REVIEW: This Week's Issue! - Feb 18, 2013

Underwater gymnastics expert and SJ editor Urian Brown gives his super-biased review of this week's issue.
By February 18, 2013

 

One-Punch Man
story by ONE, art by Yusuke Murata 

Saitama’s depressed! Banishing foes in one blow has had virtually no effect on crime—it's becoming boring! AND mosquitoes keep biting him! In fact, a strange swarm of mosquitoes have infested the city and are sucking people dry! Is there something behind this recent invasion? And will Saitama get his mojo back?

World Trigger
by Daisuke Ashihara 

The reviews (your comments and tweets!) are in, and so far World Trigger has been very well received. Well, the first chapter at least. Naturally, judging a manga by its first chapter is a bit premature, but you can get a taste for a few things like: art, character designs and setup. I’d say the manga succeeds on all accounts so far. As for the second chapter, the mystery deepens as we get to learn more about the strangely naïve and powerful Yuma Kuga.

Naruto
by Masashi Kishimoto 

One of the magical things about serialized manga magazines is how different series become my “favorite” for a while. While I have my general favorites, they tend to change depending on what’s happening in the story. Right now, Naruto is by far my favorite, and this chapter is even cooler than the last! What could be cooler than a conversation with the four legendary hokage? Read the chapter and find out!

Bleach
by Tite Kubo 

A beautiful Bleach chapter, poetic even. Kubo Sensei is a master of finding the beauty and romance in battle, and this chapter is a perfect example of his talent. I have to say, the current arc has made me fall in love with Bleach all over again. Good stuff, man.

Nisekoi
by Naoshi Komi 

Raku is determined to get Chitoge and her estranged mother back on the right track. He’s not giving up no matter what! But can he get her to lose billions of dollars just to spend Christmas Eve with her daughter? That's a lot of bread!

Toriko
by Mitsutoshi Shimabukuro 

Great chapter of Toriko! Man, this whole issue has been amazing so far! Seeing Granny Setsu in action does not disappoint! There’s also an eye-boggling spread filled with Shimabukuro Sensei’s trademark super freaky monsters! I love weirdo monsters so I spent a good chunk of time just staring at the art. And Granny Setsu and Granny Chiyo face off! I love super-powered Granny battles!

Cross Manage
by Kaito

Maybe I had too much coffee or something, but this is one of the best Cross Manage chapters I’ve read so far. Sakurai is trying to thank Misora for the gift she gave him (that came with an unintentional emotional outburst), but he just can’t find a way. Prepare for maximum teen awkwardness and some heartfelt moments!

Dragon Ball
by Akira Toriyama 

Wow! The alien invader drops a bombshell on Goku! Well, a bombshell for the two people who don’t know the story of Dragon Ball. Or for that one guy who is like, “Hrmph! I’ll never read manga unless it’s in color.” If you’re that guy…this is going to blow you away! 

Was this issue as amazing as I seem to think? Or do you disagree? Leave your comments below! 

by Urian Brown