MSR July 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you enjoy this monthly blog, I also put out bi-weekly animated film reviews among other content. Check out my Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/kyoukasuigetsu) and Ko-Fi (https://ko-fi.com/kyoukasuigetsu) to support my endeavors. Any contribution is appreciated, even sharing to friends.

 

 

 

 

Disclaimer: Scanlations and official sources both have a place in the community, but buy official manga volumes to support the author. If you can, also subscribe to Crunchyroll and/or Shonen Jump through Viz Media to read chapters nearly simultaneous with Japan. Most of the series covered can be found through legal means, so please encourage the industry that gives us what we love

 World Trigger took a break this month

 

A Dr. Stone special chapter has Senkuu manage to recover from a setback while travelling with Taiju and others after the wedding to Norway and acquire silicon for their future projects to eventually terraform other planets

 

 

 

 

Aliens Area 5-9

 

While on his first official mission for Section 5, Tatsumi and Sharaku encounter an octopus alien that infiltrated an area via human host. And it retreats, where we learn it’s actually protecting Paiun, a princess, from an assassin, Ninotachi. Sharaku shows his skills at fighting with the tech, which Ninotachi is using the original from which they engineered Earth’s version, Tatsumi being a novice an opportunity to show how the technology works in combat 

 

 

 

Ninotachi bluffs Sharaku into thinking the equipment is a laser that needs recharging, which it is, but he activated a marker device instead, the next beam able to track Sharaku. But the assassin reveals that seemingly everyone else in Paiun’s royal family has been eliminated, the butler implicated in some way. Sharaku tasks Tatsumi with getting away while he handles Ninotachi, activating his 2nd of 3 gears

 

The 2nd gear is repulsion (a gravity theme?), managing to negate Ninotachi’s tracking function. But as the assassin targets Paiun, Tatsumi activates his alien cells to block the beam and Sharaku combines the repulsion and zero gravity gear to pummel Ninotachi. He reveals to Tatsumi they both have what are called Dark Cells, initially thought to be dark matter or energy, but actually behaving like a living being. Things are resolved and Tatsumi joins Foreign Affairs Section 5 proper

 

Tatsunami is tasked with finding an alien organism in a rice paddy, but it turns out that any threat is minor and the alien in question is a friendly one unknowingly cultivating something that can be toxic. He returns home and has dinner with his siblings that features vegetables from the farmers

 

As Tatsunami is trying to set up his computer, one of his seniors, Ginji, takes him on assignment and helps him learn when to ask for help from superiors in regards to dealing with aliens. This one is simple enough, not realizing protocol about storing his UFO, but it could’ve been dangerous and that is emphasized here.

 

 

 

 

Doron Dororon c29-33

 

 Kitabatake’s squad comes in contact with a mononoke gate, but not only does Miyamoto appear, but a skeletal mononoke who manages to push the tough Samurai officer back with a mysterious power that even his Isoname supernatural blade technique can barely parry. And 4 other mononoke are summoned, the situation looking dire.

 

 

 

We learn after seeing Miyamoto leave with his mononoke ally that Kitabatake and his squad were all slaughtered,Tsukahara mobilizing everyone to defend Izanagi Corps Headquarters. Kanbeh, utilizing stolen supernatural energy from Dora and Kusanagi, breaches the barrier and begins the attack in earnest to retrieve Nobunaga, the immortal mononoke mentioned.

 

We learn Ichiha was the mole as suspected early on by readers, possessed by a mononoke called Futakuchi, too weak for the barrier to detect, so he possesses others. Dora and Kusanagi manage to overwhelm Ichiha’s brain with supernatural energy, where Futakuchi is merged and separate the mononoke to defeat him. Meanwhile, the mononoke Miyamoto summoned before appear near HQ, explaining that they’re the Phantom Command, Nobunaga’s most powerful servants

 

The Samurai officers arrive to fight the mononoke, Naotora and Hosokawa focused on by Goemon, a perverted mononoke using a water technique they manage to push back slightly. Yujin is assisted by Ginchiyo, who remembers how she wants to get promoted so she can fire him and let her uncle rest, occupying two other mononoke while Yujin charges up. Finally, Sakonta and Narita face off against the skull mononoke and a childlike one, all prepared to defend HQ as Kitabatake did

 

After a hard fought series of battles, the Phantom Command are defeated by the Samurai officers pushing their limits.

 

 

 

4 Knights of the Apocalypse 67-71

 

 Lancelot looks for the other source of magic, Galand not the other one aside from Melascula. Meanwhile, Gawain attacks Galand, but the Chaos form is far more powerful. Gawain manages to teleport her blade into Galand and slash him up the chest, but he starts to regenerate. Thankfully, Percival, inspired by everyone’s thoughts, uses his magic and has a tiny form of himself appear inside the gap, exploding as Galand reforms

 

While that battle has seemingly concluded, Melascula comments on Tristan’s hybrid heritage of Demon and Goddess, comparing it to the monstrosity she’s summoned with her powers that also mixes the clans so Tristan’s Ark has no effect. But Lancelot, disguised as a simple fairy, figures out more about Melascula, also under some kind of brainwashing by Arthur as a servant of Chaos. She starts to become unstable when reminded of the Demon Clan affiliation and reverts to a giant snake form. But Tristan, utilizing his stronger Demon abilities, defeats her, though Chaos Melascula appears to have one last desperate move

 

 

 

The celebrations are cut short, Chaos Melascula and Garland seemingly having fused together and the attacks ineffective at stopping the monstrosity. Meanwhile, Jade and Chion are at the prison when the mysterious Holy Knight that Melascula mentioned was allied with them appears, moving to free someone imprisoned in state matters.

 

Jade and Chion face off against the knight, but a cold attack affects Chion’s spirit arts and they start to freeze over. But Guila, revealed as the Vice Great Holy Knight now, appears and faces the former Liones Holy Knight, who Guila recognizes after some time and blasts off the mask to reveal it is Jericho, Lancelot’s teacher and of the same New Generation of Holy Knights

 

Jericho’s power is immense, even freezing Guila solid after taking her rapier, but we learn Guila still has the Demon Seed from when Hendricksen had them drink Demon Clan blood and has gained control of the power. However even this cannot overwhelm the direct contact with Jericho, her magic freezing even Hellfire. Thankfully Lancelot comes in to stop his former teacher

 

 

 

 

 

My Hero Academia 358-360

 

 Shigaraki talks about how he’ll change the world for the better with All For One, making everyone equal. But Bakugou uses a new support item and unleashes a massive attack at Shigaraki, saying that change isn’t what the world needs

 

 

 

As Bakugou clashes with Shigaraki, we see the Business Course students are documenting the events for future generations. Even Bakugou’s immense blast barely affects Shigaraki, who crushes Dynamight’s arm. Mirko, Jeanist and Edgeshot seem unable to fight back, but an unexpected trio appears, Mirio, Nejire and Tamaki

 

Before Shigaraki can crush Bakugou, the successor of All For One is attacked by the Big Three, who hold him back as best they can. Best Jeanist moves to help Bakugou, who is still analyzing the fight in spite of his mangled right arm.

 

Mirio and Nejire continue to buy time for Tamaki, who they are putting all their trust in to utilize the full potential and inflict major damage on Shigaraki with an attack based on consuming many foods, even Nejire’s energy

 

 

 

 

 

One Piece 1054-1055

 

Ryokugyuu attacks with his Woods Woods Fruit, but Momonosuke clashes, telling the Vice Admiral to leave and warns Yamato not to intervene. Shanks is making his move to take the One Piece, remembering how his crew stole the Gum Gum Fruit from CP9 years ago. And after we learn that Sabo is regarded as the Flame Emperor, not only assassinating Nefertari Cobra, but seemingly orchestrating an attack on the Celestial Dragons, we see Akainu is resolved to take down the World Government’s enemies by any means necessary

 

 

 

Back at Wano, we learn how the present kingdom was built higher up on a massive mountain after the original city, built in a valley surrounded by cliffs was flooded. And Pluton is connected to the breaking of those walls. Momonosuke manages to push back Ryokugyu with newfound power, saying those in Wano must be able to protect it and that Yamato should leave with Luffy. But even that isn’t enough, Shanks the one who convinces the Vice Admiral to leave Wano alone

 

 

Black Clover 332

 

A year and 3 months after the Spade Kingdom war, Asta is promoted in a ceremony to Grand Magic Knight First Class. Things are recovering across the continent, Yuno promoted to Grand Magic Knight. And after Asta proposes to Sister Lily, they reconcile, but Julius appears, saying this is the final destination for the aspiring Wizard King

MSR June 2022

 

 

 

 

 

If you enjoy this monthly blog, I also put out bi-weekly animated film reviews among other content. Check out my Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/kyoukasuigetsu) and Ko-Fi (https://ko-fi.com/kyoukasuigetsu) to support my endeavors. Any contribution is appreciated, even sharing to friends.

 

 

 

 

Disclaimer: Scanlations and official sources both have a place in the community, but buy official manga volumes to support the author. If you can, also subscribe to Crunchyroll and/or Shonen Jump through Viz Media to read chapters nearly simultaneous with Japan. Most of the series covered can be found through legal means, so please encourage the industry that gives us what we love

2 new series this month, rather unexpected given Super Smartphone came out a month ago

 

Aliens Area by Fusai Naba features a world where aliens attack places on earth in secret (disguised as humans), our lead Tatsumi discovering he has an alien weapon implanted in him as a child in a fire 6 years ago and joins Foreign Affairs 5, the division of the Public Security Bureau that deals with alien related problems in Japan

 

 

 

Ruri Dragon by Masaoki Shindo has our lead discover her father is a dragon as she wakes up one morning with horns growing out of her head. People generally take it as mostly normal, if a bit unique, though Ruri then breathes fire unexpectedly. Her mother promises to explain more about her dragon heritage, the high school girl happy that things are mostly the same

 

Protect Me Shugomaru ended right at the beginning of June (the writing was on the wall), leaving space open for the 2 new series and Hunter X Hunter’s return (however long that may be) 

 

One Piece is going on break for July and will return in late July for what is said to be the final arc of the series, around when Black Clover is also returning

 

 

 

World Trigger 223

 

Mikumo and Oki discuss how they might want to try what Mizukami’s doing for the sims so they can focus better on the assignments, Taichi assured by Kageura he’s not holding them back. The next day, we see the A-rankers discuss whether Mizukami was right for what he did, generally mixed, though some think the immediate conflict created can be resolved later for pragmatic focus on victory now, others disagreeing. Suwa tells his squad his guess that someone is doing the sims solo, but with 14 units to manage in the upcoming sims, it’s seeming less likely that can continue to work at all, so the goal is to find exploits for strategy.

 

 

 

 

Doron Dororon c25-28

 

Naotora and Dora are both fighting Dosan’s ogre mononoke, seemingly a team themselves.  And with the sheer power the Samurai Officer has and Dora and Kusanagi’s merged supernatural energy, the ogres are taken down simultaneously to Dosan’s shock

 

 

 

Dosan tries to trick Dora and Kusanagi, but they slice off his trunk and Kanbei appears. To their shock, he draws Dosan into a piece of supernatural ore and leaves, his plan fulfilled for now as Naotora arrives soon after. With things resolved, they head off to rest

 

After the incident, Dora and Kusanagi happen to meet the old head of the Izanagi Corps, retired and working as a gardener (but still having physical skills of a former Samurai). A meeting is held to address a mononoke gathering, Admiral Tsukahara explaining that a man called Hanzo Miyamoto is behind the existence of mononoke and if he’s defeated, they will all disappear, including Kusanagi, which Dora realizes to his shock

 

Tsukahara explains how Miyamoto resented being passed over for the next head of the Izanagi school, both of them training under said master, and utilized a forbidden technique, likely to extend his life and gain more power. But Tsukahara’s master sacrificed himself to seal away an immortal mononoke, the seal potentially something Miyamoto wishes to break. Both defensive and offensive teams are set up, Dora and Kusanagi meeting the other samurai officers and later confiding in each other that they will still fight even with the risk of separation

 

 

 

 

4 Knights of the Apocalypse 64-66

 

While Gawain’s tantrum is calmed by Tristan, used to placating the spoiled knight, we see two figures approaching Liones, one heading off while the other revives Galand of the Ten Commandments, a powerful foe himself, the one who did so Melascula of the same group, both given Chaos power from Arthur to return from death, a menace to the Holy Knights that stand before them (even killing one with his bare hands)

 

 

 

Gawain, Percival and Tristan teleport to face Galand and Melascula, the two Commandments having started a brief attack. Meliodas realizes Bartra may be in danger as Lancelot joins the other Apocalypse Knights to confront the Demons

 

Arthur is surprised to learn Gawain, his niece, is among the Apocalypse Knights, but heads out to assess them (and acquire Vision, seemingly part of his plan). Galand and Melascula attack, though Lancelot dodged, Tristan avoiding it as well. Gawain took it head on, Percival also able to resist with his magic, as we see Melascula’s Cage of Darkness that surrounded Tristan slashed in half.

 

 

 

 

 

My Hero Academia 355-357

 

Jiro and Tokoyami combine efforts with Hawks to break All For One’s mask, all the while being taunted by the Demon King and his arrogance that they’re beneath him. Endeavor’s injured state isn’t fatal, so that threat still lurks for him to deal with if he can’t take down the other Heroes before him, actually held back by the wills of the Quirks he’s stolen while facing Jirou’s courage

 

 

 

After Tokoyami smashes All For One’s mask, we see All For One’s weakness indeed was based on the will of the Quirks in his synthetic copy of All For One. Endeavor manages to recover and admits to All For One that he’s weak, only pursuing power because of his own inferiority complex and unleashes a massive attack, potentially finishing off All For One (at least in this body) while blowing off most of his own arm in the process

 

All For One is still fighting back, Endeavor unleashing more flames to take down the villain entirely. Though it seems the bullets involving Eri’s Quirk are still in All For One’s possession and he uses one for a final attack, possibly intending to blow up his body or remove Endeavor’s Quirk

 

 

 

 

 

One Piece 1051-53

 

The aftermath has the people of Wano learn of Kaidou and Orochi’s defeat, the prophecy from Toki coming true as Momo takes Oden’s place as the new Shogun, Yamato saying he’ll be joining Luffy’s crew

 

 

 

Everyone celebrates the new Shogun as well as Luffy’s crew recovering, Yamato with the boys and Okiku with the girls (trans visibility!). The World Government is still seeking out Robin, unsure what to do with these developments, though Apoo reveals to the other pirates in Wano about the new bounties and who are replacing Big Mom and Kaidou as Emperors. To complicate matters, Ryokugyu of the Admirals is moving towards Wano

 

We learn that not only Luffy, but Law and Kidd all have been given a bounty of 3 Billion Berry each, Morgans unwilling to bend to the World Government’s narrative manipulation. Ryokugyu has arrived on Wano, but seems to focus on Kaidou’s crew before setting his sights on Luffy. Robin learns the “tengu” Tenguyama Kitetsu is actually Momonosuke’s grandfather, Oden’s father Sukiyaki Kozuki, who blames himself for Wano’s fall. But he confirms to her Pluton is indeed in Wano. And Luffy as well as Buggy have been elevated to Emperor status alongside Blackbeard and Shanks