Weekly Shonen Hop #3 will feature two chapters for every series since I somehow became incredibly far behind and I feel bad writing reviews on such old chapters. I’ve decided to drop Seven Deadly Sins from Weekly Shonen Hop because I found it hard to review it when it felt like nothing was happening. Sorry to all of the fans of the series, by no means do I think it’s bad I just don’t feel strongly enough to say anything. For the remaining series, as always I’ll be judging based on enjoyability, comparison to the other weeklies, and progression through the story arc.
Black Clover 190&191: 5/10
It’s pretty typical for shonen protagonists to have love interests but Asta is so… peanut-brained that it’s hard to accept his growing harem. Noelle finally getting some recognition from her messed up family is nice to see. Did someone say even more battles? Because that’s exactly what you’re gonna get and exactly what I want. These two chapters aren’t much to write home about though since some kind of movement has to happen. A story isn’t much of a story if it actually is just a continuous string of fights.
It really is a shame that the story and characters feel so lackluster because the art is really good. At least the mangaka seems to know what works because we get battle after battle without much lull in between.
Haikyuu!! 335&336: 8/10
Bokuto is just way too wholesome, he really is just a kid playing his favorite sport and his facial expressions are always so funny. I like that Bokuto’s getting developed as more than just “I like to hit the ball and I’m the best haha.” He’s that guy we all know that excels at something and makes it look effortless, while Wakatsu is trying his hardest just to keep up. The dump from Mujinazaka’s setter and the gag that happens after was really funny; I loved how earnest he was in getting Wakatsu’s approval.
I need to be able to turn Haikyuu faces into emojis on my phone so I can send them to people. It’s a close match and tensions are high but at the same time it’s still lighthearted and funny. I always feel a little guilty not being able to remember names but even more so for Haikyuu cause these characters feel so fleshed out and real.
My Hero Academia 214&215: 9/10
I hate Mineta, I hate Mineta, I hate Mineta, I Hate Mineta; however, the boob gag was really funny and I laughed so hard when I read it. That’s definitely a credit to the author to be able to make a funny situation with a character I genuinely dislike. Ashido is so cool and I love her design so it makes me so happy to see her slinging her acid everywhere! In general I like when female side characters get a chance to be cool and show they’re more than just potential love interests and chapter 215 is definitely one where Uraraka and Ashido show off their skills.
I know a manga is really good when I get chills reading a chapter. The building excitement, the characters, the art, everything just makes you excited and happy to read it. My Hero Academia has become a huge manga and it is more than deserving of its popularity. It has its slow chapters but when it’s on it is REALLY on.
One Piece 931&932: 8/10
Usopp and Frankie perfectly capture how I felt when Sanji put on the Germa suit and I bet Luffy would have have been just as bright-eyed. So happy for our pirate chef finally being able to be invisible and /peek on women/ live his childhood dreams. Oda loves to create groups of weirdos and the Oniwaban are ninja/samurai weirdos for this arc. Big Mom wakes up with amnesia on the beach; will Luffy somehow convince her to help him? Shogun Orochi shows his namesake and transform into an eight headed dragon-thing, his face is so ugly and stupid that it ruins the coolness of the devil fruit. Lady Komurasaki will not yield to any man, she knows her strength and makes it known!
It looks like things are finally heating up in One Piece and I’m here for it. It’s been a slow couple of weeks without much happening so I’m really looking forward to some action and plot developments.
Solo Leveling 54&55: 8/10
The fallen A rank hunter joins the shadow army as Iron and aids in the defeat of the Ice Elf Boss (who turns out to be hot for some reason? Why is everyone hot in this series…). Jin-woo and Igris are embarrassed of their new meathead but the lower knights sure love him. Little comedic moments like this are refreshing after action packed chapter after chapter. The red gate opens and all of the remaining hunters get to leave to the shock of the White Tiger guild. Jin-woo is quickly becoming a hot topic and the White Tiger guild leader recognizes that.
I hope that our heartless MC stays heartless and does not pursue any romantic relationships with anyone through the whole series. It can’t be Solo Leveling if he’s got a partner. Song-yi did look really cute in her non-hoodie look though, but stay away from Jin-woo please. Our little rich boy is an interesting counter to Jin-woo and I hope he sticks around for a while.
Overall
The high of the week is My Hero Academia, showing that girl power pays off and so does character development; and Black Clover gets the low with an uninspired couple of chapters but promising excitement in the coming chapters. We’re one step closer to catching up but also still behind so see you at the next one!
