Cover
art by Kazue Kato
Wow! Look at this nice new shiny Blue Exorcist cover. Some manga art looks so good when it’s backlit it almost looks like the anime. Another neat thing about SJ Alpha covers is they are unfettered by call outs, so you can truly enjoy the art! Neat!

Blue Exorcist
by Kazue Kato
It’s back to school for the students of the True Cross Academy! But before Rin can go to Exorcist Cram School, he’s got to go to regular school. And much to his surprise, another student in his class can see demons too. Has he found a new friend? Meanwhile, in the desert of Yemen, the Impure Princess has returned! Is her return somehow related to the Impure King incident? 

One Piece
by Eiichiro Oda
Action-packed chapter! Lots of crazy running around! I can’t think of any other SJ manga, with this much energy. Oda has really outdone himself. The plot seems to be moving along as well. Looking forward to the upcoming battles!

Naruto
by Masashi Kishimoto
Kakashi confronts Obito! I wonder how many astute readers knew Tobi was Obito from when he first appeared. I for one had no clue whatsoever. But that’s normal for me! I’ve asked the other SJ editors, John Bae and Alexis Kirsch and they said they’ve suspected for a long time. I think they’re bragging. Wow! Rad ending to the chapter, too!!! 

Rurouni Kenshin: Restoration
by Nobuhiro Watsuki
I love Rurouni Kenshin: Restoration! I'm not suggesting every mangaka go back and retell the beginning of their manga, but this is really fun to read. Watsuki Sensei’s art is sharper than ever. And as a fan of gore and heads being lopped off, I especially dug this chapter!

Toriko
by Mitsutoshi Shimabukuro
Does the new combined Four-Beasts remind anyone else of a super scary Majin Buu? Or is it just me? This chapter is full of action, and it looks like the Four Kings may have bitten off more than they can chew! They may have to eat a bit of humble pie, if they’re to overcome this monster! 

Takama-ga-hara
by Jyuuzou Kawai
The meaning of the name of the manga is revealed! Takama-ga-hara is a giant fight school full of people with super powers! I want to go to that school! Cool fight in this chapter, too. Looking forward to seeing what’s inside the school. 

Barrage
by Kouhei Horikoshi
Final chapter of Barrage! I’m sorry the manga ended so soon, but I’m happy enough with the ending. I think the story was tied up rather neatly. 

But as one manga ends another begins—introducing Cross Manage! A brand new manga about the exciting game of Lacrosse! The action starts next week!

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by Urian Brown