Another double feature seeing as I am still behind, it’d be shocking to review only one chapter a week at this point. Let’s get into the meat of this and see what these manga have to offer us!
Black Clover 192&193: 7.5/10
Whenever Black Clover tries to do character development or add backstory, it doesn’t feel like it’s really enough or fleshed out enough to have a lot of impact. Don’t get me wrong though, I thought it was really sweet how Meleo and Fuegoleon both think so highly of each other but the scene from their childhood had very little impact. I enjoyed the parallel paneling between the siblings and their burning fists.
Noelle’s Valkyrie Dress design is so stylish and cool; the way it shines like a classic suit of armor but flows like water is lovely. Charmy is honestly the MVP of chapter 193, she’s so funny and a big mood with her love of eating (and Yuno). Yuno is a little too busted for my liking because you know Asta will have to get some crazy power-up in order to match his strength and that just gives me Naruto power scaling flashbacks.
Haikyuu!! 337&338: 9/10
Well fought Mujinazaka! We have somehow entered into an alternate Haikyuu reality where Akaashi is losing to Bokuto in arguments and I love it. I also just realized that a lot of my favorite characters in Haikyuu are third years so they won’t be making appearances as regularly once they graduate… The future truly is a scary place. I wish I had reviewed this chapter on its own because I have so many things to say about it, from all of the wholesome Mujinazaka and Fukurodani moments to that last panel!
The battle between the little giants has finally begun… Since the beginning of Haikyuu the figure of the little giant has been a large motivator for Hinata and this match will be the deciding factor in which of these two pipsqueaks earns that title. I think I almost cried when Hinata met the original little giant and got his endorsement.
I’m definitely rooting for Karasuno but I don’t think they’re quite ready to go to the semi-finals. I would be happy to be wrong about this prediction though. I hope Haikyuu can become like One Piece and go on forever, I love the characters so much and I’m way too invested.
My Hero Academia 216&217: 9/10
Is it rude of me to say that I’m sad that Deku’s team won? Congratulations nonetheless to our Class A heroes! Ashido playing devil’s advocate is great, it’s becoming really obvious that I stan Ashido, huh… And congratulations to Shino for getting into the Hero Course! I hope this means we will be seeing a lot more of him because god do I love that kid and his sleep-deprived eyes. Overall chapter 216 is a very nice wrap-up chapter for this little tournament arc and I hate Monoma.
Deku and Bakugou’s rivalry is entertaining to me because Bakugou actually just wants to beat the shit out of Deku. Todoroki feeling betrayed over Deku’s quirk and immediately consoling Deku is so typical of his character. That boy is too pure for his own good. Deku as a character alone doesn’t excite me nor do I like him but his relationship with everyone is undeniably great. He is such a beacon of hope for Eri and just a good friend to everyone in general. May this dweeby nerd grow into the MC that I can be proud of.
One PIece 933&934: 7/10
It has been a while since One Piece has had me laughing so hard from a chapter and 933 had so many hilarious moments I loved it. Shinobu and Hanzo’s gag scene was by far the funniest part and Nami’s commentary only made it better. The Kyoshiro twist really shocked me and I hope this isn’t actually the end of Komurasaki. Seeing Big Mom being so docile and cute is weird, to say the least.
We follow our funny chapter with another disjointed set of conversations across our groups of pirates. The Big Mom pirates are arguing about succession instead of worrying about their trademark leader and mother. I didn’t fully realize how split up the Strawhats were until now and I just need them to reunite. I would also be okay with having more focus on Luffy and the prison situation.
One Piece will be going on break next week so I’ll find another series for that week.
Solo Leveling 56&57: 6.5/10
The shadow soldiers have such cute personalities and poor Jin-ho is at the same rank as them collecting mana crystals. It seems so weird having a no battle chapter of Solo Leveling but I definitely don’t hate it. I like seeing Jin-woo develop his personal relationships so we’ll be shocked when he loses all his feelings. The appearance of the Korean hunter inside the dungeon is sure to make waves in the association/
Jin-woo returns to the demon’s castle dungeon and it looks like a hellscape version of the city. Could this possibly be foreshadowing or am I just looking too deeply into it? He has grown a lot since his first time here and makes quick work of some lower level demons. I’m looking forward to seeing the designs for the stronger demons and floor bosses. Jin-ho on the other side is making business arrangements with his father in order to become guild master. His dad gives me typical Stern Asian Father and it hurts me emotionally.
Overall
What an incredibly strong week for both Haikyuu!! and My Hero Academia, great developments in story as well as moments that touch your heart; on the flip side I am shocked that Solo Leveling has found itself in the bottom, but no good thing lasts forever after all. With this, we should be caught up to the current issues so let’s keep it that way moving forward.