Psyren

Kabuto and Oboro best characters.

Anyway, I'm curious about your next reactions. Psyren really had potential, too bad the whole ending arc was so rushed...

Closer to $50,000. It's not quite accurate enough if you actually plan on buying anything, but a simple rule of thumb is to just think of a yen as a cent.

So is Oboro gay or is this just the most blatant ho yay ever? Some of his stuff last volume I neglected to mention , like how he commented on how pretty Ageha's eyes are. Now in this one his powers are coming online and he's being held by Ageha and is like "I'm hot." Yes he has a fever but the image is what makes it ho yay in my mind.

"HAROOOOOO!" See ya Kabuto,, the gang appreciates your great sight but doesn't appreciate you hitting on Sakurako. Also is that supposed to be a heavily-accented English hello? That's what I took it as. God I love this guy. He's just such an unashamed tool.

I agree with your appraisal of Oboro, Kabuto. "HE'S NUTS!" It's one thing for a protagonist to say " I can't stand back while others in danger." Oboro's thing is less like he wants to help and more like he has a pathological addiction to danger or putting himself in the center of attention. Being an actor it seems kinda like the second one but honestly I would guess it's more of the former. He simply has to be doing something crazy and life-threatening.

Oboro: "My life's just starting to get interesting! I can't have any essential pieces missing!" Yep, Oboro is the crazy one no doubt. That is possibly one of the strangest responses to a person possibly dying I've ever read.

I wonder if we'll see Tatsuo again? That was some really sweet stuff between him and Hiryu. Although in terms of Plot I'm curious about this blond man who apparently makes the Taboo. He doesn't know what "the game" is or why all these strangers are here. Very curious. Everyone says the end is rushed but I hope the answers to the mystery of Pysren and its monsters are spelled out long before that and aren't part of the hastily done ending.

So there are other "normal" Psionists apart from the old lady and her grandson or whoever that was. There's Ian and Kagetora and probably more.. Neat. I still wonder when the lady will come around again though and what her deal is.

Wow, got some more answers on who the blond guy was faster than I thought. Well, for a given definition of "answers." Dunno what the heck W.I.S.E. is. Maybe they destroyed the world.

Matsuri just reminded me of the "do not approach the towers unless you possess sufficient power" rule. Maybe more confirmation of my original thought that the game is to change the future by finding someone of great power. The game is designed to hone your strength until you can go to those towers and do...something. And if you weren't smart or strong enough to do that before your card numbers went to zero, you obviously weren't good enough to change the future.

Oboro: "Ageha! Whenever you need some relief, come over here and I'll hold you."

Oboro is a one man Ho Yay Army.

Also I haven't mentioned it yet because his name was only said once so far but now that he's "on his way" to our unwitting heroes, Dolkey is kind of a lame name for a villain...

Aw man, so much plot. For one thing, it's "W.I.S.E" - no period after the E. That's kinda weird. But man, I really liked Kabuto's uncle and the way this is all hitting Kabuto... When the "jokerster" characters gets hit hard emotionally, it really hurts ya know? Such a sad scene where he finds his uncle's last words...

So the kids aren't all talk. I figured they would be gone for a good while after they helped train Ageha. But nope, here they are, confronting WISE on the pivotal day that decides the fate of the world. I can't stop reading now. My policy is at least two volumes a day with exceptions only when things are really intriguing and i just can't stop. This qualifies. I just fear for those kids given that...well, we know what happens, which means they lose.

GODDAMMIT SEPHIROTH WASN'T AERITH ENOUGH? WHY DID YOU HAVE TO KILL THE KIDS TOO!!!!

Wow, the "instant death if you mention Psyren to anyone who isn't a Drifter" rule suddenly seems less evil in the face of our heroes being cornered by Dolkey and him demanding to know the truth. If Nemesis wants to change the future the WISE assholes created then naturally he or it has to ensure WISE never learns of this.

So are there only Five Star Commanders? Granar Junas Shiner Kapliko Dolkey

A colorful bunch. Kinda absent minded older guy, one that seems like a jerk as they wanted their comrade to die, a sweet teelporting one, a scientist chick and Dolkey. Five Star Commanders for our Five Psyren Drifters.

Things are certainly picking up though. Last volume was kinda meh as it was all battle stuff. Kinda liked the new forms of Ageha's Melzez Door but yeah, no real plot advancement apart from the ending with the Star Commanders. Volume 4 was much more intriguing.

Overall thoughts are that I'm glad we have our villain team assembled, we're closing in on the mystery of what happened to Japan/the world, my favorite characters haven't changed and...that's about it. And maybe I'm a sucker but the page of the dead kids was really sad. That on top of Kabuto's uncle was some well done tragedy. Our heroes will save all of you!

edited 8th Sep '15 10:04:36 AM by Nikkolas

The WISE Guys - my oh-so-genius nickname that I literally came up with as I started typing this - are a kooky lot. I mean, I guess it's good characterization. Hitler and Stalin and the rest of them had a nice cup of coffee, ate some breakfast, read the paper, engaged in some friendly conversation, had tons of people killed, told some jokes, ate dinner, then went to bed. WISE might have ended humanity but that doesn't mean they just sit around being EEEEEEEEEEVILLLLLLLL. This is by far the most significant "and now we leave our heroes to see other stuff" bit thus far though and I appreciate it. The antagonists should be characterized just as well as the protagonists and what better way than to see them among themselves. I haven't got to see much of them yet of course but I think Ganar has already won me over. "IF THEY CHOOSE TO RESIST W.I.S.E, THEY'RE DESTINED TO BATTLE ME EVENTUALLY! COME TO ME BLACK BLASTER!" He's such a friendly guy!

Oh goddammit the peripheral school friend characters are getting uppity and demanding panel time with our MC. Listen guys, you're no Keigo's or Tatsuki's so get lost.

I was talking about just earlier that this manga has a shocking lack of fanservice. Right now Sakurako wants to go swimming. Easy, easy fanservice right? But she's wearing a one-piece, not some skimpy bikini. Impressive. She doesn't have much to show off anyway but that's fine by me. If I want T&A, I got Fairy Tail.

Matsuri to Asaga: "I want you to watch out for Ageha Yoshina and Oboro Mochizuki....like a hawk. You get how terrifying that world is, don't you, Asaga? Fear is an important emotion for survival. Overcoming our fears, little by little, is what makes us strong. But the strength I sense in Yoshina and Oboro....is totally different. And I think...it's extremely dangerous. If something happens...if they make a wrong choice... You're the only one who can stop them, Asaga!"

How forboding. I've already mentioned my uneasiness about Oboro but Ageha is aces in my book unless he develops some evil split personality or something.

Oh fuck Kagetora is toast. I was wondering where this subplot of him investigating stolen stuff and crooked Psionists could lead and in retrospect it should have been obvious. It's the Present WISE and given Kagetora is all on his own...he's screwed.

Wow, they really rubbed it in with the line about how if Kagetora had back up he might have made it out. As is though he's still alive. Ageha and the Psi Kids are on their way!

Oh and we learned Nemesis is a Psi Program made by someone from the future. Who? Who knows. Other than that not much happened with that. Interesting but nothing to really comment about.

Fredrika is my favorite Psi Kid. She's so bratty and adorable.

Wonder what this means?◊ The je vous makes me think it's French.

So I mentioned finding Ganar a likable enough guy but as an actual villain Inui◊ is the first one I've enjoyed. Eyes are one of the creepiest features to me. Even L's odd eye were unsettling. The wide round staring eyes always struck me as a great feature for a villain, much better than the typical narrowed evil eyes.

So Inui was defeated it seems. I would tenuously think that is it for him but it seems unlikely and a waste. I mean, why introduce his brother Saburo as well if this is the end of Inui's relevance? Plus you have to think the Present WISE are the real villains Defeating the Star Commanders in the future doesn't really accomplish anything. We have to stop that future from even happening. Of course I'm curious what relation Present WISE and Psyren WISE have. Could any of the Sta Commanders be Inui or some other present member but transformed by mad science?

And that's Volume 6. Only one volume for today because I was feeling lazy. Plus since I read three yesterday I'm still on schedule .This was a lot of action too but also a lot of plot came with the action so I'm happy. Much better than volume 5. The kids were pretty awesome, especially lil' Fredrika the Pryo Queen. Looking forward to what happens next. Inui was probably apprehended so...interrogation? They can't just turn a dangerous Psionist over to regular coops and jail. His two henchmen, while less dangerous, probably shouldn't go to a regular jail either so I wonder what our heroes have up their sleeves.

Although no real Kabuto this volume which is disappointing.All we got was him planning to win the lottery in the next year-and-a-half since he has the future winning numbers. Nice but not enough. Then again, we saw practically zilch of anyone besides Ageha and the kids. This volume was about the kids so I can let the lack of Kabuto slide.

edited 9th Sep '15 11:57:23 AM by Nikkolas

PLOT TWIST! Inui was a brainwashed pawn the whole time and his brother isn't even his brother. I thought Saburo seemed "too nice" but I never thought it was a completely different person mind controlling Inui. Intriguing turn of events. Also "Saburo" is Miroku Amagi, the present leader of WISE. I'm not so sure about his design.... Well apart from the shirt that reads FRE EZE

I love shirts like that.

I guess they've settled on calling it the Global Rebirthday instead of Day of Rebirth. Remember folks! December 2, 2009, we're all fucked.

So the Star Commanders ARE the Present WISE. Well I saw Junas and Dolkey thee, no idea where Miroku is in the future. The poor kids died again. Junas' power is pretty cool, tough....

Goddammit Nemesis! They are trying to save the sweet old lady and you choose NOW of all times to send them to Psyren. What a dick.

Holy shit! The Psi Kids are all grown up!! I didn't expect this. Everything looked hopeless with Kabuto and Asaga apparently dead but I figured this is ashounen battle manga. Ageha will powerup and save everyone. But nope! This is great. And Kyle killed Dolkey. So much for five Star Commanders for the five Drifters.

A meteor 150 KM that hit Earth? Wouldn't that destroy the planet? Still, quite the impressive feat for WISE. I assume they needed prep to do it though and what's up with this "membrane" that came out of it?

So the Kids are actually stronger than our main heroes at the moment. What a peculiar twist of fate. Mari has certainly...ahem...grown up.

And that's Volume 8. Ended on quite a cliffhanger! We're finally going to meet the person responsible for Nemesis and who started this whole thing. I don't know why WISE is after them since it was the kids who kicked their Star Commanders' asses but I guess I'll find out next volume.

A very interesting volume with our heroes having created this better Psyren where Elmore and the kids survive. Tatsuo is also still alive. Overall, in spite off the post-apocalyptic surroundings, and the way the volume concluded with a recollection of Rebirthday with a ton of people dying, things are really looking up.

Also a popularity poll was included in the end of this volume.

1. Ageha

2. Sakurako

3. Oboro

4. Kegetora - this surprised me but he deserves it. He's awesome.

5. Hiryu

6. Kyle

7. Fredrika

8. Kabuto - He's too low! He hasn't done enough I guess. He got a pretty cool Heroic Sacrifice this volume. I just didn't remark on it because I didn't buy it for a sec.

9. Van

10. Mari

Freddy will always be #1 in my heart.◊

Wow, all sorts of crazy developments going on here out of nowhere. This Usui guy was very unexpected turn of events. It's not even teh Star Commanders who have caughton and are after the future lady, it's this Usui jackass. It's an intriguing new plot thread though. As you might recall the series started with our heroes being transported alongside mooks. That seemed to stop and I was thinking it was because Nemesis had found the "chosen ones" who can change the future. But there is still one other Drifter, one who used his knowledge of the future to set himself up as a dictator in the destroyed world. And now he wants to ensure the future isn't changed by killing Nemesis and its creator. What a sleeze, possibly worse than Miroku.

Well I guess Amakusa isn't actually a drifter but it's nice to bring things back to Chapter 1. Also it's nice the manga addressed my earlier thoughts about Psionist criminals. The government had special places to lock them up. This manga is very good at explaining all aspects of its setting and I appreciate that.

...huh, she's not quite what I expected. The "smile" at the end of Volume 9 suddenly seems less meaningful given her personality. Plus she doesn't even really want to save the future. And Miroku is her brother! MY PREDICTIONS ARE A SHAMBLES!

And it's not just prisons for psionists, we're getting into straight up Evil Government Conspiracy territory.

So Oboro has become a Taboo is my guess. Way to not spell it out to Ageha. I guess Research Subject 07 has some heart in her as that was tact of a sort.

Yoyo? Kabuto's subconscious promising him power? To say it's fishy would be an understatement.

I gotta admit, it was a little sad when our heroes said goodbye to the Future Elmore Kids. I mean, they probably won't ever see them again since they want to make a new future for themselves.

And Amakusa's Deletion thing wasn't a waste of time together... Sakurako is losing her memory and she has some weird thing in her subconscious too. WTF.

And that's Volume 10. Things are getting a bit surreal and off the beaten path. Government conspiracies, alter egos, our Big Good and Big Bad being twins.... I don't know where this thing is headed. And I could have sworn Ageha said both his parents were dead. Maybe I'm remembering wrong but now his dad shows up and is an astronomer no less when there's a huge meteor headed for Earth. And who the fuck knows what will happen with Asaga and Tatsuo and their new fried trying to get into a WISE tower. So many new questions and plot threads. I'm sorry I blew off reading these two volumes yesterday. They were quite good.