I can't say I've ever cared for fake dating but there can be a first time for everything.
Still, the dynamics of my feelings on these series feels really interesting. Kiyoshi had a phenomenal chapter 1 and then proceeded to never live up to it, while Shinobi Undercover opened with a lesser version of Kiyoshi's chapter 1 and proceeded to do Kiyoshi's premise more competently every single week. And now, the one time I really liked Kiyoshi's chapter, Shinobi's was kinda weak.
On another topic, there hasn't been any concrete indication of it, but the authors must be aware they're sharing the magazine with someone who had such a similar idea at the same time, and I'm super curious to know how this is affecting their stories.
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Being honest, I don't think either Shinobi or Kiyoshi had a strong chapter this week, just decent stuff; with Kiyoshi only having a couple of nice gags (the Ducky pool, Jack Joe getting purified by the waterfall), while Shinobi felt very similar to previous chapters for most of the chapter, but with a strong finale that "averaged the score" ( I personally find the idea of Yodaka trying to flirt hilarious, so I see plenty of comedy potential (as well as genuinely romatic)).
While both series are similar, at this point I prefer Shinobi a little bit, since I feel it manages to mix both the comedy and action better than Kiyoshi, even if the latter series has a stronger protagonist.
All right, now it's time to review the ToC:
- Ichi the Witch takes the cover, which is impressive for a series that hasn't relased it's first volume. The editors must be very happy with it's current popularity to promote it like that.
- Mission: Yozakura Family has it's (very likely) last color page on the magazine, and I have to say, it has had a good run, and I'm looking forward to the next season of the anime (the first couple episodes should include one of my favorite chapters).
- There is some movement with the new-ish series, since Kiyoshi rises to the higest spot it has had (as far as I remember), while Hima-Ten! is at it's lowest. Both of them sold comparatively last month, so it's possible that both series while move towards the middle from here, but who knows for sure.
- Bonus note, since it's not something for this week, but there has been an announcement that Undead Unluck will reach a "super climax", which means it will be either the second to last or last chapter of the series. Considering that Yozakura Family is also very close to ending (and Hakutaku too), we will see new series arriving on January.
Ultimate Exorcist Kiyoshi: Training with Kairiki Ping Pong, which is linked to the one thing Kiyoshi needs to master right now... Meanwhile, ARARAAA?? Nehan and Jack Joe also wishing to train? New Charas: Akari's brother Karuta Jougasaki, and Winchester Matagi, both of Concordia.
Syd Craft: Scissor Leg crimes, taking shelter in some guy's house, that guy ending up being the culprit of those crimes (duh), and in the process of dealing with him, Syd x Elio shippers get more shipping fuel... Meanwhile, I'm more curious on Zero Craft...
Shinobigoto: School Camp, Hibari and Umineko with their feelings for Yodaka, and during the test of courage, a new assassin... Oh dear...
Choujou-Senpai: The Choujou-Senpai has DOUBLED ... though one is absolute trash and the other is a pure brat. Ends with Choujou having to answer to the resident Choujou simp whom Bad Choujou marriage-scammed and Ippongi's dad...
Nue no Onmyouji: Center Color! GO GAKUROU!! SAVE SHIROHA!!
Kill Blue: The Epilogue of the School Festival: A disaster averted by Juuzou, but one that led one Kakeru Inukai, Ookami's disciple, to Ookami... Oh dear...
Negai no Astro: To Yokohama with a plus-one: Hiyohiko Namino, whose sister has been kidnapped by the Immortal of Yokohama. When they arrive, they meet one Koubai Nekosogi, who claims to be the Immortal of Yokohama, but he turned out to be a fraud. The real deal is the 8th Yotsurugi child Shikaba, and fuck me, the style Shikaba has...
HAKUTAKU: While Seo & Noto deal with the rest, it seems that Higuma was found out by Akamine. About Akamine: he happens to be a genius game maker, and the people with him are his team for Tidio 2, a sequel to his breakout hit...
Oh, like what Hakutaku is doing? Or at least an equivalent of a Final Boss for a non-combat series, by impressing one of the most important developers in Japan?
And speaking of Ichi being in the cover. I don't know if someone is doing something on purpose, but this is the second time Nishi Osamu is in the cover of two different manga magazines at the same time, since Iruma was also at the top of the Weekly Shonen Champion this week. Let's see if next year, whenever Ichi gets the cover again, if it happens a third time.
And now, for the last ToC of the year... maybe, since during the breaks of combined issues, the ToC tends appears on the wild earlier.
- As mentioned in the introduction, in case you weren't aware of it, the upcoming Jump is a combined issue, so there won't be a new chapters for the main magazine on the 29th (but maybe some Jump+ series).
- One Piece is in the cover, but this looks to be a collaboration cover, so every series will have a character appearing on it. This could be useful, in a way, since the more prominent a character is in the cover is a rough estimate of how much confidence the editors have on it. There are generally "tiers", with One Piece at the front and very big, and new series at the back and small.
- Undead Unluck has it's super climax chapter this week, but it won't be ending just yet, thought next week is possible. Mission Yozakura also isn't ending, thought it being in the epilogue means it won't be long.
- There is some possitive movement for a couple new series, since Shinobi is doing quite well, while Kiyoshi is holding out. And even if Ichi is lower than it's ever been, having the fastest 2nd cover in years is a sign that there is little to be worried about.
Shinobigoto: Enter Tobi, good with the blade and with REALLY keen hearing... But with Umineko and Hibari taking care of Aoi, Yodaka is free to go all out versus him! GO YODAKA!!
Syd Craft: From exercise featuring all our huns to the reveal that the love letter they were worked up about was a TERRORIST plot on a cruise ship... And with that, Love once again takes the back seat.
Ultimate Exorcist Kiyoshi: The stay in the spa is over ... but not for Kiyoshi, who will continue his kairyoku training with Sakaki in a spar!
Negai no Astro: Shikaba just wants a battle royale arc... Other characters: the 9th Yotsurugi child Taira.
Kill Blue: More on Kakeru Inukai. His days as Juuzou's apprentice were ruthless, so it was more or less a shock when he found out Juuzou's life in school... At least we have another ally, however reckless he may be!
Nue no Onmyouji: Not even Tsujita could stop Gakurou. Right, onward ho!
Choujou-Senpai: Enter Dan Kotobuki, your stock card game anime protagonist and Choujou's beloved friend in the Defeat Means Friendship sense. What follows is a duel against the four kings of CUZU, who is out for Dan's rare card to sell it online (timely considering how dire this is IRL). Thank heavens that CUZU were arrested before making this story continue to the next issue!
HAKUTAKU: While Higuma ends up with Akamine, Noto gets to the rest of the judges, but without a playable game, at least to Honjou's eyes, Noto ends up having to entice them with a 1-minute presentation, which goes as planned!
All right, question time. For those reading Witch Watch, what are your thoughts of the current flashback arc?
Because, I feel it didn't really work for me, due to the whole thing feeling like it was trying to play straight something that the series was parodying before (Uron Mirage). That might have been the point, but having several chapter dedicated to this, while feeling very predictable regarding the Kappa's fate resulted in it falling flat for me. Also, I feel the inclusion of Jeanne d'Ark as a burning villain was a very odd choice, since it made the people who accused her of being a witch accidentally right.
Can't say I cared much for it, but WW has always been all over the place with regards to how much a chapter entertains me. About Jeanne, though, the point is that the torture inflicted on her was what turned her into a witch. It's a self-fulfilling prophecy; it doesn't make the mob accidentally right.
Yeah I agree Witch Watch has some high highs, but also some low lows. And for the Jeanne part, she was already a witch, and burning at the stake turned her into a warlock in her final moments. So the mob was burning a witch despite them not actually knowing she was one, therefore being accidentaly right. Or rather than right, since it might sound like they were doing something good (which is completely wrong), you couls see it as their witch hunt getting them actual results. Terrible, terrible results.
Edited by Shadow-Whisperer on Dec 25th 2024 at 8:02:13 AM
And being both on time and a lot earlier than normal, here we have the ToC:
- Note that this ToC is for the combined issue 6/7, which will be releasing on the 5th of January (at least were I'm from), so no chapter this week.
- It also will be another combined issue, so after this chapters, there will be another break.
- Now, for the series themselves, we have Sakamoto Days promoting it's anime airing in January, which I have the impression some people are excited for and some others are worried.
- Choujo has 2 chapters this week: a regular one and a crossover with Kochikame, which will be recieving a color page.
- No series is ending this week, so there will be a bit more of Undead Unluck and Yozakura Family. Peeking at the next issue box, it's likely that the Yozakuras will be saying farewell with a color page.
This week there isn't a ToC since I already shared it above, but instead let's do something different.
What are some ideas you want to see in the new series that will begin this year in the magazine?
These ideas can be complex or simple, specific or generic, whatever you want to see (though niche ideas might be more at home in Jump+). Maybe it could be the return of an old author, the recruitment of a mangaka from another magazine, or the serialization of a particular one-shot. Here are some of my ideas:
- A sci-fi about the exploration of alien worlds. It could be with either spaceships or other dimensions, but the point is travelling through unusual landscapes.
- A female-lead action series (I'm going to miss Fuuko).
- An action series where romance is an integral part of it, so it's well written and help enhance the leads (I'm going to miss Undead Unluck and Yozakura Family).
- A romcom with a not fully human female lead. Could be an alien, an demon, a drow, half robot, or even something wackier.
- An sports series that isn't soccer, baseball or basketball. Maybe a boxing one?
- Capybaras.
- And here is one from a friend: A supernatural action shounen set in the Wild West, which includes a lot of Western tropes but with a shounen twist.
Edited by Shadow-Whisperer on Jan 2nd 2025 at 6:49:21 AM
Seriously forgot that the next issue was gonna release early... How stupid of me...
Ultimate Exorcist Kiyoshi: A week's training for Kiyoshi from Sakaki! Let's see how much fruit this bore!
Shinobigoto: YASSSS YODAKAAAAAAA!!! Also, ahhhhh those one-liners!! Next issue, center color!
Syd Craft: Dealing with the bomb in the cruise ship Elfy. Hey Sid, didn't you want your love romance? You had it right there! Meanwhile, Elio roped into being a singer while her cover was somehow not blown. Also, oh dear, there's another bomber??
Kill Blue: OOOOOOF JUUZOU... it seems that the disciple has already surpassed the master...
Nue no Onmyouji: Through the underground, and into the entrance of the Fujino family, but not to deal with the gatekeeper...
Choujou-Senpai: The aftermath of that collab chapter with KochiKame. I may have never read it (and why would I? It's too damn long...), but I know of how legendary it is! For Choujou-Senpai to collab with them in the first place is actually pretty interesting...
Negai no Astro: And our tournament arc in Yokohama begins, sponsored by the Nichigokuren! First, the prelims, where our participants get reduced from 300 to 8, and then, the start of the brackets: first up, Hibaru vs Hachiku Nekosogi! Also, really? Mikey's chara design for Kogane??
HAKUTAKU: From Akamine and from the rest of the judges, it may be a good game, but unfortunately, it won't do...
RuriDragon: Yoshioka running in a wedding dress is too good lahhh!!
Wait, what? Did you had a new RuriDragon chapter? Because it won't release internationally until tommorow (at least in my timezone). I guess it can happen, but it fells a bit odd.
Also, I have to talk about Choujo a little bit, since this week the series had 2 chapters in the magazine: a crossover with KochiKame and a regular one. And Choujo being a gag manga, had it's regular chapter be all about the crossover, with people gushing about it happening, while the protagonist feels bad due to being compared (quite funny).
But here is the thing, the people in charge didn't translate the crossover, so now we instead have a chapter about a "fake crossover", about character we didn't meet and places we don't know anything about... and it was kinda hilarious in it's own way.
Edited by Shadow-Whisperer on Jan 4th 2025 at 6:28:14 AM
So... it seems that the opening of the new Sakamoto Days anime is out but it isn't that good, especially when it comes to the animation.
Normally, it's ok to not espect every anime to be a sakuga-fest but Sakamoto Days is the manga equivalent of a sakuga-fest: every fight, even the minor ones, has an incredible direction
Let's have the fingers crossed and hope the anime adaptation will do the manga justice... we have already waited this long, it would be a huge disappointment to have a bad adaptation
There isn't an impossible dream, there are only people who give upWild West Shonen has been done: GunBlazeWest. It got cancelled after three volumes, and seeing as the author has since been arrested for child pornography, I don't think there's any hope for a revival.

Syd Craft: Oh dear, even Lulu Chatnoir, practically the Kaitou Kid to Syd Craft's Conan Edoagawa (I think?? I don't read or watch Detective Conan, so I don't know for sure), is practically in the same boat as Syd Craft, her into the same romance novel and her wanting love too... At this point, romance is the one thing that will break the status quo.
Negai no Astro: Center Color, a cool-looking one! So there are 6 pieces of Aragane of which 2 are with Shiou and 1, the one from Himuro, is with Hibaru. The remaining three are in Kansai, Hokkaidou, and Yokohama. The Plan: Torazou to Kansai, Kuran and Kinpa to Hokkaidou, Hibaru and Terasu to Yokohama. Meanwhile, Shiou has his sights set to Yokohama... Next chapter, new arc! I see Wakui-sensei is reusing Yokohama...
Ultimate Exorcist Kiyoshi: Onsen Time! Yey!!
Choujou-Senpai: Hossan revealed to be running a curry shop, but his curry is so subpar... This is where Choujou comes in to help restructure from the store itself to the taste. It pays off, even with KEINAIN, who happens to also be a food reviewer with much influence!
Shinobigoto: It's time for Yuu (Yodaka) & Aoi to expand their circles! After, Umineko's personality revealed to be NOT Aoi's type, so Yodaka's tasked to become Aoi's lover... Good luck with that!
Nue no Onmyouji: Shiroha up and leaving with 5th Division Captain & Vice-Captain Itsuki Fujino & Kabane. It doesnn't go well with Gakurou, who vows to save her. Next chapter, Center Color!!
Kill Blue: At first, Noren ended up struggling, but then, she heard Rina saying she won't lose due to being a pro. From that and Juuzou calling out to her, she realizes that this is one step closer to her dream as a ramen pro, and so she amps the pace enough to win by a hair! With that, the Home Ec Club takes the top of the sales ranking by the end!
HAKUTAKU: Pixel Summit, a convention in Kyoto for showcasing indie games. This is our unit's next target, so in preparation, they head all the way to Kyoto for advance data gathering for their game. Meanwhile, enter one Nakaba Akamine, who is set to be one of the judges in the summit...