers are Devil Fruit in nature and involving strings, as has been speculated. He makes a net pattern and slices the meteor into tinier pieces, while Fujitora uses a similar application of his still unknown powers from before to destroy the meteor before it hits him. It’s not gravity manipulation, but it’s definitely strong, whatever it is.

Franky’s talking with Sanji about destroying the factory and Sanji notices Luffy in the tournament, which Franky just accepts, since he allowed it. Violet, meanwhile, tells Sanji that the factory they’re looking for is disguised as a toy factory and gives him a map. Sanji offers to save her, telling her where to meet him later. Kinemon appears and defeats the men after Sanji

Back underground, we figure out Usopp lied to the gnomes about his origins, connecting back to a character in the Jaya arc, Montblanc Norland, who apparently met the gnomes a while ago. The gnomes, inspired by his courage, say he should join them in their attack on Doflamingo’s palace, which has Usopp realizing the gravity of the situation all of a sudden.

This arc is promising to be a big battle royale eventually, once the tournament’s over.

Toriko 240

Starjun had a giant arm through his torso last time and we continue from there with him wondering whether this is another image, a result of the Routine. But he realizes it’s quite real and says “they came out”. This is apparently referring to his gourmet Cells, which he thinks on after collapsing and coughing up a great deal of blood. So apparently Toriko has gotten to the point where he can manifest his Gourmet Cells’ power in a physical form. My speculation before wasn’t entirely off then.

Starjun notes that he’s taken too much damage and has to use a dark technique, though what it is isn’t known, since Komatsu comes in. He says they can take him, but they have to let him use a revitalizing knife on Toriko, which Starjun is surprised that he knows the techniques for. We saw Komatsu’s friend Otake use it a while ago as well as Chiru. And using Komatsu’s special Melk knife would probably allow Toriko to survive, even if he’s lost an arm and a leg at this point.

Starjun’s surprise ends quickly as he says the fight is over, probably implying it’s a draw. He insists he has to get back to the stadium, where someone is coming.

Setsuno and many other competitors feel a great amount of power and we see Dark Chef Joa and Teppei floating above the stadium by some unknown means (looks like a black hole or such), which ends the chapter.

Not as much content for discussion this time around, but there is some speculation to be made. Teppei was last seen being healed up by a fellow Gourmet Revivalist and going to look for a Master Revivalist, Mohyan Shaishai, suspected to be the cause of the Four Beast’s return in the last arc. Why he’s with Joa is not certain, but it’s possible he’s being intimidated in some way or even manipulated. A very bizarre possibility is that Joa is actually Master Shaishai. It might make some sense, since he’s supposedly fairly old and he’s likely a contemporary of Setsuno, who won the first Cooking Fest by technicality, since Joa used dark techniques. Joa could be an alias.

The alliance Joa is under is Neo, not the Bishokukai, so his motivations are different than Midora, the leader of Bishokukai. We honestly don’t know much about his plans or even his relative skills, except that he could convince Teppei he had been killed and prepared as a dish by the sheer power of Joa’s Intimidation aura.

I imagine that there could be fights with Neo’s members, or Neo’s involvement will make this fight turn into a draw.

Another interest is Coco’s fate against Grinparch. It’s possible he lost or he faked it to give Grinparch a false sense of security, but seeing that Toriko, our main character, is nearly dead, it wouldn’t surprise me if he lost, just to prove a point that they still need more training.

Setsuno’s fight with Zaus, Kuriboh and Kousairou is also interesting, since even with Setsuno’s great power, she’s probably in some trouble as well. All of these fights are just teasing us, though, since this is more of a skirmish than an actual war. Either way, I eagerly await next week.

Fairy Tail 338-340

For the next two weeks, there will be 3 chapters of Fairy Tail released, which is a plus for Fairy Tail fans, but not so much for me. It feels like Mashima just released a monthly version of Fairy Tail, because these chapters almost blend together.

After all the fighting and the end of the Grand Magic tournament, everyone’s getting ready for a party at the royal palace. Everyone’s having fun and Princess Hisui tells Lucy she knew her father, since his organization was connected to the royal family in some way.

Juvia’s changed her appearance as well, which is treated as a version upgrade; Wendy, Chelia and Mavis have a weird moment with a pudding, Kagura, Milliana and Erza reconcile; Sabertooth comes to reconcile with Natsu, who’s mysteriously not there. Everyone seems to want Yukino to join their guild and they’re silenced by the king appearing, but instead Natsu comes in, having stolen the crown and boasting that he’s the king now.

I like the joke that Yukino and Lisanna are almost the same silver haired little sister character, since Yukino is a little sister to a character people are speculating might be someone we’ve met before

Meanwhile, Jellal and Meredy are looking for Ultear and they meet Doranbolt, who reveals he’s manipulated the memories of the senators so they don’t know that the royal family used dark magic that was related to Zeref. He wants to keep the kingdom in relative stability, since revealing that the rulers were this willing to use corrupt magic would affect the citizens’ trust. Cobra’s revealed to have gone back willingly to prison, also speaking about hearing voices, indicated to be dragons, but he also speaks about the third dark guild, Tartarus, finally moving after years of inactivity.

Jellal and Meredy get a letter from an old lady, who says Ultear told her to give it to them. It details Urtear’s apology and encouragement to them, saying they should take her ideals and continue to fight the good fight. 

Ultear is revealed to be the old woman, since most of her time was taken away, finally feeling at peace after all these years and dying with her conscience clean. Gray realizes who she is as they head back to Magnolia and cries at the realization that both mother and daughter saved his life.

The next chapter starts with the guild arriving back in Magnolia, welcomed with the village celebrating, even rebuilding their guild to its former glory. Natsu also reveals he stole the crown and shows off the winner’s trophy. Gray, meanwhile, is being a bit gloomy because of his realizing Ultear’s death saved everyone, but Juvia makes him realize he has to be strong for everyone

After all this, we see the little black devil thing Obra left behind after Raven Tail lost go back to Zeref and he talks about Mavis, even though he can’t hear or see her, sensing her presence. He reveals his plans to pretty much massacre the world, while Mavis says Fairy Tail will stop him. Zeref speaks as if he will die, so I imagine Acnologia will have something to do with his plan. The chapter ends with Zeref speaking about his and Natsu’s final showdown. I would hope the series isn’t quite planning on a final arc yet, since it’s only 7 years old, but the speech is at least giving that sort of impression.

Don’t think I need to do a recap about which chapters I liked the most, since content is what determines length of the posts, so don’t expect that anymore. Until next time, keep reading.