One Piece 846: Breaking Promises

Hey welcome back One Piece fans, this chapter was really worth all the build up we’ve been getting for the past several weeks. We’re getting tension that for a while we haven’t been getting, and I feel that after this week nothing but spectacular chapters will be had because it is nothing but build up to the climax. This chapter we Big Mom literally just breeds fighters, and that broken promises are almost guaranteed in the upcoming chapters. Without further adieu lets review.

Positive: I know I am in the majority when I say this, but Luffy losing was the best thing that could possibly happen to this arc, and series. Luffy has this tendency to really always make through with his promises, and him breaking, and losing this one will really make his character. To learn how he can’t just shout, and say childish things in an hopeless situation. Luffy put his crew endangered and didn’t think about fighting Big Mom’s crew all by himself, while barely surviving and encounter with Cracker. A commander who would have beat him if it wasn’t for help, and he simply can’t always come through on his promises, for it is not realistic in the series standard that we live up too. I also think it is important for Sanji’s development for he knows the damage that his friends are causing, and he can’t trust Big Mom. Which I love Big Mom’s hat, and how it goes along with her emotion every time she moves, and has a slight facial change.

It’s nice to see more information about the poneglyphs, and it’ll be interesting to see how Brooke, and Pedro get one considering they have to overcome the a commander even stronger than Cracker. Smoothie I’m going to guess her powers have to do with blood, and she drinks it like smoothie. Cause for the life of me I can’t understand how to drain the liquid out of someone, and make it smoothie related. Plus a top tier fighter really shouldn’t have a lame power like smoothie. Although, I say that and Cracker’s power is literally just creating biscuits. The final panel, with Brooke, and Pedro is just honestly the greatest thing that has even happened in this arc.  I love the powers, my favorite panel is the one in the header where Luffy get’s walloped. That’s just a good ol’ fashion beatdown honestly.  Monte’Dur’s book power needs to have its own chapters dedicated to it because quite honestly it’s so broken, and amazing that to be wasted on one or two panels is a waste of potential.

Negatives: Is Sanji really being so naive and believing the bargain Big Mom is making with him? I mean seriously Big Mom wants Luffy dead! One of the main reasons she is holding this Tea Party is to kill Luffy, and he thinks she’s just going to let him walk away freely? Even after Luffy waged war against her, and sent her a bomb? Not happening. I also hate that we see Nami’s lightning off-paneled, and we don’t get to see it. I really think that would have been a great moment for her, but we skip it instead to see Luffy getting walloped (which in itself was amazing.)  Sometimes I hate the slow pacing that One Piece has, but would love for it to slow down. A nice chapter dedicated to just this fight would have been nice.

 

Predictions: Next week, I predict Pedro will do some cool spy stuff, and run into Baron Tamago where we leave off with a potential fight, while Luffy meets Big Mom for the first time.

 

I give this chapter 9/10, it was almost perfect, the only thing missing for me was really I wanted to see Jimbei, and when it has been so long since I’ve seen him I tend to go into biased fanboy mode! Until next week!

One Piece 836: Where about to find out If Luffy likes salty crackers.

Welcome back One Piece fans to another review of One Piece! This chapter we basically learned that Momma raises no scrubs.  Without further adieu. lets review!

Positive:

Really liking we are making progress of getting out of the forest. For a while I was wondering why we were taking so long wandering around in here, but now it seems we are making some headway. The tension is finally starting to build up, and it is nice to see that Luffy having to go all out is usually some of the best moments in the series.  You have 3 Big Mom fighters, while Luffy’s two members are trapped. So Luffy’s going to have to take this seriously because I do not think Nami can take both Brulee, and Randolph at the same time.  I like the clarification that Big Mom is Lola’s mom is finally put to rest. We may have figured it out ages ago, but it was nice to finally put that plot to rest. Quite interesting that Nami just happen to have the card in her breast pocket at this exact moment. Makes you wonder how long she has been carrying it. One of my favorite panels is when Randolph and his Crane attacked Luffy, and Randolph blamed it on his crane. Easily one of the best moments of the chapter. I am very interested to see how Luffy handles the roadblocks in his way next chapter.

Negative:

While I love the beginning of every arc cause it brings many questions that are wanted to be answered, I would much appreciate if Oda didn’t throw in so many more questions, and plot lines in one chapter. It makes it convoluted, and it makes it seem messy when it comes to plot writing and it is easy to get lost. I would also appreciated if Oda would not just build the hype in one chapter, and not show it the next. While I do not think Luffy, nor Cracker will go down next chapter, I would much appreciate if some fight was shown next chapter, including a major bulk. I’m not really into power levels, but this is a shounen manga, and after the mess that was Dressrosa I think it would be in Oda’s best interest to expand a little on his fights. Cracker’s powers are interesting and since he is a supposed top 3 his development in the area is needed to further the hype for the Yonkou Crew.

Prediction:

Luffy and Cracker fight for a good bulk of the chapter, Luffy doesn’t make much headway, and then as he is about to go G4 the fight stops.

 

I rate this chapter a 7/10, really good chapter. It got a bit tedious with the the long chapters in the forest, but it is picking up speed this time! Thanks for reading!

One Piece 830: A Russian Roulette were everyone wins!

Welcome back One Piece fans. I know it has been a while, but after a couple months of soul searching, and a little depression, I have finally gotten the will to go back and do my reviews! I know I missed a ton a content to recover, but it is better late than never. So without further adieu lets review!

Positives:

This arc has been going good, and flowing with the good pace that Zou was moving at. I love when Oda expands on details, but I love how he’s not shoving down every detail under our throat. I think this can be his biggest downfall, but also his biggest strength. He’s building tension early in the arc already when it comes to Jimbei, and his meeting with Big Mom. Already, and established loved character besides Sanji we are attached too, and it makes us aware of how crazy, and a threat Big Mom is away from her title of Yonkou. Totland is a wonderful colorful place that has all the races, it just makes One Piece’s world building huge, and it makes me really appreciate the world that I am really built into. A world that I invested in heavily so it’s much appreciated that he works just as hard on it.  Big Mom is already proving to be a formidable antagonist, and it makes me much more excited to see how she reacts to Luffy.  Jimbei’s interaction with his crew was something that I really wanted to see do to their history with humans. I think it was quite heartwarming that they’ll let Jimbei do what he wants cause he always puts his life on the line for the others. Jimbei is such a great character, and he is only going to add more to the story as he joins the Straw-hat crew.

Negatives:

I can tell that most of Big Mom’s daughters are going to be annoying. I think it will be because they instantly build a bond and dedication to the male that they are betrothed to.  Aladdin’s wife was too me very annoying, and very creepy looking, and I know it was drawn to be a comedic scene, but I can’t help but not care because I really don’t have a connection to Aladdin, nor the other fish man. (Call it PTSD from the Fishman Island arc.)  Maybe if Oda spent more time dedicating time to showcasing Aladdin’s personality I would have cared more, but for now it didn’t sit right, and I already got a feeling that Big Mom’s daughters will fall for anyone Momma picks.  Pedro’s story is interesting, but I was hoping he was going to be a spy for Kaidou, and it was more interesting than that. It just seems he’s following Luffy because he has something to prove to himself, and which is respectable, it is quite annoying to me. At first before predicting being a Kaidou spy, I was hoping he was a lone wolf type, and only did things for himself, but I guess it’s not going to go down that way, and it brings me to find annoyance in a series where everyone and their mother will get on their knees for Luffy. One Piece has good tension, but when everyone goes to Luffy eventually it just goes down dramatically.

Predictions:

It is simple, the board is alive, and it always lands on the person losing their head. Jimbei knows this, and barely survives while escaping. Meanwhile the area that was suppose to be unguarded according to Nami, is actually the most guarded, and when the Straw hats land and see Jimbei they’ll be ambushed by Big Mom’s warriors. They find out Pudding really was a spy.  Is it predictable writing, or is it not?

I rate this chapter a 7/10. Really good chapter of exposition, and it will make the climax more satisfying when we get to it.

Bleach 671: The power of Miracles on Ice.

Hello Bleach fans! Welcome back to another week of Bleach manga review. In this chapter, we learn the miracles don’t exist when it comes to random power ups! So without further adieu, lets review!

Positive:

Well even though I was against the idea of Hitsugaya having a more powerful version of his Bankai just hidden away, I really do appreciate the design. Yes he looks like Ichigo, but it is not like Ichigo had a terrible design. I love the cockiness in Bleach characters from time to time, and I think Hitsugaya’s was the best so far. The ice powers in this form is pretty cool, and I had a huge grin on my face while reading the entire thing. I am also really happy that Hitsugaya wasn’t able to take him down by himself. He need help from Kenpachi, and looks like he’ll need assistance from a new and improve Byakuya. Makes this fight a great collab, despite it having many flaws.

Negatives:

I still don’t like the idea of the power up, but quite honestly I find this is the major flaw with Bleach fights. The term Bankai is a cop out to get you hyped for fights, and really it’s just one big power up that helps the user overcome his opponent. It is cheap concept that breaks the grounds for the two characters to have any real fight choreography, and it doesn’t involve much thought for the fight. It is really annoying because once you figure out this concept you have a hard time really enjoying any fight. While the fight looks pretty on the outside, it lacks any substance on the inside.

Predictions:

I predict that next chapter we see Byakuya finish off Gerald, but Gerald gets back up, only to be taken down by Byakuya’s power up.

I’ll rate this chapter a 7/10, really good chapter and it got me a little hyped, I am excited to see how this plays out. Hopefully it ends on a good note because the fight had some rocky moments.

 

Toriko 368: Food Luck is the ultimate way not to get food poisoning.

Hello! Welcome back to another Toriko review! This chapter we continue to learn why Food Luck is one of the worst abilities in the entire series. Again! Also God’s going to appear, so we’ll find out who’s food luck is more powerful between Komatsu, and Joa! So without further adieu, let’s review!

Positive:

You have got to love the tension that was built up for this end game arc. Yeah Toriko, and friends usually always overcome everything, but you always felt that as long as Midora, and Jirou were around. The good guys were always safe. However at the end of this chapter we see how all the disciples are officially out of the picture now. Which brings to question, how are our hero’s going to overcome this obstacle? It makes you quite excited to read the next upcoming chapters because you really want to know. The howling from the Wolf King sent shivers down my spine because it felt like warning for me, basically saying that his son was down, and he feared the opponent that was coming. To see the gathering of all the 8 kings will be a wonderful sight to behold.  It also was exciting to see the demons just pop out of no where. Sent a message that the end goal was here.

Negative:

If you are a usual follower of my blogs than you know I can’t stand the pacing of Toriko. Sometimes it goes really slow, and other times it moves extraordinarily fast. Midora was taken out way too soon. I felt it was too upsetting to see Midora get taken out like that. Midora is hyped to be the strongest disciple, and I wanted to see him do some major damage to the enemy camp. Added to the fact he lost to possibly the worst ability in the series.FOOD LUCK!? I mean really come on now, you’re talking about a guy who survived fights a with a king from a very young age, and a guy who dueled with disciple level fighters growing up, and you mean to tell me luck took him out? No! No! No! That is the worst fighting that I have seen in year. Midora deserved better than that, and we all know it.

Predictions:

I predict next chapter, we fight out God is actually a creature, and his power is about the equivalent to the 8 kings. Then our hero’s decide to go ahead and fight it, because why not?

I give this chapter a 6/10. It had some moments but ultimately it left me wishing for something more. Really wish Midora was handled better. Until next time!

 

 

Hunter x Hunter 351: Looks like Chrollo gots his hands on an early release of Pokemon Sun and Moon!

Hello Hunter x Hunter hands, you know this is a good week because there was no Hiatus after one chapter!  Jokes aside this chapter was a big surprise for me because it was so random that something all Hunter x Hunter fans wanted to see, and we wake up to Chrollo vs. Hisoka which is amazing! So without further Adieu, lets review!

Positive:

I love Hunter x Hunter fights. For the one reason you have to use your brain to truly understand the creativeness in them. I knew Hisoka and Chrollo wasn’t going to be a brawl that was just going to happen over time. I knew that Hisoka who’s skill set is not as diverse has Chrollo’s set.  So he has to be on constant alert for something new to happen, and will have to find a way to fight Chrollo with his nen. Chrollo has a different problem, he has to find the right ability that would be a perfect counter to Hisoka, and he has to use it to make sure Hisoka can’t figure it out. When Chrollo purposed a fight to the death with Chrollo, it was getting my heart pumped. I love both characters, and I really don’t want to see one die, however if Chrollo dies, it makes room for Hisoka to grow. If Hisoka dies then Chrollo will not grow as much because Hisoka was not his main ideal. This is good character arc because whoever wins has a door open that opens a plethora of opportunities.  The art in this was nice, and it shows that maybe Togashi is taking this seriously.

Negative:

While I love the chapter, it’s run by pure fanboy adrenaline. You take a plot line that fans have been wanting for years, and all of a sudden just throw it into our face. I wanted to see the process of the fight being led up too. I wanted the hype to be build up, I wanted to see every moment before hand. Now all of a sudden I’m watching a fight that, I always wanted, and I didn’t know any of the history before it. It’s like I worked so hard for something, but in the middle of working hard it was just given to me. Makes me question why did I work so hard. I know it’s not the best complaint but it still works.

Prediction:

I predict next chapter the fight gets intense, but it ends with some questionable visitor.

I rate this chapter an 8.5/10. You have got to love Hunter x Hunter. Well until next time, God Bless!

 

One Piece 824: Luffy’s cooking is possibly better than mine!

Hello One Piece fans, welcome back to another wonderful chapter of One Piece. This chapter we basically learned that the sacred vow Marriage can only last if you’re beautiful. So without further adieu lets review!

Positive:

You have to love a very powerful man, with a very weak endurance to liquor. Kaidou having his personality change so much just from drinking was hilarious. However it also showed just how intimidating Kaidou really is. Kaidou really did not care for Doflamingo so much, but the fact that he wanted his smilely operation. It was a funny scene, only made badass when Kaidou batted the guy off the island. Oda is doing a good job at writing Kaidou because he is becoming a funny character, but only raiding the tension every chapter he is in. It makes you wonder how the hell Luffy will take this guy down! It only helped when you saw Eustass Kidd on the grown bleeding, and beaten. Making a mock off possibly the most powerful supernova along the lines of Luffy and Law! The Luffy cooking moment is what I love about old One Piece because it showed the SH’s just being human amongst their hectic world, and its small moments like this, that really help the series when they have powerful emotional moments later in the series, because you remember these family moments. Sanji being in this chapter was great for me. He was still Sanji, he wasn’t moping around depressed, no he was Sanji. Still a badmouth badass goofy loving cook. No forced marriage will change that, and how he actually cares about his crew mates. I also love how I saw the Big Mom’s island defense system, and it was interesting to note how Baron Tamago reacted to Pekom’s demise. Was quite curious to that.

Negatives:

While I think this was a very good chapter for One Piece, and I think One Piece has been on fire for 2016. I do not like the fact we were again offpaneled information regarding Blackbeard and Dragon. I know that unless it has something to do with the Straw hats we will not see it, but the rest of the world is massive, and I would like to see some of the events that go one with other characters. Not just the Straw hats! Also I thought it was redundant that Luffy didn’t know who his father was, or what he looked like. He learned about this hundreds of chapters ago, we really didn’t need a recap.

Predictions: Luffy, and company run into a strange ally, Sanji information. Also I predict a surprise plot twist involving the world government.

I rate this chapter 8/10. Really great chapter, had some flaws, but I was certainly happy reading this.

Until next time God Bless 🙂

 

Bleach 670: Kenpachi has more chill than Hitsugaya

Hello Bleach fans welcome back! It has been a while, but I’m back to doing Bleach reviews, and I must say I love reading Bleach in bulk because it is better than reading it weekly. So without further adieu let’s review!

Positive:

The fight so far is possibly my favorite fight in this arc. Probably my favorite fight since Mask. I love the choreography, and I love the scenes of the captains talking about how to take down Gerald. You truly feel that Gerald is a force to be reckon with, and you have no idea how the captains will take them down. I really like how they put restriction on Kenpachi’s bankai. I love powerful fighters, however, I like the fact Kenpachi can’t just master his Bankai to perfection like that. Adds some reality to it.

Negatives:

Hitsugaya has a bigger plot convenience than Ichigo if I’m going to just lay out the honesty. I should have known that if anyone was going to win this battle in popularity between the 3 captains it would always be Kubo’s number one. I have no qualms towards Hitsugaya, but honestly I hate how he took over Kenpachi’s spotlight for a power up that sounds so redundant that it basically just says ” I didn’t plan this, but I need the fans to be happy.” I really don’t like when authors do that to their story, and so far I am not hyped for Hitsugaya’s reveal.

Prediction:

I predict Hit’s does some cool stuff, but loses, and Byakuya unveils a new power-up.

 

I give this chapter a 5/10. It could have been handle much better honestly. Until next time, God Bless! 🙂

 

Seven Deadly Sins 171: It’s the Meliodas show!

Welcome back Seven Deadly Sins fans! This chapter was amazing did you guys see Ban cut Dolors arm off? Wait, did you guys see King, and Diane take down the 10 Commandments? What you say Meliodas take down the giant and the Fairy Queen? Oh yeah I forgot, Mel is taking the spotlight again. So without further adieu, let’s review!

Positive:

Even if it is Mel, the action in this episode was superb. Really can’t fault Nakaba for that. Mel is always on that no days off. I especially love the little chat between Gowther, and Escanor. It really makes me want to see the backstories of the original days of the Seven Deadly Sins. Gowther is about to get some real character development! I mean he is going to get lots of character development, and he messed with most of the main cast, and I’m waiting to see how he is redeemed.

Negative:

I like the Seven Deadly Sins. I like all of them with Diane being my least favorite, however still likable. My favorites are King, Ban, and Escanor. So I love when the series focuses on these cats, yet they can never truly get an amazing moment because the moment is always taken by Meliodas. I get where Meliodas is coming from, and I get that he’s the only one that can take on the 10 Commandments, but I still enjoy the others, and I am really hating the power level crap because it just serves as an excuse for us not to see the others. The other sins are due for a powerup if they are to stay relevant in the series. That really isn’t good writing, but in some series that is just how it needs to be.

Prediction:

Mel beats the Fairy Queen, and somehow loses at the same time, that causes everyone to rise up to take on the weaken Commandments!

I rate this chapter 6/10, would have been a lot better if other sins were involved.

Hunter x Hunter 350: After a long Hiatus, Biscuit is finally back!

Hello! New fans, my name is Dragonics for those of you who don’t know, and I normally do manga reviews for my favorite ongoing series! Today I’m going to do a review on a widely popular ongoing series Dragon Quest……um I mean Hunter x Hunter, so without further adieu lets review!

Positive:

I love Hunter x Hunter, and I’m really excited that it is back into action. One of the best parts of Hunter x Hunter is the dialog heave chapters that explain so much of what is going on. You really can’t miss a beat when reading it. It brings life to the situation, and it raises the stakes, and all the characters have their own appeal to the story. I love how they used Kurapica’s logic to pick his prince, but and thrown right back at him when the prince reveals who he really is! Nice short twist that you expect from a series like Hunter x Hunter! The art was drawn really nice, and I can’t wait to see what the rest of the series has.

Negatives:

While the chapter wasn’t bad, it wasn’t a chapter that I was craving after another long Hiatus from HxH. I was wanting something to do more with the actual traveling to the Dark Continent. It is hard to really appreciate some of these set up chapters, when you have it in the back of your mind that you’ll never fully see them play out. Although that is honestly just my opinion.

Predictions:

I predict that we see more of the princes, and we see their hidden ideal on how to win in the Dark Continent. At the end of the chapter we see how Gon gets involved.